41 results on '"Achkar, Marcel"'
Search Results
2. Satellite assessment of eutrophication hot spots and algal blooms in small and medium-sized productive reservoirs in Uruguay’s main drinking water basin
- Author
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Zabaleta, Bernardo, Aubriot, Luis, Olano, Hernán, and Achkar, Marcel
- Published
- 2023
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- View/download PDF
3. High-frequency zones of phytoplankton blooms in the Río de la Plata Estuary associated with El Niño-Southern Oscillation
- Author
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Zabaleta, Bernardo, Haakonsson, Signe, Achkar, Marcel, and Aubriot, Luis
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- 2023
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- View/download PDF
4. An ecosystem-based composite spatial model for floodplain vulnerability assessment: a case study of Artigas, Uruguay
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Freitas, Gabriel, Díaz, Ismael, Bessonart, Martín, da Costa, Edwin, and Achkar, Marcel
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
5. Assessing the origin of a massive cyanobacterial bloom in the Río de la Plata (2019): Towards an early warning system
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Aubriot, Luis, Zabaleta, Bernardo, Bordet, Facundo, Sienra, Daniel, Risso, Jimena, Achkar, Marcel, and Somma, Andrea
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
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6. Hotspot analysis of spatial distribution of algae blooms in small and medium water bodies
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Zabaleta, Bernardo, Achkar, Marcel, and Aubriot, Luis
- Published
- 2021
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7. Prevalence, antibiotic susceptibility and characterization of antibiotic resistant genes among carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacilli and yeast in intestinal flora of cancer patients in North Lebanon
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Christophy, Rima, Osman, Marwan, Mallat, Hassan, Achkar, Marcel, Ziedeh, Azzam, Moukaddem, Walid, Dabboussi, Fouad, and Hamze, Monzer
- Published
- 2017
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8. Molecular detection of genes responsible for macrolide resistance among Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated in North Lebanon
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El Ashkar, Salam, Osman, Marwan, Rafei, Rayane, Mallat, Hassan, Achkar, Marcel, Dabboussi, Fouad, and Hamze, Monzer
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
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9. Effects of land use changes on eutrophication indicators in five coastal lagoons of the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean
- Author
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Rodríguez-Gallego, Lorena, Achkar, Marcel, Defeo, Omar, Vidal, Leticia, Meerhoff, Erika, and Conde, Daniel
- Published
- 2017
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- View/download PDF
10. Multiple traps compromise the sustainability of most livestock farmers in Sierras del Este, Uruguay
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Díaz, Ismael, Mazzeo, Néstor, and Achkar, Marcel
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- 2020
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11. MEASURING THE VULNERABILITY OF THE URUGUAYAN POPULATION TO VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES VIA SPATIALLY HIERARCHICAL FACTOR MODELS
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Lopes, Hedibert F., Schmidt, Alexandra M., Salazar, Esther, Gómez, Mariana, and Achkar, Marcel
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- 2012
- Full Text
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12. Prevalence and Molecular Mechanisms of Carbapenem Resistance among Gram-Negative Bacilli in Three Hospitals of Northern Lebanon.
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Rima, Mariam, Oueslati, Saoussen, Dabos, Laura, Daaboul, Dina, Mallat, Hassan, Bou Raad, Elie, Achkar, Marcel, Mawlawi, Osman, Bernabeu, Sandrine, Bonnin, Rémy A., Girlich, Delphine, Osman, Marwan, Hamze, Monzer, and Naas, Thierry
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GRAM-negative bacteria ,HOSPITALS ,KLEBSIELLA pneumoniae ,PSEUDOMONAS aeruginosa ,ACINETOBACTER ,MEDICAL centers - Abstract
Carbapenem resistance (CR) is an emerging health issue. Epidemiological surveys on carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacilli (CR-GNB) in Lebanon remain scarce. In this study, we determined the prevalence of CR-GNB isolated between 2015 to 2019 in three hospitals in northern Lebanon: 311 CR-Enterobacterales (out of 11210; 2.8%), 155 CR-Pseudomonas (out of 1034; 15%) and 106 CR- Acinetobacter (out of 184; 57.6%) were identified. CR mechanisms were determined for 146 randomly chosen isolates: the Carba NP test revealed an enzymatic resistance to carbapenems in 109 isolates (out of 146, 74.7%). Produced carbapenemases were evaluated by the NG-Test Carba5, NG-Test OXA-23 immunochromatographic assays and PCR. Carbapenemase-producing (CP) Enterobacterales expressed bla
OXA-48 -like, blaNDM -like and blaVIM -like genes and CP-Pseudomonas expressed blaIMP -like and blaVIM -like genes, whereas CP-Acinetobacter expressed blaOXA-23 -like genes. The NG-Test Carba5 results were confirmed by PCR sequencing and revealed several variants, such as NDM-19, VIM-62 and OXA-162, never described so far in Lebanon. Isolates with discordant results were sequenced by WGS and highlighted novel variants of the natural oxacillinases of Pseudomonas aeruginosa: blaOXA-50 -like genes. Their role in carbapenem resistance should be further studied. Overall, our findings highlight an alarming situation and encourage health care centers to establish performant registration systems that could help in limiting resistance spread. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2022
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13. Urban wetlands, their dynamics and management strategies from the perspective of Environmental Geography.
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Schön, Feline, Domínguez, Ana, and Achkar, Marcel
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WETLANDS ,GEOGRAPHY ,PUBLIC spaces ,URBAN ecology ,CITIES & towns - Abstract
The environment is a central axis of academic discussion, but even so, there are theoretical difficulties in understanding environmental problems. Environmental Geography provides arguments to articulate the relationships between society and nature and the possibility of focusing on the environmental system as an object of study. The aim of this article is to provide theoretical, methodological and operational elements for the evaluation of the interrelationship between wetland ecosystems and urban localities in Uruguay based on three case studies and analysing them from the theoretical and conceptual context of Environmental Geography. The methodological strategy is based on a multi‐scale analysis: at the national scale, studying the situation of the interrelationship between wetlands and urban areas, and at the basin scale, case studies are selected to address the specific conditions of the relationship. In Uruguay, 50% of urban localities are located in wetland territories, but no national strategy can be identified to solve the problem of flooding events in urban areas. Environmental Geography offers the possibility of making the interrelationships between urban spaces and the environments where they develop visible as it makes it possible to analyse the causes of the problem at the basin level in order to achieve sustainable management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2022
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14. Land Suitability Assessment in the Catchment Area of Four Southwestern Atlantic Coastal Lagoons: Multicriteria and Optimization Modeling
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Rodriguez-Gallego, Lorena, Achkar, Marcel, and Conde, Daniel
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- 2012
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15. Environmental health compromised by a new epidemic. The case of Uruguay, COVID-19
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Gomez-Camponovo, Mariana and Achkar, Marcel
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Zoonosis ,Environmental health ,Una salud ,Zoonoses ,One health ,COVID-19 ,Uruguay ,Salud ambiental - Abstract
Uruguay is in South America. It has 3,286,314 inhabitants, 1.6% of which lacks comprehensive health insurance. Detected cases of COVID-19 represent 0.022% of the population, 2.6% of which has resulted in death. Mortality from COVID-19 is 0.6% per 100,000 inhabitants, and health workers represent 14% of detected cases. The country is slowly coming out of intensified social distancing. This article reports on accumulated, recovered, and active cases. The authors also frame the causes of this zoonosis in terms of an environmental health problem, and thus a global health problem, requiring a “one health” approach. Human activity has changed natural habitats as a result of extraction activities, increased urbanization, growing populations, different cultural practices, and socioeconomic conditions. This contributes to the emergence of zoonoses, particularly RNA viruses. If the cause of this phenomenon is not addressed, we will continue facing increasing challenges. Resumen Uruguay se ubica en Sudamérica con una población de 3.286.314 habitantes. El 1,6% no tiene seguro integral de salud. Los casos detectados de COVID 19 representan el 0,022 % de la población. Las muertes con relación a los casos detectados representan el 2,6%. La mortalidad por COVID-19 es de 0,6 por cien mil habitantes. El 14 % de los detectados corresponden a personal de salud. Paulatinamente el país está saliendo del aislamiento social. En el artículo se muestran los casos acumulados, recuperados y activos. Los autores enmarcan las causas de esta zoonosis en un problema de Salud Ambiental y por lo tanto Global, dentro del enfoque “una sola salud”. El hombre ha ocupado los suelos de forma extractiva, con urbanización creciente, creciente número de población, diferentes prácticas culturales y condiciones socio-económicas, que han modificado los hábitat naturales. Esto favorece la aparición de zoonosis emergentes y en particular virus con genoma RNA. Si no se atiende a la causalidad del fenómeno, seguiremos asistiendo a desafíos cada vez mayores.
- Published
- 2020
16. Empirical Modeling of Stream Nutrients for Countries without Robust Water Quality Monitoring Systems.
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Díaz, Ismael, Levrini, Paula, Achkar, Marcel, Crisc, Carolina, Fernández Nion, Camila, Goyenola, Guillermo, and Mazzeo, Néstor
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WATER quality monitoring ,RIVERS ,EUTROPHICATION ,WATER quality ,LAND use planning ,NUTRIENT pollution of water - Abstract
Water quality models are useful tools to understand and mitigate eutrophication processes. However, gaining access to high-resolution data and fitting models to local conditions can interfere with their implementation. This paper analyzes whether it is possible to create a spatial model of nutrient water level at a local scale that is applicable in different geophysical and land-use conditions. The total nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations were modeled by integrating Geographical Information Systems, Remote Sensing, and Generalized Additive and Land-Use Changes Modeling. The research was based on two case studies, which included 204 drainage basins, with nutrient and limnological data collected during two seasons. The models performed well under local conditions, with small errors calculated from the independent samples. The recorded and predicted concentrations of nutrients indicated a significant risk of water eutrophication in both areas, showing the impact of agricultural intensification and population growth on water quality. The models are a contribution to the sustainable land-use planning process, which can help to prevent or promote land-use transformation and new practices in agricultural production and urban design. The ability to implement models using secondary information, which is easily collected at a low cost, is the most remarkable feature of this approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2021
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17. Immunomodulatory effects of heat killed 'Mycobacterium obuense' on human blood dendritic cells
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Bazzi, Samer, Modjtahedi, Helmout, Mudan, Satvinder, Achkar, Marcel, Akle, Charles, and Bahr, Georges
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cancer - Published
- 2017
18. Defining genome-wide expression and phenotypic contextual cues in macrophages generated by GM-CSF, M-CSF and heat-killed mycobacteria
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Bazzi, Samer, El-Darzi, Emale, McDowell, Tina, Modjtahedi, Helmout, Mudan, Satvinder, Achkar, Marcel, Akle, Charles, Kadara, Humam, and Bahr, Georges M
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biological ,infection - Published
- 2017
19. Challenges in identification of enteroinvasive Escherichia coli and Shigella spp. in Lebanon.
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Halimeh, Fatima Bachir, Rafei, Rayane, Diene, Seydina, Mikhael, Mary, Mallat, Hassan, Achkar, Marcel, Dabboussi, Fouad, Hamze, Monzer, and Rolain, Jean-Marc
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SHIGELLA ,DRUG resistance in bacteria ,BETA lactamases ,SERODIAGNOSIS ,IDENTIFICATION ,GENTAMICIN - Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the routine identification tools available in Lebanon for differentiation of Escherichia coli and Shigella spp. The identification of 43 isolates defined as Shigella spp. by Api 20E was accessed using MALDI-TOF, serological testing, duplex PCR targeting ipaH (present in Shigella spp. and enteroinvasive E. coli "EIEC") and lacY (found in E. coli including EIEC but not Shigella spp.) as well as gyrB gene sequencing. Antibiotic susceptibility was investigated as well as Shiga-toxin production. All isolates were identified as E. coli by MALDI-TOF while the PCR showed a disparate group of 26 EIEC, 11 Shigella spp., 5 E. coli and 1 inactive E. coli. However, the sequencing of gyrB gene, which was recently described as a suitable marker for distinguishing E. coli and Shigella spp., identified all isolates as E. coli. Antibiotic resistance was noticeable against ß-lactams, rifampicin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, gentamicin, and ciprofloxacin. The most common variants of beta-lactamase genes were bla
TEM-1 , blaCTX-M-15, and blaCTX-M-3 . A great discordance between the used methods in identification was revealed herein. An accurate identification technique able to distinguish E. coli from Shigella spp. in routine laboratories is a pressing need in order to select the appropriate treatment and assess the epidemiology of these bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2020
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20. Agricultural expansion in Uruguayan grasslands and priority areas for vertebrate and woody plant conservation.
- Author
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Brazeiro, Alejandro, Achkar, Marcel, Toranza, Carolina, and Bartesaghi, Lucía
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PLANT conservation , *GRASSLANDS , *PLANT diversity , *WOODY plants , *TREE farms , *SPECIES diversity - Abstract
Habitat loss due to land-use change is the greatest threat to biodiversity on a global scale, and agriculture has been the principal driver of change. In Uruguay, the conversion of native grasslands to croplands (e.g., soybean) and exotic forest plantations (Eucalyptus and Pinus) has accelerated during the last two decades. We studied the vulnerability of vertebrate and woody plant diversity to the loss of grassland areas, driven by agricultural and forestry expansion, to identify priority areas for conservation. We assessed the spatial variability of biodiversity vulnerability in function of species richness and number of focal species (i.e., prioritized species) of woody plants and terrestrial vertebrates that use grassland ecosystem as habitat. The top 17% of vulnerable sites (51 of 302 cells) were selected as priority conservation areas for Uruguay, following Aichi Target number 11. Approximately 36 % of the original continental territory of Uruguay, mainly grasslands, was converted to cropland (28%) and exotic forest plantations (8%) in 2015. Approximately 27% of the priority cells for conservation of vertebrates and woody plant diversity have been transformed, especially in three ecoregions in which habitat loss was between 35-45%. We simulated a land-use scenario for 2030, based on national production goals of soybean and exotic forest plantations, projecting that: (1) the overall loss of original habitat (mainly grasslands) would reach 48% of the country's land area, and (2) 45% of the priority cells would be converted to agricultural lands, especially in four ecoregions, with habitat losses greater than 50%. Our results suggest an urgent need to develop strategies to reduce the rate of natural grassland loss in Uruguay, as well as to conserve biodiversity and ecosystem services associated with these systems. Conservation efforts should focus on prioritized cells, especially those with no protection status and a high likelihood of agricultural conversion in 2030, through expanding public and private protected areas and promoting wildlife-friendly agricultural alternatives, such as beef production in natural grasslands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2020
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21. Drought vulnerability assessment of cattle producers in the Sierras del Este-Uruguay: Interactions between actors and agents.
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Díaz, Ismael, Achkar, Marcel, and Mazzeo, Néstor
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DROUGHTS , *CATTLE , *NATURAL disasters , *LIVESTOCK , *SUSTAINABILITY - Abstract
Droughts significantly impact livestock systems over natural grasslands. Nevertheless, the practices adopted by cattle producers are usually not adaptive, and therefore they deepen the impacts of the drought and its vulnerability. Drought vulnerability assessments have implicitly considered vulnerability as an individual phenomenon and have not considered the interactions of actors and agents as a key attribute. Social network analysis (SNA) can be used to analyse these processes. However, researchers have largely used SNA from a static perspective and failed to not consider that external drivers could modify the network. The objective of this work was to analyse the incidence of interactions between cattle producers, institutions and agricultural technicians and the effect of such interactions on drought vulnerability from a dynamic perspective. We worked with two operational frameworks, SNA and the incidence of external drivers on the network. Our primary results highlight that (1) cattle producers of greater centrality present lower vulnerability; (2) central cattle producers are not necessarily identified by other producers by the management they carry out; (3) the primary external driver partially affects the structure of the network; and (4) the existence of rigidity and poverty traps and difficulties hindering the propagation and consolidation of practices that reduce drought vulnerability became evident. Our findings enable the identification of potentialities and barriers in the transfer of information to increase adaptation and reduce vulnerability to drought and provide a framework that could be applicable to other productive sectors, threats and geographical contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2018
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22. Defining Genome-Wide Expression and Phenotypic Contextual Cues in Macrophages Generated by Granulocyte/Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor, Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor, and Heat-Killed Mycobacteria.
- Author
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Bazzi, Samer, El-Darzi, Emale, McDowell, Tina, Modjtahedi, Helmout, Mudan, Satvinder, Achkar, Marcel, Akle, Charles, Kadara, Humam, and Bahr, Georges M.
- Subjects
MACROPHAGES ,MYCOBACTERIA ,CANCER treatment - Abstract
Heat-killed (HK) Mycobacterium obuense (NCTC13365) is currently being evaluated in the clinic as an immunotherapeutic agent for cancer treatment. Yet, the molecular underpinnings underlying immunomodulatory properties of HK M. obuense are still largely undefined. To fill this void, we sought to perform immunophenotyping, chemokine/cytokine release analysis and genome-wide characterization of monocytederived macrophages (MDM) in which monocytes were originally isolated from healthy donors and differentiated by HK M. obuense (Mob-MDM) relative to macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-MDM) and granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-MDM). Immunophenotyping and cytokine release analysis revealed downregulated surface expression of CD36, decreased spontaneous release of CCL2 and increased spontaneous secretion of CCL5, CXCL8/IL-8, IL-6, and TNF-α in Mob-MDM relative to M-MDM and GM-MDM. Analysis of cytostatic activity showed that Mob-MDM exhibited similar growth inhibitory effects on immortalized and malignant epithelial cells compared with GM-MDM but at an elevated rate relative to M-MDM. To understand global cues in Mob-MDM, we performed comparative RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) analysis of Mob-MDM relative to GM-MDM and M-MDM (n = 4 donors). Clustering analysis underscored expression profiles (n = 256) that were significantly modulated in Mob-MDM versus both M-MDM and GM-MDM including, among others, chemokines/cytokines and their receptors, enzymes and transcriptions factors. Topological functional analysis of these profiles identified pathways and gene sets linked to Mob-MDM phenotype including nitric oxide production, acute phase response signaling and microbe recognition pathways as well as signaling cues mediated by the proinflammatory cytokine, interferon-gamma, and the intracellular pattern recognition receptor, nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 2. Taken together, our study highlights molecular immune phenotypes and global signaling cues in Mob-MDM that may underlie immunomodulatory properties of HK M. obuense. Such properties could be of valuable use immunotherapy, such as adoptive cell therapy, approaches against cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
23. Multiscalar land suitability assessment for aquaculture production in Uruguay.
- Author
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Díaz, Ismael, Mello, Ana Laura, Salhi, María, Spinetti, Mónica, Bessonart, Martin, and Achkar, Marcel
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LAND use ,AQUACULTURE ,MULTISCALE modeling ,DYNAMIC models ,MULTIPLE criteria decision making ,AGRICULTURE - Abstract
This article presents a highly detailed territorial assessment for aquaculture production in Uruguay and a methodology to identify the most suitable areas in order to develop the activity. Furthermore, it proposes the basis to generate a dynamic modelling tool of high spatial resolution to support the decision-making process regarding national aquaculture activities. The modelling structure of aquaculture suitability was developed by the construction of a hierarchical model, combining a multicriteria assessment and a geographic information system. Forty-one attributes were integrated in six aptitude models: one model for each one of the five common production systems intended to be the most viable in Uruguay and a sixth aptitude indicator that summarizes those five systems, representing the maximum suitability for aquaculture activities. In addition, the hierarchical model allows measurement and identification of relative weights of each model, according to the planning scale, ranging from basin to cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2017
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24. Monitoring the Paraguayan epidemiological dengue surveillance system (2009- 2011) using Benford's law.
- Author
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Gómez-Camponovo, Mariana, Moreno-Montoya, José, Idrovo, Álvaro J., Páez, Malvina, and Achkar, Marcel
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DENGUE ,MOSQUITO vectors ,BENFORD'S law (Statistics) ,EPIDEMIOLOGY ,PARAGUAYAN economy ,DISEASE risk factors - Abstract
Copyright of Biomédica: Revista del Instituto Nacional de Salud is the property of Instituto Nacional de Salud of Colombia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
- Published
- 2016
25. Alarming increase in prevalence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections associated with a high level of antibiotic resistance in Tripoli, Lebanon
- Author
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Hamze, Monzer, Osman, Marwan, Achkar, Marcel, Mallat, Hassan, and Dabboussi, Fouad
- Published
- 2016
- Full Text
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26. Holistic Risk Index: A Case Study of Cattle Producers in the Protected Area of Farrapos Estuaries—Uruguay.
- Author
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Gazzano, Inés, Altieri, Miguel A., Achkar, Marcel, and Burgueño, Juan
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AGRICULTURAL intensification ,LIVESTOCK ,FLOODS ,AGRICULTURAL ecology - Abstract
Agricultural intensification promotes floods and threatens family livestock production in the protected area of Farrapos Estuaries, Uruguay. Using the Holistic Risk Index (Barrera, J. F., Herrera, J., and J. Gómez.Riesgo-vulnerabilidad hacia la broca del café bajo un enfoque de manejo holístico.La Broca del Café en América Tropical: Hallazgos y Enfoques. ECOSUR-SME 2007), this study analyzes the interrelationships among threat, vulnerability and responsiveness. Four livestock producers were shown to have low risk due to their high responsiveness; eighteen producers were shown to have medium risk and were divided into high vulnerability, low vulnerability and increased responsiveness groups; and three producers were shown to have high risk due to high threat and vulnerability and a lower responsiveness. Responsiveness is related to the use of agroecological principles and the agroecological criteria that guide strategies among producers and within the protected area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2015
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
27. Prediction of Sites with a High Probability of Wild Mammal Roadkill Using a Favourability Function.
- Author
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Coitiño, Hugo Ignacio, Achkar, Marcel, and Guerrero, José Carlos
- Subjects
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ROADKILL , *ENVIRONMENTAL degradation , *MAMMALS , *PREDICTION models , *FORECASTING , *PROBABILITY theory - Abstract
Roads are one of the main causes of loss of biodiversity, with roadkill one of the main causes of mortality. The aim of this research was to identify sites with a high probability of roadkill of medium and large mammals, and the environmental variables that would explain it. We used the favourability function (F) to build the predictive models. There were 57 explanatory variables, and we collected 685 records of 10 species of medium and large native wild mammals from the ECOBIO Uruguay databases. They were grouped into native forest and grassland species, according to the main habitat. Two models were developed, one with all the variables and one with the anthropogenic variables. For both groups, the model obtained with all the variables was the most significant according to the evaluation indices used. This made it possible to identify the hot spots of roadkill (F > 0.6) for each of the groups. The anthropic variables were the ones that best explained these hot spots. This allowed the identification of sites where the probability of roadkill is high and requires a monitoring plan to implement mitigation measures in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
28. Cytokine/Chemokine Release Patterns and Transcriptomic Profiles of LPS/IFNγ-Activated Human Macrophages Differentiated with Heat-Killed Mycobacterium obuense , M-CSF, or GM-CSF.
- Author
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Bazzi, Samer, El-Darzi, Emale, McDowell, Tina, Modjtahedi, Helmout, Mudan, Satvinder, Achkar, Marcel, Akle, Charles, Kadara, Humam, and Bahr, Georges M.
- Subjects
CYTOKINES ,MACROPHAGE colony-stimulating factor ,MYCOBACTERIUM ,RNA sequencing ,MACROPHAGES ,MYCOBACTERIAL diseases ,INTERLEUKIN-23 - Abstract
Macrophages (Mφs) are instrumental regulators of the immune response whereby they acquire diverse functional phenotypes following their exposure to microenvironmental cues that govern their differentiation from monocytes and their activation. The complexity and diversity of the mycobacterial cell wall have empowered mycobacteria with potent immunomodulatory capacities. A heat-killed (HK) whole-cell preparation of Mycobacterium obuense (M. obuense) has shown promise as an adjunctive immunotherapeutic agent for the treatment of cancer. Moreover, HK M. obuense has been shown to trigger the differentiation of human monocytes into a monocyte-derived macrophage (MDM) type named Mob-MDM. However, the transcriptomic profile and functional properties of Mob-MDMs remain undefined during an activation state. Here, we characterized cytokine/chemokine release patterns and transcriptomic profiles of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/interferon γ (IFNγ)-activated human MDMs that were differentiated with HK M. obuense (Mob-MDM(LPS/IFNγ)), macrophage colony-stimulating factor M-MDM(LPS/IFNγ)), or granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-MDM(LPS/IFNγ)). Mob-MDM(LPS/IFNγ) demonstrated a unique cytokine/chemokine release pattern (interleukin (IL)-10
low , IL-12/23p40low , IL-23p19/p40low , chemokine (C-x-C) motif ligand (CXCL)9low ) that was distinct from those of M-MDM(LPS/IFNγ) and GM-MDM(LPS/IFNγ). Furthermore, M-MDM(LPS/IFNγ) maintained IL-10 production at significantly higher levels compared to GM-MDM(LPS/IFNγ) and Mob-MDM(LPS/IFNγ) despite being activated with M1-Mφ-activating stimuli. Comparative RNA sequencing analysis pointed to a distinct transcriptome profile for Mob-MDM(LPS/IFNγ) relative to both M-MDM(LPS/IFNγ) and GM-MDM(LPS/IFNγ) that comprised 417 transcripts. Functional gene-set enrichment analysis revealed significant overrepresentation of signaling pathways and biological processes that were uniquely related to Mob-MDM(LPS/IFNγ). Our findings lay a foundation for the potential integration of HK M. obuense in specific cell-based immunotherapeutic modalities such as adoptive transfer of Mφs (Mob-MDM(LPS/IFNγ)) for cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2021
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- View/download PDF
29. Agricultural Transformations in the Southern Cone of Latin America: Agricultural Intensification and Decrease of the Aboveground Net Primary Production, Uruguay's Case.
- Author
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Gazzano, Inés, Achkar, Marcel, and Díaz, Ismael
- Abstract
The agri-exporting enclaves of the current corporate food regime intensively exploit natural assets in global strategies that govern the local processes. Their multidimensional impacts contribute to the environmental and civilizational crisis. Linked to the agrarian metabolism in its appropriation phase, land use has impacts on local systems. To understand this process, it is necessary to identify the systemic and spatial expression of environmental transformation. The objective of this work was to analyze the dynamic adjustment of aboveground net primary production (ANPP) to agricultural intensification between the years 2000 and 2017, using a land use intensity index and the soils' productive potential. Agricultural expansion and consolidation are observed, as well as the significant intensification throughout the period in 65% of the country's area—with differences between regions—associated with soil types. ANPP is higher in areas of low land use intensity and lower in high intensity areas, varying from high to low in soils with low to high productive potential, respectively, and growing throughout the period—depending on the area, with less growth in areas of greater intensity. The appropriation of edaphic wealth puts the systemic functionality at risk and challenges these transforming dynamics, with a strong impact on southern systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
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30. Analysis of indicators of legality, legitimacy and legitimation in public policy: an example of REDD+ in Mexico.
- Author
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ÁVALOS-RODRÍGUEZ, M. L., MCCALL, M. K., ŠPIRIĆ, J., RAMÍREZ, M. I., and ALVARADO, J. J.
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GOVERNMENT policy ,SCIENTIFIC literature ,FOREST dynamics ,FOREST degradation ,MONETARY incentives - Abstract
Copyright of International Forestry Review is the property of Commonwealth Forestry Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
31. Spatio-temporal Analysis of Anthropogenic Disturbances on Landscape Pattern of Tourist Destinations: a case study in the Li River Basin, China.
- Author
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Xiang, Yunyun, Meng, Jijun, You, Nanshan, Chen, Peixiong, and Yang, Hui
- Subjects
TOURIST attractions ,TOURISM management ,ANTHROPOGENIC effects on nature ,LANDSCAPES ,WATERSHEDS - Abstract
The impact of human-related activities on the eco-environment of tourist destinations is an important part of recreation ecology research. However, traditional studies have mainly concentrated on the static influences upon the simple factors of soil or vegetation in tourist destinations, and the relationship between anthropogenic disturbances and landscape patterns is little understood. In this study, we constructed a disturbance model on a landscape scale to identify and quantify the main anthropogenic disturbances. The overall variation coefficient (OVC) index is defined as the intensity of different disturbance sources, and landscape structure analysis methods are used for temporal and spatial differentiation, which is applied in the Li River Basin, China. Three typical types of human-related activities are identified as possible anthropogenic disturbance sources in the region, and their notable influential spheres are determined. Then, the dynamic changes in tourism disturbance in two periods and the spatial distribution characteristics related to three factors are explored. The results suggest that settlement and tourism disturbances have exerted considerable impacts on landscape patterns, and the differentiation characteristics are closely related to local tourism development policies and patterns. The disturbance model could be applied in other tourism destinations and provide countermeasures for regional tourism management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
32. Analysis of scientific production on glyphosate: An example of politicization of science.
- Author
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Sosa, Beatriz, Fontans-Álvarez, Exequiel, Romero, David, da Fonseca, Aline, and Achkar, Marcel
- Abstract
Glyphosate is one of the most used herbicides worldwide. However there still exists a strong debate about its effects on the environment or people health. In this context, the metric analysis is a methodology increasingly used to quantify and evaluate the scope of the scientific production around a specific topic. The goal of this work was to characterize the context of knowledge generation about glyphosate. All the scientific production linked to glyphosate was analyzed in the period from 1974 to 2016, using the Web of Science (WOS) as a source of information and "glyphosate" as a search criterion. A total of 8174 records were found. The bibliographic production on this herbicide experienced a sustained increase. There was a concentration in knowledge generation led by the United States. Monsanto Company produced the largest number of articles during the first thirty years of the development of this topic. Research around glyphosate in South America gained importance as of the year 2000, with Brazil being the country with the highest production followed by Argentina. A large proportion of research was focused on agricultural science, while the analysis of toxicology or environmental effects did not begin until the year 2000, and it is still insufficient. Unlabelled Image • Production on glyphosate shows exponential growth since its inception in 1974. • The United States leads production, reaching 46% in the most productive period. • Monsanto led production until the year 2000. • Brazil and Argentina will lead production in Latin America from 2001. • Toxicity studies linked to glyphosate have just started as of 2011. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
33. STRATEGIES FOR GLOBALLY RESPONSIBLE EDUCATION MANAGEMENT: A BRAZILIAN CASE STUDY ON EXECUTIVE EDUCATION.
- Author
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ARRUDA FILHO, NORMAN DE PAULA, MARTELOZO CASSITAS HINO, MARCIA REGINA, and PRZYBYLOWICZ BEUTER, BARBARA S.
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SCHOOL administration ,EDUCATION of executives ,LEARNING ,BUSINESS schools ,CASE studies - Abstract
Copyright of Administração: Ensino e Pesquisa is the property of Administracao: Ensino e Pesquisa and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
34. Agricultural expansion in Uruguayan grasslands and priority areas for vertebrate and woody plant conservation
- Author
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Alejandro Brazeiro, Carolina Toranza, Lucía Bartesaghi, Marcel Achkar, Brazeiro Rodríguez P. Alejandro, Universidad de la República (Uruguay). Facultad de Ciencias. Instituto de Ecología y Ciencias Ambientales., Achkar Marcel, Universidad de la República (Uruguay). Facultad de Ciencias. Instituto de Ecología y Ciencias Ambientales., Toranza Ciurlanti Carolina, Universidad de la República (Uruguay). Facultad de Ciencias. Instituto de Ecología y Ciencias Ambientales., and Bartesaghi Villardino María Lucía, Universidad de la República (Uruguay). Facultad de Ciencias. Instituto de Ecología y Ciencias Ambientales.
- Subjects
biodiversity vulnerability ,QH301-705.5 ,agricultural expansion ,Exotic forest plantation ,biology.animal ,Biology (General) ,Biodiversity vulnerability ,Soybean crop ,QH540-549.5 ,soybean crop ,Ecology ,biology ,business.industry ,Agroforestry ,grasslands ,Vertebrate ,exotic forest plantation ,Priority areas ,Agricultural expansion ,Geography ,Agriculture ,Grasslands ,Conservation priority ,conservation priority ,business ,Woody plant - Abstract
Habitat loss due to land-use change is the greatest threat to biodiversity on a global scale, and agriculture has been the principal driver of change. In Uruguay, the conversion of native grasslands to croplands (e.g., soybean) and exotic forest plantations (Eucalyptus and Pinus) has accelerated during the last two decades. We studied the vulnerability of vertebrate and woody plant diversity to the loss of grassland areas, driven by agricultural and forestry expansion, to identify priority areas for conservation. We assessed the spatial variability of biodiversity vulnerability in function of species richness and number of focal species (i.e., prioritized species) of woody plants and terrestrial vertebrates that use grassland ecosystem as habitat. The top 17% of vulnerable sites (51 of 302 cells) were selected as priority conservation areas for Uruguay, following Aichi Target number 11. Approximately 36 % of the original continental territory of Uruguay, mainly grasslands, was converted to cropland (28%) and exotic forest plantations (8%) in 2015. Approximately 27% of the priority cells for conservation of vertebrates and woody plant diversity have been transformed, especially in three ecoregions in which habitat loss was between 35-45%. We simulated a land-use scenario for 2030, based on national production goals of soybean and exotic forest plantations, projecting that: (1) the overall loss of original habitat (mainly grasslands) would reach 48% of the country's land area, and (2) 45% of the priority cells would be converted to agricultural lands, especially in four ecoregions, with habitat losses greater than 50%. Our results suggest an urgent need to develop strategies to reduce the rate of natural grassland loss in Uruguay, as well as to conserve biodiversity and ecosystem services associated with these systems. Conservation efforts should focus on prioritized cells, especially those with no protection status and a high likelihood of agricultural conversion in 2030, through expanding public and private protected areas and promoting wildlife-friendly agricultural alternatives, such as beef production in natural grasslands.
- Published
- 2020
35. Natural and land-use drivers of primary production in a highly vulnerable region of livestock production (Sierras del Este – Uruguay)
- Author
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Ismael Díaz, Marcel Achkar, Carolina Crisci, Néstor Mazzeo, Díaz Ismael, Universidad de la República (Uruguay). Facultad de Ciencias. Instituto de Ecología y Ciencias Ambientales, Achkar Marcel, Universidad de la República (Uruguay). Facultad de Ciencias. Instituto de Ecología y Ciencias Ambientales, Crisci Carolina, Universidad de la República (Uruguay). CURE., and Mazzeo Beyhaut Néstor, Universidad de la República (Uruguay). CURE.
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,Natural grassland ,Drought ,ANPP ,vulnerability ,lcsh:S ,Vulnerability ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,drought ,01 natural sciences ,lcsh:Agriculture ,040103 agronomy & agriculture ,0401 agriculture, forestry, and fisheries ,cattle production ,Cattle production ,natural grassland ,010606 plant biology & botany - Abstract
Sierras del Este is one of the two regions in Uruguay that are most vulnerable to climate change. A relevant vulnerability factor is the variability of the natural grasslands’ productivity. The objective of this study was to analyse the role of natural and land use drivers on grassland productivity as an essential factor for increasing the adaptive capacity of livestock production and reducing their vulnerability to extreme climatic events. The period 2000–2015 was analysed using the aboveground net primary production (ANPP), rainfall patterns, soil maps and surface slopes, livestock stocking density (LSD) information, and interviews with livestock producers. The results showed a decreasing trend in ANPP between 2000 and 2009, and an increase between 2010 and 2015. These trends are associated with rainfall fluctuations: greater ANPP variability is explained by the rainfall accumulation of the 4 previous months. In addition, ANPP is affected by soil type (deeper and more clayey, higher ANPP), surface slope (steeper surface slope, lower ANPP) and LSD (higher LSD, higher ANPP). In drought periods, these relations are reversed. The main results suggested that changes in ANPP between drought and wet periods are not linearly related to the drivers analysed, and an important spatially structured pattern was detected. The evidence provides information to anticipate extreme events, allowing to define and explore strategies to reduce the impacts of drought. The reduction of vulnerability implies challenges at the individual level to increase efficiency in livestock management and at a collective level to integrate and complement favourably the various land use activities in the area. In this sense, public policy should have a leading role to promote these transformations.
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- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
36. Agricultural transformations in the southern cone of Latin America: agricultural intensification and decrease of the aboveground net primary production, Uruguay’s case
- Author
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Ismael Díaz, Marcel Achkar, Inés Gazzano, Gazzano Inés, Universidad de la República (Uruguay). Facultad de Agronomía., Achkar Marcel, Universidad de la República (Uruguay). Facultad de Ciencias. Instituto de Ecología y Ciencias Ambientales., and Díaz Ismael, Universidad de la República (Uruguay). Facultad de Ciencias. Instituto de Ecología y Ciencias Ambientales.
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agroecology ,land use change ,010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences ,Geography, Planning and Development ,ANPP ,010501 environmental sciences ,Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law ,01 natural sciences ,Pampa biome ,Land use, land-use change and forestry ,Agroecology ,Land use change ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences ,Land use ,Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment ,business.industry ,Agroforestry ,Agricultural intensification ,Primary production ,Edaphic ,Soil classification ,Agrarian society ,Geography ,Agriculture ,agricultural intensification ,business - Abstract
The agri-exporting enclaves of the current corporate food regime intensively exploit natural assets in global strategies that govern the local processes. Their multidimensional impacts contribute to the environmental and civilizational crisis. Linked to the agrarian metabolism in its appropriation phase, land use has impacts on local systems. To understand this process, it is necessary to identify the systemic and spatial expression of environmental transformation. The objective of this work was to analyze the dynamic adjustment of aboveground net primary production (ANPP) to agricultural intensification between the years 2000 and 2017, using a land use intensity index and the soils&rsquo, productive potential. Agricultural expansion and consolidation are observed, as well as the significant intensification throughout the period in 65% of the country&rsquo, s area&mdash, with differences between regions&mdash, associated with soil types. ANPP is higher in areas of low land use intensity and lower in high intensity areas, varying from high to low in soils with low to high productive potential, respectively, and growing throughout the period&mdash, depending on the area, with less growth in areas of greater intensity. The appropriation of edaphic wealth puts the systemic functionality at risk and challenges these transforming dynamics, with a strong impact on southern systems.
- Published
- 2019
37. A national intercomparison between automatic network analyzers.
- Author
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Bergeault, E., Achkar, J., Valon, M., and Huyart, B.
- Published
- 1993
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
38. Monitoring the Paraguayan epidemiological dengue surveillance system (2009-2011) using Benford's law
- Author
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Malvina Páez, Mariana Gómez-Camponovo, Alvaro J. Idrovo, José Moreno-Montoya, Marcel Achkar, Gómez-Camponovo Mariana, Universidad de la República (Uruguay). CURLN, Moreno J., Idrovo A.J., Páez M., and Achkar Marcel, Universidad de la República (Uruguay). Facultad de Ciencias. Instituto de Ecología y Ciencias Ambientales
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Disease notification ,Statistical distribution ,030231 tropical medicine ,Epidemic ,Population surveillance ,Animal husbandry ,General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology ,Disease Outbreaks ,Dengue ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Animals ,Humans ,distribuciones estadísticas ,Animal Husbandry ,Disease Notification ,Disease outbreaks ,Population Density ,030505 public health ,Animal ,vigilancia epidemiológica ,Epidemiological surveillance ,Bovine ,Health survey ,Vector control ,Geography ,Statistics and numerical data ,Paraguay ,Population Surveillance ,Population density ,Cattle ,0305 other medical science ,control ,de vectores ,notificación de enfermedad ,Statistical Distributions ,Human ,Statistical distributions - Abstract
Introducción. El dengue es la principal arbovirosis en el mundo. En Paraguay reapareció en 1988-1989, y en el 2011 se produjo uno de los mayores brotes epidémicos. Objetivo. Evaluar el desempeño del sistema de vigilancia epidemiológica del dengue en Paraguay entre 2009 y 2011. Materiales y métodos. Se hizo un estudio ecológico basado en datos secundarios de la vigilancia epidemiológica. Con base en la distribución esperada según la ley de Benford, se analizaron los casos notificados de la enfermedad; para tal fin, se usaron los primeros y segundos dígitos de los registros globales y estratificados por regiones, estaciones, densidad poblacional, indicadores de las condiciones de la vivienda y número de cabezas de ganado bovino. Resultados. El sistema de vigilancia epidemiológica se desempeñó mejor durante los periodos no epidémicos, y en los departamentos donde existen mejores condiciones de vivienda y pocas cabezas de ganado bovino. Conclusión. Dadas las diferencias de desempeño, se recomendó que el sistema mantenga la alerta incluso cuando no se espere un mayor número de casos. El método propuesto para evaluar la notificación de casos es fácil de transferir al personal operativo. RESUMEN Introduction: Dengue is the most widespread arbovirus worldwide. In Paraguay, it reappeared in 1988-1989, with one of the largest epidemic outbreaks occurring in 2011. Objective: To evaluate the performance of the dengue epidemiological surveillance system in Paraguay between 2009 and 2011. Materials and methods: We conducted an ecological study with secondary epidemiological surveillance data. We analyzed notified cases of the disease based on the distribution expected by Benford's law. To this end, we used the first and second digits from the global records stratified by region, season, population density, indicators of housing conditions and heads of cattle. Results: The epidemiological surveillance system performed better during non-epidemic periods and in the states with better housing conditions and fewer heads of cattle. Conclusion: Given that a difference in the performance existed, we recommended that the system remains operating at the same high alert level even during periods when fewer cases are expected. The technology used by the method proposed to monitor the notification of cases is easy to transfer to operational staff.
- Published
- 2016
39. Routledge Handbook of Latin America and the Environment
- Author
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Beatriz Bustos, Salvatore Engel-Di Mauro, Gustavo García-López, Felipe Milanez, Diana Ojeda, Beatriz Bustos, Salvatore Engel-Di Mauro, Gustavo García-López, Felipe Milanez, and Diana Ojeda
- Subjects
- GE160.L29
- Abstract
The Routledge Handbook of Latin America and the Environment provides an in-depth and accessible analysis and theorization of environmental issues in the region. It will help readers make connections between Latin American and other regions'perspectives, experiences, and environmental concerns.Latin America has seen an acceleration of environmental degradation due to the expansion of resource extraction and urban areas. This Handbook addresses Latin America not only as an object of study, but also as a region with a long and profound history of critical thinking on these themes. Furthermore, the Handbook departs from most treatments on the topic by studying the environment as a social issue inextricably linked to politics, economy, and culture. The Handbook will be an invaluable resource for those wanting not only to understand the issues, but also to engage with ideas about environmental politics and social-ecological transformation. The Handbook covers a broad range of topics organized according to three areas: physical geography, ecology, and crucial environmental problems of the region. These are key theoretical and methodological issues used to understand Latin America's ecosocial contexts, and institutional and grassroots practices related to more just and ecologically sustainable worlds.The Handbook will set a research agenda for the near future and provide comprehensive research on most subregions relative to environmental transformations, challenges, struggles and political processes. It stands as a fresh and much needed state of the art introduction for researchers, scholars, post-graduates and academic audiences on Latin American contributions to theorization, empirical research and environmental practices.
- Published
- 2023
40. Handbook of Latin American Studies, Vol. 75 : Social Sciences
- Author
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Tracy North and Tracy North
- Subjects
- Social sciences--Bibliography
- Abstract
Beginning with Number 41 (1979), the University of Texas Press became the publisher of the most comprehensive annual bibliography in the field. Compiled by the Hispanic Division of the Library of Congress and annotated by a corps of more than 140 specialists in various disciplines, the Handbook alternates from year to year between social sciences and humanities. The Handbook annotates works on Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and the Guianas, Spanish South America, and Brazil, as well as materials covering Latin America as a whole. Most of the subsections are preceded by introductory essays that serve as biannual evaluations of the literature and research under way in specialized areas.
- Published
- 2021
41. The Pink Tide : Media Access and Political Power in Latin America
- Author
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Lee Artz and Lee Artz
- Subjects
- Government and the press--Latin America, Freedom of the press--Latin America, Mass media--Latin America, Journalism--Latin America
- Abstract
Over the last two decades, military and authoritarian regimes in Latin America have receded as indigenous social movements and popular protests have demanded and won peaceful transitions to democratically-elected governments. Across the entire Southern hemisphere, democracy arose with a radical flourish, bringing dramatic changes in politics, education, civil society, and the media. Historically, revolution in Latin America has been depicted as civil war, violent conflict, and armed resistance, but recent social change has resulted from the political power of mass social movements reflected in elections and government policy change rather than guerrilla insurgencies. The Pink Tide investigates the relationship between media access and democracy, arguing that citizen participation in broadcasting is a primary indicator of the changed social relations of power in each country. Democracy has meaning only to the extent that citizens participate in discussion and decisions. This book demonstrates that participation in public communication is a prime ingredient in democratic action and citizen self-organization, a vital means for constructing new cultural practices and social norms.
- Published
- 2017
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