Sistema Regional de Información
en línea para Revistas Científicas de América Latina,
el Caribe, España y Portugal

Termites are insects that often appear in archaeological contexts in Brazil, that are almost never studied as natural processes of deposit formation and archaeological contexts. The probability of founding marks of these insects that modify carcasses of animals and humans in archaeological sites in Brazil and South America makes their study relevant. From a theoretical - methodological approach that includes Icnoarchaeology and Funeral Archeoentomology, we present the case study of a human skeleton with signs of bioerosion due to the action of subterranean termites in the archaeological site at Toca do Enoque (Piauí, northeastern Brazil) from the Middle Holocene. Guided by an actualist study protocol, we were able to record that the pattern of damage observed in the bones was consistent with the osteophageal behaviour of certain termite species endemic to the neotropical region (Family: Termitidae). The macroscopic analysis shows the importance of recognizing subterranean termites as natural taphonomic agents that act in postdepositional degradation of human bone remains from archaeological burial contexts.

This work presents the first approach to the study of entheseal changes in human remains from northeastern Patagonia. Taking into account that two of the most widely used registration methods are based on different assumptions, “Hawkey and Merbs” and “Coimbra”, it is proposed to compare and discuss the results obtained by the application of both and the application of a new measure of quantification. With this purpose, a sample composed by upper and lower human limb bones from the middle Negro KEYWORDS entheseal changes; activity markers; Hawkey and Merbs method; Coimbra method river valley were analyzed. The intraobserver error was estimated, and the data analysis was based on two quantification measures: the presence of at least one change, and the affectation index. The comparison between methods shows different trends. Although Hawkey and Merbs does not show tendency of affectation, the Coimbramethod is consistent and indicates a greater commitment of the lower extremity.

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INTRODUCTION: In Argentina, over half of the adult population is overweight and more than 95% of it eats less than the recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables (FV) per day. The objective of this study was to explore the social determinants of FV consumption among the adult population in the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires (AMBA). METHODS: Focus groups were conducted with 40 men and women aged 25 to 60 years in AMBA. Analysis and constant comparison were used to identify themes and sub-themes. RESULTS: The main perceived barriers to increase vegetable consumption were time constraints for meal preparation, insufficient knowledge on preparing vegetable-based meals, habituation, and the exposure to advertising of ultra-processed foods. Costs were a concern mainly for fruit purchases. Initiatives aimed at increasing FV availability in school settings and work environments and providing ready-to-eat items were the most common perceived facilitators for increasing FV consumption. Suggestions include school-based educational programs and restricting advertising of unhealthy food, among others. CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to develop policies that promote FV consumption and discourage the consumption of food with low nutritional value, which replace FV in the diet.

INTRODUCTION: During the summer of 2016 different outbreaks of dengue fever occurred in Argentina, and the city of Santo Tomé (Corrientes) had its first one. The objective of this work was to evaluate temporal and spatial distribution of dengue cases registered in the city as well as the actions carried out to interrupt the transmission. METHODS: Suspected cases were detected by health personnel, samples confirmed by serological analysis and each positive case georeferenced and classified as autochthonous or imported. The prevention actions were larval block; focal control and spatial spraying; evaluation of larvicides; elimination of water reservoirs; meetings, training and neighborhood assemblies. RESULTS: From 148 suspected patients, 52 were confirmed between epidemiological week 3 and 22. The circulating strain was DENV 1. Forty-six percent (24/52) of the cases were autochthonous, concentrated in Sarmiento neighborhood. Twenty-one percent (140/655) of the houses had mosquitoes breeding sites, of which 84 percent (210/251) were positive for Ae. aegypti. DISCUSSION: Santo Tomé city had all the conditions for dengue outbreak: susceptible population, presence of the vector and arrival of imported cases. Although the distribution of cases was homogeneous throughout the outbreak, Sarmiento neighborhood showed a clear viral circulation, which was controlled through an interdisciplinary work for action and prevention.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of overweight in young people in Argentina between 18 and 24 years is estimated at 33%. Considering that the university environment is a strategic place for health interventions in this age group, the objective of the study was to describe the physical and economic characteristics of food selling points at Argentine universities. METHODS: A cross-sectional multicenter descriptive study was conducted. Food selling points of 174 university buildings were surveyed through non-participant observation and registration in structured forms, considering following variables: offer of free safe water; characteristics of the offer of food and beverages at points of sale; informal sale; presence of advertising and presence of health promotion messages. RESULTS: In 36% of the buildings there was no offer of free safe water. A total of 301 points of sale of food and/or beverages were observed, with 93% offering sugary sodas, 88% bottled water (with or without gas) and 86% sugary flavored waters and light sodas. A combined analysis showed that the presence of promoted products was not a determining factor for the reduction of the offer of non-recommended or allowed products. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to advance in the regulation of food environments at universities, since the results are alarming. There is also a need to deepen the standards for the certification of healthy universities.

INTRODUCTION: Cancer includes a complex group of diseases with multiple and diverse causes, which requires a multidisciplinary, interinstitutional and multisectoral management. Several stakeholders are involved in trying to develop and implement primary and secondary strategies for prevention, early diagnosis, treatment and accompaniment at the end of life. The National Cancer Institute (INC), a government agency for cancer research, has led and coordinated the drafting of the first National Cancer Control Plan (NCCP) in Argentina. The fundamental objective of the NCCP is to improve early detection, diagnosis, curative, palliative and rehabilitation treatment, with the general purpose of putting cancer on the agenda as a public health issue. METHODS: Strategic planning, including evidencebased interventions for continuous cancer care and the best use of available resources. After being approved by the secretary of Health and reviewed by an External Advisory Council, the NCCP was disclosed to the jurisdictions and other stakeholders involved in continuous cancer care, who were invited to join the NCCP. RESULTS: The results will be available in January 2023. DISCUSSION: The NCCP, with a time horizon of 5 years (2018-2022), states the prioritized cancer policies under the leadership of the INC, which leads and coordinates the activities to be implemented, following guidelines and recommendations of the World Health Organization.

INTRODUCTION: Hydatidosis is a relevant problem all over Argentina, and the influence of cattle on its transmission is unknown. The main objective of the study was to tackle this situation and, in particular, to estimate the prevalence of hydatidosis, evaluate fertility of hydatid cysts (HC) and analyze risk factors and spatial distribution pattern. METHODS: The presence of HC in livers and lungs of 432 bovines was evaluated. Hydatid prevalence, positive establishments and confidence interval (95%CI) were estimated. A total of 42 samples of HC content were taken, assessing fertility. Variables associated with presence of HC were studied. Prevalence ratio (PR) with 95%CI was calculated. RESULTS: The estimated prevalence was 22.2% (95%CI: 18.4-26.5%); 12 of 13 (92.3%) establishments were positive. The location of HC was 50% pulmonary, 4.2% hepatic and 45.8% hepato-pulmonary. No fertile HC were found. The variables that best explained positivity were: province (p<0.000): Chubut 39.7%, Neuquén 5.8%; and animal category (p<0.000): comparing with steers, bulls presented 13.8 times more disease (95%CI: 6-31) and cows, 8.1 times more (95%CI: 4.2-15.7). Two spatial clusters with lower risk of disease appearance were identified in Neuquén province and one of higher risk was detected in eastern Chubut. CONCLUSIONS: Cattle would not be an important host in the maintenance of the disease cycle, but an indicator of environmental contamination.

INTRODUCTION: Mortality is associated with daily temperatures and extreme cold events. This study aimed to analyze the effects of low temperatures on mortality in the main urban areas of Argentina during 2005-2015. METHODS: A time-series study with generalized additive models was conducted, modeling the relationship between low temperatures and mortality for 21 cities in Argentina between 2005 and 2015. Total mortality was analyzed as well as mortality by sex, age and cause of death, considering cold days, cold spells and delays of 7 and 14 days after those events. RESULTS: Within a 7-day lag, the risk of death increases for a cold day in half of the cities analyzed between 1.04 [CI95%: 1.00-1.08] and 1.14 [CI95%: 1.06-1.23]. The most vulnerable group was people aged 65 or more years, with increases of up to 1.20 [CI95%: 1.05-1.39]. Cold spells are associated with an increased risk within the subsequent 7 days in 8 cities (1.05 [CI95%: 1.03-1.08] to 1.30 [CI95%: 1.03-1.65]), which increases to 10 cities for the 14-day lag, with slightly lower values. CONCLUSIONS: With differences in magnitude and statistical robustness by cities, the population of most urban areas presents an increased risk of death within 7 and 14 days after an event of extreme cold