Anticoagulant Effect of Snow mountain garlic: Evaluation of Aqueous Extract.

Snow mountain garlic is traditionally eaten by Himalayan locals for its medicinal properties. Although different species of the genus are known to have other biological effects, such as antiplatelet and antithrombotic activities, little is known about the anticoagulant effect of Snow mountain garlic, a member of the genus . Therefore, the present study examined the anticoagulant effect of the aqueous extract, the lyophilized aqueous extract, and the isoflavone extract from the lyophilized aqueous extract of Snow mountain garlic in samples from 50 human blood donors.

Pilot Monitoring of Lead in Umbilical Cord Blood of Newborns Associated With the Use of Glazed Ceramics from Guanajuato, Mexico.

The use of lead-glazed pottery for cooking and storing food, a widespread practice in Mexico, represents a risk of exposure to lead from the human intrauterine stage. Therefore, a pilot study was carried out by means of the measurement of lead in umbilical cord blood by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) including 69 newborns from the Mexican state capital of Guanajuato, Guanajuato City, where the use of glazed clay is still widespread. Lifestyle and sociodemographic data were collected by interviewing the participating mothers.

Environmental and biological monitoring of organochlorine pesticides in the city of Salamanca, Mexico.

The former Tekchem Industrial Unit located in the city of Salamanca, Mexico, constitutes an environmental liability in which the presence of high levels of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) has been reported. In the present study, levels of OCPs were quantified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in 52 soil samples and in 88 blood samples from school-age children in the city of Salamanca. A median concentration of 70.

Novel Adiposity and Biochemical-Anthropometric Indices to Identify Cardiometabolic Risk and Metabolic Syndrome in Mexican Adults.

Although several indices used in clinical practice identify cardiometabolic risk (CR) and metabolic syndrome (MetS), it is imperative to develop indices for specific populations. Therefore, we proposed and validated sex-specific indices to identify CR associated with visceral adipose tissue (VAT) accumulation or MetS in Mexican adults. Additionally, a cut-off value for the visceral fat area (VFA) to identify CR was proposed.

Polymorphisms of the genes , and and their relation with hyperuricemia and hypercholesterolemia in Mexican young adults.

Hyperuricemia is a pathological condition associated with risk factors of cardiovascular disease. In this study, three genetic polymorphisms were genotyped as predisposing factors of hyperuricemia. A total of 860 Mexicans (129 cases and 731 controls) between 18 and 25 years of age were genotyped for the  (Q191K),   (517G>A), and  (518T>C) polymorphisms, as predisposing factors of hyperuricemia.

TNF-α detection using gold nanoparticles as a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrate.

TNF-α is a cytokine involved in inflammation. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) could be useful in its detection. Identify the TNF-α in an aqueous solution, using gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as a SERS substrate.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor gene polymorphisms as exacerbating factors of apical periodontitis.

Background: Two polymorphisms in the macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) gene have been associated with inflammatory diseases (-794 CATT5-8 and -173G>C); however, so far there are no reports of studies related to oral health.

Objectives: To genotype the -794 CATT5-8 and -173G>C MIF polymorphisms in Mexican patients with apical periodontitis as a genetic risk of exacerbation.

Material And Methods: The study involved 120 patients with apical periodontitis: 60 with a diagnosis of acute apical periodontitis (Group A) and 60 without previous episodes of exacerbation (Group B).

Exposure to arsenic and lead in children from Salamanca México, effects on telomeric lengthening and mitochondrial DNA.

Levels of urinary arsenic and levels of lead in blood were measured in children attending elementary schools located in an industrial zone in Salamanca, México. Its possible effects using telomere length and mitochondrial DNA copy number as biomarkers of genomic disequilibrium by oxidative stress were studied. Eighty-eight children (6-15 years old) were included and urine samples were collected for quantification of arsenic, while lead was measured in blood samples using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

Diagnostic accuracy of three placement sites for the cold test in subjects amongst different age groups.

Background: The cold test is a specific test of pulp sensitivity and is part of the endodontic diagnosis. The aim of this study was to identify the diagnostic accuracy including sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value in three sites for the cold test in teeth with a need for endodontic treatment within different age groups from both genders.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed, evaluating 425 subjects.

[Level of exposure to fluorides by the consumption of different types of milk in residents from an area of Mexico with endemic hydrofluorosis].

Introduction: Several studies have shown the presence of fluorosis (DF) in primary dentition, suggesting an exposure to fluorides (F) in early childhood. Breast milk is recommended as an exclusive food until 6 months of age. Although it is mentioned that only a small amount of F can be eliminated by breast milk, studies have shown the presence of this element in milk of women living in contaminated areas, as well as in infant formulas.

Dental fluorosis and a polymorphism in the COL1A2 gene in Mexican children.

Objective: To determine the allelic and genotypic frequencies of rs 412777 polymorphism in the Collagen type I alpha 2 chain (COL1A2) gene and the association with the severity of dental fluorosis in children between 6 and 12 years old in the State of San Luis Potosi, Mexico.

Design: A cross-sectional study was designed; participants were 230 children from two rural communities of San Luis Potosí. Fluoride in drinking water and urine samples was quantified using a potentiometric method with a selective ion electrode.

Association of Leukocyte Telomere Length and Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number in Children from Salamanca, Mexico.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a correlation between telomere length (TL) and mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) in children.

Methods: Leukocyte TL and mtDNAcn were measured by real-time PCR in 98 Mexican children 6-12 years of age from Salamanca, México.

Results: A positive association was found between TL and mtDNAcn after a natural log transformation (Pearson correlation r = 0.

Q192R polymorphism of paraoxonase 1 gene associated with insulin resistance in Mexican children.

Background And Aims: The SNP rs662 in the paraoxonase 1 gene (PON1 Q192R) has been associated with obesity, dyslipidemia and cardiovascular risk. In this study, DNA samples of 117 children aged 6 to 12 years from San Luis Potosí, México were genotyped for Q192R polymorphism of the PON1 gene.

Methods: Genotypic frequencies were determined by allelic discrimination assay by real-time PCR using TaqMan fluorogenic probes.

Epigenetic markers of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Mexican brickmakers: a pilot study.

A pilot cross-sectional study was carried out in a group of 39 male brick manufacturers in San Luis Potosi, Mexico to identify epigenetic biomarkers of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). A questionnaire was used to compile the smoking and drinking habits, clinical history, working time, and socioeconomic characteristics of the participants. 1-Hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) levels were measured from urine samples using high-performance liquid chromatography, and genomic DNA was isolated from blood samples for methylation analysis using pyrosequencing.

p,p'-DDE, a DDT metabolite, induces proinflammatory molecules in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells "in vitro".

In a recent study, our group demonstrated that when peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were treated "in vitro" with p,p'-DDE, a DDT metabolite, an antioxidant response and biomarkers of inflammation were induced at the mRNA level, indicating a proinflammatory state. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the induction of proinflammatory molecules at the protein level in PBMCs exposed to p,p'-DDE "in vitro". The main finding was that "in vitro" exposure to p,p'-DDE enhanced the expression of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) at the protein level in PBMCs.

Epigenetics and lifestyle.

The concept of 'lifestyle' includes different factors such as nutrition, behavior, stress, physical activity, working habits, smoking and alcohol consumption. Increasing evidence shows that environmental and lifestyle factors may influence epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, histone acetylation and miRNA expression. It has been identified that several lifestyle factors such as diet, obesity, physical activity, tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, environmental pollutants, psychological stress and working on night shifts might modify epigenetic patterns.

Assessment of DDT and DDE levels in soil, dust, and blood samples from Chihuahua, Mexico.

The aim of this study was to assess levels of DDT and DDE in two environmental matrices (soil and dust) and to investigate the blood levels of these insecticides in exposed children living in a north Mexican state (Chihuahua) where DDT was sprayed several years ago during (1) health campaigns for the control of malaria and (2) agricultural activities. DDT and DDE were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. In general, lower levels were found in household outdoor samples.