Microbial contamination in 20-peso banknotes in Monterrey, Mexico.

The authors' aim was to isolate and identify bacteria or yeast that may be present on the surface of 20-peso banknotes from the metropolitan area of Monterrey, Mexico. They randomly studied a total of 70 20-peso banknotes for the presence of bacteria and species of Candida by conventional methods. Out of the 70 banknotes, 48 (69%) were found to be contaminated. The most prevalent species observed was Candida kruseii (19 bills, 27%) followed by Burkholderia cepacia (9 bills, 13%); 22 (31%) bills showed no growth. Of the 48 contaminated bills, four (5.7%) yielded bacteria considered pathogenic and the other 44 bills (63%) yielded bacteria considered potentially pathogenic. Eleven bills showed more than one microbial species. The results of the authors' study show that contamination occurs on paper currency in the metropolitan area of Monterrey. The authors' findings provide evidence that currency banknotes may represent a threat to human health.

[Cardiovascular risk markers in schoolchildren from five provinces of eastern Colombia]. / Marcadores de riesgo cardiovascular en escolares de cinco departamentos de la región oriental en Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular disease is a public health problem globally; it represents the second cause of mortality in Colombia. This highlights the importance of identifying risk markers from the time of childhood, in order to diminish mortality rates proactively. OBJECTIVES: The lipid profile, homocysteine and C reactive protein plasma concentrations were determined in order to identify relationships between these markers and age, sex and school type. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive study was undertaken in 600 schoolchildren, aged 5 to 14, where the lipid profile, and the plasmatic concentrations of homocysteine and C-reactive protein were evaluated. RESULTS: Higher average levels of total cholesterol, low density cholesterol and triglycerides were observed in females (p<0.05) as compared with males. The prevalences of high lipid were higher in females than in males--7.9% vs. 3.0% for total cholesterol; 11.6% vs. 4.7% for low density cholesterol and 6.9% vs. 5.7% for triglycerides. Children in private schools had higher levels of lipid than those in public ones (p<0.05). The prevalence of homocysteine levels above 6.3 micromol/L was higher (64.3%) in males than in females (56.1%). No statistically significant differences with respect to sex, age or type of school were observed when comparing the prevalence of high levels C-reactive proteins. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of high lipid profile levels in female schoolchildren suggested a policy of adopting intervention measures at an early age. Other factors require further investigation, such as the homocysteine levels observed in males and the C protein levels in order to detect their contribution to cardiovascular disease.

Marcadores de riesgo cardiovascular en escolares de cinco departamentos de la región oriental en Colombia / Cardiovascular risk markers in schoolchildren from five provinces of eastern Colombia

Introducción. La enfermedad cardiovascular es un problema de salud pública en el mundo y representa la segunda causa de mortalidad en Colombia; de ahí, la importancia de identificar marcadores de riesgo desde la infancia, para disminuir las tasas de mortalidad. Objetivos. Determinar el perfil lipídico, la homocisteína y la proteína C reactiva e identificar la relación entre estos marcadores con edad, sexo y tipo de colegio, en escolares entre 5 y 14 años. Materiales y métodos. Estudio descriptivo de 600 escolares, en el que se evaluaron lípidos, homocísteina y proteína C reactiva en plasma. Resultados. Los promedios de colesterol total, colesterol de baja densidad y triglicéridos fueron más elevados en las niñas que en los niños (p<0,05); la prevalencia de lípidos elevados fue mayor en las niñas que en los niños: 7,9 por ciento Vs. 3,0 por ciento; 11,6 por ciento Vs. 4,7 por ciento y 6,9por ciento Vs. 5,7 por ciento para colesterol total, colesterol de baja densidad y triglicéridos, respectivamente. Con relación a los colegios, los privados mostraron niveles de lípidos más altos que los públicos (p<0,05). La prevalencia de niveles de homocisteína mayores de 6,3 µmol /L fue más alta en los varones (64,3 por ciento) que en las niñas (56,1 por ciento); las concentraciones de proteína C reactiva no presentaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas por sexo, edad o tipo de colegio. Conclusiones. La prevalencia de niveles altos de perfil lipídico observados en las niñas, sugieren la posibilidad de implementar medidas de intervención en la población infantil. Es necesario investigar la intervención de otros factores, en los niveles de homocisteína de los varones y en la proteína C reactiva, para determinar su contribución en las enfermedades cardiovasculares.

[Iron and vitamin A micronutrient status, risk factors for their deficiencies and anthropometric assessment in preschool child from Funza municipality, Colombia]. / Estado de los micronutrientes hierro y vitamina A, factores de riesgo para las deficiencias y valoración antropométrica en niños preescolares del municipio de Funza, Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: The malnutrition and deficiencias of iron and vitamin A are frequent in the Colombian population and are associated with biological and environmental risk factors. OBJECTIVE: Prevalence of anemia, iron and vitamin A deficiencies and nutritional status was determined by anthropometric assessment in a population of preschool children in the municipality of Funza. Associations were made between micronutrient deficiency and other risk factors reported in the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The nutrition status of 287 child preschool was assessed by means of anthropometric evaluation, levels of hemoglobin, ferritin, and vitamin A in blood sera, in addition to fecal examination. A survey was administered to identify risk factors associated with these deficiencies. RESULTS: Of these children, 40.8% showed anemia, 5.2% iron deficiency and 4.6% vitamin A deficiency. In addition, the children were generally malnourished. Significant associations were noted between low levels of hemoglobin, rented housing, lack of a nutritional program, low levels of vitamin A, and illness in the previous month. Nonsignificant, but statistical association was observed with other risk factors. CONCLUSION: Incentive programs are necessary to improve the nutritional situation of the preschool children from Funza municipality, Colombia. Nutritional status can be determined by examination of levels of folic acid, vitamin B12, iron and vitamin A in association with social risk factors.

A comparison of the performance of two chromatographic and three extraction techniques for the analysis of PAHS in sources of drinking water.

The aim of this work is to establish a sensitive and reliable method for the analysis of the 16 priority Environmental Protection Agency-defined polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) found in water samples. Gas chromatography (GC)-mass spectrometry (MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-fluorescence detection (FLD)-UV techniques are optimized to obtain an adequate resolution of all compounds. Validation of the methods is carried out, and a good performance is observed for both techniques. The HPLC-FLD-UV technique is somewhat more sensitive than the GC-MS technique for the determination of PAHs; thus, the HPLC-FLD-UV method is used to follow up both the solid-phase extraction (SPE) analysis using cartridges and discs and the liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), which are also evaluated for the extraction of the PAHs. Low recoveries between 43% and 79% are obtained using SPE cartridges, and higher values are obtained using SPE discs (56-96%) and LLE (60-105%). Better results are obtained using the LLE technique, and, thus, analysis of real water samples is carried out using this technique. LODs between 0.6 and 21 ng/L and relative standard deviations less than 15% are obtained using a spiked water sample analyzed using the full LLE HPLC-FLD-UV method.

Estado de los micronutrientes hierro y vitamina A, factores de riesgo para las deficiencias y valoración antropométrica en niños preescolares del municipio de Funza, Colombia / Iron and vitamin A micronutrient status, risk factors for their deficiencies and anthropometric assessment in preschool child from Funza municipality, Colombia

Introducción. La malnutrición y las deficiencias de hierro y vitamina A son frecuentes en la población colombiana y están asociadas con factores de riesgo biológicos y ambientales. Objetivo. Determinar la prevalencia de anemia, la deficiencia de hierro y vitamina A y el estado nutricional por antropometría en niños preescolares del municipio de Funza; identificar la asociación entre la deficiencia de micronutrientes y los factores de riesgo para estas deficiencias reportados en la literatura. Materiales y métodos. Estudio descriptivo en 287 preescolares mediante valoración antropométrica, bioquímica de concentraciones sanguíneas de hemoglobina, ferritina y vitamina A y examen coprológico. Por encuesta se investigó sobre algunos de los factores de riesgo para estas deficiencias. Resultados. El 40,8 por ciento de los preescolares tenía anemia; el 5,2 por ciento, deficiencia de hierro, y el 4,6 por ciento, deficiencia de vitamina A; además, se encontraron preescolares con desnutrición. Se encontró asociación entre las concentraciones bajas de hemoglobina, vivir en inquilinato y no ser beneficiario de algún programa nutricional; también hubo asociación entre la deficiencia de vitamina A y el riesgo de adquirirla con morbilidad sentida en el último mes. Aunque sin asociación estadística, se identificó una alta frecuencia de otros factores de riesgo para las deficiencias de los micronutrientes. Conclusión. Existe la necesidad de fortalecer programas fundamentados en las condiciones existentes para mejorar la situación nutricional de los preescolares del municipio de Funza. Es importante indagar si se presenta anemia nutricional relacionada con ácido fólico y vitamina B12, así como sobre otros factores de riesgo asociados con la deficiencia nutricional por hierro y vitamina A.

Introduction. The malnutrition and deficiencias of iron and vitamin A are frequent in the Colombian population and are associated with biological and environmental risk factors. Objective. Prevalence of anemia, iron and vitamin A deficiencies and nutritional status was determined by anthropometric assessment in a population of preschool children in the municipality of Funza. Associations were made between micronutrient deficiency and other risk factors reported in the literature. Materials and methods. The nutrition status of 287 child preschool was assessed by means of anthropometric evaluation, levels of hemoglobin, ferritin, and vitamin A in blood sera, in addition to fecal examination. A survey was administered to identify risk factors associated with these deficiencies. Results. Of these children, 40.8% showed anemia, 5.2% iron deficiency and 4.6% vitamin A deficiency. In addition, the children were generally malnourished. Significant associations were noted between low levels of hemoglobin, rented housing, lack of a nutritional program, low levels of vitamin A, and illness in the previous month. Nonsignificant, but statistical association was observed with other risk factors. Conclusion. Incentive programs are necessary to improve the nutritional situation of the preschool children from Funza municipality, Colombia. Nutritional status can be determined by examination of levels of folic acid, vitamin B12, iron and vitamin A in association with social risk factors.

[Polymorphisms of APO-E in Colombian women with osteoporosis: correlation with clinical and social risk variables]. / Análisis de polimorfismos APO-E en mujeres colombianas con osteoporosis y correlación con variables clínicas y sociales de riesgo.

Several studies have reported an association between apolipoprotein E polymorphisms and osteoporosis, specially the genotype APO-E4. In order to analyze the APO-E polymorphisms and to identify their association with clinical and social variables, a descriptive study was undertaken that included 32 women with osteoporosis, from different regions of Colombia. The polymorphisms were detected by PCR and RFLP methods. In osteopenia and osteoporosis combined with osteopenia were observed the genotype epsilon3/epsilon3 in the 84% (n=27), and 16% (epsilon3/epsilon4=12.5%, n=4; epsilon4/epsilon4=3.1%, n=1) for the genotypes bearing the epsilon4 allele. The same tendency was observed by age of the menopause, epsilon3/epsilon3 in the 83% (n=25), and the genotypes bearing the epsilon4 allele in the 17% (n=5) (epsilon3/epsilon4=13.3%, n=4; epsilon4/epsilon4=3.3%, n=1). No association of APO-E4 was detected with socioeconomic stratum, fracture, illness, surgeries, and milk consumption. No significant differences were observed in the bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar column between the genotypes with or without the epsilon4 allele epsilon4+/- (epsilon3/epsilon4 0.96+/-0.14 g/cm2); epsilon4+/+ (epsilon4/epsilon4 0.87+/-0.0 g/cm2); epsilon4-/- (epsilon3/epsilon3 0.86+/-0.16 g/cm2); p=0.49, and femoral bone mineral density epsilon4+/- (epsilon3/epsilon4 0.84+/-0.03 g/cm2); epsilon4+/+ (epsilon4/epsilon4 0.84+/-0.0 g/cm2); epsilon4-/- (epsilon3/epsilon3 0.74+/-0.01 g/cm2); p=0.014. However, when exploring the differences of BMD in the femoral neck, a significant difference was observed (t=4.17, p=0.05). These results confirm epsilon4 allele frequencies similar to those reported for caucasian and Japanese, subjects. Larger studies are necessary to elucidate the effect of APO-E in bone marrow and the dose-effect relation.

Análisis de polimorfismos APO-E en mujeres colombianas con osteoporosis y correlación con variables clínicas y sociales de riesgo / Polymorphismsof APO-E in Colombian women with osteoporosis: correlation among clinical and s9ocial risk variables

Varios estudios han demostrado la asociación de los polimorfismos de la apolipoproteína E (APO-E) con la osteoporosis, especialmente, la APO-E 4. Para analizar los polimorfismos APOE e identificar la asociación con variables clínicas y sociales, se realizó un estudio descriptivo de 32 mujeres con osteoporosis, provenientes de diferentes regiones de Colombia, mediante metodologías PCR y RFLP. Se observaron en osteoporosis, osteopenia y osteoporosis combinada con osteopenia frecuencias para el genotipo épsilon3/épsilon3 en el 84,3% (n=27), y en el 15,6% para los genotipos con el alelo épsilon4 (épsilon3/épsilon4=12,5%, n=4; épsilon4/épsilon4=3,1%, n=1); la misma tendencia se observó en la distribución por edad de la menopausia, épsilon3/épsilon3 en el 83,3% (n=25), y genotipos con el alelo épsilon4 en el 16,6% (n=5) (épsilon3/épsilon4=13,3%, n=4; épsilon4/épsilon4=3,3%, n=1). No hubo asociación de APO-E4 con estrato socioeconómico, fracturas, enfermedades o consumo de lácteos. Aunque no hubo efecto del alelo épsilon4 en la densidad mineral ósea (DMO) de la columna lumbar: épsilon4+/-(épsilon3/épsilon4 0,960±0,144 g/cm2); épsilon4+/+ (épsilon4/épsilon4 0,873±0,00 g/cm2); épsilon4-/- (épsilon3/épsilon3 0,858±0,160 g/cm2); p=0,49, ni en cuello femoral: épsilon4+/-(épsilon3/épsilon4 0,841±0,026 g/cm2); épsilon4+/+ (épsilon4/épsilon4 0,842±0,00 g/cm2); épsilon4- /- (épsilon3/épsilon3 0,735±0,013 g/cm2), p=0,14, al explorar las diferencias de medias de DMO en el cuello femoral, se observó una diferencia significativa, t=4,17 p=0,05. Estos datos confirman una frecuencia del alelo épsilon4 similar a lo reportado en poblaciones caucásicas y japonesas; se sugiere realizar estudios a gran escala para esclarecer el impacto de la APO-E sobre la DMO y su relación dosis-efecto.

Several studies have reported an association between apolipoprotein E polymorphisms and osteoporosis, specially the genotype APO-E4. In order to analyze the APO-E polymorphisms and to identify their association with clinical and social variables, a descriptive study was undertaken that included 32 women with osteoporosis, from different regions of Colombia. The polymorphisms were detected by PCR and RFLP methods. In osteopenia and osteoporosis combined with osteopenia were observed the genotype epsilon3/epsilon3 in the 84% (n=27), and 16% (epsilon3/epsilon4=12,5%, n=4; epsilon4/epsilon4=3,1%, n=1) for the genotypes bearing the epsilon4 allele. The same tendency was observed by age of the menopause,epsilon3/epsilon3 in the 83% (n=25), and the genotypes bearing the epsilon4 allele in the 17% (n=5)(epsilon3/epsilon4=13,3%, n=4; epsilon4/epsilon4=3,3%, n=1). No association of APO-E4 was detected with socioeconomic stratum, fracture, illness, surgeries, and milk consumption. No significant differences were observed in the bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar column between the genotypes with or without the epsilon4 allele epsilon4+/- (epsilon3/epsilon4 0.96±0.14 g/cm2); epsilon4+/+ (epsilon4/epsilon4 0.87±0.0 g/cm2); epsilon4-/- (epsilon3/epsilon3 0.86±0.16 g/cm2); p=0.49, and femoral bone mineral density epsilon4+/- (epsilon3/epsilon4 0.84±0.03 g/cm2); epsilon4+/+ (epsilon4/epsilon4 0.84±0.0 g/cm2); epsilon4-/- (epsilon3/epsilon3 0.74±0.01 g/cm2); p=0.014. However, when exploring the differences of BMD in the femoral neck, a significant difference was observed (t=4.17, p=0.05). These results confirm epsilon4 allele frequencies similar to those reported for caucasian and Japanese, subjects. Larger studies are necessary to elucidate the effect of APO-E in bone marrow and the dose-effect relation.