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Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) can be triggered by the presence of inflammatory factors which promote the activation of immune cells by costimulatory molecules such as CD40 and its ligand CD40L. Environmental and genetic factors are involved in the etiology of the ACS. The aim of this study was to explore the gene and protein expression associated with CD40 and CD40L genetic variants in ACS patients from the western Mexican population. A total of 620 individuals from western Mexico were recruited: 320 ACS patients and 300 individuals without a history of ischemic cardiopathy were evaluated. The genotype was determined using TaqMan SNP genotyping assays. CD40 and CD40L expressions at the mRNA level were quantified using TaqMan Gene Expression Assays. Soluble protein isoforms were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We did not find evidence of association between CD40 (rs1883832, rs4810485, and rs11086998) and CD40L (rs3092952 and rs3092920) genetic variants and susceptibility to ACS, although rs1883832 and rs4810485 were significantly associated with high sCD40 plasma levels. Plasma levels of sCD40L can be affected by gender and the clinical spectrum of acute coronary syndrome. Our results do not suggest a functional role of CD40 and CD40L genetic variants in ACS. However, they could reflect the inflammatory process and platelet activation in ACS patients, even when they are under pharmacological therapy. Due to the important roles of the CD40-CD40L system in the pathogenesis of ACS, longitudinal studies are required to determine if soluble levels of CD40 and CD40L could be clinically useful markers of a recurrent cardiovascular event after an ACS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Childhood obesity is a serious public health problem in Mexico. Adult gut microbiota composition has been linked to obesity, but few studies have addressed the role of gut microbiota in childhood obesity. Objectives: The aim of this study is to compare gut microbiota composition in obese and normal‐weight children and to associate gut microbiota profiles with amino acid serum levels and obesity‐related metabolic traits. Methods: Microbial taxa relative abundance was determined by 16S rRNA sequencing in 67 normal‐weight and 71 obese children aged 6–12 years. Serum amino acid levels were measured by mass spectrometry. Associations between microbiota composition, metabolic parameters and amino acid serum levels were tested. Results: No significant differences in phyla abundances or Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratios were observed between normal‐weight and obese children. However, Bacteroides eggerthii abundance was significantly higher in obese children and correlated positively with body fat percentage and negatively with insoluble fibre intake. Additionally, Bacteroides plebeius and unclassified Christensenellaceae abundances were significantly higher in normal‐weight children. Abundance of both these species correlated negatively with phenylalanine serum levels, a metabolite also found to be associated with obesity in Mexican children. Conclusions: The study identified bacterial species associated with obesity, metabolic complications and amino acid serum levels in Mexican children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sea surface current measurements and wind stress and sea surface temperature satellite data were used to study the effect of northerly wind events (Tehuanos) on coastal dynamics in the Gulf of Tehuantepec, Mexico. The winter 2005 observations show a significant change in the intensity and direction of surface currents during wind events, which is reflected in an increase in kinetic energy and negative relative vorticity. The analysis revealed that kinetic energy of the coastal current decreases (increases) in periods when there is absence (presence) of Tehuano wind events, and that the relative vorticity has a tendency to positive values under low wind conditions and a tendency to negative values during high wind events. An asymmetric ocean response was observed due to wind stress forcing and the interaction between a persistent coastal current and offshore wind stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The morphology, microstructure and chemical composition of soot particles emitted directly from biofuel cook stoves have been studied by using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and ion beam analysis (IBA) techniques. Freshly emitted soot particles were collected using an eight stage cascade impactor that separates particles according to their size. The particulate matter is impacted on thin aluminum foil and copper grids for Transmission Electron Microscope. The analysis of HRTEM micrographs revealed the nanostructure and the particle size of soot chain. Results from the border-based fractal dimension indicated that main morphological differences observed in soot particles perhaps are associated to cook-stove chamber design. XPS analysis shows that particles are mainly composed by carbon and oxygen. The XPS C-1s spectra show carbon with three peaks corresponding to sp 2 , sp 3 hybridization and carbon oxygen bond. Additionally, we determined the areal density (atoms/cm 2 ) of the soot films and the purity of the substrates by means of IBA techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apolipoprotein B (APOB) is associated with the development of atherosclerosis and consequently in the acute coronary syndrome (ACS) physiopathology. Single number variants (SNVs) in apolipoprotein B gene (APOB) influence over the susceptibility for this syndrome. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the rs1469513, rs673548, rs676210, and rs1042034 SNVs and serum levels of APOB in the risk of ACS in a population from western Mexico. We included 300 patients in the group of cases (ACSG) and 300 individuals in the control group (CG). APOB levels were evaluated by immunonephelometry, and SNVs were genotyped with TaqMan probes. We found significant allelic and genotypic differences between groups for rs673548 and rs676210 (OR = 1.33, p =0.030, OR = 2.69, p < 0.001) and rs1042034 (OR = 0.50, p =0.037) SNVs. We found a risk haplotype TAGT (OR: 2.14, IC 1.50-3.04, p < 0.001). Our findings support a significant risk association between rs673548 and rs676210 variants for ACS; meanwhile, rs1042034 could be considered protective factor in a western Mexican population. Also, in this population, haplotype TAGT may confer 2.14 times a higher risk. APOB serum levels were compared by genotype variants in both groups without any significant statistical difference., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Maricela Aceves-Ramírez et al.)

Background: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes de COVID-19 disease use as a principal receptor the angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2). It has been suggested that dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) can be another possible receptor for this virus. The present study aimed to establish if the DPP4 levels and DPP4 polymorphisms are associated with COVID-19 disease and its severity., Methods: The study included 107 COVID-19 patients and 263 matched-healthy controls. Fifty patients required invasive mechanical ventilation. The DPP4 was quantified in serum using the Bioplex system. Based on the previous results and the functional prediction analysis, we select for the study 5 DPP4 polymorphisms (rs12617336, rs12617656, rs1558957, rs3788979, and rs17574) and these were determined using the 5´exonuclease TaqMan assays., Results: Low levels of DPP4 were observed in COVID-19 patients (46.5 [33.1-57.7] ng/mL) when compared to healthy controls (125.3 [100.3-157.3] ng/mL) (P < 0.0001). Also, patients that required mechanical ventilation showed lower DPP4 levels (42.8 [29.8-56.9] ng/mL) than those that did not need this procedure (49.2 [39.9-65.6] ng/mL) (P = 0.012). DPP4 levels correlated negatively with age, fibrinogen, and platelet levels, and positively with albumin, alanine aminotransferase, and percentage of neutrophils. The DPP4 rs3788979 polymorphism was associated with a high risk of COVID-19 disease and, the TT genotype carriers had the lowest DPP4 levels., Conclusions: In summary, in the present study, an association of low levels of DPP4 with COVID-19 disease and severity was found. The association of the DPP4 rs3788979 polymorphism with COVID-19 is also reported., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The AIRE gene influences the expression of a wide array of self-antigens in the thymus, and is essential to the negative selection of self-reactive T cells and establishment of central tolerance. Single nucleotide variants (SNVs) such as rs878081C/T (Ser196Ser) and rs2075876G/T at this locus have been associated with susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis, mainly in Asian populations, but its role in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has not been documented. We performed a case-control association study with 379 SLE patients and 460 controls from central Mexico. In addition, we replicated our finding in another group of 179 SLE patients and 97 controls from the same region of Mexico. In the first group, we identified that the AIRE Ser196Ser synonymous variant was associated with SLE (OR 1.4, p = 0.009), meanwhile, in the second group we observed the following: OR 1.7, p = 0.024. No association was found between these AIRE SNVs and lupus nephritis. Our results suggest that AIRE is a risk factor for SLE in our population. This study is the first to document an association between AIRE and SLE susceptibility., (Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Objectives: The BLK and BANK1 genes have been consistently associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), primarily in European or Asian-derived populations. However, this finding has not been replicated in Latin-American patients., Methods: Our study included 881 women from Mexico: 487 healthy controls and 394 SLE patients. The BLK rs13277113A/G-rs2736340T/C as well as BANK1 rs10516487G/A (R61H)-rs3733197G/A (A383T) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were evaluated using a TaqMan ® SNP genotyping assay., Results: Our data showed that the BLK rs2736340T/C and rs13277113A/G polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to SLE (C vs T, OR 1.60, p = 2×10 -5 ; G vs A, OR 1.53, p = 9 × 10 -5 , respectively). We also identified an association between the functional BANK1 R61H polymorphism and SLE (A vs G, OR 1.56, p = 0.002). In addition, we observed a genetic interaction between BLK (rs2736340T/C, rs13277113A/G) and BANK1 (R61H and A383T) associated with susceptibility to SLE., Conclusion: This is the first study documenting an association between BLK and BANK1 and SLE in a Latin-American population. Our data confirm previous reports: BLK and BANK1 are factors associated with SLE. Thus, both genes are universal loci for this autoimmune disease.

Novel biomarkers are needed for the diagnosis and clinical assessment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Our objective was to investigate plasma microRNAs differentially expressed between AS patients and controls and to evaluate their potential as biomarkers in Mexican subjects. A cross-sectional study including 15 AS patients naïve to anti-TNF therapy and 13 controls was performed. Disease activity, physical function, and global well-being were evaluated by the AS Disease Activity Score (ASDAS-CRP), the Bath AS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), the Bath AS Functional Index (BASFI), and the AS Quality of Life Questionnaire (ASQoL), respectively. Total RNA was isolated from plasma of participants and relative expression of let-7i, miR-16, and miR-221 was evaluated. Serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), MMP-9, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) were also measured. Expression of let-7i was higher in patients than in controls (1.8, 0.9 to 3.4 versus 0.6, 0.4 to 1.2; P = 0.033) with an AUC/ROC of 0.74 (0.54 to 0.93; P = 0.032). Levels of miR-16 and miR-221 were unable to discriminate between patients and controls. Notably, plasma miR-16 levels were inversely correlated with the ASDAS-CRP score (rho - 64, - 0.87 to - 0.18; P = 0.011), the BASFI score (rho - 0.78, - 0.93 to - 0.43; P = 0.001), and serum MMP-1 levels (rho - 0.59, - 0.85 to - 0.09; P = 0.022). No other associations were found. Plasma let-7i levels may serve as a biomarker for the diagnosis of AS in Mexican individuals. Additionally, plasma miR-16 levels are associated with disease activity and physical functionality in patients naïve to anti-TNF therapy.

Objective: To assess potential associations among serum cytokines and microRNA (miR) levels with ultrasound (US) findings suggestive of urate deposits in chronic asymptomatic hyperuricemia and gout., Methods: All participants underwent musculoskeletal US and measurements of serum interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, and epithelial neutrophil-activating peptide 78, as well as miR-146a, miR-155, and miR-223 levels., Results: Thirty individuals with asymptomatic hyperuricemia, 31 normouricemic controls, and 30 patients with gout were included. The frequency of synovitis and double contour sign using US was similar between asymptomatic hyperuricemia (67% and 27%, respectively) and patients with gout (77% and 27%, respectively), and each had a higher frequency than controls (45% and 0%, respectively). Serum IL-6 and IL-8 levels were similar between patients with asymptomatic hyperuricemia (mean ± SD 69.7 ± 73.4 and 18.5 ± 25.6 pg/ml, respectively) and gout (mean ± SD 75.8 ± 47.6 and 24.4 ± 31.7 pg/ml, respectively), and higher than controls (mean ± SD 28.2 ± 17.6 and 7.4 ± 6.0 pg/ml, respectively). A similar distribution was observed for miR-155 levels in asymptomatic hyperuricemia, patients with gout, and controls (mean ± SD 0.22 ± 0.18, 0.20 ± 0.14, and 0.08 ± 0.04, respectively). Associations between morphostructural abnormalities suggestive of urate deposits (regardless of clinical diagnosis) and serum markers were assessed. Subjects with urate deposits had higher IL-6 (257.2 versus 47.0 pg/ml; P = 0.005), IL-8 (73.2 versus 12.0 pg/ml; P = 0.026), and miR-155 (0.21 versus 0.16; P = 0.015) levels than those without deposition findings., Conclusion: In individuals with chronic asymptomatic hyperuricemia, the presence of synovitis and double contour sign by US may represent a subclinical manifestation of monosodium urate crystal nucleation, capable of triggering inflammatory pathways (IL-6 and IL-8) and mechanisms of intercellular communication (miR-155), similar to what is observed in patients with gout., (© 2018, American College of Rheumatology.)

Background and Objective: Lipid metabolism alterations contribute to acute coronary syndrome (ACS). rs670, rs5070 and rs693 polymorphisms have shown to modify the risk of cardiovascular disease. Apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I) plays a major role in reverse cholesterol transport; apolipoprotein B (ApoB) contributes to accumulation of cholesterol in the plaque. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of rs670 and rs5070 polymorphisms of APOA1 and rs693 polymorphism of APOB with ACS and circulating levels of its proteins and find if ApoB/ApoA-I could be implemented as an independent parameter of risk for cardiovascular disease and as a biomarker of lipid-lowering therapy effectiveness in Mexican population., Methods: Three hundred patients with ACS and 300 control subjects (CS) were included., Results: Neither genotype nor allele frequencies of rs670, rs5070 and rs693 polymorphisms showed statistical differences between groups. Serum levels of ApoA-I (195 vs. 161.4mg/dL; P<.001) and ApoB (167 vs. 136.9mg/dL; P<.001) were significantly higher in CS compared with ACS; however, there was no genetic association. Unstable angina patients showed the highest ApoA-I levels (males: 176.3mg/dL; females: 209.1mg/dL)., Conclusion: The rs670, rs5070 and rs693 polymorphisms are not genetic susceptibility factors for ACS in Mexican population and had no effect on their apolipoprotein concentrations. In our population, ApoA-I, ApoB and HDL-C could be better biomarkers of cardiovascular risk and could indicate if statins doses reduce atherogenic particles properly., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

The TNF -238G/A (rs361525) and -308G/A (rs1800629) polymorphisms have consistently been associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in several populations; however, these findings have not been verified in all populations. Here, we aimed to examine whether the TNF -238G/A, -308G/A, -376G/A (rs1800750), and -1031T/C (rs1799964) polymorphisms confer SLE or lupus nephritis (LN) susceptibility in a Mexican population. Our study included 442 patients with SLE and 495 controls. For genotyping, we used the TaqMan 5' allele discrimination assay. The TNF -238G/A and -1031T/C polymorphisms were associated with SLE susceptibility (odds ratio (OR) 2.1, p = 0.0005 and OR 1.4, p = 0.003, respectively). Gender stratification showed a strong association between TNF -238G/A and SLE in women (OR 2.2, p = 0.00006), while TNF -1031T/C had an OR of 1.5 (p = 0.007). With regard to the TNF -376G/A polymorphism, this also showed association with SLE susceptibility (OR 1.95, p = 0.036) and LN (OR 3.5, p = 0.01). In conclusion, our study provides the first demonstration of association between the TNF -376G/A polymorphism and SLE and LN susceptibility. In addition, our study is the second documenting an association of TNF -1031T/C with SLE susceptibility. We also observed a strong association between TNF -238G/A and SLE susceptibility. The TNF 308G/A polymorphism was not associated with SLE or LN.

Background: The gene for patatin-like phospholipase domain containing 3 (PNPLA3) is associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) development. We previously found that Mexican indigenous population had the highest frequency reported of the PNPLA3 148M risk allele. Further, we observed a relationship between M148M genotype with elevated ALT levels in individuals with normal weight, overweight and obese. We sought to investigate whether PNPLA3 polymorphism is associated with NAFLD development in Mexicans., Material and Methods: We enrolled 189 Mexican patients with NAFLD and 201 healthy controls. Anthropometric, metabolic, and biochemical variables were measured, and rs738409 (Ile148Met substitution) polymorphism was genotyped by sequencing., Results: Logistic regression analysis, using a recessive model, suggested that PNPLA3 polymorphism in Mexican population is significantly associated (OR = 1.711, 95% CI: 1.014-2.886; P = 0.044) with NAFLD., Conclusions: The PNPLA3 gene is associated with NAFLD in Mexican population. More studies are required to explain the high prevalence of PNPLA3 polymorphism in Mexican-Americans, Mexican-Indians, and Mexican-Mestizos.

Objective: The functional PTPN22 R620W polymorphism (rs2476601) is clearly associated with susceptibility to several autoimmune diseases (ADs). However, the PTPN22 R263Q polymorphism (rs33996649) has been scarcely explored in different ADs. Here we aimed to examine the associations of the PTPN22 R620W and R263Q polymorphisms with susceptibility to or protection against rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and Graves' disease (GD) among Mexican patients., Methods: We conducted a case-control study including 876 patients (405 with SLE, 388 with RA, and 83 with GD) and 336 healthy control individuals. PTPN22 genotypes were determined using the TaqMan 5' allele discrimination assay., Results: PTPN22 R620W was associated with GD susceptibility (OR 4.3, p = 0.004), but was not associated with SLE (OR 1.8, p = 0.19). We previously demonstrated that this polymorphism is associated with RA susceptibility (OR 4.17, p = 0.00036). Moreover, PTPN22 R263Q was associated with protection against SLE (OR 0.09, p = 004) and RA (OR 0.28, p = 0.045), but was not associated with GD., Conclusions: Our data provide the first demonstration that PTPN22 R620W confers GD susceptibility among Latin-American patients. Moreover, this is the second report documenting the association of PTPN22 R263Q with protection against SLE and RA.

Background and Aim: Abnormal cholesterol metabolism may contribute to the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis. miR-33 and miR-144 regulate adenosine triphosphate binding cassette transporter (ABCA1) and other target genes involved in cholesterol efflux, fatty acid oxidation and inflammation. We explored relationships between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the hepatic expression of ABCA1/ABCG1, as well as other target genes regulated by miR-33 (carnitine O-octanoyltransferase, CROT and hydroxyacyl-CoA-dehydrogenase β-subunit, HADHB) and miR-144 (toll-like receptor-2, TLR2). Moreover, we evaluated whether the expression of these genes is correlated with miR-33a/b and miR-144 expression in Mexican individuals with morbid obesity., Methods: Eighty-four morbidly obese subjects undergoing bariatric surgery were included in this study. Liver biopsies were obtained to measure hepatic triglyceride and free cholesterol contents, as well as ABCA1, ABCG1, CROT, HADHB, TLR2, miR-33a/b and miR-144 expression., Results: Hepatic free cholesterol content was significantly increased in NASH as compared to non-NASH subjects, while ABCA1 and ABCG1 protein levels significantly decreased with NASH and fibrosis progression. The relative expression of miR-33a and miR-144 correlated inversely with ABCA1 but not with ABCG1 protein levels. Moreover, both miRNAs increased significantly in NASH individuals. miR-33 target genes CROT and HADHB correlated inversely with miR-33a. However, the expression of these genes was not associated with NASH., Conclusions: miR-33a/144 and their target gene ABCA1 may contribute to the pathogenesis of NASH in morbidly obese subjects., (© 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The patatin like phospholipase domain-containing (PNPLA3) I148M variant is the strongest genetic factor associated with elevated alanine transaminase (ALT) levels in different populations, particularly in Hispanics who have the highest 148M risk allele frequency reported to date. It has been suggested that Indigenous ancestry is associated with higher ALT levels in Mexicans. The aim of the present study was to assess the frequency of the PNPLA3 148M risk allele in Mexican indigenous and Mestizo individuals, and to examine its association with serum ALT levels. The study included a total of 1624 Mexican individuals: 919 Indigenous subjects from five different native groups and 705 Mexican Mestizo individuals (141 cases with ALT levels ≥ 40 U/L and 564 controls with ALT <40 U/L). The I148M polymorphism was genotyped by TaqMan assays. The frequency of elevated ALT levels in Indigenous populations was 18.7%, and varied according to obesity status: 14.4% in normal weight, 19.9% in overweight and 24.5% in obese individuals. The Mexican indigenous populations showed the highest reported frequency of the PNPLA3 148M risk allele (mean 0.73). The M148M genotype was significantly associated with elevated ALT levels in indigenous individuals (OR = 3.15, 95 % CI 1.91-5.20; P = 7.1 × 10(-6)) and this association was confirmed in Mexican Mestizos (OR = 2.24, 95% CI 1.50-3.33; P = 8.1 × 10(-5)). This is the first study reporting the association between M148M genotype and elevated ALT levels in Indigenous Mexican populations. The 148M allele risk may be considered an important risk factor for liver damage in Mexican indigenous and Mestizo populations.

Background and Aims: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and elevated alanine transaminase (ALT) levels are common in obese Hispanic adults and children. Recently, a PNPLA3 gene variant (I148M) was strongly associated with NAFLD and higher ALT levels in obese adults, including Hispanics. The aims of this study were to estimate the frequency of elevated ALT levels, and to address the influence of obesity and PNPLA3/I148M on ALT levels in a general population sample of Mexican school-aged children., Methods: A total of 1037 non-related Mexican children aged 6 to 12 years were genotyped for the I148M variant. Anthropometric, clinical and metabolic parameters were collected from all participants., Results: Elevated ALT levels (>35 U/L) were more frequent in obese (26.9%) and overweight (9.3%) than in normal weight children (2.2%). The M148M genotype was significantly associated with elevated ALT levels in this population (OR=3.7, 95% CI 2.3-5.9; P=3.7×10(-8)), and children carrying the M148M genotype showed significantly lower HDL cholesterol levels and BMI z-core (P=0.036 and 0.015, respectively). On stratifying by BMI percentile, this genotype conferred a much greater risk of elevated ALT levels in normal weight (OR=19.9, 95% CI 2.5-157.7; P=0.005) than overweight and obese children (OR=3.4, 95% CI 1.3-8.9; P=0.014 and OR=3.1, 95% CI 1.7-5.5; P=1.4 x10(-4), respectively)., Conclusions: The I148M PNPLA3 variant is strongly associated with elevated ALT levels in normal weight and overweight/obese Mexican children. Thus, the M148M genotype may be considered as an important risk factor for liver damage in this population., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Research is lacking on factors associated with antiretroviral therapy (ART) sub-optimal adherence among U.S. Latinos, who are disproportionately affected by HIV and face substantial health care barriers. We examined self-reported, patient-initiated changes to ART (i.e., made small/major changes from the antiretroviral drugs prescribed) among HIV-positive Latinos. Trained interviewers administered surveys to 230 participants currently on ART in San Diego, U.S. and Tijuana, Mexico. We identified factors independently associated with ART changes. Participants were Spanish-language dominant (86%), mean age of 41 years, male (77%), and born in Mexico (93%). Patient-initiated changes to ART were reported in 43% of participants. Being female, having ≥1 sexual partner (past 3 months), ≤6 years since HIV diagnosis and poor health were associated with increased odds of ART changes. Findings raise concern about sub-optimal adherence among this binational population. Longitudinal studies are needed to further explore adherence barriers and avenues for intervention.

Background: VNN1 gene expression levels and the G-137T polymorphism have been associated with high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels in Mexican American adults. We aim to evaluate the contribution of VNN1 gene expression and the G-137T variant to HDL-C levels and other metabolic traits in Mexican prepubertal children., Methodology/principal Findings: VNN1 mRNA expression levels were quantified in peripheral blood leukocytes from 224 unrelated Mexican-Mestizo children aged 6-8 years (107 boys and 117 girls) and were genotyped for the G-137T variant (rs4897612). To account for population stratification, a panel of 10 ancestry informative markers was analyzed. After adjustment for admixture, the TT genotype was significantly associated with lower VNN1 mRNA expression levels (P = 2.9 × 10(-5)), decreased HDL-C levels (β = -6.19, P = 0.028) and with higher body mass index (BMI) z-score (β = 0.48, P = 0.024) in the total sample. In addition, VNN1 expression showed a positive correlation with HDL-C levels (r = 0.220; P = 0.017) and a negative correlation with BMI z-score (r = -0.225; P = 0.015) only in girls., Conclusion/significance: Our data suggest that VNN1 gene expression and the G-137T variant are associated with HDL-C levels in Mexican children, particularly in prepubertal girls.

Background: Traumatic diaphragmatic hernias commonly occur after blunt and penetrating trauma. Due to coexisting injuries and the silent nature of the diaphragmatic injuries, the diagnosis is easily missed. We undertook this study to describe the clinical characteristics of consecutive patients with traumatic diaphragmatic hernias treated surgically at our institution., Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort of patients treated during a 6-year period. We assessed variables such as age, gender, type of mechanism of trauma, type of hernia, methods of diagnosis, herniated organs and associated lesions, time of evolution, morbidity and mortality. Results are described as frequencies, dispersion and central tendency measures. Chi(2) and Fisher's exact tests were used to explore association and risks., Results: Twenty three patients were included, 19 men (82.6%) and 4 women (17.4%). Acute DTH were diagnosed in nine patients (39.1%) and 14 cases presented as chronic DTH (60.9%). In 18 cases (78.3%) the diagnosis was made by chest x-ray and most corresponded to chronic hernias. Medical history of blunt thoracoabominal trauma was present in 95.7% of the cases, most related to car accidents. The principal associated lesions were head injuries, rib fractures and lung contusion. morbidity was observed in six patients, all with chronic hernias. there was no mortality., Conclusions: DTH is a rare clinical entity and constitutes a true challenge due to difficulties for a rapid and correct diagnosis. In the chronic stage there is an increased risk for late complications such as visceral strangulation and necrosis.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between APOE polymorphism and the severity of retinal hard exudates in Mexican patients with type 2 diabetes., Methods: We studied 36 patients with diabetic retinopathy and 22 unrelated and apparently healthy age-matched individuals. Blood samples for DNA genotyping and lipid profile were taken. Genotyping of polymorphic APOE alleles was done after polymerase chain reaction amplification of genomic DNA, digestion with HhaI, and agarose gel electrophoresis. Stereoscopic 35 degrees color fundus photographs were taken of seven standard fields. Diabetic retinopathy, macular edema and hard exudates were graded according to a standardized procedure., Results: The results showed that the lipid profile was higher but not statistically significant (p > 0.05) in e4 allele carriers, with the exception of total lipids (p > 0.05). The frequency of severe retinal hard exudates was higher in those epsilon4 allele carriers (p < 0.05). The higher frequency of visual impairment (VA < 0.5 Log MAR) in epsilon4 carriers showed a tendency towards statistical significance (p = 0.057)., Conclusion: Our results suggest that the epsilon4 allele of the ApoE gene is a potential risk factor for the severity of retinal hard exudates and visual loss in type 2 diabetic Mexican patients with diabetic retinopathy.

Intelligent organizations (IO) represent a valuable tool to organize and guide dengue fever surveillance, prevention and control interventions. IO entail state of the art technology in managerial science to generate behavioral frameworks of organizational structures and policies. They present a systematic description of problems and construct computerized models to develop systemic thinking; they produce a shared vision and build progressive mental learning and advancement models. Also, IO promote team building and personal control skills. Scientific-technological advances have produced a wealth of information in medicine, with the corresponding growth of organizations and difficulty of responses because of sudden and incessant change. This new environment calls for the application of IO know-how. This article is oriented to prove the usefulness of the IO technology in the ordering and systematization of the reports about the medical sciences facts. Dengue was chosen to exemplify the use of IO technology as it represents an increasing health problem in America, as well as in Mexico; it is so complex that it can evolve to a more serious problem, besides it can be analyzed within a systemic method.