Uncovering Value Creation Factors in Organic Food Supply Chains

Appropriate value creation processes play a key role in the success of organic food supply chains in terms of effective response to consumer requirements and sustainability goals. In this study we explore key drivers for value creation in the Spanish organic olive supply chain taken as representative case study. A business model survey was conducted with the participation of a highly qualified panel of experts to provide innovative options for value generation in the organic olive oil industry. Elicited expert judgements relate to the identification of the potential sources of adding value along the supply chain as a whole and among its different actors, as well as the factors that influence positively and negatively the adding-value formation. Findings contribute new ideas and pathways to develop innovative, effective and sustainable business models capable to generate value for companies, customers and the society as a whole. Results can be readily applied in real-world case studies to improve existing company business models

Identifying Value Drivers in Organic Food Supply Chains

Appropriate value creation processes play a key role in the success of organic food supply chains in terms ofeffective response to consumer requirements and sustainability goals. In this study, we explore key drivers forvalue creation in the organic food industry, taking the Spanish organic olive supply chain as a representativecase study. A business model survey was conducted with the participation of a highly qualified panel of expertsto provide innovative options for value generation in the organic olive oil industry. Elicited expert judgementsrelate to the identification of the potential sources of adding value along the supply chain as a whole andamong its different actors, as well as the factors that influence positively and negatively the adding-valueformation. Findings contribute new ideas and pathways to develop innovative, effective and sustainablebusiness models capable to generate value for companies, customers and the society as a whole. Results canbe readily applied in real-world case studies to improve existing company business models

Integrating Stakeholder Views and System Dynamics to Assess the Water–Energy–Food Nexus in Andalusia

A nexus approach can support the transition to sustainability by addressing trade-offs and pursuing synergies to improve water, energy, and food security. In this paper, a participatory system dynamics model was developed to identify and assess the key interlinkages between water, food, and energy in Andalusia (Spain). A panel of relevant stakeholders contributed to all stages of the model’s development. Further, by calibrating the model to CAPRI-Water projections until 2050, the evolution of the system under a plausible climate scenario, as well as effects of water prices changes, was evaluated. The results revealed a close link between water cost, irrigation water use, energy consumption, and the economic development of agriculture in the region. Large variability was observed in the effects of water pricing policies across crops. This paper concludes that a participatory system dynamics model can help in understanding the nexus synergies and can support the design of more coherent sustainability strategies in the region

Clinical and genetic investigation of pediatric cases of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome in Tunisian families.

International audienceBACKGROUND: Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is an autosomal-dominant heart disease characterized by an accessory pathway that arises from an aberrant conduction from the atria to the ventricles. Several mutations within the PRKAG2 gene were shown to be responsible for WPW. This gene encodes the γ2 regulatory subunit of adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase, which functions as a metabolic sensor in cells, responding to cellular energy demands. METHODS: This first study of WPW in a North African population comprises the clinical and genetic investigation of 3 Tunisian families, including 11 affected members. The involvement of the PRKAG2 and NKX2-5 genes was investigated. RESULTS: Mutation screening showed that with the exception of two already reported single-nucleotide polymorphisms, no mutations were detected within the coding region of PRKAG2 or in the NKX2-5 gene. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides further evidence of the genetic heterogeneity of WPW

Inflammation and impaired endothelium-dependant vasodilatation in non obese women with gestational diabetes mellitus: Preliminary results.

International audienceBACKGROUND: To evaluate whether abnormal endothelial function, a common finding in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) pregnancies, can be explained by inflammatory cytokines. METHODS: Forearm skin blood flow (FSBF), into response to acetylcholine (Ach) (endothelium-dependent vasodilatation), were measured in 24 pregnant control subjects and 28 gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) women, in the third trimester of gestation. A fasting glycemic and lipidic panel was obtained, and inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha and IL-6) and adiponectin were also determined. RESULTS: FSBF is significantly reduced in GDM group compared with control subjects (344.59 +/- 57.791 vs.176.38 +/- 108.52, P < 0.05). Among all subjects, FSBF showed a strong negative correlation with TNF-alpha and IL-6 (r = -0.426, P < 0.0001 and r = -0.564, P < 0.0001, respectively) and positive correlation with adiponectin (r = 0.468, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Endothelial function, an early marker of macrovascular disease, is present in non-obese pregnancies complicated by GDM. This alteration seems to be directly related to inflammatory status, which may represent a patho-physiological link between GDM and type 2 diabetes and, later on, metabolic syndrome

Type 2 diabetes in Mauritania: Prevalence of the undiagnosed diabetes, influence of family history and maternal effect

International audienceAim: We estimated the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes, analyzed the influence of family history on the occurrence of T2D and evaluated its aggregation pattern in the Mauritanian population. Methods: The prevalence of unknown diabetes was obtained using data compiled from 1278 Mauritanian adults applying a questionnaire and fasting serum glucose tests. Detailed family history of diabetes and clinical characteristics were gathered from 421 T2D patients. Results: The prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes was 4.7 +/- 1.2% in the studied population (3.1% in men and 6.4% in women). 27% of T2D patients reported at least one relative with diabetes. Association between family history and diabetes was higher among first degree compared to second degree relatives (p = 0.003). We observed more probands with an affected mother than those who have a father with diabetes (p = 0.002), suggesting a preferential maternal effect which did not extend to second degree relatives. Conclusions: These results show that the prevalence of diabetes in the Mauritanian population could be higher than currently thought. Family history screening may be used in the management of this condition in Mauritania. (C) 2012 Primary Care Diabetes Europe. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Lack of association between the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene (I/D) polymorphism and diabetic nephropathy in Tunisian type 2 diabetic patients

International audienceObjective. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism is associated with diabetic nephropathy and type 2 diabetes in the Tunisian population. Design. A case-control study was conducted among 141 unrelated type 2 diabetic patients with (90 patients) or without nephropathy (51 patients) and 103 non-diabetic controls with normal fasting blood glucose. Genotyping was performed using a nested polymerase chain reaction amplification in order to identify correctly heterozygous individuals. Results. The distribution of DD, ID and II genotypes did not significantly differ between type 2 diabetic patients with or without nephropathy (DD: 44%; ID: 46%; II: 10% vs. DD: 41%; ID: 47 %; II: 12%, respectively). There was also no significant statistical difference between the genotype distribution and allele frequencies of the (I/D) polymorphism in all type 2 diabetic subjects compared to non-diabetic controls with normal fasting blood glucose (DD: 43%; ID: 46%; II: 11% vs. DD: 37%; ID: 48%; II: 15%, respectively). Conclusions. In the present preliminary study, the (I/D) polymorphism within the ACE gene is likely not associated with diabetic nephropathy nor with type 2 diabetes in the Tunisian studied population

Evidence for Association of the E23K Variant of KCNJ11 Gene with Type 2 Diabetes in Tunisian Population: Population-Based Study and Meta-Analysis

Aims. Genetic association studies have reported the E23K variant of KCNJ11 gene to be associated with Type 2 diabetes. In Arab populations, only four studies have investigated the role of this variant. We aimed to replicate and validate the association between the E23K variant and Type 2 diabetes in Tunisian and Arab populations. Methods. We have performed a case-control association study including 250 Tunisian patients with Type 2 diabetes and 267 controls. Allelic association has also been evaluated by 2 meta-analyses including all population-based studies among Tunisians and Arabs (2 and 5 populations, resp.). Results. A significant association between the E23K variant and Type 2 diabetes was found (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.14–2.27, and P=0.007). Furthermore, our meta-analysis has confirmed the significant role of the E23K variant in susceptibility of Type 2 diabetes in Tunisian and Arab populations (OR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.15–1.46, and P<10-3 and OR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.13–1.56, and P=0.001, resp.). Conclusion. Both case-control and meta-analyses results revealed the significant association between the E23K variant of KCNJ11 and Type 2 diabetes among Tunisians and Arabs