Predicting the potential distribution and coexistence of Chagas disease vectors in the Americas.

Predicting the potential distribution and coexistence of suitable geographic areas for Chagas disease vectors in the Americas is a crucial task for understanding the eco-epidemiological dynamics of this disease. The potential distribution and coexistence of 3 species-Rhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), Cavernicola pilosa (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), and Rhodnius pictipes (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) were modeled. Presence records were obtained and environmental variables were selected based on correlation analysis, Jackknife analysis and knowledge of the biology and natural history of the species.

Intrinsic values of procalcitonin in bacterial bloodstream infections in people aged 75 years and over: a retrospective study.

Objective: To evaluate PCT measurement in the diagnosis of bloodstream infection (BSI) in hospitalized patients aged 75+.

Method: Descriptive, retrospective, monocentric study conducted in France, in patients with at least one blood culture and PCT and CRP measurements within the 24 hours before or after blood culture.

Results: The mean PCT and CRP values for the 118 (15.

Humoral immune response of pigs infected with Toxocara cati.

Toxocara cati is one of the causative agents of human toxocariasis. Serological methods are used for diagnosis in paratenic hosts like humans but the humoral immune response triggered by this parasite is unknown. We characterized the humoral immune response to T.

Experimental infection with Toxocara cati in pigs: migratory pattern and pathological response in early phase.

Experimental inoculations of approximately 100,000 infective Toxocara cati larval eggs were done in twelve pigs. The T. cati eggs used for inoculation were collected from cat's feces.

High pressure extraction of antioxidants from Solanum stenotomun peel.

In the work described here, two techniques for the recovery of anthocyanins from potato peel were studied and compared. One of the techniques employed was supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) with pure CO2 or with CO2 and ethanol as cosolvent and the other technique was pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), where the solvent used was ethanol in water acidified to pH 2.6.

[Focus on digitalis intoxication in the elderly. Report of a case treated with digoxin-specific Fab antibody fragments].

The indications for digoxin are currently limited to rare cases of heart failure and/or atrial fibrillation. Its use should be even more rare in geriatrics its pharmacological characteristics, associated with age-related changes and comorbidities, particularly increase the risk of digoxin poisoning in the elderly. However, at least a third of aged patients suffering from heart failure and/or atrial fibrillation is treated by digitalis.

Prevalence of Malassezia species in patients with pityriasis versicolor in Rosario, Argentina.

Background: Malassezia species are considered opportunistic yeasts of increasing clinical importance. These lipophilic yeasts are associated with various human diseases, especially pityriasis versicolor (PV), a chronic superficial scaling dermatomycosis.

Aims: The aim of this study was to isolate, identify and analyze the distribution of the different species of Malassezia in patients with PV in Rosario city (Argentina).

Evaluation of seven tests for diagnosis of human brucellosis in an area where the disease is endemic.

The results of seven serologic tests for diagnosis of human brucellosis were evaluated. The titrated Rose Bengal test, microagglutination test, microtiter-adapted Coombs test, and immunocapture-agglutination test (Brucellacapt) were positive for all sera from patients with acute brucellosis. The immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgM, and IgA commercial enzyme immunoassays (ELISAs) failed to show specific antibodies in 3 patients, 10 patients, and 1 patient, respectively.

Brodifacoum poisoning with toxicokinetic data.

The case of a 46-year-old woman who survived after a brodifacoum poisoning is presented. The patient was admitted due to a severe coagulopathy. Initial prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time were both greater than 110 seconds and the patient suffered severe gastric and pulmonary hemorrhage requiring fresh frozen plasma transfusion and parenteral phytonadione administration (up to 100 mg per day).

Levels of essential and toxic elements in Porphyra columbina and Ulva sp. from San Jorge Gulf, Patagonia Argentina.

Baseline concentration levels of As, B, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Co, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, P, Pb, Se, V, and Zn were determined for Porphyra columbina and Ulva sp. collected from three locations along San Jorge Gulf, in Patagonia Argentina. Elements were quantified by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry, with the exception of lead and cadmium in some samples which were determined by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry.

[Conservation of Malassezia strains in blotting paper].

Reference strains belonging to the genus Malassezia were analyzed to evaluate, by comparison, different preservation systems such us subculture, freezing at -80 degrees C in glycerol, and blotting paper-disc conservation. The viability, phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of the strains used in this study was evaluated. The blotting paper method was found to be advantageous to preserve Malassezia spp strains due to both, its simple implementation in the laboratory and its efficiency.

High-performance liquid chromatography method for urinary trans,trans-muconic acid. Application to environmental exposure to benzene.

This report describes a specific and precise high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for the quantification of trans,trans-muconic acid in human urine. The procedure involved a highly efficient Bond-Elut SAX extraction with 20% acetic acid elution. The HPLC analysis used a sodium acetate/methanol mobile phase with a C18 reverse phase column and UV detection at 265 nm.

Thermotolerant Campylobacters in domestic animals in a defined population in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

We assessed the prevalence of Campylobacter jejuni in animals in a region of unsatisfied basic needs in the city of Buenos Aires and studied a few risk factors. First we conducted a census to identify all dwellings having pet animals (dogs, cats, and birds). Fecal samples were then taken for isolation and identification of strains.

Aflatoxin B1 content in patients with hepatic diseases.

Aflatoxins are toxic metabolites of some Aspergillus flavus, A. parasiticus and A. nomius strains that occur in many foods and feeds.