Antifungal Activity of Benzoquinones Produced by Tribolium castaneum in Maize-Associated Fungi.

Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) adults produce 1,4-benzoquinone (BQ), methyl-1,4-benzoquinone (MBQ), and ethyl-1,4-benzoquinone (EBQ). These components are chemical defenses used as repellents and irritants, and BQ has a negative impact on the growth of some fungal species. In this work, the inhibitory and/or lethal effects of these benzoquinones on the development of six fungi identified in maize, namely Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus, A. niger, Fusarium sp., Penicillium sp., and Trichoderma sp., were evaluated. Ten-day-long disk diffusion trials were performed using benzoquinones. The experiments simulated the activity of BQ (B1) or "EBQ + MBQ" (B2) released by 40-day-old insect adults (n = 200), considering a total average release of 45 µg per adult. Inhibition halos imposed by benzoquinones on fungal growth showed a significant effect when compared with the controls (water and solvent). Mycelial growth was decreased for all fungi, with the level of response depending on the fungal species. B1 and B2 displayed an inhibitory effect against all fungi, but Trichoderma sp. and A. niger showed rapid recoveries. B2 showed a lethal effect on Penicillium sp. The inhibitory and lethal activities of benzoquinones released by T. castaneum adults may contribute to regulate fungal growth, and understanding their interaction is important to develop innovative control strategies.

The Interaction between Tribolium castaneum and Mycotoxigenic Aspergillus flavus in Maize Flour.

Tribolium castaneum is one of the most common insect pests of stored products. Its presence makes cereals more susceptible to the spread of the fungi Aspergillus flavus, which may produce mycotoxins. The aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of T. castaneum adults on the development of a mycotoxigenic A. flavus strain in maize flour as well as the influence of this fungus on the insects. Maize flour was exposed to T. castaneum, spores of A. flavus or to both. The results revealed an interaction between T. castaneum and A. flavus as the flour exposed to both organisms was totally colonized by the fungus whereas almost all the insects were killed. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) revealed a significantly higher concentration in the flour inoculated with both organisms (18.8 µg/kg), being lower when exposed only to A. flavus, suggesting that the presence of insects may trigger fungal development and enhance mycotoxin production. The ability of these organisms to thrive under the same conditions and the chemical compounds they release makes the interaction between them a subject of great importance to maintain the safety of stored maize. This is the first work evaluating the interaction between T. castaneum and A. flavus mycotoxin production.

Disordered eating behaviors and experiences of violence among Mexican youth with different sexual orientations: A population-based study / Conductas alimentarias de riesgo y experiencias de violencia entre jóvenes mexicanos con diferentes orientaciones sexuales: Un estudio de base poblacional

Abstract Introduction In high-income countries, sexual minorities are at a higher risk for disordered eating behaviors. It is not known whether these findings can be extrapolated to Mexico. Objective Determine whether there are any differences in disordered eating behaviors among Mexican youth according to sexual orientation and analyze the potential role of experiences of violence and discrimination as mediators of these differences. Method Data from a representative sample of Mexican youth (12 to 29 years old, n = 27,876) were analyzed. Three groups were identified: young people who were not in love (NIL), who were in love with people of the opposite sex (ILOS), or in love with people of the same sex (ILSS). Restrictive behaviors, secret eating, and self-induced vomiting were identified through a scale created for the survey. Results ILSS men had a higher risk of restrictive thoughts and behaviors (B = .31), secret eating (OR = 2.21), and self-induced vomiting (OR = 3.65) than ILOS youth. Among women, there was only a difference in self-induced vomiting (RM = 2.49). In both sexes, being a young ILSS had an indirect effect on restrictive behaviors through its association with experiences of violence, discrimination at school, and sexual violence. Discussion and conclusion . Mexican sexual minority men are at a higher risk of disordered eating behaviors, whereas sexual minority women are at a higher risk of purging. Part of the differences in restrictive behaviors were explained by the increased risk for experiences of prejudice faced by sexual minority youth.

Resumen Introducción En países de alto ingreso, las minorías sexuales tienen mayor riesgo de conductas alimentarias de riesgo. Se desconoce si esos hallazgos pueden ser extrapolados a México. Objetivo Determinar si existen disparidades en las conductas alimentarias de riesgo entre los jóvenes mexicanos según la orientación sexual y analizar el papel potencial de las experiencias de violencia y discriminación como mediadoras de tales disparidades. Método Se analizaron datos de una muestra representativa de jóvenes mexicanos (12 a 29 años, n = 27,876). Se identificaron tres grupos: jóvenes sin enamoramiento (sE), con enamoramiento por personas del otro sexo (cEOS) o con enamoramiento por personas del mismo sexo (cEMS). Las conductas restrictivas, comer a escondidas e inducirse vómito se identificaron a través de una escala creada para la encuesta. Resultados Los hombres cEMS tuvieron mayor riesgo de pensamientos y comportamientos restrictivos (B = .31), comer a escondidas (RM = 2.21) e inducirse vómito (RM = 3.65) en comparación con los jóvenes cEOS. Entre las mujeres, solo hubo diferencia en inducirse vómito (RM = 2.49). En ambos sexos, ser un joven cEMS tuvo un efecto indirecto sobre las conductas restrictivas a través su asociación con experiencias de violencia y discriminación escolares y violencia sexual. Discusión y conclusión Los hombres de minorías sexuales mexicanas tienen mayor riesgo de conductas alimentarias de riesgo, y las mujeres de minorías sexuales tienen mayor riesgo de una conducta de tipo purgativo. Parte de las disparidades en conductas restrictivas se explicaron por el mayor riesgo de experiencias de prejuicio que enfrentan los jóvenes de minorías sexuales.

Factores sociodemográficos asociados con los modos de transporte en escolares y adolescentes mexicanos / Commuting to school among Mexican schoolchildren and adolescents

Resumen Introducción: Los modos activos de transporte (caminar o andar en bicicleta) tienen efectos benéficos para la salud, por lo cual deben identificarse factores que los promuevan. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la relación de los modos de transporte utilizados por la población pediátrica mexicana para acudir a la escuela con las características sociodemográficas, socioeconómicas y de inseguridad pública a nivel estatal. Métodos: Se estimó la frecuencia de los modos de transporte utilizados por los escolares y adolescentes para trasladarse a la escuela (con la base de la Encuesta Intercensal 2015). En un análisis ecológico (i.e., entidades federativas como unidades de observación) se obtuvieron correlaciones con estadísticas a nivel estatal con inseguridad alimentaria, nivel de urbanización y mortalidad por muertes violentas. Resultados: El modo de transporte más frecuente fue caminar (66.2%), seguido por el automóvil (16.2%) y el transporte público (15.3%). El transporte activo fue más frecuente en individuos del sexo masculino, escolares, personas de nivel socioeconómico bajo, zonas rurales, la región sur y aquellos cuyo traslado requería menos de 15 minutos. El transporte pasivo fue más frecuente en individuos del sexo femenino, adolescentes, personas de nivel socioeconómico alto y en zonas urbanas. En los estados más urbanizados fue menos frecuente el transporte activo y más prevalente el trasporte motorizado. La inseguridad pública se relacionó negativamente con el uso de bicicleta. Conclusiones: Se requiere mantener o incrementar el uso de modos de transporte activos en la población pediátrica mexicana mediante políticas públicas que mejoren el entorno y garanticen ambientes seguros.

Abstract Background: Active commuting (walking or cycling) is associated with benefits to health; thus, it is required to identify factors that promote it. The objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between the transport modes used by Mexican pediatric population to commute to school with sociodemographic and socioeconomic individual characteristics and public insecurity at the state level. Methods: The frequency of transport modes used by schoolchildren and adolescents to commute to school (walking, cycling, private car and public transport) were estimated using the database of the Encuesta Intercensal 2015. In an ecological analysis (i.e., states as observation units) correlations with food insecurity, urbanization level, and violent deaths statistics at state-level were obtained. Results: The most frequent transportation mode was walking (66.2%), followed by car (16.2%) and public transportation (15.3%). Active commuting (walking or cycling) was more frequent in males, schoolchildren, low socioeconomic status, living in rural or southern areas and those who spent <15 min to commute. Passive commute was more frequent among females, adolescents, high socioeconomic status, and living in urban areas. In the more urbanized states, active transportation was less frequent, but motorized transportation was more prevalent. Public insecurity was negatively related to cycling. Conclusions: Maintaining or increasing active commuting among Mexican pediatric population is necessary through public policies aimed to improve physical and social environment.

Factores sociodemográficos asociados a la actividad física deportiva en adolescentes mexicanos / Sociodemographic factors associated with sports-related physical activity in Mexican adolescents

El objetivo del estudio fue analizar los cambios en la prevalencia de actividad física deportiva (AFD) en adolescentes mexicanos y la asociación de ésta con variables sociodemográficas y la AFD de sus padres o madres. Se trata de un estudio transversal y comparativo en el que se analizó la Encuesta Nacional de Uso del tiempo (ENUT) versiones 2002 y 2014, la cual se basa en una muestra re-presentativa de toda la población mexicana con 12 años o más. Se seleccionó la información de adolescentes de 12 a 19 años (n = 11,795) y de sus padres (n = 8,161) o madres (n = 10,261). Por medio de un cuestionario se indagó sobre características sociodemográficas, la práctica de AFD y el tiempo destinado a ésta. Se estimaron frecuencias, estadísticos de Chi2, T de Student y modelos de regresión logística. En doce años la prevalencia de AFD de adolescentes aumentó de 44.0% a 55.6% (p < 0.001), aunque no cambió el tiempo destinado a realizarla (p = 0.250). Los adolescentes que eran mujeres, que tenían mayor edad, con padres y/o madres con menor escolaridad y que éstos no practicaran AFD tuvieron menor probabilidad de realizar AFD. La AFD reportada por los adolescentes se relacionó más con la AFD de sus padres que con la AFD de las madres. A pesar de que en 12 años aumentó la práctica de AFD reportada por adolescentes mexicanos, existen grupos con baja probabilidad de realizarla, en los cuales se pueden enfocar políticas y programas públicos diseñados a la promoción de estilos de vida activos.

The aim of this study was to analyze changes in the prevalence of sports-related physical activity (SPA) in Mexican adolescents and its association with sociodemographic variables and the SPA of their parents. This is a cross-sectional and comparative study in which it was analyzed the National Survey of Use of Time (ENUT) versions 2002 and 2014, which is based on a representative sample of the entire Mexicans population over 12 years of age. The information of adolescents aged 12 to 19 years (n = 11,795) was selected, as well as that of their fathers (n = 8,161) or mothers (n = 10,261). Through a questionnaire, it was inquired about sociodemographic characteristics, SPA and the time allocated to perform it. Frequencies, Chi-squared, and Student T statistics and logistic regression models were estimated. Over a period of 12 years the prevalence of adolescent's reported SPA increased from 44.0% to 55.6% (p < 0.001), although there was no change in the reported time spent in this activity (p = 0.250). Adolescents who were girls, who were older, with parents and/or mothers with less schooling and those with parents who did not perform SPA were more likely that did not practice SPA. Reported SPA of adolescents was more related to fathers' SPA than with the mothers' SPA. Although the practice of SPA reported by Mexican adolescents increased in 12 years, there are groups with a low probability of performing it, in which policies and public programs designed to promote active lifestyles can be focused

Commuting to school among Mexican schoolchildren and adolescents.

Background: Active commuting (walking or cycling) is associated with benefits to health; thus, it is required to identify factors that promote it. The objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between the transport modes used by Mexican pediatric population to commute to school with sociodemographic and socioeconomic individual characteristics and public insecurity at the state level. Methods: The frequency of transport modes used by schoolchildren and adolescents to commute to school (walking, cycling, private car and public transport) were estimated using the database of the Encuesta Intercensal 2015. In an ecological analysis (i.e., states as observation units) correlations with food insecurity, urbanization level, and violent deaths statistics at state-level were obtained. Results: The most frequent transportation mode was walking (66.2%), followed by car (16.2%) and public transportation (15.3%). Active commuting (walking or cycling) was more frequent in males, schoolchildren, low socioeconomic status, living in rural or southern areas and those who spent <15 min to commute. Passive commute was more frequent among females, adolescents, high socioeconomic status, and living in urban areas. In the more urbanized states, active transportation was less frequent, but motorized transportation was more prevalent. Public insecurity was negatively related to cycling. Conclusions: Maintaining or increasing active commuting among Mexican pediatric population is necessary through public policies aimed to improve physical and social environment.

Introducción: Los modos activos de transporte (caminar o andar en bicicleta) tienen efectos benéficos para la salud, por lo cual deben identificarse factores que los promuevan. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la relación de los modos de transporte utilizados por la población pediátrica mexicana para acudir a la escuela con las características sociodemográficas, socioeconómicas y de inseguridad pública a nivel estatal. Métodos: Se estimó la frecuencia de los modos de transporte utilizados por los escolares y adolescentes para trasladarse a la escuela (con la base de la Encuesta Intercensal 2015). En un análisis ecológico (i.e., entidades federativas como unidades de observación) se obtuvieron correlaciones con estadísticas a nivel estatal con inseguridad alimentaria, nivel de urbanización y mortalidad por muertes violentas. Resultados: El modo de transporte más frecuente fue caminar (66.2%), seguido por el automóvil (16.2%) y el transporte público (15.3%). El transporte activo fue más frecuente en individuos del sexo masculino, escolares, personas de nivel socioeconómico bajo, zonas rurales, la región sur y aquellos cuyo traslado requería menos de 15 minutos. El transporte pasivo fue más frecuente en individuos del sexo femenino, adolescentes, personas de nivel socioeconómico alto y en zonas urbanas. En los estados más urbanizados fue menos frecuente el transporte activo y más prevalente el trasporte motorizado. La inseguridad pública se relacionó negativamente con el uso de bicicleta. Conclusiones: Se requiere mantener o incrementar el uso de modos de transporte activos en la población pediátrica mexicana mediante políticas públicas que mejoren el entorno y garanticen ambientes seguros.