Datos preliminares de la morfología de la larva y del ciclo biológico de Nitidula carnaria (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae), una especie de interés forense

The species Nitidula carnaria (Schaller) (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) has economic and forensics importance. The mature larva, reared under controlled conditions of laboratory, was described for the first time. Moreover, preliminary information about the life cycle is provided. The time recorded from the instance mates placed together to the emergence of imago was 59 ± 2.4 days. This publication represents the first record of N. carnaria in South America.La especie Nitidula carnaria (Schaller) (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) tiene importancia económica y forense. Por primera vez, se describe la larva madura criada bajo condiciones controladas de laboratorio. Además, se suministra información preliminar del ciclo de vida. Desde la formación de parejas reproductivas hasta obtener el imago, el tiempo registrado fue de 59 ± 2,4 días. Esta publicación es el primer reporte de N. carnaria en Sudámerica.Fil: Zanetti, Noelia Inés. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biologia, Bioquimica y Farmacia. Catedra de Parasitologia Clinica; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnologia. Laboratorio de Entomologia Aplicada y Forense; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Visciarelli, Elena Concepción. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnologia. Laboratorio de Entomologia Aplicada y Forense; ArgentinaFil: Centeno, Néstor D. . Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biologia, Bioquimica y Farmacia. Catedra de Parasitologia Clinica; Argentin

Biological strategies of Dermestes maculatus DeGeer (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) at larval stages in different temperatures

The intraspecific variation in larval instars is a widely distributed phenomenon amongst holometabolous insects. Several factors can affect the number of instars, such as temperature, humidity, and density. Only a few references could be found in the literature because the invariability in the number of larval instars is considered normal, and the issue has raised little to no interest. Despite this, no study to date has intended to assess or focus on the larval development. Here, we analyzed the effect of different rearing temperature on the larval stage of Dermestes maculatus DeGeer (Coleoptera: Dermestidae). The results indicated that at all temperatures, L5 represented a decisive point for individuals as well as the other later larval instars, because the next step to follow was to pupate or molt to the next larval instar. Furthermore, there were mainly two populations, L5 and L6, although in different proportions according to temperature. We also found that at a greater number of instars, the larval development at all temperatures lasted longer. Moreover, the exponential model was the best adjustment in the developmental time of all populations as well as for the accumulated developmental time of L1–L4. Thus, we conclude that random factors such as genetics could probably cause interspecific variability in D. maculatus larval development.Fil: Zanetti, Noelia Inés. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología. Laboratorio de Entomología Aplicada y Forense; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Cátedra de Parasitología Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Visciarelli, Elena Concepcion. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Cátedra de Parasitología Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Centeno, Néstor Daniel. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología. Laboratorio de Entomología Aplicada y Forense; Argentin

Parasitological analysis in drinking water sources from Bahía Blanca city and its area of influence

La escasez del recurso hídrico ha incrementado en los últimos años la reutilización de aguas depuradas y de fuentes alternativas para consumo, riego y/o recreación. En este sentido, la Organización Mundial de la Salud recomienda alcanzar niveles mínimos de calidad que aseguren la preservación de la salud humana y el ambiente. Un riesgo evidente lo constituye la ingesta y el uso recreativo de agua contaminada con materia fecal humana o de animales. Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium spp., Entamoeba spp. y otras amebas de vida libre (AVL) son agentes etiológicos de enfermedades transmitidas por el agua. El objetivo de nuestro trabajo fue buscar e identificar formas parasitarias de importancia en salud humana, en cuerpos de agua de Bahía Blanca y la región. Se recolectaron muestras de agua del Embalse Paso de las Piedras y sus afluentes naturales. En cada sitio se registró temperatura, pH, conductividad eléctrica y turbidez del agua. Se realizó un filtrado y análisis microscópico directo de los pellets, y coloración de Kinyoun para la identificación de Cryptosporidium spp. Se hallaron huevos y larvas compatibles morfológicamente con miembros de la familia Ancylostomatidae. En todas las muestras estudiadas se aislaron AVL morfológicamente compatibles con el género Acanthamoeba. El 100 % de los aislamientos fue confirmado por tipificación molecular como perteneciente a dicho género. La presencia de estos potenciales patógenos en las muestras obtenidas indica que es necesario implementar un sistema de vigilancia sobre los cursos de agua que abastecen a la ciudad.The global shortage of fresh water resources has recently led to the reuse of purified water and alternative sources for consumption, irrigation and recreation. In this sense, the World Health Organization recommends attaining minimum water quality levels to ensure both the public and environmental health. The direct consumption and recreational use of water bodies polluted with either human and/or animal feces represent an evident risk. Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium spp., Entamoeba spp. and other free-living amoebas (FLA) are etiological agents associated with waterborne diseases. The objective of this work was to search and to identify parasites of public health concern in water bodies from the Bahía Blanca city and its watershed. Water samples from Embalse Paso de las Piedras and its natural tributaries were collected. Water temperature, electrical conductivity, and turbidity were recorded at each sampling site. Samples were filtered and analyzed microscopically, and the Kinyoun staining was used for the Cryptosporidium spp. identification. Eggs and larvae morphologically compatible with members of the family Ancylostomatidae were found. The FLA morphologically compatible with Acanthamoeba spp. were isolated in all studied samples. All isolates were confirmed as Acanthamoeba spp. by molecular typification. The presence of these potential pathogens in the analyzed samples underline the importance of maintaining a surveillance system in the city’s natural water supplies.Asociación Parasitológica Argentin

Parasites in water used for consumption and for recreational purposes as well as in the water from Arroyo Naposta in city of Bahía Blanca, province of Buenos Aires, Argentina

The aim of the present study was to detect the presence of sanitarily important parasites in the water from Arroyo Napostá as well as in the water used for recreational purposes (public swimmingpools) and for consumption in the city of Bahía Blanca, province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. To this end, 24,000 liters of water from different sectors of Arroyo Napostá; 2,000 liters of water from each of the three public swimming-pools of Bahía Blanca; and 8,000 liters of water for consumption were collected using polypropylene spun cartridge filters with a 1 μm porosity (Cuno Micro Wind II). Further processing was conducted following Madore´s technique (1987) modified by Pezzani (2000). Detection of Cryptosporidium sp. Giardia sp. was carried out via direct immunofluorescence. Our study confirmed the presence of the following parasites in the areas of study: Hymenolepis diminuta eggs, Giardia sp cysts, Toxocara sp eggs, Entamoeba sp cysts, Endolimax sp cysts, Nematode larvae, Trichostrongylus sp eggs, Ascaris sp eggs, and Cryptosporidium sp cysts in the water from Arroyo Napostá; Hymenolepis diminuta eggs, Giardia sp cysts, Toxocara sp eggs, Entamoeba sp cysts, Endolimax sp cysts, Nematode larvae, Trichostrongylus sp eggs, Ascaris sp in the water from swimmingpools; and Cryptosporidium sp in the water for consumption. The results from the present study urge sanitary authorities from the city of Bahía Blanca to take measures in order to prevent not only humans but also animals from getting in contact with these waters which are contaminated and dangerous to health.El objetivo del presente trabajo fue detectar la presencia de parásitos de importancia sanitaria para el hombre, en el arroyo Napostá, en aguas recreacionales (piscinas públicas) y de consumo en Bahía Blanca (Provincia de Buenos Aires) Argentina. Se recolectaron 24.000 litros de agua de diferentes sectores del arroyo Napostá, 2.000 litros de cada una de las tres piscinas públicas y 8.000 litros de agua de consumo, mediante filtros de poro de una micra de diámetro (Cuno Micro Wind). El procesamiento posterior se efectuó siguiendo la técnica de Madore (1) modificada por Pezzani (2). La detección de Cryptosporidium sp. Giardia sp. se realizó mediante inmunofluo-rescencia directa. Las formas parasitarias observadas, fueron: huevos de Hymenolepis diminuta, quistes de Giardia sp, huevos de Toxocara sp, quistes de Entamoeba sp. Quistes de Endolimax sp, larvas de Nematodos, huevos de Trichostrongylus sp, huevos de Ascaris sp y quistes de Cryptosporidium sp. en las aguas del Arroyo Napostá; huevos de Hymenolepis diminuta, quistes de Giardia sp, huevos de Toxocara sp, quistes de Entamoeba sp. quistes de Endolimax sp, larvas de Nematodos, huevos de Trichostrongylus sp, huevos de Ascaris sp. en agua de piscina; y quistes de Cryptosporidium sp. en agua de consumo. En conclusión es necesario que las autoridades sanitarias adopten medidas tendientes a evitar que el hombre y los animales tomen contacto con estas aguas contaminadas y peligrosas para la salud.Facultad de Ciencias Médica

Comprehensive comparison and experimental validation of band-structure calculation methods in III\u2013V semiconductor quantum wells

We present and thoroughly compare band-structures computed with density functional theory, tight-binding, k p and non-parabolic effective mass models. Parameter sets for the non-parabolic C, the L and X valleys and intervalley bandgaps are extracted for bulk InAs, GaAs and InGaAs. We then consider quantum-wells with thickness ranging from 3 nm to 10 nm and the bandgap dependence on film thickness is compared with experiments for In0:53Ga0:47As quantum-wells. The impact of the band-structure on the drain current of nanoscale MOSFETs is simulated with ballistic transport models, the results provide a rigorous assessment of III\u2013V semiconductor band structure calculation methods and calibrated band parameters for device simulations

Acanthamoeba sp. keratitis: First case confirmed by isolation and molecular typification in Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina

Some species of the Acanthamoeba genus cause keratitis, a very painful, most likely unilateral corneal infection, associated with eye and vision impairment. We here present a case of a 31-year-old female patient, a regular user of soft contact lenses without good practices of lens hygiene and handling. The patient attended medical consultation after two months of inflammation and pain in her right eye. After ophthalmological studies, and due to suspicion of a parasitic infection, a biopsy was performed and the sample submitted for bacteriological and parasitological analyses. Moreover, contact lens holders and lens cleaning solutions were studied. The samples yielded negative results for bacterial infection. However, cultivation of all samples showed the presence of amoeboid parasites. Isolated amoebae were morphologically and molecularly classified as members of the Acanthamoeba genus. This is the first case of keratitis caused by Acanthamoeba in Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires Province, where the parasite was identified by specific and sensitive molecular techniques.Fil: Gertiser, María Laura. Universidad Nacional del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Giagante, E.. Centro Privado de Oftalmología Bahía Blanca; ArgentinaFil: Sgattoni, E.. Centro Privado de Oftalmología Bahía Blanca; ArgentinaFil: Basabe, Norma. Universidad Nacional del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Rivero, Fernando David. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet Noa Sur. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Salud, Tecnología y Desarrollo. - Universidad Nacional de Santiago del Estero. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Salud, Tecnología y Desarrollo; Argentina. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Laboratorio de Investigación en Bioquímica y Biología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Lujan, Hugo Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Inmunología y Enfermedades Infecciosas. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Inmunología y Enfermedades Infecciosas; ArgentinaFil: Occhionero, M.. Universidad Nacional del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Paniccia, Teresa Laura. Universidad Nacional del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Visciarelli, Elena Concepcion. Universidad Nacional del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Costamagna. S. R.. Universidad Nacional del Sur; Argentin

Acanthamoeba sp. keratitis: First case confirmed by isolation and molecular typification in Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina

Some species of the Acanthamoeba genus cause keratitis, a very painful, most likely unilateral corneal infection, associated with eye and vision impairment. We here present a case of a 31-year-old female patient, a regular user of soft contact lenses without good practices of lens hygiene and handling. The patient attended medical consultation after two months of inflammation and pain in her right eye. After ophthalmological studies, and due to suspicion of a parasitic infection, a biopsy was performed and the sample submitted for bacteriological and parasitological analyses. Moreover, contact lens holders and lens cleaning solutions were studied. The samples yielded negative results for bacterial infection. However, cultivation of all samples showed the presence of amoeboid parasites. Isolated amoebae were morphologically and molecularly classified as members of the Acanthamoeba genus. This is the first case of keratitis caused by Acanthamoeba in Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires Province, where the parasite was identified by specific and sensitive molecular techniques.Fil: Gertiser, María Laura. Universidad Nacional del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Giagante, E.. Centro Privado de Oftalmología Bahía Blanca; ArgentinaFil: Sgattoni, E.. Centro Privado de Oftalmología Bahía Blanca; ArgentinaFil: Basabe, Norma. Universidad Nacional del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Rivero, Fernando David. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet Noa Sur. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Salud, Tecnología y Desarrollo. - Universidad Nacional de Santiago del Estero. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Salud, Tecnología y Desarrollo; Argentina. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Laboratorio de Investigación en Bioquímica y Biología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Lujan, Hugo Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Inmunología y Enfermedades Infecciosas. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Inmunología y Enfermedades Infecciosas; ArgentinaFil: Occhionero, M.. Universidad Nacional del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Paniccia, Teresa Laura. Universidad Nacional del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Visciarelli, Elena Concepcion. Universidad Nacional del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Costamagna. S. R.. Universidad Nacional del Sur; Argentin

A full-quantum simulation study of InGaAs NW MOSFETs including interface traps

The interaction between strain and border traps in short-channel InGaAs NW MOSFETs is investigated through full-quantum 3D simulations based on a k·p Hamiltonian. Traps induce a sizable degradation of the ON-current, which can be recovered through the application of a suitable strain, provided the quantization effects, which increase by scaling the NW lateral size, do not become too large

Marks caused by the scavenging activity of Necrobia rufipes (Coleoptera: Cleridae) under laboratory conditions

Insects are an important group involved in carrion consumption and are thus of forensic interest. In the laboratory we studied the taphonomic marks that Necrobia rufipes (Cleridae) can produce. Pig trotters were exposed to adult beetles at 21 ± 3 C and 12:12 h day/night cycle. We made observations and took photographs every 4e5 days for 12 months. Marks were noted after a month. We found scratches, pits, holes, and tunnels in several kinds of tissue such as integumental, connective and muscular. This work contributes preliminary data of significant application in biology, ecology, anthropology and forensics. Until now, no study has provided taphonomic information with N.rufipesFil: Zanetti, Noelia Inés. Universidad Nacional del Sur; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Visciarelli, Elena Concepcion. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Centeno, Néstor Daniel. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes; Argentin

Preliminary data on larval morphology and life cycle of Nitidula carnaria (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae), a species of forensic interest

La especie Nitidula carnaria (Schaller) (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) tiene importancia económica y forense. Por primera vez, se describe la larva madura criada bajo condiciones controladas de laboratorio. Además, se suministra infor - mación preliminar del ciclo de vida. Desde la formación de parejas reproductivas hasta obtener el imago, el tiempo registrado fue de 59 ± 2,4 días. Esta publicación es el primer reporte de N. carnaria en Sudámerica