Ex vivo Pulsatile Perfusion of Human Saphenous Veins Induces Intimal Hyperplasia and Increased Levels of the Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1.

Vessel wall trauma induces vascular remodeling processes including the development of intimal hyperplasia (IH). To assess the development of IH in human veins, we have used an ex vivo vein support system (EVVSS) allowing the perfusion of freshly isolated segments of saphenous veins in the presence of a pulsatile flow which reproduced arterial conditions regarding shear stress, flow rate and pressure during a period of 7 and 14 days. Compared to the corresponding freshly harvested human veins, histomorphometric analysis showed a significant increase in the intimal thickness which was already maximal after 7 days of perfusion. Expression of the endothelial marker CD31 demonstrated the presence of endothelium up to 14 days of perfusion. In our EVVSS model, the activity as well as the mRNA and protein expression levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1, the inhibitor of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA), were increased after 7 days of perfusion, whereas the expression levels of tPA and uPA were not altered. No major change was observed between 7 and 14 days of perfusion. These data show that our newly developed EVVSS is a valuable setting to study ex vivo remodeling of human veins submitted to a pulsatile flow.

The role of NFI-C liver regeneration and its potential function as a general regulator of regenerative processes

Collectively, research aimed to understand the regeneration of certain tissues has unveiled the existence of common key regulators. Knockout studies of the murine Nuclear Factor I-C (NFI-C) transcription factor revealed a misregulation of growth factor signaling, in particular that of transforming growth factor ß-1 (TGF-ßl), which led to alterations of skin wound healing and the growth of its appendages, suggesting it may be a general regulator of regenerative processes. We sought to investigate this further by determining whether NFI-C played a role in liver regeneration. Liver regeneration following two-thirds removal of the liver by partial hepatectomy (PH) is a well-established regenerative model whereby changes elicited in hepatocytes following injury lead to a rapid, phased proliferation. However, mechanisms controlling the action of liver proliferative factors such as transforming growth factor-ßl (TGF-ß1) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) remain largely unknown. We show that the absence of NFI-C impaired hepatocyte proliferation due to an overexpression of PAI-1 and the subsequent suppression of urokinase plasminogen (uPA) activity and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) signaling, a potent hepatocyte mitogen. This indicated that NFI-C first acts to promote hepatocyte proliferation at the onset of liver regeneration in wildtype mice. The subsequent transient down regulation of NFI-C, as can be explained by a self- regulatory feedback loop with TGF-ßl, may limit the number of hepatocytes entering the first wave of cell division and/or prevent late initiations of mitosis. Overall, we conclude that NFI-C acts as a regulator of the phased hepatocyte proliferation during liver regeneration. Taken together with NFI-C's actions in other in vivo models of (re)generation, it is plausible that NFI-C may be a general regulator of regenerative processes. - L'ensemble des recherches visant à comprendre la régénération de certains tissus a permis de mettre en évidence l'existence de régulateurs-clés communs. L'étude des souris, dépourvues du gène codant pour le facteur de transcription NFI-C (Nuclear Factor I-C), a montré des dérèglements dans la signalisation de certains facteurs croissance, en particulier du TGF-ßl (transforming growth factor-ßl), ce qui conduit à des altérations de la cicatrisation de la peau et de la croissance des poils et des dents chez ces souris, suggérant que NFI-C pourrait être un régulateur général du processus de régénération. Nous avons cherché à approfondir cette question en déterminant si NFI-C joue un rôle dans la régénération du foie. La régénération du foie, induite par une hépatectomie partielle correspondant à l'ablation des deux-tiers du foie, constitue un modèle de régénération bien établi dans lequel la lésion induite conduit à la prolifération rapide des hépatocytes de façon synchronisée. Cependant, les mécanismes contrôlant l'action de facteurs de prolifération du foie, comme le facteur de croissance TGF-ßl et l'inhibiteur de l'activateur du plasminogène PAI-1 (plasminogen activator inhibitor-1), restent encore très méconnus. Nous avons pu montrer que l'absence de NFI-C affecte la prolifération des hépatocytes, occasionnée par la surexpression de PAI-1 et par la subséquente suppression de l'activité de la protéine uPA (urokinase plasminogen) et de la signalisation du facteur de croissance des hépatocytes HGF (hepatocyte growth factor), un mitogène puissant des hépatocytes. Cela indique que NFI-C agit en premier lieu pour promouvoir la prolifération des hépatocytes au début de la régénération du foie chez les souris de type sauvage. La subséquente baisse transitoire de NFI-C, pouvant s'expliquer par une boucle rétroactive d'autorégulation avec le facteur TGF-ßl, pourrait limiter le nombre d'hépatocytes qui entrent dans la première vague de division cellulaire et/ou inhiber l'initiation de la mitose tardive. L'ensemble de ces résultats nous a permis de conclure que NFI-C agit comme un régulateur de la prolifération des hépatocytes synchrones au cours de la régénération du foie.

La lutte contre le dopage est-elle éthique?

L'association entre éthique et lutte contre le dopage semble être une évidence. Pourtant, si l'on aborde cette question du point de vue du sportif considéré en tant que travailleur ordinaire, les liens s'avèrent plus complexes. En effet, plusieurs auteurs ont montré que la lutte contre le dopage présente des faiblesses tant en ce qui concerne la protection de la santé que la justice de la sanction contre ces travailleurs du sport. Si la lutte contre le dopage présente indéniablement des limites éthiques, y renoncer entraînerait d'autres problèmes. Finalement l'article propose de montrer que le choix le plus acceptable en matière de lutte contre le dopage est que le processus de fixation des normes se fasse de façon collective, avec une très grande transparence et une publicisation des débats.

Paperikoneen devestoinnin vaikutukset tehtaan infrastruktuuriin

ässä työssä on analysoitu UPM-Kymmene Oyj Voikkaan tehtaalla tapahtuneiden paperikoneiden 16 ja 17 ja SGW- hiomon pysäyttämisten vaikutuksia tehtaan sisäiseen infrastruktuuriin sekä tehdas- ja osastolayoutien uudelleen järjestelytarpeisiin. Diplomityön tavoitteena oli laatia koko tehdasalueen käsittävä, osastojen, laitosten ja laitteistojen lyhyen ja pitkän tähtäimen sijoitussuunnitelma. Suunnitelmassa on huomioitu vanhan tehtaan puolelle jäävien toimintojen siirto lähemmäs käyntiin jääneitä paperikoneita 11 ja 18 sekä PGW-hiomoa. Suunnitelmassa on myös otettu huomioon tiedossa olevat pitemmän tähtäimen kehityssuunnitelmat. Suunnitelman laatimisella tavoitellaan niin ikään pitkän tähtäimen suunnitelmallisuuden lisäämistä koko tehdasympäristössä. Työn teoriaosassa tarkastellaan tehdassuunnittelua yleensä, esitellään tehdasprojektin eri vaiheet sekä tehdassuunnitteluprojektin oleellisimmat päätöksentekovaiheet. Tarkemman tarkastelun kohteena on, minkä tasoista tilasuunnittelua tehdasprojektin eri vaiheissa tehdään. Kokeellisessa osassa tarkastellaan tutkimuskohteiden vaihtoehtoisia sijoituspaikkoja, vaihtoehtojen toteutuskelpoisuutta ja niiden tarkoituksenmukaisuutta. Loppuyhteenvedossa tehdään johtopäätöksiä tehtaan koko layoutin tarkoituksenmukaisuudesta ja verrataan sitä ns. mallitehtaan periaatteelliseen layoutiin sekä tehdään yhteenvetoa siitä, mitkä ovat tehtaan toiminnan kannalta tärkeimmät muutoskohteet.

Nuclear Factor I-C acts as a regulator of hepatocyte proliferation at the onset of liver regeneration.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Knockout studies of the murine Nuclear Factor I-C (NFI-C) transcription factor revealed abnormal skin wound healing and growth of its appendages, suggesting a role in controlling cell proliferation in adult regenerative processes. Liver regeneration following partial hepatectomy (PH) is a well-established regenerative model whereby changes elicited in hepatocytes lead to their rapid and phased proliferation. Although NFI-C is highly expressed in the liver, no hepatic function was yet established for this transcription factor. This study aimed to determine whether NFI-C may play a role in hepatocyte proliferation and liver regeneration. METHODS: Liver regeneration and cell proliferation pathways following two-thirds PH were investigated in NFI-C knockout (ko) and wild-type (wt) mice. RESULTS: We show that the absence of NFI-C impaired hepatocyte proliferation because of plasminogen activator I (PAI-1) overexpression and the subsequent suppression of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) activity and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) signalling, a potent hepatocyte mitogen. This indicated that NFI-C first acts to promote hepatocyte proliferation at the onset of liver regeneration in wt mice. The subsequent transient down regulation of NFI-C, as can be explained by a self-regulatory feedback loop with transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-ß1), may limit the number of hepatocytes entering the first wave of cell division and/or prevent late initiations of mitosis. CONCLUSION: NFI-C acts as a regulator of the phased hepatocyte proliferation during liver regeneration.

SALO, a novel classical pathway complement inhibitor from saliva of the sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis.

Blood-feeding insects inject potent salivary components including complement inhibitors into their host's skin to acquire a blood meal. Sand fly saliva was shown to inhibit the classical pathway of complement; however, the molecular identity of the inhibitor remains unknown. Here, we identified SALO as the classical pathway complement inhibitor. SALO, an 11 kDa protein, has no homology to proteins of any other organism apart from New World sand flies. rSALO anti-complement activity has the same chromatographic properties as the Lu. longipalpis salivary gland homogenate (SGH)counterparts and anti-rSALO antibodies blocked the classical pathway complement activity of rSALO and SGH. Both rSALO and SGH inhibited C4b deposition and cleavage of C4. rSALO, however, did not inhibit the protease activity of C1s nor the enzymatic activity of factor Xa, uPA, thrombin, kallikrein, trypsin and plasmin. Importantly, rSALO did not inhibit the alternative or the lectin pathway of complement. In conclusion our data shows that SALO is a specific classical pathway complement inhibitor present in the saliva of Lu. longipalpis. Importantly, due to its small size and specificity, SALO may offer a therapeutic alternative for complement classical pathway-mediated pathogenic effects in human diseases.

Consumo de álcool e atenção primária no interior da Amazônia: sobre a formação de médicos e enfermeiros para assistência integral

O uso problemático de álcool (UPA) é um dos principais problemas de saúde pública na lista de prioridades da Estratégia de Saúde da Família (ESF). Este artigo objetiva investigar a visão de enfermeiros e médicos de Saúde da Família sobre o UPA, focando a compreensão que trazem sobre esta temática e o modo como é trabalhada no dia a dia dos serviços da região amazônica. Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo, com 14 trabalhadores da ESF, médicos e enfermeiros recém-formados de um município do interior do Amazonas. Foram utilizados dois grupos focais. Os dados foram analisados por meio de análise temática, a partir dos princípios do SUS e da formação de recursos humanos em saúde. Os profissionais identificaram os fatores de risco para o UPA, mostraram conhecer as consequências para o indivíduo e para a sociedade, e descreveram os critérios utilizados pelos sistemas de classificação de doenças, mas não sabiam como atuar sobre esta questão, indicando problemas na formação universitária.

Avaliação do estágio de urgências clínicas em uma unidade de pronto atendimento sob a perspectiva dos alunos

INTRODUÇÃO: O curso de Medicina da Faculdade de Ciências Médicas e da Saúde (FCMS) da PUC-SP de Sorocaba passou por mudanças em seu modelo curricular, motivadas por vários fatores, entre eles a instituição das Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais para o curso de Medicina (DCN), que resultou numa ampliação dos cenários da prática. Desde 2011, o estágio de urgências clínicas, do sexto ano, passou a ser realizado também em uma Unidade de Pronto Atendimento (UPA). OBJETIVOS: Avaliar o estágio na UPA sob a perspectiva discente. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: O instrumento de avaliação foi composto por um questionário semiestruturado, aplicado aos alunos do ano de 2012. RESULTADOS: Os alunos consideraram positivo o fato de ser um cenário prático, com grande volume de pacientes e com acompanhamento do professor. Chamou a atenção o grande número de pacientes que solicitam atestados para justificar falta ao trabalho, além dos quadros de lombalgia, dor torácica e dor abdominal e as doenças respiratórias. Entre os pontos negativos, destacaram a curta duração do estágio e o pequeno número de salas para atendimento. CONCLUSÃO: A inserção do aluno no nível secundário da atenção às urgências, em uma Unidade de Pronto Atendimento, mostrou-se como mais uma possibilidade para o ensino de urgência na graduação médica e de aspecto fundamental, dada a organização do sistema de saúde.

Estratificação volumétrica por classes de estoque em uma Floresta Ombrófila Densa, no Município de Almeirim, Estado do Pará, Brasil

Este estudo teve como objetivos agrupar as Unidades de Trabalho (UT) da Unidade de Produção Anual (UPA) em classes homogêneas de estoque volumétrico e analisar a composição florística, a diversidade e as estruturas horizontal e diamétrica, por classe de estoque. Os dados procederam do inventário de prospecção, ou censo, com mapeamento de árvores pré-comerciais e potencialmente comerciais e foram disponibilizados, mediante convênio, pela Orsa Florestal. A área de estudo localiza-se no Município de Almeirim, Estado do Pará. No Censo foram consideradas 469 UTs (250 x 400 m), perfazendo 4.690 ha e 191.640 árvores com DAP > 35,0 cm. Foram utilizadas análises de agrupamento (método de Ward) e discriminante (método de Fisher) e obtidas três classes de estoque, ou classes de produtividade. A riqueza e diversidade de espécies arbóreas com DAP > 35 cm da UPA, respectivamente, 540 espécies e 4,52 nats.indivíduo-1, foram muito elevadas, porém realísticas, por se tratar de um censo. A intensidade de corte pode ser ordenada pela capacidade produtiva de cada UT e, dessa forma, resultar em colheitas de mínimo impacto ambiental, se comparada com a máxima intensidade de corte de 30 m³·ha-1 com ciclo de corte inicial de 35 anos para plano de manejo florestal sustentável pleno. As parcelas permanentes também puderam ser distribuídas por classes de produtividade, reduzindo custos e aumentando a precisão das estimativas de crescimento da floresta manejada.

Comparative study between patients with acute appendicitis treated in primary care units and in emergency hospitals

Objective: To retrospectively analyze the relationship of time of care, combined with possible post-appendectomy complications, with the promptness of transfer of patients seen in Emergency Care Units (UPA) to the emergency hospital.Methods: We analyzed patients with preoperative diagnosis of acute appendicitis undergoing appendectomy from January to July 2012. Patients were divided into two groups according to the site of the first care. Group A included patients who received initial care directly in the emergency department of the Lourenço Jorge County Hospital (HMLJ) and group B consisted of patients seen in the UPA and forwarded to HMLJ to undergo surgical treatment.Results: the average time between initial treatment and surgery in group A was 29 hours (SD = 21.95) and 54 hours in group B (SD = 54.5). Considering the onset of symptoms, the patients in group A were operated on average 67 hours after (SD = 42.55), while group B, 90 hours (SD = 59.58). After the operation, patients in group A were hospitalized, on average, for 94 hours (SD = 73.53) and group B, 129 hours (SD = 193.42).Conclusion: there was no significant difference in the time elapsed between the onset of symptoms, initial treatment and early surgical treatment, or time elapsed between surgery and discharge.

Correlation of soil properties with weed ocurrence in sugarcane areas

Soil properties can influence weed community composition and weed density agricultural area. Knowing this relationship would allow to choose the best strategy for the control of such plants. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between weed density and chemical and physical attributes of soil in three areas (UCO, USC, and UPA) for commercial sugarcane cultivation in Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ. Grids of 40 m x 40 m were established in the areas, and soil samples were collected at the intersection points for physical and chemical analysis and evaluation of the soil seed bank (SSB), followed by a phyto-sociological survey of the weeds present. Samples were collected during two periods: February/March and June/July, 2010. SSB presented the greatest number of species per vegetation evaluated in the two sampling periods. Clay content had a positive effect leading to greater weed density in all areas (UCO, USC and UPA) in at least one of the densities (0-10 and 10-20 cm). On the other hand, sand content, when significant, presented a negative correlation with plant density in all the SSB areas analyzed. The pH negatively influenced the density of the species found through the phyto-sociological survey at USC and UPA. Cyperus rotundus, dominant in all areas, correlated positively with phosphorus, potassium, and clay content and negatively with pH and high sand content.

Avaliação do conhecimento sobre terapia renal substitutiva dos profissionais de saúde nas regiões de Juiz de Fora, São João Nepomuceno e Santos Dumont

ResumoEm consonância com o Editorial "Como explicar a baixa penetração da diálise peritoneal no Brasil" publicado em 2014 no Jornal Brasileiro de Nefrologia, escrito pelo Professor Hugo Abensur,1 mostramos os resultados de um estudo denominado "Avaliação do conhecimento sobre terapia renal substitutiva dos profissionais de saúde nas microrregiões de Juiz de Fora, São João Nepomuceno e Santos Dumont" (Aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética da UFJF CAAE: 23659213.8.0000.5147 e financiado pela FAPEMIG sob número APQ 03626-12).Objetivo:Avaliar o conhecimento sobre TRS dos profissionais de saúde das microrregiões de Juiz de Fora, São João Nepomuceno e Santos Dumont.Métodos:Estudo transversal no período de abril de 2014 a abril de 2015. A população estudada foi de profissionais de saúde (médicos, enfermeiros e técnicos de enfermagem) que trabalhavam nas unidades de pronto atendimento (UPA) e atenção primária à saúde (UAPS). Os profissionais de saúde foram entrevistados com o uso de um questionário semiestruturado, baseado em um caso clínico de uma paciente com diagnóstico de Diabetes Mellitus, Hipertensão Arterial e Doença Renal Crônica que evoluiu com piora da função renal, de uma creatinina de 1,8 mg/dL para 12 mg/dL e com diferentes perguntas conforme trabalhasse na UAPS ou UPA e categoria profissional e nele continha uma questão qualitativa.Resultados:Foram entrevistados 75 profissionais de 8 municípios, sendo 26,7% médicos, 32% enfermeiros e 41,3% técnicos de enfermagem. A idade média foi de 38 anos. Destes, 70,7% trabalhavam em UAPS e 29,3% em UPA. Tanto na UPA quanto na UAPS a frequência referida de atendimento de casos semelhantes ficou entre uma vez por mês e uma vez a cada três meses. A maioria encaminharia o paciente para unidade hospitalar e indicaria TRS. A TRS mais indicada pelos médicos é a HD (> 90% dos casos) e menos de 10% indicariam DP como primeira escolha. A associação de "creatinina" e função renal" é adequada em mais de 90% das respostas, a despeito de não haver associação da mesma com nível de filtração glomerular, quando esta pergunta é feita. Mais de 90% dos profissionais não médicos desejam realizar treinamento/capacitação em nefrologia/TRS.Conclusão:Observamos que a maioria dos profissionais não indicam diálise peritoneal, principalmente profissionais médicos, tanto das UAPS quanto das UPAs; 90% destes indicaram HD. Sobre enfermeiros e técnicos de enfermagem das UAPS, 52,1% indicaram HD e 9,4% DP. Aqueles da UPA 41,6% indicaram HD e 26,6% DP. Concluímos que uma minoria dos profissionais de saúde indicaria DP como primeira escolha e, na questão qualitativa referem frequente déficit de "conhecimento na área", estão interessados em realizar treinamento/capacitação.

Ancrage de l'idéologie de l'Union des producteurs agricoles et de l'utopie de l'Union paysanne dans des significations imaginaires sociales.

Le but de cette thèse est de découvrir l'idéologie de l'Union des producteurs agricoles et l'utopie de l'Union paysanne et de les interpréter à la lumière de "significations imaginaires sociales" déterminantes de notre période historique. Dans la première partie de notre thèse, nous présentons l'évolution de l'imaginaire social du syndicalisme agricole québécois de 1924 à 2005. Nous distinguons quatre périodes et notre étude s'attarde à la dernière, c'est-à-dire celle qui débute en 2001 avec la naissance de l'Union paysanne. Afin d'étudier cette période nous présentons d'abord l'imaginaire social de la société, c'est-à-dire une configuration de significations imaginaires sociales (SIS) - des "idées-valeurs" générales et "englobantes" - qui fait qu'une société est ce qu'elle est et qu'elle ne pourrait être autrement compte tenu de son noyau de SIS. Ensuite, nous constatons que les travaux d'auteurs importants nous permettent de parler de niveaux et types d'imaginaires sociaux et d'établir des relations entre ces niveaux et formes d'imaginaires sociaux. C'est par l'entremise de la problématique générale agriculture-ruralité que nous démontrons, dans la deuxième partie de cette thèse, que des imaginaires sociaux "intermédiaires" - l'idéologie de l'UPA et l'utopie de la "minorité active", l'UP - permettent, en les ancrant dans quelqu'un et dans quelque chose, d'une part de découvrir les SIS de l'imaginaire social de la société et, d'autre part, de comprendre et d'interpréter ces deux imaginaires sociaux à la lumière des SIS. La problématique agriculture-ruralité est "opérationnalisée" à l'aide des trois dimensions suivantes: rapport à soi, rapport à l'autre et rapport à la nature. Le rapport à soi dévoile que la sphère du travail de l'agriculteur-éleveur dans l'idéologie de l'UPA correspond à la "sphère de la nécessité" qui implique notamment l'hétéronomie des agriculteurs, alors que l'utopie de l'UP la souhaite à la fois comme "sphère de la nécessité" et comme sphère de l'autonomie. Le rapport à l'autre permet de découvrir une utopie préconisant l'égalité des chances entre différents types d'agriculteurs et d'agricultures et entre la relève et les agriculteurs établis ainsi que l'égalité politique en territoire rural agricole. Dans l'idéologie de l'UPA, l'inégalité des chances et l'inégalité politique sont discutables mais inéluctables. Enfin, abstraction faite des nuances, la relation agriculture et nature est à l'utopie de l'UP ce que la relation agriculture ou nature est à l'idéologie de l'UPA. La construction partielle de l'idéologie et de l'utopie, nous permet, dans la troisième et dernière partie de cette thèse, d'y découvrir les SIS et de démontrer que l'utopie trouve son sens et sa cohérence en l'interprétant par l'entremise du naturalisme-écologie, de l'"autonomie" et de l'"autolimitation" comme SIS dominantes et de l'"expansion illimitée de la maîtrise rationnelle" (technique) et du capitalisme (économique) comme SIS "secondaires". Nous découvrons l'inverse dans l'idéologie de l'UPA. Les SIS dominantes et les SIS "secondaires" de l'utopie de l'UP sont respectivement les SIS secondaires et les SIS dominantes sous-jacentes à l'idéologie de l'UPA, ce qui correspond à la configuration des SIS dominantes de l'imaginaire social des sociétés constitutives de l'Occident contemporain.

Horizontal nutrient fluxes and production efficiencies in urban and peri-urban crop and livestock husbandry of Niamey, Niger

Urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) increasingly supplies food and non-food values to the rapidly growing West African cities. However, little is known about the resource use efficiencies in West African small-scale UPA crop and livestock production systems, and about the benefits that urban producers and retailers obtain from the cultivation and sale of UPA products. To contribute to filling this gap of knowledge, the studies comprising this doctoral thesis determined nutrient use efficiencies in representative urban crop and livestock production system in Niamey, Niger, and investigated potential health risks for consumers. Also assessed was the economic efficiency of urban farming activities. The field study, which was conducted during November 2005 to January 2008, quantified management-related horizontal nutrient flows in 10 vegetable gardens, 9 millet fields and 13 cattle and small ruminant production units. These farms, selected on the basis of a preceding study, represented the diversity of UPA crop and livestock production systems in Niamey. Based on the management intensity, the market orientation and especially the nutrient input to individual gardens and fields, these were categorized as high or low input systems. In the livestock study, high and low input cattle and small ruminant units were differentiated based on the amounts of total feed dry matter offered daily to the animals at the homestead. Additionally, economic returns to gardeners and market retailers cultivating and selling amaranth, lettuce, cabbage and tomato - four highly appreciated vegetables in Niamey were determined during a 6-months survey in forty gardens and five markets. For vegetable gardens and millet fields, significant differences in partial horizontal nutrient balances were determined for both management intensities. Per hectare, average annual partial balances for carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) amounted to 9936 kg C, 1133 kg N, 223 kg P and 312 kg K in high input vegetable gardens as opposed to 9580 kg C, 290 kg N, 125 kg P and 351 kg K in low input gardens. These surpluses were mainly explained by heavy use of mineral fertilizers and animal manure to which irrigation with nutrient rich wastewater added. In high input millet fields, annual surpluses of 259 kg C ha-1, 126 kg N ha-1, 20 kg P ha-1 and 0.4 kg K ha-1 were determined. Surpluses of 12 kg C ha-1, 17 kg N ha-1, and deficits of -3 kg P ha-1 and -3 kg K ha-1 were determined for low input millet fields. Here, carbon and nutrient inputs predominantly originated from livestock manure application through corralling of sheep, goats and cattle. In the livestock enterprises, N, P and K supplied by forages offered at the farm exceeded the animals’ requirements for maintenance and growth in high and low input sheep/goat as well as cattle units. The highest average growth rate determined in high input sheep/goat units was 104 g d-1 during the cool dry season, while a maximum average gain of 70 g d-1 was determined for low input sheep/goat units during the hot dry season. In low as well as in high input cattle units, animals lost weight during the hot dry season, and gained weight during the cool dry season. In all livestock units, conversion efficiencies for feeds offered at the homestead were rather poor, ranging from 13 to 42 kg dry matter (DM) per kg live weight gain (LWG) in cattle and from 16 to 43 kg DM kg-1 LWG in sheep/goats, pointing to a substantial waste of feeds and nutrients. The economic assessment of the production of four high value vegetables pointed to a low efficiency of N and P use in amaranth and lettuce production, causing low economic returns for these crops compared to tomato and cabbage to which inexpensive animal manure was applied. The net profit of market retailers depended on the type of vegetable marketed. In addition it depended on marketplace for amaranth and lettuce, and on season and marketplace for cabbage and tomato. Analysis of faecal pathogens in lettuce irrigated with river water and fertilized with animal manure indicated a substantial contamination by Salmonella spp. with 7.2 x 104 colony forming units (CFU) per 25 g of produce fresh matter, while counts of Escherichia coli averaged 3.9 x 104 CFU g-1. In lettuce irrigated with wastewater, Salmonella counts averaged 9.8 x 104 CFU 25 g-1 and E. coli counts were 0.6 x 104 CFU g-1; these values exceeded the tolerable contamination levels in vegetables of 10 CFU g-1 for E. coli and of 0 CFU 25 g-1 for Salmonella. Taken together, the results of this study indicate that Niamey’s UPA enterprises put environmental safety at risk since excess inputs of N, P and K to crop and livestock production units favour N volatilisation and groundwater pollution by nutrient leaching. However, more detailed studies are needed to corroborate these indications. Farmers’ revenues could be significantly increased if nutrient use efficiency in the different production (sub)systems was improved by better matching nutrient supply through fertilizers and feeds with the actual nutrient demands of plants and animals.

Nutrient cycling and nutrient use efficiency in urban and peri-urban agriculture of Kabul, Afghanistan

Like elsewhere also in Kabul, Afghanistan urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) has often been accused of being resource inefficient and unsustainable causing negatives externalities to community health and to the surroundings. These arise from the inappropriate management and use of agricultural inputs, including often pesticides and inter-city wastes containing heavy metal residues and pathogens. To address these concerns, parallel studies with the aims of quantification of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) horizontal and vertical fluxes; the assessment of heavy metal and pathogen contaminations of UPA produce, and an economic analysis of cereal, vegetable and grape production systems conducted for two years in UPA of Kabul from April 2008 to October 2009. The results of the studies from these three UPA diverse production systems can be abridged as follows: Biennial net balances in vegetable production systems were positive for N (80 kg ha-1 ), P (75 kg ha-1) and C (3,927 kg ha-1), negative for K (-205 kg ha-1), whereas in cereal production systems biennial horizontal balances were positive for P (20 kg ha-1 ) and C (4,900 kg ha-1) negative for N (-155 kg ha-1) and K (-355 kg ha-1) and in vineyards corresponding values were highly positive for N (295 kg ha-1), P (235 kg ha-1), C (3,362 kg ha-1) and slightly positive for K (5 kg ha-1). Regardless of N and C gaseous emissions, yearly leaching losses of N and P in selected vegetable gardens varied from 70 - 205 kg N ha-1 and 5 - 10 kg P ha-1. Manure and irrigation water contributed on average 12 - 79% to total Inputs of N, P, K and C, 10 - 53% to total inputs of C in the gardens and fields. The elevated levels of heavy metal and pathogen loads on fresh UPA vegetables reflected contamination from increasing traffic in the city, deposits of the past decades of war, lacking collection and treatment of raw inter-city wastes which call for solutions to protect consumer and producer health and increase reliability of UPA productions. A cost-revenue analysis of all inputs and outputs of cereal, vegetable and grapes production systems over two years showed substantial differences in net UPA household income. To confirm these results, more detailed studies are needed, but tailoring and managing the optimal application of inputs to crop needs will significantly enhance farmer’s better revenues as will as environmental and produce quality.