Exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of Bisphenol-A linked to loss of visual lateralization in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Weak, but environmentally relevant concentrations of contaminants can have subtle, yet important, impacts on organisms, which are often overlooked due to the lack of acute impacts and the timing of exposure. Thus, recognizing simple, non-invasive markers of contamination events is essential for early detection and addressing the effects of exposure to weak environmental contaminants. Here, we tested whether exposure to an environmentally relevant concentration of Bisphenol-A (BPA), a common and persistent contaminant in aquatic systems, affects the lateralization of adult zebrafish (Danio rerio), a widely used model organism in ecotoxicology. We found that 73.5% of adult zebrafish displayed a left-side bias when they approached a visual cue, but that those exposed to weak BPA (0.02 mg/L) for 7 days did not exhibit laterality. Only 47.1% displayed a left-side bias. We found no differences in activity level and visual sensitivity, motor and sensory mechanisms, that regulate lateralized responses and that were unaffected by weak BPA exposure. These findings indicate the reliability of laterality as a simple measure of contaminant exposure and for future studies of the detailed mechanisms underlying subtle and complex behavioral effects to pollutants.

Perspectives on Strengthening Cancer Research and Control in Latin America Through Partnerships and Diplomacy: Experience of the National Cancer Institute's Center for Global Health

According to the Pan American Health Organization, noncommunicable diseases, including cancer, are the leading causes of preventable and premature death in the Americas. Governments and health care systems in Latin America face numerous challenges as a result of increasing morbidity and mortality from cancer. Multiple international organizations have recognized the need for collaborative action on and technical support for cancer research and control in Latin America. The Center for Global Health at the US National Cancer Institute (NCI-CGH) is one entity among many that are working in the region and has sought to develop a strategy for working in Latin America that draws on and expands the collaborative potential of engaged, skilled, and diverse partners. NCI-CGH has worked toward developing and implementing initiatives in collaboration with global partners that share the common objectives of building a global cancer research community and translating research results into evidence-informed policy and practice. Both objectives are complementary and synergistic and are additionally supported by an overarching strategic framework that is focused on partnerships and science diplomacy. This work highlights the overall strategy for NCI-CGH engagement in Latin America through partnerships and diplomacy, and highlights selected collaborative efforts that are aimed at improving cancer outcomes in the region(AU)

Accidentalidad en la empacadora Santa Inés, Choluteca, Honduras, 2013-2014

Estudio Retrospectivo, descriptivo, transversal. Se encontró que la tasa de incidencia de accidentalidad acumulada fue de 2.1%; los accidentes ocurren durante el desplazamiento a su jornada laboral 8/21(38.1%); y ocurren por la tarde (71.4%); estos accidentes fueron clasificados como atrapamiento 6/21 (28.6%), caída con golpes/atropellamiento 5 (23.8%), cortadura con maquina 2/21 (9.5%), de miembro superior/mano(s) 10/21 (47.6%), miembros inferiores 6/21(28.6%); traumáticas 9/21(42.9%), fractura 8/21(38.1%), quemadura 2/21 (9.5%); los factores relacionados fueron sexo masculino (p=0.000), no uso de elementos de protección (p=0.000), trabajar en el área de mantenimiento/taller industrial/producción (p=0.006; RR: 4.88) sin piso antideslizante (90.5% vrs 9.5%; p=0.000). concluyendo que la tasa de accidentalidad encontrada es baja, aunque deben reforzarse las estrategias de prevención en algunas áreas de la empresa