Risk Factors Associated with COVID-19 Lethality: A Machine Learning Approach Using Mexico Database.

Identifying risk factors associated with COVID-19 lethality is crucial in combating the ongoing pandemic. In this study, we developed lethality predictive models for each epidemiological wave and for the overall dataset using the Extreme Gradient Boosting technique and analyzed them using Shapley values to determine the contribution levels of various features, including demographics, comorbidities, medical units, and recent medical information from confirmed COVID-19 cases in Mexico between February 23, 2020, and April 15, 2022. The results showed that pneumonia and advanced age were the most important factors predicting patient death in all cohorts. Additionally, the medical unit where the patient received care acted as a risk or protective factor. IMSS medical units were identified as high-risk factors in all cohorts, except in wave four, while SSA medical units generally were moderate protective factors. We also found that intubation was a high-risk factor in the first epidemiological wave and a moderate-risk factor in the following waves. Female gender was a protective factor of moderate-high importance in all cohorts, while being between 18 and 29 years old was a moderate protective factor and being between 50 and 59 years old was a moderate risk factor. Additionally, diabetes (all cohorts), obesity (third wave), and hypertension (fourth wave) were identified as moderate risk factors. Finally, residing in municipalities with the lowest Human Development Index level represented a moderate risk factor. In conclusion, this study identified several significant risk factors associated with COVID-19 lethality in Mexico, which could aid policymakers in developing targeted interventions to reduce mortality rates.

Relationship Between DDT Concentrations with Multiparity and Breastfeeding History.

Organochlorine pesticides are persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that can enter the body through environmental exposure and food consumption. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of parity and breast milk consumption on dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) concentrations in women from Southern Mexico. Gas chromatography was used to detect o,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDT, and p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) in milk samples. The frequency of detection of the compounds was above 78%, finding low median concentrations of o,p'-DDT (0.010 mg/kg) and p,p'-DDT (0.043 mg/kg) compared to p,p'-DDE (0.672 mg/kg). The median DDE/DDT ratio was 14.7. The concentrations of o,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDE were significantly higher in primiparous women (0.010 mg/kg and 0.868 mg/kg) compared to multiparous women (0.005 mg/kg and 0.583 mg/kg) (p < 0.05). Breastfed donors had similar levels of o,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDE, and Σ-DDT compared to those who were not breastfed.

Socioeconomic determinants of health and COVID-19 in Mexico.

INTRODUCTION: The population living in conditions of poorness has a heavier pathological burden than social strata with better economic possibilities. OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of socioeconomic and demographic factors on COVID-19 morbidity, mortality and lethality in municipalities and states of Mexico. METHODS: Morbidity, mortality and lethality associated with COVID-19 were analyzed according to the human development index and its indicators, and type of population. Descriptive statistical analyses, correlations between developmental variables and morbidity, mortality and lethality, association tests and hierarchical groupings were carried out. RESULTS: Positive correlations were observed between morbidity and mortality and the human development index; COVID-19 fatality increased as the values of said index decreased. There was a significantly higher risk of elevated mortality in localities with moderate and low development, and in those with less than 49,999 inhabitants. The main factors associated with fatality were lack of access to health services, income vulnerability and social deprivation. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence generated should lead to decisions aimed at improving the quality of life of the population with social deprivations and vulnerabilities, which needs to be protected against the consequences of current COVID-19 pandemic.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La población en situación de pobreza presenta una carga patológica mayor que los estratos sociales con mejores posibilidades económicas. OBJETIVO: Determinar la influencia de los factores socioeconómicos y demográficos en la morbilidad, mortalidad y letalidad de COVID-19 en municipios y estados de México. MÉTODOS: Se analizó la morbilidad, mortalidad y letalidad asociadas a COVID-19 conforme el índice de desarrollo humano y sus indicadores, así como el tipo de población. Se realizaron análisis estadísticos descriptivos, de correlación entre variables de desarrollo versus morbilidad, mortalidad y letalidad, pruebas de asociación y agrupaciones jerárquicas. RESULTADOS: Se observaron correlaciones positivas entre la morbilidad y mortalidad y el índice de desarrollo humano; la letalidad por COVID-19 aumentó conforme disminuyó dicho índice. Existió riesgo significativamente superior de alta letalidad en las localidades con moderado y bajo desarrollo, así como en aquellas con menos de 49 999 habitantes. Los principales factores asociados a la letalidad fueron la falta de acceso a los servicios de salud, la vulnerabilidad por ingreso y la carencia social. CONCLUSIONES: La evidencia generada debe llevar a decisiones tendentes al mejoramiento de la calidad de vida de la población con carencias y vulnerabilidades sociales, que necesita ser protegida contra las consecuencias de la actual pandemia de COVID-19.

Determinantes socioeconómicos de salud y COVID-19 en México / Socioeconomic determinants of health and COVID-19 in Mexico

Resumen Introducción: La población en situación de pobreza presenta una carga patológica mayor que los estratos sociales con mejores posibilidades económicas. Objetivo: Determinar la influencia de los factores socioeconómicos y demográficos en la morbilidad, mortalidad y letalidad de COVID-19 en municipios y estados de México. Métodos: Se analizó la morbilidad, mortalidad y letalidad asociadas a COVID-19 conforme el índice de desarrollo humano y sus indicadores, así como el tipo de población. Se realizaron análisis estadísticos descriptivos, de correlación entre variables de desarrollo versus morbilidad, mortalidad y letalidad, pruebas de asociación y agrupaciones jerárquicas. Resultados: Se observaron correlaciones positivas entre la morbilidad y mortalidad y el índice de desarrollo humano; la letalidad por COVID-19 aumentó conforme disminuyó dicho índice. Existió riesgo significativamente superior de alta letalidad en las localidades con moderado y bajo desarrollo, así como en aquellas con menos de 49 999 habitantes. Los principales factores asociados a la letalidad fueron la falta de acceso a los servicios de salud, la vulnerabilidad por ingreso y la carencia social. Conclusiones: La evidencia generada debe llevar a decisiones tendentes al mejoramiento de la calidad de vida de la población con carencias y vulnerabilidades sociales, que necesita ser protegida contra las consecuencias de la actual pandemia de COVID-19.

Abstract Introduction: The population living in conditions of poorness has a heavier pathological burden than social strata with better economic possibilities. Objective: To determine the influence of socioeconomic and demographic factors on COVID-19 morbidity, mortality and lethality in municipalities and states of Mexico. Methods: Morbidity, mortality and lethality associated with COVID-19 were analyzed according to the human development index and its indicators, and type of population. Descriptive statistical analyses, correlations between developmental variables and morbidity, mortality and lethality, association tests and hierarchical groupings were conducted. Results: Positive correlations were observed between morbidity and mortality and the human development index; COVID-19 fatality increased as the values of said index decreased. There was a significantly higher risk of elevated mortality in localities with moderate and low development, and in those with less than 49,999 inhabitants. The main factors associated with fatality were lack of access to health services, income vulnerability and social deprivation. Conclusions: The evidence generated should lead to decisions aimed at improving the quality of life of the population with social deprivations and vulnerabilities, which needs to be protected against the consequences of current COVID-19 pandemic.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Lysiloma acapulcensis exhibit high-antimicrobial activity.

The scientific community is exploiting the use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in nanomedicine and other AgNPs combination like with biomaterials to reduce microbial contamination. In the field of nanomedicine and biomaterials, AgNPs are used as an antimicrobial agent. One of the most effective approaches for the production of AgNPs is green synthesis. Lysiloma acapulcensis (L. acapulcensis) is a perennial tree used in traditional medicine in Mexico. This tree contains abundant antimicrobial compounds. In the context of antimicrobial activity, the use of L. acapulcensis extracts can reduce silver to AgNPs and enhance its antimicrobial activity. In this work, we demonstrate such antimicrobial activity effect employing green synthesized AgNPs with L. acapulcensis. The FTIR and LC-MS results showed the presence of chemical groups that could act as either (i) reducing agents stabilizing the AgNPs or (ii) antimicrobial capping agents enhancing antimicrobial properties of AgNPs. The synthesized AgNPs with L. acapulcensis were crystalline with a spherical and quasi-spherical shape with diameters from 1.2 to 62 nm with an average size diameter of 5 nm. The disk diffusion method shows the magnitude of the susceptibility over four pathogenic microorganisms of clinical interest. The antimicrobial potency obtained was as follows: E. coli ≥ S. aureus ≥ P. aeruginosa > C. albicans. The results showed that green synthesized (biogenic) AgNPs possess higher antimicrobial potency than chemically produced AgNPs. The obtained results confirm a more significant antimicrobial effect of the biogenic AgNPs maintaining low-cytotoxicity than the AgNPs produced chemically.

Dietary habits associated with the presence of organochlorine pesticides in human milk.

This study aims to establish the relationship between the consumption of certain foods and the presence of organochlorine pesticides in human milk. A total of 167 samples of breastmilk were collected. Sample analysis was carried out by gas chromatography with electron capture detector. Pesticide concentrations (op'DDT, pp'DDT, pp'DDE, Σ-DDT, HCB, ß-HCH) were grouped by consumption level of fish, dairy products, meat, eggs, and seafood and then were compared to each other. The odds ratio (OR) was calculated between the concentration of pesticides (higher and/or lower than median) and the exposure variable (high consumption). The results indicated low median concentrations of HCB, ß - HCH, op'DDT and pp'DDT, whose fluctuations and trends between different frequencies of food consumption were not significant. pp'DDE and Σ - DDT values according to the increase in consumption of fish were significantly increased. Women with high fish consumption have a higher risk of high concentrations of pp'DDE and Σ-DDT (OR: high consumption: 5.6 (1.3-23.6). A protective effect was observed in the consumption of dairy products (ß-HCH and op'DDT), meat (HCB), and seafood (pp'DDT). These results suggest that it is possible that the consumption of fish, dairy products, meat, and seafood influences the presence of organochlorine pesticides in the studied population.

Influence of Breastfeeding Time on Levels of Organochlorine Pesticides in Human Milk of a Mexican Population.

This study was conducted with the objective of determining whether there is a depuration of organochlorine pesticides in breast milk according to breastfeeding time. In total, 171 samples from mothers that lived in the State of Guerrero, Mexico were analyzed. There was a weak negative relationship between pp'DDE (r = -0.216) and Σ-DDT (r = -0.222) concentrations with the days of lactation. In a comparison analysis, a statistically significant decrease of pp'DDT and pp'DDE levels was observed, as well as the Σ-DDT from the first to the fifth week of lactation. A reduction of 0.188 mg/kg lipid of pp'DDE and 0.181 mg/kg lipid of Σ-DDT per week was obtained. HCB, ß-HCH and op'DDT concentrations were low and had no major fluctuations between subgroups. The low levels found and the observed reduction in time involve less exposure to the infant to these pollutants. Through this methodology changes in levels of certain organochlorine pesticides in various stages of human milk production may be shown.

Organochlorine pesticide levels in breast milk in Guerrero, Mexico.

In Mexico, organochlorine pesticides were used in public health and agriculture programs, causing chronic exposure to the population. Human breast milk samples were collected from 171 mothers who were residents from Guerrero, Mexico. Analysis was carried out by gas chromatography. Median concentrations (mg/kg on fat basis) for the following pesticides were: HCB, 0.009; ß-HCH, 0.004; pp'DDE, 0.760; op'DDT, 0.016; pp'DDT, 0.045; and Σ-DDT, 0.833. These values are lower than in other States in Mexico, and in some countries where the use of these pesticides was banned more than 30 years ago. Differences were found in HCB, pp'DDE and pp'DDT concentrations in groups divided according to age (p < 0.05). The older age groups had higher concentrations, except for the comparison between groups 21-23/24-28 years, which were 0.913 and 0.530 mg/kg of pp'DDE, respectively. Given the restrictions on use, a greater decrease in organochlorine pesticide levels in human milk is expected in a few years.