Association of rhinitis with asthma prevalence and severity

Asthma; Comorbidities; Risk factorsAsma; Comorbilitats; Factors de riscAsma; Comorbilidades; Factores de riesgoAsthma and rhinitis often co-exist in the same patient. Although some authors observed a higher prevalence and/or greater severity of asthma in patients with rhinitis, this view is not homogeneous and the debate continues. The aim of our study is to describe the prevalence of rhinitis in children and adolescents and to analyse their relationship with the prevalence of asthma. A multicentre study was conducted using the methodology of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC). The target population of the study was all those school children aged 6–7 and 13–14 years from 6 of the main health catchment areas of Galicia (1.9 million inhabitants). The schools required were randomly selected, and all children in the targeted age ranges were included. Multiple logistic regression was used to obtain adjusted prevalence odds ratios (OR) between asthma symptoms of the schoolchildren and rhinitis prevalence. The results were adjusted for parental smoking habits, maternal education level, cat and dog exposure, and obesity. A total of 21,420 valid questionnaires were finally obtained. Rhinitis was associated with a significant increase in the prevalence of asthma in both age groups. The highest OR were 11.375 for exercise induced asthma (EIA) for children with recent rhinoconjunctivitis and 9.807 for children with recent rhinitis in 6–7 years old group. The prevalence OR’s are higher in EIA and severe asthmatics. Rhinitis in children and adolescents is associated with a higher prevalence and severity of asthma.This work was funded by the Maria Jose Jove Foundation

Water quality in the central zone of the Texcoco aquifer, Mexico

Objective: Determine the water quality in the central zone of the Texcoco aquifer for human use and consumption and agricultural use. Methodology: Physical, chemical and biological indicators of the water from 16 wells located in urban areas of the central zone of the aquifer were determined. Sampling, determination of the parameters and definition of its quality by uses was made based on current official Mexican standards. Results: According to the physical indicators and the concentrations of CO32-, HCO3-, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl-, SO42-, PO43-, Na+, K+, Fe, Cu and Zn, the water was suitable for human consumption and agricultural use in the 16 wells studied. Based on the Cadmium concentration (Cd), the water was unsuitable for human consumption and agricultural use, in 12 and 6 wells, respectively. According to the found concentration of Lead (Pb), the water was suitable for agricultural use in the 16 wells studied, but in all of them it was not suitable for human consumption. Water did not meet the microbiological quality required for human consumption in eight of the wells analyzed, but was suitable for agricultural use in all the study wells. Implications: This study complements the research carried out in other areas of the aquifer. The causes of water contamination are unknown and it would be convenient to investigate the vulnerability of the aquifer and possible sources of contamination. Conclusions: The aquifer water in the central zone has limitations for human use and consumption and agricultural use due to the high concentrations of Cd, Pb and poor microbiological quality.Objective: To determine water quality in the central zone of the Texcoco aquifer, Mexico, for human use and consumption and agricultural use. Methodology: The physical, chemical, and biological indicators of the water from 16 wells in urban areas of the central zone of the aquifer were determined. The sampling was carried out, based on the parameters and definition of water quality per use established in the current official Mexican standards. Results: According to the physical indicators and concentrations of CO32-, HCO3-, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl-, SO42-, PO43-, Na+, K+, Fe, Cu, and Zn, the water in the sample was suitable for human use and consumption and agricultural use. Based on the cadmium (Cd) concentration, the water was unsuitable for human use and consumption and agricultural use, in 12 and 6 wells, respectively. According to the lead (Pb) concentration, water was suitable for agricultural use in the 16 wells studied; however, it was unsuitable for human use and consumption in any of the wells. In eight wells analyzed, the presence of fecal coliforms was lower than the permissible limit for agricultural use. Implications: This study complements researches done in other areas of the aquifer. The causes of water pollution are unknown and researches about the vulnerability of the aquifer and the possible polluting sources should be carried out. Conclusions: The water from the aquifer in the central zone has limitations for human use and consumption and agricultural use, as a consequence of the high Cd and Pb concentrations and its microbiological quality

Surface water balance at the Chapingo River basin: rainfall intercepted by vegetation and water infiltration into the soil

Objective: Estimate the surface water balance in the Chapingo river micro-basin in the period 2014 and 2016-2018 based on information collected on precipitation and runoff, the use of interception simulation models, and the remaining estimate of infiltration. Design/methodology/approach: During the wet season of 2014 and 2016-2018, the water balance in unit depths was estimated from precipitation and runoff data, interception simulation models, and estimation of infiltration as a remnant of the balance. Results: The highest interception rate was found in the year (2014) with the lowest range and least dispersion of precipitation, while the lowest interception occurred in the year (2018) with opposite characteristics of precipitation. In two of the years of study, a linear relationship was found between precipitation and surface runoff with R2 greater than 0.81. The interception rate was lower in the oyamel forest (7.7% -9.3%), the interception variation between grassland, pine forest, oak forest and agricultural area was 20% to 23%. The remaining water for infiltration represented between 85.5% and 88.2% of the precipitated water. Study limitations/implications: It is necessary to know the temporal evolution of the rainfall interception and the soil moisture to specify the potential recharge to the aquifer. Findings/conclusions: Interception is the main vehicle by which water reaches the ground in the presence of areas covered by vegetation. Precipitation intensity negatively affects interception and infiltration. The study basin offers a high recharge potential to the Texcoco aquifer.Objective: To estimate the surface water balance in the Chapingo River microbasin in the years 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2018, based on information collected on rainfall and runoff, the use of interception simulation models, and the estimation of the of infiltration as a remainder of the balance. Design/Methodology/Approach: During the 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2018 wet seasons, the water balance in unit sheet was estimated based on rainfall and runoff data, mathematical interception simulation models, and estimation of infiltration as a remainder of the balance. Results: The highest interception rate was recorded in 2014, with a shorter range and lower dispersion of rainfall, while the lowest interception occurred in 2018 with opposite rainfall characteristics. A linear relationship was found, in two years, between rainfall and surface runoff with R2 greater than 0.81. The interception rate was lower in the oyamel fir forest (7.7-9.3%), while the variation in interception between grasslands, pine forests, oak forests, and agricultural areas ranged from 20% to 23%. The remaining infiltration water represented between 85.5% and 88.2% of the rainfall. Study Limitations/Implications: Determining the temporal evolution of the interception and humidity in the soil is necessary to specify the potential recharge to the aquifer. Findings/Conclusions: Interception is the main vehicle by which water reaches the ground in areas covered by vegetation. Rainfall intensity has a negative impact on interception and infiltration. The basin under study offers a high recharge potential to the Texcoco aquifer

Genetic diversity of HLA system in four populations from Baja California, Mexico: Mexicali, La Paz, Tijuana and rural Baja California

We studied HLA class I (HLA-A, -B) and class II (HLA-DRB1, -DQB1) alleles by PCR-SSP based typing in 250 Mexicans from the states of Baja California Norte and Baja California Sur living in Mexicali (N = 100), La Paz (N = 75), Tijuana (N = 25) and rural communities (N = 50) to obtain information regarding allelic and haplotypic frequencies. The most frequent haplotypes for the Baja California region include nine Native American and five European haplotypes. Admixture estimates revealed that the main genetic components are European (50.45 ± 1.84% by ML; 42.03% of European haplotypes) and Native American (43.72 ± 2.36% by ML; 40.24% of Native American haplotypes), while the African genetic component was less apparent (5.83 ± 0.98% by ML; 9.36% of African haplotypes)

Familial hypercholesterolaemia in children and adolescents from 48 countries: a cross-sectional study

Background: Approximately 450 000 children are born with familial hypercholesterolaemia worldwide every year, yet only 2·1% of adults with familial hypercholesterolaemia were diagnosed before age 18 years via current diagnostic approaches, which are derived from observations in adults. We aimed to characterise children and adolescents with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HeFH) and understand current approaches to the identification and management of familial hypercholesterolaemia to inform future public health strategies. Methods: For this cross-sectional study, we assessed children and adolescents younger than 18 years with a clinical or genetic diagnosis of HeFH at the time of entry into the Familial Hypercholesterolaemia Studies Collaboration (FHSC) registry between Oct 1, 2015, and Jan 31, 2021. Data in the registry were collected from 55 regional or national registries in 48 countries. Diagnoses relying on self-reported history of familial hypercholesterolaemia and suspected secondary hypercholesterolaemia were excluded from the registry; people with untreated LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) of at least 13·0 mmol/L were excluded from this study. Data were assessed overall and by WHO region, World Bank country income status, age, diagnostic criteria, and index-case status. The main outcome of this study was to assess current identification and management of children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolaemia. Findings: Of 63 093 individuals in the FHSC registry, 11 848 (18·8%) were children or adolescents younger than 18 years with HeFH and were included in this study; 5756 (50·2%) of 11 476 included individuals were female and 5720 (49·8%) were male. Sex data were missing for 372 (3·1%) of 11 848 individuals. Median age at registry entry was 9·6 years (IQR 5·8-13·2). 10 099 (89·9%) of 11 235 included individuals had a final genetically confirmed diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolaemia and 1136 (10·1%) had a clinical diagnosis. Genetically confirmed diagnosis data or clinical diagnosis data were missing for 613 (5·2%) of 11 848 individuals. Genetic diagnosis was more common in children and adolescents from high-income countries (9427 [92·4%] of 10 202) than in children and adolescents from non-high-income countries (199 [48·0%] of 415). 3414 (31·6%) of 10 804 children or adolescents were index cases. Familial-hypercholesterolaemia-related physical signs, cardiovascular risk factors, and cardiovascular disease were uncommon, but were more common in non-high-income countries. 7557 (72·4%) of 10 428 included children or adolescents were not taking lipid-lowering medication (LLM) and had a median LDL-C of 5·00 mmol/L (IQR 4·05-6·08). Compared with genetic diagnosis, the use of unadapted clinical criteria intended for use in adults and reliant on more extreme phenotypes could result in 50-75% of children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolaemia not being identified. Interpretation: Clinical characteristics observed in adults with familial hypercholesterolaemia are uncommon in children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolaemia, hence detection in this age group relies on measurement of LDL-C and genetic confirmation. Where genetic testing is unavailable, increased availability and use of LDL-C measurements in the first few years of life could help reduce the current gap between prevalence and detection, enabling increased use of combination LLM to reach recommended LDL-C targets early in life