Trabajo comunitario y conformación de liderazgos de mujeres indígenas en Valle de San Quintín, Baja California

Este trabajo presenta resultados de investigación sobre procesos de construcción de liderazgos comunitarios con dos estudios de caso de organizaciones de mujeres indígenas. El propósito fue conocer estrategias comunitarias que desarrollan las actoras sociales locales al interior de sus organizaciones, su vinculación con la comunidad y con otros actores para la formación y consolidación de liderazgos comunitarios. Se utilizó una metodología cualitativa, con entrevistas grupales y observaciones directas. Se resalta la importancia del trabajo comunitario enfocado a potenciar esfuerzos, capacidades y habilidades de las asociaciones civiles bajo estudio para mejorar la calidad de vida de ellas y de la comunidad

Mapa para análise qualitativa de risco por BTEX p ou proximidade com postos de gasolina na cidade de Ensenada, Baja California, México

Due to their carcinogenic properties, exposure to volatile organic compounds such as benzene, toluene and xylene (BTEX) has been associated with an increased risk of developing cancer in people living or working near gas stations. This study puts forward a methodological approach to study the problems posed by VOCs on individuals exposed to hydrocarbons. The data obtained indicate that there is a greater presence of VOCs in the areas close to point sources of emission and, therefore, a greater exposure to toxic factors. This paper presents a simple procedure to establish which areas are vulnerable to technological risks within the urban area owing to the presence of BTEX by using GIS technology, which enables spatial analysis of benzene emissions to the atmosphere. These results will serve the agencies involved in decision-making. There is no clear legislation in Mexico to protect people living in the vicinity of gas stations. Therefore, programs should be developed to reduce their impact on the population at the environmental, health and social levels.La exposición a compuestos orgánicos volátiles (COV) presentes en la gasolina, como el benceno, tolueno, etilbenceno y xileno (BTEX), por su capacidad cancerígena se ha asociado con el aumento del riesgo a desarrollar cáncer en las personas que viven o trabajan en las proximidades de las estaciones de servicio. En este trabajo se propone una aproximación metodológica para estudiar la problemática que representan los COV en los individuos expuestos a los hidrocarburos. Los datos obtenidos indican que existe mayor presencia de COV en las zonas ubicadas en la cercanía de las fuentes puntuales de emisión y por ende con mayor exposición a factores tóxicos. Con este trabajo se plantea un procedimiento sencillo para establecer las zonas vulnerables a riesgos tecnológicos dentro del área urbana por presencia de BTEX, utilizando para ello la tecnología SIG que permite realizar un análisis espacial de las emisiones de benceno a la atmósfera. Estos resultados quedarán al servicio de los organismos involucrados en la toma de decisiones. En México no existe una legislación clara que proteja a los habitantes de las cercanías de las estaciones de servicio, por lo tanto se deben desarrollar programas para disminuir el impacto en la población a nivel ambiental, sanitario y social.A exposição a compostos orgânicos voláteis (COV) presentes na gasolina, como o benzeno, tolueno, etilbenzeno e xileno (BTEX), pela sua ação cancerígena foi associada ao aumento do risco de desenvolver cancro, nas pessoas que vivem ou trabalham nas proximidades das estações de serviço. Neste trabalho propõe-se uma abordagem metodológica para estudar a problemática que os COV representam para os indivíduos expostos a hidrocarbonetos. Os dados obtidos indicam que há uma maior presença de COV em áreas localizadas na proximidade de fontes pontuais de emissão e, portanto, mais expostas a fatores tóxicos. Com este trabalho, é proposto um procedimento simples para a definição de zonas vulneráveis a riscos tecnológicos, dentro da área urbana pela presença de BTEX, utilizando a tecnologia SIG que permite uma análise espacial das emissões de benzeno na atmosfera. Estes resultados ficarão à disposição dos organismos envolvidos na tomada de decisões. No México, não existe uma legislação clara que proteja quem vive nas proximidades dos postos de gasolina, motivo pelo qual se devem desenvolver programas que visem diminuir o impacto na população a nível ambiental, sanitário e social

Genomic Instability and Cyto-Genotoxic Damage in Animal Species

Genomic instability is a condition that may be associated with carcinogenesis and/or physiological disorders when genetic lesions are not repaired. Besides, wild, captive, and domesticated vertebrates are exposed to xenobiotics, leading to health disorders due to cytogenotoxicity. This chapter provides an overview of tests to assess cytogenotoxicity based on micronuclei (MNi) formation. Bone marrow micronuclei test (BmMNt), peripheral blood erythrocyte micronuclei test (PBMNt), and lymphocyte cytokinesis blocking micronuclei assay (CBMN) are discussed. The most illustrative studies of these techniques applied in different vertebrates of veterinary interest are described. The values of spontaneous basal micronuclei in captive, experimental, and farm animals (rodents, hamsters, pigs, goats, cattle, horses, fish) are summarized. In addition, a flow cytometry technique is presented to reduce the time taken to record MNi and other cellular abnormalities. Flow cytometry is helpful to analyze some indicators of genomic instability, such as cell death processes and stages (necrosis, apoptosis) and to efficiently evaluate some biomarkers of genotoxicity like MNi in BmMNt, PBMNt, and CBMN. The intention is to provide veterinary professionals with techniques to assess and interpret cytogenotoxicity biomarkers to anticipate therapeutic management in animals at risk of carcinogenesis or other degenerative diseases

Danos genéticos e exposição a pesticidas em trabalhadores agrícolas do Vale San Quintin, Baixa California, México

Various studies have shown the ability of pesticides to induce genetic damage (GD) that can cause health effects. In the present work, a genotoxicological study was conducted monitoring residents from the agricultural region of the San Quintin Valley (SQV), Baja California, Mexico. The objective was to determine if occupational and environmental exposure to pesticides in the region of the SQV is a factor in GD, and to find out if women are more vulnerable to this effect. A questionnaire was administered to 88 residents of the SQV to establish inclusion and exclusion criteria for the study; of these, 40 agreed to participate (25 occupationally exposed to pesticides and 15 environmentally exposed to them), with similar numbers of men and women. All participants signed an informed consent form. The micronuclei technique (MN) was used, which blocks cytokinesis in peripheral blood samples, to evaluate GD by counting the number of MN and Chromatin Bridges in 1000 bi-nucleated cells (BNC). The results of this measure of genetic damage were then correlated with the degree of occupational pesticide exposure of the participants. Environmentally exposed men had less GD than women with MN means of 8.1± (1.83) and 13.1(±1.7) respectively, whereas occupational exposure affected both sexes, men with a mean of MN equal to 15.9 (± 2.9), and women with 18.12 (± 1.7). Based on our results, it can be concluded that occupational exposure to pesticides is a factor in GD, with women showing greater vulnerability than men. The time of exposure at work was shown to be directly related to the increased number of MN.Diferentes estudios muestran la capacidad de los plaguicidas para inducir daño genético (DG) con diversos efectos en la salud. En el presente trabajo se estudia la genotoxicidad en residentes del valle agrícola de San Quintín, Baja California, México (VSQ). El objetivo fue determinar si la exposición laboral y ambiental a plaguicidas en la región del VSQ es un factor de DG y explorar si las mujeres son más vulnerables a dicho efecto. Se aplicó un cuestionario a 88 residentes del VSQ para determinar los factores de inclusión y exclusión del estudio, 40 aceptaron participar, 25 expuestos ocupacionalmente a plaguicidas y 15 ambientalmente expuestos, con similar número de hombres y mujeres. Todos los participantes firmaron un consentimiento informado. Se utilizó la técnica de micronúcleos (MN) por bloqueo de la citocinesis en sangre periférica para evaluar el DG con la frecuencia de MN y Puentes de Cromatina en 1000 células binucleadas (CBN); se exploró la correlación del DG con el tiempo de exposición ocupacional a plaguicidas. Los hombres ambientalmente expuestos tuvieron menos DG que las mujeres con medias de MN de 8,1 (±1,83) y 13,1 (±1,7) respectivamente; en cambio, la exposición laboral afectó a los dos sexos: los hombres tuvieron una media de MN igual a 15,9 (±2,9) y en las mujeres fue 18,1 (±1,7). Se concluye que la exposición laboral a plaguicidas es un factor de DG, las mujeres mostraron mayor vulnerabilidad al DG. El tiempo de exposición laboral se relaciona directamente con el aumento del número de MN.Diferentes estudos mostram a capacidade que os pesticidas possuem para induzir dano genético (DG) com diversos efeitos na saúde. Neste trabalho estudou-se a genotoxicidade em residentes do vale agrícola de San Quintin, Baixa Califórnia, México (VSQ), cujo objetivo foi determinar se a exposição ocupacional e ambiental a pesticidas nesta região é um fator DG e explorar se as mulheres são mais vulneráveis a este efeito. Aplicou-se um questionário a 88 moradores do VSQ para determinar os fatores de inclusão e exclusão no estudo, 40 concordaram em participar dos quais 25 com exposição ocupacional e 15 com exposição ambiental, com um número idêntico de homens e mulheres. Todos os participantes assinaram um termo de consentimento informado. Foi utilizada a técnica de micronúcleos (MN) por bloqueio da citocinese em amostras de sangue periférico para avaliar o DG com a frequência de MN e Pontes de Cromatina em 1000 células binucleadas (CBN); explorou-se a correlação do DG com o tempo de exposição ocupacional a pesticidas. Os homens ambientalmente expostos tiveram menos DG do que as mulheres com médias de MN de 8,1 ± (1,83) y 13,1 (±1,7) respetivamente; por outro lado, a exposição ocupacional afetou os dois sexos: os homens tiveram uma média de MN igual 15,9 (± 2,9) e nas mulheres foi de 18,1 (± 1,7). Concluiu-se que a exposição ocupacional a pesticidas é um facto de DG e as mulheres apresentam maior vulnerabilidade a DG. O tempo de exposição ocupacional está diretamente relacionado com o aumento do número de MN

Du pinceau à la typographie – Regards japonais sur le livre et l’écrit

International audienceCet ouvrage présente et confronte, pour la première fois, les principaux supports français et japonais d’enseignement par l’image, leurs formes et leurs usages. L’hypothèse est que nos deux pays ont hérité de conceptions différentes de l’image, issues de leur système d’écriture : alors que dans la culture alphabétique, texte et image sont considérés a priori comme des médias hétérogènes, ils ne sont pas perçus comme des termes étrangers ou concurrents dans le monde de l’idéogramme. Comment se définissent dès lors, au sein de ces deux univers, les fonctions de l’image dans l’apprentissage de la lecture et de l’écriture, dans la diffusion des savoirs

Wildfire smoke knows no borders: Differential vulnerability to smoke effects on cardio-respiratory health in the San Diego-Tijuana region.

Exposure to fine particles in wildfire smoke is deleterious for human health and can increase cases of cardio-respiratory illnesses and related hospitalizations. Neighborhood-level risk factors can increase susceptibility to environmental hazards, such as air pollution from smoke, and the same exposure can lead to different health effects across populations. While the San Diego-Tijuana border can be exposed to the same wildfire smoke event, socio-demographic differences may drive differential effects on population health. We used the October 2007 wildfires, one the most devastating wildfire events in Southern California that brought smoke to the entire region, as a natural experiment to understand the differential effect of wildfire smoke on both sides of the border. We applied synthetic control methods to evaluate the effects of wildfire smoke on cardio-respiratory hospitalizations in the Municipality of Tijuana and San Diego County separately. During the study period (October 11th- October 26th, 2007), 2009 hospital admissions for cardio-respiratory diseases occurred in San Diego County while 37 hospital admissions were reported in the Municipality of Tijuana. The number of cases in Tijuana was much lower than San Diego, and a precise effect of wildfire smoke was detected in San Diego but not in Tijuana. However, social drivers can increase susceptibility to environmental hazards; the poverty rate in Tijuana is more than three times that of San Diego. Socio-demographics are important in modulating the effects of wildfire smoke and can be potentially useful in developing a concerted regional effort to protect populations on both sides of the border from the adverse health effects of wildfire smoke

Mapa para análise qualitativa de risco por BTEX p ou proximidade com postos de gasolina na cidade de Ensenada, Baja California, México

La exposición a compuestos orgánicos volátiles (COV) presentes en la gasolina, como el benceno, tolueno, etilbenceno y xileno (BTEX), por su capacidad cancerígena se ha asociado con el aumento del riesgo a desarrollar cáncer en las personas que viven o trabajan en las proximidades de las estaciones de servicio. En este trabajo se propone una aproximación metodológica para estudiar la problemática que representan los COV en los individuos expuestos a los hidrocarburos. Los datos obtenidos indican que existe mayor presencia de COV en las zonas ubicadas en la cercanía de las fuentes puntuales de emisión y por ende con mayor exposición a factores tóxicos. Con este trabajo se plantea un procedimiento sencillo para establecer las zonas vulnerables a riesgos tecnológicos dentro del área urbana por presencia de BTEX, utilizando para ello la tecnología SIG que permite realizar un análisis espacial de las emisiones de benceno a la atmósfera. Estos resultados quedarán al servicio de los organismos involucrados en la toma de decisiones. En México no existe una legislación clara que proteja a los habitantes de las cercanías de las estaciones de servicio, por lo tanto se deben desarrollar programas para disminuir el impacto en la población a nivel ambiental, sanitario y social.Due to their carcinogenic properties, exposure to volatile organic compounds such as benzene, toluene and xylene (BTEX) has been associated with an increased risk of developing cancer in people living or working near gas stations. This study puts forward a methodological approach to study the problems posed by VOCs on individuals exposed to hydrocarbons. The data obtained indicate that there is a greater presence of VOCs in the areas close to point sources of emission and, therefore, a greater exposure to toxic factors. This paper presents a simple procedure to establish which areas are vulnerable to technological risks within the urban area owing to the presence of BTEX by using GIS technology, which enables spatial analysis of benzene emissions to the atmosphere. These results will serve the agencies involved in decision-making. There is no clear legislation in Mexico to protect people living in the vicinity of gas stations. Therefore, programs should be developed to reduce their impact on the population at the environmental, health and social levels.A exposição a compostos orgânicos voláteis (COV) presentes na gasolina, como o benzeno, tolueno, etilbenzeno e xileno (BTEX), pela sua ação cancerígena foi associada ao aumento do risco de desenvolver cancro, nas pessoas que vivem ou trabalham nas proximidades das estações de serviço. Neste trabalho propõe-se uma abordagem metodológica para estudar a problemática que os COV representam para os indivíduos expostos a hidrocarbonetos. Os dados obtidos indicam que há uma maior presença de COV em áreas localizadas na proximidade de fontes pontuais de emissão e, portanto, mais expostas a fatores tóxicos. Com este trabalho, é proposto um procedimento simples para a definição de zonas vulneráveis a riscos tecnológicos, dentro da área urbana pela presença de BTEX, utilizando a tecnologia SIG que permite uma análise espacial das emissões de benzeno na atmosfera. Estes resultados ficarão à disposição dos organismos envolvidos na tomada de decisões. No México, não existe uma legislação clara que proteja quem vive nas proximidades dos postos de gasolina, motivo pelo qual se devem desenvolver programas que visem diminuir o impacto na população a nível ambiental, sanitário e social

Biomonitoring with Micronuclei Test in Buccal Cells of Female Farmers and Children Exposed to Pesticides of Maneadero Agricultural Valley, Baja California, Mexico

Feminization of the agricultural labor is common in Mexico; these women and their families are vulnerable to several health risks including genotoxicity. Previous papers have presented contradictory information with respect to indirect exposure to pesticides and DNA damage. We aimed to evaluate the genotoxic effect in buccal mucosa from female farmers and children, working in the agricultural valley of Maneadero, Baja California. Frequencies of micronucleated cells (MNc) and nuclear abnormalities (NA) in 2000 cells were obtained from the buccal mucosa of the study population (n=144), divided in four groups: (1) farmers (n=37), (2) unexposed (n=35), (3) farmers’ children (n=34), and (4) unexposed children (n=38). We compared frequencies of MNc and NA and fitted generalized linear models to investigate the interaction between these variables and exposition to pesticides. Differences were found between farmers and unexposed women in MNc (p<0.0001), CC (p=0.3376), and PN (p<0.0001). With respect to exposed children, we found higher significant frequencies in MNc (p<0.0001), LN (p<0.0001), CC (p<0.0001), and PN (p<0.004) when compared to unexposed children. Therefore working as a farmer is a risk for genotoxic damage; more importantly indirectly exposed children were found to have genotoxic damage, which is of concern, since it could aid in future disturbances of their health

Aglomeración urbana en la estimación de escenarios de riesgo sanitario por emisiones de gasolineras: el caso de Ensenada, Baja California

Objetivo: se propone una herramienta conceptual y metodológica mediante la cual es posible representar la contribución de los componentes sociales, económicos y territoriales en la aglomeración de personas dentro de una ciudad, para delimitar zonas de riesgo sanitario por la exposición a emisiones de gasolina en estaciones de servicio. Resultados: el modelo propuesto facilita la focalización, identificación y priorización las zonas de riesgo por contaminación ambiental por BTEX liberados por gasolineras. Discusión: la inclusión en modelos espaciales de riesgo, del número de personas que acuden a construcciones como escuelas y hospitales que generan aglomeración, trasciende el ámbito conceptual y ofrece aspectos metodológicos e instrumentales para lograr modelos más robustos y aplicables en otras ciudades. Las agencias gubernamentales deben considerar estos resultados para el establecimiento de reglas, permisos y procedimientos de ejecución con el fin de reducir la contaminación del medio ambiente y, con esto, mejorar las condiciones sanitarias en el entorno complejo de una zona urbana. Conclusiones: el análisis espacial integrado no resuelve las complicadas negociaciones políticas y sociales que se tienen que hacer en la toma de decisiones sobre los riesgo sanitario, lo que sí mejora es la capacidad de los científicos y tomadores de decisiones en la identificación, evaluación, control y reducción de estos riesgos asociados con las emisiones de las estaciones de servicio

Lung Models to Evaluate Silver Nanoparticles’ Toxicity and Their Impact on Human Health

Nanomaterials (NMs) solve specific problems with remarkable results in several industrial and scientific areas. Among NMs, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been extensively employed as drug carriers, medical diagnostics, energy harvesting devices, sensors, lubricants, and bioremediation. Notably, they have shown excellent antimicrobial, anticancer, and antiviral properties in the biomedical field. The literature analysis shows a selective cytotoxic effect on cancer cells compared to healthy cells, making its potential application in cancer treatment evident, increasing the need to study the potential risk of their use to environmental and human health. A large battery of toxicity models, both in vitro and in vivo, have been established to predict the harmful effects of incorporating AgNPs in these numerous areas or those produced due to involuntary exposure. However, these models often report contradictory results due to their lack of standardization, generating controversy and slowing the advances in nanotoxicology research, fundamentally by generalizing the biological response produced by the AgNP formulations. This review summarizes the last ten years’ reports concerning AgNPs’ toxicity in cellular respiratory system models (e.g., mono-culture models, co-cultures, 3D cultures, ex vivo and in vivo). In turn, more complex cellular models represent in a better way the physical and chemical barriers of the body; however, results should be used carefully so as not to be misleading. The main objective of this work is to highlight current models with the highest physiological relevance, identifying the opportunity areas of lung nanotoxicology and contributing to the establishment and strengthening of specific regulations regarding health and the environment