The section Algarobia of genus Prosopis involves important natural resources in arid and semiarid regions of the world. Their rationale use requires a better knowledge of their biology, genetics and mating system. There are contradictory information about their mating system. Some authors claim they are protogynous and obligate outcrosser. However, some evidence have been shown indicating that they might not be protogynous and that they might be somewhat self-fertile. The current paper analyses genetic structure and mating system parameters in populations of seven species of this section from South and North America based on isozyme data. In all species a significant homozygote excess was found in the offspring population but not in mother plant genotypes. Multilocus and mean single locus outcrossing rates (tm, ts) indicated that about 15% selfing can occur in the studied populations. The heterogeneity between pollen and ovule allele frequencies was low suggesting population structuration, in agreement with the estimates of correlation of tm within progeny (rt) and correlation of outcrossed paternity (rp). The difference of FIS estimates between offspring and mother plants suggest some selection favouring heterozygotes between seedling and adult stages.

Trypanosoma cruzi infection in sylvatic mammals of the quebracho woods of the eastern part of Santiago del Estero province, Argentina, was studied from October 1984 to December 1987. 301 mammals of 20 different species were caught. T. cruzi, characterized biologically and biochemically, was isolated by xenodiagnosis from 23 of 72 (32%) Didelphis albiventris opposums, 2/36 (5.5%) Conepatus chinga skunks, and one ferret (Galictis cuja). 53 opossum refuges were located and triatomine bugs were found in 2 of them: one male Triatoma infestans, infected with T. cruzi, and 5 uninfected nymphs of T. sordida, had all fed on opossum blood. Electrophoretic zymogram patterns of the T. cruzi populations isolated from opossums and skunks were similar to isoenzyme profiles already described for populations isolated from infected humans in Argentina. The small number of triatomines found in the opossum refuges seems inadequate to account for the prevalence of T. cruzi infection recorded for these mammals, so other possible contaminative routes of infection should be investigated.

Lung ultrasound may be a method to detect abnormal lung findings in a noninvasive manner in patients with SSc. Because of its high sensitivity, a low score almost rules out the need for an HRCT.

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Objectives: Histoplasmosis and cryptococcosis are important public health problems in people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Central America. Conventional laboratory assays, based on microscopy and culture, are not optimal for the diagnosis of either disease.However, antigen (Ag) assays are rapid and highly accurate for the diagnosis of these infections. Methods: Laboratory surveillance of PLHIV was carried out in four hospitals in Panama, Honduras and Nicaragua, between 2015 and 2019. Detection of Histoplasma antigens in urine was performed by enzyme immunoassay (EIA), and Cryptococcus antigen detection in sera and cerebrospinal fluid specimens was performed by lateral flow assay (LFA). Results: A total of 4,453 PLHIV with clinical suspicion of histoplasmosis (n = 1,343) or cryptococcosis (n = 3,110; 2,721 sera and 389 CSF) were tested. Of 1,343 patients suspected of having histoplasmosis, 269 (20%) were Histoplasma Ag positive.Of 3,110 patients tested using the Cryptococcus Ag assay, 329 (11%) were positive.Honduras reported the highest positivity rates (32% for Histoplasma Ag, and 16% for Cryptococcus Ag); Panama reported the largest number of patients testing positive using the Histoplasma Ag assay (n = 201); and Nicaragua reported the largest number of patients testing positive using the Cryptococcus Ag assay (n = 170). Conclusion:Here, we show how the implementation of rapid diagnostics assays impacted case detection and was useful for the care of people with advanced HIV. Rapid and accurate diagnosis could reduce mortality associated with histoplasmosis and cryptococcosis in PLHIV.

Background Cryptococcal meningitis is a major cause of death among people living with HIV (PLWH). Cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) testing of asymptomatic patients is an important public health measure to reduce mortality in high incidence areas. However, limited data exists on CrAg prevalence in Central America. Methods We conducted a prospective cohort study at the two largest HIV clinics and hospitals in Honduras. CrAg in serum and cerebrospinal fluid was performed in individuals living with HIV who had CD4 ≤ 100 cells/mm 3 between 2017-2018. After CrAg testing, individuals were followed up for 12 months to assess mortality using adjusted cox proportional hazard models. Results A total of 220 PLWH were tested for CrAg of which 12.7% (n=28) tested positive. CrAg prevalence was higher among hospitalized individuals in 40% (n=10 of 25) of the cases. The proportion (35.8%) of individuals taking ART was significantly (p<0.01) lower among those who tested positive for CrAg. Overall mortality among the cohort was 11.4% (n=25 of 220) by 12 months. CrAg-positive cases were at a significantly higher risk of death [aHR: 2.69, 95%: 1.07-6.84] when compared to CrAg-negative participants. Conclusions CrAg prevalence in Honduras was high among PLWH. Moreover, individuals who tested positive for CrAg testing were at a higher risk of death. Systemic CrAg of PLWH with a CD4 ≤ 100 cells/mm 3 should be routinely performed in Central America.

Este artículo presenta un estudio cualitativo sobre prácticas formativas de tutores de prácticas profesionales en siete carreras de pedagogía de una universidad chilena privada perteneciente al Consejo de Rectores (CRUCH). Se analizan inductivamente las representaciones de tutores y practicantes, respecto al rol de los primeros y las estrategias pedagógicas que implementan, considerando aproximaciones teóricas desde los enfoques directivo y constructivista. Los datos -provenientes de entrevistas tras la observación de un video de su tutoría-evidencian en el rol un tránsito hacia el acompañamiento pedagógico, a diferencia del rol burocrático presente en la literatura. También se develan dificultades para tematizar las estrategias, así como coexistencia y valoración de estrategias directivas y constructivistas. En el discurso de los tutores prevalecen estrategias constructivistas, aunque el reporte de prácticas y sugerencias muestra predominio de estrategias directivas. Las estrategias más valoradas por los tutores son las preguntas, mientras los practicantes demandan incrementar la directividad.Palabras claves: Formación de docentes; tutoría; personal académico docente; práctica pedagógica; método de enseñanza.

We report the first systematic epidemiological research carried out in Argentina on the skunk Conepatus chinga. Forty-nine animals were captured in the settlements of Amamá, Trinidad, and nearby forested areas located in the Department of Moreno, Province of Santiago del Estero, between April 1985 and May 1989. Isolation of parasites was done through xenodiagnosis, and their identification as Trypanosoma cruzi was achieved by biological and biochemical criteria. The isolate was highly virulent and pathogenic in inoculated C3H mice. Prevalence was 4.1% (2 of 49). Two facts account for a possible domestic source of infection: both infected skunks were captured near Trinidad, in an area that had never been treated with insecticides, and electrophoretic isoenzyme patterns of the parasites isolated from the skunks were identical to those found in humans. Because extensive deforestation probably would increase the distribution area of C. chinga, further investigation should be performed to evaluate the epidemiological role of this wild mammal.