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Acceso Abierto Hacia la producción de fuentes de cobalto-57 para Espectroscopía Mössbauer en Argentina(2009) Chain, Cecilia Yamil; Cabanillas, Esteban Jesús; Furnari, Juan Carlos; Pasquevich, Alberto FelipeLa disponibilidad de isótopos radiactivos para Espectroscopía Mössbauer (EM) constituye en nuestro país una problemática que involucra diversos aspectos. En la presente comunicación se analiza esta situación considerando en particular ⁵⁷Co, el isótopo Mössbauer más utilizado. Se describen reacciones nucleares adecuadas para la producción de ⁵⁷Co. Se consideran distintas matrices sólidas comúnmente utilizadas en la fabricación de fuentes Mössbauer. Se discute el beneficio de fabricar estas fuentes en nuestro país. Como un primer paso en este sentido se propone dopar muestras con ⁵⁷Co para realizar EM de emisión. Interesa particularmente este modo a los fines de caracterizar materiales biológicos. Nuestro objetivo es establecer facilidades de obtención y tratamiento de este isótopo en la Argentina. - Artículo
Acceso Abierto Efecto del ball milling sobre mezclas M₂O₃-HfO₂(2010) Chain, Cecilia Yamil; Quille Ramos, Rubén Antonio; Pasquevich, Alberto FelipeEl molido mecánico (ball milling) puede usarse para inducir reacciones de estado sólido en óxidos y para doparlos con impurezas. En este trabajo se analiza la aparición de defectos en uno de los componentes de mezclas binarias de óxidos sometidas a molido mecánico, previa a una posible reacción entre ellos. Es de interés definir los parámetros físicos que determinan el grado de daño cristalino introducido. Con el fin de estudiar la aparición de defectos mediante Correlaciones Angulares Perturbadas (PAC), uno de los óxidos se dopa con ¹⁸¹Hf que decae a ¹⁸¹Ta, una sonda adecuada para esta técnica. A través de medidas de las interacciones hiperfinas del núcleo de ¹⁸¹Ta es posible determinar la distribución atómica alrededor de la sonda. Se estudió la aparición de defectos en HfO₂ (óxido testigo) luego del molido mecánico de mezclas M₂O₃-HfO₂. Se utilizaron pequeñas cantidades de óxido de hafnio con el propósito de investigar el posible dopaje de M₂O₃ con átomos de hafnio. Se estudiaron óxidos con dureza superior (Cr₂O₃), comparable (Fe₂O₃) e inferior a del óxido testigo (La₂O₃, Bi₂O₃ y B₂O₃). Las medidas PAC fueron realizadas a temperatura ambiente luego de los tratamientos de molido. Se observó que el efecto del molido sobre el óxido testigo depende de la dureza del óxido mayoritario. En las mezclas con La₂O₃, Bi₂O₃ y B₂O₃ la estructura del óxido monitoreado no se altera inclusive con tratamientos prolongados. En las mezclas basadas en los compuestos magnéticos Cr₂O₃ y Fe₂O₃, incluso cortos tratamientos de molido producen un daño considerable en el HfO₂. Este efecto se hace más evidente a medida que la duración del tratamiento aumenta. En estos casos, la aparición de una interacción magnética señala la inclusión de una fracción de sondas radiactivas en la estructura del óxido antiferromagnético mayoritario. Como etapa final del trabajo, se analizó el comportamiento de las mezclas con un recocido a alta temperatura. En el caso del La₂O₃, el tratamiento da lugar a una reacción química que resulta en un compuesto pirocloro y a una transformación de fase del óxido testigo. En Cr₂O₃ y Fe₂O₃, el recocido a alta temperatura produce la segregación de los átomos de hafnio que habían ingresado en el óxido mayoritario y la reconstitución del óxido testigo. - Documento de conferencia
Acceso Abierto La telepsicoterapia durante el Covid-19: repercusiones de la capacitación y del ámbito laboral de lxs terapeutxs(2022) Azcona, Maximiliano; Lardizábal, Maite; Roldán, Luis Ángel; Zurita, JuliaDebido a la pandemia y las consecuentes medidas de aislamiento, en el año 2020, lxs psicoterapuetxs debieron apelar a modalidades de ejercicio de la profesión hasta entonces poco frecuentes, provocándose un vuelco masivo de la atención psicoterapéutica hacia entornos virtuales. Pese a su eclosión con la pandemia, la atención remota hizo su aparición mucho antes (Pierce et al., 2021), y cuenta en la actualidad con importante evidencia en favor de su efectividad (Poletti et al., 2021). Según la Asociación de Psicología Norteamericana (APA), en términos más amplios, la telepsicología es el uso de cualquiera de una serie de tecnologías de la telecomunicación para brindar servicios psicológicos (APA, 2013). En ese sentido, podemos afirmar que la telepsicoterapia consiste en un campo más restringido dentro de ese conjunto de servicios, a la vez que, en Argentina, supone el solapamiento de prácticas psicológicas y médicas. La psicoterapia a distancia implica diversos, nuevos e importantes desafíos para la práctica clínica. Entre ellos, cabe destacar la importancia que reviste tanto la capacitación específica en torno a la atención remota, como las condiciones del lugar de trabajo en donde dicha práctica se lleva a cabo. - Artículo
Acceso Abierto Diez micro-ensayos sobre la cultura del diseño industrial argentino: miradas para alimentar un debate infinito(2023) D'Amico, EnriqueEn el siguiente artículo reflexionamos en torno a la práctica del diseño industrial argentino, a partir de la articulación con la Filosofía, el Arte, la Sociología y otros campos del conocimiento que convergen en un texto escrito en clave literaria. El objetivo es actuar como disparador para repensar los modos en que los diseñadores industriales perciben y (se) perciben en relación a la disciplina y el universo simbólico que define (y condiciona) a la misma. Se abordarán aquí temas como: la identidad, las fronteras del diseño y su expansión, su vínculo con la tecnología, el desarrollo de conceptos y el diseño situado. - Artículo
Acceso Abierto Big Data Analytics in Healthcare(2023) Del Giorgio Solfa, Federico; Simonato, Fernando RogelioHealthcare professionals decide wisely about personalized medicine, treatment plans, and resource allocation by utilizing big data analytics and machine learning. To guarantee that algorithmic recommendations are impartial and fair, however, ethical issues relating to prejudice and data privacy must be taken into account. Big data analytics and machine learning have a great potential to disrupt healthcare, and as these technologies continue to evolve, new opportunities to reform healthcare and enhance patient outcomes may arise. In order to investigate the patient’s outcomes with empirical evidence, this research was conducted using an online survey to incorporate healthcare professionals, patient’s reviews, and clinical staff. The data were analyzed using SmartPLS 4.0 to predict the structural model. The findings revealed a direct impact as positive influence of using machine learning on healthcare performance and patient outcomes through big data analytics. Moreover, it is evident that this can lead to personalized treatment plans, early interventions, and improved patient outcomes. Additionally, big data analytics can help healthcare providers optimize resource allocation, improve operational efficiency, and reduce costs. The impact of big data analytics on patient outcome and healthcare performance is expected to continue to grow, making it an important area for investment and research. - Documento de conferencia
Acceso Abierto Relatos sobre el diseño industrial argentino(2021) D'Amico, EnriqueA partir de una serie de entrevistas realizadas virtualmente a un grupo heterogéneo de diseñadores industriales argentinos, se analizaron diversos modos de ejercer esta profesión, y se identificaron aspectos comunes que singularizan a esta comunidad disciplinar. Entendiendo al diseño como hecho posibilitante de nuevas realidades y a los diseñadores como operadores culturales que colaboran activamente en la creación social de significado, se analizan diversas representaciones, hábitos, procedimientos y actitudes que los caracterizan en su quehacer profesional cotidiano. Hacia el final, se reflexiona, sobre la relación que existe entre las diversas manifestaciones profesionales del diseño y los proyectos vitales de quienes lo llevan a cabo. A partir de considerar al trabajo como principal medio de expresión humana, se analiza de qué modo el diseño adquiere diversas formas, dando lugar a un proceso expansivo que moviliza sus fronteras y lo pone en dialogo con nuevos modos de habitar el mundo. - Artículo
Acceso Abierto Bone-specific alkaline phosphatase activity is inhibited by bisphosphonates: role of divalent cations(2005) Vaisman, Diego N.; McCarthy, Antonio Desmond; Cortizo, Ana MaríaBisphosphonates (BPs) are drugs widely used in the treatment of various bone diseases. BPs localize to bone mineral, and their concentration in resorption lacunae could reach almost milimolar levels. Bone alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is a membrane-bound exoenzyme that has been implicated in bone formation and mineralization. In this study, we investigated the possible direct effect of three N-containing BPs (alendronate, pamidronate and zoledronate) on the specific activity of bone ALP obtained from an extract of UMR106 rat osteosarcoma cells. Enzymatic activity was measured by spectrophotometric detection of p-nitrophenol product and by in situ visualization of ALP bands after an electrophoresis on cellulose acetate gels. Because ALP is a metalloprotein that contains Zn²⁺ and Mg²⁺, both of which are necessary for catalytic function, we also evaluated the participation of these divalent cations in the possible effect of BPs on enzymatic activity. All BPs tested were found to dose-dependently inhibit spectrophotometrically mesasured ALP activity (93–42% of basal) at concentrations of BPs between 10⁻⁵ M and 10⁻⁴ M, the order of potency being zoledronate ≅ alendronate > pamidronate. However, coincubation with excess Zn²⁺ or Mg²⁺ completely abolished this inhibitory effect. Electrophoretic analysis rendered very similar results: namely a decrease in the enzymatic activity of the bone-ALP band by BPs and a reversion of this inhibition by divalent cations. This study shows that Ncontaining BPs directly inhibit bone-ALP activity, in a concentration range to which this exoenzyme is probably exposed in vivo. In addition, this inhibitory effect is most possibly the result of the chelation of Zn²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions by BPs. - Artículo
Acceso Abierto Metformin prevents anti-osteogenic in vivo and ex vivo effects of rosiglitazone in rats(2011) Sedlinsky, Claudia; Molinuevo, María Silvina; Cortizo, Ana María; Tolosa, María José; Felice, Juan Ignacio; Sbaraglini, María Laura; Schurman, León; McCarthy, Antonio DesmondLong-term treatment with the insulin-sensitizer rosiglitazone reduces bone mass and increases fracture risk. We have recently shown that orally administered metformin stimulates bone reossification and increases the osteogenic potential of bone marrow progenitor cells (BMPC). In the present study we investigated the effect of a 2-week metformin and/or rosiglitazone treatment on bone repair, trabecular bone microarchitecture and BMPC osteogenic potential, in young male Sprague–Dawley rats. Compared to untreated controls, rosiglitazone monotherapy decreased bone regeneration, femoral metaphysis trabecular area, osteoblastic and osteocytic density, and TRAP activity associated with epiphyseal growth plates. It also decreased the ex vivo osteogenic commitment of BMPC, inducing an increase in PPARγ expression, and a decrease in Runx2/Cbfa1 expression, in AMP-kinase phosphorylation, and in osteoblastic differentiation and mineralization. After monotherapy with metformin, with the exception of PPARγ expression which was blunted, all of the above parameters were significantly increased (compared to untreated controls). Metformin/rosiglitazone co-treatment prevented all the in vivo and ex vivo anti-osteogenic effects of rosiglitazone monotherapy, with a reversion back to control levels of PPARγ, Runx2/Cbfa1 and AMP-kinase phosphorylation of BMPC. In vitro co-incubation of BMPC with metformin and compound C—an inhibitor of AMPK phosphorylation— abrogated the metformin-induced increase in type-1 collagen production, a marker of osteoblastic differentiation. In conclusion, in rodent models metformin not only induces direct osteogenic in vivo and ex vivo actions, butwhen it is administered orally in combination with rosiglitazone it can prevent several of the adverse effects that this thiazolidenedione shows on bone tissue. - Artículo
Acceso Abierto Metformin Reverts Deleterious Effects of Advanced Glycation End-Products (AGEs) on Osteoblastic Cells(2007) Schurman, León; McCarthy, Antonio Desmond; Sedlinsky, Claudia; Gangoiti, Maria Virginia; Arnol, Verónica; Bruzzone, Liliana; Cortizo, Ana MaríaAdvanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) are implicated in the complications of diabetes and ageing, affecting several tissues, including bone. Metformin, an insulin-sensitizer drug, reduces the risk of life-threatening macrovascular complications. We have evaluated the hypothesis that metformin can abrogate AGE-induced deleterious effects in osteoblastic cells in culture. In two osteoblast-like cell lines (UMR106 and MC3T3E1), AGE-modifi ed albumin induced cell death, caspase- 3 activity, altered intracellular oxidative stress and inhibited alkaline phosphatase activity. Metformin-treatment of osteoblastic cells prevented these AGE-induced alterations. We also assessed the expression of AGE receptors as a possible mechanism by which metformin could modulate the action of AGEs. AGEs-treatment of osteoblast-like cells enhanced RAGE protein expression, and this up-regulation was prevented in the presence of metformin. Although the precise mechanisms involved in metformin signaling are still elusive, our data implicate the AGE-RAGE interaction in the modulation of growth and differentiation of osteoblastic cells. - Artículo
Acceso Abierto Tyrosine phosphorylation and morphological transformation induced by four vanadium compounds on MC3T3E1 cells(1999) Salice C., Viviana; Cortizo, Ana María; Gómez Dumm, César; Etcheverry, Susana B.The present study was performed to determine the phosphotyrosine-protein levels induced by insulin and by four vanadium derivatives in MC3T3E1 osteoblast-like cells. We have also attempted to associate these patterns with the vanadium-induced growth and morphological changes of such cells. Vanadate (Vi), vanadyl (VO), bis(maltolato)oxovanadium (IV) (BMOV) and bis(maltolato)dioxovanadium (V) (BMV) stimulate cell growth in a narrow range of concentration, but are also inhibitors for the cells at high concentrations. Vanadium-treated cells displayed clear changes in their morphology after overnight incubation. However, BMV was the least cytotoxic and the weakest inducer of morphological changes. All the compounds promote the phosphorylation of tyrosine residues in several proteins. This effect was more pronounced at low than at high doses. At low doses (10 μM), BMV showed a phosphorylation pattern similar to that of insulin, while Vi, VO and BMOV induced strong phosphorylation of cell proteins. The present findings suggest that the vanadium-induced growth regulation and morphological changes in MC3T3E1 osteoblast-like cells are associated with the ability of these agents to increase the phosphotyrosine protein levels and to inhibit phosphotyrosine phosphatases. These properties are dependent on the oxidation state as well as on the organic ligand which coordinates the vanadium atom. - Artículo
Acceso Abierto Macrophage activation by a vanadyl–aspirin complex is dependent on L-type calcium channel and the generation of nitric oxide(2005) Molinuevo, María Silvina; Etcheverry, Susana B.; Cortizo, Ana MaríaBone homeostasis is the result of a tight balance between bone resorption and bone formation where macrophage activation is believed to contribute to bone resorption.We have previously shown that a vanadyl(IV)–aspirin complex (VOAspi) regulates cell proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts in culture. In this study, we assessed VOAspi and VO effects and their possible mechanism of action on a mouse macrophage cell line RAW 264.7. Both vanadium compounds inhibited cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Nifedipine completely reversed the VOAspi-induced macrophage cytotoxicity, while it could not block the effect of VO. VOAspi also stimulated nitric oxide (NO) production, the oxidation of dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR-123) and enhanced the expression of both constitutive and inducible isoforms of nitric oxide syntases (NOS). All these effects were abolished by nifedipine. Althogether our finding give evidence that VOAspi-induced macrophage cytotoxicity is dependent on L-type calcium channel and the generation of NO though the induction of eNOS and iNOS. Contrary, the parent compound VO exerted a cytotoxic effect by mechanisms independent of a calcium entry and the NO/NOS activation. - Artículo
Acceso Abierto Diseño Industrial y Cultura: deconstruir la disciplina para construir al profesional(2023) D'Amico, EnriqueEn este ensayo breve me propongo reflexionar en torno a la práctica profesional de los diseñadores industriales desde un enfoque cultural, poniendo la mirada en aquellos aspectos que están “en torno” a estos sujetos y que son condicionantes en sus maneras de pensar el diseño y pensar (se) como profesionales dentro de una comunidad disciplinar cada vez más diversa. Asimismo, es una invitación a revisar algunos aspectos constitutivos del Diseño, para poner en crisis la visión y los discursos que desarrollamos los diseñadores sobre nuestra propia profesión. - Artículo
Acceso Abierto The most problematic freshwater invasive species in South America, Limnoperna fortunei (Dunker, 1857), and its status after 30 years of invasion(2022) de Lucía, Micaela; Darrigran, Gustavo; Gutiérrez Gregoric, Diego EduardoLimnoperna fortunei, a problematic freshwater invasive mussel in South America, was first detected in 1991 at Bagliardi Beach, Río de la Plata (Argentina). Since then, there has been a high increase in population density, reaching up to 150,000 ind. m−2. The distribution, density, individual sizes, and associated mollusk assemblages of L. fortunei were evaluated 30 years after its first detection. Seven sites along Río de la Plata River were sampled between 2018 and 2020. The highest density was recorded in the La Balandra Beach (above the stabilization value) and the lowest density in the Martín García Island (IMG—by its acronym in Spanish—, below the stabilization value). Two reproductive events were observed: late spring and late summer. Our results showed different sets of species associated with Limnoperna fortunei, with protected areas such as the IMG standing out, showing greater species richness, including first records, versus other coastal environments. We recommend increasing conservation efforts given the constant advance of urbanization in the coastal sites of the province of Buenos Aires, with environmental impact studies prior to coastal reforms, and implementation of density control strategies for Limnoperna fortunei in protected areas. - Documento de conferencia
Acceso Abierto Cultura del diseño y profesión: reflexiones desde la práctica(2023) D'Amico, EnriqueEn este ensayo breve me propongo reflexionar en torno a la práctica profesional de los diseñadores industriales desde un enfoque cultural, poniendo la mirada en aquellos aspectos que están “en torno” a estos sujetos y que son condicionantes en sus maneras de pensar el diseño y pensar (se) como profesionales dentro de una comunidad disciplinar cada vez más diversa. Asimismo, es una invitación a revisar algunos aspectos constitutivos del Diseño, para poner en crísis la visión y los discursos que desarrollamos los diseñadores sobre nuestra propia profesión. - Artículo
Acceso Abierto Impacts of Cyber Security and Supply Chain Risk on Digital Operations(2022) Del Giorgio Solfa, FedericoThe research explored empirical evidence to assess the impact of cyber security and supply chain risk on digital operations in the UAE pharmaceutical industry. Based on responses from 243 personnel working at 14 pharmaceutical manufacturing companies in Dubai, data were examined for normality, instrument validity and regression analysis. Cyber security and SC risk on digital operations were explored by applying convenient sampling and descriptive and analytical research design. The findings validated the significant positive association between cyber security and supply chain risk with digital operations. The research model was developed with three variables evaluated only on the pharmaceutical industry in Dubai. Future research should focus on multiple manufacturing industries by covering a larger geographic area. When suppliers are highly concentrated, customer-focused organizations with uncertain levels of digital transformation could improve their ability to manage supply chain risk by diversifying their clients. Pharmaceutical firms may require a greater focus on technology-based manufacturing firms to build and maintain customer trust. To illustrate how the pharmaceutical industry has explored the relationship between cyber security, supply chain risk and digital operations, the research highlights the significant and convoluted consequences of the relationship model that have not been previously considered. - Artículo
Acceso Abierto Potamolithus spp. in the Argentine Pampas(2020) de Lucía, Micaela; Gutiérrez Gregoric, Diego EduardoThe genus Potamolithus is the only native representative of the family Tateidae in South America. Six species of Potamolithus have been recorded from Buenos Aires province, on the Argentinean coasts of the Río de la Plata. These coasts are used for different purposes which could affect species of Potamolithus; however, the actual impact of these threats is unknown. The objective of this project is to know the conservation status of the genus Potamolithus in the Pampean region along the coast of the Río de la Plata. For this, seasonal sampling is being carried out at sites with historical records, providing the first population studies (growth and recruitment) of species in this genus and completing anatomical and molecular descriptions. The Argentinean coast of the Río de la Plata has been greatly altered by people and the invasion of Limnoperna fortunei in recent years, which has made it difficult to find specimens of Potamolithus. On IMG, specimens have been observed at various sites, and growth experiments are being carried out both in situ and in the laboratory. Because of the conchological, anatomical, and genetic analyses, five taxonomic entities are distinguished. - Artículo
Acceso Abierto Diversity of non-marine mollusks in the southernmost Paranaense forest of the world(2023) de Lucía, Micaela; Darrigran, Gustavo; Gutiérrez Gregoric, Diego EduardoThe Natural Reserve of Punta Lara (RNPL) is a protected natural area that includes Paranaense forest southernmost in the world. This area is surrounded by a densely populated and touristic sector. The objective of this work was to estimate the richness, diversity and equity of the RNPL mollusks (aquatic and terrestrial) and to establish the relationship of their species in aquatic environments. One sampling per year was carried out between 2013 and 2019. There were 32 species recorded (six are non-native species): 23 gastropods (14 freshwater, nine terrestrial) and nine bivalves. Three species were recorded in all sampling years, while six only on one occasion. The land snail genus Drepanostomella is reported for the first time in that region, and five freshwater species are reported for the first time for the RNPL. The similarity analysis of the freshwater environment separated the coastal environments from the internal environments. The environments with the highest specific richness were in internal sites of the RNPL, while the least diverse was the coast of the Río de la Plata, where the invasive species Limnoperna fortunei predominates. It is recommended to increase the conservation efforts of the different environments of the RNPL continuously threatened by urbanization. - Artículo
Acceso Abierto Phylogenetic and morphological study of the genus Potamolithus (Truncatelloidea: Tateidae) in hotspots of diversity at the Paranaense Forest, Argentina, with the addition of six new species(2021) de Lucía, Micaela; Gonçalves, Isabela Cristina B.; dos Santos, Sonia Barbosa; Collado, Gonzalo A; Gutiérrez Gregoric, Diego EduardoThe Atlantic Forest is a highly fragmented biodiversity hotspot, which in Argentina is represented by the Paranaense Forest, covering a wide area of the province of Misiones. In conservation studies, groups of vertebrates, plants and arthropods are generally used together but other invertebrates scarcely used. In the present work, we aim to provide information on new species of freshwater gastropods, from protected and unprotected areas. Specimens were collected in a protected area (Yabotí Biosphere Reserve) and in two unprotected areas (Alba Posse city and Centro de Investigaciones Antonia Ramos -CIAR-). The shell, radula, internal anatomy and the molecular information of the partial sequence of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) were analysed. The phylogenetic trees were obtained using Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference analyses. Altogether, the anatomical, shell, and genetic studies allow us to differentiate six new species of the genus Potamolithus from the others present in Argentina and the surrounding areas. These new species raise the number of freshwater gastropods for the malacological province Río Uruguay to 64. Three of the new species have been found within a protected area, while other three at unprotected areas. The presence of invasive species, such as Limnoperna fortunei (Dunker 1857) and Melanoides tuberculata (Müller, 1774), as well as the possible creation of a hydroelectric dam, may modify the environment inhabited by the new endemic fauna. - Artículo
Acceso Abierto First records of the bean-slug Sarasinula plebeia (Gastropoda: Veronicellidae) in Argentina(2020) Daglio, Eduardo Daniel; de Lucía, Micaela; Rodrigues Gomes, Suzete; Gutiérrez Gregoric, Diego EduardoSarasinula plebeia is a common land slug in tropical and subtropical areas, including South America. This species is known as Bean-slug but considered a pest of great importance in numerous crops, horticultural facilities, plant nurseries, and garden. Also, it is a natural host for nematodes that cause parasitosis in different countries. We report for the first time the occurrence of Sarasinula plebeia in Argentina, based on material collected in the provinces of Chaco and Misiones, extending the distribution of the species in South America to 34 terrestrial ecoregions. - Conjunto de datos
Acceso Abierto Dataset on: Land slugs in plant nurseries, a potential cause of dispersal in ArgentinaGutiérrez Gregoric, Diego Eduardo; Daglio, Eduardo Daniel; de Lucía, Micaela; Robinson, D. G.; Darrigran, GustavoTaxonomic information, collection lots for each species deposited in the Malacological Collection of La Plata Museum, number of individuals per lot deposited, coordinates of the nurseries, and date of collection. Commercial plant nurseries may serve as causes of dispersal of land snails and slugs (native and non-native) through the trade of plants and the related transport of eggs and small individuals that may pass unnoticed. Studies on the possible role of plant nurseries as a potential cause of dispersal of slugs in South America are lacking. To explore the role of garden centers, we collected and identified slugs in 12 commercial nurseries in two cities in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Eight species of slugs were found. Based on our findings we validate the existence of Deroceras laeve and Belocaulus angustipes for Argentina and confirm the existence of Ambigolimax valentianus, which was recently cited for Argentina. We recommend that plant nurseries be regularly monitored given that snail and slug species are accidentally spread through trade in plants.