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Objective: To determine the experience, prevalence and severity of caries in primary dentition and associated factors in 6- and 7-year-old schoolchildren. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 247 schoolchildren aged 6 and 7 years in Campeche, Mexico. Demographic and socio-economic information and oral hygiene practices and attitudes variables were collected through questionnaires directed to the mothers of the children. Dental caries were detected using the World Health Organization criteria. Caries experience (decayed, missing and filled teeth [dmft] average), prevalence (dmft > 0) and severity (dmft > 3 and dmft > 6) were determined and analysed using non-parametric tests. Results: For our sample, 52.2% were boys and 51.8% were 7 years old. The overall average dmft was 1.76 ± 2.46. The prevalence (dmft > 0) of caries was 50.2%, whereas the caries severities were (dmft > 3) 21.5% and (dmft > 6) 6.1%. As the mother's education level increased, the average dmft and caries prevalence decreased (p < 0.05). When the brushing frequency was lower than brushing once daily, the experience and severity of caries increased (p < 0.05). Surprisingly, we found that when the mother had a positive attitude towards the child's oral health, the prevalence and experience of caries increased (p < 0.05). Conclusion: One in two children had dental caries. Oral hygiene practices were associated with dental caries. Certain inequalities in oral health were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complex geographical scenario of Mexico allowed the cultural diversification and development of multiple cultures such as Tolteca, Teotihuacan, Mexica, and Maya, among others. Despite this rich cultural heritage, radiometric dating of Mexican cultural samples with radiocarbon (14C) began only in the 1980s and with accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) in 2013. Analysis of 14C with AMS is the most widely used technique to date archaeological objects and cultural heritage. Since 2013, the Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Laboratory (LEMA) facility of the Institute of Physics at UNAM (IF-UNAM) has supported archaeological research in Mexico, but also investigation in other areas such as geology, physics, chemistry, and environmental sciences through the analysis of 14C, 10Be, 26Al, 129I, and Pu. The absolute dating with 14C continues to be the core of LEMA's work, where different geographical scenarios of the country and climatic conditions present very diverse analytical challenges. This work presents a basic description of the AMS system of the LEMA laboratory and describes some applications that are currently being developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of West Indian Medical Journal is the property of West Indian Medical Journal (WIMJ) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of West Indian Medical Journal is the property of West Indian Medical Journal (WIMJ) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of West Indian Medical Journal is the property of West Indian Medical Journal (WIMJ) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abstract: The atmosphere of the Tula Industrial Corridor in Central Mexico is contaminated due to several industries including oil refining while station monitoring in this area are limited. Lanthanides are considered fingerprint of oil refinery activities, and La, Ce and Sm have been previously detected in this area using filters. The suitability of T. usneoides as a biomonitor assessing the La, Ce and Sm concentrations in Particulate Matter is evaluated by NAA. Results of both biomonitor and filters are highly correlated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In order to find out if there is a relation between atmospheric particulate matter composition and human health effects, metals and other elements measurement are performed. Analysis of atmospheric aerosols collected in filters is the usual method to achieve this task. Biological monitors provide an advantageous alternative way of sampling, since there is no need of special sampling devices, and accumulation time can be as long as desired. In this study, Tillandsia usneoides a reliable air pollution biological monitor that occurs naturally throughout Mexico was used to monitor air quality of Tula–Tepeji corridor at central Mexico. This area is considered critical zone because of atmosphere contaminants high concentration. Some biomonitors were transplanted from a clean environment to four sites at the Tula corridor. Plants samples were collected every two weeks from February to April 2008. PM10 sampling in filters was also performed simultaneously at three locations where T. usneoides was transplanted, for a comparison. Chemical composition was determined by PIXE. Results showed that T. usneoides incorporates anthropogenic elements reaching maximal levels after 6 to 10weeks approximately. Since results obtained with biomonitors agree with those obtained with aerosol filters, T. usneoides could be employed as a first approximation to provide insights of the atmospheric pollution level previous to a detailed study using filters. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To determine the prevalence of edentulism in adults aged 18 years and older in Mexico and to describe its distribution in 20 of the 32 States in Mexico, highlighting the experience in the WHO age groups. A secondary analysis of the National Performance Evaluation Survey 2002–2003 (representative at the state level and part of the Word Health Survey) was undertaken. The sample design was probabilistic, stratified and through conglomerates. Data on dental conditions were available only for 20 of the 32 states of Mexico, leading to a total of 24 159 households ( N = 54 638 654). The percentage of edentulism was determined as the proportion of subjects that self-reported complete loss of teeth. Data were analyzed using the SVY module for complex surveys in STATA 8·2®. The mean age was 41·3 ± 17·0 years (range 18–99). An estimated 6·3% ( N = 3 437 816) of the population ≥18 years was edentulous. Lowest prevalences were observed in the states of Tlaxcala, Puebla and the Estado de Mexico with 3·4%, 3·8% and 4·5%, respectively. Highest prevalences were observed in San Luis Potosí, Colima, and Michoacán with 10·3%, 10·2% and 10·1%, respectively. Following the WHO age groups, the prevalence ranged from 2·4% in the 35–44 group through 25·5% in the 65–74 group. No obvious association between socio-economic and socio-demographic indicators at the state level and prevalence of edentulism was found. The prevalence of complete tooth loss observed in the present study varied greatly across states, although no straightforward association was found with socio-economic and socio-demographic indicators at the state level. This study could serve as a baseline to enable future evaluations of the oral status of Mexican adults and elders, following WHO age groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE) experiments have been carried out at the AGLAE facility (Paris) on several mural samples containing Maya blue from different Prehispanic archaeological sites (Cacaxtla, El Tajín, Tamuin, Santa Cecilia Acatitlán) and from several colonial convents in the Mexican plateau (Jiutepec, Totimehuacán, Tezontepec and Cuauhtinchán). The analysis of the concentration of several elements permitted to extract some information on the technique used for painting the mural, usually fresco. Principal component analysis permitted to classify the samples into groups. This grouping is discussed in relation to geographic and historic data. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]