Análise de estabilidade de deslizamento de El Molinar (Alcoy, SE Espanha)

The El Molinar slide is a translational slide that affects Upper Miocene marls near the city of Alcoy (Alicante, SE Spain). In this study, the stability of this landslide is studied focusing on the effect of variations of the water table within slide body and the possible effect of maximum expecte d earthquake in a 475 year return period. The results obtained shown that the water table is the main variable in this proble m. Its change may induce very large variations in safety factor (from 1.53 up to 0.69, corresponding to dry and complete saturation, respectively). The stability under dynamic conditions shows that this slide is not sensitive to waves with frequencies above 2 Hz, but it reduces significantly its safety factor when waves applied are characterized by low frequencies, especially when their characteristic frequency is below 0.6 Hz.O deslizamento do Molinar é um deslocamento translacional que afeta as margas miocénicas perto da cidade de Alcoy (Alicante, SE Espanh a). Neste estudo, a estabilidade deste movimento foi estudada e focou-se no efeito das variações do nível freático no corpo do deslizamento e os possívei s efeitos do sismo com intensidade máxima esperada para um períod o de retorno de 475 anos. Os resultados obtidos mostram que o nível freático é a principal variável neste problema. A sua alteração pode induzir grandes variações no fator de segurança (de 1,53 a 0,69, correspondendo a estado seco e completamente saturado, respectivamente). A estabilidade em condições dinâmicas mostra que este deslizamento não é sensível a ondas com frequências superiores a 2 Hz, mas reduz significativamente o seu fator de segurança quando as ondas aplicadas têm frequências mais baixas, especialment e quando a sua frequência é inferior a 0,6 Hz.This work was partially funded by Spanish MINECO and European funds under project EPILATES (CGL2015.65602-R) and by the University of Alicante (VIGROB-184)

Prevalence of intestinal parasites and related risk factors in rural localities from Pampa del Indio, Chaco, Argentina

Intestinal parasites are a significant cause of morbidity in endemic areas in many low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Infections with intestinal parasites have been reported in multiple locations throughout Argentina, but infection prevalence is still unknown in many areas. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in rural areas surrounding Pampa del Indio, Chaco, Argentina, and to identify risk factors for human infections. In the current study, a survey of three rural neighborhoods surrounding the town of Pampa del Indio was conducted in July 2018. A total of 24 households were surveyed. A questionnaire to assess socio-economic and household variables was administered and fecal samples were collected. Of the 62 stool samples analyzed, an intestinal parasite prevalence of 46.8% (29 cases) was found. The most common parasite identified was Endolimax nana (22.6%), followed by Giardia intestinalis (17.7%), and Entamoeba coli (16.1%). Most of the intestinal parasites found were protozoa, but three cases of helminths (4.8%) were also identified. Participants were polyparasitized at a rate of 19.4%. This study did not identify any statistically significant risk factors for infection but revealed a high overall rate of parasitism in the selected communities.Fil: Richards, Lindsay Renee. University of Florida; Estados UnidosFil: Delgado, Cintia. Fundación Mundo Sano; ArgentinaFil: Goy, Marcia. Hospital Dante Tardelli; ArgentinaFil: Liang, Song. Fundación Mundo Sano; ArgentinaFil: Periago, Maria Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Fundación Mundo Sano; Argentin

Intestinal parasitic infections in a community from Pampa del Indio, Chaco (Argentina) and their association with socioeconomic and environmental factors

Neglected tropical diseases are a group of 20 disabling diseases, which, in particular, are the most common chronic infections in the most vulnerable people. This study aimed to characterize the infection by intestinal parasites (IPs) in dwellings from a peri-urban neighborhood in Pampa del Indio, Chaco (Argentina), and its association with socioeconomic and environmental variables. Single stool samples were collected from all individuals older than 1 year through household visits and processed using coprological sedimentation and flotation techniques. Standardized questionnaires were used at the household level to collect socio-economic information. Environmental variables were obtained from the Planetscope image, Landsat 8 images and remote sensors, while land-use layers were obtained through the use of a maximum likelihood algorithm. Stool samples were provided by 314 individuals. The prevalence of IPs found was 30.6% (n = 96), with a predominance of Giardia lamblia (12.7%, n = 40) and Hymenolepis nana (7.6%, n = 24). The only soil-transmitted helminth found was Strongyloides stercoralis with a 2.5% prevalence (n = 8). Individuals of adult age (> 18 years) were 0.65 times less likely to present parasitic infections with respect to children and adolescents. The only environmental variable that was closely associated with the presence of IPs, was the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI), a measure of humidity; being higher around houses with positive individuals. Most of the IPs found in this study were of water-borne transmission and those transmitted directly from person-to-person, therefore fecal contamination is present. We believe that the low prevalence of STH in this area, which requires a passage through the soil, is related to the environmental characteristics, which are unsuitable for the development/permanence of the infective stages of these parasites. The geospatial data and tools used herein proved to be useful for the study of the relationship between the different factors that influence the presence of IPs in a community, from an eco-health approach.Fil: Scavuzzo, Carlos Matias. Comision Nacional de Actividades Espaciales. Instituto de Altos Estudios Espaciales "Mario Gulich"; Argentina. Fundación Mundo Sano; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Delgado, Cintia. Fundación Mundo Sano; ArgentinaFil: Goy, Marcia. Hospital Dr. Dante Tardelli; ArgentinaFil: Crudo, Favio. Fundación Mundo Sano; ArgentinaFil: Porcasi, Ximena. Comision Nacional de Actividades Espaciales. Instituto de Altos Estudios Espaciales "Mario Gulich"; ArgentinaFil: Periago, Maria Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Fundación Mundo Sano; Argentin

Manejo de los residuos hospitalarios y reducción de la contaminación ambiental en el establecimiento de salud I-4 Huarmaca, Piura

Los residuos sólidos se han convertido en un grave problema para la humanidad y el medio ambiente. Una de estas fuentes de residuos sólidos son los hospitales de los cuales se encuentran residuos sólidos muy peligrosos. Ante lo expuesto se plantea el problema de la investigación ¿Se podrá reducir la contaminación ambiental generada por el inadecuado manejo de residuos hospitalarios realizando un plan de acción ambiental en el establecimiento de salud I-4 Huarmaca, Piura? Y el objetivo general fue determinar si el manejo adecuado de los residuos hospitalarios influye en la reducción de la contaminación ambiental. Los instrumentos aplicados para este estudio fueron un cuestionario de preguntas cerradas, la ficha de verificación y el formato de caracterización de residuos. Las técnicas empleadas fueron la observación, la revisión documentaria y una encuesta sobre la gestión y manejo de los residuos sólidos del establecimiento. Se procedió, a realizar un diagnóstico de la gestión y manejo de los residuos sólidos mediante una encuesta según lo establecido en la norma técnica de salud N° 144, MINSA/2018//DIGESA. Los resultados de la investigación tras la ejecución del diagnóstico en el establecimiento de salud I-4 Huarmaca, Piura; permitió evidenciar el inadecuado manejo de los residuos hospitalarios

Componentes del balance de calor estival diurno en la playa de Pehuén-Co (Argentina)

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Implicancias de la Variabilidad Físico-Biológica y la Aplicación de Normas Legislativas Sobre el Recurso Pesquero en la Zona Costera del Sur de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina

Las condiciones hidrográficas y climatológicas de las aguas costeras son el principal factor a tener en cuenta cuando se analiza la abundancia de las especies ictícolas. Además se deben considerar las leyes de protección pesquera, como las vedas y las limitaciones en permisos de pesca. El Rincón, localizado en el sur de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (Argentina) es un área costera compleja por las diferentes interacciones que se evidencian entre el continente y el mar y principalmente a través de la susceptibilidad del sistema a la variabilidad climática (eventos el Niño). En el presente estudio se analizan los desembarques pesqueros anuales en el periodo 2002-2010 en la zona de El Rincón asociado con las variaciones físico ambientales del medio marino y las normas legislativas pesqueras de la zona. Como conclusión se infiere que las condiciones Niño benefician la abundancia de ciertas especies, mientras que el evento Niña beneficia el desarrollo de otras

Spatial and temporal analysis of the LST-NDVI relationship for the study of land cover changes and their contribution to urban planning in Monte Hermoso, Argentina

The aim of this work was to study the spatial distribution of Land Surface Temperature (LST) and its relationship with diverse urban land covers and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). The study area was Monte Hermoso city, which is located in the southwest of Buenos Aires province, Argentina. To obtain the LST and NDVI parameters, satellite images from LANDSAT 5 TM and LANDSAT 7 ETM+ sensors were seasonally processed for the period 2008-2012. Visual interpretation techniques and empirical intervention were applied to design an urban land cover map on which LST and NDVI were analyzed by tracing four transects oriented in latitudinal and longitudinal directions. Each urban cover presented a particular behavior of these parameters. Furthermore, significant results for the relationship between LST and NDVI were observed (with α 0.1 and 0.05) with R2, Pearson, and Spearman indices values higher than 0.7. Finally, LST variation in diverse land covers was observed as a consequence of urban growth and the alteration of the vegetation coverage. Therefore, it was concluded that the spatial and temporal variation of LST values may indicate modifications in urban land covers. The information obtained in this study would be a useful tool to guide future urban management studies and policies.L'objectiu d'aquesta investigació va ser estudiar la distribució espacial de la temperatura de superfície terrestre (TST), la seva relació amb diferents cobertures del sòl urbà i l'índex de vegetació de diferència (NDVI). L'àrea d'estudi seleccionada va ser la ciutat costanera de Monte Hermoso, localitzada al sud-oest de la província de Buenos Aires (Argentina). Per fer-ho, es van processar imatges satel·litàries LANDSAT 5 TM i 7 ETM + per al període 2008-2012 de manera estacional. Amb aquestes imatges es va calcular la TST i l'NDVI. Posteriorment, es van aplicar tècniques d'interpretació visual i es van fer sortides al camp per dissenyar un mapa de cobertures del sòl urbà. Sobre aquestes, es va analitzar la variació de la TST i l'NDVI mitjançant el traçat de quatre transsectes orientats en sentit latitudinal i longitudinal. Cadascuna d'aquestes cobertures va presentar un comportament particular dels paràmetres calculats. D'altra banda, es van observar resultats significatius de la relació TST-NDVI (amb α de 0,1 i 0,05), amb valors de R2, índexs de Pearson i Spearman més grans de 0,7. Finalment, es va evidenciar que el canvi en les cobertures del sòl, producte del creixement urbà, va modificar els valors estacionals de la TST. Aquests van ser generats com a conseqüència de l'alteració de la coberta vegetal. Per tant, es va concloure que les variacions espaciotemporals de la TST podrien indicar canvis en l'ús del sòl propis de l'expansió urbana. Per l'anàlisi realitzada, es considera que la informació obtinguda en aquest estudi serà útil per orientar polítiques d'ordenament del territori.El objetivo de esta investigación fue estudiar la distribución espacial de la temperatura de superficie terrestre (TST), su relación con distintas coberturas del suelo urbano y el índice normalizado de vegetación (NDVI). El área de estudio seleccionada fue la ciudad costera de Monte Hermoso, localizada en el sudoeste de la provincia de Buenos Aires (Argentina). Para llevarlo a cabo, se procesaron imágenes satelitales LANDSAT 5 TM y 7 ETM + para el período 2008-2012 de forma estacional. Con ellas, se calculó la TST y el NDVI. Posteriormente, se realizó un reconocimiento del terreno y se aplicaron técnicas de interpretación visual para diseñar un mapa de coberturas del suelo urbano. Sobre estas, se analizó la variación de la TST y el NDVI a través del trazado de cuatro transectos orientados en sentido latitudinal y longitudinal. Cada una de las coberturas identificadas presentaron un comportamiento particular de los parámetros calculados. Por otro lado, se observaron resultados significativos de la relación TST-NDVI (con α de 0,1 y 0,05), con valores de R2, índices de Pearson y Spearman mayores que 0,7. Las modificaciones en los valores estacionales de la TST evidenciaron un cambio en las coberturas del suelo, producto del crecimiento urbano. Los mismos fueron generados como consecuencia de la alteración de la cobertura vegetal. Por lo tanto, se concluyó que las variaciones espacio-temporales de la TST podrían indicar cambios en el uso del suelo propios de la expansión urbana. Por el análisis realizado, se considera que la información obtenida en este estudio será útil para orientar políticas de ordenamiento del territorio.Le but de ce travail était d'étudier la répartition spatiale de la Température de la Surface Terrestre (TST) et sa relation avec différentes couvertures de terrains urbains et l'indice de végétation normalisé (NDVI). La zone étudiée était la ville de Monte Hermoso, située au sud-ouest de la province de Buenos Aires (Argentine). Tout d'abord, des images satellite LANDSAT 5 TM et LANDSAT 7 ETM + capteurs ont été traitées de façon saisonnière sur la période de 2008 à 2012. Ensuite, ces données ont été utilisées pour le calcul des paramètres TST et NDVI. Par la suite, des techniques d'interprétation visuelle et d'intervention empirique ont été appliquées afin de concevoir une carte de couverture du sol urbain sur laquelle la LST et le NDVI ont été analysés en traçant quatre transects orientés dans des directions latitudinale et longitudinale. Chaque couverture urbaine a présenté une réponse particulière de ces paramètres. En outre, des résultats significatifs pour la relation entre LST et NDVI ont été observés (avec α 0,1 et 0,05) avec des valeurs de R2, indices de Pearson et Spearman supérieures à 0,7. Enfin, une modification de la TST de la couverture terrestre, due à la croissance urbaine, a été observée. Ces changements ont été générés à la suite d'une modification de la couverture végétale. Par conséquent, il a été conclu que la variation spatiale et temporelle des valeurs de LST pourrait indiquer des changements dans la couverture du sol urbain. Lors de cette étude, il a été considéré que l'information obtenue était utile pour orienter les politiques de gestion urbaine

Preconditioning of Microglia by α-Synuclein Strongly Affects the Response Induced by Toll-like Receptor (TLR) Stimulation

In recent years, it has become accepted that α-synuclein (αSyn) has a key role in the microglia-mediated neuroinflammation, which accompanies the development of Parkinson's disease and other related disorders, such as Dementia with Lewy Bodies and Alzheimer's disease. Nevertheless, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying its pathological actions, especially in the sporadic forms of the diseases, are not completely understood. Intriguingly, several epidemiological and animal model studies have revealed a link between certain microbial infections and the onset or progression of sporadic forms of these neurodegenerative disorders. In this work, we have characterized the effect of toll-like receptor (TLR) stimulation on primary murine microglial cultures and analysed the impact of priming cells with extracellular wild-type (Wt) αSyn on the subsequent TLR stimulation of cells with a set of TLR ligands. By assaying key interleukins and chemokines we report that specific stimuli, in particular Pam3Csk4 (Pam3) and single-stranded RNA40 (ssRNA), can differentially affect the TLR2/1- and TLR7-mediated responses of microglia when pre-conditioned with αSyn by augmenting IL-6, MCP-1/CCL2 or IP-10/CXCL10 secretion levels. Furthermore, we report a skewing of αSyn-primed microglia stimulated with ssRNA (TLR7) or Pam3 (TLR2/1) towards intermediate but at the same time differential, M1/M2 phenotypes. Finally, we show that the levels and intracellular location of activated caspase-3 protein change significantly in αSyn-primed microglia after stimulation with these particular TLR agonists. Overall, we report a remarkable impact of non-aggregated αSyn pre-sensitization of microglia on TLR-mediated immunity, a phenomenon that could contribute to triggering the onset of sporadic α-synuclein-related neuropathologies

Methionine adenosyltransferase 1a antisense oligonucleotides activate the liver-brown adipose tissue axis preventing obesity and associated hepatosteatosis

Altered methionine metabolism is associated with weight gain in obesity. The methionine adenosyltransferase (MAT), catalyzing the first reaction of the methionine cycle, plays an important role regulating lipid metabolism. However, its role in obesity, when a plethora of metabolic diseases occurs, is still unknown. By using antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) and genetic depletion of Mat1a, here, we demonstrate that Mat1a deficiency in diet-induce obese or genetically obese mice prevented and reversed obesity and obesity-associated insulin resistance and hepatosteatosis by increasing energy expenditure in a hepatocyte FGF21 dependent fashion. The increased NRF2-mediated FGF21 secretion induced by targeting Mat1a, mobilized plasma lipids towards the BAT to be catabolized, induced thermogenesis and reduced body weight, inhibiting hepatic de novo lipogenesis. The beneficial effects of Mat1a ASO were abolished following FGF21 depletion in hepatocytes. Thus, targeting Mat1a activates the liver-BAT axis by increasing NRF2-mediated FGF21 secretion, which prevents obesity, insulin resistance and hepatosteatosis. High methionine and S-adenosylmethionine serum levels are related with obesity. Here the authors show that knockdown of methionine adenosyltransferase by using antisense oligonucleotides provides beneficial effects in obesity and comorbidities.This work was supported by Ayudas para apoyar grupos de investigacion del sistema Universitario Vasco (IT971-16) and MCIU/AEI/FEDER, UE (RTI2018-095134-B-100) (to P.A.), (RTI2018-099413-B-I00 and RED2018-102379-T) (to R.N.), PID2020119486RB-100 (to M.V.R.) and (RTI2018-096759-A-100) (to T.C.D). EFSD/Lilly European Diabetes Research Program, MICIU (PID2019-104399RB-I00), Fundacion AECC PROYE19047SABI, and Comunidad de Madrid IMMUNOTHERCAN-CM B2017/BMD-3733 (to G.S.). La CAIXA Foundation LCF/PR/HP17/52190004, MINECO-FEDER SAF2017-87301-R, AYUDAS FUNDACION BBVA A EQUIPOS DE INVESTIGACION CIENTIFICA UMBRELLA 2018 and AECC Scientific Foundation, grant name: Rare Cancers 2017 (to M.L.M.-C.). AECC Scientific Foundation (to T.C.D.). Xunta de Galicia 2020-PG015 (to R.N.) Gilead Sciences International Research Scholars Program in Liver Disease (to M.V.R.). Personal fellows: E.P.F. was awarded with Juan de la Cierva-Formacion, FJC2018-035449-I. C.F. was awarded with Sara Borrell (CD19/00078). CIC bioGUNE thanks MCIU for the Severo Ochoa Excellence Accreditation (SEV-2016-0644). The authors thank Dr. Manuel Lafitas laboratory (Getxo, Bizkaia, Spain) for his valuable help in the analysis of biochemical parameters

Glial Innate Immunity Generated by Non-Aggregated Alpha-Synuclein in Mouse: Differences between Wild-type and Parkinson's Disease-Linked Mutants

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized pathologically by the presence in the brain of intracellular protein inclusions highly enriched in aggregated alpha-synuclein (alpha-Syn). Although it has been established that progression of the disease is accompanied by sustained activation of microglia, the underlying molecules and factors involved in these immune-triggered mechanisms remain largely unexplored. Lately, accumulating evidence has shown the presence of extracellular alpha-Syn both in its aggregated and monomeric forms in cerebrospinal fluid and blood plasma. However, the effect of extracellular alpha-Syn on cellular activation and immune mediators, as well as the impact of familial PD-linked alpha-Syn mutants on this stimulation, are still largely unknown.Methods and Findings: In this work, we have compared the activation profiles of non-aggregated, extracellular wild-type and PD-linked mutant alpha-Syn variants on primary glial and microglial cell cultures. After stimulation of cells with alpha-Syn, we measured the release of Th1- and Th2-type cytokines as well as IP-10/CXCL10, RANTES/CCL5, MCP-1/CCL2 and MIP-1 alpha/CCL3 chemokines. Contrary to what had been observed using cell lines or for the case of aggregated alpha-Syn, we found strong differences in the immune response generated by wild-type alpha-Syn and the familial PD mutants (A30P, E46K and A53T).Conclusions: These findings might contribute to explain the differences in the onset and progression of this highly debilitating disease, which could be of value in the development of rational approaches towards effective control of immune responses that are associated with PD