Enhanced Degradation of Pesticide Dichlorophen by Laccase Immobilized on Nanoporous Materials: A Cytotoxic and Molecular Simulation Investigation.

Use of pesticides is usually related to overproduction of crops in order to overcome worldwide demand of food and alimentary safety. Nevertheless, pesticides are environmental persistent molecules, such as the organochlorine pesticides, which are often found in undesired places. In this work, we show that a hybrid nanomaterial (laccase-MSU-F) readily oxidizes the pesticide dichlorophen, reducing its acute genotoxicity and apoptotic effects. In order to predict chronic alterations related to endocrine disruption, we compared the calculated affinity of dichlorophen oxidized subproducts to steroid hormone nuclear receptors (NRs), using molecular simulation methods. We found a reduction in theoretical affinity of subproducts of oxidized dichlorophen for the ligand-binding pocket of NRs (∼5 kcal/mol), likewise of changes in binding modes, that suggests a reduction in binding events (RMSD values < 10 Å).

Genotoxic Assessment of Some Inorganic Compounds in Desert Pupfish (Cyprinodon macularius) in the Evaporation Pond from a Geothermal Plant.

The frequency of micro nucleated erythrocytes in peripheral blood of the desert pupfish (Cyprinodon macularius) from a geothermal effluent pond is determined and compared to organisms kept in an aquarium. The frequency of micronucleated erythrocytes found in pupfish from the geothermal pond is 2.75 (±2.09) and only 0.44 (±0.52) in captivity organisms. Dissolved As in the ponds doubles the 340 µg L-1 US-EPA acute quality criteria for aquatic life and Hg equals the 1.77 µg L-1 chronic criteria. The organisms with high MNE also have significantly high Se, As and Hg concentrations in muscle and liver. Compared to international maximum allowable limits for fish consumption, there is 81× enrichment for Se, 6× for As and 5× for Hg. Although Se is not significantly enriched in water, it is likely that its bioaccumulation occurs via feeding of detritus. The desert pupfish has a significant resistance to extreme metal accumulations and to recover under unpolluted conditions.

[Occupational risks and health: perceptions of indigenous female agricultural workers in Northwestern Mexico]. / Riesgos del trabajo y salud: percepción de mujeres indígenas jornaleras en el noroeste de México.

The objective of this study was to learn the perceptions of indigenous female day laborers regarding health-related risks in the workplace, based on their own characterization of the requirements of agricultural work. The concept of occupational risk is understood as a flexible construct in which work conditions and the different perceptions and lived experiences of social actors are interrelated. A microstructural model is employed to explain the occupational risks and their relationship to social inequalities and impacts in health. The methodology used was qualitative, employing non-participant observation, participatory workshops and group interviews during 2011-2012. Sixty indigenous women participated in the study. Results reveal that their perception regarding occupational risks is constructed from everyday practices in their place of work and that most of their work activities place them in situations of risk.

Riesgos del trabajo y salud: percepción de mujeres indígenas jornaleras en el noroeste de México / Occupational risks and health: perceptions of indigenous female agricultural workers in Northwestern Mexico

El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer las percepciones de las mujeres indígenas jornaleras sobre los riesgos del trabajo relacionados con su salud, a partir de la caracterización que ellas mismas realizaron sobre las exigencias del trabajo agrícola. Se considera el concepto de riesgo del trabajo como un constructo maleable en el cual se relacionan las condiciones de trabajo con las distintas percepciones y vivencias de los actores. A partir de un modelo microestructural se explican y relacionan los riesgos del trabajo con las desigualdades sociales y su impacto en la salud. La metodología fue de corte cualitativo; se emplearon la observación no participante, talleres participativos y entrevistas grupales en los años 2011 y 2012. El grupo que participó en este estudio fue de 60 mujeres indígenas. Entre los resultados destaca que su percepción acerca de los riesgos laborales se va construyendo sobre la base de las prácticas cotidianas en el lugar de trabajo y que gran parte de las actividades laborales que realizan las coloca en situaciones de riesgo.

The objective of this study was to learn the perceptions of indigenous female day laborers regarding health-related risks in the workplace, based on their own characterization of the requirements of agricultural work. The concept of occupational risk is understood as a flexible construct in which work conditions and the different perceptions and lived experiences of social actors are interrelated. A microstructural model is employed to explain the occupational risks and their relationship to social inequalities and impacts in health. The methodology used was qualitative, employing non-participant observation, participatory workshops and group interviews during 2011-2012. Sixty indigenous women participated in the study. Results reveal that their perception regarding occupational risks is constructed from everyday practices in their place of work and that most of their work activities place them in situations of risk.