State of the Art of Genomic Technology in Toxicology: A Review.

The rapid growth of genomics techniques has revolutionized and impacted, greatly and positively, the knowledge of toxicology, ushering it into a "new era": the era of genomic technology (GT). This great advance permits us to analyze the whole genome, to know the gene response to toxicants and environmental stressors, and to determine the specific profiles of gene expression, among many other approaches. The aim of this work was to compile and narrate the recent research on GT during the last 2 years (2020-2022). A literature search was managed using the PubMed and Medscape interfaces on the Medline database. Relevant articles published in peer-reviewed journals were retrieved and their main results and conclusions are mentioned briefly. It is quite important to form a multidisciplinary taskforce on GT with the aim of designing and implementing a comprehensive, collaborative, and a strategic work plan, prioritizing and assessing the most relevant diseases, so as to decrease human morbimortality due to exposure to environmental chemicals and stressors.

Consumption of water contaminated by nitrate and its deleterious effects on the human thyroid gland: a review and update.

Nowadays, the nitrates have been established as carcinogenic components due to the endogenous formation of N-nitroso compounds, however, the consumption of water contaminated with nitrates has only been strongly related to the presence of methemoglobinemia in infants, as an acute effect, leaving out other side effects that demand attention. The thyroid gland takes relevance because it can be altered by many pollutants known as endocrine disruptors, which are agents capable of interfering with the synthesis of hormones, thus far, it is known that nitrates may disrupt the amount of iodine uptake causing most of the time hypothyroidism and affecting the metabolic functions of the organism in all development stages, resulting in an important health burden for the exposed population. Here, this review and update highlighted the impact of consumption of water contaminated with nitrates and effects on the thyroid gland in humans, concluding that nitrates could act as true endocrine disruptor.

Association between the polymorphism of three genes involved in the methylation and efflux of arsenic (As3MT, MRP1, and P-gp) with lung cancer in a Mexican cohort.

Lung cancer is the most common neoplasm and the primary cause-related mortality in developed and in most of nondeveloped countries. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that even at low arsenic doses, the lungs are one of the main target organs and that chronic arsenic exposure has been associated with an increase in lung cancer development. Among the risk factors for cancer, arsenic methylation efficiency (As3MT) and the clearance of arsenic from cells by two members of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter family (multidrug resistance protein 1 [MRP1] and P-glycoprotein [P-gp]) play an important role in processing of arsenic and decreasing its intracellular levels. This study aimed to evaluate the association between chronic exposure to arsenic with polymorphism of three proteins involved in arsenic metabolism and efflux of the metalloid in subjects with lung cancer. Polymorphism in As3MT, MRP1, and P-gp modified the arsenic metabolism increasing significantly the AsV urinary levels. A significant association between MRP1 polymorphisms with an increase in the risk for cancer was found. The high inorganic arsenic urinary levels registered in the studied subjects suggest a reduction in the efficiency of As3MT, MRP1, and P-gp firstly because of gene polymorphisms and secondarily because of high internal inorganic arsenic levels. MRP1 polymorphism was associated with a twofold increase in the risk of lung cancer.

Papás Saludables, Niños Saludables: Perspectives From Hispanic Parents and Children in a Culturally Adapted Father-Focused Obesity Program.

OBJECTIVE: Qualitatively assess culturally adapted lifestyle intervention, Papás Saludables, Niños Saludables (PSNS; Healthy Dads, Healthy Kids), for Hispanic fathers and children. METHODS: Semistructured interviews of parents and children after participation in 10-week PSNS program for Hispanic fathers and children. Qualitative data double-coded inductively and deductively until consensus reached. RESULTS: Total of 26 fathers, 26 mothers, and 45 children interviewed. Parents and children had positive feedback about program content on culturally relevant nutrition and physical activity and reported improved father-child bonding. Mothers noted increased involvement among fathers in child's well-being. Participants suggested lengthening the program. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Papás Saludables, Niños Saludables is an innovative approach with promise in engaging Hispanic fathers and children in a lifestyle program that emphasizes the role of fathers in children's lifestyle behaviors. Familism, respeto (respect), and promoting father-child relationships were important to engage fathers. Results from this study will inform future trials of PSNS and help identify ways to increase engagement of Hispanic men in other programs.

Aplicación del modelo matemático SEIR en la pandemia por Covid-19, relevancia en salud pública / Application of the SEIR mathematical model in the Covid-19 pandemic, relevance in public health / Aplicação do modelo matemático SEIR na pandemia de Covid-19, relevância em saúde pública

INTRODUCCIÓN: El pasado 11 de marzo del 2020 la OMS (Organización Mundial para la Salud) realizó la declaratoria de pandemia por Sars-Cov 2, un nuevo coronavirus identificado en China a finales del 2019. Hasta la actualidad el virus se ha diseminado rápidamente en varios países poniendo a prueba los sistemas de salud de los mismos. Los modelos epidemiológicos matemáticos como SEIR (susceptible, expuesto, infectado, removido) han sido utilizados durante años para la gestión y estudio de enfermedades infecciosas. OBJETIVO: describir las características del modelo matemático SEIR y su aplicación en la gestión de la pandemia con su implicación en las decisiones de salud pública. METODOLOGÍA: se realizó una revisión bibliográfica de artículos originales escritos en español o inglés y publicados entre 2015-2020, sobre modelos matemáticos y de tipo SEIR, la relación con las enfermedades infecciosas, la pandemia por Covid-19 e influencia en las decisiones en salud pública. La búsqueda se realizó en las bases de datos google scholar, Medline, Science Direct. No se hicieron restricciones respecto al tipo de estudio. RESULTADOS: el modelamiento matemático para enfermedades infecciosas de tipo SEIR se utiliza como herramienta de predicción para la toma decisiones y deben valorarse objetivamente. Una opción para evaluar las ecuaciones y graficar sus resultados del modelo es el uso del software MATLAB. CONCLUSIÓN: se destaca su aporte en la comprensión del avance de la pandemia por Covid-19 y la influencia en la toma de decisiones para diseñar estrategias de prevención y respuesta en salud pública.

INTRODUCTION: on March 11, 2020, the WHO (World Health Organization) declared a pandemic for Sars-Cov 2, a new coronavirus identified in China at the end of 2019. Until now, the virus has spread rapidly in several countries testing their health systems. Mathematical epidemiological models such as SEIR (susceptible, exposed, infected, removed) have been used for years for the management and study of infectious diseases. OBJETIVE: to describe the characteristics of the SEIR mathematical model and its application in pandemic management with its implication in public health decisions. METHODOLOGY: a bibliographic review was carried out of original articles written in Spanish or English and published between 2015-2020 on mathematical and SEIR-type models, the relationship with infectious diseases, the Covid-19 pandemic and influence on health decisions public. The search was carried out in the google scholar, Medline, Science Direct databases. There were no restrictions regarding the type of study. RESULTS: mathematical modeling for infectious diseases of the SEIR type is used as a prediction tool for decision making and should be objectively assessed. One option for evaluating the equations and graphing your model results is to use MATLAB software. CONCLUSION: their contribution to understanding the progress of the Covid-19 pandemic and the influence on decision-making to design prevention and response strategies in public health is highlighted.

INTRODUÇÃO: em 11 de março de 2020, a OMS (Organização Mundial da Saúde) declarou uma pandemia de Sars-Cov 2, um novo coronavírus identificado na China no final de 2019. Até agora, o vírus se espalhou rapidamente em vários países testando sua saúde sistemas. Modelos epidemiológicos matemáticos comoo SEIR (suscetível, exposto, infectado, removido) são usados há anos para o gerenciamento e estudo de doenças infecciosas. OBJETIVO: descrever as características do modelo matemático SEIR e sua aplicação na gestão de pandemias com sua implicação nas decisões de saúde pública. METODOLOGIA: foi realizada uma revisão bibliográfica de artigos originais escritos em espanhol ou inglês e publicados entre 2015-2020, sobre modelos matemáticos e do tipo SEIR, a relação com doenças infecciosas, a pandemia de Covid-19e a influência nas decisões de saúde públicas. A pesquisa foi realizada nas bases de dados google scholar, Medline, Science Direct. Não houve restrições quanto ao tipo de estudo. RESULTADOS: A modelagem matemática para doenças infecciosas do tipo SEIR é utilizada como ferramenta de previsão para a tomada de decisão e deve ser avaliada objetivamente. Uma opção para avaliar as equações e representar graficamente os resultados do seu modelo é usar o software MATLAB. CONCLUSÃO: destaca-se a contribuição deles para a compreensão do progresso da pandemia Covid-19 e a influência na tomada de decisões para a formulação de estratégias de prevenção e resposta em saúde pública

Glutathione S-transferase activity and genetic polymorphisms associated with exposure to organochloride pesticides in Todos Santos, BCS, Mexico: a preliminary study.

The objective of this study was to identify and evaluate the impact of exposure to mixtures of organochloride pesticides (OCPs) in agricultural workers by detecting their effects on the activity of the enzyme glutathione S-transferase (GST) and the presence of polymorphisms of the GSTT1 and GSTM1 genes. The presence of OCPs was identified and quantified by gas chromatography, while spectrophotometry was used to measure enzymatic GST activity. The frequencies of the GSTM1 genotypes were analyzed by multiplex PCR. A total of 18 metabolites of OCPs were identified in the workers' blood, most of which are either prohibited (DDT and its metabolites p, p'DDD and p, p'DDE, dieldrin, endrin, aldrin) and/or restricted (δ hexachlorocyclohexane, cis chlordane, methoxychlor, and endosulfan). The results obtained indicate lower levels of GST activity at higher OCPs concentrations detected in blood from exposed workers, together with an increase in OCP levels in individuals who presented the GSTT1*0 and GSTM1*0 genotypes. These conditions place the detoxification process in agricultural workers with null polymorphisms in the GST genes and high concentrations of OCPs in the blood (especially DDT and its metabolites, DDD and DDE) at risk, and increase their susceptibility to develop serious diseases.

Feasibility of Targeting Hispanic Fathers and Children in an Obesity Intervention: Papás Saludables Niños Saludables.

Background: Hispanic children and men carry a high burden for obesity and associated medical conditions. Healthy Dads Healthy Kids was the first obesity prevention intervention targeting fathers and demonstrated weight loss among fathers and behavior change among fathers and children in Australia. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of a culturally adapted version of the program for Hispanic families, Papás Saludables Niños Saludables. Methods: A randomized waitlist controlled trial with a process evaluation was conducted to assess the feasibility of Papás Saludables Niños Saludables(NCT03532048). Fathers, their partner (mother), and one to three children were enrolled. A priori feasibility criteria were: (1) recruit 40 Hispanic fathers and their families in ≤4 months; (2) retain 80% of participants for pre- and postassessments; (3) maintain ≥70% attendance to the 10 sessions; (4) obtain 80% "excellent" or "good" satisfaction from participants; and (5) collect anthropometric and behavioral data on ≥75% of participants at baseline and follow-up. Results: The study enrolled 90% (n = 36) of the goal from one local pediatric clinic between May and August 2018; retained 75% of participants for postassessment; maintained 72% attendance among those who started the program; and achieved 100% "excellent/good" satisfaction ratings among the participating fathers and mothers. One hundred percent of participants had most anthropometric and behavioral data at baseline and 72% at follow-up. Conclusions: With oversampling and improvements in the recruitment strategies, Papás Saludables Niños Saludables is feasible for a randomized controlled clinical trial to address whether a father-targeted lifestyle program is efficacious among low-income Hispanic men and their children.

Assessment of YAP gene polymorphisms and arsenic interaction in Mexican women with breast cancer.

The identification of gene-environment interactions related to breast cancer reveals the biological and molecular mechanisms underlying the disease and allows the distinction of women at high risk from women at lower risk, which could decrease the morbimortality of this neoplasm. The current study evaluated the association between polymorphisms rs1820453 and rs11225161 of the Yes-associated protein (YAP) gene in women with breast cancer exposed to arsenic (As) through drinking water. In total, 182 women were assessed for the frequency of YAP rs1820453 and rs11225161 polymorphisms and As urinary levels. The results demonstrated a positive and significant association between breast cancer and smoking, type of drinking water, and levels of AsIII , AsV and inorganic As (iAs) but not the YAP gene polymorphisms evaluated. In conclusion, our data showed that the source of drinking water and AsV and iAs urinary levels increased the risk for breast cancer, but no interactions between YAP gene polymorphisms and As urinary levels were found.

CHRNA3 rs1051730 and CHRNA5 rs16969968 polymorphisms are associated with heavy smoking, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a mexican population.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Smoking is a major public health problem worldwide. Polymorphisms in CHRNA3, CHRNA5, and CHRNB4 receptors play a critical role in nicotine dependence, lung cancer (LC) risk, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study characterized the CHRNA3 rs1051730 and CHRNA5 rs16969968 polymorphisms in a Mexican population and its association with nicotine dependence, LC, and COPD. METHODS: The study included 312 healthy individuals, 74 LC cases and 117 COPD cases. Genotyping was performed using TaqMan probes, and the data were analyzed using logistic regression adjusted for covariates. RESULTS: The polymorphism CHRNA3 rs1051730 and CHRNA5 rs16969968 were in the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and the allelic frequency of the A allele was 0.15, for both polymorphisms. The smokers were stratified in heavy smokers and moderate/light smokers, and we found in A alleles an OR = 2.86 (P = 0.01) to CHRNA3 rs1051730 and OR = 3.12 (P = 0.03) to CHRNA5 rs16969968. In addition, the A alleles in CHRNA3 rs1051730 and CHRNA5 rs16969968 were associated with the risk for LC (OR = 1.66, P = 0.07 and OR = 1.57, P = 0.1, respectively) and for COPD (OR = 2.04, P = 0.01 and OR = 1.91, P = 0.02, respectively). CONCLUSION: CHRNA3/5 polymorphisms are associated with nicotine dependence, LC, and COPD in Mexicans.

Associations between sperm quality, DNA damage, and CYP1A1, GSTT1 and GSTM1 polymorphisms with 1-hydroxypyrene urinary levels in men occupationally exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

PURPOSE: During recent decades, several reports have suggested a decrease in semen quality and DNA damage due in part to environmental toxicants and industrial chemicals. Among these xenobiotics, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are of particular concern because of their remarkable mutagenic and carcinogenic properties and because several experimental and epidemiological studies have reported adverse effects of PAHs on male reproductive health and DNA structure. The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) urinary levels and sperm quality, DNA damage and the frequency of CYP1A1, GSTT1, and GSTM1 polymorphisms. METHODS: Semen, urine and blood samples were taken for sperm-quality assessment, 1-OHP urinary level measurement, DNA damage evaluation and polymorphism frequency analysis of three genes implicated in PAH metabolism in a total of 70 Mexican subjects exposed and nonexposed to PAHs. RESULTS: A significant decrease in sperm quality and increased DNA damage were registered in occupationally exposed volunteers. Polymorphisms modified the 1-OHP urinary levels; however, no associations were found between them. Inverse associations were registered between the sperm concentration/mL and 1-OHP levels and between tail lengths and the GSMT1 null genotype. CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed an inverse association between 1-OHP urinary levels and both sperm quality and the DNA integrity. Additionally, the heterozygote variants of CYP1A1-m1 and CYP1A1-m2 significantly increased the urinary excretion of 1-OHP, and the GSTM1 null variant was inversely associated with the comet parameters evaluated.

Chronic early childhood exposure to arsenic is associated with a TNF-mediated proteomic signaling response.

Exposure to inorganic arsenic (iAs) in drinking water is a global public health concern and is associated with a range of health outcomes, including immune dysfunction. Children are a particularly sensitive population to the effects of inorganic arsenic, yet the biological mechanisms underlying adverse health outcomes are understudied. Here we used a proteomic approach to examine the effects of iAs exposure on circulating serum protein levels in a cross-sectional children's cohort in Mexico. To identify iAs-associated proteins, levels of total urinary arsenic (U-tAs) and its metabolites were determined and serum proteins assessed for differences in expression. The results indicate an enrichment of Tumor Necrosis Factor-(TNF)-regulated immune and inflammatory response proteins that displayed decreased expression levels in relation to increasing U-tAs. Notably, when analyzed in the context of the proportions of urinary arsenic metabolites in children, the most robust response was observed in relation to the monomethylated arsenicals. This study is among the first serum proteomics assessment in children exposed to iAs.

Association between polymorphisms in arsenic metabolism genes and urinary arsenic methylation profiles in girls and boys chronically exposed to arsenic.

Disease manifestations or susceptibilities often differ among individuals exposed to the same concentrations of arsenic (As). These differences have been associated with several factors including As metabolism, sex, age, genetic variants, nutritional status, smoking, and others. This study evaluated the associations between four As metabolism-related gene polymorphisms/null genotypes with urinary As methylation profiles in girls and boys chronically exposed to As. In a total of 332 children aged 6-12 years, the frequency of AS3MT, GSTO1, GSTT1, and GSTM1 polymorphisms/null genotypes and As urinary metabolites were measured. The results revealed that total As and monomethyl metabolites of As (MMA) levels were higher in boys than in girls. No differences in the frequency of the evaluated polymorphisms were found between girls and boys. In AS3MT-Met287Thr carriers, %MMA levels were higher and second methylation levels (defined as dimethylarsinic acid divided by MMA) were lower. In children with the GSTM1 null genotype, second methylation levels were higher. In boys, a positive association between the AS3MT-Met287Thr polymorphism with %MMA and between the GSTO1-Glu155del and As(v) was found; whereas, a negative relationship was identified between AS3MT-Met287Thr and second methylation profiles. In girls, a positive association was found between the GSTO1-Ala140Asp polymorphism with second methylation levels. In conclusion, our data indicate that gender, high As exposure levels, and polymorphisms in the evaluated genes negatively influenced As metabolism. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 57:516-525, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Lung inflammation biomarkers and lung function in children chronically exposed to arsenic.

Evidence suggests that exposure to arsenic in drinking water during early childhood or in utero has been associated with an increase in respiratory symptoms or diseases in the adulthood, however only a few studies have been carried out during those sensitive windows of exposure. Recently our group demonstrated that the exposure to arsenic during early childhood or in utero in children was associated with impairment in the lung function and suggested that this adverse effect could be due to a chronic inflammation response to the metalloid. Therefore, we designed this cross-sectional study in a cohort of children associating lung inflammatory biomarkers and lung function with urinary As levels. A total of 275 healthy children were partitioned into four study groups according with their arsenic urinary levels. Inflammation biomarkers were measured in sputum by ELISA and the lung function was evaluated by spirometry. Fifty eight percent of the studied children were found to have a restrictive spirometric pattern. In the two highest exposed groups, the soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products' (sRAGE) sputum level was significantly lower and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) concentration was higher. When the biomarkers were correlated to the urinary arsenic species, negative associations were found between dimethylarsinic (DMA), monomethylarsonic percentage (%MMA) and dimethylarsinic percentage (%DMA) with sRAGE and positive associations between %DMA with MMP-9 and with the MMP-9/tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP-1) ratio. In conclusion, chronic arsenic exposure of children negatively correlates with sRAGE, and positively correlated with MMP-9 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 levels, and increases the frequency of an abnormal spirometric pattern. Arsenic-induced alterations in inflammatory biomarkers may contribute to the development of restrictive lung diseases.

In utero and early childhood exposure to arsenic decreases lung function in children.

The lung is a target organ for adverse health outcomes following exposure to As. Several studies have reported a high prevalence of respiratory symptoms and diseases in subjects highly exposed to As through drinking water; however, most studies to date has been performed in exposed adults, with little information on respiratory effects in children. The objective of the study was to evaluate the association between urinary levels of As and its metabolites with lung function in children exposed in utero and in early childhood to high As levels through drinking water. A total of 358 healthy children were included in our study. Individual exposure was assessed based on urinary concentration of inorganic As. Lung function was assessed by spirometry. Participants were exposed since pregnancy until early childhood to an average water As concentration of 152.13 µg l⁻¹. The mean urinary As level registered in the studied subjects was 141.2 µg l⁻¹ and only 16.7% had a urinary concentration below the national concern level. Forced vital capacity was significantly decreased in the studied population and it was negatively associated with the percentage of inorganic As. More than 57% of the subjects had a restrictive spirometric pattern. The urinary As level was higher in those children with restrictive lung patterns when compared with the levels registered in subjects with normal spirometric patterns. Exposure to As through drinking water during in utero and early life was associated with a decrease in forced vital capacity and with a restrictive spirometric pattern in the children evaluated.

Pleuropatias por simpatía / Sympathetic pleuropathies

Una de las complicaciones médico-quirúrgicas que con relativa frecuencia se presenta son los derrames pleurales, como consecuencia de una enfermedad determinada, complicando ua patologia o posterior a intervenciones quirúrgicas. El estudio del liquiso pleural producto de la alteración fisiológica de la región será muy orientador para la conducta a seguir. El presente artículo tiene el objetivo de dar una pequeña orientación en el diagnóstico de las Pleuropatias por Simpatía.

Revisión de tuberculosis extrapulmonar: incidencia encontrada en el Hospital Arco Iris gestiones 2008-2011 / Review of extrapulmonary tuberculosis: incidence found at the Arco Iris Hospital 2008-2011 negotiations

La tuberculosis es una enfermedad infectocontagiosa, causada por el Mycobacterium tuberculosis, que afecta principalmente a nivel pulmonar y esta puede afectar cualquier parte del organismo. Hoy en día gracias a los múltiples sistemas tanto laboratoriales como imagenologicos se ha hecho más facil la detección temprana de la enfermedad para así poder iniciar un tratamiento.

Nivel de riesgo materno según AtEPI Neonatal y su asociación a óbitos fetales, morbilidad y mortalidad neonatal en tres unidades hospitalarias de la ciudad de Quito / Level of risk as maternal Atepi Neonatal deaths and its association with fetal, neonatal morbidity and mortality in three hospitals in the city of Quito

Objetivo: Identificar el nivel de nesgo materno y relacionado a la prevalencia de óbitos fetales, mortalidad y morbilidad neonatal. Métodos: Estudio transversal, se revisaron 298 historias clínicas de neonatos fallecidos, neonatos ingresados a Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatales y madres con diagnóstico de óbito fetal, en tres casas de salud de la ciudad de Quito que cuentan con servicios de Neonatología y Ginecología, durante el primer semestre del 2007. Se empleó como instrumento de clasificación del riesgo materno el algoritmo que consta en el manual de Atención Integrada a las Enfermedades Prevalentes de la Infancia Neonatal. Resultados: Se identificaron a 219 madres con embarazo de alto riesgo, 69 con mediano y 10 con mínimo riesgo. Se encontró asociación entre madres con embarazo de alto riesgo y defunciones neonatales (OR 8.45 IC95 por ciento 3.38-21.14) y neonatos ingresados a Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatales (OR 4.43 IC95 EC1P1.046 2.06-9.53). Conclusión: La identificación del nivel de riesgo materno a través del algoritmo de Atención Integrada a las Enfermedades Prevalentes de la Infancia Neonatal permitió asociar el alto riesgo con morbilidad y mortalidad neonatal.