Combining high energy ball milling and liquid crystal templating method to prepare magnetic ordered mesoporous silica. A physico-chemical investigation.

The physico-chemical investigation of superparamagnetic MCM41 like materials prepared by the novel combination of high energy ball milling and a liquid crystal templating method is presented. Structural, morphological, textural, thermal, and preliminary magnetic characterization demonstrated the successful combination of the two synthesis techniques, avoiding the problems associated with the current methods used for the preparation of magnetic ordered mesoporous silica. MCM41 like materials with high specific surface area values (625-720 m2 g-1) and high mesopore volumes in the range 1-0.7 cm3 g-1 were obtained. The ordered mesoporous structure and accessible pores were maintained after the inclusion of increasing amounts of the magnetic component in the silica structure. All the samples showed superparamagnetic behaviour.

Modular UV Curing Sol-Gel Coating for Invisible, Levelling and Easy to Clean Multi-Layer Systems.

Current methods for the hardening step of functional coatings over different materials imply the use of high temperatures, high energy consumption or long periods of time, which have repercussions on the speed and cost of the product. We report here a simple and low-cost methodology for the functionalization of low-cost stainless steel, which is modular, depending on the functionality pursued: a levelling layer for smoothing the surface of the material, an "easy to clean" property, or both of them. This research is based on sol-gel coatings cured under UV light without requiring high thermal hardening processes, making it applicable to plastics and other sensible materials and possessing high chemical and thermal stability. The film ensures lower processing costs and higher rates of hardening if adequate medium-pressure lamps are employed. This formulation is also well-defined for scaling up the process, so it is possible to perform a continuous coating in large areas by employing mild processing conditions (low temperature, atmospheric pressure). In addition, the sol-gel solution was fully characterized and studied in order to guarantee a long service life before deposition, with a focus on industrial applications in the domestic sector.

Platelets and endothelial dysfunction in gestational diabetes mellitus.

The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has increased in recent years, along with the higher prevalence of obesity in women of reproductive age. GDM is a pathology associated with vascular dysfunction in the fetoplacental unit. GDM-associated endothelial dysfunction alters the transfer of nutrients to the foetus affecting newborns and pregnant women. Various mechanisms for this vascular dysfunction have been proposed, of which the most studied are metabolic alterations of the vascular endothelium. However, different cell types are involved in GDM-associated endothelial dysfunction, including platelets. Platelets are small, enucleated cell fragments that actively take part in blood haemostasis and thrombus formation. Thus, they play crucial roles in pathologies coursing with endothelial dysfunction, such as atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes mellitus. Nevertheless, platelet function in GDM is understudied. Several reports show a potential relationship between platelet volume and mass with GDM; however, platelet roles and signaling mechanisms in GDM-associated endothelial dysfunction are unclear. This review summarizes the reported findings and proposes a link among altered amount, volume, mass, reactivity, and function of platelets and placenta development, resulting in fetoplacental vascular dysfunction in GDM.

Consequences of the exposome to gestational diabetes mellitus.

The exposome is the cumulative measure of environmental influences and associated biological responses throughout the lifespan, including those from the environment, diet, behaviour, and endogenous processes. The exposome concept and the 2030 Agenda for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) from the United Nations are the basis for understanding the aetiology and consequences of non-communicable diseases, including gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Pregnancy may be developed in an environment with adverse factors part of the immediate internal medium for fetus development and the external medium to which the pregnant woman is exposed. The placenta is the interface between maternal and fetal compartments and acts as a protective barrier or easing agent to transfer exposome from mother to fetus. Under and over-nutrition in utero, exposure to adverse environmental pollutants such as heavy metals, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, pesticides, drugs, pharmaceuticals, lifestyle, air pollutants, and tobacco smoke plays a determinant role in the development of GDM. This phenomenon is worsened by metabolic stress postnatally, such as obesity which increases the risk of GDM and other diseases. Clinical risk factors for GDM development include its aetiology. It is proposed that knowledge-based interventions to change the potential interdependent ecto-exposome and endo-exposome could avoid the occurrence and consequences of GDM.

Mechanical Performance of AlCrSiN and AlTiSiN Coatings on Inconel and Steel Substrates after Thermal Treatments.

The objective of this study was to explore the mechanical properties of AlCrSiN and AlTiSiN coatings deposited on Inconel and steel substrates after thermal treatments of 500 °C and 800 °C. Nanoindentation was used to measure the hardness and elastic modulus of the coatings, and microindentation was used for observing the contact damage with Hertzian contact loadings. Microscratch and Mercedes tests were used to evaluate the adhesive strength between coating and substrate with both progressive and static loads, respectively. The surface damage was inspected by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Focus ion beams (FIB) were used to mill the cross-sections in order to detect the extent and mode of failure. The results show that AlCrSiN coatings and Inconel substrates exhibit better mechanical performance, even after thermal treatments.

Glycaemia dynamics in gestational diabetes mellitus.

Pregnant women may develop gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), a disease of pregnancy characterised by maternal and fetal hyperglycaemia with hazardous consequences to the mother, the fetus, and the newborn. Maternal hyperglycaemia in GDM results in fetoplacental endothelial dysfunction. GDM-harmful effects result from chronic and short periods of hyperglycaemia. Thus, it is determinant to keep glycaemia within physiological ranges avoiding short but repetitive periods of hyper or hypoglycaemia. The variation of glycaemia over time is defined as 'glycaemia dynamics'. The latter concept regards with a variety of mechanisms and environmental conditions leading to blood glucose handling. In this review we summarized the different metrics for glycaemia dynamics derived from quantitative, plane distribution, amplitude, score values, variability estimation, and time series analysis. The potential application of the derived metrics from self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in the potential alterations of pregnancy outcome in GDM are discussed.

Exposome and foetoplacental vascular dysfunction in gestational diabetes mellitus.

A balanced communication between the mother, placenta and foetus is crucial to reach a successful pregnancy. Several windows of exposure to environmental toxins are present during pregnancy. When the women metabolic status is affected by a disease or environmental toxin, the foetus is impacted and may result in altered development and growth. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a disease of pregnancy characterised by abnormal glucose metabolism affecting the mother and foetus. This disease of pregnancy associates with postnatal consequences for the child and the mother. The whole endogenous and exogenous environmental factors is defined as the exposome. Endogenous insults conform to the endo-exposome, and disruptors contained in the immediate environment are the ecto-exposome. Some components of the endo-exposome, such as Selenium, vitamins D and B12, adenosine, and a high-fat diet, and ecto-exposome, such as the heavy metals Arsenic, Mercury, Lead and Copper, and per- and polyfluoroakyl substances, result in adverse pregnancies, including an elevated risk of GDM or gestational diabesity. The impact of the exposome on the human placenta's vascular physiology and function in GDM and gestational diabesity is reviewed.

Gestational diabesity and foetoplacental vascular dysfunction.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) shows a deficiency in the metabolism of D-glucose and other nutrients, thereby negatively affecting the foetoplacental vascular endothelium. Maternal hyperglycaemia and hyperinsulinemia play an important role in the aetiology of GDM. A combination of these and other factors predisposes women to developing GDM with pre-pregnancy normal weight, viz. classic GDM. However, women with GDM and prepregnancy obesity (gestational diabesity, GDty) or overweight (GDMow) show a different metabolic status than women with classic GDM. GDty and GDMow are associated with altered l-arginine/nitric oxide and insulin/adenosine axis signalling in the human foetoplacental microvascular and macrovascular endothelium. These alterations differ from those observed in classic GDM. Here, we have reviewed the consequences of GDty and GDMow in the modulation of foetoplacental endothelial cell function, highlighting studies describing the modulation of intracellular pH homeostasis and the potential implications of NO generation and adenosine signalling in GDty-associated foetal vascular insulin resistance. Moreover, with an increase in the rate of obesity in women of childbearing age worldwide, the prevalence of GDty is expected to increase in the next decades. Therefore, we emphasize that women with GDty and GDMow should be characterized with a different metabolic state from that of women with classic GDM to develop a more specific therapeutic approach for protecting the mother and foetus.

Antibacterial Activity of Photocatalytic Metal Oxide Thin Films Deposited by Layer-by-Layer Self-Assembly.

This paper reports the use of the Layer-by-Layer self-assembly (LbL) as an efficient technique for the fabrication of thin-films with antibacterial activity. The LbL coatings are composed of a positive polyelectrolyte such as Poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and an anionic polyelectrolyte such as Poly(sodium 4-styrene sulfonate) solution (PSS). In addition, these polyelectrolytes can be also used as an adequate encapsulating agent of specific metal oxide precursors such as titanium dioxide (TiO2) and iron oxide (Fe2O3) nanoparticles, making possible the fabrication of hybrid thin films composed of organic polymeric chains related to the polyelectrolytes and inorganic structure associated to the metal oxide nanoparticles. Four different LbL coatings have been fabricated and a comparative study about the resultant topographical, optical and wettability properties is presented by using light interferometry, atomic force microscopy (AFM), UV-Vis spectroscopy and water contact angle (WCA) measurements. In addition, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) has been also employed in order to corroborate the presence of metal oxide precursors inside the polymeric chains of the polyelectrolytes. Finally, the antibacterial tests have demonstrated that LbL coatings composed of metal oxide nanoparticles produce an enhancement in the efficacy and antibacterial activity.

Arsenic trioxide-increased MDCK cells proliferation requires activator protein 1-mediated increase of the sodium/proton exchanger 1 activity.

The release of protons (H+) occurs via the Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 1 (NHE1) leading to a stable intracellular pH (pHi) in MDCK cells. Chronic intake of arsenic trioxide (ATO), in the drinking water, associated with higher morbidity and mortality in neoplastic tissues. ATO increased NHE1 expression and activity, resulting in intracellular alkalization and higher MDCK cells proliferation. Since the pro-proliferative transcription factor activator protein 1 (AP-1) gets activated by al alkaline intracellular pH, a phenomenon paralleled by higher NHEs activity, we asked whether ATO-increased MDCK cells proliferation involves AP-1-dependent NHE1 activation. Cells were exposed (48 h) to ATO (0.05 µmol/L), SR11302 (1 µmol/L, AP-1 inhibitor), HOE-694 (100 nmol/L, NHE1 inhibitor) and EIPA (50 µmol/L, NHE1/NHE3 inhibitor) in the presence of S3226 (10 µmol/L, NHE3 inhibitor), concanamycin A (0.1 µmol/L, V-ATPases inhibitor), and Schering (10 µmol/L, H+/K+-ATPase inhibitor). [3H]Thymidine incorporation, cell counting, wound healing assay, and AP-1 activity were determined. The pHi was measured in cells pre-loaded (10 min) with 2,7-bicarboxyethyl-5,6-carboxyfluorescein acetoxymethyl ester (12 mmol/L) and exposed to NH4Cl (20 mmol/L). Basal pHi and recovery rate (dpHi/dt), intracellular buffer capacity (ßi) and H+ flux (JH+) were determined. NHE1 protein abundance was measured by Western blotting and immunofluorescence. ATO increased the cell growth (1.5 fold), basal pHi (0.4 pHi units), dpHi/dt (1.8 fold), JH+ (1.4 fold), AP-1 activity and NHE1 protein abundance (1.3 fold). ATO also increased (1.5 fold) the nuclear/perinuclear NHE1 immunosignal. SR11302 and HOE-694 blocked ATO effects. Thus, ATO-increased proliferation resulted from AP-1-dependent NHE1 activation in MDCK cells.

Mitochondrial dysfunction in the fetoplacental unit in gestational diabetes mellitus.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a disease of pregnancy that is associated with d-glucose intolerance and foeto-placental vascular dysfunction. GMD causes mitochondrial dysfunction in the placental endothelium and trophoblast. Additionally, GDM is associated with reduced placental oxidative phosphorylation due to diminished activity of the mitochondrial F0F1-ATP synthase (complex V). This phenomenon may result from a higher generation of reactive superoxide anion and nitric oxide. Placental mitochondrial biogenesis and mitophagy work in concert to maintain cell homeostasis and are vital mechanisms securing the efficient generation of ATP, whose demand is higher in pregnancy, ensuring foetal growth and development. Additional factors disturbing placental ATP synthase activity in GDM include pre-gestational maternal obesity or overweight, intracellular pH, miRNAs, fatty acid oxidation, and foetal (and 'placental') sex. GDM is also associated with maternal and foetal hyperinsulinaemia, altered circulating levels of adiponectin and leptin, and the accumulation of extracellular adenosine. Here, we reviewed the potential interplay between these molecules or metabolic conditions on the mechanisms of mitochondrial dysfunction in the foeto-placental unit in GDM pregnancies.

Single-cell biophysical study reveals deformability and internal ordering relationship in T cells.

Deformability and internal ordering are key features related to cell function, particularly critical for cells that routinely undergo large deformations, like T cells during extravasation and migration. In the measurement of cell deformability, a considerable variability is typically obtained, masking the identification of possible interrelationships between deformability, internal ordering and cell function. We report the development of a single-cell methodology that combines measurements of living-cell deformability, using micropipette aspiration, and three-dimensional confocal analysis of the nucleus and cytoskeleton. We show that this single-cell approach can serve as a powerful tool to identify appropriate parameters that characterize deformability within a population of cells, not readably discernable in population-averaged data. By applying this single-cell methodology to mouse CD4+ T cells, our results demonstrate that the relative size of the nucleus, better than other geometrical or cytoskeletal features, effectively determines the overall deformability of the cells within the population.

Magnetization process of a ferromagnetic nanostrip under the influence of a surface acoustic wave.

Surface Acoustic Waves (SAW) are one of the possible solutions to target the challenges faced by modern spintronic devices. The stress carried by the SAW can decrease the current required to achieve magnetic switching or domain wall movement by spin transfer torque. Although the last decade has produced very relevant results in this field, it is still important to study the effects of a SAW on the basic unit of many spintronic devices, a ferromagnetic nanostrip. In this work, we perform a complete set of measurements and simulations to characterize the magnetization process of a Ni nanostrip under the influence of a SAW. We find that the SAW increases the mobility and the depinning ability of the magnetic domain walls and consequently, promotes a sharper approach to saturation and substantially decreases coercivity. We have also found other two interesting effects. When the SAW has sufficient energy, is able to trigger irreversible transitions even before switching the direction of the external magnetic field. Additionally, we have found that the magnetization process depends on the direction of the travelling SAW.

Role of insulin, adenosine, and adipokine receptors in the foetoplacental vascular dysfunction in gestational diabetes mellitus.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a disease of pregnancy associated with maternal and foetal hyperglycaemia and altered foetoplacental vascular function. Human foetoplacental microvascular and macrovascular endothelium from GDM pregnancy show increased maximal l-arginine transport capacity via the human cationic amino acid transporter 1 (hCAT-1) isoform and nitric oxide (NO) synthesis by the endothelial NO synthase (eNOS). These alterations are paralleled by lower maximal transport activity of the endogenous nucleoside adenosine via the human equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (hENT1) and activation of adenosine receptors. A causal relationship has been described for adenosine-activation of A2A adenosine receptors, hCAT-1, and eNOS activity (i.e. the Adenosine/l-Arginine/Nitric Oxide, ALANO, signalling pathway). Insulin restores these alterations in GDM via activation of insulin receptor A (IR-A) form in the macrovascular but IR-A and IR-B forms in the microcirculation of the human placenta. Adipokines are secreted from adipocytes influencing the foetoplacental metabolic and vascular function. Various adipokines are dysregulated in GDM, with adiponectin and leptin playing major roles. Abnormal plasma concentration of these adipokines and the activation or their receptors are involved in the pathophysiology of GDM. However, involvement of adipokines, adenosine, and insulin receptors and membrane transporters in the aetiology of this disease of pregnancy is unknown. This review focuses on the pathophysiology of insulin and adenosine receptors and l-arginine and adenosine membranes transporters giving an overview of the key adipokines leptin and adiponectin in the foetoplacental vasculature in GDM. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Membrane Transporters and Receptors in Pregnancy Metabolic Complications edited by Luis Sobrevia.

Altered foetoplacental vascular endothelial signalling to insulin in diabesity.

Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are diseases associated with hypertension and metabolic alterations. A significant group of patients present both obesity and T2DM, a condition defined as diabesity. One of the metabolic features in these conditions is the clinical presentation of insulin resistance. Several tissues, including the liver, skeletal muscle, and vasculature, and patients with T2DM, gestational diabetes, and obesity show insulin resistance. The vascular effect of insulin, including vasodilation, is mainly mediated by the generation of nitric oxide. Several mechanisms are proposed to elucidate the origin of insulin resistance; nevertheless, a common finding is the endothelial dysfunction in these diseases. Endothelial cells from subjects with obesity show reduced nitric oxide synthesis, an effect that is unaltered by insulin. Individuals with T2DM show a misbalance between the synthesis, release, and biological actions of vasodilators and vasoconstrictors such as nitric oxide and endothelin-1. However, whether these mechanisms are involved in the vascular alterations seen in patients with diabesity is unclear. In this review, we discussed the modifications on insulin signalling, insulin resistance in obesity and T2DM, and the reported changes in signalling pathways in diabesity.

Involvement of Intracellular pH in Vascular Insulin Resistance.

The maintenance of the pH homeostasis is maintained by several mechanisms including the efflux of protons (H+) via membrane transporters expressed in almost all mammalian cells. Along these membrane transporters the sodium/H+ exchangers (NHEs), mainly NHE isoform 1 (NHE1), plays a key role in this phenomenon. NHE1 is under modulation by several environmental conditions (e.g. hyperglycaemia, protein kinase C activity) as well as hormones, including insulin. NHE1 activation causes intracellular alkalization in human endothelial cells leading to activation of the endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase (eNOS) to generate NO. Intracellular alkalization is a phenomenon that also results in upregulation of the glucose transporter GLUT4 in cells that are responsive to insulin. A reduction in the removal of the extracellular D-glucose is seen in states of insulin resistance, such as in diabetes mellitus and obesity. Since insulin is a potent activator of eNOS in human endothelium, therefore causing vasodilation, and its vascular effect is reduced in insulin resistance it is likely that a defective signal to activate NHE1 in insulin target cells is expected. This phenomenon results in lower redistribution and activation of GLUT4 leading to reduced uptake of D-glucose and hyperglycaemia. The general concept of a role for NHE1, and perhaps other NHEs isoforms, in insulin resistance in the human vasculature is proposed.

External and gastrointestinal parasites of the rufous-collared sparrow Zonotrichia capensis (Passeriformes, Emberizidae) in Chile.

A total of 277 rufous-collared sparrows, Zonotrichia capensis Müller, 1776 (Emberizidae), were examined for external parasites. The birds were captured using mist nets in seven locations in northern and central Chile. Additionally, seven carcasses from central Chile (the Biobío region) were necropsied to evaluate the presence of endoparasite infection. Ectoparasites were found on 35.8% (99/277) of the examined birds and they were represented by the following arthropods: feather mites Amerodectes zonotrichiae Mironov and González-Acuña, 2014 (Analgoidea: Proctophyllodidae), Proctophyllodes polyxenus Atyeo and Braasch, 1966 (Analgoidea: Proctophyllodidae), and Trouessartia capensis Berla, 1959 (Analgoidea: Trouessartiidae); a louse Philopterus sp. (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera); and ticks Amblyomma tigrinum Koch, 1844 (Acari: Ixodidae) and Ixodes auritulus Neumann, 1904 (Acari: Ixodidae). Two of the seven necropsied carcasses were infected with the acanthocephalan Mediorhynchus papillosus Van Cleave, 1916 (Gigantorhynchida: Gigantorhynchidae). To our knowledge, this study reports P. polyxenus, Philopterus sp., A. tigrinum, and M. papillosus for the first time for Z. capensis and expands the distributional range for T. capensis to Chile.

Parasites of the Southern silvery grebe Podiceps occipitalis (Aves, Podicipedidae) in Chile.

A total of 97 southern silvery grebes (Podiceps occipitalis), which died as the result of an oil spill on the coast of central Chile, were examined for ecto- and endoparasites. Two lice species including Aquanirmus rollandii (Philopteridae) and Pseudomenopon dolium (Menoponidae) were found from 6.2% (6/97) of birds. In 91.7% (89/97) of cases, grebes were infected with some kind of helminths. Three species of gastrointestinal helminths were detected: Eucoleus contortus (Nematoda), Profilicollis bullocki (Acanthocephala), and Confluaria sp. (Cestoda). In addition, Pelecitus fulicaeatrae (Nematoda) was removed from the tibiotarsal-tarsometatarsal articulation in 13.4% (13/97) of the specimens examined. To our knowledge, these are the first records of A. rollandii, E. contortus, and Confluaria sp. as parasites of P. occipitalis. In addition, these findings expand the distributional range of A. rollandii, E. contortus, P. fulicaeatrae, and Confluaria sp. to Chile.

Parasites of the Southern silvery grebe Podiceps occipitalis (Aves, Podicipedidae) in Chile / Parasitas do mergulhão-de-orelha-amarela Podiceps occipitalis (Aves, Podicipedidae) no Chile

Abstract A total of 97 southern silvery grebes (Podiceps occipitalis), which died as the result of an oil spill on the coast of central Chile, were examined for ecto- and endoparasites. Two lice species including Aquanirmus rollandii (Philopteridae) and Pseudomenopon dolium (Menoponidae) were found from 6.2% (6/97) of birds. In 91.7% (89/97) of cases, grebes were infected with some kind of helminths. Three species of gastrointestinal helminths were detected: Eucoleus contortus (Nematoda), Profilicollis bullocki (Acanthocephala), and Confluaria sp. (Cestoda). In addition, Pelecitus fulicaeatrae (Nematoda) was removed from the tibiotarsal-tarsometatarsal articulation in 13.4% (13/97) of the specimens examined. To our knowledge, these are the first records of A. rollandii, E. contortus, and Confluaria sp. as parasites of P. occipitalis. In addition, these findings expand the distributional range of A. rollandii, E. contortus, P. fulicaeatrae, and Confluaria sp. to Chile.

Resumo Um total de 97 mergulhões-de-orelha-amarela (Podiceps occipitalis), que morreram devido a um derramamento de óleo na costa do Chile central, foram examinados em busca de parasitos internos e externos. Parasitos externos foram encontrados em 6,2% (6/97) das aves, com a identificação de duas espécies de piolhos: Aquanirmus rollandii (Philopteridae) e Pseudomenopon dolium (Menoponidae). Em 91,7% (89/97) dos casos, os mergulhões apresentaram algum tipo de parasito interno. Foram detectadas três espécies de parasitos gastrointestinais: Eucoleus contortus (Nematoda), Profilicollis bullocki (Acanthocephala) e Confluaria sp. (Cestoda). Além disso, Pelecitus fulicaeatrae (Nematoda) foi isolado das articulação tibiotársica e tarsometatarsal em 13,4% (13/97) das aves examinados. Estes resultados correspondem ao primeiro relato de A. rollandii, E. contortus e Confluaria sp. associados com P. occipitalis, e expandem a distribuição destes parasitos e P. fulicaeatrae para o Chile.

External and gastrointestinal parasites of the rufous-collared sparrow Zonotrichia capensis (Passeriformes, Emberizidae) in Chile / Parasitas gastrointestinais e externos do tico-tico Zonotrichia capensis (Passeriformes, Emberizidae) do Chile

Abstract A total of 277 rufous-collared sparrows, Zonotrichia capensis Müller, 1776 (Emberizidae), were examined for external parasites. The birds were captured using mist nets in seven locations in northern and central Chile. Additionally, seven carcasses from central Chile (the Biobío region) were necropsied to evaluate the presence of endoparasite infection. Ectoparasites were found on 35.8% (99/277) of the examined birds and they were represented by the following arthropods: feather mites Amerodectes zonotrichiae Mironov and González-Acuña, 2014 (Analgoidea: Proctophyllodidae), Proctophyllodes polyxenus Atyeo and Braasch, 1966 (Analgoidea: Proctophyllodidae), and Trouessartia capensis Berla, 1959 (Analgoidea: Trouessartiidae); a louse Philopterus sp. (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera); and ticks Amblyomma tigrinum Koch, 1844 (Acari: Ixodidae) and Ixodes auritulus Neumann, 1904 (Acari: Ixodidae). Two of the seven necropsied carcasses were infected with the acanthocephalan Mediorhynchus papillosus Van Cleave, 1916 (Gigantorhynchida: Gigantorhynchidae). To our knowledge, this study reports P. polyxenus, Philopterus sp., A. tigrinum, and M. papillosus for the first time for Z. capensis and expands the distributional range for T. capensis to Chile.

Resumo Um total de 277 tico-tico Zonotrichia capensis Müller, 1776 (Emberizidae) foram examinados em busca de ectoparasitos. As aves foram capturadas com redes em sete localidades do norte e centro do Chile. Além disso, sete carcaças do centro Chile (Região de Biobío) foram examinadas para avaliar a infecção por endoparasitos. Ectoparasitos foram encontrados em 35,8% (99/277) das aves examinadas com a identificação dos ácaros Amerodectes zonotrichiae Mironov and González-Acuña, 2014 (Analgoidea: Proctophyllodidae), Proctophyllodes polyxenus Atyeo and Braasch, 1966 (Analgoidea: Proctophyllodidae) e Trouessartia capensis Berla, 1959 (Analgoidea: Trouessartiidae), piolho Philopterus sp. (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera) e carrapatos Amblyomma tigrinum Koch, 1844 (Acari: Ixodidea) e Ixodes auritulus Neumann, 1904 (Acari: Ixodidea). Duas das sete carcaças examinadas foram infectadas com o Acantocephala Mediorhynchus papillosus Van Cleave, 1916 (Gigantorhynchida: Gigantorhynchidae). Para o nosso conhecimento, este é o primeiro estudo para descrever P. polyxenus, Philopterus sp., A. tigrinum e M. papillosus em Z. capensis e expande a distribuição de T. capensis ao Chile.