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Sarcopenia is defined by the presence of decreased skeletal muscle mass, strength, and functionality in older people. Multicomponent interventions represent an alternative to non-pharmacological treatment for preventing disease progression. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a multicomponent intervention approach in women at risk of sarcopenia. Methods: A quasi-experimental pilot study of 12 weeks was conducted, with 24 sessions of dancing and resistance exercises and 12 sessions of nutritional education. The outcomes were changes in muscle mass, grip strength, gait speed, and body composition. The project was registered on Clinical Trials: NCT06038500 (14 September 2023). Results: Twelve women aged 55–75 years participated in this study; after the intervention, changes were found in the following variables: grip strength, from 18.70 (17.98–19.23) at baseline to 21.57 (20.67–23.16) kg (p = 0.002); gait speed, from 0.95 (0.81–1.18) at baseline to 1.34 (1.20–1.47) m/s (p = 0.003); and hip circumference, from 99.75 (94.75–110.37) at baseline to 97.65 (93.92–109.50) cm (p = 0.023). Other measurements that appeared without changes were appendicular skeletal muscle mass, from 21.17 (18.58–22.33) at baseline to 20.77 (18.31–22.39) kg (p = 0.875), and the appendicular skeletal muscle mass index, from 8.64 (8.08–9.35) at baseline to 8.81 (7.91–9.38) kg/m2 (p = 0.875) after the intervention. Conclusions: The three-month multicomponent intervention in women at risk of sarcopenia improved their grip strength and gait speed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Faculty Led Programs are study abroad experiences led by university professors. Faculty Led Programs are considered as an opportunity for college students, especially in the United States to attend a short-term international experience (Mills, 2010). Faculty Led Program is an international experience which is different from the traditional exchange or study abroad. The basic difference is that in the traditional exchange programs, the students travel alone and the experience is for at least one semester (Sachau, Brasher, & Fee, 2010). One of the most important advantages of the Faculty Led experiences is that students have the opportunity to travel internationally for a short period of time, experience cultural differences and in some cases, practice foreign languages. Mexican universities as many universities around the world are making efforts to internationalize their campuses. They understand that globalization requires trained professionals and are aware of the importance of international relations (Bhawuk & Brislin, 1992). To respond to this need, UPAEP (Universidad Popular Autonoma del Estado de Puebla), through the Vice-Rector Campus Puebla, has decided to implement an aggressive campaign to support the institutional goal of achieving 70% of its students attending international experiences by 2015 (UPAEP Development Corporate Plan, 2011). Forty-three students and four teachers traveled to Oklahoma State for a Faculty Led Experience during the summer of 2011. The students have attended programs in robotics, communication sciences, industrial engineering and biotechnology. The purpose of this paper is to describe the process of organizing and conducting UPAEP Faculty Led Programs at OSU (Oklahoma State University) during the summer of 2011. The UPAEP Faculty Led Programs could contribute to the development of the internationalization of higher education institutions in Mexico and the rest of world. The UPAEP Faculty Led Programs at OSU were a success.The success depended on the detailed planning and the proper selection of the professors involved in the process, as well as the solid relationship between OSU and UPAEP. The students' evaluations were very positive, especially regarding the quality of the organization of programs, the staff, accommodation, logistics, academic and cultural activities, level of content and most importantly, multicultural experience. Additionally, the students mentioned that the UPAEP Summer Faculty Led Programs encouraged them to explore new international experiences, learn a new language and develop their personal intercultural competences.

In 2006, UPAEP (Universidad Popular Autonoma del Estado de Puebla) and OSU (Oklahoma State University) signed a MOU (memorandum of understanding) to develop more than 20 dual master's degree programs. This special partnership has allowed students from Mexico and the United States to study two master degree programs, in two languages, in two countries and in approximately two years. Five years ago, both higher education institutions realize that allowing students to travel between two countries could develop intercultural competences to work efficiently in international environments. We understood the need to develop intercultural competences in our students. They key of this successful agreements what the option to transfer up to 50% of the total credits of the master programs from one university to the other. After the signing of the general, the different colleges from both institutions were invited to participate in the design of each dual master degree. Each college in each university of UPAEP and OSU analyzed with their contra part, the academic requirements in the different master programs, as well as the required and the elective courses. After a deep analysis of the curricula, each institution decided which courses the students should take at each institution (as the core/required courses) and the courses that were allowed to transfer as well as the ones to take at the host institution. The addendums to the initial general MOU dual master's degree programs which include the course matching were signed by each one of the deans of the different schools and colleges involved in the process. Twenty-five different dual master's degree programs were developed and launched at once six years ago between both universities in Mexico and the United States. There is a special consideration in the design of the programs at each institution that facilitates the success of the negotiation of the dual master's degree programs between UPAEP and OSU. Those considerations are the innovativeness, flexibility and interdisciplinary of their curricula, which allowed the deans of the schools and colleges to select the courses that the students should take at the home institutions and the courses the students should take at the host institution. (Contains 1 table.

The College of Human Sciences at Oklahoma State University (OSU) and Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla (UPAEP) decided to offer Pedagogy Doctoral students from Mexico a 3 week co-teaching research methods experience. Two professors, one from each institution (OSU and UPAEP), designed the syllabus to offer a co-teaching experience in the United States. The objective of the course was to enhance students' success in their research dissertation project, contributing to develop students' autonomy and self-regulation while offering Mexican students an international experience at OSU and at the same time allowing students to access OSU facilities, including the library databases and different research software. Two evaluations were conducted to assess the effectiveness of the course and the impact in the students' autonomous learning. The first assessment was conducted at the end of the course through a semi-structured personal interview. The second evaluation was conducted six months after concluding the experience and included one on-line survey. During both evaluations the students agreed that a co-teaching experience was beneficial because the course combined two kinds of expertise and the teaching styles of both professors. The study concluded that co-teaching experience was useful in the students' journey to become autonomous learners and the level of understanding of the topics studied, the students' self-directed and self-regulated process and the achievement of the students' expectations.

Founded on a circular economy perspective, the possible effect of targeted supplementation with leftover feed from dairy cows (i.e., intensive system) upon the productive economic performance of crossbred–rangeland goats (i.e., extensive system) in northern arid Mexico was assessed. Multiparous goats (n = 38) with similar body condition score (BCS) and body weight (BW) were randomly assigned during the deep anestrus season (i.e., March–April, 25° N) into two groups: (1) the control-non-supplemented group (CONT; n = 19; BCS: 1.76 ± 0.06; BW: 44.3 ± 2.5 kg) and (2) the supplemented group (SUPL; n = 19; BCS: 1.76 ± 0.07; BW: 43.7 ± 1.8 kg). While the SUPL group received 400 g goat d−1 of dairy cow feed leftovers prior to grazing, both groups went daily to the rangeland (i.e., ≈8 h). The study considered an experimental period of 36 d with an experimental breeding of 11 d (d0–d10). Previously, on days −20, −10, −1 preceding the male-to-female interaction, the anovulatory status of goats was confirmed through ultrasonographic scanning. Prior to mating, the males were separated from goats and treated for a period of 3 weeks (i.e., every 3rd d) with testosterone (i.e., 50 mg i.m.). The response variables evaluated considered goats induced to estrus (GIE, %), goats ovulating (GO, %), ovulation rate (OR, units), pregnancy rate-1 (PRd36, %), pregnancy rate-2 (PRd50, %), embryo mortality-d50 (EMO, %), potential kidding index-d50 (PKId50,%), kid weight at birth simples (KWBS, kg), potential litter efficiency at birth (PLEB, kg), and potential litter efficiency at weaning (i.e., d21 post kidding), either expressed as kg head−1 (PLEW1) or USD head−1 (PLEW2). Although no differences (p > 0.05) occurred for GIE and PRd50, increases in the phenotypic expression of OR (1.42 vs. 0.73), PRd36 (68.4 vs. 36.8), EMO (23.0 vs. 0), PKId50 (74.7 vs. 26.8), and KWBS (4.1 vs. 3.3) occurred (p < 0.05) in the SUPL goats. To have a more integrative evaluation regarding the out-of-season reproductive outcomes, three bio-economic efficiency indices per goat exposed to males were generated: PLEB (4.3 vs. 0.6 kg), PLEW1-kg (7.7 vs. 3.1 kg), and PLEW2-USD (63.9 vs. 26.1 USD), which also favored (p < 0.05) to the SUPL goats. The last result occurred despite no differences (p > 0.05) regarding BW, BCS, and serum glucose concentrations between experimental groups. Furthermore, applying the main research outcomes from this specific study toward the large-scale goat production system in the Comarca Lagunera—one of the largest dairy goat production hubs in The Americas—denoted promising expectations, either from an economic or productive–reproductive standpoint. Certainly, goat producers from the region would increase their potential annual income just from the sale of kids by close to 250%; that is from MUSD 1.1 to 3.9. This result should reduce food insecurity and economic stress, as well as enhance the livelihoods of the goat keepers and their families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Intercultural Competency Certificate (CCI in Spanish) designed for the Universidad Popular Autonoma del Estado de Puebla (UPAEP University) is a theory based comprehensive plan to develop undergraduate students' intercultural competence. This Certificate is based in the Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity (DMIS) developed by Milton Bennett (1993) and will be assessed by the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) v.3 developed by Bennett & Hammer (Hammer, 2009; Hammer, Bennett, & Wiseman, 2003). The main purpose of the Intercultural Competency Certificate is to develop students' intercultural competence at least to the acceptance level of the DMIS continuum. To achieve this goal, the students will have to develop of necessary knowledge, skill and attitudes (Deardorff, 2006). This Certificate proposes to develop attitudes, knowledge and skills through certain activities as learning a new language, take international classes, reflect about intercultural differences, interact with people from other cultures, travel abroad and receive coaching by a professional who will guide them through tailor-make experiences according to the initial level of intercultural competence, measured by the IDI v.3 at the beginning of the Certification.

Simple Summary: In the arid lands of Northern Mexico, there are several dairy cattle clusters managed under intensive production systems and fed completely with mixed rations, yet 3–5% feed rejection of the total ration offered has been reported. This surplus feed retains a high nutritional value which could be used to improve the reproductive efficiency of goats managed under marginal–extensive schemes. Therefore, we visualized an interesting research opportunity based on the circular economy approach. We hypothesized that a short-term supplementation with feed leftovers from dairy farms (i.e., intensive system) will increase the reproductive outcomes of rangeland managed goats (i.e., extensive system), trying to promote the circularity/connectedness between two highly discordant production systems. Our study intended to elucidate this working hypothesis. Based on a circular economy approach, we evaluated the possible effect of targeted supplementation with leftover feed from dairy cows (i.e., intensive system) on the reproductive performance of crossbred/rangeland goats (i.e., extensive system) in arid Northern Mexico. During the deep-anestrous season (i.e., March–April, 25° North), multiparous goats (n = 38) with a similar body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS) were randomly assigned to two groups: (1) supplemented group (SG; n = 19; BCS: 1.76 ± 0.07; BW: 43.7 ± 1.8 kg), receiving 400 g goat d−1 of dairy-cow-feed leftovers prior to grazing; and (2) non-supplemented group (NS; n = 19; BCS: 1.76 ± 0.06; BW: 44.3 ± 2.5 kg). Both groups were directed to the rangeland for a period of ≈8 h. While the experimental period lasted 36 d, the experimental breeding considered 11 d (d0–d10). The anovulatory status of goats was ultrasonographically confirmed on days −20, −10, and −1 prior to male–female interaction. Previously, bucks were separated for 3 weeks from the experimental females and received exogenous testosterone every third day (i.e., 50 mg i.m.) prior to mating. With respect to the response variables, namely BW, BCS, blood glucose levels (BGLs), estrus induction (GIE, %), latency to estrus (LTE, h), estrus duration (ED, h), and luteal tissue volume (LTV, mm), no differences (p > 0.05) occurred between experimental groups. However, the response variables, namely goats ovulating (GO, %; 78.9 vs. 47.3), total number of corpuses luteum (TNCL, n; 27 vs. 13), ovulation rate (OR, n; 1.42 vs. 0.73), multiple ovulation (MO, %; 73.3 vs. 55.5), and pregnancy rate on d 36 (PRd36, %, 68.4 vs. 36.8), favored (p < 0.05) the SG over the NS goats. Our results demonstrate that connecting the circularity of two divergent ruminant production systems (i.e., cow-intensive and goat-extensive) by using dairy cows' feed leftovers as a targeted supplementation strategy in anestrous goats under a marginal-rangeland production system enhanced out-of-season reproductive outcomes (i.e., ovulation rate and pregnancy rate), thus benefiting marginal goat producers and their families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To determine the percentage of change and increment in glucose levels after a normal oral glucose tolerance test between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. Methods: We studied 3510 pregnant women who attended their obstetric delivery at a tertiary care hospital in Guadalajara, Mexico in 2018, according to characteristics and risk 1647 (47%) patients were screened for diabetes diagnosis using the oral glucose tolerance test, 501 patients reported normal values between their 24th and 28th week of pregnancy, only 400 patients had their fasting glucose level measured on the same day of their obstetric delivery, to be compared. Results: Average age was 30 years, with an average of 25.3 weeks of pregnancy. The fasting serum glucose levels taken after 28 weeks of pregnancy and before the obstetrical delivery showed an increase of 1.1 mmol/L in women who develop gestational diabetes mellitus, in contrast to women who did not develop gestational diabetes mellitus after 28 weeks their blood glucose only increased on average 0.4 mmol/L. The incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus in the study population during 2018 was 32.7%. Patients who developed gestational diabetes mellitus after a normal oral glucose tolerance test had greater body mass index before the pregnancy and newborns had a higher weight than babies born to mothers without gestational diabetes mellitus. Conclusion: Changes in glucose levels after the oral tolerance test of normal glucose require strict monitoring, in that it was demonstrated that 3% of patients developed gestational diabetes mellitus after week 28 of gestation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In P'urhépecha territory, Central Michoacán, Mexico, Indigenous revival processes have characterized in recent years by a resurgence of language reclamation projects that revendicate ethnic identity in Indigenous communities. In a country that has historically highlighted language as a marker of indigeneity, how do ethnic revindication processes tied to language emerge in communities where the Indigenous language has been entirely displaced by Spanish? This article discusses the case of Huecorio, a community of P'urhépecha descent located in Lake Pátzcuaro, where community members have engaged in language revival practices in the past 5 years. Grounded in Indigenous-based participatory research, we center our discussion on the use of the P'urhepecha language in the interrelated spheres that make up the community to demonstrate how Indigenous communities that no longer speak their heritage language are contributing to the reconfiguration of their ethno-cultural identity through language reclamation practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The parasite Entamoeba histolytica , the causal agent of amebiasis, is considered a worldwide emergent disease and still represents an important cause of death in Mexico. Here, we describe a clinical case, involving an inflammatory response to both Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and intestinal amebiasis 54-year-old, COVID-positive Mexican gentleman was admitted to surgery following 6 days of hematochezia. An exploratory laparotomy and colonoscopy revealed multiple fibrous and amebic ulcerations (5–10 cm in diameter), with necrotic tissue predominantly localized in the sigmoid, descending and ascending colon. We discuss the pathophysiological interplay of both COVID-19 and intestinal amebiasis with the aim of highlighting a potentially novel aggravating mechanism in surgical patients suffering from colonic perforation in the setting of abdominal sepsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Many models for predicting dengue epidemics use incidence and short-term changes in climate variables, however, studies in real-life scenarios for correlations of seroprevalence (SP) with long-term climate variables and with integration of socio-economic factors are scarce. Our objective was to analyse the combined correlation between socio-economic and climate variables with the SP of dengue in Mexico. Methods We performed a seroepidemiological ecological study on the Mexican Pacific coast. Dengue SP was estimated by the presence of immunoglobulin G antibodies in 1278 inhabitants. We implemented multiple correlations with socio-economic, climatic and topographic characteristics using logistic regression, generalized linear models and non-linear regressions. Results Dengue SP was 58%. The age-adjusted correlation was positive with the male sex, while a negative correlation was seen with socio-economic status (SES) and scholl level (SL). The annual temperature showed a positive correlation, while the altitude was negative. It should be noted that these correlations showed a marked 'S' shape in the non-linear model, suggesting three clearly defined scenarios for dengue risk. Conclusion Low SES and SL showed an unexpected paradoxical protective effect. Altitude above sea level and annual temperature are the main determinants for dengue in the long term. The identification of three clearly delineated scenarios for transmission could improve the accuracy of predictive models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chagas disease (ChD) is a parasitosis caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi (Tc). It is endemic to almost all Latin American countries, including the southern United States. The acute form of ChD and its actual incidence have rarely been described in Mexico, despite the extensive presence of favorable niches for its transmission. The objective of this study was to estimate the frequency of acute ChD in febrile patients at the central Pacific coast of Mexico. For this, we surveyed patients with persistent fever (5 to 10 days) in five hospitals at the Mexican states of Jalisco, Colima, and Nayarit in 2012. Samples were taken from a total of 485 patients to detect Tc in blood using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test and direct microscopic examination. Of these subjects, 10 were positive for PCR and none for microscopic examination (2% in 12 months). We adjusted this rate by the total people at risk in the area and obtained an incidence of 7.4/100,000 habs./year. The positive cases showed no association with sex, rural settlement, or pet ownership, only with the contact with Triatominae insects (odds ratio = 9.22 and confidence interval: 1.93–44.06). The clinical picture of positive patients showed an association with the diagnosis of lower respiratory tract infections. Meanwhile, only one fatal case showed the typical picture of acute fatal cardiomyopathy. The pulmonary manifestations of our patients suggest possible lung pathogenicity of Tc, which merits further investigation. Our findings differ markedly from the official reports for ChD. This difference suggests an underestimation of the disease. These findings urge the Mexican health authorities to implement more vigorous actions aimed at improving medical skills in the timely diagnosis of ChD, as well as to apply efficient preventive programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This work evaluates a macroscopic system for the exploitation and distribution of shale gas. • Optimal decisions include both the water management and the gas supply chain. • The case study uses real information from various governmental agencies in Mexico. • Data has been processed through the geographic information system ArcGIS. • Even in an optimal scenario, water availability for some municipalities is compromised. This study presents a mathematical programming approach for evaluating the exploitation and distribution of shale gas from potential reserves at a national level, depending upon existing infrastructure and water availability. The study describes an MILP model that simultaneously integrates water management with the design and planning of the supply chain, from basins to distribution markets and fresh water supply from available watersheds. The model is applied to a case based on the potential exploitation of shale gas basins in Mexico. The parameters of the model are mostly taken from the databases of the country, processed through the geographic information system ArcGIS. The solution provides the optimal decisions for exploitation and distribution, as well as for freshwater source selection and optimal wastewater management. Water management strategies include disposal, wastewater treatment in municipal plants and onsite treatment. The negative impact of water consumption of the optimal exploitation systems is assessed based mainly on the estimation of the water stress index. Results show that the shale gas exploitation would favor the energy independence of the country, but the availability of freshwater for some municipalities would be compromised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To determine the relationship of sociodemographic factors and sexual function in patients with hypertension. Method. 148 patients with hypertension from the family medicine unit in the rural area of the municipality of Ahome, Mexico. Results. Female and male sexual function showed negative and significant correlations with age (rs = -.477, rs = -.700, p <.01), time of hypertension diagnosis (rs = -.399, rs = - .417, p <.01), time of sentimental or couple relationship (rs = -.382, rs = -.618, p <.01) and number of children (rs = -.368, rs = -.610, p <.01) and showed a positive and significant relationship with schooling (rs = .435, rs = .314, p <.01). Sexual dysfunction secondary to pharmacological treatment showed a positive and significant relationship with age (rs = .429, p <.01), with the number of children (rs = .326, p <.01) and with the time of diagnosis (rs = .369, p <.01). Sentimental relationship (rs = .297, p <.01) presented a negative and significant relationship with schooling (rs = - .207, p <.05). Conclusions. The condition and treatment of hypertension have an impact on the sexual function of women and men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the implementation of programmes to improve maternal health, maternal and foetal mortality rates still remain high. The presence of maternal distress and its association with the development of pregnancy hypertensive disorders is not well established. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between maternal distress and the development of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy in a prospective cohort of 321 Mexican women. Symptoms of maternal distressing were evaluated at week 20th of gestation using the General Health Questionnaire. The presence of acute somatic symptoms, social dysfunction, anxiety and insomnia increased the odds of developing a pregnancy hypertensive disorder by 5.1-26.4 times in study population (p values < .05). Our results support the participation of maternal distress in the development of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The implementation of effective programmes prioritising risk factors during pregnancy including the presence of maternal distressing factors is recommended. Impact statement What is already known on this subject: Changes in the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems have been observed in pregnant women with distress conditions leading to gestational disorders. What do the results of this study add: The presence of acute somatic symptoms, social dysfunction, anxiety and insomnia increased the developing of hypertensive disorders in Mexican population. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research: These findings may contribute to a better understanding of the role of the maternal stress in the development of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and in the implementation of effective programmes for clinical practice prioritising risk factors during pregnancy, including the presence of maternal distressing factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the enrichment of scientific research, education and outreach in Cameron Park, Texas on the Texas-Mexico border through a participatory action research partnership. Population; Dominance of the agriculture industry; Intensive use of pesticides and increased potential for water, air and ground contamination.

To evaluate the effect of nutritional supplementation with leftover food of dairy cows upon the reproductive response of multiracial female goats fed in open range in northern Mexico (26°N, 104°W), 38 multiparous goats in extensive grazing conditions were randomly assigned to two groups with similar weight (BW; Kg) and body condition score (BCS; scale 1-5). The control group (CG; n=19; BCS 1.7± 0.03; BW 60.42 ± 1.5 Kg, fed only in native vegetation) and supplemented group (SG; n=19; BCS; 1.7± 0.07; BW 60.21± 0.97 Kg) were fed native vegetation plus a nutritional supplementation with a ration fully mixed of leftover dairy feed, which consisted of 96.67 g of corn silage, 54.08 g of alfalfa ground hay, 49.38 of soybean paste, 37.80 g of cottonseed, 124.27 g of rolled corn and 37.80 g of commercial mixture with vitamins and minerals (totaling 400g; 14.5 PC,80% DM). The diet was offered individually daily (before grazing) from day -5 to +15 of the study. All females were subject to the male effect (Day 0; 2/group) for 10 days. By transrectal ultrasonography (Aloka SSD-500; 7.5MHz) were determined: the proportions of females having ovulations (OF: day 8) and pregnant females (PF, day 45). All data were compared using a Chi-square test (IBM SPSS 25). Differences were observed (P< 0.05) for OF (SG:15/19;78.9% vs CG: 9/19; 47.3%), but not for PF (SG:10/19; 52.6% vs CG: 6/19; 31.5%). We conclude that the proportion of ovulating females was greater n SG than in CG, nevertheless, the PF was not different, possibly because the time in which the nutritional supplementation was offered did not influence the period of embryonic implantation, it would be interesting to do an experiment extending the period of nutritional supplement with leftover food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: For many years Chiapas, Mexico's poorest state, has had the highest rate of child mortality due to intestinal infections of unknown etiology in the country. To begin identifying the infectious agents, our work determined the prevalence of intestinal parasites as well as malnutrition in children from Chiapas's three most impoverished municipalities: Pantepec, Chanal, and Larrainzar. Methodology: In this cross-sectional study, conducted between January and November 2009, we assessed the prevalence of intestinal parasites by means of coproparasitological analysis in children <5 years of age (N=250) from three of the marginalized municipalities: Pantepec, Chanal and Larrainzar. The prevalence of malnutrition was then assessed using the Mexican official norm NOM-031-SSA2-1999 and WHO criteria. We evaluated the association between age (breast-fed and pre-school children) with parasites and nutritional status. Results: Our analysis revealed the highest prevalence of intestinal parasites in children from Pantepec (62.8 %), followed by Chanal (47.3 %), and then Larrainzar (11.9 %). The nematode Ascaris lumbricoides was the most prevalent enteroparasite (33.6%). Anthropometric analysis revealed that >40% of children represented varying degrees of malnutrition and a marked constitutional delay in growth. A very high prevalence of stunting was also recorded in children from Chanal and Larrainzar (70% and 55 %, respectively). An association between infection with intestinal parasites and malnutrition was observed in Pantepec. Preschool-age children were more likely to be infected with intestinal parasites. Conclusion: Our results indicate the urgent need for interventions in order to 1) improve the nutritional status of children and 2) reduce infection rates of enteric parasites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: The hypoglycemic effect of root and rhizome aqueous decoction of Psacalium decompositum (Asteraceae), a medicinal herb from Mexico, has been experimentally demonstrated, leading to the identification of several hypoglycemic sesquiterpenoids, such as cacalol, and the mixture of 3-hydroxycacalolide, and epi-3-hydroxycacalolide; however, the mechanism of action of these compounds is unknown. Aim of the study: To establish whether cacalol, cacalone epimer mixture and cacalol acetate may block adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channels (KATP channels) in a similar way to the antidiabetic drug glibenclamide. Materials and methods: Cacalol, cacalone epimer mixture, and cacalol acetate were tested on the diazoxide-induced relaxation of male rat aortic rings precontracted with phenylephrine (3.2×10−6 M). Results: Cacalol (10−5 M), cacalol acetate and the cacalone epimer mixture (10−4 M) inhibited the diazoxide effect, in a similar manner and concentration as glibenclamide (10−5 M). Cacalone epimer mixture exerted this effect in a concentration-dependent manner (P <0.01). Cacalol (10−4 M), irreversibly inhibited the diazoxide-induced relaxation, and displayed activity at a lower concentration (10−5 M) than cacalone epimer mixture and cacalol acetate. Conclusions: These results suggest that the studied compounds block KATP channels in a similar way to glibenclamide in rat aorta. However, controversial data indicate that Psacalium decompositum sesquiterpenoids are less effective than glibenclamide in lowering plasma glucose levels, suggesting that cacalol and cacalone epimer mixture, as well as cacalol acetate, may display a higher affinity to SUR2 subunit of KATP channels in aortic smooth muscle than to SUR1 subunit in pancreatic β-cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: A growing literature suggests associations between occupational pesticide exposure and respiratory health. In this study, we aimed to examine the association of exposure to insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides, individually and as a mixture, with respiratory health outcomes and rhinitis in avocado farmworkers from Michoacán, Mexico., Material and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 105 avocado farmworkers between May and August 2021. We quantified 12 insecticide, fungicide, and herbicide metabolites in urine samples collected during two study visits (8-10 weeks apart). We collected survey data on self-reported pesticide use during the 12 months prior to the baseline survey and estimated annual exposure-intensity scores (EIS) using a semi-quantitative exposure algorithm. We also assessed respiratory symptoms, including wheezing, chest tightness, wheezing after exercise, and night cough. We used generalized linear regression models to examine associations of individual urinary metabolite concentrations and annual EIS with respiratory health outcomes and rhinitis. Mixture effects were assessed using Bayesian Weighted Quantile Sum (BWQS) regression., Results: After adjusting for multiple comparisons, we observed mostly null associations of individual pesticide metabolite concentrations and annual EIS with the outcomes of interest. However, in BWQS analyses, we found evidence of a mixture association of urinary pesticide metabolites with increased odds of night cough (OR: 5.34, 95 % CrI: 1.67, 20.62). Pyrethroid metabolites 3-phenoxybenzoic acid and cis- and trans-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid were the main contributors to this association (43 %)., Conclusions: Our findings indicate that exposure to a mixture of pesticides, particularly pyrethroid insecticides, may be associated with night cough in avocado farmworkers., 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 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Rhipicephalus microplus is the most important tick in veterinary medicine, given its repercussions on animal production. The principal strategy to avoid adverse effects associated with R. microplus is the chemical control of tick populations through organosynthetic acaricides. Therefore, monitoring susceptibility to acaricides is paramount in any control program. This study aimed to analyze the resistance status of 2 populations of R. microplus from northeastern Mexico to the organochlorine (OC) lindane, organophosphates (OP) coumaphos, chlorfenvinphos, diazinon, and chlorpyrifos, and the synthetic pyrethroids (SPs) flumethrin, deltamethrin, and cypermethrin. Discriminating doses (DD) of each acaricide were used in the larval packet bioassay (LPT). Additionally, the presence of the knockdown resistance (kdr) mutation T2134A associated with pyrethroid resistance was evaluated using allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The populations of R. microplus showed a high frequency of resistance to SP, with mortality rates of less than 5%; they also showed resistance to the OPs (diazinon and chlorpyrifos) with mortality rates ranging from 1.29% to 34.62%; meanwhile, they were susceptible to coumaphos and chlorfenvinphos. Mortality rates higher than 66% were observed for lindane, indicating susceptibility. The mutant allele of the kdr mutation T2134A was detected in 75% and 100% of the pools analyzed. The populations studied presented a highly resistant profile to pyrethroids, with the presence of the kdr mutant allele A2134. The susceptibility to the organophosphates such as coumaphos and chlorfenvinphos of R. microplus from northeastern Mexico should be noted., (Copyright © 2023 by The American Mosquito Control Association, Inc.)

Traditional regional diets are considered as sustainable dietary patterns, while many have been examined with regard to their health benefits. The aim of the present systematic review was to aggerate all evidence on the physiological effects of regional diets among adults at high risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Three databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) implementing any regional diet (Mediterranean (MedD), Persian, Southern European Atlantic, Japanese, Chinese, new Nordic, or other) while examining cardiovascular risk factors among adults at increased risk. Primary outcomes included anthropometric indices and secondary outcomes involved blood lipid concentrations, glucose metabolism, inflammation and other markers of CVD progression. Twenty RCTs fulfilled the study's criteria and were included in the qualitative synthesis, with the majority implementing a MedD. Adherence to most of the regional diets induced a reduction in the BW and anthropometric indices of the participants. The majority of RCTs with blood pressure endpoints failed to note a significant reduction in the intervention compared to the comparator arm, with the exception of some new Nordic and MedD ones. Despite the interventions, inflammation markers remained unchanged except for CRP, which was reduced in the intervention groups of one new Nordic, the older Japanese, and the Atlantic diet RCTs. With regard to blood lipids, regional diet interventions either failed to induce significant differences or improved selective blood lipid markers of the participants adhering to the experimental regional diet arms. Finally, in the majority of RCTs glucose metabolism failed to improve. The body of evidence examining the effect of regional dietary patterns on CVD risk among high-risk populations, while employing an RCT design, appears to be limited, with the exception of the MedD. More research is required to advocate for the efficacy of most regional diets with regard to CVD.

Bloom syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder with less than 300 cases reported in the literature. Bloom syndrome is characterized by chromosome instability, physical stigmata, growth deficiency, immunodeficiency, and a predisposition to cancer, most commonly leukemias, although solid tumors are reported as well. Bloom syndrome occurs in multiple ethnic groups with a higher incidence in persons of Ashkenazi Jewish origin. Few patients of Hispanic ethnicity have been reported. We report here a Mexican American family with a BLM pathogenic variant, c.2506&#95;2507delAG, previously reported in a single patient from Mexico. In this family of four siblings, three have phenotypic features of Bloom syndrome, and BLM gene mutation was homozygous in these affected individuals. Our proband developed a rhabdomyosarcoma. Analysis of surrounding markers in the germline DNA revealed a common haplotype, suggesting a previously unrecognized founder mutation in the Hispanic population of Mexican origin., (© 2021 Sybouts et al.; Published by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.)

Chagas disease (ChD) is a parasitosis caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi (Tc). It is endemic to almost all Latin American countries, including the southern United States. The acute form of ChD and its actual incidence have rarely been described in Mexico, despite the extensive presence of favorable niches for its transmission. The objective of this study was to estimate the frequency of acute ChD in febrile patients at the central Pacific coast of Mexico. For this, we surveyed patients with persistent fever (5 to 10 days) in five hospitals at the Mexican states of Jalisco, Colima, and Nayarit in 2012. Samples were taken from a total of 485 patients to detect Tc in blood using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test and direct microscopic examination. Of these subjects, 10 were positive for PCR and none for microscopic examination (2% in 12 months). We adjusted this rate by the total people at risk in the area and obtained an incidence of 7.4/100,000 habs./year. The positive cases showed no association with sex, rural settlement, or pet ownership, only with the contact with Triatominae insects (odds ratio = 9.22 and confidence interval: 1.93-44.06). The clinical picture of positive patients showed an association with the diagnosis of lower respiratory tract infections. Meanwhile, only one fatal case showed the typical picture of acute fatal cardiomyopathy. The pulmonary manifestations of our patients suggest possible lung pathogenicity of Tc, which merits further investigation. Our findings differ markedly from the official reports for ChD. This difference suggests an underestimation of the disease. These findings urge the Mexican health authorities to implement more vigorous actions aimed at improving medical skills in the timely diagnosis of ChD, as well as to apply efficient preventive programs.

Mexico City's Metropolitan Area (MCMA) includes Mexico City and 60 municipalities of the neighbor states. Inhabitants are exposed to emissions from over five million vehicles and stationary sources of air pollutants such as particulate matter (PM) and ozone. MCMA PM contains elemental carbon and organic carbon (OC). OCs include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), many of which induce mutagenic and carcinogenic DNA adducts. Gestational exposure to air pollution has been associated with increased risk of intrauterine growth restriction, preterm birth or low birth weight risk, and PAH-DNA adducts. These effects also depend on the presence of risk alleles. We investigated the presence of bulky PAH-DNA adducts, plasma 8-iso-PGF 2α (8-iso-prostaglandin F 2α ) and risk allele variants in neonates cord blood and their non-smoking mothers' leucocytes from families that were living in a highly polluted area during 2014-2015. The presence of adducts was significantly associated with both PM 2.5 and PM 10 levels, mainly during the last trimester of gestation in both neonates and mothers, while the last month of pregnancy was significant for the association between ozone levels and maternal plasma 8-iso-PGF 2α . Fetal CYP1B1*3 risk allele was associated with increased adduct levels in neonates while the presence of the maternal allele significantly reduced the levels of fetal adducts. Maternal NQO1*2 was associated with lower maternal levels of adducts. Our findings suggest the need to reduce actual PM limits in MCMA. We did not observe a clear association between PM and/or adduct levels and neonate weight, length, body mass index, Apgar or Capurro score. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 60:428-442, 2019. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: HIV sequence data can be used to reconstruct local transmission networks. Along international borders, like the San Diego-Tijuana region, understanding the dynamics of HIV transmission across reported risks, racial/ethnic groups, and geography can help direct effective prevention efforts on both sides of the border., Methods: We gathered sociodemographic, geographic, clinical, and viral sequence data from HIV infected individuals participating in ten studies in the San Diego-Tijuana border region. Phylogenetic and network analysis was performed to infer putative relationships between HIV sequences. Correlates of identified clusters were evaluated and spatiotemporal relationships were explored using Bayesian phylogeographic analysis., Findings: After quality filtering, 843 HIV sequences with associated demographic data and 263 background sequences from the region were analyzed, and 138 clusters were inferred (2-23 individuals). Overall, the rate of clustering did not differ by ethnicity, residence, or sex, but bisexuals were less likely to cluster than heterosexuals or men who have sex with men (p = 0.043), and individuals identifying as white (p ≤ 0.01) were more likely to cluster than other races. Clustering individuals were also 3.5 years younger than non-clustering individuals (p < 0.001). Although the sampled San Diego and Tijuana epidemics were phylogenetically compartmentalized, five clusters contained individuals residing on both sides of the border., Interpretation: This study sampled ~ 7% of HIV infected individuals in the border region, and although the sampled networks on each side of the border were largely separate, there was evidence of persistent bidirectional cross-border transmissions that linked risk groups, thus highlighting the importance of the border region as a "melting pot" of risk groups., Funding: NIH, VA, and Pendleton Foundation.

We report here the discovery of Aedes albopictus for the first time in Sinaloa state, Mexico. The mosquito larvae were collected from small water containers in the urban area of Culiacan city, Sinaloa state. Identification of the species was done primarily by morphology, followed by confirmation with polymerase-chain-reaction-based molecular method.

Coding variants in both myocilin (MYOC) and optineurin (OPTN) are reported risk factors for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in many populations. This study investigated the contribution of MYOC and OPTN coding variants in Hispanics of Mexican descent with and without POAG. We conducted a case-control study of unrelated POAG cases and nonglaucomatous controls in a population of Hispanics of Mexican descent. Ascertainment criteria for POAG included the presence of glaucomatous optic neuropathy with associated visual field loss and the absence of secondary causes of glaucoma. Controls had normal optic nerves, visual fields and intraocular pressure. All coding exons of MYOC and OPTN were sequenced. The data set consisted of 88 POAG cases and 93 controls. A novel nonsynonymous coding variant (R7H) in the first exon of MYOC was identified. Other identified variants in MYOC and OPTN have been previously described and do not seem to contribute to POAG risk. This is the first comprehensive study of MYOC and OPTN in Hispanics of Mexican descent with POAG. Neither MYOC nor OPTN sequence variants seem to have a major role in the etiology of POAG in this population.

Object: Hypothalamic hamartoma is a nonneoplastic malformative mass of neurons and glia in the region of the hypothalamus. Because of its location, open surgery is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Gamma knife surgery (GKS) may be an efficient and safe treatment approach, which produces little morbidity. The authors describe the results of GKS in three patients with hypothalamic hamartomas., Methods: All patients were male, aged 3, 12, and 15 years. The lesions were classified according to the Valdueza scale: one was Type IIb and two were Type IIa. The patients presented with gelastic seizures (15-20 per day), generalized epilepsy, behavioral abnormalities, and alterations of the sleep cycle. Precocious puberty was present in one patient. The Type IIb tumor had a volume of 1.8 cm3, and the Type IIa tumors were 597 mm3 and 530.1 mm3. The lesions received 12.5 Gy, 14 Gy, and 15 Gy, respectively, to the 50% isodose line. The patients were followed for 30 to 50 months. After 3 months, all patients showed improvement of their sleep, behavior, and epilepsy. At the present time, these patients are receiving low-dose antiepileptic agents and have achieved adequate social development and school integration., Conclusions: Gamma knife surgery appears to be a good, safe, and effective option for the treatment of selected hypothalamic hamartomas. No morbidity or mortality was associated with these three cases.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease in which polymorphisms within the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) region have been associated to its etiology. For this study, HLA-DQB1, DQA1, and DRB1 genes were typed by polymerase chain reaction-sequence-specific primer in 237 individuals, taken from 74 families, who had a member with SLE, and who had their residence in the western region of Mexico; as well as in 159 ethnically matched healthy volunteers taken from 32 families. Genotype and allele frequency analysis was performed in 74 SLE patients and 54 unrelated controls. Precise three-loci identification of independent haplotypes was performed in 48 patients and 54 controls by familial segregation. Genotype distribution at each loci was concordant with Hardy-Weinberg's equilibrium in the control group. In general, no genotype effect was observed in SLE patients. Allele distribution comparison showed in the SLE group a significant increase of HLA-DQA1*0102, DQB1*0402, and DRB1*15; whereas alleles HLA-DQB1*0303 and *0501 were significantly decreased. SLE patients showed haplotype DQB1*0602-DQA1-*0102-DRB1*15 increased. As expected, patients with SLE have a reduced haplotype genetic diversity. The associations found in this study are related to an ancestral haplotype that has been observed in SLE populations of different origins.