Assessment of pesticide environmental risks in annual crops in center of Santa Fe

Los plaguicidas permiten alcanzar la productividad y la sustentabilidad si se manejan adecuadamente. La elaboración de indicadores permite cuantificar el impacto ambiental de un fitosanitario. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar el impacto ambiental de plaguicidas sobre el suelo y el agua en lotes de agricultura del centro de Santa Fe con tres indicadores: GUS, Ipest e Índice relativo de Plaguicidas. El trabajo se realizó en 25 establecimientos cuyos registros de aplicaciones en cultivos de soja, maíz y trigo se relevaron entre 2007 y 2011. Se calcularon los tres indicadores y se compararon los resultados obtenidos. El maíz fue el cultivo con mayor riesgo de impacto ambiental por el uso intensivo de atrazina. En trigo y soja, los ingredientes activos empleados tuvieron bajo impacto ambiental. El empleo de indicadores contribuye a seleccionar plaguicidas con mejor comportamiento ambiental y realizar una planificación más sustentable de los cultivos.Pesticides are essential tools to achieve productivity and sustainability in agricultural crops when they are applied minimizing undesirable effects. Pesticide environmental impact is related to toxicity and time of exposure. Several indicators allow the calculation of this impact: GUS, IPEST and Relative Pesticide Index. Our aim was the evaluation of pesticide environmental impact on soil and water in agricultural fields of Central Santa Fe with those three indicators. All pesticide treatments applied in soybean, wheat and corn in 25 farms were recorded from 2007 and 2011, also with soil properties and pesticide characteristics. Indicators were calculated and the results were compared. Corn has the highest risk of pesticide contamination in soil and water, related to the frequent use of atrazine. Wheat and soybean had less environmental impact. The application of indicators may be helpful for considering the use of new active ingredients and their relationship with sustainable systems.Fil: Arregui, Maria Cristina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Grenon, Daniel Arnaldo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Sánchez, D.. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Ghione, J.. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentin

¿Transporte público para esenciales o transporte público esencial? Prospectivas sobre la movilidad urbana pospandemia

The COVID19 pandemic affected daily life, two positions emerging in contrasting ways: one that affirms that we will be able to return to our “normal” life and another that raises the emergence of a “new normal”. This raises questions about life in cities and, particularly, mobility. With the pandemic, global mobility fell precipitously, as it is considered a vector for the spread of the virus. The reactivation of activities has brought with it the problem of how to move around avoiding contagion. Therefore, Argentina generated a series of restrictions on the use of public transport, only for essential workers. But how does it affect urban mobility? The present work aims to analyze urban mobility in pandemic and the use of public transport, taking the city of La Plata as a case study and reflecting on the change in user behavior. The research is based on data collected by Google Mobility and on an ad hoc survey that reveals mobility situations during the isolation period and future trends. The first results show a critical mobility pattern of majority use of the private car, followed by walking and cycling. This pattern produces a territorial and socioeconomic bias that accentuates social inequalities in the population. Public transport fulfills a social role that must be considered in the application of policies. The post-pandemic future will not be without inequalities; therefore we must consider the needs of the entire population, with an efficient transportation system, with freedom of choice and guaranteeing the safety of all.La pandemia por COVID19 afectó la vida cotidiana surgiendo dos posturas de manera contrapuesta: aquella que afirma que podremos volver a nuestra vida “normal” y otra que plantea el surgimiento de una “nueva normalidad”. Esto genera interrogantes sobre la vida en las ciudades y, particularmente, la movilidad. Con la pandemia, la movilidad a nivel global cayó de manera precipitada, por considerarse un vector de propagación del virus. La reactivación de las actividades ha traído consigo el problema de cómo moverse evitando el contagio. Por ello, Argentina generó una serie de restricciones al uso del transporte público, solo para los trabajadores esenciales. Pero ¿Cómo afecta esto a la movilidad urbana? El presente trabajo tiene por objetivo analizar la movilidad urbana en pandemia y el uso del transporte público, tomando como caso la ciudad de La Plata y reflexionando sobre el cambio en el comportamiento de los usuarios. La investigación se basa en datos relevados por Google Mobility y en una encuesta ad hoc que releva las situaciones de movilidad durante el período de aislamiento y las tendencias a futuro. Los primeros resultados arrojan un patrón de movilidad crítico de uso mayoritario del auto particular, seguido de la caminata y la bicicleta. Este patrón produce un sesgo territorial y socioeconómico que acentúa las desigualdades sociales en la población. El futuro pospandemia no estará exento de desigualdades, por ello debemos considerar las necesidades de toda la población, con un sistema de transporte eficiente, con libertad de elección y garantizando la seguridad de todos

Para evaluar el riesgo de impacto ambiental de los fitosanitarios

Para diseñar estrategias de protección del ambiente, de los efectos indeseables de los plaguicidas, es necesario ponderar el impacto que estos pueden ocasionar. El impacto ambiental de un fitosanitario resulta de la combinación de sus grados de exposición y de toxicidad, y de los grados de vulnerabilidad y resiliencia tanto del sitio de aplicación como del territorio que pueda ser alcanzado por los efectos del producto. Se presentan los valores de riesgo ambiental de los fitosanitarios más utilizados en cultivos extensivos en el norte de Santa Fe.Fil: Arnold, M.. Universidad Nacional del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Arregui, Maria Cristina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Cracogna, Mariano Federico. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria; ArgentinaFil: Grenon, Daniel Arnaldo. Universidad Nacional del Litoral; Argentin

Para evaluar el riesgo de impacto ambiental de los fitosanitarios

Para diseñar estrategias de protección del ambiente, de los efectos indeseables de los plaguicidas, es necesario ponderar el impacto que estos pueden ocasionar. El impacto ambiental de un fitosanitario resulta de la combinación de sus grados de exposición y de toxicidad, y de los grados de vulnerabilidad y resiliencia tanto del sitio de aplicación como del territorio que pueda ser alcanzado por los efectos del producto. Se presentan los valores de riesgo ambiental de los fitosanitarios más utilizados en cultivos extensivos en el norte de Santa Fe.Fil: Arnold, M.. Universidad Nacional del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Arregui, Maria Cristina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Cracogna, Mariano Federico. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria; ArgentinaFil: Grenon, Daniel Arnaldo. Universidad Nacional del Litoral; Argentin

Joint Undertakings: analysis of collaboration mechanisms with ESI Funds in an S3 context

Challenge-driven innovation in the EU calls for closer collaboration between territorial innovation initiatives and non-territorial innovation, in order to build critical mass and take full advantage of synergies and complementarities. This report investigates in particular the motivations and practices for strengthening collaborations between Joint Undertakings (JUs) (focusing on non-territorial innovation) and national and regional ESI Funds’ managing authorities (focusing on territorial innovation) and offers guidance to take the necessary steps to start or upscale them. Collaborations with JUs can also help to optimise the S3 priority setting by refining priorities and positioning them within the European research agendas of the JUs. From their side, JUs can benefit from stronger links with S3 in order to maximise the impact of their agendas and projects, and build more critical mass. Typologies of current collaboration modes are identified, while highlighting bottlenecks and challenges faced in implementation. With a view to further unlock the untapped potential of JUs and ESI Funds’ Managing Authorities working together, guidance is provided on the type of actions and initiatives that could be taken to reinforce such alliances. The practical knowledge about existing mechanisms and their limitations presented in this report can assist in the optimisation of such interactions and lead to more effective implementation of national and regional Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3) and of Joint Undertakings. This publication is part of the Stairway to Excellence project, funded by the European Parliament, and implemented by the Joint Research Centre in close cooperation with DG REGIO.JRC.B.3-Territorial Developmen

The Children’s Faecal Matter Structure Is Built by Their Parents

Introduction: Humans have gone through physical changes over the last 4 million years. The mouth, however, has not changed teeth quantity or quality. Eight incisors for fruits, vegetables and tubers; four little canines for little animals; eight premolars and twelve flat molars are used for crushing these foods, especially whole grains and legumes. The teeth crushing foods are the first step in the building of faecal matter. Foods are selected mostly according to cultural guidelines than to biological needs. The patterns of consumption are induced by the publicity of industrialized or processed foods. Material and Methods: This study design was observational, analytical, correlational, transversal and prospective. One thousand children (0 - 12 years old) were questioned in order to learn about the relationship between Weekly Eating Frequency (WEF) and Faecal Matter (FM) characteristics. The FM was classified as soft , normal or hard and the outcome was expressed as Dry Faecal Residue (DFR). The WEF and Weekly Bowel Movement Frequency (WBMF) were determined and tabulated according to times per week. Environmental factors, parents’ education level and children’s birth order were examined. Results: There was a strong association between DFR, WBMF and WEF. Environment and education level did not play a key role although birth order did matter. Conclusions: Fibre-free foods (dairies, meats, flours and sweeties or sodas) increased DFR. Foods containing fibre from vegetables decreased DFR, which in turn contributed to the WBMF. Lowest DFR was observed in children under Exclusive Breastfeeding (EB). Distant last-born children had higher DFR. Comments: Daily examples support these results and it is clear that children’s FM is built by their parents. We encourage parents to follow the “mouth nature” rather than the “advertisements nature”.Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (FCM

The Children’s Faecal Matter Structure Is Built by Their Parents

Introduction: Humans have gone through physical changes over the last 4 million years. The mouth, however, has not changed teeth quantity or quality. Eight incisors for fruits, vegetables and tubers; four little canines for little animals; eight premolars and twelve flat molars are used for crushing these foods, especially whole grains and legumes. The teeth crushing foods are the first step in the building of faecal matter. Foods are selected mostly according to cultural guidelines than to biological needs. The patterns of consumption are induced by the publicity of industrialized or processed foods. Material and Methods: This study design was observational, analytical, correlational, transversal and prospective. One thousand children (0 - 12 years old) were questioned in order to learn about the relationship between Weekly Eating Frequency (WEF) and Faecal Matter (FM) characteristics. The FM was classified as soft , normal or hard and the outcome was expressed as Dry Faecal Residue (DFR). The WEF and Weekly Bowel Movement Frequency (WBMF) were determined and tabulated according to times per week. Environmental factors, parents’ education level and children’s birth order were examined. Results: There was a strong association between DFR, WBMF and WEF. Environment and education level did not play a key role although birth order did matter. Conclusions: Fibre-free foods (dairies, meats, flours and sweeties or sodas) increased DFR. Foods containing fibre from vegetables decreased DFR, which in turn contributed to the WBMF. Lowest DFR was observed in children under Exclusive Breastfeeding (EB). Distant last-born children had higher DFR. Comments: Daily examples support these results and it is clear that children’s FM is built by their parents. We encourage parents to follow the “mouth nature” rather than the “advertisements nature”.Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (FCM

The Children’s Faecal Matter Structure Is Built by Their Parents

Introduction: Humans have gone through physical changes over the last 4 million years. The mouth, however, has not changed teeth quantity or quality. Eight incisors for fruits, vegetables and tubers; four little canines for little animals; eight premolars and twelve flat molars are used for crushing these foods, especially whole grains and legumes. The teeth crushing foods are the first step in the building of faecal matter. Foods are selected mostly according to cultural guidelines than to biological needs. The patterns of consumption are induced by the publicity of industrialized or processed foods. Material and Methods: This study design was observational, analytical, correlational, transversal and prospective. One thousand children (0 - 12 years old) were questioned in order to learn about the relationship between Weekly Eating Frequency (WEF) and Faecal Matter (FM) characteristics. The FM was classified as soft , normal or hard and the outcome was expressed as Dry Faecal Residue (DFR). The WEF and Weekly Bowel Movement Frequency (WBMF) were determined and tabulated according to times per week. Environmental factors, parents’ education level and children’s birth order were examined. Results: There was a strong association between DFR, WBMF and WEF. Environment and education level did not play a key role although birth order did matter. Conclusions: Fibre-free foods (dairies, meats, flours and sweeties or sodas) increased DFR. Foods containing fibre from vegetables decreased DFR, which in turn contributed to the WBMF. Lowest DFR was observed in children under Exclusive Breastfeeding (EB). Distant last-born children had higher DFR. Comments: Daily examples support these results and it is clear that children’s FM is built by their parents. We encourage parents to follow the “mouth nature” rather than the “advertisements nature”.Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (FCM

Regulatory sites for splicing in human basal ganglia are enriched for disease-relevant information

Genome-wide association studies have generated an increasing number of common genetic variants associated with neurological and psychiatric disease risk. An improved understanding of the genetic control of gene expression in human brain is vital considering this is the likely modus operandum for many causal variants. However, human brain sampling complexities limit the explanatory power of brain-related expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) and allele-specific expression (ASE) signals. We address this, using paired genomic and transcriptomic data from putamen and substantia nigra from 117 human brains, interrogating regulation at different RNA processing stages and uncovering novel transcripts. We identify disease-relevant regulatory loci, find that splicing eQTLs are enriched for regulatory information of neuron-specific genes, that ASEs provide cell-specific regulatory information with evidence for cellular specificity, and that incomplete annotation of the brain transcriptome limits interpretation of risk loci for neuropsychiatric disease. This resource of regulatory data is accessible through our web server, http://braineacv2.inf.um.es/

Identification of candidate Parkinson disease genes by integrating genome-wide association study, expression, and epigenetic data sets

Importance Substantial genome-wide association study (GWAS) work in Parkinson disease (PD) has led to the discovery of an increasing number of loci shown reliably to be associated with increased risk of disease. Improved understanding of the underlying genes and mechanisms at these loci will be key to understanding the pathogenesis of PD. Objective To investigate what genes and genomic processes underlie the risk of sporadic PD. Design and Setting This genetic association study used the bioinformatic tools Coloc and transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS) to integrate PD case-control GWAS data published in 2017 with expression data (from Braineac, the Genotype-Tissue Expression [GTEx], and CommonMind) and methylation data (derived from UK Parkinson brain samples) to uncover putative gene expression and splicing mechanisms associated with PD GWAS signals. Candidate genes were further characterized using cell-type specificity, weighted gene coexpression networks, and weighted protein-protein interaction networks. Main Outcomes and Measures It was hypothesized a priori that some genes underlying PD loci would alter PD risk through changes to expression, splicing, or methylation. Candidate genes are presented whose change in expression, splicing, or methylation are associated with risk of PD as well as the functional pathways and cell types in which these genes have an important role. Results Gene-level analysis of expression revealed 5 genes (WDR6 [OMIM 606031], CD38 [OMIM 107270], GPNMB [OMIM 604368], RAB29 [OMIM 603949], and TMEM163 [OMIM 618978]) that replicated using both Coloc and TWAS analyses in both the GTEx and Braineac expression data sets. A further 6 genes (ZRANB3 [OMIM 615655], PCGF3 [OMIM 617543], NEK1 [OMIM 604588], NUPL2 [NCBI 11097], GALC [OMIM 606890], and CTSB [OMIM 116810]) showed evidence of disease-associated splicing effects. Cell-type specificity analysis revealed that gene expression was overall more prevalent in glial cell types compared with neurons. The weighted gene coexpression performed on the GTEx data set showed that NUPL2 is a key gene in 3 modules implicated in catabolic processes associated with protein ubiquitination and in the ubiquitin-dependent protein catabolic process in the nucleus accumbens, caudate, and putamen. TMEM163 and ZRANB3 were both important in modules in the frontal cortex and caudate, respectively, indicating regulation of signaling and cell communication. Protein interactor analysis and simulations using random networks demonstrated that the candidate genes interact significantly more with known mendelian PD and parkinsonism proteins than would be expected by chance. Conclusions and Relevance Together, these results suggest that several candidate genes and pathways are associated with the findings observed in PD GWAS studies