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The objective of this study was to determine the association of the CD40LG 3′-UTR (CA)n microsatellite with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and CD40LG mRNA levels in females from western Mexico. A case-control study with 219 RA patients and 175 control subjects (CS) was conducted. Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), X test was used to compare genotype and allele frequencies, and odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to evaluate the association between RA and the microsatellite. CD40LG mRNA expression was assessed by real-time quantitative PCR. For comparisons between groups, Kruskal-Wallis or Mann-Whitney U tests for non-parametric data and ANOVA test for parametric data were performed. Among the 13 different alleles identified, CA was the most represented (45.4% RA and 46.3% CS). Stratification according to CA repeats as CA showed a tendency towards a higher frequency of >CA alleles in RA patients (29%) compared to CS (23.4%). There was no association between any genotype and the clinical parameters of RA patients. According to the 2 method, CD40LG mRNA expression in RA patients was 4.5-fold higher compared to CS; this difference was significant when assessed by the 2 method ( p = 0.028). Compared to carriers of the CA/CA genotype, CS carrying the CA/>CA carriers. The 3′-UTR CD40LG (CA)n microsatellite is not a genetic marker for RA in western Mexican population; however, results suggest that it plays a role in the CD40LG mRNA expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

La responsabilidad social es un concepto ético cuya aplicabilidad se da tanto en el campo de las organizaciones como en el de las instituciones de educación superior (IES). Este concepto se vincula a la necesidad de que las organizaciones se responsabilicen por los impactos que generan en el entorno social y ambiental. En el caso de las universidades, estos impactos se extienden al ámbito educativo y cognitivo. La Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana -UAM-, consciente de este compromiso con la sociedad, se dio a la tarea de crear una iniciativa para facilitar su tránsito hacia la sustentabilidad tomando en consideración sus tareas sustantivas y adjetivas: el Plan Institucional Hacia la Sustentabilidad (PIHASU). En este trabajo se pone a disposición de la comunidad tanto el marco conceptual como el metodológico el PIHASU, visto desde la perspectiva de la responsabilidad social. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the prevalence of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) in the U.S.-Mexico border, investigated by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS), Mexican authorities and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2005. A case report of a woman from Brownsville, Texas with signs and symptoms of DHF is presented. The TDSHS revealed that DHF in the border state had grown to 1,251 cases that met the Mexican case definition.

Influenza A virus (IAV) outbreaks constitute a constant threat to public health and pose a remarkable impact on socio-economic systems worldwide. Interactions between wild and domestic birds, humans and swine can lead to spillover events. Backyard livestock systems in proximity to wetlands represent high-risk areas for viral spread. However, some gaps remain in our knowledge of IAV transmission at the wildlife-livestock interface in Mexico. Hence, the study aimed at molecular identification and phylogenetic characterization of IAV in the wild duck-backyard livestock interface at a wetland of Mexico. A total of 875 animals were tested by real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). We detected IAV in 3.68% of the wild ducks sampled during the winter season 2016-2017. Nonetheless, the samples obtained from backyard poultry and swine tested negative. The highest IAV frequency (11.10%) was found in the Mexican duck (Anas diazi). Subtypes H1N1, H3N2 and H5N2 were detected. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that IAV detected in wild birds from the Lerma wetlands was mostly related to swine and poultry IAV strains previously isolated in the United States and Mexico. Except, the UIFMVZ377/H5N2 related to North American waterbirds. In conclusion, the co-circulation of three IAV subtypes in wild ducks close to backyard farms in Mexico, as well as the local identification of influenza viruses genetically related to Mexican and North American IAV strains, highlights the importance of the Lerma marshes for influenza surveillance given the close interaction among wild birds, poultry, pigs and humans., (© 2020 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Congregation of different migratory and resident bird species on aquatic ecosystems during winter migration increases contact rates and enhances influenza A virus (IAV) transmission. However, scarce research has been focused on the resident bird's contribution to the viral ecology at a local scale. The Mexican duck (Anas diazi) is an endemic endangered anatid from Mexico. This resident species shares aquatic habitats with migratory birds in the wetlands of Central Mexico. Therefore, here we describe the phylogenetic analysis of an IAV (A/Mexican duck/EstadodeMexico; Lerma/UIFMVZ377/2016(H5N2)) isolated in this species, during spatiotemporal concurrence with migratory anatids in the winter season. All eight gene sequences were obtained by nextgeneration sequencing. Maximum Likelihood trees were constructed using MEGA-X, with General Time Reversible + Invariant (GTR+I), Subtree Pruning and Regrafting (SPR) heuristic method, and 1000 bootstrap replicates. Similarities with six different IAV subtypes were observed through a BLAST search: H6N5, H7N7, H5N2, H4N6, H9N2, and H11N9, detected in wild ducks during 2015 in the Pacific, Central and Mississippi flyways stop sites across the United States of America and Canada. The molecular identification of this reassortant H5N2 IAV highlights the importance of resident species as a reservoir host and its potential participation in the maintenance and transmission of IAV in wetlands surrounded by rural areas., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In this study we report for the first time the phylodynamics of the parapoxvirus (PPV) genus in Mexico. Based on the analysis by PCR of 124 epithelial samples collected between 2007 and 2011 from naturally infected goats, sheep and cows in Mexico, we found that different PPV were present in 21 out of the 24 states sampled during this study. Our phylogenetic analysis confirmed the presence of different PPV species in Mexico, and their phylogenetic relationship with other PPV circulating in the US and Canada. Furthermore, we describe the existence of two different ORFV phylogenetic groups that are clearly host associated (sheep or goat). Evidence of directional selection at five specific amino acid residues in the enveloped glycoprotein B2L might help to support this host predilection. Collectively, the results generated in this study highlight the importance of PPV genus in Mexico and open the possibility for future studies describing with more detail the importance of this genus in North America., (Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Objective: To determine health care costs and economic burden of epidemiological changes in diseases related to tobacco consumption., Methods: A time-series analysis in Mexico (1994-2005) was carried out on seven health interventions: chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, lung cancer with and without surgical intervention, asthma in smokers and non-smokers, full treatment course with nicotine gum, and full treatment course with nicotine patch. According with Box-Jenkins methodology, probabilistic models were developed to forecast the expected changes in the epidemiologic profile and the expected changes in health care services required for selected interventions. Health care costs were estimated following the instrumentation methods and validated with consensus technique., Results: A comparison of the economic impact in 2006 vs. 2008 showed 20-90% increase in expected cases depending on the disease (p<0.05), and 25-93% increase in financial requirements (p<0.01). The study data suggest that changes in the demand for health services for patients with respiratory diseases related to tobacco consumption will continue showing an increasing trend., Conclusions: In economic terms, the growing number of cases expected during the study period indicates a process of internal competition and adds an element of intrinsic competition in the management of preventive and curative interventions. The study results support the assumption that if preventive programs remain unchanged, the increasing demands for curative health care may cause great financial and management challenges to the health care system of middle-income countries like Mexico.

Purpose: To evaluate the incidence of intraoperative complications using the NIDEK MK-2000 microkeratome during flap creation in LASIK., Methods: The incidence of intraoperative flap complications during LASIK using the NIDEK MK-2000 microkeratome was retrospectively studied in 26,600 procedures performed in 5 outpatient excimer laser surgery centers., Results: A total of 65 (0.244%) complications were identified: 23 (0.086%) eyes had free caps, 13 (0.049%) eyes had an incomplete pass, 13 (0.049%) eyes had an epithelial defect, 11 (0.041%) eyes had buttonhole, and 5 (0.019%) eyes had irregular flap. The remaining 26,535 (99.756%) eyes had uneventful flap creation., Conclusions: Use of the NIDEK MK-2000 microkeratome resulted in a low incidence of intraoperative complications, making it a safe and reliable device for creating flaps during LASIK.

This paper presents the results from a longitudinal study in which the main purpose was to determine the health-care costs and financial consequences of changes in the health care demands related to tobacco consumption in Mexico. Eleven health interventions were selected to conduct this study and four probabilistic models were developed to forecast the expected changes in the epidemiologic profile of selected diseases. The costing method was based on the identification of case management costs using the instrumentation and consensus techniques, probabilistic models were designed using the Box-Jenkins technique and allowed us to identify the expected case trends for the 2001-2003 period. The generation of information on case management costs for the selected interventions is a central instrument in the planning of health programs, above all in that which refers to resource allocation by type of demand. On the other hand, the identification of expected cases and the financial consequences allowed us to know the growing trends of the sums required to satisfy health care demands for the period under study. The three types of information are a relevant resource for decision-makers in the production and financing of health services.

Currently, in Mexico City, 57% of deaths from traffic crashes are pedestrian injuries. The purpose of this study was to identify and analyse the magnitude, trends, risks, and geographic distribution of fatal pedestrian injuries during the period 1994-1997. A cross-sectional study design was used, based on the death certificates of persons who were in Mexico City during 1994-1997 and died due to pedestrian injuries. Mortality rates, trend analysis, standard mortality ratios (SMRs), and potential years of life lost index (PYLLI) were calculated by gender, age groups and region (these correspond to "delegations", which are political divisions of the city). Rates were derived according to place of occurrence and place of residence. A total of 3687 pedestrian fatalities were reported, and 71% of these were to Mexico City residents. The rate for males was 10.6/100000 with a slight decrease in rate from 1994 to 1997. For females, the rate was 4.0/100000, with an increase in rate during the same years. The present study allowed identification of the target population as well as regions with a high risk of fatal pedestrian injuries. From these data we have developed or recommended specific interventions for prevention and control of fatal pedestrian injuries in Mexico City.

This study examined risk factors for pre-eclampsia/eclampsia in a population-based sample of pregnant working women in Mexico City. Over a 3-month period, all women who gave birth at three major hospitals and who had worked for at least 3 months during pregnancy were interviewed. After excluding mothers with multiple gestations or infants with birth defects, and previous diagnoses of hypertension, chronic renal disease or diabetes, 131 of 2,436 women (5.4%) had been diagnosed with pre-eclampsia and/or eclampsia. The frequency was much higher among women of low socio-economic status: 12% of uninsured women (SSA) compared with 4.2% of private sector employees (IMSS) and 1.3% of public sector employees (ISSSTE). After adjusting for education, women working in services (OR = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.01, 2.81) and in retail (OR = 1.99, 95% CI = 1.18, 3.37), primiparae (OR = 2.64, 95% CI = 1.65, 4.21) and women whose pregestational weight was > or = 55 kg (OR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.34, 3.04) were at increased risk. Efforts to develop and evaluate intervention programmes should target hospitals serving the uninsured (SSA) if reduction in the number of preventable maternal deaths in Mexico is to be achieved. Such programmes should also target service and retail workers and identify women with poor glycaemic control early in pregnancy.

The objective of this study was to identify risk factors related to the driver, the vehicle and the environment, that are associated with motor vehicles accidents on highways. A case and control design was used where the case was: the driver of a motor vehicle who was involved in an accident while traveling on the Mexico-Cuernavaca highway; and the control was: the driver or a motor vehicle who, traveling on the highway, completed the trip without being involved in a traffic accident. Risk factors associated with the occurrence of a traffic accident (P > 0.05) were: age under 25 years, frequent travel, traveling to work, alcohol consumption, driving during the daylight, on a week-day, under adverse weather conditions and in the Mexico Cuernavaca direction of road. Risks adjusted by logistic regression were: age under 25 years odds ratio (OR) 3.01, confidence interval (CI) (95%) 1.46-6.18; work as a travel reason OR 1.74, CI 1.06 2.86; alcohol intake OR 4.70, Cl 1.62 13.6; driving under adverse weather conditions OR 5.70, CI 3.66-8.85; traveling on a week-day OR 1.84, CI 1.14-2.94; during daylight hours OR 4.23, CI 2.36-7.58 and in the Mexico Cuernavaca direction of road OR 2.69, CI 1.67 4.32. The identification of factors associated with the risk of being involved in a highway traffic accident allows us to propose primary prevention measures for this important public health problem.

Objective: To determine the standing of mortality by poisoning in children in the Mexican Republic, in the years from 1979-1994., Material and Methods: Secondary sources were employed. Analyzed variables were: age, sex, year, external cause of trauma and poisoning according to the 9th International Classification of Diseases: E850-E858, E860-E869 and E905. Tendencies by specific causes were analyzed with a Poisson regression model and relative risk by age, sex and district were obtained., Results: A total of 11,272 children under 15 years of age were recorded. The main causes were poisoning and toxic reactions caused by venomous plants or animals (E905); accidental poisoning by household gas or carbon monoxide (E868); and accidental poisoning by other drugs (E858). The relative risk was highest in age group < 1 year; the values were RR 29.6, CI 95% 29.2-33.4; RR 3.47, CI 95% 2.86-4.22 and RR 31.86, CI 95% 24.8-40.9. Risk was similar for both sexes except for E905. The state of Aguascalientes consistently presented the highest risk values and the state of Nuevo Leon, the lowest., Conclusions: Poisoning is an important cause of child mortality. Considering that most of these deaths can potentially be prevented since they occur at home it is recommended that responsible adults can build protection into their environment and into the way society operates. Prevention should involve a multidisciplinary approach since the phenomenon has multiple causes and possible solutions.

Objective: To study the association between maternal working conditions and low birth-weight in Mexico City., Material and Methods: Interviews of 2623 workers who gave birth in Mexico City hospitals during 1992 were analyzed. Information on the main biologic and social factors associated to low birth-weight was registered. Occupational stress was determined with the instrument designed by Karasek. Logistic regression models to evaluate the relationship between working conditions and low birth-weight were used, controlling by confounding variables., Results: Low birth-weight was more frequent in workers with working periods of more than 50 h/week (OR = 1.6; 95% CI = 1.17, 2.28) and with problems at work (OR = 1.5; 95% CI = 1.0, 2.25). Lack of tangible social support was identified as a risk factor for low birth-weight (OR = 1.7; 95% CI = 1.20, 2.33). Preventive working measures such as changes in tasks, shortening of working hours and leaves of absence due to illness did not show a beneficial effects on birth-weight, except for the maternity leave of absence. Mothers with no right to this had a 2.2 higher probability of giving birth to low weight children (95% CI = 1.66, 2.93)., Conclusions: These results emphasize the importance of identifying the occupational risk factors during pregnancy.

Objectives: This study examined the effect of working conditions, occupational stress, and antenatal leave on risk of small-for-gestational age and premature births in Mexico City., Methods: Over a 3-month period, 2663 (96.2%) of 2767 women who gave birth at three major hospitals and worked at least 3 months during pregnancy were interviewed shortly after delivery. After the exclusion of multiple gestations and birth defects, 261 (10.0%) small-for-gestational-age and 288 (11.0%) preterm births were identified., Results: For small-for-gestational-age births, working more than 50 hours a week (odds ratio [OR] = 1.59), standing more than 7 hours a day (OR = 1.40), and no antenatal leave (OR = 1.55) were associated with an increased risk. Women with no antenatal leave were also much more likely to give birth prematurely (OR = 3.04)., Conclusions: In this study, arduous working conditions and lack of antenatal leave benefits were found to increase the risk of poor birth outcome in Mexican women. Enforcement of existing antenatal leave laws and provision of comparable benefits for the uninsured may reduce the incidence of small-for-gestational-age births and prematurity.