Men of Mexican ethnicity, alcohol use, and help-seeking: "I can quit on my own."

INTRODUCTION: Hispanics report higher rates of problematic alcohol use compared to non-Hispanic Whites while also reporting lower rates of alcohol treatment utilization compared to non-Hispanics. The study employs Anderson's Behavioral Model of Healthcare Utilization Model to guide the exploration of alcohol use, help-seeking and healthcare utilization. METHODS: The present qualitative study explored help-seeking and alcohol treatment utilization for Hispanic men of Mexican ethnicity. A total of 27 participants (Mage = 35.7, SD = 10.82) completed a semi-structured interview that explored the treatment experiences and underlying psychological mechanisms that shaped their help-seeking. RESULTS: Through a thematic content analysis, the following themes emerged: 1) perceiving need with subthemes of familismo, role as protector and provider, and positive face; 2) predisposing beliefs on help-seeking; and 3) treatment experiences and elements of patient satisfaction with subthemes of monetized treatment, respect, and perceiving professional stigma. CONCLUSIONS: The findings in this article may assist in improving strategies for increasing alcohol treatment utilization among men of Mexican ethnicity. By exploring beliefs, values, and experiences health researchers can develop culturally informed intervention strategies.

Bacterial dysbiosis and epithelial status of the California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) in the Gulf of California.

Despite the high incidence of urogenital carcinoma (UGC) in California sea lions stranded along California, no UGC has been reported in other areas of their distribution; however, cell morphologies typical of premalignant states have been found. Risk factors for UGC include high of organochlorines and infection with a gammaherpesvirus, OtHV-1, but the importance of the bacteriome for epithelial status remains unknown. We characterized the genital bacteriome of adult female California sea lions along their distribution in the Gulf of California and examined whether the diversity and abundance of the bacteriome varied spatially, whether there were detectable differences in the bacteriome between healthy and altered epithelia, and whether the bacteriome was different in California sea lions infected with OtHV-1 or papillomavirus. We detected 2270 ASVs in the genital samples, of which 35 met the criteria for inclusion in the core bacteriome. Fusobacteriia and Clostridia were present in all samples, at high abundances, and Actinobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, and Campylobacteria were also well-represented. Alpha diversity and abundance of the California sea lion genital bacteriome varied geographically. The abundance of bacterial ASVs varied depending on the genital epithelial status and inflammation, with differences driven by classes Fusobacteriia, Clostridia, Campylobacteria and Alphaproteobacteria. Alpha diversity and abundance were lowest in samples in which OtHV-1 was detected, and highest those with papillomavirus. Our study is the first investigation of how the bacteriome is related to epithelial status in a wild marine species prone to developing cancer.

Observaciones en el mundo real sobre la efectividad del sistema flash de monitorización de glucosa en la práctica clínica en Chile / Real-world observations of the effectiveness of the flash glucose monitoring in clinical practice in Chile

OBJETIVO: Evaluar el tiempo en rango de glucosa y su asociación con otras medidas del control glicémico establecidas por el consenso internacional del tiempo en rango en usuarios de vida real del sistema flash de monitorización de glucosa FreeStyle LibreTM en Chile. MÉTODOS: Se analizaron los datos provenientes de la base de datos Freestyle Libre™ entre diciembre de 2014 y enero de 2022. Las lecturas se dividieron en 10 grupos (deciles) del mismo tamaño (cada decil contenía aproximadamente 498 usuarios) en función del tiempo en rango. Para cada decil se calculó la media de determinaciones diarias, el promedio de glucosa, la HbA1c, la desviación estándar de glucosa, el coeficiente de variación de la glucosa, el tiempo en rango, el tiempo de glucosa (porcentaje) por encima de 250 mg/dL (TA250), el tiempo de glucosa (porcentaje) por encima de 180 mg/dL (TA180), el tiempo por debajo (porcentaje) de 70 mg/dL (TB70) y el tiempo por debajo (porcentaje) de 54 mg/dL (TB54). RESULTADOS: Desde diciembre de 2014 hasta enero de 2022 hubo 4984 lectores. El grupo con el mayor tiempo en rango mostró significativamente una menor glucosa promedio que el grupo con el tiempo en rango más bajo (decil 1: media 248,3 mg/dL, decil 10: media 113,2 mg/L, diferencia ­135,1 mg/dL, p<0.05). Asimismo, el mayor tiempo en rango se asoció con una menor desviación estándar (decil 1: media 93,7mg/dL, decil 10: media 26,7mg/L, diferencia: -67,0 mg/ dL, p<0,05), menor coeficiente de variación (decil 1: media 37,8%, decil 10: media 23,3%, diferencia: -14,5%, p<0,05), menor TA250 (decil 1: media 46,5%, decil 10: media 0,2%, diferencia: -46,3%, p<0.05), menor TA180 (decil 1: media 73,9%, decil 10: media 3,8%, diferencia: -70,1%, p<0.05), menor TB70 (decil 5: mediana 6,13%, decil 10: mediana 1,70%, diferencia: -4,43%, p<0.05) y menor TB54 (decil 5: mediana 1,79%, decil 10: mediana 0,12%, diferencia: -1,67%, p<0.05). El mayor tiempo en rango se asoció también significativamente con más determinaciones diarias (decil 1: media 11,4, decil 10: media 16,6, diferencia: 5,2, p<0,05). La frecuencia media de las determinaciones entre todos los lectores fue de 14,7 determinaciones diarias. CONCLUSIONES: En los pacientes con diabetes en Chile, el empleo del sistema flash de monitorización demuestra la asociación entre el mayor tiempo en rango, la reducción de la variabilidad de la glucosa y un menor riesgo de hiperglucemias e hipoglicemias y también con un mayor compromiso.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate glucose time in range and its association with other metrics of glucose control established by the International Consensus on TIR amongst real-life patients using the Flash Glucose Monitoring system FreeStyle LibreTM in Chile. METHODS: Data from the Freestyle Libre™ database between December 2014 and January 2022 were analyzed. Readers were divided into 10 groups (deciles) of the same size (each decile had approximately 498 users) according to time in range. For each decile of time in range, the mean of daily scans, average glucose, estimated HbA1c, glucose standard deviation, glucose coefficient of variation, time in range, glucose time (percentage) above 250 mg/dL (TA250), and glucose time (percentage) above 180 mg/dL (TA180), and the median of glucose time (percentage) below 70 mg/dL (TB70) and glucose time (percentage) below 54 mg/dL (TB54), were calculated. RESULTS: From December 2014 to January 2022, there were 4984 readers. The group with the highest TIR showed significantly lower average glucose than the group with the lowest TIR (decile 1: mean 248.3 mg/dL, decile 10: mean 113.2 mg/L, difference: ­135.1 mg/dL, p<0.05). In addition, more time in range was associated with a lower glucose standard deviation (decile 1: mean 93.7 mg/dL, decile 10: mean 26.7 mg/L, difference: -67.0 mg/dL, p<0.05), lower glucose coefficient of variation (decile 1: mean 37.8%, decile 10: mean 23.3%, difference: -14.5%, p<0.05), lower TA250 (decile 1: mean 46.5%, decile 10: mean 0.2%, difference: -46.3%, p<0.05),lower TA180 (decile 1: mean 73.9%, decile 10: mean 3.8%, difference: -70.1%, p<0.05), lower TB70 (decile 5: median 6.13%, decile 10: median 1.70%, difference: -4.43%, p<0.05) and lower TB54 (decile 5: median 1.79%, decile 10: median 0.12%, difference: -1.67%, p<0.05). Greater TIR was also associated with significantly more daily scans (decile 1: mean 11.4, decile 10: mean 16.6, difference: 5.2, p<0.05). Mean scan frequency amongst all readers was 14.7 daily scans. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with diabetes from Chile, the use of the flash glucose monitoring system demonstrates the association between greater TIR, reduced glucose variability, and reduced risk of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, and also its association with greater engagement.

Comprehensive Care to Improve Quality of Life: A Case of Childhood Adrenoleukodystrophy.

Description The childhood cerebral form of adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) causes rapid demyelination of cerebral white matter and is clinically characterized by hyperactivity, emotional changes, and poor school performance, as well as progressive cognitive, visual, auditory, speech, and motor decline. While aggressive behavior is a known complication of ALD, treatment of the disease is limited. Moreover, behavioral management is not well described in the available literature, particularly from a psychiatric standpoint. In this case presentation, the patient's parents reported significant agitation and aggression, which may have been secondary to verbal deficits, in addition to the general neuropathological implications of this disease. Although this patient's previously prescribed pharmacotherapy was controlling most of his symptoms, the parents were understandably resistant to a treatment strategy that was so sedating. Therefore, modifications in the patient's original medical therapy were made, including a 50% decrease in his risperidone dosage. He was also referred to a behavioral therapist specializing in autism and speech therapy. He received Applied Behavior Analysis therapy, which was modified to teach a simplified method of communication using shapes identified by tactile sensation. At his 7-month follow-up, the parents reported noticeable improvement in the child's behavior and communication as well as fewer episodes of aggression. Quality of life is of the utmost importance for patients with such a limited life span. Medical care must be individualized for patients with ALD in ways that will enhance their quality of life, focusing on counseling, behavioral management, and interventions designed to address communication difficulties and strengthen social relationships.

Absence of post-learning motor activity effects on memory for motor-related words.

Drawing a hypothesis from embodied theories of memory, van Dam, Rueschemeyer, Bekkering and Lindemann [(2013). Embodied grounding of memory: Toward the effects of motor execution on memory consolidation. The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 66(12), 2310-2328] showed that recognition performance for action words could be modulated by actions performed during the retention interval, suggesting that motor actions during the retention interval affect memory consolidation. The results of 4 experiments from two different laboratories, designed to replicate and extend the van Dam et al. motor consolidation effect, are presented here. Two of the experiments (n = 30 and n = 44) exactly and independently replicated the experimental design and conditions of the original experiment. Yes/No recognition scores plus additional analysis of response times showed no motor consolidation effects. A third experiment (n = 44) manipulating type of processing during encoding also failed to find significant motor consolidation effects. Finally, a fourth experiment (n = 120) following a more standard reconsolidation paradigm, involving 24-hour intervals between learning and motor behaviour, and a 24-hour delayed test, also found null effects. The absence of effects of motor execution on memory consolidation is discussed in terms of the implications of these findings for the embodiment approach to cognition.

Influencia del uso de inhaladores sobre la caries dental en pacientes pediátricos asmáticos: Estudio de casos y controles / Impact of inhaler use on dental caries in asthma pediatrics patients: A case-control study

Introducción. El asma es una enfermedad inflamatoria crónica con alta prevalencia en pacientes pediátricos. Existen resultados contradictorios respecto al efecto de esta enfermedad en los índices de caries dental. El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la prevalencia de caries dental en pacientes pediátricos asmáticos con medicación inhalatoria. Población y métodos. Estudio de casos y controles cuya muestra estuvo conformada por pacientes pediátricos que acudieron al Centro Médico Naval "Cirujano Mayor Santiago Távara" de diciembre de 2014 a marzo de 2015. Se dividieron en dos grupos: el primero (casos), integrado por pacientes asmáticos que utilizaban inhaladores en su tratamiento; el segundo (controles), por pacientes sanos del mismo nosocomio. Se realizó una evaluación médica para determinar tipo, tiempo y frecuencia del tratamiento y un examen oral para determinar la prevalencia de caries dental y el índice de dientes cariados, perdidos y obturados (CPOD). Resultados. Se encontró que la prevalencia de caries dental en el grupo control fue del 34,2 %, mientras, en el grupo casos, fue del 28,3 % (p = 0,094). Con respecto al índice de caries dental, el grupo control presentó CPOD de 4,73 ± 0,32, y el grupo casos, de 3,98 ± 0,31 (p = 0,08). Sin embargo, se evidenció que, a mayor tiempo de tratamiento con los inhaladores, el índice CPOD aumentaba significativamente (p = 0,04).Conclusiones. La medicación inhalatoria no incrementa la prevalencia de caries dental en pacientes pediátricos asmáticos. Sin embargo, existe una relación directa entre la duración del tratamiento y la prevalencia de caries dental

Introduction. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease that is highly prevalent among pediatric patients. The results about the effect of asthma on the rate of dental caries are contradictory. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of dental caries in asthma pediatric patients using inhaled drugs. Population and methods. Case-control study in a sample made up of pediatric patients who attended Centro Médico Naval "Cirujano Mayor Santiago Távara" between December 2014 and March 2015. Patients were divided into two groups: group A (cases) included asthma patients using inhalers as part of their treatment; group B (controls), healthy subjects who attended the same facility. A medical examination was done to determine the type, time, and frequency of treatment and an oral exam, to establish the prevalence of dental caries and the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index. Results. The prevalence of dental caries was 34.2 % in the control group and 28.3 % in the case group (p = 0.094). In relation to the rate of dental caries, the DMFT index in the control group was 4.73 ± 0.32, and 3.98 ± 0.31 in the case group (p = 0.08). However, it was evidenced that a longer duration of inhaler use led to a significantly higher DMFT index (p = 0.04).Conclusions. Inhaled drugs do not increase the prevalence of dental caries in asthma pediatric patients. However, there is a direct relationship between treatment duration and the prevalence of dental caries.

Impact of inhaler use on dental caries in asthma pediatrics patients: A case-control study. / Influencia del uso de inhaladores sobre la caries dental en pacientes pediátricos asmáticos: Estudio de casos y controles.

INTRODUCTION: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease that is highly prevalent among pediatric patients. The results about the effect of asthma on the rate of dental caries are contradictory. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of dental caries in asthma pediatric patients using inhaled drugs. POPULATION AND METHODS: Case-control study in a sample made up of pediatric patients who attended Centro Médico Naval "Cirujano Mayor Santiago Távara" between December 2014 and March 2015. Patients were divided into two groups: group A (cases) included asthma patients using inhalers as part of their treatment; group B (controls), healthy subjects who attended the same facility. A medical examination was done to determine the type, time, and frequency of treatment and an oral exam, to establish the prevalence of dental caries and the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index. RESULTS: The prevalence of dental caries was 34.2 % in the control group and 28.3 % in the case group (p = 0.094). In relation to the rate of dental caries, the DMFT index in the control group was 4.73 ± 0.32, and 3.98 ± 0.31 in the case group (p = 0.08). However, it was evidenced that a longer duration of inhaler use led to a significantly higher DMFT index (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Inhaled drugs do not increase the prevalence of dental caries in asthma pediatric patients. However, there is a direct relationship between treatment duration and the prevalence of dental caries.

Introducción: El asma es una enfermedad inflamatoria crónica con alta prevalencia en pacientes pediátricos. Existen resultados contradictorios respecto al efecto de esta enfermedad en los índices de caries dental. El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la prevalencia de caries dental en pacientes pediátricos asmáticos con medicación inhalatoria. Población y Métodos: Estudio de casos y controles cuya muestra estuvo conformada por pacientes pediátricos que acudieron al Centro Médico Naval "Cirujano Mayor Santiago Távara" de diciembre de 2014 a marzo de 2015. Se dividieron en dos grupos: el primero (casos), integrado por pacientes asmáticos que utilizaban inhaladores en su tratamiento; el segundo (controles), por pacientes sanos del mismo nosocomio. Se realizó una evaluación médica para determinar tipo, tiempo y frecuencia del tratamiento y un examen oral para determinar la prevalencia de caries dental y el índice de dientes cariados, perdidos y obturados (CPOD). Resultados: Se encontró que la prevalencia de caries dental en el grupo control fue del 34,2 %, mientras, en el grupo casos, fue del 28,3 % (p = 0,094). Con respecto al índice de caries dental, el grupo control presentó CPOD de 4,73 ± 0,32, y el grupo casos, de 3,98 ± 0,31 (p = 0,08). Sin embargo, se evidenció que, a mayor tiempo de tratamiento con los inhaladores, el índice CPOD aumentaba significativamente (p = 0,04). Conclusiones: La medicación inhalatoria no incrementa la prevalencia de caries dental en pacientes pediátricos asmáticos. Sin embargo, existe una relación directa entre la duración del tratamiento y la prevalencia de caries dental.

Influencia de la presión de oxígeno ambiental sobre la regeneración ósea guiada / Influence of ambient oxygen pressure on guided bone regeration

RESUMEN: Objetivo: Evaluar la influencia de la variación en la presión de oxígeno ambiental sobre la regeneración ósea guiada en cobayos. Material y método: Treinta y dos cobayos machos de 750±50g de peso fueron asignados en 2 grupos de 16 integrantes cada uno (grupo A: trabajado a 150msnm en la ciudad de Lima y a presión de oxígeno de 157mmHg; grupo B: trabajado a 3.230msnm en la ciudad de Jauja y a presión de oxígeno de 107mmHg). En ambos grupos se indujeron defectos óseos mandibulares de 5×6mm a través de un acceso quirúrgico extraoral; a 8 cobayos de cada grupo se les recubrió el defecto con una membrana de colágeno reabsorbible de origen porcino, mas al resto de animales no. Se evaluó el conteo celular de osteoblastos y osteocitos a los 15 y 30 días postoperatoriamente. Resultados: A los 15 y a los 30 días, en los grupos trabajados en altura y en los que se aplicó la membrana, la cantidad de osteoblastos fue 71±12,1 cél/camp y 83±7,2 cél/camp respectivamente, y la de osteocitos fue 34,5±6,6 cél/camp y 25±7,6 respectivamente; siendo estos grupos, en todas las comparaciones, los que tuvieron mayor cantidad de células óseas, aunque sin ser diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p>0,05). Conclusión: Se encontró tendencia a formar mayor cantidad de células óseas en las muestras tratadas con regeneración ósea y expuestas a la altitud comparados con el nivel del mar.

ABSTRACT: Objective: To evaluate the influence of the variation in ambient oxygen pressure on guided bone regeneration in guinea pigs. Material and method: A total of 32 male guinea pigs weighing 750±50g were assigned into two groups of 16 (group A: studied at 150 metres above sea level in the city of Lima and oxygen pressure of 157mmHg; group B: was at 3230 meters above sea level in the city of Jauja and an oxygen pressure of 107mmHg). Bone defects of 5×6mm were induced in the jaw in both groups through extra-oral surgical access. The defect in 8 guinea pigs of each group were covered with a porcine resorbable collagen membrane, but not in the other animals. The osteoblast and osteocyte cell counts were evaluated at 15 and 30 days post-operatively. Results: At 15 and 30 days, in the groups studied at height and with the membrane applied, the osteoblast count was 71±12.1 cells/field, and 83±7.2 cells/field, respectively, and an osteocyte count of 34.5±6.6 cells/field, and 25±7.6 cells/field, respectively. These groups had a higher number of bone cells in all the comparisons, but there were no statistically significant differences (P>.05). Conclusion: There was a tendency to form a greater amount of bone cells was found in the samples treated with bone regeneration and exposed to altitude compared to those at sea level.

Melanin granules melanophages and a fully-melanized epidermis are common traits of odontocete and mysticete cetaceans.

BACKGROUND: The cellular mechanisms used to counteract or limit damage caused by exposure of marine vertebrates to solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation are poorly understood. Cetaceans are vulnerable because they lack protective skin appendages and are obliged to surface continuously to breathe, thus being exposed repeatedly to UV light. Although molecular mechanisms of photoprotection of cetaceans have been studied, there is limited knowledge about their epidermal structure and photoprotective effectors. OBJECTIVE: To describe and compare the epidermis of mysticete and odontocete cetaceans and identify potentially photoprotective traits. ANIMALS: Twenty eight free-living individuals belonging to six cetacean species were sampled in the Mexican Central Pacific and Gulf of California. Species sampled were the bottlenose dolphin, pantropical spotted dolphin, spinner dolphin, Bryde's whale, fin whale and humpback whale. METHODS: Histological and cytological evaluation of skin biopsy tissue collected in the field between 2014 and 2016. RESULTS: All cetaceans had only three epidermal layers, lacking both the stratum granulosum and stratum lucidum. A relatively thick stratum corneum with a parakeratosis-like morphology was noted. Melanin was observed within keratinocytes in all epidermal layers, including the stratum corneum and apical melanin granules obscured the keratinocyte nucleus. Keratinocytes had a perinuclear halo. Keratinocyte diameter differed between cetacean suborders and amongst species. Melanophage clusters were common in most cetacean species. CONCLUSIONS: The widespread presence of melanin and the unexpectedly high number of melanophages may constitute a unique photoprotective trait of cetaceans and could reflect primitive adaptations to their environment and to their obligate marine-bound life.

Transformation of the genital epithelial tract occurs early in California sea lion development.

An unusually high prevalence of metastatic urogenital carcinoma has been observed in free-ranging California sea lions stranded off the coast of California in the past two decades. No cases have been reported for sea lions in the relatively unpolluted Gulf of California. We investigated occurrence of genital epithelial transformation in 60 sea lions (n=57 pups and 3 adult females) from the Gulf of California and examined whether infection by a viral pathogen previously found to be associated with urogenital carcinoma accounted for such alterations. We also explored the contribution of MHC class II gene expression on transformation. Cellular alterations, such as squamous cell atypia (ASC), atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions were observed in 42% of the pups and in 67% of the adult females. Normal genital epithelium was more common in male than female pups. ASC was five times more likely to occur in older pups. Epithelial alterations were unrelated to infection by the potentially oncogenic otarine type I gammaherpesvirus (OtHV-1), but ASCUS was more common in pups with marked and severe inflammation. Expression of MHC class II DRB loci (Zaca DRB-D) by peripheral antigen-presenting leucocytes showed a slightly 'protective' effect for ASC. We propose that transformation of the California sea lion genital epithelium is relatively common in young animals, increases with age and is probably the result of infection by an unidentified pathogen. Expression of a specific MHC class II gene, suggestive of presentation of specific antigenic peptides to immune effectors, appears to lower the risk of transformation. Our study provides the first evidence that epithelial transformation of the California sea lion genital tract is relatively common, even from an early age, and raises questions regarding differences in sea lion cancer-detection and -repair success between geographical regions.

Coartación aórtica crítica: aortoplastía percutánea con balón. Reporte de un caso / Critical aortic coarctation: percutaneous balloon aortoplasty. Case report

La coartación aórtica crítica del recién nacido es una de las cardiopatías congénitas con mayor mortalidad. Se presenta el caso de un paciente diagnosticado de coartación aortica a las dos semanas de vida, operado de coartectomía y anastomosis termino terminal. A los tres meses de edad evoluciona desfavorablemente, con deterioro hemodinámico, confirmándose una recoartación aórtica crítica, por lo que se decide realizar una aortoplastía con balón por vía percutánea, que resulta exitosa y sin complicaciones inmediatas. La aortoplastía con balón constituye una opción terapéutica aceptablemente segura y mínimamente invasiva en pacientes pediátricos con recoartación aórtica.

Aortic coarctation of the newborn is a congenital heart disease with increased mortality. We report the case of an aortic coarctation diagnosed at two weeks old patient, surgery was indicated, the procedure was coarctectomy with end-to-end anastomosis. At three months of age evolves unfavorably, with hemodynamic compromise, confirming critical aortic recoarctation, so it was decided to make a balloon aortoplasty percutaneously, which is successful without immediate complications. The balloon aortoplasty is an acceptably safe and minimally invasive therapeutic option in pediatric patients with aortic coarctation.

Children's mental health and collective violence: a binational study on the United States-Mexico border.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the risk effects of poverty and exposure to collective violence attributed to organized crime on the mental health of children living on the United States-Mexico border. METHODS: A repeated, cross-sectional study measured risk effects by comparing scores of psychosocial and behavioral problems among children and adolescents living on the border in the United States or Mexico in 2007 and 2010. Patients living in poverty who responded once to the Pictorial Child Behavior Checklist (P+CBCL) in Spanish were randomly selected from clinics in El Paso, Texas, United States (poverty alone group), and Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico (poverty plus violence group). Only children of Hispanic origin (Mexican-American or Mexican) living below the poverty level and presenting at the clinic for nonemergency visits with no history of diagnosed mental, neurological, or life-threatening disease or disability were included. RESULTS: Exposure to collective violence and poverty seemed to have an additive effect on children's mental health. Children exposed to both poverty and collective violence had higher problem scores, as measured by the P+CBCL, than those exposed to poverty alone. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to consider that children and adolescents exposed to collective violence and poverty also have fewer chances to receive treatment. Untreated mental health problems predict violence, antisocial behaviors, and delinquency and affect families, communities, and individuals. It is crucial to address the mental health of children on the border to counteract the devastating effects this setting will have in the short term and the near future.

Children’s mental health and collective violence: a binational study on the United States—Mexico border / Salud mental infantil y violencia colectiva: un estudio binacional en la frontera entre México y los Estados Unidos

Objetivo. Investigar los efectos del riesgo de pobreza y la exposición a la violenciacolectiva atribuida al crimen organizado sobre la salud mental de los niños que vivenen la frontera entre México y los Estados Unidos.Métodos. En este estudio transversal seriado se midieron los efectos del riesgo mediantela comparación de las puntuaciones de problemas psicosociales y conductualesen los niños y adolescentes que viven en la frontera entre México y los Estados Unidosen el 2007 y el 2010. Se seleccionó aleatoriamente a pacientes que viven en la pobrezaque habían respondido en una oportunidad anterior el Cuestionario de ComportamientoInfantil basado en Pictogramas (P+CBCL) en español a partir de consultoriosen El Paso, Texas, Estados Unidos (grupo afectado solamente por la pobreza), yCiudad Juárez, Chihuahua, México (grupo afectado por la pobreza y la violencia). Seincluyeron solamente niños de origen hispano (estadounidenses de origen mexicanoo mexicanos) que vivían en la pobreza, que consultaron por motivos que no eran urgenciasy que no presentaban antecedentes de enfermedades neurológicas, mentaleso potencialmente mortales, ni discapacidad.Resultados. La exposición a la violencia colectiva y la pobreza parecieron tenerun efecto aditivo sobre la salud mental de los niños. Los niños expuestos tanto a lapobreza como a la violencia colectiva tuvieron puntuaciones mayores de problemasconductuales y psicosociales según las mediciones del P+CBCL que aquellos expuestossolamente a la pobreza.Conclusiones. Es importante considerar que los niños y los adolescentes expuestosa la violencia colectiva y la pobreza también tienen menos oportunidades de recibirtratamiento. Los problemas de salud mental no tratados son factores predictivos de laviolencia, los comportamientos antisociales y la delincuencia y afectan a las familias,a las comunidades y a los individuos. Es crucial abordar el tema de la salud mentalde los niños en la región de la frontera a fin de contrarrestar los efectos devastadoresque esta situación ocasionará a corto plazo y en el futuro cercano.

Objective. To investigate the risk effects of poverty and exposure to collective violenceattributed to organized crime on the mental health of children living on the United States–Mexico border.Methods. A repeated, cross-sectional study measured risk effects by comparing scores ofpsychosocial and behavioral problems among children and adolescents living on the border inthe United States or Mexico in 2007 and 2010. Patients living in poverty who responded onceto the Pictorial Child Behavior Checklist (P+CBCL) in Spanish were randomly selected fromclinics in El Paso, Texas, United States (poverty alone group), and Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua,Mexico (poverty plus violence group). Only children of Hispanic origin (Mexican–Americanor Mexican) living below the poverty level and presenting at the clinic for nonemergency visitswith no history of diagnosed mental, neurological, or life-threatening disease or disability wereincluded.Results. Exposure to collective violence and poverty seemed to have an additive effect onchildren’s mental health. Children exposed to both poverty and collective violence had higherproblem scores, as measured by the P+CBCL, than those exposed to poverty alone.Conclusions. It is important to consider that children and adolescents exposed to collectiveviolence and poverty also have fewer chances to receive treatment. Untreated mentalhealth problems predict violence, antisocial behaviors, and delinquency and affect families,communities, and individuals. It is crucial to address the mental health of children on the borderto counteract the devastating effects this setting will have in the short term and the near future.

Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies and rheumatoid factor sera titers in leprosy patients from Mexico.

Leprosy offers a broad spectrum of altered immunological sceneries, ranging from strong cell-mediated immune responses seen in tuberculoid leprosy (TT), through borderline leprosy (BB), to the virtual absence of T cell responses characteristic in lepromatous leprosy (LL). The exact mechanism of autoantibodies production remains unknown in leprosy and other chronic inflammatory diseases and also the contribution of these antibodies to the pathogenesis of the disease. The aim of this study is to evaluate the frequency and profiles of serum anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (a-CCP), rheumatoid factor (RF) and its relationship with leprosy spectrum. Serum samples from 67 leprosy patients (54 LL, 5 TT and 8 BB) and 46 clinically healthy subjects (CHS) from the same endemic region were investigated. The clinical chart and questionnaire were used to obtain clinical information. Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (a-CCP) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, whereas the rheumatoid factor (RF) levels were measured by nephelometric method. The mean age of patients was 51.5 ± 13 years. Sera levels of a-CCP where higher in leprosy patients than in CHS (5.9 ± 11.6 vs. 0.3 ± 0.29) (P < 0.0001); the same pattern was found for RF sera titers without reaching statistical significance (16.8 ± 22.5 vs. 9.9 ± 3) (P = NS). We did not find a correlation between a-CCP and RF Rho =0.02786 (IC 95%) P = 0.8229. However, LL patients had higher a-CCP and RF levels than TT patients. Although an absence in correlation was observed, the serum levels of a-CCP antibodies and RF appeared to be useful in distinguishing LL from TT patients with a limited significance in detecting reactional leprosy patients.

Abnormalities in intracellular processing and expression of interferon-gamma receptor in adherent cells from lepromatous leprosy patients.

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells in lepromatous leprosy (LL) patients produce low levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-12 (IL-12), and these cells exhibit partial or complete deficiency in the IL-12 receptor. The behavior of the IFN-gamma receptor (IFN-gamma R) has not been described in cells from people with leprosy. We found higher levels of mRNA for IFN-gamma R1 and IFN-gamma R2 in adherent cells stimulated with IFN-gamma and Mycobacterium leprae membrane proteins from LL patients compared with healthy subjects. Flow cytometry showed no significant difference in IFN-gamma R1 expression between LL patients and healthy subjects. Immunoblotting detected only the mature glycosylated form of the 61-67 kDa IFN-gamma R2 protein in healthy subjects. In contrast, cells from LL patients showed three different expression patterns: (1) the immature deglycosylated form of the 34.8 kDa IFN-gamma R2 protein, (2) the mature glycosylated 61-67 kDa form, and (3) both forms. Our data indicate the existence of abnormalities in the intracellular processing and protein expression of the IFN-gamma R in response to specific stimuli such as IFN-gamma and M. leprae membrane proteins in adherent cells of LL patients.

The 3'UTR 1188 A/C polymorphism in the interleukin-12p40 gene (IL-12B) is associated with lepromatous leprosy in the west of Mexico.

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. IL-12 participates in the immune response against M. leprae by regulating T cell differentiation into the Th1-type response. Several single nucleotide polymorphisms have been identified in the IL-12 gene such as 3'UTR 1188 A/C polymorphism, which is associated with different diseases. However, the relationship of this polymorphism with the immune response in leprosy has not been explored. In this case-control study, we evaluated 44 patients with lepromatous leprosy (LL) and 51 healthy subjects (HS). We aimed to determine the relationship between 3'UTR 1188 A/C polymorphism of IL-12 p40, mRNA expression, and soluble IL-12 concentration in LL patients and HS. Genotype frequencies were 41% A/A, 36% A/C, and 23% C/C in LL patients, and 47% A/A, 49% A/C, and 4% C/C in HS (p<0.05). LL patients had a lower mRNA expression of IL-12 p40 gene, whereas HS had a higher expression level. Soluble IL-12 p40 concentration was higher in LL patients than in HS (p<0.05). IL-12 p70 concentration did not differ between groups, and IL-12 p40 concentration was not significantly correlated with mRNA expression in either group. These data suggest that IL-12 p40 3'UTR 1188 A/C polymorphism is associated with greater susceptibility to lepromatous leprosy in patients from western Mexico, independently of IL-12 p40 and p70 expression levels.

[Primary thrombophilia. Report of 93 cases and 12 asymptomatic relatives]. / Trombofilia primaria: detección y manifestación clínica en 105 casos.

BACKGROUND: Thrombophilia is defined as an altered hemostasis that predisposes to thrombosis. It can be primary when there is a family clustering of the disease or secondary, when it is associated to an acquired risk factor. AIM: To report clinical features in a series of patients with primary thrombophilia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Review of clinical records of patients with thrombotic episodes that lead to the suspicions of primary thrombophilia. Analysis of asymptomatic adult close relatives of these patients. RESULTS: We report 93 subjects (56 females, age range 14-77 years) with repeated episodes of thrombosis and a family history of thrombosis and 12 asymptomatic close relatives. Seventy one percent had the first thrombotic episode before the age of 40 years, 62% had more than one thrombotic episode and 37% had a family history of thrombosis. Twenty four percent had protein C deficiency, 24% had antithrombin III deficiency, 18% had resistance to activated C protein by factor V Leiden, 10% had protein S deficiency, and 10% had the G20210 mutation of prothrombin gene. Among acquired defects studied simultaneously, 30% had lupus anticoagulant and 11% had hyperhomocysteinemia. Twenty four percent of cases had more than one thrombophilic risk factor. Among asymptomatic relatives, five had factor V Leiden, four had protein C deficiency and three had the G20210 mutation of prothrombin gene. CONCLUSIONS: Thrombophilia must be suspected in young subjects with thrombotic episodes and a family history. The type of coagulation defect will determine prognosis, and the type of treatment.