Powered Toothbrushes: An Opportunity for Biofilm and Gingival Inflammation Control.

The present review aimed at a broad investigation on the potential of powered as compared to manual toothbrushes in different aspects of clinical dentistry. Studies evaluating plaque and gingival inflammatory parameters were included, as well as those that investigated adverse effects. Emphasis was given separately to adults, youngsters, special-needs patients, and those under fixed orthodontic therapy. In general, comparisons favored powered toothbrushes. In summary, approximately 68% of the included studies, in terms of plaque/gingival inflammation in adults, presented better results for powered toothbrushes. In children and special-needs populations, approximately 40% of the included studies favored powered toothbrushes for plaque/gingival inflammation, and none favored manual ones. In orthodontic individuals, 50% of the studies also demonstrated a better effect of powered toothbrushes on plaque and gingival inflammation. All included studies that assessed adverse events did not demonstrate a difference in these effects when comparing manual vs. powered toothbrushes. It is concluded that the use of powered toothbrushes is an opportunity to enhance patterns of plaque control and associated gingival inflammation.

The association between diabetes and cancer in Mexico: Analysis using death certificate databases, 2009-2017.

CONTEXT: Previous studies have shown that diabetes mellitus (DM) is a risk factor of some type-specific cancers. However, no data are available on the association between cancer and DM in Latin America. AIMS: The aim of this study is to determine which type-specific cancers are associated with DM using multiple cause of death data. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Whole country of Mexico, cross-sectional design. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Analysis of all cancer deaths (2009-2017) using death certificate databases of Mexican adults aged ≥20 years. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: There were 710,292 total cancer deaths. DM increased the risk of pancreatic (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.7), liver (aOR = 1.6), kidney (aOR = 1.4), gallbladder (aOR = 1.2) and endometrial (aOR = 1.1) cancers, all P < 0.05. Type 2 or unknown-type DM were associated with the same cancer types with little variation of estimates. Higher estimates were found in males than females (except for kidney cancer). Type 1 DM was associated with pancreatic cancer only (aOR = 1.9). CONCLUSIONS: DM in Mexico is associated with gastrointestinal (pancreatic, liver, gallbladder), kidney and endometrial cancers. Dissemination of knowledge to both health-care workers and diabetics regarding potential cancer risks including adequate diet, regular exercise, weight reduction if obese/overweight, cessation of smoking, and good glucose control and medication compliance should be reinforced. Specific cancer preventative measures should be implemented for patients with DM.

Comorbidities that predict acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 test positivity in Mexican Children: A case-control study.

Some comorbidities are risk factors for severe coronavirus disease (Covid-19) but it is unknown whether some increase susceptibility to Covid-19 in children. In this Mexican case-control study, contact with patients with Covid-19, or having obesity, or having diabetes, or hypertension or been immunosuppressed independently increased the risk for Covid-19 in the whole sample analysis. However, only contact history and obesity remained statistically significant in the separated analysis of girls and boys. The results suggest that obesity is not only associated with severe disease but also increases risk for Covid-19. Contrary to findings in adults, no difference between cases and controls was found for gender, presence of pneumonia or surrogates of severe disease including admission to intensive care unit, tracheal intubation or whether patient had died. This indicates that Covid-19 is less severe in children than adults. Future research is needed to establish the mechanisms involved in obesity and Covid-19 in children.

Obesity is the comorbidity more strongly associated for Covid-19 in Mexico. A case-control study.

Some comorbidities are associated with severe coronavirus disease (Covid-19) but it is unclear whether some increase susceptibility to Covid-19. In this case-control Mexican study we found that obesity represents the strongest predictor for Covid-19 followed by diabetes and hypertension in both sexes and chronic renal failure in females only. Active smoking was associated with decreased odds of Covid-19. These findings indicate that these comorbidities are not only associated with severity of disease but also predispose for getting Covid-19. Future research is needed to establish the mechanisms involved in each comorbidity and the apparent "protective" effect of cigarette smoking.

Asthma mortality among Mexican children: Rural and urban comparison and trends, 1999-2016.

OBJECTIVE: Although there are more studies showing higher asthma prevalence in urban rather than rural zones, few assessed asthma mortality by zone in children. The objective of this study is to compare asthma mortality rates (AMR) by zone of residence of Mexican children. DESIGN: Using national death certificate and population projections data, AMR were compared in children aged 0 to 14 years by gender, age group, and zone of residence from 1999 to 2016. AMR trends were calculated using Joinpoint regression. RESULTS: Of the 680 823 deaths, 2464 (0.36%) were due to asthma. Asthma mortality was higher in rural (0.65%) than urban (0.26%) zones, P < .0001. Whole period AMR median was also higher in rural vs urban zones (0.6 vs 0.3, respectively), P < .05. The average annual percent change (AAPC) of AMR for the whole period was -5.1 in all children with a higher percent decrease in rural vs urban zones (girls' AAPC = -6.3 vs -4.1, respectively and boys' AAPC = -4.8 vs -4.2, respectively). AMR decreased in children aged 0 to 4 from both zones (rural's AAPC: girls = -7.9, boys = -5.2; urban's AAPC: girls = -5.1, boys = -5.4), P < .05. No trend was found in children aged 5 to 14. CONCLUSIONS: Asthma mortality in Mexican children is higher in rural than urban zones. The decrease of mortality over time in early childhood is reassuring. More research is needed to determine reasons for higher mortality in rural Mexico and for the lack of a favorable decreasing trend in children aged 5 to 14 from both zones.

Letter to the Editor Re: Oh J., et al. Nutrients 2019, 11, 343.

To the editor, [...].

The impact of tobacco tax/law implementation on pancreatic cancer mortality in Mexico, 1999-2015.

Among the multiple aetiologies identified for pancreatic cancer (PC), cigarette smoking and diabetes are considered "moderate risk factors". Analysis of PC mortality trends is important as changes in incidence and mortality of this tumour can be partially attributable to changes in smoking patterns. A recent Mexican study examined PC mortality trends and showed a favourable trend from 2000 to 2014 [1]. However, the impact of new tobacco tax/laws which were implemented in Mexico in 2007/2008 was not assessed in this study. In this re-analysis we assessed their impact on PC mortality and found a non-statistically significant trend from 1999 to 2008 - however, PC mortality statistically decreased from 2008 with an annual percent change or APC of -1.27, -1.23 and -1.17 in both sexes, females and males respectively, p < 0.05. These declines are likely resulting in part from new tobacco tax/laws which are likely contributing to the decrease over time of smoking prevalence and environmental tobacco smoke exposure.

Prevalence trends of wood use as the main cooking fuel in Mexico, 1990-2013.

OBJECTIVE:: To determine prevalence trends of using Wood as the Main Cooking Fuel (WMCF) in Mexico and household characteristics that predict its use. MATERIALS AND METHODS:: Estimates were obtained from the 1990, 2000 and 2010 censuses and from a national survey performed in 2012 and 2013. RESULTS:: In 2012-2013, 9.5% of the 66 321 surveyed households and 10.9% of their 252 011 residents used WMCF. Prevalence was higher in rural (40.5%) than urban areas (1.5%), p<0.0001. From 1990 to 2013 wood use decreased by 53% overall and by 28.6% in rural areas, gas use increased respectively by 17.5 and 52.7%. Predictors of using WMCF were living in rural or suburban areas and those associated with low socioeconomic status. CONCLUSION:: Use of WMCF has decreased substantially in Mexico but at a slower pace in rural areas. Improving household characteristics and socioeconomic status may decrease use of WMCF at a higher rate.

Prevalence trends of wood use as the main cooking fuel in Mexico, 1990-2013 / Tendencias en la prevalencia del uso de leña como principal combustible utilizado para cocinar en México, 1990-2013

Abstract: Objective: To determine prevalence trends of using Wood as the Main Cooking Fuel (WMCF) in Mexico and household characteristics that predict its use. Materials and methods: Estimates were obtained from the 1990, 2000 and 2010 censuses and from a national survey performed in 2012 and 2013. Results: In 2012-2013, 9.5% of the 66 321 surveyed households and 10.9% of their 252 011 residents used WMCF. Prevalence was higher in rural (40.5%) than urban areas (1.5%), p<0.0001. From 1990 to 2013 wood use decreased by 53% overall and by 28.6% in rural areas, gas use increased respectively by 17.5 and 52.7%. Predictors of using WMCF were living in rural or suburban areas and those associated with low socioeconomic status. Conclusion: Use of WMCF has decreased substantially in Mexico but at a slower pace in rural areas. Improving household characteristics and socioeconomic status may decrease use of WMCF at a higher rate.

Resumen: Objetivo: Determinar las tendencias temporales de prevalencia del uso de leña utilizada para cocinar (ULPC) y características del hogar que lo predicen. Material y métodos:. Los estimados se obtuvieron de los censos 1990, 2000 y 2010 y de la encuesta nacional de 2012-2013. Resultados: En el periodo 2012-2013, 9.5% de los 66 321 hogares y 10.9% de sus 252 011 residentes usaron LPC. La prevalencia fue mayor en áreas rurales (40.5%) que las urbanas (1.5%), p<0.0001. De 1990 a 2013 el ULPC disminuyó 53% en todo el país y 28.6% en áreas rurales. Contrariamente, el uso de gas incrementó 17.5 y 52.7% respectivamente. Los predictores del ULPC fueron el vivir en áreas rurales o suburbanas, y aquellos asociados al nivel socioeconómico bajo. Conclusión: El ULPC ha disminuido pero a ritmo lento en las áreas rurales de México. Mejorar las características del hogar y nivel socioeconómico pudiera disminuir el ULPC a mayor ritmo.