Situation of Occupational and Environmental Health in Mexico

Background: Mexico has a great diversity and richness of natural resources, but evaluations of the quality of life of Mexicans show the deep inequalities and the gap between rich and poor. While 5% of families concentrate 58% of the wealth, the health spending in environment and health is 0.2 and 2.7 of the GDP respectively. This has repercussions both on the gradual deterioration of the environment and on the insufficient health and social security coverage of the working population. Objective: To describe the current situation of occupational and environmental health in Mexico. Methods: A bibliographic review was performed on the socioeconomic, demographic, environmental, legal and health status of the Economically Active Population (EAP). Findings: There is a constant deterioration of terrestrial and marine ecosystems, accompanied by an increase in environmental pollution in large cities. The unemployment rate of the EAP has decreased in one year to 3.4%, but the informal labor rate reached 57.3%, which translates into population without social security. Compliance with legislation for the protection of workers’ health is insufficient. The recent amendments to the law have meant a setback in these respects. The reported information on accidents and occupational diseases corresponds to only 34% of workers. There has been a decrease in the rate of work accidents in the last six years, but an increase in diseases and permanent disabilities. During 2016, the first cause of occupational illness was hearing loss, but the profile was dominated by musculoskeletal diseases, which together reached 36.5%. Conclusions: To improve the occupational and environmental health situation, it is necessary to implement general and particular measures against inequalities, increase the budget in health and environment, enforce legislation and expand social security coverage to the population. These measures should be part of public policies as well as actions of academics and researchers

Calidad morfológica de frutos y endocarpios del nanche rojo (Malpighia mexicana, Malpighiaceae)

Background and Aims: Wild red nanche develops in both temperate and tropical areas. In Mexico, it has been used as an ornamental and medicinal plant since pre-Hispanic times; however, little is known about its morphology. Therefore, the aim of this research was to characterize the morphological quality of fruits and endocarps of red nanche collected in the Central Valleys of Oaxaca, Mexico.Methods: Three study areas were located, but fruits were found in the municipality of Santiago Matatlán only. These were collected and transferred to the Seed Analysis Laboratory of the Colegio de Postgraduados, Campus Montecillo. For evaluation of the morphological quality of fruit and endocarps, four replications of 100 fruits were selected by Completely Randomized Design (CRD). With the obtained data, an analysis of measures of central tendency was performed using the SAS statistical package.Key results: The results indicated that the fruits of red nanche are large, oblate-shaped, the color of the epicarp is cherry to purple, that of the mesocarp pink to lilac, they taste sweet, and show adequate firmness and quantity of ascorbic acid. The fruit has three fibrous endocarps, is cone to triangular-shaped and has one to two embryos. The embryo is cream colored without endosperm, the cotyledons are bent at the apex and the radicle is present at the other side . It is protected by a thin brown colored integument.Conclusions: Variation was observed in the morphological characteristics. The fruits have food potential and quality for export.Antecedentes y Objetivos: El nanche rojo silvestre se desarrolla en climas templados y tropicales. En México, desde tiempos prehispánicos se ha utilizado como ornamental y medicinal; sin embargo, se conoce poco sobre su morfología. Por ello el objetivo de esta investigación fue caracterizar la calidad morfológica de frutos y endocarpios de nanche rojo, de los Valles Centrales de Oaxaca, México.Métodos: Se ubicaron tres zonas de estudio, pero solo en el municipio de Santiago Matatlán se encontraron frutos, los cuales fueron recolectados y trasladados al Laboratorio de Análisis de Semillas del Colegio de Postgraduados, Campus Montecillo. Para la evaluación de la calidad morfológica de frutos y endocarpios, se seleccionaron mediante un Diseño Completamente al Azar (DCA) cuatro repeticiones de 100 frutos. Con los datos obtenidos se realizó un análisis de medidas de tendencia central, utilizando el paquete estadístico SAS.Resultados clave: Los resultados encontrados indicaron que los frutos del nanche rojo son grandes, tienen forma de oblato, el color del epicarpio es guinda a morado, el del mesocarpio rosa a lila, de sabor dulce, con adecuada firmeza y cantidad de ácido ascórbico. El fruto tiene tres endocarpios fibrosos, de forma cono-triangular, y de uno a dos presentan embrión. El embrión es de color crema y no posee endospermo, los cotiledones doblados están en el ápice y en el otro extremo se encuentra la radícula. Está protegido por un tegumento delgado color café.Conclusiones: Se observó variación en las características morfológicas. Los frutos tienen potencial alimenticio y calidad de exportación

Evidence of spatial clustering of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia cases in Greater Mexico City: report from the Mexican Inter-Institutional Group for the identification of the causes of childhood leukemia

BackgroundA heterogeneous geographic distribution of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cases has been described, possibly, related to the presence of different environmental factors. The aim of the present study was to explore the geographical distribution of childhood ALL cases in Greater Mexico City (GMC).MethodsA population-based case-control study was conducted. Children <18 years old, newly diagnosed with ALL and residents of GMC were included. Controls were patients without leukemia recruited from second-level public hospitals, frequency-matched by sex, age, and health institution with the cases. The residence address where the patients lived during the last year before diagnosis (cases) or the interview (controls) was used for geolocation. Kulldorff’s spatial scan statistic was used to detect spatial clusters (SCs). Relative risks (RR), associated p-value and number of cases included for each cluster were obtained.ResultsA total of 1054 cases with ALL were analyzed. Of these, 408 (38.7%) were distributed across eight SCs detected. A relative risk of 1.61 (p<0.0001) was observed for the main cluster. Similar results were noted for the remaining seven ones. Additionally, a proximity between SCs, electrical installations and petrochemical facilities was observed.ConclusionsThe identification of SCs in certain regions of GMC suggest the possible role of environmental factors in the etiology of childhood ALL

Maternal dietary patterns and acute leukemia in infants: results from a case control study in Mexico

BackgroundChildhood cancer is the leading cause of disease-related mortality among children aged 5–14 years in Mexico, with acute leukemia being the most common cancer among infants. Examining the overall dietary patterns allows for a comprehensive assessment of food and nutrient consumption, providing a more predictive measure of disease risk than individual foods or nutrients. This study aims to evaluate the association between maternal dietary patterns during pregnancy and the risk of acute leukemia in Mexican infants.MethodsA hospital-based case–control study was conducted, comparing 109 confirmed acute leukemia cases with 152 age-matched controls. All participants (≤24 months) were identified at hospitals in Mexico City between 2010 and 2019. Data on a posteriori dietary patterns and other relevant variables were collected through structured interviews and dietary questionnaires. Multivariate logistic regression was employed to estimate the association between maternal dietary patterns during pregnancy and the risk of acute leukemia in infants.ResultsThe “Balanced & Vegetable-Rich” pattern, characterized by a balanced consumption of various food groups and higher vegetable intake, exhibited a negative association with acute leukemia when compared to the “High Dairy & Cereals” Pattern (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.51; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.29, 0.90). We observed that mothers who gave birth to girls and adhered to a healthy dietary pattern during pregnancy exhibited significantly lower odds of their children developing AL compared to those who gave birth to boys [OR = 0.32 (95% CI 0.11, 0.97)]. Our results underscore the significance of maternal nutrition as a modifiable factor in disease prevention and the importance of prenatal health education

SEGUIMIENTO DEL MODELO CURRICULAR DELSISTEMA DE UNIVERSIDAD VIRTUAL, EL CASO DE LA UDG VIRTUAL

La presente ponencia tiene como antecedente un trabajo realizado en el marco del Programa de Investigación Científica en que las Instituciones de Educación Superior del país convocan a la participación de estudiantes a incorporarse en los trabajos del Verano de Investigación, bajo la tutela de profesores miembros del Sistema Nacional de Investigadores para que desarrollen proyectos de investigación en cooperación con otras universidades. Este trabajo fue realizado en coordinación con la Universidad de Guadalajara (Instituto de Gestión del Conocimiento y el Aprendizaje en Ambientes Virtuales) y la Universidad de Colima (Coordinación General de Investigación Científica), y forma parte del proyecto "Educar en y para la virtualidad: experiencia de un modelo orientado a la formación por competencias y proyectos”, que, es a su vez una investigación muy amplia y que aborda diferentes temáticas. Por lo anterior se delimitan los apartados, presentando únicamente la parte específica del estudio referente al "Seguimiento del Modelo Curricular del Sistema de Universidad Virtual”, el cual se abordará más a detalle durante las próximas líneas. Es propósito de esta propuesta el presentar información de las experiencias desarrolladas por instituciones mexicanas en cursos educativos en los entornos virtuales. Por ello centraremos la mirada en los modelos curriculares basados en competencias y proyectos, en los sistemas virtuales, el aprendizaje, la tecnología educativa y los sistemas de educación en línea, es decir el modelo que propone la Universidad de Guadalajara

Propagación vegetativa de nanche Malpighia mexicana y Byrsonima crassifolia

Se evaluó la propagación vegetativa de nanche (Malpighia mexicana A. Juss. y Byrsonima crassifolia (L) H. B. K.), bajo sombra al 70 y 90%, y ácido indolbutirico (AIB) a 1 000, 3 000 y 10 000 ppm y un testigo. Las estacas se colectaron en Oaxaca, México, y el experimento se estableció en el Colegio de Postgraduados, Campus Montecillo. Se utilizaron 240 estacas leñosas de 20 cm, de cada especie, impregnadas 5 cm de la base con el tratamiento de AIB y se sembraron a 10 cm de profundidad, en charolas de 5 L, llenadas con turba con arena (1:1v/v); de éstas combinaciones resultaron 16 tratamientos, cada uno con 3 repeticiones de 10 estacas (unidades experimentales) que se establecieron en un diseño en BCA. A los 7 meses se evaluó el porcentaje de sobrevivencia, brotación, estacas con callo y enraizamiento, y número y longitud de raíces. El ANOVA y la prueba de medias Duncan (p≤ 0.05), indicaron que las dos especies presentaron sobrevivencia y brotación, pero raíces sólo M. mexicana; la sombra al 70% fue mejor y en éstas variables, el testigo superó a los demás tratamientos; sin embargo, sólo presentaron raíces las estacas tratadas con AIB. B. crassifolia produjo estacas con callo cuando se usó 10 000 ppm de AIB.The vegetative propagation of nanche (Malpighia mexicana A. Juss. and Byrsonima crassifolia (L) H.B.K.) was evaluated, under shade at 70 and 90%, and Indole butyric acid (IBA) at 1 000, 3 000 and 10 000 ppm and a control. The stem cuttings were collected in Oaxaca, Mexico, and the experiment was established at the Colegio de Postgraduados, Montecillo Campus. 240 stem cuttings of 20 cm of each species were impregnated 5 cm from the base with IBA treatment and seeded at 10 cm depth in 5 L trays filled with peat with sand (1:1 v/v); these combinations resulted in 16 treatments, each with 3 replicates of 10 stem cuttings (experimental units) that were established in a BCA design. At 7 months the percentage of survival, sprouting, cuttings with callus and rooting, and number and length of roots were evaluated. The ANOVA and the Duncan test of means (p≤ 0.05), indicated that the two species showed survival and sprouting, but only M. mexicana showed roots; shadow at 70% was better and in these variables, the control overcame the other treatments; however, only the cuttings treated with IBA showed roots. B. crassifolia produced callus in the stakes when 10 000 ppm IBA was used

Diferencias fenológicas, morfológicas y de componentes del rendimiento entre una forma silvestre y una domesticada de frijol común

In 2014, two forms of common bean (Phaseolus vulgarisL.), one wild and the other domesticated, both of undetermined growth habit type IV, climber, were cultivated in the greenhouse. The culture was performed in hydroponics allowing the maximum expression of its genetic potential. Thewild and domesticated form of P. vulgarisis an important reservoir of genes for plant breeding. The objective was to make a mutual comparison of phenological, morphological characters and yield components, as well as some physiological variables such as leaf area duration, net assimilation rate, pod filling index and harvest index. The wild form has a longer cultivation cycle than the domesticated one and a greater number of pods from the stage of filling the pod to the maturity of harvest and in the latter a greater number of seeds per plant, although the seeds of a smaller size and individual weight; likewise, the percentage of germination was similar in both forms without the need to scarify the seed. In the wild form, the total production of dry matterper plant and the duration of the leaf area are greater, this last characteristic due to the fact that its foliage remains functional longer compared to the domesticated one. The net assimilation rate is higher in the domesticated, which indicates its precocity. The traditional and modified harvest index (including and excluding the root in both cases) is higher in the domesticated form due to selection under domestication. Keywords:Phaseolus vulgarisL., germplasm,indeterminate growth, seed weight per plantEn 2014 se cultivaron en invernadero dos formas de frijol común (Phaseolus vulgarisL.), unasilvestre y otra domesticada, ambas de hábito de crecimiento indeterminadotipo IV,trepador.El cultivo se realizó en hidroponía permitiendo la máxima expresión de su potencial genético. La forma silvestre y la domesticada de P. vulgarisson importante reservorio de genes para el fitomejoramiento. El objetivo fue realizar una comparación mutua de caracteres fenológicos, morfológicos y de los componentes del rendimiento, así como de algunas variables fisiológicas como duración delárea foliar, tasa de asimilación neta, índice de llenado de la vaina e índice de cosecha. La forma silvestre presenta u nciclo de cultivo más largo que la domesticada y un mayor número de vainas desde la etapa de llenado de la vaina hasta la de madurez de cosecha yen esta última un mayor número de semillas por planta, aunque las semillas de un menor tamaño y peso individual; asimismo, el porcentaje de germinación fue similar en ambas formas sin necesidad de escarificar la semilla. En la forma silvestre, la producción total de materia seca por planta y la duración del área foliar son mayores,esta última característica debido a que su follaje permanece funcional más tiempo en comparación con la domesticada. La tasa de asimilación neta es mayor en la domesticada, lo cual indica su precocidad. El índice de cosecha tradicional y modificado (incluyendo y excluyendo la raíz en ambos casos)es mayor en la forma domesticada debido a la selección bajo domesticación. Palabras clave: Phaseolus vulgarisL.,crecimiento indeterminado, germoplasma,peso de semilla por plant

Análisis de los sistemas de fuerza surgidos durante la operación del Arado de palo tradicional mexicano

El uso del arado de madera con yunta de bueyes está muy extendido en las milpas de los Valles Centrales de Oaxaca. Los boyeros frecuentemente tienen problemas con la operación de dicho arado puesto que este tiene problemas de inestabilidad durante el surcado. Por tal razón se tomaron fotos de la yunta y el boyero durante el surcado para observar las maniobras del boyero durante el surcado. Por esta razón se tomaron fotos en el transcurso del surcado. Enseguida estos datos fueron analizados con el fin de establecer los diagramas de cuerpo libre del arado. Luego se obtuvieron cuatro diagramas de cuerpo libre y sus ecuaciones de equilibrio estático. Después el arado de palo fue evaluado para obtener la demanda de tiro en la labranza y así relacionar la fuerza de tiro real y la calculada. Los resultados mostraron la alta variabilidad de las fuerzas de tiro en ambos casos. Finalmente se encontró que la maniobra del boyero influye decisivamente en los altos y bajos valores de la demanda de tiro

Influencia de la testa sobre la imbibición en endocarpios de Malpighia mexicana y Byrsonima crassifolia (Malpighiaceae)

Water uptake of seeds is a fundamental internal biochemical activation process. The research was conducted at the Laboratory of Botany and Seeds at the Colegio de Postgraduados, with the objetive of studying the imbibition progress of two species of nanche, subjected to different treatments, in order to asses the water uptake previous to germination process.In the first experiment 80 seeds were placed in petri dishes on moist cotton; in the second, four replications of 100 seeds, each wrapped in a bag and placed in a container with 3 L of water were taken. Four replications of 25 seeds of each species were used and the head of the embryo was removed, then they were put in petri dishes on wet cotton. The weight was recorded and the rate of imbibition was calculated by subtracting the final weight to the initial, perfoming ANOVA and averages with Tukey (α=0.05). The results showed that Byrsonima crassifolia imbibe low rates and present physical latency, and Malpighia mexicana absorbs twice its weight and loses solutes. The embryo Byrsonima crassifolia absorbs more water while in Malpighia mexicana there is greater imbibition of the seed coat. There were differences between species.La investigación se realizó en el Laboratorio de Semillas y de Botánica del Colegio de Postgraduados, con el objetivo de estudiar la imbibición de endocarpios de dos especies de nanche, sometidos a diferentes tratamientos para determinar la capacidad y velocidad de absorción de agua. En el primer experimento se utilizaron 80 endocarpios de cada especie, colocados en cajas de Petri sobre algodón húmedo; en el segundo, se tomaron 4 repeticiones de 100 endocarpios, cada una, se envolvieron en un saco y se colocaron en un recipiente con 3 L de agua. En el último, se usaron 4 repeticiones de 25 endocarpios de cada especie, se separó la testa del o los embriones y se colocaron entre cajas de Petri sobre algodón húmedo. El peso se registró y la tasa de imbibición se calculó, realizando ANDEVA y promedios con Tukey (α=0.05). Los resultados muestran que Byrsonima crassifolia imbibe tasas bajas y tiene latencia física, y Malpighia mexicana absorbe el doble de su peso y pierde solutos. El embrión de Byrsonima crassifolia absorbe mayor cantidad de agua mientras que en Malpighia mexicana hay mayor imbibición en la testa. Hubo diferencias entre especies