Similarities between the lipid proile of Mexican patients with lupus and the general population

Premature cardiovascular events have been observed in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, but the reason for this accelerated process is still debatable; although traditional risk factors are more prevalent in such patients than in the general population, the do not seem to fully explain that enhanced risk. One of the most important conditions is a proatherogenic lipid proile. There is not enough data about it in Mexican SLE patients. Objective: To establish the differences in the lipid proiles between Mexican patients with SLE and the general population. Material and methods: Observational, transversal, descriptive and comparative study, between SLE patients and age-sex-matched healthy volunteers. We performed a full lipid proile (by spectrophotometry) 14 hours of fast. The results obtained were analyzed by the statistical program SPSS® Statistics version 17. Results: We studied the full lipid proiles of 138 subjects, 69 with a diagnosis of SLE and 69 agesex- matched healthy volunteers; 95.7% were females and 4.3% males. Average age was 30 years; average body mass index (BMI) 25.96 ± 5.96 kg/m² in SLE patients and 26.72 ± 4.36 kg/m² in the control group (p = 0.396). Average of total cholesterol 156 mg/dl in the SLE patients and 169.4 mg/dl in the control group (p =0.028); average of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol 85.27 mg/dl in the SLE patients and 97.57 mg/dl in the control group (p = 0.023). Conclusions: We did not ind statistical differences in the lipid proiles among patients and healthy volunteers, which could explain increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality observed in SLE patient

Implementación de estrategias para la prevención y gestión integral de residuos sólidos urbanos en la comunidad de San Isidro Mazatepec, Tala

En el presente documento, se narra el trabajo realizado en el periodo de primavera 2019 por un equipo de profesionales pertenecientes al Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Occidente (ITESO). El documento recupera el proceso vivido para lograr contribuir a la concientización de la comunidad de San Isidro Mazatepec en cuanto a la prevención y el manejo de residuos. Las actividades realizadas fueron; talleres de concientización en primaria y preparatoria, planos para mejorar el funcionamiento del tratamiento de residuos orgánicos, exposiciones de documentales, implementación de herramienta para llevar control de entradas y salidas de dinero dentro del Centro de Acopio, y un manual para educar a la comunidad en San Isidro Mazatepec en tema de residuos.ITESO, A.C

Implementación de estrategias para la prevención y gestión integral de residuos sólidos urbanos en la comunidad de San Isidro Mazatepec, Tala

El documento recupera el proceso vivido para lograr contribuir a la concientización de la comunidad de San Isidro Mazatepec en cuanto a la prevención y el manejo de residuos. Las actividades realizadas fueron; talleres de concientización en primaria y preparatoria, planos para mejorar el funcionamiento del tratamiento de residuos orgánicos, exposiciones de documentales, implementación de herramienta para llevar control de entradas y salidas de dinero dentro del Centro de Acopio, y un manual para educar a la comunidad en San Isidro Mazatepec en tema de residuos.ITESO, A.C

Compromising between European and US allergen immunotherapy schools: Discussions from GUIMIT, the Mexican immunotherapy guidelines

Background: Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) has a longstanding history and still remains the only disease-changing treatment for allergic rhinitis and asthma. Over the years 2 different schools have developed their strategies: the United States (US) and the European. Allergen extracts available in these regions are adapted to local practice. In other parts of the world, extracts from both regions and local ones are commercialized, as in Mexico. Here, local experts developed a national AIT guideline (GUIMIT 2019) searching for compromises between both schools. Methods: Using ADAPTE methodology for transculturizing guidelines and AGREE-II for evaluating guideline quality, GUIMIT selected 3 high-quality Main Reference Guidelines (MRGs): the European Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (EAACI) guideines, the S2k guideline of various German-speaking medical societies (2014), and the US Practice Parameters on Allergen Immunotherapy 2011. We formulated clinical questions and based responses on the fused evidence available in the MRGs, combined with local possibilities, patient's preference, and costs. We came across several issues on which the MRGs disagreed. These are presented here along with arguments of GUIMIT members to resolve them. GUIMIT (for a complete English version, see Supplementary data) concluded the following: Results: Related to the diagnosis of IgE-mediated respiratory allergy, apart from skin prick testing complementary tests (challenges, in vitro testing and molecular such as species-specific allergens) might be useful in selected cases to inform AIT composition. AIT is indicated in allergic rhinitis and suggested in allergic asthma (once controlled) and IgE-mediated atopic dermatitis. Concerning the correct subcutaneous AIT dose for compounding vials according to the US school: dosing tables and formula are given; up to 4 non-related allergens can be mixed, refraining from mixing high with low protease extracts. When using European extracts: the manufacturer's indications should be followed; in multi-allergic patients 2 simultaneous injections can be given (100% consensus); mixing is discouraged. In Mexico only allergoid tablets are available; based on doses used in all sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) publications referenced in MRGs, GUIMIT suggests a probable effective dose related to subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) might be: 50–200% of the monthly SCIT dose given daily, maximum mixing 4 allergens. Also, a table with practical suggestions on non-evidence-existing issues, developed with a simplified Delphi method, is added. Finally, dissemination and implementation of guidelines is briefly discussed, explaining how we used online tools for this in Mexico. Conclusions: Countries where European and American AIT extracts are available should adjust AIT according to which school is followed

Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

Target Nanoparticles against Pancreatic Cancer: Fewer Side Effects in Therapy

Pancreatic cancer is the most common lethal tumor in America. This lethality is related to limited treatment options. Conventional treatments involve the non-specific use of chemotherapeutical agents such as 5-FU, capecitabine, gemcitabine, paclitaxel, cisplatin, oxaliplatin, or irinotecan, which produce several side effects. This review focuses on the use of targeted nanoparticles, such as metallic nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes, micelles, and carbon nanotubes as an alternative to standard treatment for pancreatic cancer. The principal objective of nanoparticles is reduction of the side effects that conventional treatments produce, mostly because of their non-specificity. Several molecular markers of pancreatic cancer cells have been studied to target nanoparticles and improve current treatment. Therefore, properly functionalized nanoparticles with specific aptamers or antibodies can be used to recognize pancreatic cancer cells. Once cancer is recognized, these nanoparticles can attack the tumor by drug delivery, gene therapy, or hyperthermi

SiBiFor: Forest Biometric System for forest management in Mexico

Introducción: Los sistemas biométricos forestales constituyen las herramientas analíticas más utilizadas para el análisis de la producción y el crecimiento de los bosques. Objetivo: Presentar un nuevo sistema biométrico para los bosques templados y tropicales de México. Materiales y métodos: El área de estudio comprendió los estados de Chihuahua, Guerrero, Jalisco, Oaxaca, Michoacán, Puebla, Estado de México, Hidalgo, Tlaxcala, Veracruz y Quintana Roo. La toma de datos de campo se realizó mediante muestreo destructivo y no destructivo en cada Unidad de Manejo Forestal Regional (UMAFOR) en los estados. La metodología utilizada permitió generar sistemas de ecuaciones para la estimación de atributos de árboles individuales que son aditivos entre componentes, escalables a nivel de árbol completo y consistentes a lo largo de las diversas condiciones forestales del país. Resultados y discusión: El Sistema Biométrico Forestal "SiBiFor" está integrado por más de 6000 nuevas ecuaciones para 97 especies arbóreas de los bosques templados y tropicales. SiBiFor contiene 2 917 ecuaciones de volumen, 2868 de ahusamiento-volumen, 341 de índice de sitio y 288 de crecimiento en diámetro. Conclusión: Las ecuaciones desarrolladas mejorarán el manejo de los ecosistemas forestales del país lo que contribuirá a la sustentabilidad de los mismos

Molecular and Serological Identification of <i>Anaplasma marginale</i> and <i>Borrelia burgdorferi</i> in Cattle and Ticks from Nuevo Leon, Northern Mexico

Ticks and tick-borne diseases affect livestock productivity and cause significant economic losses. Therefore, surveillance of these pathogens and vectors is paramount to reducing these effects in livestock. This study aimed to identify Anaplasma marginale and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in ticks collected from cattle. Molecular biology techniques were utilized to identify A. marginale for both types of samples, i.e., ticks and bovine blood. Serology of cattle using indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) was conducted to determine antibodies to B. burgdorferi s.l. from seven locations in Nuevo Leon, Mexico, between 2015 and 2017. From 404 bovines, 2880 ticks were collected: Rhipicephalus microplus (2391 females and 395 males), Amblyomma spp. (51 females and 42 males) and Dermacentor variabilis (1 female). Rhipicephalus microplus represented the largest specimens captured, with 96.7% within the seven study sites. PCR processed only 15% (442) of tick samples to identify A. marginale. Field genera proportions were followed to select testing tick numbers. Results showed that 9.9% (44/442) of A. maginale infected the pooled tick species, whereas the highest percent corresponded to 9.4% (38/404) in R. microplus. Regarding the molecular analysis of blood samples, 214 of 337 (63.5%) were positive for A. maginale. In each of the seven locations, at least one bovine sample tested positive for A. maginale. Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. was not found either in the ticks or serum samples. Two A.marginale DNA nucleotide sequences obtained in this study were deposited in the GenBank with the following accession numbers OR050501 cattle, and OR050500 R.microplus tick. Results of this work point to current distribution of bovine anaplasmosis in northern Mexico