Overweight, Obesity, Hypertriglyceridemia, and Insulin Resistance Are Positively Associated with High Serum Copper Levels in Mexican Adults.

Recently, the role of trace elements in the pathophysiology of obesity, insulin resistance (IR), and metabolic diseases has been explored. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to assess the association of overweight, obesity, and cardiometabolic traits with serum copper (Cu) levels in 346 Mexican adults. Serum Cu level was measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

Occupational Lead Exposure Ototoxicity Evaluated With Distortion-Product Otoacoustic Emissions.

Objectives: To evaluate the extent of hearing loss among pottery workers in Mexico exposed to lead.

Design: The authors conducted a cross-sectional study including 315 adult pottery workers. Auditory function was evaluated by air conduction pure-tone audiometry (pure-tone average) and distortion-product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) levels (amplitude and signal-to-noise ratio).

Relationship between urinary biomarkers of early kidney damage and exposure to inorganic toxins in a pediatric population of Apizaco, Tlaxcala, Mexico.

Background: In recent years, chronic kidney disease has increased in the pediatric population and has been related to environmental factors. In the diagnosis of kidney damage, in addition to the traditional parameters, early kidney damage biomarkers, such as kidney injury molecule 1, cystatin C, and osteopontin, among others, have been implemented as predictors of early pathological processes.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between exposure to environmental pollutants and early kidney damage biomarkers.

Assessment of miR-103a-3p in leukocytes-No diagnostic benefit in combination with the blood-based biomarkers mesothelin and calretinin for malignant pleural mesothelioma diagnosis.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a cancer associated with asbestos exposure and its diagnosis is challenging due to the moderate sensitivities of the available methods. In this regard, miR-103a-3p was considered to increase the sensitivity of established biomarkers to detect MPM. Its behavior and diagnostic value in the Mexican population has not been previously evaluated.

[Not Available].

Objetivo: Estimar el desempeño neuropsicológico y su asociación con la exposición a disolventes orgánicos (DO) en trabajadores petroquímicos en México. Material y méto-dos. Estudio transversal en 203 trabajadores: 102 expuestos a DO y 101 no expuestos.

Association between lead source exposure and blood lead levels in some lead manufacturing countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Lead is one of the 10 most toxic chemicals of greatest concern for its effects on public health. Predominantly, in undeveloped countries, high blood lead levels (BLLs) persist in the population. To develop intervention strategies that may reduce lead exposure in populations, it is a priority to know the sources of lead pollution.

Audiometric findings of printing press workers exposed to noise and organic solvents.

Objective: To determine if exposure to organic solvents and noise is associated with audiometric results among workers from a printing press in Mexico City.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Study Sample: One hundred and seventy-six male workers at a printing press in Mexico City exposed to noise and organic solvents, including xylene, and 103 non-exposed male workers as reference group.

Neuropsychological effects among workers exposed to organic solvents.

Objective: To assess neuropsychological performance among workers at a paint factory in Mexico City.

Materials And Methods: During 2004 and 2005 we assessed the neuropsychological performance of 208 workers who were exposed to organic solvents at a paint factory, mainly toluene and xylene. We categorized workers into low and high exposure groups using a cumulative index for toluene, based on times spent in different tasks.

Chronic Kidney Disease in Children Aged 6-15 Years and Associated Risk Factors in Apizaco, Tlaxcala, Mexico, a Pilot Study.

Introduction: Tlaxcala, a small state in central Mexico, has the highest prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) deaths in population aged 5-14 in Mexico, most of them with unknown etiology.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of CKD in apparently healthy pediatric population in Apizaco, Tlaxcala.

Methods: A cross-sectional pilot study was carried out in children deemed as healthy; subjects with previous diagnosis of CKD were excluded.

Mesothelin, Calretinin, and Megakaryocyte Potentiating Factor as Biomarkers of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma.

Purpose: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a highly lethal cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Currently, the diagnosis is a challenge, carried out by means of invasive methods of limited sensitivity. This is a case-control study to evaluate the individual and combined performance of minimally invasive biomarkers for the diagnosis of MPM.

[Determination of reference ranges for coagulation tests in Mexican-mestizo population].

Background: It is necessary to establish biological parameters for each population.

Objective: To establish reference values for prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (PTT) and fibrinogen in healthy population and to determine intra- and inter-assay concordance.

Methods: Cross-sectional study that included 204 women and 202 men from the Blood Donor service.

Biomarkers for Predicting Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma in a Mexican Population.

Diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) remains a challenge, especially when resources in pathology are limited. The study aimed to evaluate cost-effective tumor markers to predict the probability of MPM in plasma samples in order to accelerate the diagnostic workup of the tissue of potential cases. We conducted a case-control study stratified by gender, which included 75 incident cases with MPM from three Mexican hospitals and 240 controls frequency-matched by age and year of blood drawing.

[Chronic kidney disease in Mexico and its relation with heavy metals].

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a public health problem in Mexico, causing 25% of deaths related to diabetes mellitus (DM) and 28% related to hypertensive heart disease. In 2008 CKD reached the highest incidence of end-stage renal disease in the world. Diabetes mellitus is the main risk factor associated with CKD in Mexican population; however, heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury have been associated to nephropathies.

[Intelligence quotient loss in Mexican pottery artisan's children].

Background: In Mexico, artisans frequently use lead oxide or greta in order to produce utensils, which are destined to preparation and storage of food and drinks. Additionally, the risk of lead poisoning of artisans and their families is greater than in general population, and within these families, children are the most susceptible to lead poisoning. The aim of this study was to estimate IQ loss in Mexican children from potter families exposed to lead.

[Update on epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma].

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is an occupational tumor caused by asbestos exposure. In Mexico, as asbestos usage is not prohibited, an increase in the number of cases is expected. Asbestos exposure is ubiquitous due to the great amount of products in which it is present.

[Brainstem auditory evoked potentials latencies, by age and sex, among Mexican adult population].

Background: Brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) evaluate the auditory pathway, and are a complementary test for tone audiometry in evaluating auditory diseases. The aim of the study was to determine BAEP mean latencies of waves and intervals, among healthy adults.

Methods: Cross-sectional study, comprising 196 subjects, aged 16 to 65 years, without auditory diseases, to whom family and personal history were asked, physical examination and laboratory studies were made, as well as tonal audiometry, impedanciometry and BAEP.

Blood lead determinants and the prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms in firearm users in Mexico.

Objectives: To identify blood lead predictors and the prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms in firearm users of public security in Mexico.

Material And Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on 65 males. We obtained socio-occupational data and determined venous blood lead (blood (B), lead (Pb) - BPb), as well as neuropsychiatric symptoms using the Q-16 questionnaire.

[Historical and social perspective from the 64-65 Mexican medical movement].

The Mexican Medical Movement from 1964-1965 constitutes an important event from the rising urban middle-class, besides it was the first time medical doctors claimed for fair working conditions. The background of this movement is the so-called Crisis of 1958, which included the Movements from the educators union, oil workers union, telegraph workers union and the railroad workers union. The conflict began because interns and residents from the "Hospital 20 de Noviembre" would not get a payment at the end of the year, so on November 26th, 1964, the movement started.

[Overview of sharps injuries among health-care workers].

Sharps injuries are one of the most frequent health-care related accidents. It is estimated globally that 35 million workers are at risk; in Mexico there is no data available for this type of injuries. They are associated with lack of training, instrument and procedure risk, fatigue and stress.

Increased Cardiovascular Risk Using Atherogenic Index Measurement Among Healthcare Workers.

Background And Aims: Cardiovascular diseases are one of the leading causes of death worldwide. This burden of disease is particularly high among healthcare workers. The aim of the study was to identify determinants that increase atherogenic index among healthcare workers.

Seroprevalence of Pandemic A(H1N1) pmd09 Virus Antibodies in Mexican Health Care Workers Before and After Vaccination.

Background And Aims: In April 2009, a new strain of influenza A(H1N1) was identified in Mexico and in the U.S. In June 2009, WHO declared this a pandemic.

Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: Accuracy of CT Against Immunohistochemical Test Among the Mexican Population.

Background And Aims: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is associated with occupational and environmental exposure to asbestos. The incidence is expected to increase as the use of asbestos is not prohibited in many countries, such as in Mexico. We undertook this study to determine sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and likelihood ratios of computed tomography (CT) in a sample from Mexican population with suspected MPM and other pleuropulmonary diseases.

Ototoxicity effects of low exposure to solvent mixture among paint manufacturing workers.

Objective: To evaluate auditory function in a group of workers exposed to organic solvent mixture at a paint factory.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Study Sample: One hundred and sixty-one workers were studied, 77 exposed to solvents and 84 unexposed.

[Concordance in blood lead quantification between laboratories].

Objective: To establish a blood lead quantification correlation from two occupational health laboratories (OHL1V and OHL2DF), and the ABC Hospital (LABC) metals laboratory.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in 84 workers from a voltage regulators company, where lead is welded; in 54 % (46 of them) a blood sample was taken and analyzed by OHL1V, and in 28.6 % (24) by OHL2DF.

[Male hormonal profile in workers exposed to toluene in an industrial packaging plant].

Objective: to identify changes in the male hormonal profile (MHP), consisting of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone, in workers exposed to toluene.

Methods: cross-sectional study that included 42 workers, formed in two groups: with high and low exposure to toluene (HET and LET, respectively); the hippuric acid in urine, and the serum concentration in FSH, LH, and testosterone were measured.

Results: hippuric acid in subjects with LET was 2.