Questioning the use of agrochemicals in Argentina and in the world (2000-2020): A review

Este artículo ofrece un recorrido por la bibliografía que cuestiona el modelo de producción convencional, de manera general y el uso de insumos de síntesis química, en particular. Específicamente, centra su interés en los agroquímicos, insumo que ha posibilitado el desarrollo de la agricultura de mercado, pero que, en la actualidad, ha sido centro de controversias a diferentes escalas, por los perjuicios que ocasiona al ambiente. El objetivo principal de la implementación de los agroquímicos consiste en la intensificación productiva, a fin de construir mercados agrícolas globales. Metodológicamente, la revisión bibliográfica procura detectar puntos de convergencia, controversias, áreas de vacancia y prioridades, que contribuyan a la orientación de políticas públicas de desarrollo territorial sustentable. Para ello, se analizan, de manera comparada, publicaciones de investigaciones realizadas, a nivel internacional y en Argentina, durante el período 2000-2020. Si bien los autores seleccionados exponen evidencia sobre la peligrosidad de los agroquímicos para el ser humano, cuestionando el modelo convencional de producción, solo algunos sugieren la reconversión del sistema productivo hacia prácticas de manejo más “amigables” con el ambiente. Otros, sin realizar enunciados propositivos, denuncian el uso de agroquímicos. Dada la expansión de un modelo agropecuario de alta dependencia tecnológica –química y mecánica-, y frente a los crecientes cuestionamientos respecto a los posibles daños en el ambiente y la salud derivados del uso de agroquímicos, se torna necesario revisar el aporte que la investigación social puede realizar en este tema, lo que constituye el fin del presente artículo.This article offers a review of the literature that questions the conventional production model in general, and the use of chemical synthesis inputs in particular. Specifically, it focuses its interest on agrochemicals, an input that has made possible the development of market agriculture but which, at present, has been the center of controversy at different scales due to the damage it causes to the environment. The main objective of the implementation of agrochemicals is the intensification of production in order to build global agricultural markets. Methodologically, the bibliographic review seeks to detect points of convergence, controversies, areas of vacancy and priorities that contribute to the orientation of public policies for sustainable territorial development. To this end, a comparative analysis is made of research publications carried out at the international level and in Argentina during the period 2000-2020. Although the selected authors present evidence on the danger of agrochemicals for human beings, questioning the conventional production model, only some of them suggest the reconversion of the productive system towards more “environmentally friendly” management practices. Others, without making propositive statements, denounce the use of agrochemicals. Given the expansion of an agricultural model of high technological dependence -chemical and mechanical-, and in the face of growing questions regarding the possible damage to the environment and health derived from the use of agrochemicals, it becomes necessary to review the contribution that social research can make on this subject, which is the purpose of this article.Fil: Molpeceres, María Celeste. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Humanidades. Instituto de Investigaciones Sobre Sociedades, Territorios y Culturas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Arquitectura, Urbanismo y Diseño. Instituto de Hábitat y Medio Ambiente; ArgentinaFil: Zulaica, Maria Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Humanidades. Instituto de Investigaciones Sobre Sociedades, Territorios y Culturas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Arquitectura, Urbanismo y Diseño. Instituto de Hábitat y Medio Ambiente; ArgentinaFil: Tomaino, Valeria Beatriz. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Humanidades. Departamento de Sociologia; Argentin

Selective COX-2 inhibitory properties of dihydrostilbenes from liquorice leaves--in vitro assays and structure/activity relationship study.

Three dihydrostilbenes belonging to the polyphenol pool characterized in the leaves of Sicilian liquorice ( Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) have been tested for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. The three dihydrostilbenes (PA-82, GA-23, DO-07) were in vitro tested to evaluate their capability to scavenge the stable radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and to decrease thromboxane B2 (TxB2) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) release in human whole blood samples. On the basis of the observed capability of these compounds to affect the cell COX-1/COX-2 pathway, a molecular docking study was carried out in order to understand in detail the ability of these compounds to bind to COX-1 and COX-2. The results show that the liquorice dihydrostilbenes are preferred ligands for COX-2 rather than for COX-1, providing a good rational for the observed selectivity in ex vivo experiments. Therefore, they appear to be good candidates for employment in human therapy against inflammation-related pathological conditions

Trends in Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Spanish Children and Adolescents across Two Decades.

Unhealthy dietary habits determined during childhood may represent a risk factor to many of the chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in adulthood. Mediterranean Diet (MD) adherence in children and adolescents (8–16 years) living in Spain was investigated using the KIDMED questionnaire in a comparative analysis of two cross-sectional nationwide representative studies: enKid (1998–2000, n = 1001) and PASOS (2019–2020, n = 3540). Taking into account the educational level of pupils, as well as the characteristics of the place of living, a significant association was found between a KIDMED score ≥ 8 (optimal MD adherence) and primary education as well as residency in an area of <50,000 inhabitants, while living in the southern regions was associated with non-optimal MD adherence (p < 0.001). Participants of the 2019–2020 study showed an increase in the consumption of dairy products (31.1% increase), pasta/rice (15.4% increase), olive oil (16.9% increase), and nuts (9.7% increase), as well as a decreased sweets and candies intake (12.6% reduction). In contrast, a significantly lower MD adherence was found when comparing the 2019–2020 (mean ± SE: 6.9 ± 0.04) and the 1998–2000 study (7.37 ± 0.08); p < 0.001), due to less consumption of fish (20.3% reduction), pulse (19.4% reduction), and fruits (14.9% reduction), and an increased intake of commercial goods/pastries or fast-food intake (both 19.4% increase). The lowest adherence was recorded for adolescents also in the most recent study, where 10.9% of them presented a KIDMED score ≤ 3. This study shows that eating habits are deteriorating among Spanish children and adolescents. Such findings point out the urgency of undertaking strong measures to promote the consumption of healthy, sustainable, and non-ultra-processed food, such as those available in an MD, not only at a scientific and academic level, but also at a governmental onePartial funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málag

Isotemporal substitution of inactive time with physical activity and time in bed: cross-sectional associations with cardiometabolic health in the PREDIMEDPlus study

Background: This study explored the association between inactive time and measures of adiposity, clinical parameters, obesity, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome components. It further examined the impact of reallocating inactive time to time in bed, light physical activity (LPA) or moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) on cardio-metabolic risk factors, including measures of adiposity and body composition, biochemical parameters and blood pressure in older adults. Methods: This is a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from 2189 Caucasian men and women (age 55-75 years, BMI 27-40 Kg/m2) from the PREDIMED-Plus study (http://www.predimedplus.com/). All participants had ≥3 components of the metabolic syndrome. Inactive time, physical activity and time in bed were objectively determined using triaxial accelerometers GENEActiv during 7 days (ActivInsights Ltd., Kimbolton, United Kingdom). Multiple adjusted linear and logistic regression models were used. Isotemporal substitution regression modelling was performed to assess the relationship of replacing the amount of time spent in one activity for another, on each outcome, including measures of adiposity and body composition, biochemical parameters and blood pressure in older adults. Results: Inactive time was associated with indicators of obesity and the metabolic syndrome. Reallocating 30 min per day of inactive time to 30 min per day of time in bed was associated with lower BMI, waist circumference and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (all p-values < 0.05). Reallocating 30 min per day of inactive time with 30 min per day of LPA or MVPA was associated with lower BMI, waist circumference, total fat, visceral adipose tissue, HbA1c, glucose, triglycerides, and higher body muscle mass and HDL cholesterol (all p-values < 0.05). Conclusions: Inactive time was associated with a poor cardio-metabolic profile. Isotemporal substitution of inactive time with MVPA and LPA or time in bed could have beneficial impact on cardio-metabolic health

Adherence to Mediterranean diet is not associated with birthweight: Results form a sample of Canarian pregnant women

Abstract Background: the prevalence of overweight and obesity showed and increasing trend over the past few years. The burden of this epidemic represents a public health issue worldwide. Spain, and especially the Canary Islands, are not exempt. Pregnancy is a situation of weight gain, and the amount of such increase during gestation can affect the health status of both the mother and her baby. Thus, an optimal dietary style becomes of importance. Aim: given the benefits of the Mediterranean diet (MD) on various health outcomes, we aimed to study the adherence to this dietary pattern in a sample of Canarian pregnant women, and to investigate its association with their newborn's weight. Methods: adherence to MD as well as clinical history and anthropometrics were assessed in a sample of pregnant women followed at a Canarian hospital. Similarly, their newborn characteristics were studied. Results: our findings showed an overall low adherence to MD, with no association between this trend and birthweight. Conclusions: in conclusion, specific tools should be tailored to the target population to assess adherence to MD, and further efforts should be made to promote a healthy eating pattern and lifestyle among the pregnant population. Resumen Introducción: la prevalencia del sobrepeso y la obesidad presentó una tendencia al alza en los últimos años. La carga de esta epidemia supone un problema de salud pública en todo el mundo. España, y especialmente las Islas Canarias, no es una excepción. El embarazo es una situación en la que se gana peso y la cantidad de peso que se gana durante la gestación puede afectar al estado de salud tanto de la madre como del niño. Por tanto, adquiere importancia seguir un tipo de dieta óptimo. Objetivo: dados los beneficios de la dieta mediterránea (DM) sobre varios resultados de salud, nos propusimos estudiar la adherencia a este patrón dietético en una muestra de embarazadas canarias e investigar su asociación con el peso neonatal. Métodos: la adherencia a la DM, al igual que la historia clínica y la antropometría, se evaluó en una muestra de mujeres embarazadas seguidas en un hospital canario. También se estudiaron las características de los neonatos. Resultados: nuestros hallazgos mostraron una adherencia general baja a la DM, sin ninguna asociación entre esta tendencia y el peso al nacer. Conclusiones: en conclusión, se deben adaptar a la población objeto de este estudio herramientas específicas que sirvan para evaluar la adherencia a la DM, y se deben realizar nuevos esfuerzos para fomentar un patrón alimenticio y un estilo de vida saludables entre la población gestante