National University of the Chaco Austral

Changes in integument pigmentation in fish can occur due to trauma, parasite attachment, or bacterial, viral, and fungal skin infections. Experimental wound-healing models have proven to be valuable tools for studying these processes. This study aims to characterize the chromatophores of Gymnotus carapo and their role in the healing process, using an experimental wound-healing model. The analysis focused primarily on melanophores due to their predominance in the species' integument; other pigment cell types were not detected in the examined tissues. A total of 25 adult banded knifefish specimens were collected using fishing nets from natural lentic environments in San Cosme, Corrientes, Argentina. The specimens were transported to the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences (FCV) and housed in containers. Lesions were then induced in the mid-dorsal integument of 20 specimens, while 5 were kept as uninjured controls. At 12 hours, 24 hours, 6 days, and 9 days post-injury, five specimens from each group were randomly selected and euthanized in accordance with bioethical guidelines. Macroscopic observations of the integument were conducted using scanning electron microscopy, and histological slides were prepared and stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin and PAS histochemical reactions.Morphological and distributional changes in the chromatophores of G. carapo were observed throughout the healing process, with macroscopic and microscopic variations analyzed at different time points. These findings highlight, for the first time, the dynamic participation of chromatophores during tissue regeneration in this Neotropical species, emphasizing their potential role beyond pigmentation. This research provides new insights into the cellular mechanisms of fish skin repair and establishes a foundational model for studying chromatophore-mediated healing, with implications for improving health and welfare management in aquaculture.

The objective of this study is to communicate the findings of the first whole genome sequencing of a colistin-resistant Escherichia coli isolate harboring mcr-1 gene obtained from a pig in Argentina. Genomic DNA was sequenced using the MinION Oxford Nanopore platform. The libraries were prepared using a SQK-RBK110-96 protocol. The sequencing process was conducted on a MinION Mk1C MIN 101-C, utilizing a FLO-MIN106 flow cell. The quality of the reads was evaluated using NanoPlot. De novo assembly was conducted using Canu 1.6 and the quality of contigs was evaluated using QUAST. Annotation was performed using Prokka. The CBC20 strain exhibited a colistin MIC of 4 µg/mL. The genome size was 5178653 bp with a GC content of 50,31%. The N50 value was 133,250, while the L50 value was 21. A total of 11,620 genes, 11,518 coding sequences, 77 transfer RNAs and 24 ribosomal RNAs were identified. A serotype O9:H37 with sequence type ST-297 was observed. A total of seven antimicrobial resistance genes were identified, including mcr-1.5, bla TEM-1B, bla EC-18, bla TEM-70, aph(3')-Ia, mph(A) and sul3. The presence of punctual mutations was observed in the genes encoding the proteins GyrA (S83L, D87N) and ParC (S80I). Five distinct plasmid replicon types were identified, including IncFII, IncY, IncFIB, IncX1 and Col440II. Our findings may assist in the comprehension of the mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance, genomic epidemiology and dissemination of mcr-1 gene among animals and environment, which could potentially impact human health.

We performed an analytical, cross-sectional study of 285 consumers to assess the influence of social influence, resistance to use, facilitators to use, perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of telemedicine on the intention to use telemedicine of citizens of Argentina in times of the pandemic by COVID-19. The proposed research model was analyzed using partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Perceived ease of use had a positive effect (0.624) on perceived usefulness; facilitating conditions had a positive effect (0.476) on usage intention; perceived risk (-0.062) and social influence (0.072) did not have an effect on usage intention. Bootstrapping showed that the beta coefficients were statistically significant. The outcomes may provide ideas to healthcare managers to know what an expectation about telemedicine is and develop new services directed to patients.

The physicochemical parameters, antioxidant activity, and sensory properties were determined in stingless bee honeys from two bee species and different phytogeographic regions of the Chaco province (Argentina). All honeys showed similar moisture content, colour, and hydroxymethyl furfural concentration. The samples from the oriental estuaries showed the lowest free acidity, ash content, and electrical conductivity. The honey produced by Tetragonisca fiebrigi (Schwarz) had a higher ash content than honeys produced by Scaptotrigona jujuyensis (Schrottky). However, the electrical conductivity of honeys produced by both bee species was similar. The HPLC sugar analysis, total polyphenol and flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity (ABTS) showed no significant differences between the different geographic zones or bee species. The wood aroma and sweet taste were chosen as the best sensory descriptors of the honeys. The results of the multivariate techniques used showed that is not possible to classify honeys according to its geographical origin or bee species. Most of the honey samples meet the required microbiological standards and could be considered safe for consumption.

Whey proteins can form thin layers at the interface of non-miscible liquids like oil drops and water by emulsifying. The interfacial activity and the rheology of the interfacial films constitute a crucial aspect in assessing ingredients’ ability to form and stabilize emulsions. Although cow-origin whey protein concentrates (WPC) have been extensively used in the food industry, the WPC from buffalo (BWPC) still needs to be studied. In this context, the objective of this work was to explore the interfacial activity and the viscoelastic properties of BWPC at the oil-in-water (O/W) interfaces. WPC was used for comparison. With this purpose, BWPC and WPC were dispersed at 2.6x10-3 – 1.6% w/v in 10 mM phosphate buffer (pH 7) and equilibrat-ed at four °C for 24 h. Then, the equilibrium interfacial pressure (πeq) was registered through the Wilhelmy plate method. Additionally, adsorption dynamics at the O/W interface at protein concentrations of 0.5 and 1% were obtained over three h with a drop tensiometer. Subsequently, the rheological dilatational behavior (10% deformation amplitude and 0,1 Hz of angular frequency) was evaluated. Plate tensiometry showed that πeq of BWPC and WPC solutions increased from 9.9 to 16.7 mN/m and 11.5 to 15.0 mN/m, respectively, and conform protein concentration increased. An intersection between π – concentration isotherms was observed, indicating that below protein concentration of 1.3x10-2%, the πeq of WPC was higher than BWPC. This observation could be attributed to compositional differences and the possibility of generating different structural patterns in the interface. The drop tensiometer displayed that π increased with time for both protein concentrates, indicating the protein adsorption at the O/W interface. Interfacial rheology results indicated a gradual increase in the solid or elastic character (Ed) over time for both types of proteins, indicating more cohesive and packed structures. Ed of BWPC was higher than WPC at the lowest protein concentration, while the opposite also occurred. This behavior can be explained by considering that the higher the protein concentration, the stronger interactions among BPWC proteins occur. In conclusion, BWPC increased the interfacial pressure to a greater extent than WPC and concomitantly formed films with a higher solid character. These findings contribute to considering the use of BWPC as an efficient emulsifier agent with the benefits of adding value and minimizing the environmental impact of this byproduct.

Las universidades y las instituciones formadoras de profesionales están atravesando procesos de acreditación, para lo cual deben cumplir con ciertos estándares, donde cada carrera, en especial las ingenierías, tienen especificaciones sobre las competencias que los egresados deben desarrollar en su formación profesional. Por lo tanto, en el presente artículo, se busca describir las percepciones de los docentes universitarios con respecto a las competencias que los estudiantes desarrollan mediante la integralidad de las funciones universitarias (docencia, investigación y extensión). Lo anterior se convierte en el punto de partida para poder adecuar e implementar los planes de estudios de las carreras. Esta investigación se realizó bajo el diseño de investigación cualitativo, a partir de entrevistas semiestructuradas realizadas a 21 docentes. Los resultados analizados reflejan las competencias genéricas que los docentes identificaron como aquellas que se desarrollan a través de las actividades de extensión e investigación, indicando una conciencia sobre el valor formativo de estas funciones sustantivas en la educación de los futuros graduados. Estos hallazgos tienen implicaciones para el diseño curricular y la enseñanza centrada en el desarrollo de competencias en los estudiantes de carreras productivas. Se puede concluir que cada día es necesario incorporar y planificar actividades extensionistas e investigativas en el currículo, considerando las competencias que se espera que los futuros egresados desarrollen. Al incluir estas actividades en la estructura curricular, se les otorgaría la misma importancia que a la docencia, brindando oportunidades equitativas para que todos los estudiantes participen y desarrollen habilidades en investigación y extensión.

The objective of this work was to analyze the phenomenon of corruption and its consequences in democratic societies. Therefore, a search for information was carried out on its generalities and consequences. Corruption negatively affects the public purposes of the Social Constitutional State of Law, economically disturbing the heritage of a nation, as well as the well-being of society, which negatively affects the quality of life of its citizens, as well as their human rights, social and economic

The use of plants to treat diseases and heal wounds is a custom that dates back thousands of years and is a legacy of ancient civilizations. Although a significant proportion of the planet's plant biodiversity is found on the American continent, there are very few pharmaceutical products developed from it. This work aimed to develop and characterize topical formulations (gels and emulgels), including a combination of plant extracts with recognized antibacterial activity. Hydroalcoholic extra