Evaluación de la sostenibilidad ambiental de la producción citrícola en el Uruguay mediante análisis de ciclo de vida

Los cítricos son el cultivo frutícola más importante de Uruguay en términos de producción, superficie y aporte económico. Considerando la gran contribución de los sistemas agroalimentarios a los impactos ambientales, evaluar aquellos asociados a la producción citrícola en el país cobra gran relevancia para transitar hacia sistemas alimentarios sostenibles. En esta línea, el objetivo de la presente tesis es evaluar estos impactos ambientales mediante la utilización del análisis de ciclo de vida (ACV) y estudiar aspectos metodológicos clave de su aplicación a la producción citrícola. Se lleva a cabo una revisión crítica de la literatura de ACV de cítricos y se desarrollan cuatro casos de estudio en establecimientos representativos de la región, en concreto, la producción de limones, mandarinas y naranjas, y la producción de plantones en vivero. Los impactos se evalúan de la cuna hasta la puerta del establecimiento, usando unidades funcionales tanto de masa como de área y datos primarios correspondientes a varias temporadas de cultivo. Los principales puntos críticos ambientales detectados son las emisiones de campo producto de la aplicación de fertilizantes, la irrigación, y la producción de óxidos de cobre. Desde el punto de vista metodológico, se destaca la importancia de usar distintas unidades funcionales y de abordar la variabilidad temporal y la especificidad según el sitio de los datos de inventario, así como de usar métodos de caracterización de impactos regionalizados. Se observa que la contribución de las primeras etapas del cultivo al impacto ambiental de la producción citrícola es baja.Agencia Nacional de Investigación e InnovaciónUniversidad de la República. Comisión Académica de Posgrad

Projeto de um contêiner de alimentos sustentável, inteligente e interconectado, seguindo os princípios do berço ao berço e usando a Análise do Ciclo de Vida para avaliar os impactos ambientais

The main objective of the present work is to help combat food waste, which is one of the main problems of the food industry today, incorporating also sustainability concepts. According to the FDA each year about 1,300 million tons of food are thrown. Food is wasted mainly at household levels, which is why the choice of the sustainable design of an intelligent interconnected packaging for domestic use is made. To achieve this, the exploration of different technologies, materials, methodologies and innovative frameworks is carried out. Regarding materials, the possibility of using biodegradable, recycled, recyclable and bioplastics was studied, along with the research of the intelligent technology to use, which ended up being sensors. As to methodologies, Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and Cradle to Cradle philosophy (C2C) are deeply studied. Intelligent packaging systems are an option to contribute to minimization of food waste. The correct use of tools such as the LCA, along with the principles of the C2C, and the research on materials and technologies to be used can help designers to reach an optimal solution, minimizing environmental impacts.El objetivo principal del presente trabajo es ayudar a combatir el desperdicio de alimentos, que es uno de los principales problemas de la industria alimentaria actual, incorporando también conceptos de sostenibilidad. Según la FDA, cada año se arrojan alrededor de 1.300 millones de toneladas de alimentos. Los alimentos se desperdician principalmente a nivel de los hogares, por lo que se elige el diseño sostenible de un envase inteligente interconectado para uso doméstico. Para lograr esto, se lleva a cabo la exploración de diferentes tecnologías, materiales, metodologías y marcos innovadores. En cuanto a los materiales, se estudió la posibilidad de utilizar plásticos biodegradables, reciclados, reciclables y bioplásticos, junto con la investigación de la tecnología inteligente a utilizar, que terminó siendo sensores. Respecto a las metodologías, el análisis del ciclo de vida (ACV) y la filosofía Cradle to Cradle (C2C) se estudian en profundidad. Los sistemas inteligentes de envasado son una opción para contribuir a minimizar el desperdicio de alimentos. El uso correcto de herramientas como el ACV, junto con los principios del C2C, y la investigación sobre materiales y tecnologías que se utilizarán pueden ayudar a los diseñadores a alcanzar una solución óptima, minimizando los impactos ambientales

Projeto de um contêiner de alimentos sustentável, inteligente e interconectado, seguindo os princípios do berço ao berço e usando a Análise do Ciclo de Vida para avaliar os impactos ambientais

El objetivo principal del presente trabajo es ayudar a combatir el desperdicio de alimentos, que es uno de los principales problemas de la industria alimentaria actual, incorporando también conceptos de sostenibilidad. Según la FDA, cada año se arrojan alrededor de 1.300 millones de toneladas de alimentos. Los alimentos se desperdician principalmente a nivel de los hogares, por lo que se elige el diseño sostenible de un envase inteligente interconectado para uso doméstico. Para lograr esto, se lleva a cabo la exploración de diferentes tecnologías, materiales, metodologías y marcos innovadores. En cuanto a los materiales, se estudió la posibilidad de utilizar plásticos biodegradables, reciclados, reciclables y bioplásticos, junto con la investigación de la tecnología inteligente a utilizar, que terminó siendo sensores. Respecto a las metodologías, el análisis del ciclo de vida (ACV) y la filosofía Cradle to Cradle (C2C) se estudian en profundidad. Los sistemas inteligentes de envasado son una opción para contribuir a minimizar el desperdicio de alimentos. El uso correcto de herramientas como el ACV, junto con los principios del C2C, y la investigación sobre materiales y tecnologías que se utilizarán pueden ayudar a los diseñadores a alcanzar una solución óptima, minimizando los impactos ambientales.The main objective of this work is to help combat food losses in the production chain, which is one of the main problems of the food industry today, incorporating also sustainability concepts. According to the FDA each year about 1,300 million tons of food are thrown. Food is wasted mainly at household levels, which is why the choice of the sustainable design of an intelligent interconnected packaging for domestic use is made. To achieve this, the exploration of different technologies, materials, methodologies and innovative frameworks is carried out. Regarding mate-rials, the possibility of using biodegradable, recycled, recyclable and bioplastics was studied, along with the research of the intelligent technology to use, which ended up being sensors. As to methodologies, Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and Cradle to Cradle philosophy (C2C) are studied. Intelligent packaging systems are an option to contribute to minimization of food waste. The correct use of tools such as the LCA, along with the principles of the C2C, and the research on materials and technologies to be used can help designers to reach an optimal solution, minimizing environmental impacts.The main objective of the present work is to help combat food waste, which is one of the main problems of the food industry today, incorporating also sustainability concepts. According to the FDA each year about 1,300 million tons of food are thrown. Food is wasted mainly at household levels, which is why the choice of the sustainable design of an intelligent interconnected packaging for domestic use is made. To achieve this, the exploration of different technologies, materials, methodologies and innovative frameworks is carried out. Regarding materials, the possibility of using biodegradable, recycled, recyclable and bioplastics was studied, along with the research of the intelligent technology to use, which ended up being sensors. As to methodologies, Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and Cradle to Cradle philosophy (C2C) are deeply studied. Intelligent packaging systems are an option to contribute to minimization of food waste. The correct use of tools such as the LCA, along with the principles of the C2C, and the research on materials and technologies to be used can help designers to reach an optimal solution, minimizing environmental impacts

Setting Thresholds to Varying Blood Pressure Monitoring Intervals Differentially Affects Risk Estimates Associated With White-Coat and Masked Hypertension in the Population

Outcome-driven recommendations about time intervals during which ambulatory blood pressure should be measured to diagnose white-coat or masked hypertension are lacking. We cross-classified 8237 untreated participants (mean age, 50.7 years; 48.4% women) enrolled in 12 population studies, using ≥140/≥90, ≥130/≥80, ≥135/≥85, and ≥120/≥70 mm Hg as hypertension thresholds for conventional, 24-hour, daytime, and nighttime blood pressure. White-coat hypertension was hypertension on conventional measurement with ambulatory normotension, the opposite condition being masked hypertension. Intervals used for classification of participants were daytime, nighttime, and 24 hours, first considered separately, and next combined as 24 hours plus daytime or plus nighttime, or plus both. Depending on time intervals chosen, white-coat and masked hypertension frequencies ranged from 6.3% to 12.5% and from 9.7% to 19.6%, respectively. During 91 046 person-years, 729 participants experienced a cardiovascular event. In multivariable analyses with normotension during all intervals of the day as reference, hazard ratios associated with white-coat hypertension progressively weakened considering daytime only (1.38; P=0.033), nighttime only (1.43; P=0.0074), 24 hours only (1.21; P=0.20), 24 hours plus daytime (1.24; P=0.18), 24 hours plus nighttime (1.15; P=0.39), and 24 hours plus daytime and nighttime (1.16; P=0.41). The hazard ratios comparing masked hypertension with normotension were all significant (

Epigenetic Signatures Associated with Different Levels of Differentiation Potential in Human Stem Cells

BACKGROUND: The therapeutic use of multipotent stem cells depends on their differentiation potential, which has been shown to be variable for different populations. These differences are likely to be the result of key changes in their epigenetic profiles. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: to address this issue, we have investigated the levels of epigenetic regulation in well characterized populations of pluripotent embryonic stem cells (ESC) and multipotent adult stem cells (ASC) at the trancriptome, methylome, histone modification and microRNA levels. Differences in gene expression profiles allowed classification of stem cells into three separate populations including ESC, multipotent adult progenitor cells (MAPC) and mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC). The analysis of the PcG repressive marks, histone modifications and gene promoter methylation of differentiation and pluripotency genes demonstrated that stem cell populations with a wider differentiation potential (ESC and MAPC) showed stronger representation of epigenetic repressive marks in differentiation genes and that this epigenetic signature was progressively lost with restriction of stem cell potential. Our analysis of microRNA established specific microRNA signatures suggesting specific microRNAs involved in regulation of pluripotent and differentiation genes. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our study leads us to propose a model where the level of epigenetic regulation, as a combination of DNA methylation and histone modification marks, at differentiation genes defines degrees of differentiation potential from progenitor and multipotent stem cells to pluripotent stem cells

Evaluación de la sostenibilidad ambiental de la producción citrícola en el Uruguay mediante análisis de ciclo de vida

Tesis por compendio[ES] Los cítricos son el cultivo frutícola más importante de Uruguay en términos de producción, superficie y aporte económico. Considerando la gran contribución de los sistemas agroalimentarios a los impactos ambientales, evaluar aquellos asociados a la producción citrícola en el país cobra gran relevancia para transitar hacia sistemas alimentarios sostenibles. En esta línea, el objetivo de la presente tesis es evaluar estos impactos ambientales mediante la utilización del análisis de ciclo de vida (ACV) y estudiar aspectos metodológicos clave de su aplicación a la producción citrícola. Se lleva a cabo una revisón crítica de la literatura de ACV de cítricos y se desarrollan cuatro casos de estudio en establecimientos representativos de la región, en concreto, la producción de limones, mandarinas y naranjas, y la producción de plantones en vivero. Los impactos se evalúan de la cuna hasta la puerta del establecimiento, usando unidades funcionales tanto de masa como de área y datos primarios correspondientes a varias temporadas de cultivo. Los principales puntos críticos ambientales detectados son las emisiones de campo producto de la aplicación de fertilizantes, la irrigación, y la producción de óxidos de cobre. Desde el punto de vista metodológico, se destaca la importancia de usar distintas unidades funcionales y de abordar la variabilidad temporal y la especificidad según el sitio de los datos de inventario, así como de usar métodos de caracterización de impactos regionalizados. Se observa que la contribución de las primeras etapas del cultivo al impacto ambiental de la producción citrícola es baja.[CA] Els cítrics són el cultiu de fruita més important de l'Uruguai en termes de producció, superfície i aportació econòmica. Considerant la gran contribució dels sistemes agroalimentaris als impactes ambientals, avaluar aquells associats a la producció citrícola del país cobra gran rellevància per a transitar cap a sistemes alimentaris sostenibles. En aquesta línia, l'objectiu de la present tesi és avaluar aquests impactes ambientals utilitzant l'anàlisi de cicle de vida (ACV) i estudiar aspectes metodològics claus de la seua aplicació a la producció citrícola. Es fa una revisió crítica de la literatura d'ACV de cítrics i es desenvolupen quatre casos d'estudi en explotacions representatives de la regió, en concret, la producció de llimes, mandarines i taronges, i la producció de plançons en viver. Els impactes s'avaluen del bressol fins a la porta de l'establiment, usant unitats funcionals tant de massa com d'àrea i dades primàries corresponents a diverses temporades de cultiu. Els principals punts crítics ambientals detectats són les emissions de camp, producte de l'aplicació de fertilitzants, la irrigació, i la producció d'òxids de coure. Des del punt de vista metodològic, es destaca la importància d'usar diferents unitats funcionals i d'abordar la variabilitat temporal i els aspectes lloc-específics de les dades d'inventari, així com d'usar mètodes de caracterització d'impactes regionalitzats. S'observa que la contribució de les primeres etapes del cultiu a l'impacte ambiental de la producció citrícola és baixa.[EN] Citrus is the most important fruit crop in Uruguay in terms of production, area, and economy. Considering the great contribution of agri-food systems to environmental impacts, evaluating those associated with citrus production in the country becomes highly relevant to move towards sustainable food systems. In this line, the goal of this dissertation is to evaluate these environmental impacts using life cycle assessment (LCA) and to study key methodological aspects of its application to citrus production. Literature on citrus LCA is critically reviewed and four case studies are developed in representative agricultural holdings of the region, specifically, the production of lemons, mandarins and oranges, and the production of seedlings in nurseries. Impacts are assessed from cradle to gate, using both mass and area functional units and primary data for several growing seasons. The main environmental hotspots detected are on-field emissions from fertiliser application, irrigation, and copper oxides production. As to methodology, the relevance of using different functional units and addressing temporal variability and site-specificity of inventory data is highlighted, as well as using regionalised impact characterisation methods. It is observed that the contribution of the first stages of the crop to the environmental impacts of citrus production is low.Maria Inés Cabot is the recipient of a PhD scholarship (POS_EXT_2018_1_154319) from the National Agency for Research and Innovation (ANII, Uruguay) and received a support scholarship for the completion of postgraduate studies (BFPD_2023_1#46477920) from the Postgraduate Academic Commission (CAP, University of the Republic).Cabot Lujambio, MI. (2023). Evaluación de la sostenibilidad ambiental de la producción citrícola en el Uruguay mediante análisis de ciclo de vida [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/199490Compendi

24-h ambulatory recording of aortic pulse wave velocity and central systolic augmentation: a feasibility study

We assessed the feasibility of ambulatory pulse wave analysis by comparing this approach with an established tonometric technique. We investigated 35 volunteers (45.6 years; 51.0% women) exclusively at rest (R study) and 83 volunteers (49.9 years; 61.4% women) at rest and during daytime (1000-2000 h) ambulatory monitoring (R+A study). We recorded central systolic (cSP), diastolic (cDP) and pulse (cPP) pressures, augmentation index (cAI) and pulse wave velocity (PWV) by brachial oscillometry (Mobil-O-Graph 24h PWA Monitor) and radial tonometry (SphygmoCor). We applied the Bland and Altman's statistics. In the R study, tonometric and oscillometric estimates of cSP (105.6 vs. 106.9 mm Hg), cDP (74.6 vs. 74.7 mm Hg), cPP (31.0 vs. 32.1 mm Hg), cAI (21.1 vs. 20.6%) and PWV (7.3 vs. 7.0 m s(-1)) were similar (P0.11). In the R+A study, tonometric vs. oscillometric assessment yielded similar values for cSP (115.4 vs. 113.9 mm Hg; P=0.19) and cAI (26.5 vs. 25.3%; P=0.54), but lower cDP (77.8 vs. 81.9 mm Hg; P<0.0001), so that cPP was higher (37.6 vs. 32.1 mm Hg; P<0.0001). PWV (7.9 vs. 7.4 m s(-1)) was higher (P=0.0002) on tonometric assessment. The differences between tonometric and oscillometric estimates increased (P0.004) with cSP (r=0.37), cAI (r=0.39) and PWV (r=0.39), but not (P0.17) with cDP (r=0.15) or cPP (r=0.13). Irrespective of measurement conditions, brachial oscillometry compared with an established tonometric method provided similar estimates for cSP and systolic augmentation, but slightly underestimated PWV. Pending further validation, ambulatory assessment of central hemodynamic variables is feasible.Hypertension Research advance online publication, 24 May 2012; doi:10.1038/hr.2012.78.status: publishe

The Diurnal Profile of Central Hemodynamics in a General Uruguayan Population

No previous population study assessed the diurnal profile of central arterial properties.status: publishe

Quality of the blood pressure phenotype in the GEnotipo, Fenotipo y Ambiente de la hipertensión arterial en UruguaY (GEFA-HT-UY) study

In the ongoing GEnotipo, Fenotipo y Ambiente de la HiperTensión Arterial en UruguaY (GEFA-HT-UY) study, we applied standardized epidemiological methods to determine complex phenotypes including blood pressure (BP). In this report, we present the quality control of the conventionally measured BP.status: publishe

Estimation of Glomerular Filtration Rate Based on Serum Cystatin C versus Creatinine in a Uruguayan Population

Background. Estimation of glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from biomarkers has evolved and multiple equations are available to estimate renal function at bedside. Methods. In a random sample of 119 Uruguayans (54.5% women; 56.2 years (mean)), we used Bland and Altman's method and Cohen's kappa statistic to assess concordance on a continuous or categorical (eGFR < 60 versus ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m(2)) scale between eGFRcys (reference) and eGFR derived from serum creatinine according to the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (eGFRmdrd) or the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equations (eGFRepi) or from both serum cystatin C and creatinine (eGFRmix). Results. In all participants, eGFRmdrd, eGFRepi, and eGFRmix were, respectively, 9.7, 11.5, and 5.6 mL/min/1.73 m(2) higher (P < 0.0001) than eGFRcys. The prevalence of eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) was the highest for eGFRcys (21.8%), intermediate for eGFRmix (11.8%), and the lowest for eGFRmdrd (5.9%) and eGFRepi (3.4%). Using eGFRcys as reference, we found only fair agreement with the equations based on creatinine (Cohen's kappa statistic 0.15 to 0.23). Conclusion. Using different equations we reached clinically significant differences in the estimation of renal function. eGFRcys provides lower estimates, resulting in higher prevalence of eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2).status: publishe