Methods for a Non-Targeted Qualitative Analysis and Quantification of Benzene, Toluene, and Xylenes by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry of E-Liquids and Aerosols in Commercially Available Electronic Cigarettes in Mexico.

The chemical components of the e-liquids and aerosols contained in electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDSs), better known as vapes, were evaluated. The analytical technique used was gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, where the extraction and injection methods were established in this study. The work consisted of the analysis of twenty samples of disposable electronic cigarettes prefilled with new e-liquid, of a known brand, flavor, volume, and, in some of them, the percentage of nicotine and the number of puffs per device were indicated on the label.

Impact on Fatality Rates and Years of Life Lost During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Experience of the Mexican Public Health Incident Management Command.

Background: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic challenged health systems worldwide. In Mexico, the Public Health Incident Management Command (COISS) strategy was implemented to improve health care for patients with COVID-19 who required hospitalization.

Aim: To evaluate the impact of the COISS strategy on case fatality rates (CFR) and years of life lost (YLL) in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

Outbreak of Meningitis in Immunocompetent Persons Associated With Neuraxial Blockade in Durango, Mexico, 2022-2023.

Background: Fungal meningitis can be associated with epidural anesthesia procedures. Fusariosis is a rare infection typically affecting immunocompromised patients and rarely causes meningitis. During 2022-2023, public health officials responded to a large outbreak of meningitis associated with epidural anesthesia in Durango, Mexico.

Strengthening the Pharmacovigilance System in Mexico: Implementation of VigiFlow and VigiLyze, as ICSR and Signal Detection Management Systems.

Pharmacovigilance (PV) activities aim to identify potential risks of medicines and vaccines after they have been authorised in the market by collecting and analysing information on suspected adverse events from different stakeholders. These can be captured and transmitted electronically in the form of Individual Case Safety Reports (ICSRs). Hence, up-to-date ICSRs management systems, like VigiFlow and signal detection and management systems as VigiLyze, have an important role in the PV system of a country.

Down-Regulation-Resistant STAT4 Risk Haplotype Contributes to Lupus Nephritis Through CD4+ T Cell Interferon-γ Production.

Objective: Variants in STAT4 are associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and other autoimmune diseases. We undertook this study to investigate how disease-associated variants affect STAT4 expression, in particular in CD4+ T cells where STAT4 plays an essential role.

Methods: We compared Th1 differentiation between naive CD4+ T cells from healthy donors homozygous for the risk (R/R) or nonrisk (NR/NR) alleles.

The impact of COVID-19 and access to health services in the Hispanic/Mexican population living in the United States.

Introduction: The United States is home to 10.5 million undocumented immigrants, of which 5 out of 10 are Mexican or Central American. Their immigration status is an obstacle to secure employment that provides labor benefits such as sick leave and health insurance.

Comparison of the Impacts of a Dynamic Exercise Program vs. a Mediterranean Diet on Serum Cytokine Concentrations in Women With Rheumatoid Arthritis. A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease characterized by a chronic inflammatory state. High pro-inflammatory cytokine levels are associated with disease activity. Exercise and the Mediterranean diet (MD) exert anti-inflammatory effects; however, their impacts on inflammation in RA patients remains unknown.

Low-Density Granulocytes and Neutrophil Extracellular Traps as Biomarkers of Disease Activity in Adult Inflammatory Myopathies.

Background/objective: Biomarkers for disease activity and damage accrual in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) are currently lacking. The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to analyze the relationship among low-density granulocytes (LDGs), neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), and clinical and immunological features of patients with IIM.

Methods: We assessed disease activity, damage accrual, amount of LDGs, NETs, expression of LL-37, and serum cytokines in 65 adult patients with IIM.

Protein phosphatase 2A B55β limits CD8+ T cell lifespan following cytokine withdrawal.

How T cells integrate environmental cues into signals that limit the magnitude and length of immune responses is poorly understood. Here, we provide data that demonstrate that B55β, a regulatory subunit of protein phosphatase 2A, represents a molecular link between cytokine concentration and apoptosis in activated CD8+ T cells. Through the modulation of AKT, B55β induced the expression of the proapoptotic molecule Hrk in response to cytokine withdrawal.

The role of low density granulocytes and NETosis in the pathogenesis of adult-onset Still's Disease.

Objectives: To analyse the potential contribution of low-density granulocytes (LDGs) and NETosis, as well as the differential protein cargo of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), as physiopathogenic mechanisms of adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD).

Methods: We recruited 30 patients with AOSD according to the Yamaguchi diagnostic criteria. LDGs were addressed by multiparametric flow cytometry as those CD14-, CD15+, CD10+ cells in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells fraction.

PPP2R2B hypermethylation causes acquired apoptosis deficiency in systemic autoimmune diseases.

Chronic inflammation causes target organ damage in patients with systemic autoimmune diseases. The factors that allow this protracted response are poorly understood. We analyzed the transcriptional regulation of PPP2R2B (B55ß), a molecule necessary for the termination of the immune response, in patients with autoimmune diseases.

The Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Infection Predictive Index (LIPI): A Clinical-Immunological Tool to Predict Infections in Lupus Patients.

Among autoimmune diseases, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients have a unique predisposition to develop infections, which represents one of their main causes of morbidity and mortality. Many infections occur at disease diagnosis in the absence of immunosuppressive therapy, suggesting that the immunological abnormalities in SLE patients might be fundamental for the development of this complication. The aim of this study was to address the main clinical and immunological features associated with the development of infection and to create and validate a compound clinical-immunological infection predictive index in a cohort of SLE patients.

Epidemiologic Profile of Erectile Dysfunction in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: The Latin American Landscape.

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED), as well as associated demographic and clinical features, in men with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), by means of a systematic, standardized evaluation.

Methods: We performed a transversal study in 8 tertiary care centers in Latin America. We included male patients ≥ 16 years who fulfilled ≥ 4 American College of Rheumatology criteria for SLE and had regular sexual activity, and evaluated them with the International Index of Erectile Function-5 questionnaire.

Factors associated with remission in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: new insights into a desirable state.

The primary aim of this study was to assess demographic, clinical, and serological factors associated with remission in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A retrospective cohort study was performed. We examined relevant features in patients with SLE with a follow-up of at least 8 years from active disease (SLE Disease Activity Index-2000 [SLEDAI-2K] ≥6).

Body composition evaluated by body mass index and bioelectrical impedance vector analysis in women with rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a complex inflammatory disease that modifies body composition. Although body mass index (BMI) is one of the clinical nutrition tools widely used to assess indirectly nutritional status, it is not able to identify these body alterations. Bioelectrical Vector Analysis (BIVA) is an alternative method to assess hydration and body cell mass of patients with wasting conditions.

Differential ubiquitination in NETs regulates macrophage responses in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objectives: To assess if ubiquitinated proteins potentially present in neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) can modify cellular responses and induce inflammatory mechanisms in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and healthy subjects.

Materials And Methods: We studied 74 subjects with SLE and 77 healthy controls. Neutrophils and low-density granulocytes were isolated, and NETs were induced.

Differential T cell subsets and cytokine profile between steady-state and G-CSF-primed bone marrow and its association with graft-versus-host disease.

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a major complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). At our Institution, patients transplanted using G-CSF-primed bone marrow (G-BM), have a lower incidence of GVHD when compared to other sources. The objective of this study was to analyze and compare T cell subsets and cytokines in donor G-BM and steady-state BM (SS-BM).

Add-on Pyridostigmine Enhances CD4 T-Cell Recovery in HIV-1-Infected Immunological Non-Responders: A Proof-of-Concept Study.

Background: In human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infection, persistent T-cell activation leads to rapid turnover and increased cell death, leading to immune exhaustion and increased susceptibility to opportunistic infections. Stimulation of the vagus nerve increases acetylcholine (ACh) release and modulates inflammation in chronic inflammatory conditions, a neural mechanism known as the (CAP). Pyridostigmine (PDG), an ACh-esterase inhibitor, increases the half-life of endogenous ACh, therefore mimicking the CAP.

Total Hip Arthroplasty Outcomes: An 18-Year Experience in a Single Center: Is Systemic Lupus Erythematosus a Potential Risk Factor for Adverse Outcomes?

Background: In patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), persistent joint activity and treatment with glucocorticoids are associated with musculoskeletal complications. About 30% of these patients become candidates for surgical treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate postoperative outcomes after total hip arthroplasty (THA) in SLE patients.

Renal Thrombotic Microangiopathy in Proliferative Lupus Nephritis: Risk Factors and Clinical Outcomes: A Case-Control Study.

Background: Renal thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) may be associated with lupus nephritis. Its relationship to other disease factors and its specific effect on prognosis are not precisely known. Evidence regarding these aspects is controversial, and information focusing on kidney-limited TMA in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients is scarce.

Lymphopenia and autoimmunity: A double-edged sword.

Lymphopenia is strongly associated with autoimmune diseases. The molecular mechanisms that link both phenomena are still unclear, but certain key pathways have been described. Central tolerance is as important as peripheral.

Risk factors for systemic lupus erythematosus flares in patients with end-stage renal disease: a case-control study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to recognize risk factors for extrarenal SLE flares in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) receiving renal replacement therapy (RRT).

Methods: We performed a retrospective, case-control study in a tertiary care hospital in Mexico City from 1993 to 2014. Cases were lupus patients who had any extrarenal flare after RRT.

Clinical outcomes and risk factors for posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in systemic lupus erythematosus: a multicentric case-control study.

Background: Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a well-known but rare complication in patients (<1%) with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, current epidemiological data are quite scant. The aim of the present study was to describe potentially unrecognised risk factors.