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Air pollution is a worldwide environmental problem with an impact on human health. Particulate matter of ten micrometers or less aerodynamic diameter (PM 10 ) as well as its fine fraction (PM 2.5 ) is related to multiple pulmonary diseases. The impact of air pollution in Mexico City, and importantly, particulate matter has been studied and considered as a risk factor for two decades ago. Previous studies have reported the composition of Mexico City particulate matter, as well as the biological effects induced by this material. However, material collected and used in previous studies is a limited resource, and sampling and particle recovery techniques have been improved. In this study, we describe the methods used in our laboratory for Mexico City airborne particulate matter PM 10 and PM 2.5 sampling, considering the years 2017, 2018 and 2019. We also analyzed the PM 10 and PM 2.5 samples obtained to determine their composition. Finally, we exposed lung cell line cultures to PM 10 and PM 2.5 to evaluate the biological effect of the material in terms of cell viability, cell death, inflammatory response, and cytogenetic alterations. Our results showed that PM 10 composition includes inorganic, organic and biological compounds, while PM 2.5 is a mixture of more enriched organic compounds. PM 10 and PM 2.5 treatment in lung cells does not significantly impact cell viability/cell death. However, PM 10 and PM 2.5 increase the secretion levels of IL-6. Moreover, PM 10 as well as PM 2.5 induce cytogenetic alterations, such as micronuclei, anaphase bridges, trinucleated cells and apoptotic cells in lung cells. Our results update the evidence of the composition and biological effects of Mexico City particulate matter and provide us a reliable basis for future approaches., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

We evaluated impacts of progressive technological updates to bus rapid transit (BRT) systems on in-cabin concentrations of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5), and the various polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to which commuters were exposed. PM2.5 samples were collected and real-time concentrations measured from October 2017 to March 2020 inside cabins of BRT buses equipped with Euro IV, V and VI diesel emission standards in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area (MCMA). For effective comparison, similar samplings and measurements were carried out on trains in the MCMA underground (MCU) system. Peak in-cabin PM2.5 concentrations decreased significantly (p < 0.05) by 35% from Euro IV to Euro V buses, and by 80% from Euro IV to Euro VI buses. PM2.5 concentrations inside Euro VI buses were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than in Euro IV and Euro V buses and in underground trains. The in-cabin excess (ICE) of PM2.5 relative to ambient concentrations was significantly (p < 0.05) higher for Euro IV than for Euro V buses during morning the traffic peak, and consistently higher than for Euro VI buses. Indeed, ICEs calculated for Euro VI buses were always lower than those for electricity-powered underground trains. The frequency of hotspots decreased from Euro IV to Euro VI buses due to the combined effect of low emissions and closed, air-conditioned cabins. Concentrations of total PAHs including carcinogenic species also decreased from Euro IV to Euro V buses and were below limits of detection aboard Euro VI buses. This work shows that in real-life conditions, advanced diesel technologies and cabin design significantly reduce commuters' exposure to PM2.5 and to toxic PAH compounds., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Insulin resistance (IR) and metabolic disorders are non-pulmonary adverse effects induced by fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) exposure. The worldwide pandemic of high fructose sweeteners and fat rich modern diets, also contribute to IR development. We investigated some of the underlying effects of IR, altered biochemical insulin action and Insulin/AKT pathway biomarkers. Male Sprague Dawley rats were subchronically exposed to filtered air, PM 2.5 , a fructose rich diet (FRD), or PM 2.5 + FRD. Exposure to PM 2.5 or FRD alone did not induce metabolic changes. However, PM 2.5 + FRD induced leptin release, systemic hyperinsulinemia, and Insulin/AKT dysregulation in insulin-sensitive tissues preceded by altered AT 1 R levels. Histological damage and increased HOMA-IR were also observed from PM 2.5 + FRD co-exposure. Our results indicate that the concomitant exposure to a ubiquitous environmental pollutant, such as PM 2.5 , and a metabolic disease risk factor, a FRD, can contribute to the metabolic disorder pandemic occurring in highly polluted locations., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Premise: Terminal velocity (Vt) is an important factor for the dispersal of biological particles but has scarcely been studied for anemochorous fern spores, and the influence of spore characteristics on Vt has not been evaluated. Here, we measured the Vt of 1234 spores of 18 fern species and two Selaginella microspores using videoimaging analysis and evaluated the effects of mass, size, and ornamentation on Vt., Methods: We designed a sedimentation tower with a graduated microtelescope attached to a high-speed video camera to record falling particles and measure the Vt of fern spores using video-image processing software. Spores were measured for each species and their size correlated with Vt., Results: The Vt of fern spores ranged from 4.7 cm·s -1 (Cyathea costaricensis) to 18.85 cm·s -1 (Acrostichum danaeifolium). The method is accurate and reliable as predicted by Stokes model for glass beads of known density and size. In addition, Vt had a higher correlation coefficient with mass (ρ = 0.72) than size (ρ = 0.20), and ornamental appendages reduced Vt., Conclusions: The reported values of Vt of fern spores are within the range of different biological airborne particles such as moss spores and pollen grains of seed plants. The results showed that spore ornamentation is directly related to Vt rather than spore size and may increase or decrease the drag. This method will aid future aerobiological research on biological particles., (© 2022 Botanical Society of America.)

Recent multidrug resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa has favoured the adaptation and dissemination of worldwide high-risk strains. In June 2018, 15 P. aeruginosa strains isolated from patients and a contaminated multi-dose meropenem vial were characterized to assess their association to an outbreak in a Mexican paediatric hospital. The strains were characterized by antibiotic susceptibility profiling, virulence factors' production, and biofilm formation. The clonal relationship among isolates was determined with pulse-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) sequencing. Repressor genes for the MexAB-OprM efflux pump were sequenced for haplotype identification. Of the strains, 60% were profiled as extensively drug-resistant (XDR), 33% as multidrug-resistant (MDR), and 6.6% were classified as sensitive (S). All strains presented intermediate resistance to colistin, and 80% were sensitive to aztreonam. Pyoverdine was the most produced virulence factor. The PFGE technique was performed for the identification of the outbreak, revealing eight strains with the same electrophoretic pattern. ST235 and ten new sequence types (STs) were identified, all closely related to ST233. ST3241 predominated in 26.66% of the strains. Twenty-five synonymous and seventeen nonsynonymous substitutions were identified in the regulatory genes of the MexAB-OprM efflux pump, and nalC was the most variable gene. Six different haplotypes were identified. Strains from the outbreak were metallo-β-lactamases and phylogenetically related to the high-risk clone ST233.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa has different resistant mechanisms including the constitutive MexAB-OprM efflux pump. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the mexR, nalC, and nalD repressors of this efflux pump can contribute to antimicrobial resistance; however, it is unknown whether these changes are mainly related to genetic lineages or environmental pressure. This study identifies SNPs in the mexR, nalC, and nalD genes in clinical and environmental isolates of P. aeruginosa (including high-risk clones). Ninety-one P. aeruginosa strains were classified according to their resistance to antibiotics, typified by multilocus sequencing, and mexR, nalC, and nalD genes sequenced for SNPs identification. The mexAB-oprM transcript expression was determined. The 96.7% of the strains were classified as multidrug resistant. Eight strains produced serine carbapenemases, and 11 strains metallo-β-lactamases. Twenty-three new STs and high-risk clones ST111 and ST233 were identified. SNPs in the mexR, nalC, and nalD genes revealed 27 different haplotypes (patterns). Sixty-two mutational changes were identified, 13 non-synonymous. Haplotype 1 was the most frequent (n = 40), and mainly identified in strains ST1725 (33/40), with 57.5% pan drug resistant strains, 36.5% extensive drug resistant and two strains exhibiting serin-carbapenemases. Haplotype 12 (n = 9) was identified in ST233 and phylogenetically related STs, with 100% of the strains exhibiting XDR and 90% producing metallo-β-lactamases. Haplotype 5 was highly associated with XDR and related to dead when compared to ST1725 and ST233 (RRR 23.34; p = 0.009 and RRR 32.01; p = 0.025). A significant relationship between the mexR-nalC-nalD haplotypes and phylogenetically related STs was observed, suggesting mutational changes in these repressors are highly maintained within genetic lineages. In addition, phylogenetically related STs showed similar resistant profiles; however, the resistance was (likely or partly) attributed to the MexAB-OprM efflux pump in 56% of the strains (only 45.05% showed mexA overtranscription), in the remaining strains the resistance could be attributed to carbapenemases or mechanisms including other pumps, since same SNPs in the repressor genes gave rise to different resistance profiles., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) induces airway inflammation and hyperreactivity that lead to asthma. The mechanisms involved are still under investigation. We investigated the effect of resveratrol (3,4',5-trihydroxystilbene) (RES) on airway hyperresponsiveness, inflammation and CYP1A1 protein expression (an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) target) induced by PM 2.5 exposure in an allergic asthma experimental guinea pig model. The polyphenolic compound RES was used due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and as an antagonist of the AhR; thus, providing mechanistic insights. Animals were sensitized with aluminum hydroxide and ovalbumin and exposed to filtered air or PM 2.5 . Exposure to PM 2.5 was conducted using a whole-body chamber particle concentrator (5 h/day) for 15 days. Animals received saline solution or RES (10 mg/kg per day) orally for 21 days simultaneously to the OVA challenge or PM 2.5 exposure. PM 2.5 exposure (mean 433 ± 111 μg/m 3 in the exposure chamber) in OVA challenged animals induced an asthma-like phenotype characterized by increased baseline lung resistance (Rrs) and central airway resistance (Rn) in response to acetylcholine (ACh) evaluated using a flexiVent system®. A parallel increase of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-17, TNF-α and IFN-γ), inflammatory cells (eosinophils and neutrophils) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung CYP1A1 increase also occurred. RES significantly inhibited airway hyperresponsiveness, inflammation, and CYP1A1 protein expression in the OVA-challenged PM 2.5 exposed animals. In summary, with the use of RES we demonstrate that PM-induced airway hyperreactivity is modulated by the inflammatory response via the AhR pathway in an allergic asthma guinea pig model., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

A computational system consisting of an urban mobility simulator, validated fluid dynamics and an integral exposure model, is proposed to obtain cyclist and pedestrian exposure to PM x and NO x . Pedestrian activities in the urban anthroposphere include walking and running. The computational experiments take place in a computer-generated urban canyon, subject to emissions from diesel and gasoline Euro 5 and Euro 6 vehicular technologies, in continuous and stop-and-go traffic scenarios, and three wind directions at two speeds. The exposure time in the computational domain of slow and fast pedestrians were obtained. Slow pedestrians had exposure times around 17% more than fast pedestrians due to their higher sidewalk residence time. Runners and cyclists decreased their exposures by 57% and 73% respectively compared with walkers. Two traffic scenarios are implemented: one due the presence of a hump and another without a hump. The presence of the hump, increased exposure and fuel consumption by 60% per heavy duty vehicle, about 44-48% per light duty vehicle and about 54-71% per passenger car. Vehicular technology had a large influence on exposure: Heavy duty-Euro 6 vehicle decreased 86% the exposure to PM 2.5 and 66% to NO X with respect to Euro 5. The proposed computational system provides information on how wind velocity influenced the inhomogeneous pollutant distribution in the street-canyon, causing exposure to be dependent on pedestrian route location. Microscale sidewalk areas in the order of meters containing higher concentrations were thus located. The cleanest routes in the urban canyon were identified. When the wind intensity doubled from 2 to 4 m s -1 , exposure concentration decreased around 45%. The proposed system provides a computational platform to study urban atmospheric fluids, scenarios such as pedestrian routes, vehicular technologies, traffic velocities, meteorological conditions and urban morphology affecting pollution exposure., (Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

The Mexico City Metropolitan Area (MCMA) was the object of a chemical elemental characterization (Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sb, Pb, La, Sm, Ce, and Eu) of PM 2.5 collected during 2013 and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Sampling campaigns were carried out at five locations simultaneously-northwest, northeast, center, southwest, and southeast-during dry-warm season (April), rainy season (August), and dry-cold season (November). By means of enrichment factor (EF) and principal component analysis (PCA), it was possible to attribute the analyzed elements to geogenic and anthropogenic sources, as well as to identify a group of elements with mixed provenance sources. The highest concentrations for most metals were found in northwest and northeast, and during dry-warm (DW), confirming the trend observed in PM 2.5 samples collected in 2011. Despite similarities between 2011 and 2013, an increase of 17% in PM 2.5 mass concentration was observed, mainly attributable to geogenic sources, whereby the importance of wind intensity to the impact of emission sources is highlighted. The effect of wind intensity was revealed, by means of polar plots, as the controlling mechanism for this increase. This allowed us to conclude that high-speed episodes (5 m s -1 ) were responsible for raising geogenic metal concentrations rather than wind direction.

Exposure to urban particulate matter (PM) is correlated with increases in the emergence of health services due to adverse events and deaths and is mainly related to cardiorespiratory complications. The translocation of particles from the lung into circulation has been proposed as a factor that may trigger systemic effects. Monocytes may be exposed to PM, and if the monocytes are activated, then they are likely to adhere to endothelial cells in a distant organ due to the expression of receptors for adhesion molecules. In the present study, we evaluated the expression of receptors for adhesion molecules (sLe x , PSGL-1, LFA-1, VLA-4 and α V β 3 ) in monocytes (U937 cells) exposed for 3 or 18 h to PM 10 (0.001, 0.003, 0.010, 0.030, 0.300, 3 or 30 µg/mL). Exposed cells were co-cultured with human endothelial cells that were naive or previously exposed to the same particles. When U937 cells were exposed to PM 10 , similar levels of expression for early and late receptors for adhesion molecules were observed from 30 ng/mL as those induced by TNF-α. Cells exposed to particles at concentrations above 30 ng/mL were more adhesive to naive or exposed human endothelial cells. Taken together, our results suggest that it is plausible that activated monocytes may play a role in systemic effects induced by PM 10 due to the size distribution of the particles and the concentrations required to trigger the expression of receptors for adhesion molecules in monocytes., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

In this study, atmospheric mercury concentration in airborne particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 µm (PM 2.5 ) was analyzed by ICP-MS. Samples were collected in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area (MCMA), during 2013, in five locations, Northwest, Northeast (NE), Central, Southwest and Southeast, along three seasons: dry warm, rainy, and dry cold (DC). It can be observed that NE shows the highest mercury concentration (p < 0.05), where pollution events were identified. The seasonal distribution shows that samples collected during DC present the highest concentration (p < 0.05). These results are in agreement with the distribution of important mercury industrial sources located in the northern urban area as well with the temperature and wind conditions during 2013. The comparison of data obtained in this work with those of similar previous studies clearly indicates a decrease, between 2006 and 2013, of mercury content in PM 2.5 collected in MCMA.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) from the environment are associated with reproductive abnormalities (i.e. decreased sperm concentration; increased endometriosis) and alterations of the cardiovascular system (i.e. increased blood pressure and risk of coronary disease). Some phthalates esters have been identified as EDCs, for which inhalation is considered as one of the routes of exposure. However, only little is known regarding inhalational exposure to EDCs via urban airborne particles. In the present study, we report the monthly concentration of 8 phthalate esters measured in PM 10 and PM 2.5 collected and recovered during 7 months in a highly populated area of Mexico City. Using the levels of PM 10 and PM 2.5 reported by the automatized network of environmental monitoring of Mexico City for the sampling site, we estimated exposure levels for people of different ages and gender. Two endocrine disrupting compounds, the phthalate esters DEHP and DnBP, were found on the particles in higher concentrations during the warmer months of the year. The highest concentration was reported for DEHP (229.7μg/g of particles) in PM 2.5 collected in May 2013. After calculations of the DEHP concentration in the atmosphere, and using the respiratory flow rate, we determined males were potentially exposed to larger quantities of DEHP, reaching up to 18ng/8h in April 2013. Despite the concentrations of phthalates seem to be rather small, a comprehensive characterization of its presence is necessary in order to evaluate the overall exposure to these compounds, providing a clear view of exposure on children, adolescents and pregnant women., (Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The study of airborne metals in urban areas is relevant due to their toxic effects on human health and organisms. In this study, we analyzed metals including rare earth elements (REE) in particles smaller than 2.5 μm (PM 2.5 ), collected at five sites around the Mexico City Metropolitan Area (MCMA), during three periods in 2011: April (dry-warm season, DW), August (rainy season, R), and November (dry-cold season, DC). Principal component analysis allowed identifying factors related to geogenic sources and factors related to anthropogenic sources. The recognition of the high impact of geogenic sources in PM 2.5 is in agreement with the REE distribution patterns, which show similar behavior as those shown by igneous rocks, confirming the influence of the regional geogenic material. Metals associated to geogenic sources showed higher concentration (p < 0.05) at NE of the MCMA and a significant correlation with prevalent winds. Geogenic metals show similar seasonal distribution, with the highest concentration during DW (p < 0.05), suggesting a possible metal resuspension effect which affects more significantly at lower relative humidity (RH). The metals associated with anthropogenic sources are in agreement with the urban complexity of the area, showing homogenous distribution throughout MCMA (p > 0.05) and no similar seasonal pattern among them. These unexpected results exposed outstanding information regarding the identification of different geogenic sources as the main contributors of metals in the atmospheric environment in the MCMA and highlighted the importance of meteorology in the spatial and seasonal metal patterns.

Wastewater reuse for agriculture is common worldwide; wastewater treatment, however, is rare in many countries, leading to high potential for exposure to harmful pathogens. Mexico City, one of the largest producers of untreated wastewater for agricultural use worldwide, was the site of key epidemiologic studies conducted in the 1990s. We both reviewed the literature on and conducted a cross-sectional study of diarrheal risk and wastewater contamination to provide an updated assessment of health risks and to inform an upcoming update of the 2006 WHO guidelines on wastewater reuse. We surveyed communities in the Mezquital Valley that use wastewater for irrigation and communities that use well water to compare the prevalence of self-reported diarrheal disease in children under five years old. Wastewater, well water, household environmental samples, and stool samples were collected and analyzed. Communities exposed to wastewater had a higher one-week prevalence of diarrhea (10%) compared to unexposed communities (5%). This association remained in an adjusted modified Poisson regression model (PR = 2.31, 95% CI 1.00, 5.31), but not when limited to households engaged in agriculture. Water quality indicators document differences between irrigation water from the two community groups. These results are in agreement with 25 population studies identified by our review that were conducted since or not included in the 2006 WHO guidelines and show consistent negative impacts of wastewater exposure on health. While overall diarrheal prevalence has declined when compared to studies conducted over 25 years ago in the same region, the association of diarrheal disease and wastewater exposure has remained and possibly increased. With rising urbanization worldwide, attention to these risks and wastewater treatment is becoming increasingly important., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Airborne manganese (Mn) is considered the most hazardous route of exposure since Mn particles can enter into the body through the lung and may access the brain directly through olfactory uptake, thereby bypassing homeostatic excretory mechanisms. Environmental indoor and outdoor manganese concentrations in PM2.5 were monitored in ten rural households from two communities of Hidalgo, Mexico, from 2006 to 2007. Indoor and outdoor air samples of PM2.5 were collected using MiniVol samplers, and Mn concentrations in the filters were measured using proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE). An adjusted generalized linear mixed model was applied and then used for estimating indoor concentrations in non-monitored households. Our monitoring results showed a higher daily average concentration of indoor PM2.5 vs. outdoor PM2.5 (46.4 vs. 36.2 μg/m(3), respectively); however, manganese concentration in PM2.5 indoor and outdoor was 0.09 μg/m(3) in both sceneries. Predictor variables of indoor Mn concentration were outdoor Mn concentration (64.5% increase per 0.1 μg/m(3) change in Mn) and keeping the windows open (4.2% increase). Using these predictors, the average estimated indoor Mn concentration in PM2.5 was 0.07 μg/m(3) (SD = 0.05). Our results confirm the direct effect of outdoor Mn levels, opening house windows, and the distance to the mining chimney in indoor Mn levels in houses.

Previous studies have used particle mass and size as metrics to link airborne particles with deleterious health effects. Recent evidence suggests that particle composition can play an important role in PM-toxicity; however, little is known about the specific participation of components (individually or acting in groups) present in such a complex mixture that accounts for toxicity. This work explores relationships among PM(10) components in order to identify their covariant structure and how they vary in three sites in Mexico City. Relationships between PM(10) with cell toxicity and geographical location were also explored. PM(10) was analyzed for elemental composition, organic and elemental carbon, endotoxins and the induction of inhibition of cell proliferation, IL-6, TNFalpha and p53. PM(10) variables were evaluated with principal component analysis and one-way ANOVA. The inhibition of cell proliferation, IL-6 and TNFalpha were evaluated with factorial ANOVA and p53 with the Welch test. The results indicate that there is heterogeneity in particle mass, composition and toxicity in samples collected at different sites. Multivariate analysis identified three major groups: (1) S/K/Ca/Ti/Mn/Fe/Zn/Pb; (2) Cl/Cr/Ni/Cu; and (3) endotoxins, organic and elemental carbon. Groups 1 and 3 showed significant differences among sites. Factorial ANOVA modeling indicated that cell proliferation was affected by PM concentration; TNFalpha and IL-6 by the interaction of concentration and site, and p53 was different by site. Radial plots suggest the existence of complex interactions between components, resulting in characteristic patterns of toxicity by site. We conclude that interactions of PM(10) components determine specific cellular outcomes.