Evaluating mountain goat dairy systems for conversion to the organic model, using a multicriteria method

Organic farming conserves natural resources, promotes biodiversity, guarantees animal welfare and obtains healthy products from raw materials through natural processes. In order to evaluate possibilities of increasing organic animal production, this study proposes a farm-scale multicriteria method for assessing the conversion of dairy goat systems to the organic model. In addition, a case study in the Northern Sierra of Seville, southern Spain, is analysed. A consensus of expert opinions and a field survey are used to validate a list of potential indicators and issues for assessing the conversion, which consider not only the European Community regulations for organic livestock farming, but also agroecological principles. As a result, the method includes 56 variables integrated in nine indicators: Nutritional management, Sustainable pasture management, Soil fertility and contamination, Weed and pest control, Disease prevention, Breeds and reproduction, Animal welfare, Food safety and Marketing and management. The nine indicators are finally integrated in a global index named OLPI (Organic Livestock Proximity Index). Application of the method to a case study with 24 goat farms reveals an OLPI value of 46.5% for dairy goat farms located in mountain areas of southern Spain. The aspects that differ most from the agroecological model include soil management, animal nutrition and product marketing. Results of the case study indicate that the proposed method is easy to implement and is useful for quantifying the approximation of conventional farms to an organic model

Association of a single nucleotide polymorphism combination pattern of the Klotho gene with non-cardiovascular death in patients with chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with an elevated risk of all-cause mortality, with cardiovascular death being extensively investigated. However, non-cardiovascular mortality represents the biggest percentage, showing an evident increase in recent years. Klotho is a gene highly expressed in the kidney, with a clear influence on lifespan. Low levels of Klotho have been linked to CKD progression and adverse outcomes. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the Klotho gene have been associated with several diseases, but studies investigating the association of Klotho SNPs with noncardiovascular death in CKD populations are lacking. The main aim of this study was to assess whether 11 Klotho SNPs were associated with non-cardiovascular death in a subpopulation of the National Observatory of Atherosclerosis in Nephrology (NEFRONA) study (n ¼ 2185 CKD patients). After 48 months of follow-up, 62 cardiovascular deaths and 108 non-cardiovascular deaths were recorded. We identified a high non-cardiovascular death risk combination of SNPs corresponding to individuals carrying the most frequent allele (G) at rs562020, the rare allele (C) at rs2283368 and homozygotes for the rare allele (G) at rs2320762 (rs562020 GG/AG þ rs2283368 CC/CT þ rs2320762 GG). Among the patients with the three SNPs genotyped (n ¼ 1016), 75 (7.4%) showed this combination. Furthermore, 95 (9.3%) patients showed a low-risk combination carrying all the opposite genotypes (rs562020 AA þ rs2283368 TT þ rs2320762 GT/TT). All the other combinations [n ¼ 846 (83.3%)] were considered as normal risk. Using competing risk regression analysis, we confirmed that the proposed combinations are independently associated with a higher fhazard ratio [HR] 3.28 [confidence interval (CI) 1.51-7.12]g and lower [HR 6 × 10- (95% CI 3.3 × 10--1.1 × 10-)] risk of suffering a non-cardiovascular death in the CKD population of the NEFRONA cohort compared with patients with the normal-risk combination. Determination of three SNPs of the Klotho gene could help in the prediction of non-cardiovascular death in CKD

Association of candidate gene polymorphisms with chronic kidney disease : Results of a case-control analysis in the NEFRONA cohort

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major risk factor for end-stage renal disease, cardiovascular disease and premature death. Despite classical clinical risk factors for CKD and some genetic risk factors have been identified, the residual risk observed in prediction models is still high. Therefore, new risk factors need to be identified in order to better predict the risk of CKD in the population. Here, we analyzed the genetic association of 79 SNPs of proteins associated with mineral metabolism disturbances with CKD in a cohort that includes 2,445 CKD cases and 559 controls. Genotyping was performed with matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry. We used logistic regression models considering different genetic inheritance models to assess the association of the SNPs with the prevalence of CKD, adjusting for known risk factors. Eight SNPs (rs1126616, rs35068180, rs2238135, rs1800247, rs385564, rs4236, rs2248359, and rs1564858) were associated with CKD even after adjusting by sex, age and race. A model containing five of these SNPs (rs1126616, rs35068180, rs1800247, rs4236, and rs2248359), diabetes and hypertension showed better performance than models considering only clinical risk factors, significantly increasing the area under the curve of the model without polymorphisms. Furthermore, one of the SNPs (the rs2248359) showed an interaction with hypertension, being the risk genotype affecting only hypertensive patients. We conclude that 5 SNPs related to proteins implicated in mineral metabolism disturbances (Osteopontin, osteocalcin, matrix gla protein, matrix metalloprotease 3 and 24 hydroxylase) are associated to an increased risk of suffering CKD

Mapping geographical inequalities in childhood diarrhoeal morbidity and mortality in low-income and middle-income countries, 2000–17 : analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

Background Across low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), one in ten deaths in children younger than 5 years is attributable to diarrhoea. The substantial between-country variation in both diarrhoea incidence and mortality is attributable to interventions that protect children, prevent infection, and treat disease. Identifying subnational regions with the highest burden and mapping associated risk factors can aid in reducing preventable childhood diarrhoea. Methods We used Bayesian model-based geostatistics and a geolocated dataset comprising 15 072 746 children younger than 5 years from 466 surveys in 94 LMICs, in combination with findings of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2017, to estimate posterior distributions of diarrhoea prevalence, incidence, and mortality from 2000 to 2017. From these data, we estimated the burden of diarrhoea at varying subnational levels (termed units) by spatially aggregating draws, and we investigated the drivers of subnational patterns by creating aggregated risk factor estimates. Findings The greatest declines in diarrhoeal mortality were seen in south and southeast Asia and South America, where 54·0% (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 38·1–65·8), 17·4% (7·7–28·4), and 59·5% (34·2–86·9) of units, respectively, recorded decreases in deaths from diarrhoea greater than 10%. Although children in much of Africa remain at high risk of death due to diarrhoea, regions with the most deaths were outside Africa, with the highest mortality units located in Pakistan. Indonesia showed the greatest within-country geographical inequality; some regions had mortality rates nearly four times the average country rate. Reductions in mortality were correlated to improvements in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) or reductions in child growth failure (CGF). Similarly, most high-risk areas had poor WASH, high CGF, or low oral rehydration therapy coverage. Interpretation By co-analysing geospatial trends in diarrhoeal burden and its key risk factors, we could assess candidate drivers of subnational death reduction. Further, by doing a counterfactual analysis of the remaining disease burden using key risk factors, we identified potential intervention strategies for vulnerable populations. In view of the demands for limited resources in LMICs, accurately quantifying the burden of diarrhoea and its drivers is important for precision public health

Risk profiles and one-year outcomes of patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation in India: Insights from the GARFIELD-AF Registry.

BACKGROUND: The Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD-Atrial Fibrillation (GARFIELD-AF) is an ongoing prospective noninterventional registry, which is providing important information on the baseline characteristics, treatment patterns, and 1-year outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). This report describes data from Indian patients recruited in this registry. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 52,014 patients with newly diagnosed AF were enrolled globally; of these, 1388 patients were recruited from 26 sites within India (2012-2016). In India, the mean age was 65.8 years at diagnosis of NVAF. Hypertension was the most prevalent risk factor for AF, present in 68.5% of patients from India and in 76.3% of patients globally (P < 0.001). Diabetes and coronary artery disease (CAD) were prevalent in 36.2% and 28.1% of patients as compared with global prevalence of 22.2% and 21.6%, respectively (P < 0.001 for both). Antiplatelet therapy was the most common antithrombotic treatment in India. With increasing stroke risk, however, patients were more likely to receive oral anticoagulant therapy [mainly vitamin K antagonist (VKA)], but average international normalized ratio (INR) was lower among Indian patients [median INR value 1.6 (interquartile range {IQR}: 1.3-2.3) versus 2.3 (IQR 1.8-2.8) (P < 0.001)]. Compared with other countries, patients from India had markedly higher rates of all-cause mortality [7.68 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval 6.32-9.35) vs 4.34 (4.16-4.53), P < 0.0001], while rates of stroke/systemic embolism and major bleeding were lower after 1 year of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Compared to previously published registries from India, the GARFIELD-AF registry describes clinical profiles and outcomes in Indian patients with AF of a different etiology. The registry data show that compared to the rest of the world, Indian AF patients are younger in age and have more diabetes and CAD. Patients with a higher stroke risk are more likely to receive anticoagulation therapy with VKA but are underdosed compared with the global average in the GARFIELD-AF. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION-URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01090362

Alternatives durables pour l'utilisation de résidus d'exploitation en vrac volcanique dans des matériaux de construction

The generation of the solid waste that derives from various processes in the exploitation of building material banks worldwide is causing a deterioration in the quality of the environment. Several companies have been searching for alternatives that will allow them to manage their residues adequately, which in turn will aid in reducing the contamination of the landscape that has been caused by their activities, while complying at the same time with environmental care legislation, which they are required to do.  Such is the case of the “quarry” industry, dedicated to the exploitation of volcanic tuff, which, after the processes for the provision and grinding of its raw material, generates significant volumes of waste, being dust the residue that predominates the most in this process. This study sets out to analyze these powders geotechnically and chemically in order to categorize them, and to review the feasibility of alternative uses, based on the nature of their components, and based on ASTM standards; and to analyze the behavior of material elaborated with grinded waste powder. The results indicate that the residue is a Rhyolite, classified as inorganic silt (ML); X ray diffraction indicated a content of 76% Silica (SiO2) which makes it possible for the residue to be used in the replacement of Portland cement in quantities of up to 67% in order to obtain 13 MPa resistant hydraulic cement. Likewise, it is considered feasible for it to be used in the total substitution of sand as a fine aggregate. The resistance values obtained make it possible for it to be used in masonry work such as in levelling and tunneling. Its low compositions in Sodium and Magnesium Oxides (Na2O and MgO), 0.96% and 0.15% respectively, will not cause effects such as concrete disintegration, or expansion due to magnesia over the years. Key Words. Sand, Concrete, Mortar, Waste dust, Rhyolite, Tuff.Resumen La generación de residuos sólidos derivados de diversos procesos en la explotación de bancos de materiales para construcción a nivel mundial está ocasionando deterioro en la calidad del aspecto ambiental. Diversas empresas buscan alternativas que permitan dar un manejo adecuado a sus residuos, reduciendo la contaminación paisajística provocada y manteniéndose dentro del cumplimiento legal en materia de cuidado al medio ambiente que se les está demandando.  Tal es el caso de la Industria canterera dedicada a la explotación de tobas volcánicas, que tras los procesos para disposición y detallado de su materia prima genera volúmenes significativos de residuos dentro de los que predominan los polvos como deshecho del proceso de corte. La presente investigación consistió en analizar geotécnica y químicamente estos polvos, para categorizar y revisar la factibilidad de las alternativas de uso con base en la naturaleza de sus componentes empleando  normativas ASTM, para analizar el comportamiento del material elaborado con polvo de deshecho de corte. Los resultados indican la clasificación del residuo como Riolita, clasificado como Limo Inorgánico (ML): La Difracción de Rayos X indica un contenido del 76% de Sílice (SiO2), lo que resultó pertinente para emplear los polvos en la sustitución de cemento portland hasta en un 67%, para obtener un cementante hidráulico con resistencias de 13 MPa; así como en la total sustitución de arena como agregado fino; dicha resistencia puede aprovecharse para emplearse en obras de albañilería como aplanados y emboquillados. Sus bajas composiciones en Óxidos de Sodio y Magnesio (Na2O y MgO), 0.96 % y 0.15% respectivamente, no provocarán efectos como desintegración del concreto o la expansión por magnesia a través de los años.Palabras Clave. Arena, Concreto, Mortero, Polvo de cantera. Riolita, Tobas.La production de déchets solides dérivés de divers procédés dans l'exploitation des rives de matériaux de construction dans le monde entier entraîne une détérioration de la qualité de l'aspect environnemental. Diverses entreprises cherchent des alternatives qui permettent une bonne gestion des déchets, réduction de la pollution et le paysage tout en restant dans le respect de l'environnement juridique en matière de soins qui les poursuit en justice. Tel est le cas de l'industrie canterera dédiée à l'exploitation de tuf, qui, après les processus d'élimination et de matières premières détaillées génère des quantités importantes de déchets dans les poudres prédominent en tant que déchets du processus de coupe. Cette recherche était d'analyser et chimiquement ces géotechniques poudres, pour classer et examiner la faisabilité d'autres utilisations en fonction de la nature de ses composants en utilisant les normes ASTM, pour analyser le comportement du matériau en taillant des poussières de déchets. Les résultats indiquent la classification du résidu comme rhyolite, classée Boue inorganique (ML): La diffraction des rayons X indique une teneur de 76% de silice (SiO2), ce qui était approprié d'utiliser des poudres en remplaçant le ciment Portland à de 67%, pour obtenir un ciment hydraulique avec des résistances de 13 MPa; ainsi que dans le remplacement total du sable comme granulat fin; Cette résistance peut être utilisée pour être utilisée dans des travaux de maçonnerie comme aplatie et emboquillados. Leur faible compositions Oxydes de sodium et de magnésium (MgO et Na2O), 0,96% et 0,15%, respectivement, ne provoquera pas la désintégration des effets concrets ou l'expansion de la magnésie au fil des ans. Mots clés: Sable, béton, mortier, poussière de carrière. Rhyolite, Tobas

Alternatives durables pour l'utilisation de résidus d'exploitation en vrac volcanique dans des matériaux de construction

The generation of the solid waste that derives from various processes in the exploitation of building material banks worldwide is causing a deterioration in the quality of the environment. Several companies have been searching for alternatives that will allow them to manage their residues adequately, which in turn will aid in reducing the contamination of the landscape that has been caused by their activities, while complying at the same time with environmental care legislation, which they are required to do.&nbsp; Such is the case of the &ldquo;quarry&rdquo; industry, dedicated to the exploitation of volcanic tuff, which, after the processes for the provision and grinding of its raw material, generates significant volumes of waste, being dust the residue that predominates the most in this process. This study sets out to analyze these powders geotechnically and chemically in order to categorize them, and to review the feasibility of alternative uses, based on the nature of their components, and based on ASTM standards; and to analyze the behavior of material elaborated with grinded waste powder. The results indicate that the residue is a Rhyolite, classified as inorganic silt (ML); X ray diffraction indicated a content of 76% Silica (SiO2) which makes it possible for the residue to be used in the replacement of Portland cement in quantities of up to 67% in order to obtain 13 MPa resistant hydraulic cement. Likewise, it is considered feasible for it to be used in the total substitution of sand as a fine aggregate. The resistance values obtained make it possible for it to be used in masonry work such as in levelling and tunneling. Its low compositions in Sodium and Magnesium Oxides (Na2O and MgO), 0.96% and 0.15% respectively, will not cause effects such as concrete disintegration, or expansion due to magnesia over the years. Key Words. Sand, Concrete, Mortar, Waste dust, Rhyolite, Tuff.Resumen La generaci&oacute;n de residuos s&oacute;lidos derivados de diversos procesos en la explotaci&oacute;n de bancos de materiales para construcci&oacute;n a nivel mundial est&aacute; ocasionando deterioro en la calidad del aspecto ambiental. Diversas empresas buscan alternativas que permitan dar un manejo adecuado a sus residuos, reduciendo la contaminaci&oacute;n paisaj&iacute;stica provocada y manteni&eacute;ndose dentro del cumplimiento legal en materia de cuidado al medio ambiente que se les est&aacute; demandando.&nbsp; Tal es el caso de la Industria canterera dedicada a la explotaci&oacute;n de tobas volc&aacute;nicas, que tras los procesos para disposici&oacute;n y detallado de su materia prima genera vol&uacute;menes significativos de residuos dentro de los que predominan los polvos como deshecho del proceso de corte. La presente investigaci&oacute;n consisti&oacute; en analizar geot&eacute;cnica y qu&iacute;micamente estos polvos, para categorizar y revisar la factibilidad de las alternativas de uso con base en la naturaleza de sus componentes empleando &nbsp;normativas ASTM, para analizar el comportamiento del material elaborado con polvo de deshecho de corte. Los resultados indican la clasificaci&oacute;n del residuo como Riolita, clasificado como Limo Inorg&aacute;nico (ML): La Difracci&oacute;n de Rayos X indica un contenido del 76% de S&iacute;lice (SiO2), lo que result&oacute; pertinente para emplear los polvos en la sustituci&oacute;n de cemento portland hasta en un 67%, para obtener un cementante hidr&aacute;ulico con resistencias de 13 MPa; as&iacute; como en la total sustituci&oacute;n de arena como agregado fino; dicha resistencia puede aprovecharse para emplearse en obras de alba&ntilde;iler&iacute;a como aplanados y emboquillados. Sus bajas composiciones en &Oacute;xidos de Sodio y Magnesio (Na2O y MgO), 0.96 % y 0.15% respectivamente, no provocar&aacute;n efectos como desintegraci&oacute;n del concreto o la expansi&oacute;n por magnesia a trav&eacute;s de los a&ntilde;os.Palabras Clave. Arena, Concreto, Mortero, Polvo de cantera. Riolita, Tobas.La production de d&eacute;chets solides d&eacute;riv&eacute;s de divers proc&eacute;d&eacute;s dans l'exploitation des rives de mat&eacute;riaux de construction dans le monde entier entra&icirc;ne une d&eacute;t&eacute;rioration de la qualit&eacute; de l'aspect environnemental. Diverses entreprises cherchent des alternatives qui permettent une bonne gestion des d&eacute;chets, r&eacute;duction de la pollution et le paysage tout en restant dans le respect de l'environnement juridique en mati&egrave;re de soins qui les poursuit en justice. Tel est le cas de l'industrie canterera d&eacute;di&eacute;e &agrave; l'exploitation de tuf, qui, apr&egrave;s les processus d'&eacute;limination et de mati&egrave;res premi&egrave;res d&eacute;taill&eacute;es g&eacute;n&egrave;re des quantit&eacute;s importantes de d&eacute;chets dans les poudres pr&eacute;dominent en tant que d&eacute;chets du processus de coupe. Cette recherche &eacute;tait d'analyser et chimiquement ces g&eacute;otechniques poudres, pour classer et examiner la faisabilit&eacute; d'autres utilisations en fonction de la nature de ses composants en utilisant les normes ASTM, pour analyser le comportement du mat&eacute;riau en taillant des poussi&egrave;res de d&eacute;chets. Les r&eacute;sultats indiquent la classification du r&eacute;sidu comme rhyolite, class&eacute;e Boue inorganique (ML): La diffraction des rayons X indique une teneur de 76% de silice (SiO2), ce qui &eacute;tait appropri&eacute; d'utiliser des poudres en rempla&ccedil;ant le ciment Portland &agrave; de 67%, pour obtenir un ciment hydraulique avec des r&eacute;sistances de 13 MPa; ainsi que dans le remplacement total du sable comme granulat fin; Cette r&eacute;sistance peut &ecirc;tre utilis&eacute;e pour &ecirc;tre utilis&eacute;e dans des travaux de ma&ccedil;onnerie comme aplatie et emboquillados. Leur faible compositions Oxydes de sodium et de magn&eacute;sium (MgO et Na2O), 0,96% et 0,15%, respectivement, ne provoquera pas la d&eacute;sint&eacute;gration des effets concrets ou l'expansion de la magn&eacute;sie au fil des ans. Mots cl&eacute;s: Sable, b&eacute;ton, mortier, poussi&egrave;re de carri&egrave;re. Rhyolite, Tobas