Plaguicidas y salud de la población

Los plaguicidas son la forma dominante del combate a las plagas. Su empleo conlleva diversos riesgos, tanto para el ambiente como para la salud de los trabajadores expuestos y de la población en general. Los efectos a la salud de tipo agudo eran anteriormente los más considerados; sin embargo, en las dos últimas décadas han tomado importancia los efectos crónicos, tales como daños en el sistema nervioso central, teratogénesis, mutaciones, cáncer, entre otros. En este artículo se resumen los principales efectos a la salud reportados en la literatura mundial por la exposición a plaguicidas, particularmente los de tipo crónico en la población ocupacionalmente expuesta, concluyendo con las propuestas de investigación hechas en el área

Hepatoprotective effect of commercial herbal extracts on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in Wistar rats

Background: The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of arbutin protect against a number of diseases. Objectives: The present study evaluated the protective effect of arbutin against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Methods: Sixty-three Wistar rats were divided into nine groups. Groups I and II were the normal control groups. Group III, the hepatotoxic group, was given CCl4. Groups IV, VI, and VIII received different dosages of arbutin along with CCl4. Groups V, VII, and IX were administered different dosages of arbutin. The albumin content, total protein, and bilirubin were assayed to determine their serum and antioxidant levels; lipid peroxidation was assessed in the serum and liver tissue. Histological studies were carried out to confirm the biochemical results. Results: Treatment with CCl4 for 28 d decreased the levels of total protein and albumin and increased the level of bilirubin and lipid peroxidation. Arbutin treatment raised the level of albumin and lowered the lipid peroxidation to normal levels. Necrosis and fibrosis were observed in the liver tissue of CCl4-injected rats, and the administration of arbutin had a protective effect on the liver tissue. Conclusions: The results of this study showed that arbutin may protect the liver against CCl4-induced oxidative damage in rats. This hepatoprotective effect might be correlated with the antioxidant and free radical scavenger effects of arbutin

Comparison of traditional and DNA metabarcoding samples for monitoring tropical soil arthropods (Formicidae, Collembola and Isoptera)

The soil fauna of the tropics remains one of the least known components of the biosphere. Long-term monitoring of this fauna is hampered by the lack of taxonomic expertise and funding. These obstacles may potentially be lifted with DNA metabarcoding. To validate this approach, we studied the ants, springtails and termites of 100 paired soil samples from Barro Colorado Island, Panama. The fauna was extracted with Berlese-Tullgren funnels and then either sorted with traditional taxonomy and known, individual DNA barcodes (“traditional samples”) or processed with metabarcoding (“metabarcoding samples”). We detected 49 ant, 37 springtail and 34 termite species with 3.46 million reads of the COI gene, at a mean sequence length of 233 bp. Traditional identification yielded 80, 111 and 15 species of ants, springtails and termites, respectively; 98%, 37% and 100% of these species had a Barcode Index Number (BIN) allowing for direct comparison with metabarcoding. Ants were best surveyed through traditional methods, termites were better detected by metabarcoding, and springtails were equally well detected by both techniques. Species richness was underestimated, and faunal composition was different in metabarcoding samples, mostly because 37% of ant species were not detected. The prevalence of species in metabarcoding samples increased with their abundance in traditional samples, and seasonal shifts in species prevalence and faunal composition were similar between traditional and metabarcoding samples. Probable false positive and negative species records were reasonably low (13–18% of common species). We conclude that metabarcoding of samples extracted with Berlese-Tullgren funnels appear suitable for the long-term monitoring of termites and springtails in tropical rainforests. For ants, metabarcoding schemes should be complemented by additional samples of alates from Malaise or light traps

Are molecular tools clarifying or confusing our understanding of the public health threat from zoonotic enteric protozoa in wildlife?

Emerging infectious diseases are frequently zoonotic, often originating in wildlife, but enteric protozoa are considered relatively minor contributors. Opinions regarding whether pathogenic enteric protozoa may be transmitted between wildlife and humans have been shaped by our investigation tools, and has led to oscillations regarding whether particular species are zoonotic or have host-adapted life cycles. When the only approach for identifying enteric protozoa was morphology, it was assumed that many enteric protozoa colonized multiple hosts and were probably zoonotic. When molecular tools revealed genetic differences in morphologically identical species colonizing humans and other animals, host specificity seemed more likely. Parasites from animals found to be genetically identical - at the few genes investigated - to morphologically indistinguishable parasites from human hosts, were described as having zoonotic potential. More discriminatory molecular tools have now sub-divided some protozoa again. Meanwhile, some infection events indicate that, circumstances permitting, some “host-specific” protozoa, can actually infect various hosts. These repeated changes in our understanding are linked intrinsically to the investigative tools available. Here we review how molecular tools have assisted, or sometimes confused, our understanding of the public health threat from nine enteric protozoa and example wildlife hosts (Balantoides coli - wild boar; Blastocystis sp. - wild rodents; Cryptosporidium spp. - wild fish; Encephalitozoon spp. - wild birds; Entamoeba spp. - non-human primates; Enterocytozoon bieneusi - wild cervids; Giardia duodenalis - red foxes; Sarcocystis nesbitti - snakes; Toxoplasma gondii - bobcats). Molecular tools have provided evidence that some enteric protozoa in wildlife may infect humans, but due to limited discriminatory power, often only the zoonotic potential of the parasite is indicated. Molecular analyses, which should be as discriminatory as possible, are one, but not the only, component of the toolbox for investigating potential public health impacts from pathogenic enteric protozoa in wildlife

Evaluación del desempeño del capital humano (instructores) que imparte cursos de inducción en una Universidad Pública Mexicana

The objective of this research is to analyze the work performance of the instructors in the induction courses taught to new students in a Public University in the municipality of Ensenada in the state of Baja California, Mexico. The methodology used is mixed: 1) Participatory observation of 9 instructors, 2) A Focus Group with 22 instructors and 3) An evaluation questionnaire applied to 2,378 students during 5 consecutive years from 2012 to 2017, of which 56% was of morning shift and 30% of the afternoon shift and 14% of semi-choreographed, finding as results that the punctuality of the majority is good, most consider the material adequate, that if the instructors promote reflection and group work, they know how to listen to the most patiently, and resolve doubts, if they know the issues addressed, which are clearly stated and that most of the issues consider useful. Where differences were found there is a factor that is identified as years of experience. It is proposed that the application be not on paper but digital, better select instructors who have no experience or train them and review the relevance of the material to update it.El objetivo de esta investigación es analizar el desempeño laboral de los instructores en los cursos de inducción impartidos a los alumnos de nuevo ingreso en una Universidad Pública en el municipio de Ensenada en el estado de Baja California, México. La metodología utilizada es mixta: 1) Observación participativa de 9 instructores, 2) Un Focus Group con 22 instructores y 3) Un cuestionario de evaluación aplicado a 2,378 alumnos durante 5 años consecutivos del 2012 al 2017, de los cuales el 56% era del turno matutino y el 30% del turno vespertino y 14% de semiescolarizado, encontrando como resultados que la puntualidad de la mayoría es buena, la mayoría considera adecuado el material, que si promueven los instructores la reflexión y el trabajo grupal, que saben escuchar la mayoría pacientemente, y resuelven dudas, que si conocen las temáticas abordadas, que exponen de manera clara y que la mayoría de los temas consideran que son de utilidad. Donde se encontraron diferencias hay un factor que se identifica que son los años de experiencia. Se propone que no sea en papel la aplicación de la evaluación sino digital, seleccionar mejor a los instructores que no tienen experiencia o capacitarlos y revisar la pertinencia del material para actualizarlo

Implementación de un Proyecto Integral de TIC Durante un Cambio de Gobierno - Implementation of an integral ICT project during a change of Government

Este trabajo presenta una investigación en desarrollo sobre los elementos que afectan la implementación de un proyecto de TIC que se lleva a cabo al final de una administración de gobierno y continúa bien entrada la siguiente. Es importante entender los aspectos de influencia, así como los riesgos inherentes y tratar de identificar acciones que permitan completar el esfuerzo con éxito. Se analiza la implementación de un sistema integral en el Servicio Postal Mexicano que busca mejorar aspectos operativos y de control de la entrega de correspondencia, mediante un estudio cualitativo longitudinal que abarca desde la contratación del proyecto, hasta su finalización o cancelación. Se espera obtener información detallada que permita proponer un modelo exploratorio del fenómeno, así como generar recomendaciones preventivas para casos similares. This work presents a research in progress about the elements that affect the implementation of an ICT project that takes place at the end of a governmental administration, and continues well into the next. It is important to understand the influence aspects, as well as the inherent risks, and try to identify actions that allow to complete the effort successfully. An analysis is made of the implementation of an integral system at the Mexican Postal Service, which aims at improving operation and control elements for mail and package delivery. This is done through a qualitative and longitudinal study that spans from the moment the project is contracted to its due end or cancellation. It is expected to obtain detailed information that allow the proposition of an exploratory model of the phenomenon, as well as the generation of preventive recommendations for similar cases

The role of hormones on toxoplasma gondii infection: A systematic review

Background: Toxoplasma gondii is the causal agent of toxoplasmosis in which one third of the world's population has been infected. In pregnant women, it may cause abortion and severe damage to the fetal central nervous system. During pregnancy, the prevalence of toxoplasmosis increases throughout the second and third quarter of gestation, simultaneously progesterone and 17?-estradiol also increase. Thus, it has been suggested that these hormones can aggravate or reduce parasite reproduction. The aim of this study was reviewing the relationship between hormones and infection caused by T. gondii in several experimental animal models and humans, focused mainly on: a) congenital transmission, b) parasite reproduction, c) strain virulence, d) levels of hormone in host induced by T. gondii infection and e) participation of hormone receptors in Toxoplasma gondii infection. Are the hormones specific modulators of T. gondii infection? A systematic review methodology was used to consult several databases (Pub Med, Lilacs, Medline, Science direct, Scielo, Ebsco, Sprinker, Wiley and Google Scholar) dated from September, 2013 to March, 2014. Results: 30 studies were included; eight studies in humans and 22 in animals and cell cultures. In the human studies, the most studied hormones were testosterone, progesterone, prolactin and 17-? estradiol. Type I (RH and BK) and Type II (Prugniaud, SC, ME49, T45, P78 and T38) were the most frequent experimental strains. Conclusions: Thirty-five years have passed since the first studies regarding Toxoplasma gondii infection and its relationship with hormones. This systematic review suggests that hormones modulate Toxoplasma gondii infection in different animal models. However, given that data were not comparable, further studies are required to determine the mechanism of hormone action in the Toxoplasma gondii infectious process. 2014 Galván-Ramírez, Gutiérrez-maldonado, Verduzco-grijalva and Dueñas-Jiménez