Water emergency in oasis of the Peruvian coast. The effects of the agro-export boom in the Ica Valley

International audienceDans cette communication, nous analysons l'effet du boom de l'agro-exportation dans l'écosystème aride de la vallée d'Ica au Pérou, y compris les effets environnementaux sur son aquifère et la montée d'un nouveau type de conflits sociaux et environnementaux qui révèlent les différents intérêts économiques et sociaux dans le bassin de l'Ica. Fin 2010, la vallée a été déclarée en état d'urgence hydrique à cause de la surexploitation de son aquifère. Paradoxe, dans une région qui avait vécu un miracle de l'agro-exportation, avec les asperges. Nous analysons des éléments conceptuels pour montrer les effets de l'eau souterraine par rapport à la possession de la terre, la relation entre le secteur agro-exportateur et les chaînes commerciales internationales et l'absence d'une législation réglementant l'utilisation de l'eau souterraine et ses conséquences pour une gestion intégrale des sources d'eau

Modelamiento hidro-económico de los efectos del cambio climático y política en la agricultura andina

El cambio climático viene afectando de manera diferenciada a la agricultura, en particular, en la zona andina, dada su alta exposición, sensibilidad y baja capacidad adaptativa. Se evaluó la respuesta adaptativa de la agricultura andina frente a una variación de la disponibilidad hídrica debido al cambio climático en base al modelo hidro-económico que integra dos módulos: el modelamiento hidrológico en base al SWAT y un modelo económico de optimización en base al PMP. Se determinó una alta vulnerabilidad agrícola frente al cambio climático situación que podría revertirse al aplicar una política agraria en base al uso eficiente del agua

Adaptación de la (Selenicereus Megalanthus) a los cambios climáticos de la Amazonía ecuatoriana, Palora, Ecuador

Introduction. The fruit has been produced at an accelerated rate in recent years in the Palora canton, located in the Northwest of the province of Morona Santiago; sector where it has been possible to observe the presence of several environmental damages derived from its harvest. Objective. This research is based on analyzing the adaptation of pitahaya (Selenicereus megalanthus) crops to climate change, in relation to the activity generated by it. Methodology. It describes and analyzes the different activities related to its production process, in relation to different impacts, it also describes the containment measures to be applied so that these are remedied or in turn eliminated. Results. It can be mentioned that in the cost-benefit ratio (adaptation of the harvest to climate change), it generates profits of $1.40 for each dollar invested in an estimated time of three years. The actors involved in cultivation and adaptation are identified; the direct actors correspond to the producers, merchants, consumers, suppliers, and workers, while the indirect actors are the state institutions and ministries (MAGAP and INIAP), the public bank. Conclusion. Finally, it is determined that the cost of the initial investment for its production in one hectare is USD$17,779.00, a value to be considered in the production processes.Introducción. La fruta se produce de forma acelerada en los últimos años en el cantón Palora, ubicado al noroccidente de la provincia de Morona Santiago; sector donde se ha podido observar la presencia de varias afectaciones ambientales derivadas de su cosecha. Objetivo. La presente investigación se basa en el analizar de la adaptación de los cultivos de pitahaya (Selenicereus megalanthus) frente al cambio climático, en relación con la actividad generada por ésta. Metodología. Se describe y analiza las distintas actividades relacionadas al proceso de su producción, en relación con distintos impactos, se describe además las medidas de contención a aplicar para que estos sean remediados o a su vez eliminados. Resultados. Se puede mencionar que en la relación costo beneficio (adaptación de la cosecha frente al cambio climático), genera ganancias de $1,40 por cada dólar invertido a un tiempo estimado de tres años. Se identifica a los actores involucrados en el cultivo y adaptación; los actores directos corresponden a los productores, comerciantes, consumidores, proveedores y trabajadores, mientras que los actores indirectos son las instituciones estatales y ministerios (MAGAP e INIAP), la banca pública. Conclusión. Finalmente se determina que el costo de la inversión inicial para su producción en una hectárea es de USD$17.779,00, valor a considerar en los procesos de producción.    &nbsp

Factores predictores del sentido de vida en adultos mayores del sureste de México

The purpose of life is a variable directly associated with mental health; Due to the rapid aging of the population and the lengthening of life expectancy, it is necessary to carry out research that focuses on the elderly. In this sense, a non-probabilistic sample of 540 older adults was studied, of which 200 reside in public asylum, 120 in private asylum, 120 with a family member and 100 live alone. It was a nonexperimental, cross-sectional and comparative study. It was found that 61.1% of the sample does not have a sense of purpose in life, there are statistically significant differences (p <0.05) between the groups, being those who reside with a family member who have the highest mean of this variable (119.50), while those residing in public asylum have the lowest average (78.16). A multiple linear regression model was carried out where it turned out that the factors that most influence the Sense of Life of the sample are Perception of the family situation, Spirituality and religion, as well as Perception of health.El Sentido de Vida es una variable asociada directamente a la salud mental; debido al rápido envejecimiento de la población y el alargamiento de la esperanza de vida, es necesario realizar investigaciones que tengan como punto central al adulto mayor. En este sentido se estudió una muestra no probabilística de 540 adultos mayores, de los cuales 200 residen en asilo público, 120 en asilo privado, 120 con algún familiar y 100 viven solos. Se trató de un estudio no experimental, transversal y comparativo. La variable sentida de vida se midió a través del test PIL (Purpose in life). Se encontró que el 61.1% de la muestra carecen de Sentido de Vida, existiendo diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p<0.05) entre los grupos, siendo quienes residen con algún familiar los que presentan la media más alta (119.50), mientras que aquellos que residen en asilo público presentan la media más baja (78.16). Se realizó un modelo de regresión lineal múltiple donde resultó que los factores que más influyen en el Sentido de Vida de la muestra son Percepción de la situación familiar, Espiritualidad y religión, así como Percepción de la salud

Impacto del cambio climático en factores hídricos de la cuenca inferior de los ríos Chira y Piura

The Chira-Piura river basin is an essential supplier of water in northern Peru. Despite its nature and water capacity, the population is threatened by water shortages due to natural hazards. In 2023, Cyclone Yaku caused strong thermal gradients, altered the water factors, brought floods and affected the demand for water, which in these semi-arid regions is altered by climate change. The objectives of this research work are to develop conceptual tools for the study of the alteration of water variables in the Chira-Piura basin and their adverse effects in the face of more frequent and intense climatological phenomena. A non-experimental, cross-sectional, correlational, descriptive, descriptive design is used in a quantitative approach, with a comparative statistical analysis of hydrological and climatic parameters. Due to climate change, it is projected that the next events may be more intense and the El Niño phenomenon more frequent, affecting the usual rainfall and flow patterns. Challenges associated with flood prevention and future opportunities have been identified including the development of quality datasets and the inclusion of data assimilation techniques and hydrological modelling.La cuenca hidrográfica Chira-Piura es un proveedor esencial de agua en el norte peruano. A pesar de su naturaleza y capacidad hídrica la población se encuentra amenazada por desabastecimientos debido a los embates de la naturaleza. Este 2023 el ciclón Yaku, ocasionó fuertes gradientes térmicos, alteró los factores hídricos, trajo consigo inundaciones y afectó la atención de la demanda de agua, que en estas regiones semiáridas se ve alterada por el cambio climático. Los objetivos trazados con este trabajo de investigación son el desarrollo de herramientas conceptuales para el estudio de la alteración de las variables hídricas de la cuenca Chira-Piura y sus efectos adversos frente a fenómenos climatológicos más frecuentes e intensos. Se hace uso del diseño no experimental transversal, correlacional, de alcance descriptivo, en un enfoque cuantitativo, con un análisis estadístico comparativo de parámetros hidrológicos y climáticos. Debido al cambio climático, se proyecta que los próximos eventos pueden ser más intensos y el Fenómeno de El Niño más frecuente, incidiendo en los patrones usuales de lluvias y caudales. Se han identificado desafíos asociados con la prevención de inundaciones y oportunidades futuras que incluyen el desarrollo de conjuntos de datos de calidad e inclusión de técnicas de asimilación de datos y modelos hidrológicos

La vulnerabilidad de las ciudades de Piura frente a las inundaciones producto del incremento de lluvias en episodios de El Niño

The cities of Piura have experienced flood disasters throughout their history, mainly related to the El Niño phenomenon. The objective of this research was to develop strategies for good management of urban vulnerability reduction in the cities of Piura. The methodology used is descriptive and the procedure of the present research comprises three phases: information gathering, discussion with related entities, and desk work. The results allowed and will allow determining actions for prevention, reduction, preparation and reconstruction, as well as mitigation and adaptation to climate change.Las ciudades de Piura han experimentado a lo largo de su historia desastres por inundaciones relacionados principalmente con el fenómeno de El Niño. El objetivo de esta investigación fue desarrollar estrategias para una buena gestión en la reducción de la vulnerabilidad urbana en las ciudades de Piura. La metodología empleada es de tipo descriptiva y el procedimiento comprende tres fases: recopilación de la información, conversatorio con las entidades afines, y trabajo de gabinete. Los resultados permitieron y permitirán determinar acciones para la prevención, reducción, preparación y reconstrucción, así como la mitigación y adaptación al cambio climático

Domain-Based Identification and Analysis of Glutamate Receptor Ion Channels and Their Relatives in Prokaryotes

Voltage-gated and ligand-gated ion channels are used in eukaryotic organisms for the purpose of electrochemical signaling. There are prokaryotic homologues to major eukaryotic channels of these sorts, including voltage-gated sodium, potassium, and calcium channels, Ach-receptor and glutamate-receptor channels. The prokaryotic homologues have been less well characterized functionally than their eukaryotic counterparts. In this study we identify likely prokaryotic functional counterparts of eukaryotic glutamate receptor channels by comprehensive analysis of the prokaryotic sequences in the context of known functional domains present in the eukaryotic members of this family. In particular, we searched the nonredundant protein database for all proteins containing the following motif: the two sections of the extracellular glutamate binding domain flanking two transmembrane helices. We discovered 100 prokaryotic sequences containing this motif, with a wide variety of functional annotations. Two groups within this family have the same topology as eukaryotic glutamate receptor channels. Group 1 has a potassium-like selectivity filter. Group 2 is most closely related to eukaryotic glutamate receptor channels. We present analysis of the functional domain architecture for the group of 100, a putative phylogenetic tree, comparison of the protein phylogeny with the corresponding species phylogeny, consideration of the distribution of these proteins among classes of prokaryotes, and orthologous relationships between prokaryotic and human glutamate receptor channels. We introduce a construct called the Evolutionary Domain Network, which represents a putative pathway of domain rearrangements underlying the domain composition of present channels. We believe that scientists interested in ion channels in general, and ligand-gated ion channels in particular, will be interested in this work. The work should also be of interest to bioinformatics researchers who are interested in the use of functional domain-based analysis in evolutionary and functional discovery

The level of claudin-7 is reduced as an early event in colorectal carcinogenesis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Compromised epithelial barriers are found in dysplastic tissue of the gastrointestinal tract. Claudins are transmembrane proteins important for tight junctions. Claudins regulate the paracellular transport and are crucial for maintaining a functional epithelial barrier. Down-regulation of the oncogenic serine protease, matriptase, induces leakiness in epithelial barriers both <it>in vivo </it>and <it>in vitro</it>. We found in an <it>in-silico </it>search tight co-regulation between <it>matriptase </it>and <it>claudin-7 </it>expression. We have previously shown that the <it>matriptase </it>expression level decreases during colorectal carcinogenesis. In the present study we investigated whether <it>claudin-7 </it>expression is likewise decreased during colorectal carcinogenesis, thereby causing or contributing to the compromised epithelial leakiness of dysplastic tissue.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The mRNA level of <it>claudin-7 </it>(CLDN7) was determined in samples from 18 healthy individuals, 100 individuals with dysplasia and 121 colorectal cancer patients using quantitative real time RT-PCR. In addition, immunohistochemical stainings were performed on colorectal adenomas and carcinomas, to confirm the mRNA findings.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A 2.7-fold reduction in the <it>claudin-7 </it>mRNA level was found when comparing the biopsies from healthy individuals with the biopsies of carcinomas (p < 0.001). Reductions in the <it>claudin-7 </it>mRNA levels were also detected in mild/moderate dysplasia (p < 0.001), severe dysplasia (p < 0.01) and carcinomas (p < 0.01), compared to a control sample from the same individual. The decrease at mRNA level was confirmed at the protein level by immunohistochemical stainings.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results show that the <it>claudin-7 </it>mRNA level is decreased already as an early event in colorectal carcinogenesis, probably contributing to the compromised epithelial barrier in adenomas.</p

Contemporary management of cancer of the oral cavity

Oral cancer represents a common entity comprising a third of all head and neck malignant tumors. The options for curative treatment of oral cavity cancer have not changed significantly in the last three decades; however, the work up, the approach to surveillance, and the options for reconstruction have evolved significantly. Because of the profound functional and cosmetic importance of the oral cavity, management of oral cavity cancers requires a thorough understanding of disease progression, approaches to management and options for reconstruction. The purpose of this review is to discuss the most current management options for oral cavity cancers

Multiple Loci Are Associated with White Blood Cell Phenotypes

White blood cell (WBC) count is a common clinical measure from complete blood count assays, and it varies widely among healthy individuals. Total WBC count and its constituent subtypes have been shown to be moderately heritable, with the heritability estimates varying across cell types. We studied 19,509 subjects from seven cohorts in a discovery analysis, and 11,823 subjects from ten cohorts for replication analyses, to determine genetic factors influencing variability within the normal hematological range for total WBC count and five WBC subtype measures. Cohort specific data was supplied by the CHARGE, HeamGen, and INGI consortia, as well as independent collaborative studies. We identified and replicated ten associations with total WBC count and five WBC subtypes at seven different genomic loci (total WBC count—6p21 in the HLA region, 17q21 near ORMDL3, and CSF3; neutrophil count—17q21; basophil count- 3p21 near RPN1 and C3orf27; lymphocyte count—6p21, 19p13 at EPS15L1; monocyte count—2q31 at ITGA4, 3q21, 8q24 an intergenic region, 9q31 near EDG2), including three previously reported associations and seven novel associations. To investigate functional relationships among variants contributing to variability in the six WBC traits, we utilized gene expression- and pathways-based analyses. We implemented gene-clustering algorithms to evaluate functional connectivity among implicated loci and showed functional relationships across cell types. Gene expression data from whole blood was utilized to show that significant biological consequences can be extracted from our genome-wide analyses, with effect estimates for significant loci from the meta-analyses being highly corellated with the proximal gene expression. In addition, collaborative efforts between the groups contributing to this study and related studies conducted by the COGENT and RIKEN groups allowed for the examination of effect homogeneity for genome-wide significant associations across populations of diverse ancestral backgrounds