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Introducing a new member of the genus Chlorophyllum : Chlorophyllum sapukai sp. nov., and new records from Paraguay
Get PDFCorresponding authors e-mails: Maubet Cano, Yanine Elizabeth, [email protected]; Robledo, Gerardo L., [email protected]ículo científico premiado con una Mención Honorífica por el Premio Nacional de Ciencias de la edición 2024, otorgado por la Honorable Cámara de Senadores del Congreso Nacional de la República del Paraguay.Discovered in Paraguay, Chlorophyllum sapukai is a new species based on morphological characters and multigene molecular phylogenetic analyses (ITS, LSU, RPB2 and TEF1 markers). Macroscopically, the species is characterized by large agaricoid basidiomata, with a hemispherical to broad convex pileus, a yellowish to cream buff surface of the pileus covered centrally with plate-like squamules. Microscopically, the new species is characterized by abundant cheilocystidia (35–50 × 14–20 μm), truncate basidiospores with a defined germ pore (9–10 × 6.5–7.5 μm), a pileus covering arranged as a trichodermial palisade at the squamules. Chlorophyllum hortense is recorded for the first time for Paraguay and the distribution of C. molybdites is expanded. Detailed morphological descriptions, field photographs of the species and the phylogenetic position of the Chlorophyllum species occurring in Paraguay are presented. A key to neotropical Chlorophyllum species is also provided.Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y TecnologíaPrograma Paraguayo para el Desarrollo de la Ciencia y Tecnología. Proyectos de investigación y desarroll
Copper, iron and zinc deficiencies in children under 5 years of age
Get PDFCorrespondencia: Cristel Iona Kennedy Cuevas. Correo: [email protected]ón: La determinación de niveles séricos de micronutrientes de los niños menores de 5 años, es un requerimiento básico para establecer la prevalencia de deficiencias nutricionales de la población infantil y es una estrategia útil para incentivar a Salud Pública para que tome medidas en cuanto a aplicación y/o modificación de las Políticas Alimentarias Nacionales. Objetivo: Determinar los niveles séricos de cobre, hierro y zinc en niños paraguayos menores de 5 años. Materiales y Métodos: Estudio observacional, descriptivo y de corte transversal. Se procesaron las muestras de sangre de 1.441 niños menores de 5 años de edad que provenían de los Departamentos de Alto Paraná, Caaguazú, Central y de la capital de Paraguay. Se realizaron hemogramas y se determinaron las concentraciones séricas de albúmina, cobre, ferritina y zinc, de todas las muestras. Resultados: Los niños tuvieron una edad promedio de 3 años y 3 meses, fueron 52,74% de sexo masculino y 47,26% de sexo femenino. La prevalencia de anemia fue de 45,25% y la prevalencia de hipoalbuminemia fue de 20,65%. Se detectaron deficiencias de cobre en 14,03%, de ferritina en 6,98% y de zinc en 43,62%, de los niños. Conclusión: Los resultados de este estudio avalan la necesidad de ampliar la cobertura del Programa Alimentario Nutricional Integral (PANI), de plantearse si se deben ajustar las cantidades de minerales y vitaminas de la fórmula nutricional del Programa y de mejorar el seguimiento de los controles prenatales de las madres.Introduction: The determination of serum levels of micronutrients in children under 5 years of age is a basic requirement to establish the prevalence of nutritional deficiencies in the child population and is a useful strategy to encourage Public Health agencies to take steps regarding application. and/or modification of National Food Policies. Objective: To determine the serum levels of copper, iron and zinc in Paraguayan children under 5 years of age. Materials and Methods: This was an observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study. Blood samples from 1,441 children under 5 years of age who came from the Departments of Alto Paraná, Caaguazú, Central and the capital of Paraguay were processed. Complete blood counts were performed and the serum concentrations of albumin, copper, ferritin and zinc were determined in all samples. Results: The children in this study had an average age of 3 years and 3 months, they were 52.74% male and 47.26% female. The prevalence of anemia was 45.25% and the prevalence of hypoalbuminemia was 20.65%. Copper deficiencies were detected in 14.03%, ferritin in 6.98% and zinc in 43.62% of the children. Conclusion: The results of this study support the need to expand the coverage of the Comprehensive Nutritional Food Program (PANI program), to consider whether the amounts of minerals and vitamins in the Program's nutritional formula should be adjusted, and to improve prenatal care.Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y TecnologíaPrograma Paraguayo para el Desarrollo de la Ciencia y Tecnología. Proyectos de investigación y desarroll
Performance of visual inspection of the cervix with acetic acid (VIA) for triage of HPV screen-positive women : results from the ESTAMPA study
Get PDFCorrespondence: Armando Baena, Early Detection, Prevention & Infections Branch, International Agency for Research on Cancer, 150 Cours Albert Thomas, 69372 Lyon CEDEX 08, France. Email: [email protected] is recommended for triage of HPV-positive women attending cervical screening. In the multicentric ESTAMPA study, VIA performance for detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 or worse (CIN3+) among HPV-positive women was evaluated. Women aged 30-64 years were screened with HPV testing and cytology and referred to colposcopy if either test was positive. At colposcopy visit, study-trained midwives/nurses/GPs performed VIA ahead of colposcopy. VIA was considered positive if acetowhite lesions were observed in or close to the transformation zone. Ablative treatment eligibility was assessed for VIA positives. Performance indicators were estimated. Three thousand one hundred and forty-two HPV-positive women were included. Sensitivity for CIN3+ was 85.9% (95% CI 81.2-89.5) among women <50 years and, although not significant, slightly lower in women 50+ (78.0%, 95% CI 65.9-86.6). Overall specificity was 58.6% (95% CI 56.7-60.5) and was significantly higher among women 50+ (70.3%, 95% CI 66.8-73.5) compared to women <50 (54.3%, 95% CI 52.1-56.5). VIA positivity was lower among women 50+ (35.2%, 95% CI 31.9-38.6) compared to women <50 (53.2, 95% CI 51.1-55.2). Overall eligibility for ablative treatment was 74.5% and did not differ by age. VIA sensitivity, specificity, and positivity, and ablative treatment eligibility varied highly by provider (ranges: 25%-95.4%, 44.9%-94.4%, 8.2%-65.3%, 0%-98.7%, respectively). VIA sensitivity for cervical precancer detection among HPV-positive women performed by trained providers was high with an important reduction in referral rates. However, scaling-up HPV screening triaged by VIA will be challenging due to the high variability of VIA performance and providers' need for training and supervision.Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y TecnologíaPrograma Paraguayo para el Desarrollo de la Ciencia y Tecnología. Proyectos de investigación y desarroll
Genetic diversity of Aedes aegypti in the Central-Upper Paraná cross-border axis in Paraguay
Get PDFCorrespondencia: Nilsa González-Brítez; [email protected]: Conocer la diversidad genética de Aedes aegypti en el corredor vial transfronterizo Central- Alto Paraná de Paraguay, con registros de casos de dengue. Materiales y métodos: Se seleccionaron veinte hembras adultas de la eclosión de huevos de Ae. aegypti procedentes de casas geolocalizadas en los departamentos de Alto Paraná, Caaguazú, Cordillera y Central, entre el 2018 y 2019. Se extrajo ADN del tejido de las hembras para amplificación aleatoria de sus patrones polimórficos mediante amplificación aleatoria del ADN polimórfico por PCR (RAPD-PCR), usando cebadores H3 y B03 a fin de conocer parámetros genéticos de diversidad poblacional. Las relaciones entre las poblaciones de mosquitos según la localidad fueron visualizadas mediante análisis no apareado de la media aritmética. Las áreas idóneas de distribución geográfica real y potencial de estas poblaciones de Ae. aegypti fueron analizadas mediante DIVA-GIS 7.3.0 y MAXENT. Resultados: Se identificaron 40 loci mediante perfiles RAPD-PCR, con diferenciación génica moderada (Gst = 0,12). El corredor transfronterizo presentó condiciones bioclimáticas para la presencia de poblaciones variantes de Ae. aegypti, siendo determinantes en la distribución la precipitación del trimestre más cálido y la temperatura media del trimestre más seco. Conclusiones: Se evidencia que existe diversidad genética moderada en las poblaciones de Ae. aegypti procedentes de zonas con registros de casos de dengue ubicadas en el corredor vial transfronterizo que une los departamentos Central y Alto Paraná de Paraguay. El estudio de variabilidad genética de Ae. aegypti es de gran utilidad para la vigilancia entomoepidemiológica y evaluación de posibles eventos de resistencia al control químico.Objective: To determine the genetic diversity of Aedes aegypti in the Central-Alto Paraná cross-border road corridor of Paraguay, an area that has reports of dengue cases. Materials and methods: Twenty adult females were selected from hatching Ae. aegypti eggs from households geolocated in the departments of Alto Paraná, Caaguazú, Cordillera and Central, between 2018 and 2019. DNA was extracted from the tissue of females for amplifying their polymorphic patterns by random amplification of polymorphic DNA by PCR (RAPD-PCR), using primers H3 and B03 in order to identify genetic parameters of population diversity. The relationships between mosquito populations according to locality were observed by unpaired arithmetic mean analysis. We used DIVA-GIS 7.3.0 and MAXENT to analyze the suitable areas of actual and potential geographic distribution of these Ae. aegypti populations. Results: Forty loci were identified by RAPD-PCR profiling, with moderate gene differentiation (Gst = 0.12). The cross-border corridor presented bioclimatic conditions for the presence of variant populations of Ae. aegypti, with precipitation in the warmest quarter and mean temperature in the driest quarter being determinant in the distribution. Conclusions: There is evidence of moderate genetic diversity in Ae. aegypti populations from areas that have reported dengue cases in the cross-border road corridor linking the Central and Alto Paraná departments of Paraguay. The study of genetic variability of Ae. aegypti is very useful for entomo-epidemiological surveillance and evaluation of possible resistance to chemical control.Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y TecnologíaPrograma Paraguayo para el Desarrollo de la Ciencia y Tecnología. Proyectos de investigación y desarroll
Tuberculosis en prisiones, un problema mayor de salud pública
No full textCon el primer Seminario Internacional sobre este tema realizado en el 2018 se inició una nueva etapa en la investigación de la TB en nuestro país. El tiempo recorrido hasta la fecha sirvió para madurar diversos aspectos de la investigación de varios grupos de investigadores paraguayos, pero la TB no ha dado tregua. Luego de más de 2 años de pandemia por COVID-19, las proyecciones y los indicadores de la TB tanto a nivel local como global no son promisorios. Cada vez estamos más lejos de la meta puesta por los ODS 2030. En el país siguen diagnosticándose cerca de 3000 nuevos casos de Tuberculosis por año y tal vez pueda verse un aumento.
Este II Seminario aglutinó toda esa red de investigadores ya conectada, pero esta vez en Asunción, para compartir aquí no solo las novedades en la investigación de la tuberculosis, sino involucrar al resto de las Sociedades Científicas nacionales interesadas en la Tuberculosis a unirse a esta cresta de ola de investigación de vanguardia, la cual estamos seguros dejará una huella en la investigación nacional más allá de la Tuberculosis.
El programa científico se orientó a desarrollar el primer día las charlas magistrales, principalmente enfocadas a cuestiones de epidemiología molecular de la Tuberculosis, compartir experiencias exitosas de intervención y modificación de escenarios epidemiológicos.
El segundo se aprovechó para visitar los centros de investigación locales, su red laboratorios de Tuberculosis en la Ciudad de Asunción, también el entorno de investigación a intervenir como las grandes prisiones del país. El Tercer día fue una jornada de fortalecimiento de las redes de trabajo creadas, y se aprovechó para consensuar proyectos conjuntos de investigación + acción e intervención, cerrando un plan de trabajo conjunto para los próximos años.Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y TecnologíaPrograma Paraguayo para el Desarrollo de la Ciencia y Tecnología. Eventos científicos emergente
Winding design and efficiency analysis of a nine-phase induction machine from a three-phase induction machine
No full textCorrespondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +595-985532964This article belongs to the Special Issue Multiphase Machines: Converter Control and Innovative Exploitation.Multiphase machines are a hot research topic in control theory and industrial applications such as electric cars. However, the availability to buy them in the market is limited or null. For this reason, it is common to rewind it from a three-phase commercial machine. In this context, the aim of this paper is two-fold. First, to introduce a straightforward procedure to rewind a nine-phase induction machine from a three-phase one. For that purpose, a study of the three-phase induction motor was performed, which included selecting a new winding design, calculating stator coils, and simulating tests with ANSYS Maxwell software to validate the design. Secondly, a performance analysis comparing the power losses through experimental tests performed to obtain the electrical parameters of both nine-phase and three-phase topologies is presented.Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y TecnologíaPrograma Paraguayo para el Desarrollo de la Ciencia y Tecnología. Programa Nacional de Incentivo a los Investigadore
Implementing HPV testing in 9 Latin American countries : the laboratory perspective as observed in the ESTAMPA study
Get PDFCorrespondence: Maribel Almonte
[email protected] article was submitted to Infectious Diseases - Surveillance, Prevention and Treatment, a section of the journal Frontiers in Medicine.Background: Replacement of cytology screening with HPV testing is recommended and essential for cervical cancer elimination. HPV testing for primary screening was implemented in 12 laboratories within 9 Latin American countries, as part of the ESTAMPA cervical cancer screening study. Our observations provide information on critical operational aspects for HPV testing implementation in diverse resource settings.
Methods: We describe the implementation process of HPV testing in ESTAMPA, focusing on laboratory aspects. We assess the readiness of 12 laboratories to start HPV testing and their continuity capacity to maintain good quality HPV testing until end of recruitment or up to December 2021. Readiness was based on a checklist. Information from the study database; regular meetings and monitoring visits; and a questionnaire on laboratory operational aspects sent in May 2020 were used to assess continuity capacity. Compliance with seven basic requirements (readiness) and eight continuity requirements (continuity capacity) was scored (1 = compliant, 0 = not compliant) and totaled to classify readiness and continuity capacity as very limited, limited, moderate or high. Experiences, challenges, and enablers of the implementation process are also described.
Results: Seven of 12 laboratories had high readiness, three moderate readiness, and of two laboratories new to HPV testing, one had limited readiness and the other very limited readiness. Two of seven laboratories with high readiness also showed high continuity capacity, one moderate continuity capacity, and the other four showed limited continuity capacity since they could not maintain good quality HPV testing over time. Among three laboratories with moderate readiness, one kept moderate continuity capacity and two reached high continuity capacity. The two laboratories new to HPV testing achieved high continuity capacity. Based on gained expertise, five laboratories have become part of national screening programs.
Conclusion: High readiness of laboratories is an essential part of effective implementation of HPV testing. However, high readiness is insufficient to guarantee HPV testing high continuity capacity, for which a "culture of quality" should be established with regular training, robust monitoring and quality assurance systems tailored to local context. All efforts to strengthen HPV laboratories are valuable and crucial to guarantee effective implementation of HPV-based cervical screening.Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y TecnologíaPrograma Paraguayo para el Desarrollo de la Ciencia y Tecnología. Proyectos de investigación y desarroll
Optimization of a conventional PCR technique for the amplification of the LCR region and the E6 gene of human papillomavirus type 16
Get PDFAutor correspondiente: Pamela Mongelós. Universidad Nacional de Asunción, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud, Departamento de Salud Pública. San Lorenzo Paraguay. Email: [email protected] cáncer de cuello uterino es el cuarto cáncer más frecuente en mujeres en el mundo y a nivel mundial, el VPH 16 se encuentra presente en aproximadamente el 60% de los casos. A la fecha, las variantes de VPH 16 se clasifican en 4 linajes y 16 sublinajes asociándose algunas variantes con severidad de lesión. La secuenciación de la región LCR y del gen E6 es utilizada para la clasificación de variantes. Por ello, el objetivo fue optimizar 2 PCRs convencionales para detectar la región LCR y una PCR para el gen E6. Para ello, se utilizaron muestras positivas para VPH 16, cebadores específicos para la región LCR y el gen E6. Se probaron las reacciones a diferentes temperaturas de anillamientos. La concentración de MgCl2, dNTP y cebadores fueron determinadas siguiendo las recomendaciones del fabricante de la enzima ADN polimerasa utilizada. Para la amplificación de la región LCR y el gen E6 del VPH 16, se observaron mejores resultados a una temperatura de anillamiento de 57°C y 50°C, respectivamente. La concentración de MgCl2 utilizada en ambas reacciones fue de 1,5mM, la de dNTP 0,2mM y la de cebadores 0,2uM. La optimización de la reacción de PCR permitirá obtener amplicones aptos para secuenciación, a fin de determinar las variantes génicas y posteriormente evaluar funcionalidad y actividad transcripcional que puedan estar relacionadas con la patogénesis cervical.Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women in the world and worldwide HPV 16 is present in approximately 60% of cases. To date, HPV 16 variants are classified into 4 lineages and 16 sublineages, with some variants being associated with lesion severity. Sequencing of the LCR region and the E6 gene is used for variant classification. Therefore, the objective was to optimize two conventional PCRs to detect the LCR region and one PCR for the E6 gene. For this purpose, HPV 16 positive samples, specific primers for the LCR region and the E6 gene were used. The reactions were tested at different alignment temperatures. The concentration of MgCl2, dNTP, and primers was determined following the recommendations of the manufacturer of the DNA polymerase enzyme used. For amplification of the LCR region and the HPV 16 E6 gene, the best results were observed at an annealing temperature of 57°C and 50°C, respectively. The concentration of MgCl2 used in both reactions was 1.5mM, dNTP 0.2mM and primers 0.2uM. The present optimization will be used to sequence the amplified products to determine the variants and subsequently evaluate the functionality and transcriptional activity in order to relate it to cervical pathogenesis.Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y TecnologíaPrograma Paraguayo para el Desarrollo de la Ciencia y Tecnología. Proyectos de investigación y desarroll
Unwrapping broken tails : biological and environmental correlates of predation pressure in limbless reptiles
No full textCorrespondence: Mario R. Moura. Email: [email protected]. Studying species interactions in nature often requires elaborated logistics and intense fieldwork. The difficulties in such task might hinder our ability to answer questions on how biotic interactions change with the environment. Fortunately, a workaround to this problem lies within scientific collections.
2. For some animals, the inspection of preserved specimens can reveal the scars of past antagonistic encounters, such as predation attempts. A common defensive behaviour that leaves scars on animals is autotomy, the loss of a body appendage to escape predation. By knowing the collection site of preserved specimens, it is possible to assess the influence of organismal biology and the surrounding environment in the occurrence of autotomy.
3. We gathered data on tail loss for 8189 preserved specimens of 33 snake and 11 amphisbaenian species to investigate biological and environmental correlates of autotomy in reptiles. We applied generalized linear mixed effect models to evaluate whether body size, sex, life-stage, habitat use, activity pattern, biome, tropicality, temperature and precipitation affect the probability of tail loss in limbless reptiles.
4. We observed autotomy in 23.6% of examined specimens, with 18.7% of amphisbaenian and 33.4% of snake specimens showing tail loss. The probability of tail loss did not differ between snakes and amphisbaenians, but it was higher among large-sized specimens, particularly in adults and females. Chance of tail loss was higher for diurnal and arboreal species, and among specimens collected in warmer regions, but it was unaffected by biome, precipitation, and tropicality.
5. Autotomy in limbless reptiles was affected by size-dependent factors that interplay with ontogeny and sexual dimorphism, although size-independent effects of life-stage and sex also shaped behavioural responses to predators. The increase in probability of tail loss with verticality and diurnality suggests a risk-balance mechanism between species habitat use and activity pattern. Although autotomy is more likely in warmer regions, it seems unrelated to seasonal differences in snakes and amphisbaenians activity. Our findings reveal several processes related to predator–prey interactions involving limbless reptiles, demonstrating the importance of scientific collections to unveil ecological mechanisms at different spatio-temporal scales.Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y TecnologíaPrograma Paraguayo para el Desarrollo de la Ciencia y Tecnología. Programa Nacional de Incentivo a los Investigadore
Status and distribution of Paraguayan Mustelidae
No full textCorrespondence: Paul Smith, FAUNA Paraguay, Encarnación, Itapúa, Paraguay. www.faunaparaguay.com and Para La Tierra, Centro IDEAL, Mariscal Estigarribia 321 c/ Tte. Capurro, Pilar, Dpto. Ñeembucú, Paraguay, www.paralatierra.org.
E-mail: [email protected] species of Mustelidae are known to occur in Paraguay – Tayra Eira barbara, Lesser Grison Galictis cuja, Greater Grison Galictis vittata, Giant Otter Pteronura brasiliensis and Neotropical Otter Lontra longicaudis. However, Paraguayan data regarding the distribution and status of these species in Paraguay is not easily obtainable, and scattered amongst numerous, often obscure publications. Paraguayan literature and specimens were reviewed to compile data on the distribution and status of these species in the country and records are presented in a hierarchical manner reflecting the reliability of each report. Data on these species in Paraguay are sorely lacking and our knowledge of distribution in the country is poor. The specimen record is incomplete and severely biased towards the Chaco region. Most species are apparently widespread and fairly common in the country. Giant Otter has a more restricted distribution, mainly in the Pantanal region. The precise distribution of the Greater Grison is unclear, probably because of widespread confusion of this species with the Lesser Grison.Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y TecnologíaPrograma Paraguayo para el Desarrollo de la Ciencia y Tecnología. Programa Nacional de Incentivo a los Investigadore