Organochlorine pesticide distribution in an organic production system for cow's milk in Chiapas, Mexico.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of organochlorine pesticides in samples of forage, soil, water, and milk in four units of an organic production system for cow´s milk (samples of forage, milk, soil, and water) in Tecpatan, Chiapas, Mexico. The organochlorine pesticides were extracted from forage, soil and water based on the USEPA (2005) guideline and from milk based on the IDF 1991 guideline. The pesticides were identified and quantified by gas chromatography with electron capture detector (CG-ECD).

Nrf2 signaling and redox homeostasis in the aging heart: A potential target to prevent cardiovascular diseases?

Aging process is often accompanied with a high incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) due to the synergistic effects of age-related changes in heart morphology/function and prolonged exposure to injurious effects of CVD risk factors. Oxidative stress, considered a hallmark of aging, is also an important feature in pathologies that predispose to CVD development, like hypertension, diabetes and obesity. Approaches directed to prevent the occurrence of CVD during aging have been explored both in experimental models and in controlled clinical trials, in order to improve health span, reduce hospitalizations and increase life quality during elderly.

Improving appearance and microbiologic quality of broiler carcasses with an allostatic modulator.

An important priority of poultry producers is to guarantee animal welfare during animal production; however, broilers are exposed to unavoidable chronic stress (also known as allostasis) when they are captured, caged, and transported to the processing plant. This antemortem management causes allostatic load, animal injuries, and poor carcass quality. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of an allostatic modulator (AM) on antemortem stress by measuring the appearance and microbiological quality of broiler carcasses.

Presence of PAHs in milk of industrial farms from Tizayuca, Hidalgo, Mexico.

The objective of this study was to determine the concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in cow's milk from industrial farms that are located near an industrial park in Hidalgo, Mexico. It was found that the concentrations of PAHs in the raw milk of cattle from industrial farms have increased in recent years. Composite samples were collected between 2008 and 2010 and analysis carried out according to 8100 EPA procedures and analyzed by gas chromatography with FID detection.

Experimental evidence for curcumin and its analogs for management of diabetes mellitus and its associated complications.

Diabetes mellitus is a serious world health problem and one of the most studied diseases; a major concern about its treatment is that β-cell mass and functionality is hard to restore. In addition, it is frequently associated with severe complications, such as diabetic nephropathy and cardiomyopathy. The anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic properties of curcumin have made it a promising molecule for the treatment of this pathology; however, its solubility and bioavailability problems are still the subject of multiple studies.

Nicotinamide sensitizes human breast cancer cells to the cytotoxic effects of radiation and cisplatin.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors enhance the effect of DNA alkylating agents on BRCA1‑ and BRCA2-deficient cell lines. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of the PARP inhibitor nicotinamide (NAM) on breast cancer cells with different BRCA1 expression or function, such as BRCA1‑deficient MDA-MB-436 cells, low expression BRCA1 MCF-7 cells, and the BRCA1 wild‑type MDA-MB-231 cells, to demonstrate its effects as a chemo‑ or radiosensitizing agent. PARP activity was analyzed in MDA-MB-436, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells subjected or not to NAM.

Acupuncture as an Adjunct Treatment for Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Comparative Study.

Background: Primary dysmenorrhea occurs 40%-50% in women of reproductive age. Acupuncture may assist treatment of menstrual pain.

Objective: This study compared the effects of the acupuncture program , or Thoroughfare Vessel (TV), to sham acupuncture on primary dysmenorrhea.

Cytokine patterns in paediatric patients presenting serious gastrointestinal and respiratory bacterial infections.

In the adaptive immune response, the types of cytokines produced define whether there is a cellular (T1) or a humoral (T2) response. Specifically, in the T1 response, interleukin 2 (IL-2), interferon γ (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor β (TNF-β) are produced, whereas in the T2 response, IL-4, IL-5, IL- 6, IL-10 and IL-13 are primarily produced. Cytokines are primarily involved in the regulation of immune system cells.

Drinking water fluoride levels for a city in northern Mexico (durango) determined using a direct electrochemical method and their potential effects on oral health.

Fluoride is ingested primarily through consuming drinking water. When drinking water contains fluoride concentrations>0.7 parts per million (ppm), consuming such water can be toxic to the human body; this toxicity is called "fluorosis.

Dental caries in Mexican schoolchildren: a comparison of 1988-1989 and 1998-2001 surveys.

Objectives: To compare two surveys across seven states for the prevalence of dental caries among Mexican schoolchildren.

Study Design: Analysis of two cross-sectional surveys: Schoolchildren from 6 to 10 years of age were examined in the 1988-1989 survey and 6- to 10-year-old and 12-year-old students were included in the 1998-2001 survey. The baseline data of seven states were available for analysis.

Dental caries, tooth eruption timing and obesity: a longitudinal study in a group of Mexican schoolchildren.

Objectives: To identify the possible association between dental caries and body mass index (BMI) and to explore the effect of BMI on tooth eruption in a cohort of elementary schoolchildren.

Material And Methods: A 4-year longitudinal study was completed. A total of 110 children from a public elementary school, located in a middle-income area of Mexico City, entered the study; of these, 88 completed the 4-year follow-up period.

Epidemiological transition: model or illusion? A look at the problem of health in Mexico.

This paper discusses the validity of the epidemiological transition model to interpret changes in the structure of mortality and morbidity. Epistemological and political questions are posed. The case of Mexico is used to illustrate the limitations its use imposes on understanding the constellation of components explaining the epidemiological profile, and the problems involved in designing a public health policy on the basis of this sort of misinterpretation.

Unexpected findings of a female team in Xochimilco, Mexico.

This is a reflection about the methodological circumstances that led the author to certain unexpected information during the course of a qualitative approach to the perception of health problems of a group of poor families in the south of Mexico City. Special attention is paid to the influence of the research team composition (four women with different professional backgrounds, ages, marital statuses, and styles of personal interaction) and the psychoanalytic technique that influenced the study. The inclusion of people of different ages, professions, and personality traits proved extremely valuable both as a means of widening the possibilities for empathetic relations between the research group and the population studied and for increasing the shades of meaning that the team was able to capture.

Factors associated with Mexico City dentists' willingness to treat AIDS/HIV-positive patients.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics and infection control practices of dentists in Mexico City in relation to their willingness to treat AIDS/HIV-positive patients.

Study Design: The population study encompassed Mexico City dentists who were selected according to a geographic criterion. A questionnaire was delivered personally to each participant, and multiple logistic regression was used for data analysis.

Participatory research on workers' health.

The concern for workers' health has increased in Latin America during the last decade both on the part of research institutions and trade unions. A special emphasis has been given to active participation of workers not just in the transformation of working conditions to improve health but also in generation of knowledge. This paper presents an action oriented participatory research methodology based on a collective questionnaire that permits the recollection of data on characteristics of the labour process, risks and health damage.