Immature stages of the membracid Guayaquila projecta (Funkhouser) (Hemiptera: Cicadomorpha: Membracidae), collected in San Salvador de Jujuy, Argentina on Bougainvillea glabra Choisy (Caryophyllales: Nyctaginaceae), are described in detail based on specimens reared in the laboratory. Like other membracids, this species has five nymphal instars, not seven as previously reported. Morphological characters for identifying the different instars of G. projecta, determining the sex of later instars and distinguishing this species from other members of the Guayaquila pugnax group, are discussed. At 19 ±± 4°°C, RH 59 ±± 9%, and a 12:12 L:D photoperiod, the time required for development from egg to adult emergence was 73 ±± 5 days.

Background: Graham Little -Piccardi -Lassueur (GLPL) syndrome is a rare dermatosis characterized by scarring alopecia, loss of pubic and axillary hair, and progressive development of variously located follicular papules. We report a first case ever of an autoimmune response in a patient suffering from GLPL syndrome.

Morphology of the immature stages and biology of Cactoblastis doddi (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in Prepuna in Jujuy (Northwestern Argentina). In argentinian Northwestern five species or biotypes of the genus Cactoblastis Ragonot are recognized on cacti: C. cactorum (Berg), C. Bucyrus Dyar, C. mundelli Heinrich, C. doddi Heinrich and C. ronnai (Brèthes). Cactoblastis doddi feeds on Opuntia sulphurea, a native cactus. The objectives of this study were to morphologically characterize immature stages of C. doddi and to know bioecological aspects (duration of the development, distribution, larval parasitoids) to understand the insect-plant interaction. Sampling were conducted at seven sites located at different altitudes (2 100-3 100 meters) in Jujuy's prepuna, Argentina. Each sample consisted of five infested cladodes of O. sulphurea in each site. In the laboratory, lepidopteran breeding was performed under the following conditions: temperature 23 ± 3°C, relative humidity 69 ± 11 % and photoperiod of 12 hours light-12 hours dark. Under previous conditions, Cactoblastis doddi had two generations: a long one in winter (> 258 days) and a short one in summer (147 days), both with seven larval instars. Each immature stage and instars were morphologically characterized. Two larval parasitoids were detected Apanteles opuntiarum Martínez y Berta, and Habrobracon sp.

The geographic distributions of Aedes casali, Ae. meprai, Culex acharistus, Cx. bidens, Cx. coronator, Cx. dolosus, Cx. saltanensis, Cx. imitator, Haemagogus janthin­omys and Psorophora cyanescens are extended. This contribution updates the mosquito fauna listed for Argentina, increasing the number of species for the provinces of Jujuy, La Rioja and Santiago del Estero from 55 to 62, 22 to 25 and 25 to 26, respectively. Data on collection localities, habitat of immature stages, and health importance are also presented.

BackgroundAbnormal fibrinogens can be caused by clinically silent hereditary mutations. A new case was detected accidentally in an 11-year-old girl when routine pre-operative coagulation tests were performed for nasal turbinate surgery.MethodsThe fibrinogen genes FGA, FGG and FGB were sequenced using standard protocols. The kinetics of fibrin formation were followed by turbidity at 350 nm. Purified fibrinogen was incubated with plasmin, and the degradation products analyzed by SDS/PAGE. The formation of fibrinogen-albumin complexes was analyzed by immunobloting. Fibrin structure was examined in a Nikon Eclipse TE 2000-U laser microscope. Secretion of the variant protein was analyzed directly by reverse phase-electrospray time of flight-mass spectrometry (TOF-MS).ResultsDNA sequencing revealed a novel heterozygous g. 3057 C > T mutation in the FGA that predicts a p. Arg104 > Cys substitution, in the proband and her father. Both patients were asymptomatic with low functional and antigen fibrinogen concentrations. The proband’s plasma fibrinogen polymerization was almost normal, with a 12% decrease in the final turbidity, while, the father’s fibrin formation had a diminished slope and final turbidity (2.5× and 40%, respectively). Aα Arg104 is located at a plasmin cleavage site in the coiled-coil region of fibrinogen. However, the father’s fibrinogen plasmin degradation was normal. Although the exchanged Cys introduces an unpaired –SH, immunoblotting showed no fibrinogen-albumin complexes. Furthermore, the plasma clot structure observed by confocal microscopy appeared almost normal. TOF-MS showed that the variant Aα chain was underrepresented in plasma and made up only about 25% of the total.ConclusionsThe low expression of the Aα Arg104 > Cys chain in circulation could account for the observed hypodysfibrinogenemia.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12878-017-0086-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.