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Food systems face pressures related to global environmental change and agricultural intensification that make access to productive resources difficult for many actors. Social self-organization is one of the measures taken by actors to enable them to increase their capacity to mitigate challenges and increase their influence as well as build resilience against risks. The objectives of this study were to assess the level of social self-organization in food systems, to identify forms of social self-organization and the motivations behind them, and to analyze the benefits to food systems social-ecological resilience. We collected data from various actor groups at different levels of food systems using mixed methods. Analysis involved six indicators that were scored on a Likert scale. The study observed that smallholders in Kenya organized in women’s self-help groups, agro-ecological movements, and cooperatives, while in Bolivia the Guaraní indigenous people organized in movements addressing territorial integrity. Social self-organization was found to be important in resilience building at a community level and has potential to contribute to more sustainable food systems. However, more research on the link between social self-organization and policy change across scales would provide additional interesting insights., Food Studies: An Interdisciplinary Journal, 10 (1), ISSN:2160-1933, ISSN:2160-1941

La investigación tuvo como objetivo evaluar la población de post larvas de camarón de río (Cryphios caementarius), existente en la zona de la desembocadura del río Sama, así como conocer los valores de los parámetros físico químico y biológicos de esta zona, donde se desarrolla la especie en estudio. Sobre la metodología, para conocer las características de la población de post larvas de camarón, se planificó la obtención de muestras mediante la captura de post larvas usando un carcal de boca media luna de 50 cm, de base con bolsa malla mosquitera plástica. De cada estación, georreferenciada, se extrajo todos los ejemplares del estudio. Cada muestra obtenida se analizó mediante cuantificación, medición y pesaje. Luego de su realización, se llegó a las siguientes conclusiones: La población, estimada de 149 post larvas de camarón, es insignificante; esto sugiere que, para la sostenibilidad de la especie camarón se debe realizar repoblamiento con semilla de otros ríos como Camaná, Ocoña y Majes. Asimismo, se determinó que la cantidad necesaria para repoblar el río Sama es de 150 millares de post larvas de camarón anualmente, esta cantidad permitirá mantener el equilibrio bioecológico y asegurar la sustentabilidad del camarón en este río. Durante las salidas al campo, se verificó que las aguas del río Sama no desembocaron normalmente, debido a las actividades antrópicas para la captación de agua para uso de la agricultura hasta 21 de febrero del 2016. Estas evacuaciones están impactando negativamente, contribuyendo a la degradación del hábitat y extinción del camarón. Por último, en el año 2015 y en salidas de campo durante el mes de abril, se observó una elevada mortalidad de post larvas de camarón de río en el área comprendida de la desembocadura y el puente del río Sama, (kilómetro 46 carretera Costanera Tacna – Ilo), uno de los factores que alteró la cadena biológica de esta especie.

El presente artículo responde a un proyecto de investigación cuyo objetivo general fue evaluar la población de la holoturia pepino de mar (Athyonidium chilensis) así como medir, de acuerdo a los métodos estándar de la AWWA, los parámetros físico-químicos y biológicos de la zona de Playita Brava del litoral de Tacna.Se llegó a la conclusión de que existe una dispersión en la población de holoturia pepino de mar (Athyonidium chilensis) en la zona donde se desarrolló el estudio, determinándose que no hay una correlación entre su longitud y su peso (variables dependientes); en consecuencia, se trata de una población variable. Por otro lado, los parámetros físico-químicos están dentro del rango permisible para el desarrollo de holoturia pepino de mar; sin embargo, el factor físico de temperatura presenta una anomalía térmica de hasta 2°C según se observó en el muestreo realizado el 19/05/14, y de 1°C en el muestreo del 04/06/14. Por último, en base a referencias del año 2013 (Informe Envirolab Perú S.A.C.), el fitoplancton presente en Playita Brava está compuesto por divisiones como Bacyllarophyta, Pyrrofhyta, Chrysophita y Euglenophyta, destacando los géneros Lephoylinchus discus (20 cel/l) y Navicula (22 cel/l); en cuanto al zooplancton, destaca el Phyllum Artropoda, dando 5 y 100 organismos/muestra respectivamente en 5 litros.

La presente investigación tiene por finalidad realizar los cálculos de balance de materia y energía en el secado de anchoveta en un secador de bandejas. El propósito fue desarrollar un Modelo matemático para el balance de masa y energía en el proceso de secado. Los objetivos fueron: determinar el balance de masa y calor de pescado sin salar; comparar las curvas de pérdida de peso, en forma práctica y teórica; hacer comparativo el consumo efectivo de energía en el secado. El trabajo se desarrolló en los Laboratorios de Tecnología Pesquera, de la Escuela Académica Profesional de Ingeniería Pesquera y Operaciones Unitarias de la Escuela Académica de Ingeniería en Industrias Alimentarias. El experimento de secado se realizó con anchoveta HG congelada adquirido del supermercado PlazaVea, además se calculó el balance de masa y energía en el proceso de secado.

El presente trabajo de investigación fue realizado en el Centro de Producción de Tecnología Pesquera (CEPROTEP) de la Facultad de Ingeniería Pesquera, Universidad Nacional JBG Tacna y tiene por finalidad aprovechar el recurso camarón de río (Chryphiops caementarius) para darle un valor agregado. Para el desarrollo del trabajo, se realizaron seis pruebas experimentales para establecer un flujo adecuado (tratamiento primario, lavado, precocción, envasado, evacuado, esterilizado, enfriado, y almacenamiento). El análisis sensorial y las pruebas de aceptabilidad fueron realizados con el software Sistema de Análisis Estadístico (S.A.S.).

Food system sustainability depends, among other aspects, on the resilience of different components of food systems. By resilience, we mean the ability of a food system to withstand stress and shocks, recover, and adapt to change. In this study, we examined the resilience of food systems, firstly, by compiling the risks perceived by different food system actors in the Santa Cruz Department, Bolivia, and the northwestern Mount Kenya Region, Kenya—two regions that are important to their respective national food supply. Secondly, we evaluated whether and under what circumstances these perceptions translate into adaptive or preventive strategies that benefit food system resilience. Among all actors, the most frequently perceived risks relate to production levels. Further, the many (sometimes contradictory) perceptions of risk and uncertainty among different actor groups do not necessarily translate into adaptation strategies. Reasons for this include structural factors as well as the “risk perception paradox”, particularly regarding preventive strategies. However, we also observed many implicit strategies illustrating how different actors develop responses within their possibilities. However, most such strategies were insufficient to mitigate, much less to adapt to, the perceived risks. To build resilience, existing innovative policies need to be enforced in both countries. These include disaster risk reduction programs and programs to reduce the vulnerability of marginalized groups who are crucial to food systems, such as smallholder farmers, pastoralists, and food workers.

Resilience is often considered a precondition for sustainable social-ecological systems. But how can this understanding of resilience be applied to food systems? We operationalized the concept by subdividing it into different resilience dimensions, namely: buffer capacity, self-organization, and capacity for learning and adaptation. Specific indicators were defined for each dimension: (1) agrobiodiversity and livelihood assets for buffer capacity; (2) decentralization and independence, local consumption of production, interest groups, ecological self-regulation, and connectivity for self-organization; and (3) knowledge of threats and opportunities, reflective and shared learning, feedback mechanisms, existence and use of local-traditional knowledge, and a shared food system vision for capacity for learning and adaptation. Next, we applied the resilience indicators to different food systems (agroindustrial, local, and agroecological) in Kenya and Bolivia, including assessment of the interaction and coexistence of food systems. While the contexts in the two countries differ greatly, we identified several common trends that appear to be undermining food system resilience in both settings. These trends include low ecological buffer capacity and self-regulation in agroindustrial food systems; strong disparities in income and access to productive resources; competition for water, land, and labor; exclusion from markets; and low human capital and feedback mechanisms in locally based, traditional food systems. Taken together, these trends cast doubt on food system coexistence narratives. Finally, the results enable us to identify leverage points in the food systems – e.g., regarding learning and feedback mechanisms – that could be used to foster food system transformations linked to goals of sustainability and justice.

The history of agroecology in Bolivia is described as having a long and a short trajectory. The “long trajectory” refers to the agroecology-based indigenous agriculture practiced in both highlands and lowlands of the country. The “short trajectory” started in the 1970s and became consolidated with the institutionalization of agroecology through initiatives focused on strengthening indigenous agriculture, commercialization of agroecological produce, conservation of natural resources and land, family farming, food sovereignty, and education and research. From 2006 onward, a new stage of the agroecological process in Bolivia began with its inclusion in national regulation and policy. Despite important advances, the agroecological process in Bolivia still faces substantial challenges, whose management will require coordination and collaboration between the different sectors, as well as a more explicit acknowledgement of the multi-functionality of agroecology.

Latinx adolescents are at higher risk for chronic diseases relative to adolescents of other ethnic groups, in part because of their lack of adherence to diet recommendations and their higher rates of substance use. Given the proximal influence of family factors during the developmental stage of adolescence, parenting interventions may be an effective way to promote healthy nutrition and substance use prevention simultaneously. This article describes the design and theoretical rationale of a study assessing the effects of Families Preparing the New Generation Plus (FPNG Plus), a 10-week culturally-tailored nutrition and substance use prevention parenting program, on diet and substance use outcomes among Latinx middle school students (6th–8th grade). The 3-arm cluster randomized controlled trial compares FPNG Plus (substance use prevention and healthy nutrition), FPNG (substance use prevention only), and a comparison condition (focusing on academic success) in 1494 parent-child dyads from 18 schools, randomized at the school level. Adolescents and parents will complete surveys pre- and post-intervention, and 16-weeks after program participation, regarding diet behaviors, substance use, and parenting practices. A random subsample of 126 dyads (42 from each program), will participate in additional data collection to assess the home food environment, detailed dietary intake (via two 24-h recalls), and provide biomarkers of cardiometabolic risk (blood pressure, total cholesterol and HbA1c). If successful, this study will provide evidence contributing to helping Latinx parents assist their adolescent children develop and maintain long-lasting positive lifestyle behaviors in order to prevent concurrent substance use and diet-related chronic diseases.

La soberanía alimentaria es una concepción integral y sistémica de implementación y análisis de las dinámicas productivo-alimentarias. Sus postulados se resumieron en diez parámetros con los que se analizaron cualitativamente tres sistemas alimentarios del Departamento de Santa Cruz en Bolivia: agroindustrial, indígena y agroecológico. El sistema agroindustrial reveló las menores contribuciones a la soberanía alimentaria, mientras que en el agroecológico, los aportes son más claros y avanzados. A pesar de estas diferencias, el sistema agroindustrial es el más dominante y expansivo, particularmente sobre el indígena. Los hallazgos levantan preguntas sobre los conflictos entre los sistemas alimentarios agroindustrial e indígena con la soberanía alimentaria en las condiciones actuales.

Seasonally dry tropical forests are distributed across Latin America and the Caribbean and are highly threatened, with less than 10% of their original extent remaining in many countries. Using 835 inventories covering 4660 species of woody plants, we show marked floristic turnover among inventories and regions, which may be higher than in other neotropical biomes, such as savanna. Such high floristic turnover indicates that numerous conservation areas across many countries will be needed to protect the full diversity of tropical dry forests. Our results provide a scientific framework within which national decision-makers can contextualize the floristic significance of their dry forest at a regional and continental scale., This paper is the result of the Latin American and Caribbean Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest Floristic Network (DRYFLOR), which has been supported at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh by a Leverhulme Trust International Network Grant (IN-074). This work was also supported by the U.K. Natural Environment Research Council grant NE/ I028122/1; Colciencias Ph.D. scholarship 529; Synthesys Programme GBTAF-2824; the NSF (NSF 1118340 and 1118369); the Instituto Humboldt (IAvH)–Red colombiana de investigación y monitoreo en bosque seco; the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI; Tropi-Dry, CRN2-021, funded by NSF GEO 0452325); Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR); and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET). The data reported in this paper are available at www.dryflor.info. R.T.P. conceived the study. M.P., A.O.-F., K.B.-R., R.T.P., and J.W. designed the DRYFLOR database system. K.B.-R. and K.G.D. carried out most analyses. K.B.-R. R.T.P., and K.G.D. wrote the manuscript with substantial input from A.D.-S., R.L.-P., A.O.-F., D.P., C.Q., and R.R.

OBJECTIVES: In a pilot implementation project of the microscopic-observation drug-susceptibility methodology, we conducted a process evaluation to identify health system and logistic challenges that need to be addressed in order to harness the benefits of rolling out promising new diagnostic tools for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDRTB). METHODS: Regional data relating to health system practices and performance related to the MDRTB diagnostic algorithm were collected at health center, local, and regional laboratories. RESULTS: Parallel implementation of a new test and an existing method creates demands on funds, personnel, sample transport, and information systems in addition to new test startup costs. Obviating the need for primary culture at intermediate laboratories through direct drug susceptibility testing (DST) at the regional reference laboratory significantly reduces delay. Field application of well-defined national guidelines for DST is patchy. If fidelity to national guidelines were perfect, DST requests would increase more than 50-fold, with important implications for laboratory capacity. CONCLUSIONS: Implementing a new MDRTB diagnostic presents challenges to the laboratory environment, the existing DST process, and the application of national guidelines in peripheral clinics. Assessing each element can maximize efficient use of a new tool. Specifically, strengthening systems for transferring samples to the laboratory and delivering results to the requesting clinic in addition to investing in personnel and laboratory resources are integral to harnessing the benefits of high-performance new diagnostic tests and can bring added value to other programs in the health care system.

A typical traditional Andean land-use system was analyzed as the outcome of long-term social learning processes. From this perspective the land-use system is the result of coevolution between society and nature, representing a successive embodiment of ethical principles corresponding to different periods in history. Ethical principles, understood in this study as the main values in which social and spiritual life is rooted, emerge from and are shaped by a process of dialogue between the local worldview and external historical influences. The degree of differentiation among ethical values corresponding to different stages of local history greatly depends on the type of cognitive competence developed by members of a community. The interplay between cognitive competence and concrete social action develops through a system of rotating duties aimed at lifelong learning and development of social competence derived from the ethical principles of the Andean worldview. The equilibrium between cognitive an...

Este artigo discute as ciências endógenas como um sistema de conhecimentos que pode contribuir para a segurança e a soberania alimentar. Toma como premissa fundamental o reconhecimento de que todos os sistemas de conhecimentos milenares do mundo são ciências com suas próprias epistemologias e ontologias e isto implica em diferentes visões de vida e valorações, como é o caso dos conceitos de alimento e medicina. O objetivo deste artigo é analisar e promover marcos teóricos e metodológicos que levem ao diálogo intercientífico de saberes entre os diferentes sistemas de conhecimento do mundo, considerando o pluralismo epistemológico e o surgimento e/ou recriação de paradigmas das ciências e o desenvolvimento, e propondo delineamentos a partir da praxis para fortalecer o corpus cognitivo das ciências endógenas que aportem à sustentabilidade alimentar e ao desenvolvimento sustentável. Pode-se afirmar que o diálogo de saberes que parte da revalorização da sabedoria das nações e povos indígenas camponeses do mundo (que chamamos de intraculturalidade) e a transdisciplinaridade (acadêmica), tem sido a base para sustentar um marco teórico-conceitual e metodológico que permite aportar à construção de novos paradigmas das ciências e o desenvolvimento que se concretiza no diálogo intercientífico.

Chagas disease affects an estimated 8 million people in Latin America. Infected individuals have 20–30% lifetime risk of developing cardiomyopathy, but more subtle changes in autonomic responses may be more frequent. We conducted a matched case-control study of children in Arequipa, Peru, where triatomine infestation and Trypanosoma cruzi infection are emerging problems. We collected data on home environment, history, physical examination, electrocardiogram, and autonomic testing. Signs of triatomine infestation and/or animals sleeping in the child's room and household members with Chagas disease were associated with increased infection risk. Electrocardiogram findings did not differ between cases and controls. However, compared with control children, infected children had blunted autonomic responses by three different measures, the Valsalva maneuver, the cold pressor test, and the orthostatic test. T. cruzi-infected children show autonomic dysfunction, although the prognostic value of this finding is not clear. Sustained vector control programs are essential to decreasing future T. cruzi infections.

Background. Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi infection, is an urban problem in Arequipa, Peru, and the epidemiology of Chagas disease is likely to be quite different in this area, compared with in rural zones. Methods. We conducted a serosurvey of 1615 children

PURPOSE This study investigated the therapeutic effects of single-agent intravenous (IV) weekly Navelbine (vinorelbine or 5'-nor-anhydro-vinblastine; Pierre Fabre Médicament, Boulogne, France), a semisynthetic vinca alkaloid, in women who had received no prior chemotherapy for locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS One hundred fifty-seven patients with assessable advanced or metastatic breast cancer who had received no prior chemotherapy were entered onto the study. They were stratified into five groups according to the main assessable tumor target: lung, liver, lymph nodes, skin, and others. One hundred forty-five patients were assessable for toxicity and response using World Health Organization (WHO) criteria; the 12 patients who were not evaluated were excluded because they were found not to meet the eligibility criteria. Navelbine was administered as a weekly 30-mg/m2 short IV infusion, and treatment was continued until disease progression. RESULTS The overall response rate (WHO criteria) was 41% (complete response [CR], 7%; partial response [PR], 34%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 33% to 49%). In addition, 30% of the patients had stable disease. The response rate according to target was lymph nodes (28 of 42), 67%; liver (nine of 39), 23%; lung (10 of 30), 33%; skin (21 of 30), 70%; primary tumor (10 of 16), 56%; and bone (three of 10), 30%. The median time to treatment failure was 6 months and the median survival was 18 months. A total of 1,673 cycles were given to 145 eligible patients. At least one episode of WHO grade 3 or 4 granulocytopenia was seen in 72% of the patients. Nausea and/or vomiting, anemia, and/or thrombocytopenia were seen in less than 1% of cycles. Other side effects were rare, and additional toxicities were documented in the following proportions of patients: grade 2 to 3 alopecia, 8%; infectious episodes, 6%; and peripheral neuropathy, 3%. CONCLUSION Our data confirm that Navelbine has major single-agent antitumor activity as front-line therapy in advanced breast cancer. Given its excellent tolerance profile and low toxicity, it should be considered for inclusion in first-line combination chemotherapy regimens.

Con el objetivo de evaluar la especificidad de la leishmanina en pacientes con enfermedad de Chagas, sin antecedente clínico de leishmaniosis, actual o antigua. Una muestra de 102 personas infectadas por Trypanosoma cruzi (14 casos agudos con diagnóstico parasitológico y 88 casos crónicos a través de la demostración de anticuerpos IgG por ELISA e inmunofluorescencia indirecta (IFI) fueron evaluados con leishmanina, antígeno soluble que contenia Leishmania (Viannia) peruviana a la concentración de 25-30 ug/mL. Solo cinco personas presentaron reacción de hipersensibilidad cutánea a la aplicación del antígeno a las 48-72 h. La leishmanina evaluada fue negativa en 97 personas infectadas con T. cruzi, con lo cual se alcanzó una especificidad del 95,1%. En conclusión, la prueba intradérmica de Montenegro es una herramienta diagnóstica simple y eficaz, que además podría ser utilizada para discriminar infecciones por Leishmania o T. cruzi, en áreas geográficas del Perú donde ambos parásitos están presentes In order to assess the specificity of the leishmanin skin test in Chagas disease patients without clinical history of leishmaniasis, present or former. A sample of 102 persons infected with Trypanosoma cruzi (14 acute cases with parasitological diagnosis and 88 chronic cases) through the demonstration of IgG antibodies by ELISA and indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) were evaluated with leishmanin soluble antigen which contained Leishmania (Viannia) peruviana concentration of 25-30 ug/mL. Only five people showed cutaneous hypersensitivity reaction to the application of the antigen between hours 48 and 72. The Leishmanin skin test evaluated was negative in 97 people infected with T. cruzi, thus specificity of 95.1% was achieved. In conclusion, the intradermal Montenegro test is a simple and effective diagnostic tool that also could be used to discriminate infections by Leishmania or T. cruzi, in Peruvian geographic areas where both parasites are present

High relapse rates and low tolerability to ampicillin characterize present therapy for carriers of Salmonella typhi. Norfloxacin, a carboxyquinolone with a 90% minimum inhibitory concentration for S. typhi of less than or equal to 0.5 micrograms/mL, is a promising alternative. Carriers of S. typhi were treated in a double-blind trial with either norfloxacin (400 mg) or matching placebo given every 12 h for 28 d. Twelve assessable individuals were treated in each group. After therapy, 11 of 12 individuals treated with norfloxacin had negative stool and bile cultures for S. typhi. All placebo-treated carriers still had positive cultures immediately after therapy. Subsequently, 11 individuals were treated openly with norfloxacin. S. typhi was eradicated in seven of 11. Overall, the eradication rate for 23 individuals treated with norfloxacin was 78%. Eighteen individuals were followed up for one year, and their stool and/or bile cultures remained negative. From our results, norfloxacin is an effective and well-tolerated antimicrobial agent for eradicating the chronic typhoid carrier state.