MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF VARIETIES OF Chenopodium quinoa CULTIVATED IN THE DEPARTMENT OF BOYACÁ, COLOMBIA / CARACTERIZACIÓN MORFOLÓGICA DE VARIEDADES DE Chenopodium quinoa CULTIVADAS EN EL DEPARTAMENTO DE BOYACÁ, COLOMBIA

ABSTRACT In the department of Boyacá, seeds of Chenopodium quinoa Willd. are planted, which correspond to a mixture of varieties, producing different grain sizes and saponin concentrations, affecting the quality and yield of the derived products, and therefore their commercialization, whenever the buyer requires it for a certain purpose, sweet varieties for bakeries or with high contents of saponin for the detergent industry. The objective was to compare the morphological characters, to identify the six varieties, according to the constant and conspicuous characteristics, as well as physiological parameters in the reproductive and vegetative stages. Observations were made in the different stages of development; in seeds, germination tests were made, the diameter and weight were measured; In the seedling stage, the total height, hypocotyl length, cotyledon lamina length and changes in red pigmentation were determined, qualitatively evaluated by direct observation. In adult plants, reproductive and vegetative characters were reviewed. A taxonomic key was proposed for the identification of the varieties. Blanca Real recorded the highest germination percentage (98%). Amarilla Marangani presented the seeds with the greatest weight and diameter and the longest cotyledons. The height of the Black and Piartal seedlings was below the other varieties. Blanca de Jericó, Blanca Real and Piartal presented weak reddish colorations in the hypocotyl and cotyledons. The identification of each variety will result in better products for growers, marketers, and processors.

RESUMEN En el departamento de Boyacá, se siembran semillas de Chenopodium quinoa Willd., las cuales, corresponden a una mezcla de variedades, produciendo diferentes concentraciones de saponina y de tamaños de grano, afectando la calidad y el rendimiento de los productos derivados y, por tanto, su comercialización, toda vez que el comprador lo requiere para un determinado fin, como variedades dulces, para las panaderías o, con altos contenidos de saponina, para la industria de detergentes. El objetivo fue comparar los caracteres morfológicos, para identificar las seis variedades, de acuerdo con las características constantes y conspicuas, además de parámetros fisiológicos en etapa reproductiva y vegetativa. Se realizaron observaciones en las diferentes etapas del desarrollo; en semillas, se hicieron pruebas de germinación, se midió el diámetro y el peso; en el estadio de plántula, se determinó la altura total, longitud del hipocótilo, largo de la lámina de los cotiledones y cambios en la pigmentación rojiza, evaluada cualitativamente por observación directa. En plantas adultas, se revisaron caracteres reproductivos y vegetativos. Se propuso una clave taxonómica, para la identificación de las variedades. Blanca Real registró el porcentaje de germinación más alto (98%). Amarilla Maranganí presentó las semillas con el mayor peso y diámetro y los cotiledones más largos. La altura de las plántulas Negra y Piartal estuvo por debajo de las otras variedades. Blanca de Jericó, Blanca Real y Piartal presentaron coloraciones rojizas débiles en el hipocótilo y en los cotiledones. La identificación de cada variedad redundará en mejores productos para los cultivadores, comercializadores y procesadores.

Characterization of dietary fiber and pectin of cassava bread obtained from different regions of Venezuela / Caracterización del contenido de fibra dietaria y pectina de casabe obtenido de diferentes regiones de Venezuela

Three varieties of cassava bread were analyzed by proximal analysis and biochemical methods. The content of protein, fat, carbohydrate, ash, crude fiber and dietary fiber (DF) differed significantly between each sample (p< 0.05). The cassava variety "Puerto Ayacucho" showed a higher content of insoluble DF (4.7%), soluble DF (1.6%), total DF (6.3%) and pectin (0.61%)) in comparison with the varieties of "Rio Chico" and "Caripito". Soluble DF retains significant amounts of water in the digestive tract, and this fact, combined with its reported effect of lowering human serum cholesterol its low moisture plus a high carbohydrate content confirm the suitability of this bread as an important nutritional food.

Tres variedades de casabe de yuca fueron analizados mediante el análisis proximal y métodos bioquímicos. El contenido de proteínas, grasas, hidratos de carbono, ceniza, fibra cruda y fibra dietética (FD) difieren significativamente entre cada muestra (p <0,05). La variedad de casabe "Puerto Ayacucho" mostró un mayor contenido de FD insoluble (4,7%), FD soluble (1,6%), FD total (6,3%) y pectina (0,61%)) en comparación con las variedades de "Rió Chico" y "Caripito ". FD soluble retiene grandes cantidades de agua en el tracto digestivo, y este hecho, combinado con su efecto ya reportado de bajar el colesterol del suero humano, así como el casabe de contener un bajo contenido de humedad aunado a un alto contenido de hidratos de carbono; confirma la idoneidad del mismo, como un importante alimento nutricional.

Evidence of conserved epitopes in variable region of VP8* subunit of VP4 protein of rotaviruses of P[8]-1 and P[8]-3 lineages.

Although antibody responses to the human rotavirus VP4 protein have been reported, few studies have analyzed the specificity of these responses to the VP8* subunit. This study investigated antibody responses generated against the variable region of the VP4 protein (VP8* subunit) in children infected with rotavirus genotype P[8]. Recombinant VP8* subunit (rVP8*) and truncations corresponding aa 1-102
(peptide A) and 84-180 (peptide B) of rotavirus strains P[8]-1 and P[8]-3 lineages were expressed in Escherichia coli and examined for antibody reactivity using ELISA and Western blot assays. Sera from infected children had IgG antibodies that reacted with full-length rVP8*, peptide A and B of both lineages, with stronger reactivity observed against peptide B. In addition, anti-strain Wa (P[8]-1) and anti-rVP8* (P[8]-3) rabbit polyclonal antiserum reacted against peptide B sequences of both lineages. These data indicate that the VP8* variable region of rotavirus belonging to P[8]-1 and P[8]-3 lineages have conserved epitopes recognized by antibodies elicited during natural infections.

Vitreous levels of interleukine-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in macular oedema with branch retinal vein occlusion.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether interleukine-8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) are related with macular oedema in patients with branch retinal vein occlusions (BRVOs). DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. PARTICIPANTS: Nineteen patients who had macular oedema due to BRVO and nine patients with non-ischaemic ocular diseases (control group). METHODS: Macular oedema was examined by optical coherence tomography. Both venous blood and vitreous samples were obtained at the time of vitreoretinal surgery. IL-8 and MCP-1 levels in vitreous fluid and plasma were determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Variables were compared with the Mann-Whitney U-test, Wilcoxon's signed-ranked test, and the chi2-test, when appropriate. To examine correlations, Spearman's rank-order correlation coefficients were calculated. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05. RESULTS: The vitreous fluid levels of IL-8 (median: 63.5 pg/ml) and MCP-1 (median: 1522.4 pg/ml) were significantly higher in the patients with BRVO than in the control group (median: 5.1 and 746.5 pg/ml respectively; P<0.001 and <0.001 respectively). Vitreous IL-8 and MCP-1 were significantly correlated in patients with BRVO (P=0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Both IL-8 and MCP-1 were elevated in the vitreous fluid of patients with BRVO and macular oedema. Both chemokines may contribute to the pathogenesis of macular oedema in patients with BRVO.

as leguminosas, una fuente importante de fibra alimentaria: Una visión en Venezuela / Legumes, an important source of dietary fiber: A vision in Venezuela

La fibra dietética o alimentaría es un término genérico que cubre una amplia variedad de sustancias químicas, con diferentes propiedades y efectos fisiológicos. Química mente, la fibra dietética es una sustancia perteneciente a la familia de los carbohidratos. En los últimos 40 años, ha tenido un creciente interés en el campo de la salud y nutrición humana. En general, la fibra alimentaría la encontramos en los productos alimenticios de origen vegetal. Un buen ejemplo de ello son las leguminosas de grano. Las leguminosas, a través de la historia, siempre han sido un recurso alimenticio de gran importancia para la alimentación humana. Representan, por un lado, una fuente barata de proteínas y, por el otro, un suministro de fibra dietética a la dieta. El presente artículo, fue enfocado a revisar y recopilar los mayores trabajos realizados sobre la determinación y cuantificación de la fibra alimentaría en algunos alimentos, principalmente en leguminosas venezolanas.

The dietary fiber or alimentary fiber, it is a generic term which covers a wide variety of chemical substances, with different properties and physiological effects. Chemically, the dietary fiber is a substance belonging to the family of the carbohydrates. In the last 40 years it has had increasing interest in the field of health and human nutrition. In general, we find the alimentary fiber in the food products from vegetable. A good example of it, are the legume seeds. The legume seeds across the history, have been a food resource of great importance for human nutrition. On the one hand, a cheap source of proteins and on the other one, an additional supply of fiber to the diet. The present article, was focused to review and to collect the most realised works for the determination and quantification of alimentary fiber in of the mainly Venezuelan legumes seeds.

Spontaneous separation in idiopathic vitreomacular traction syndrome associated with contralateral full-thickness macular hole.

PURPOSE: Vitreomacular traction syndrome (VMTS) and full-thickness macular hole are two different well-known entities that on follow-up may be subjected to clinical modifications. Precisely, a spontaneous separation of idiopathic VMTS occurred in three eyes of three patients relieving in addition traction of the posterior hyaloid that had led also to a focal macular retinal pigment epithelial detachment (RPE). An association to a full-thickness macular hole was observed in the contralateral eye of one of the patients. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of three patients evaluated with fluorescein angiography and documented with optical coherence tomography using the Stratus (OCT) model 3000, with scans analysis and protocols analysis, measuring the size and shape of vitreomacular adhesions, macular thickness changes before and after the spontaneous separation of the tractional posterior hyaloid adhesion. In addition, the vitreous was evaluated with contact lens slit lamp biomicroscopy and ultrasound. The associated contralateral macular hole in one of the patients was surgically treated. RESULTS: Two of the three eyes with spontaneous separation of the VMTS recovered 20/25 central visual acuity; the other eye maintained the initial 20/50 visual acuity. The treated macular hole recovered 20/100 corrected visual acuity. CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous separation of posterior hyaloid is a possible outcome during follow-up of idiopathic VMTS that can be well evaluated and documented with OCT while macular fluorescein angiography may be silent in cases like these presently reported. Central vision recovery can be excellent following the spontaneous separation, which releases anterior-posterior traction including on the retinal pigment epithelium and decreases macular thickness as measured with OCT. Therefore, regarding management, the indication for vitrectomy should be delayed awaiting the spontaneous release of vitreomacular traction in 4 to 6 months. The association between idiopathic VMTS in one eye and full-thickness macular hole in the opposite eye of one patient is an important pathophysiologic consideration.

Outcomes of vitreoretinal surgery for retinal detachment after LASIK for myopia.

PURPOSE: To report and compare outcomes of vitreoretinal surgery for repair of retinal detachment in myopic patients with and without previous laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). METHODS: This is a descriptive retrospective observational study with a control group for comparison that consisted of the analysis of clinical and surgical charts of patients who underwent vitreoretinal procedures for retinal detachment at the Fundación Oftalmologica Nacional between January 1995 and December 2002. The authors identified those myopic patients who had previous history of LASIK and an age- and myopia-matched control group without refractive surgery. RESULTS: The sample contains 24 myopic eyes of 22 patients with previous LASIK and 23 myopic eyes without previous LASIK in the control group, matched by age and myopia. Mean refractive error was -9.4 D before LASIK for the cases group and -11.2 for the control group. Poor preoperative best-corrected visual acuity was present in 71% of cases and 61% of controls (p=0.489). Macula off retinal detachment was found in 17 eyes in both groups. Five eyes required at least two procedures, achieving 91% (20 eyes) reattachments at the end of follow-up in each group. Final best-corrected visual acuity was better than 20/100 in 15 eyes (62.5%) in the LASIK group and 17 eyes (74 %) in the control group (p=0.659). CONCLUSIONS: Retinal detachment in patients with previous myopic LASIK has similar characteristics as in myopic patients without refractive surgery. Current vitreoretinal surgery is of good prognosis as the retina was successfully reattached in most cases in both groups.

Síndrome de ectrodactilia, displasia ectodérmica y labio-paladar hendidos

El presente trabajo se propone reportar a un paciente masculino de 12 años de edad con presencia de la tríada completa del síndrome ectrodactilia, displasia ectodérmica y labio-paladar hendidos (EEC); señalar los hallazgos clínicos encontrados en las valoraciones, así como los tratamientos realizados.Es un síndrome autonómico dominante, con penetración incompleta y expresividad variable. Esta conjunción de signos y síntomas puede llevar a la confusión con otro tipo de entidades clínicas, y ocasionar un diagnóstico erróneo del paciente. La hendidura de labio y ausencia del conducto lagrimal no es una combinación usual en otras condiciones.Se hace mención de las manifestaciones clínicas reportadas en la literatura, y se enfatiza en las manifestaciones maxilofaciales y dentales. Los dos hermanos del paciente se consideraron normales o exentos de este síndrome.(AU)

Rheumatoid arthritis. New disease-modifying and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are expanding as research has provided a more complete understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease. Three disease-modifying agents approved in the last 18 months for early intervention in RA are etanercept, leflunomide, and infliximab. For the relief of the signs and symptoms of RA, the new selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors are joining the available nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. One COX-2 inhibitor is approved for use in RA, and another is under investigation for that indication. As a class, the COX-2 inhibitors offer efficacy similar to traditional NSAIDs but with less GI and platelet toxicity.

Strongyloides stercoralis: formas clínicas severas asociadas a infección por HTLV-1 / Strongyloides stercoralis: clinical severe forms associated to HTLV-1 infection

Se condujo un estudio para determinar la tasa de infección por HTLV-1 en pacientes con diversos cuadros clínicos de strongyloidiasis. El estudio incluyó 21 pacientes con hiper-infestación por Strongyloides stercoralis (St St) (Grupo 1) y un grupo apareados por edad y sexo, sanos con heces negativas (Grupo Control-2). Se incluyó un tercer grupo de "probable hiper-infestación" de 33 pacientes (Grupo 3) y se incluyó un grupo de 63 pacientes con strongyloidiasis intestinal sin evidencia de enfermedad sistémica (Grupo 4). Se analizó el suero de cada paciente con método ELISA para HTLV-I y II; a los casos positivos se confirmaron con Western Blot. La tasa de infección en hiperinfestación fue significativamente mayor 85.7 por ciento (18/21) en relación al grupo control 4.7 por ciento (1/21) p<0.001. Asimismo, el grupo de "probable hiper-infestación" fue significativamente más elevado 69.7 por ciento (23/33) que el control p<0.01. El grupo de strongyloidiasis intestinal fue de 10 por ciento (6/62) fue más baja que los casos de hiper-infestación (p<0.05) pero este grupo no fue diferente al grupo control (>0.005), 3/6 tuvieron HTLV-I positivo en este último grupo, en el seguimiento posterior hicieron formas de hiper-infestación. En conclusión, las formas severas de St St se asocian en forma significativa con infección por HTLV-I en adultos y en niños mayores de 5 años. No se detectó ningún caso de HTLV-II.

Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection associated with human T cell lymphotropic virus type-1 infection in Peru.

A study was conducted in Lima, Peru to determine if patients with Strongyloides hyperinfection had human T cell lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-I) infection. The study included patients with Strongyloides hyperinfection and a control group consisted of sex- and age-matched asymptomatic healthy individuals whose stools were negative for Strongyloides. A third group included patients with intestinal strongyloidiasis. Sera from each study subject were tested for HTLV-1/2I by an ELISA and Western blot. The HLTV-1 infection rates (85.7%, 18 of 21) were significantly (P < 0.001) associated with Strongyloides hyperinfection compared with the control group (4.7%, 1 of 21). The HTLV-1 rate (10%, 6 of 62) for patients with intestinal strongyloidiasis was significantly (P < 0.001) lower than patients with Strongyloides hyperinfection, but did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) from the control group. The association of HTLV-1 infection was observed among 17 of 19 patients more than 20 years of age and one of two younger patients. None had HTLV-2 infection. In conclusion, Strongyloides hyperinfection among Peruvian patients was highly associated with HTLV-1 infection.

The structure of vitellogenin provides a molecular model for the assembly and secretion of atherogenic lipoproteins.

The assembly of atherogenic lipoproteins requires the formation in the endoplasmic reticulum of a complex between apolipoprotein (apo)B, a microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) and protein disulphide isomerase (PDI). Here we show by molecular modelling and mutagenesis that the globular amino-terminal regions of apoB and MTP are closely related in structure to the ancient egg yolk storage protein, vitellogenin (VTG). In the MTP complex, conserved structural motifs that form the reciprocal homodimerization interfaces in VTG are re-utilized by MTP to form a stable heterodimer with PDI, which anchors MTP at the site of apoB translocation, and to associate with apoB and initiate lipid transfer. The structural and functional evolution of the VTGs provides a unifying scheme for the invertebrate origins of the major vertebrate lipid transport system.

[STRONGYLOIDES STERCORALIS: CLINICAL SEVERE FORMS ASSOCIATED TO HTLV-1 INFECTION] / Strongyloides stercoralis: Formas Clínicas Severas Asociadas a Infección por HTLV-I.

A study was conducted in Lima to determine the HTLV-1 infection rate among patients with different clinical patterns of Strongyloidiasis. This study included 21 patients with Strongyloides Stercoralis (St St) hyperinfection (Group 1), and a group which consisted of sex and age matched asymptomatic healthy individuals whose stools were negative (Control Group Group 2). A third group included 33 patients with "probable hyperinfection", and another group of 63 patients with intestinal Strongyloidiasis, without evidence of systemic disease, was included. Serum from each studied individual was analized to find HTLV-1/II and ELISA; positive cases were confirmed by Western Blot. The hyperinfection rate was significantly higher [85.7% (18/21)] compared to the control group [4.7% (1/21)] p<0.001. Likewise, the "probable hyperinfection" group was considerably higher [69.7% (23/33)] in comparison to the control group p<0.01. The group with intestinal Strongyloidiasis was [10% (6/62)] lower than patients with Strongyloides hyperinfection, but did not differ significantly (p>0.05) from the control group. In this last group 3/6 were HTLV-1 positive, and their follow-up showed they developed hyperinfection forms. We conclude that severe forms of St St are considerably associated to HTLV-1 infection in adults and children over 5 years of age. No cases with HTLV-II were detected.

Patrón de distribución por meses y estaciones del año del sangrado digestivo alto en un período de cinco años (1986-1990), en el Hospital Dr. Luis E. Aybar, Santo Domingo, R. D / Pattern of distribution by month and seasons of upper gastrointestinal bleed in a 5 year period (1986-1990) at the Luis E. Aybar Hospital, Santo Domingo, D. R

Se pretende conocer la distribución estacional de los casos de Sangrado Digestivo Alto ocurrido en el Hospital Dr. Luis E. Aybar, durante el período 1986-1990, para lo cual se estudiaron 570 casos diagnosticados por endoscopia. Se encontraron 100 casos en 1986; 141 casos en 1987; en el 1988 hubo 110 casos de SDA; 91 en el año 1989 y 128 casos en 1990; con un promedio de 114 casos por año. El 9.8// de los casos ocurrieron en el mes de abril, 9.2// en enero y 9.1// en septiembre. La primavera concentró el 26.5// de los casos; un 25// en Otoño, 24.6// en Invierno. El sexo masculino presentó mayor número de casos durante los meses de abril, enero y febrero (44, 39 y 36 casos). En el sexo femenino el mayor número de casos ocurrieron en mayo, octubre y diciembre (28, 19 y 17 casos)

Hydrophilic bile acids: prevention and dissolution experiments in two animal models of cholesterol cholelithiasis.

The effects of beta-muricholic acid and hyocholic acid on cholesterol cholelithiasis were examined in two animal models. The following experiments were carried out: A) In a gallstone prevention study, prairie dogs were fed the lithogenic diet with or without 0.1% beta-muricholic or 0.1% hyocholic acid for eight weeks. B) In a second prevention study, hamsters were fed the lithogenic diet with or without 0.1% beta-muricholic acid or 0.1% hyocholic acid for six weeks. C) In a gallstone dissolution study, hamsters were fed the lithogenic diet for six weeks to induce stones; stone dissolution was examined during administration of a cholesterol-free purified diet with or without 0.1% beta-muricholic acid or 0.1% hyocholic acid. In the prevention study in prairie dogs (A), both bile acids failed to prevent stone formation, the cholesterol saturation index of bile was 0.89 in the lithogenic controls, remained unchanged with hyocholic acid and increased to 1.52 in the beta-muricholic acid group. In the prevention study in hamsters (B), beta-muricholic acid completely inhibited the cholesterol cholelithiasis (0% stone incidence); the cholesterol saturation index of bile was 1.78 (compared to lithogenic controls, 1.37). Hyocholic acid reduced stone incidence to 16% with a cholesterol saturation index of 0.98. In the dissolution study in hamsters (C), preexisting cholesterol gallstones were not dissolved by either hydrophilic bile acid after feeding these bile acids for an additional six weeks; at the end of the experiment, the cholesterol saturation indices were below unity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Chylomicron retention disease: exclusion of apolipoprotein B gene defects and detection of mRNA editing in an affected family.

Chylomicron retention disease (CRD) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by the absence of post-prandial chylomicrons and apolipoprotein (apo) B-48 in sera from affected individuals. Apo B-100 is synthesized, and apo B-100-containing lipoproteins are present in sera. A crucial difference between the synthesis and secretion of apo B-containing lipoproteins from the liver and gut in man is the generation of apo B-48 by editing of apo B mRNA in the gut to create a premature stop-translation codon. In this study the hypothesis that CRD may represent an absence of editing of apo B mRNA in the gut was investigated. Two affected sisters were identified as having low cholesterol levels and an absence of post-prandial chylomicronemia. Segregation analysis in the family showed that the apo B locus is not the site of the defect. Using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), duodenal biopsy-mRNA from the affected sisters was isolated and analyzed. The apo B editing site was amplified after cDNA synthesis, and the products analyzed by the primer extension assay. The results show that editing of apo B mRNA is normal in patients with CRD. The data provides strong confirmation that the primary defect in CRD is not in the synthesis, or editing of apo B mRNA in the gut. More likely, the disease arises from a defect in a gene crucial to the assembly and/or secretion of the chylomicron particle.

Donor splice mutation generates a lipid-associated apolipoprotein B-27.6 in a patient with homozygous hypobetalipoproteinemia.

We report the characterization of a new truncated apolipoprotein (apo) B, originally identified in the plasma of a homozygous proband and three heterozygous family members with hypobetalipoproteinemia. Using Western blotting, the truncated apoB species was estimated to be 27.5% the size of apoB-100. After fast protein liquid chromatography of plasma from the proband (CD) and mother (OS), the truncated apoB was eluted with particles whose sizes were between normal low and high density lipoproteins. Sequencing of exons 21-24, including the intron-exon boundaries, revealed a T-->C transition at +2 of intron 24, homozygous in CD and heterozygous in OS, thus disrupting the 5' donor splice site and interrupting the translation of serine. On the basis of this, the truncated protein was estimated to be approximately apoB-27.6. The reason for this approximation is that splice-junction mutations can generate different mRNA transcripts, and the truncated protein might represent a mixture of novel carboxy-terminal peptides, terminated by in-frame STOP codons. To date, apoB-27.6 is the smallest truncated species identified in plasma and associated with lipid. An explanation for this could be the hydrophobic nature of the novel carboxy-terminal peptides, which might enable stabilization of the particles by solubilization of sufficient lipid.

[Prevalences of diabetes, glucose intolerance, hyperlipemia and risk factors as a function of socioeconomic level]. / Prevalencias de diabetes, intolerancia a la glucosa, hiperlipemia y factores de riesgo en función de nivel socioeconómico.

We studied the prevalence of non-insulin dependent diabetes (NIDDM) and hyperlipemia in older than 15 years old population in the city of San Luis Potosi and in a rural area 50 km north of this city. They are located in the state of San Luis Potosi in the central plateau of Mexico. A total of 1136 subjects were surveyed (645 males, 491 females). Weight and height were measured and the body mass index (BMI) calculated in all subjects. After a fasting capillary sample was obtained, 75 g of glucose were given and a second sample was taken 120 minutes later. The WHO recommendations for diagnosis of DM were used. The overall prevalence of DM was 10.0%: the lowest rate was for individuals in the rural area (0.9%) which contrasts with the 11% seen in the urban population (p 0.0001). In the urban subjects, the highest rates were observed in the very low income group (27.7%) whereas the low income group had a rate of 6.2%; the prevalence was 7.0, 7.7 and 18.2% in the medium, high medium and high socioeconomic groups. The prevalence was influenced by age, BMI, sex (males = 6.8% females = 14.3%) and socioeconomic status; hypercholesterolemia (> 200 mg/dL) was found in 16%. In conclusion, we have documented high rates of NIDDM in a mexican urban population with very high levels in the very poor which contrasts with the rural population.