Aftereffects in Epigenetic Age Related to Cognitive Decline and Inflammatory Markers in Healthcare Personnel with Post-COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Purpose: Epigenetic age and inflammatory markers have been proposed as indicators of severity and mortality in patients with COVID-19. Furthermore, they have been associated with the occurrence of neurological symptoms, psychiatric manifestations, and cognitive impairment. Therefore, we aimed to explore the possible associations between epigenetic age, neuropsychiatric manifestations and inflammatory markers (neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio [NLR], platelet-lymphocyte ratio [PLR], monocyte-lymphocyte ratio [MLR], and systemic immune-inflammation index [SII]) in healthcare personnel with post-COVID condition. Patients and Methods: We applied the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) tests to 51 Mexican healthcare workers with post-COVID-19 condition; we also estimated their epigenetic age using the PhenoAge calculator. Results: The participants had a post-COVID condition that lasted a median of 14 months (range: 1-20). High NLR (>1.73) had association with mild cognitive impairment by MMSE (p=0.013). Likewise, high MLR (>0.24) were associated with language domain in MOCA (p=0.046). Low PLR (<103.9) was also related to delayed recall in MOCA (p=0.040). Regarding comorbidities, hypertension was associated with SII (p=0.007), overweight with PLR (p=0.047) and alcoholism was associated with MLR (p=0.043). Interestingly, we observed associations of low PLR (<103.9) and low SII (<1.35) levels with increased duration of post-COVID condition (p=0.027, p=0.031). Likewise, increases in PhenoAge were associated with high levels of SII (OR=1.11, p=0.049), PLR (OR=1.12, p=0.035) and MLR (OR=1.12, p=0.030). Conclusion: We observed neurocognitive changes related to inflammatory markers and increases in epigenetic age in healthcare personnel with post-COVID-19 condition. Future research is required to assess mental and physical health in individuals with post-COVID-19 symptoms.

Advances in the Relationship between Respiratory Viruses and Asthma.

Several studies have reported that viral infection is closely associated with the onset, progression, and exacerbation of asthma. The purpose of this review is to summarize the role that viral infections have in the pathogenesis of asthma onset and exacerbations, as well as discuss interrelated protective and risk factors of asthma and current treatment options. Furthermore, we present current knowledge of the innate immunological pathways driving host defense, including changes in the epithelial barrier. In addition, we highlight the importance of the genetics and epigenetics of asthma and virus susceptibility. Moreover, the involvement of virus etiology from bronchiolitis and childhood wheezing to asthma is described. The characterization and mechanisms of action of the respiratory viruses most frequently related to asthma are mentioned.

[Efficacy and safety of convalescent plasma administration in patients with COVID-19 infection]. / Eficacia y seguridad de la administración de plasma de convaleciente en pacientes con COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: During the COVID-19 pandemic, several strategies were suggested for the management of the disease, including pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments such as convalescent plasma (CP). The use of CP was suggested due to the beneficial results shown in treating other viral diseases. OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy and safety of CP obtained from whole blood in patients with COVID-19. METHODS: Pilot clinical trial in patients with COVID-19 from a general hospital. The subjects were separated into three groups that received the transfusion of 400ml of CP (n=23) or 400ml of standard plasma (SP) (n=19) and a non-transfused group (NT) (n=37). Patients also received the standard available medical treatment for COVID-19. Subjects were followed up daily from admission to day 21. RESULTS: The CP did not improve the survival curve in moderate and severe variants of COVID-19, nor did it reduce the degree of severity of the disease evaluated with the COVID-19 WHO and SOFA clinical progression scale. No patient had a severe post-transfusion reaction to CP. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with CP does not reduce the mortality of patients even when its administration has a high degree of safety.

Identification and phenotypic characterization of patients with LADA in a population of southeast Mexico.

Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) has clinical and metabolic features of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. LADA does not have specific features for its diagnosis apart from autoantibody detection; however, these tests are not affordable in clinical settings. In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed clinical criteria, metabolic control, pharmacological treatment, and diabetic complications in two groups of patients with diabetes -LADA and T2D- in order to identify specific characteristic of these clinical entities. Finally, we evaluated if the estimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR) and age at diagnosis of diabetes could be used as a diagnostic criterion for LADA. Demographic, biochemical, clinical and treatment were measured in 377 individuals with diabetes. The diagnostics of LADA were determined using Glutamic acid decarboxylase autoantibodies levels. Chi-square test or t-Student test were used to establish differences between groups. To identify factors associated with LADA, a logistic regression analysis was used. Finally, a ROC curve was plotted to assess the possible variables as diagnostic criteria for LADA. The 377 patients with diabetes were separated into 59 patients with LADA and 318 patients with T2D. Patients with LADA showed lower fasting glucose values, fewer diabetic complications, younger age at diagnosis of diabetes, higher insulin use, and higher eGDR in comparison to patients with T2D. Both groups had a mean BMI classified as overweight. The ROC evaluated the sensitivity and specificity, this analysis indicated that an age younger than 40.5 years and an eGDR value higher than 9.75 mg/kg/min correlated better with LADA. These parameters could be useful to identify patients suspected to have LADA at the first level of medical care in the population of southeastern Mexico and refer them to a second level of care.

Mental Health Disorders and Coping Strategies in Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study in Southeastern Mexico.

Mental health disorders are relatively common in the general population and were already an important issue for the healthcare sector before COVID-19. COVID-19, being a worldwide crucial event and evidently a great stressor has increased both the prevalence and incidence of these. Therefore, it is evident that COVID-19 and mental health disorders are closely related. Moreover, several coping strategies exist to endure said disorders such as depression and anxiety, which are used by the population to confront stressors, and healthcare workers are not the exception. This was an analytical cross-sectional study, conducted from August to November 2022, via an online survey. Prevalence and severity of depression, anxiety, and stress were assessed via the DASS-21 test, and coping strategies were assessed via the CSSHW test. The sample consisted of 256 healthcare workers and of those, 133 (52%) were males with a mean age of 40.4 ± 10.35, and 123 (48%) were females with a mean age of 37.28 ± 9.33. Depression was prevalent in 43%, anxiety in 48%, and stress in 29.7%. Comorbidities were a significant risk factor for both depression and anxiety with an OR of 10.9 and 4.18, respectively. The psychiatric background was a risk factor for depression with an OR of 2.17, anxiety with an OR of 2.43, and stress with an OR of 3.58. The age difference was an important factor in the development of depression and anxiety. The maladaptive coping mechanism was prevalent in 90 subjects and was a risk factor for depression (OR of 2.94), anxiety (OR of 4.46) and stress (OR of 3.68). The resolution coping mechanism was a protective factor for depression (OR of 0.35), anxiety (OR of 0.22), and stress (OR of 0.52). This study shows that mental health disorders are highly prevalent among healthcare workers in Mexico and that coping strategies are associated with their prevalence. It also implies that not only occupations, age, and comorbidities might affect mental health, but also the way patients confront reality and the behavior and decisions they take towards stressors.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Adverse Effects and Allergic Reactions after COVID-19 Vaccines in a Mexican Population: An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study.

Vaccinations have helped to control the COVID-19 pandemic; however, few studies focus on the adverse effects and allergic reactions of these vaccines and fewer have a scope in the Latin American population. The objective of this study was to assess the associations between vaccinations, sex, age, allergic reactions, and adverse effects. This was an analytical cross-sectional study conducted between 1 July and 1 October 2022. The sample consisted of 443 surveyed participants, with a total of 1272 COVID-19 vaccine doses. Seven vaccines (Pfizer BioNTech, Oxford-AstraZeneca, CanSino, Moderna, Johnson and Johnson, Sinovac, and Sputnik V) were evaluated. A total of 12.6% of those surveyed had at least one allergic reaction posterior to vaccination, and females had a greater chance of developing one (p < 0.001, OR 3.1). The most common allergic reaction was chest pain, and Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford-AstraZeneca were associated with the onset of allergic reactions (p < 0.005). A total of 54.6% of those surveyed developed adverse effects, the most common of which were myalgia, fever, cephalea, asthenia or adynamia, and arthralgia; moreover, older age was associated with the onset of adverse effects (p < 0.5). This study concludes that the BNT162b2 (Pfizer BioNTech) and ChAdOX1 nCOV-19 (Oxford-AstraZeneca) vaccines are strongly associated with the onset of allergic reactions, with ORs of 1.6 (CI 95%, 1.18 to 2.3) and 1.87 (CI 95%, 1.35 to 2.6), respectively. In addition, females have a greater chance of developing allergic reactions associated with COVID-19 vaccinations, and there was a relation found between older age and a greater prevalence of comorbidities, adverse effects after vaccination, and COVID-19 infection after vaccination.

Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum in nCOVID-19 infection: a case report / Pneumomediastino espontáneo en la infección por nCOVID-19: un reporte de caso

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SP) is a clinical entity characterized by the presence of interstitial air in the mediastinum. The purpose of this study was to further examine a rare SP case in a 60-year-old male, with COVID-19. In conclusion, SP is an uncommon complication in COVID-19, and the recognition of clinical characteristics is crucial since early identification plays a significant role in the maintenance or recovery of the disease..(Au)

El neumomediastino espontáneo (NE) es una entidad clínica caracterizada por la presencia de aire intersticial en el mediastino. El propósito de este estudio fue examinar más a fondo un caso raro de NE en un hombre de 60 años con COVID-19. En conclusión, el NE es una complicación poco común de COVID-19 y el reconocimiento de las características clínicas es crucial, ya que su identificación temprana juega un papel importante en el mantenimiento y recuperación de la enfermedad..(Au)

Features of patients that died for COVID-19 in a hospital in the south of Mexico: A observational cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Due to the wide spread of SARS-CoV2 around the world, the risk of death in individuals with metabolic comorbidities has dangerously increased. Mexico has a high number of infected individuals and deaths by COVID-19 as well as an important burden of metabolic diseases; nevertheless, reports about features of Mexican individuals with COVID-19 are scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate demographic features, clinical characteristics and the pharmacological treatment of individuals who died by COVID-19 in the south of Mexico. METHODS: We performed an observational study including the information of 185 deceased individuals with confirmed diagnoses of COVID-19. Data were retrieved from medical records. Categorical data were expressed as proportions (%) and numerical data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation. Comorbidities and overlapping symptoms were plotted as Venn diagrams. Drug clusters were plotted as dendrograms. RESULTS: The mean age was 59.53 years. There was a male predominance (60.1%). The mean hospital stay was 4.75 ± 4.43 days. The most frequent symptoms were dyspnea (88.77%), fever (71.42%) and dry cough (64.28%). Present comorbidities included diabetes (60.63%), hypertension (59.57%) and obesity (43.61%). The main drugs used for treating COVID-19 were azithromycin (60.6%), hydroxychloroquine (53.0%) and oseltamivir (27.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Mexican individuals who died of COVID-19 had shorter hospital stays, higher frequency of shortness of breath, and higher prevalence of diabetes than individuals from other countries. Also, there was a high frequency of off-label use of drugs for their treatment.

Metformin: A Prospective Alternative for the Treatment of Chronic Pain.

Metformin (biguanide) is a drug widely used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. This drug has been used for 60 years as a highly effective antihyperglycemic agent. The search for the mechanism of action of metformin has produced an enormous amount of research to explain its effects on gluconeogenesis, protein metabolism, fatty acid oxidation, oxidative stress, glucose uptake, autophagy and pain, among others. It was only up the end of the 1990s and beginning of this century that some of its mechanisms were revealed. Metformin induces its beneficial effects in diabetes through the activation of a master switch kinase named AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Two upstream kinases account for the physiological activation of AMPK: liver kinase B1 and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase 2. Once activated, AMPK inhibits the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), which in turn avoids the phosphorylation of p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathways and reduces cap-dependent translation initiation. Since metformin is a disease-modifying drug in type 2 diabetes, which reduces the mTORC1 signaling to induce its effects on neuronal plasticity, it was proposed that these mechanisms could also explain the antinociceptive effect of this drug in several models of chronic pain. These studies have highlighted the efficacy of this drug in chronic pain, such as that from neuropathy, insulin resistance, diabetic neuropathy, and fibromyalgia-type pain. Mounting evidence indicates that chronic pain may induce anxiety, depression and cognitive impairment in rodents and humans. Interestingly, metformin is able to reverse some of these consequences of pathological pain in rodents. The purpose of this review was to analyze the current evidence about the effects of metformin in chronic pain and three of its comorbidities (anxiety, depression and cognitive impairment).

Efficacy of electrotherapy in Bell's palsy treatment: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Up to now there is not enough evidence that supports the use of electrotherapy in the treatment of Bell's palsy. OBJECTIVE: Through a systematic review, we aimed to verify whether the use of electrotherapy is effective for treating Bell's palsy or peripheral paralysis. METHODS: Publications were searched in PubMed, EBSCO and Web of Science. The present systematic review included studies that analyzed the electrotherapy as a therapeutic method for treating individuals with Bell's palsy, in order to recover the function of facial muscles. RESULTS: Seven studies involving a total of 131 cases and 113 controls were included in this systematic review. In the studies analyzed, patients received electrotherapy combined with other treatments such as hot-wet facial napkins, massages and muscle reeducation. Although the effect of electrotherapy alone was not evaluated, the use of electrotherapy combined with other treatments produced a significant improvement in the individuals evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the diverse methodologies used and the small number of individuals included in the studies, we could not fully prove the efficacy of electrotherapy for treating Bell's Palsy. Future studies with larger samples and homogenous populations should be performed to obtain conclusive results.

Calidad de vida en los pacientes con DM-2: Un estudio transversal en el sureste mexicano / Quality of life in patients with DM-2: A cross-sectional study in the Mexican southeast

La diabetes es una enfermedad crónica y compleja con demandas y desafíos que influyen en la calidad de vida relacionada a la salud. Objetivo: determinar la calidad de vida en los pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 que acuden a los servicios médicos de la UJAT durante el periodo junio- julio del 2017. Métodos: se realizó un estudio transversal en 80 sujetos con diagnóstico de diabetes mellitus tipo 2 que acuden a un primer nivel de atención en el sureste mexicano. Se diseñó un instrumento y se obtuvieron datos sociodemográficos, de calidad de vida, antropométrica, bioquímica y clínica. Las variables fueron analizadas a través de estadística descriptiva, además, se utilizó la prueba de Chi cuadrado para explorar asociación entre variables categóricas y para variables continuas la prueba de T, considerando los estadísticamente significativos los resultados de p<0,05. Resultados: la media de edad de los pacientes estudiados fue 57,8 años. El dominio de la calidad de vida principalmente afectado fue energía, funcionamiento sexual y movilidad, y los factores que tuvieron efecto sobre la calidad de vida fueron la escolaridad, las comorbilidades, la polifarmacia, el índice de masa corporal y la hiperglucemia. Discusión: los pacientes con diagnóstico de diabetes mellitus tipo 2 que acuden a un primer nivel institucional del sureste mexicano están principalmente afectados en 3 dominios: energía y movilidad, ansiedad y preocupación y funcionamiento sexual.

Diabetes is a chronic and complex disease with demands and challenges that influence the quality of life - related to health. Objective: To determine the quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes in the first level of care in Tabasco, during June- July 2017. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 102 subjects with type 2 diabetes. An instrument collected sociodemographic, quality of life, anthropometric, biochemical, and clinical data. The variables analyzed through descriptive statistics, also, the Chi-square test to explore the association between categorical variables, and for continuous variables, the T-test. Finally, considering the statistically significant results of p <0,05. Results: The mean age of patients included was 57,8 years old. The domain of the quality of life principally affected were energy-mobility, anxiety-concern, and sexual function, and the factors that affected the quality of life were education, comorbidi-ties, polypharmacy, body mass index, and hyperglycemia. Discussion: Patients with type 2 diabetes in the first institutional level in the Mexican south are principally affected in three domains: energy-mobility, anxiety-concern, and sexual function.

Association between mitochondrial DNA and cognitive impairment in schizophrenia: study protocol for a Mexican population.

BACKGROUND: Circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA (cf-mtDNA) fragments in blood plasma have been reported in patients with schizophrenia (SZ). Although the relationship of cf-mtDNA to the cognitive status of patients with SZ has not yet been explored, it is known that cognitive impairment in SZ compromises the functional and social capacity of these patients and diminishes their quality of life. In this sense, the assessment of the severity of cognitive impairment in a Mexican population with SZ and its association with cf-mtDNA levels in blood plasma may provide the possibility of using cf-mtDNA as a biomarker to determine the status of the disease and the possible ensuing changes over time. METHODS: Subjects for a case-control study will be recruited. cf-mtDNA obtained from blood plasma will be quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction, using melting curve technology with SYBR green as amplification marker. Patients with SZ will be grouped into those with severe, mild, and no cognitive impairment according to Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale scores, to determine differences between cognitive performance and cf-mtDNA levels in blood plasma. ETHICS AND COMMUNICATION: This study has been approved by the ethics and investigation committees of the High Specialty Regional Hospital of Mental Health (Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad de Salud Mental); project No. HRAESM/DG/RP/1128/2018. We plan to communicate our research findings in scientific conferences and in peer-reviewed journals. CONCLUSION: It is known that cognitive dysfunction provokes negative effects in an SZ patient´s life. This project aims to provide better knowledge about the role of cf-mtDNA in the pathogenesis of cognitive impairment in SZ, as an attempt to achieve improvements to the existing treatments, thereby helping to prevent major cognitive deterioration.

The role of COMT gene Val108/158Met polymorphism in suicidal behavior: systematic review and updated meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: It is accepted that there is a genetic factor that influences the risk of suicidal behavior. The catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene, especially the Val108/158Met polymorphism, has been associated with suicide; however, no conclusive outcome has been attained. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess the role of COMT Val108/158Met in suicidal behavior throughout an updated meta-analysis. METHODS: We performed an online search using PubMed and Web of Science (up to March 2017). Our systematic review included case-control studies of individuals who attempted suicide and completed suicide. We tested allelic, homozygous, heterozygous, dominant, and recessive inheritance models. The meta-analysis was performed in accordance with the statement of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. RESULTS: The meta-analysis comprised 17 studies, which included 3,282 cases and 3,774 controls, and showed that when evaluating the overall population, the Val108/158Met polymorphism of COMT was not associated with suicidal behavior in any of the inheritance models; however, the subanalyses showed that this polymorphism exhibits a risk factor in males and a protective effect in females. Additionally, it conveyed a risk factor in Asian populations when using the allelic (OR 1.25; CI: 1.04-1.51) and recessive models (OR 1.32; CI: 1.03-1.68). CONCLUSION: Our updated meta-analysis suggests a possible association between COMT Val108/158Met and suicidal behavior in Asian populations. However, in view of the small number of studies, these results should be considered exploratory. We recommend that more studies be performed with larger samples.

Characteristics of Mexican children and adolescents who died by suicide: A study of psychological autopsies.

OBJECTIVE: In recent years, suicide in children and adolescents has increased considerably, becoming the second cause of death in this age group. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify characteristics and factors that could precipitate deaths by suicide in children and adolescents. METHODS: Using the psychological autopsy method, we studied 28 suicide cases of children and adolescents between 10 and 17 years old. Socio-demographic factors, characteristics of the suicide and family history were documented. RESULTS: The proportion of deaths by suicide was the same in females and males (50% each). Most of the suicides were performed at the child/adolescent's home (78.6%) and no history of previous suicide attempts were registered (85.7%). Also, the majority of suicidal individuals came from a dysfunctional family (60.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Our results identified characteristics of children and adolescents that had died by suicide, such as dying at their homes and coming from dysfunctional families. Knowing the characteristics of children and adolescents that had ended their lives by suicide should be considered in future studies to help developing preventive programs and strategies for treating suicidal behaviors in Mexican children and adolescents.

Gender differences of suicides in children and adolescents: Analysis of 167 suicides in a Mexican population from 2003 to 2013.

Suicide is the second cause of death in youth population. The aim of the present study was to analyze demographic characteristics and suicide methods used, as well as to identify gender differences among Mexican children and adolescents (aged 10-17 years) that committed suicide. Between January 2003 and December 2013, 167 suicides of children and adolescents between 10 and 17 years of age were documented by the Secretary of Health of the state of Tabasco, Mexico. All sociodemographic characteristics were compared according to gender. Our sample included 67.7% males and 32.3% females (male to female 2.1:1). The predominant marital status was single (89.6%) and hanging (93.7%) was the principal method of suicide used. Both female and male adolescents were predominantly students (50%); however, female adolescents were more frequently married (17%) and were housewives (26.4%). Our results identified that hanging is the principal suicide method used by children and adolescents in Mexican population; we also detected main gender differences in terms of poisoning/drug toxicity as the method used, occupation and marital status. These results should be taken into consideration when designing suicide prevention programs due to the differences found by gender.

School breakfast and healthy nutritional education in elementary school / Desayuno escolar y educación nutricional saludable en escuelas primarias / Pequeno almoço escolar e educação nutricional saudável na escola primária / Petit déjeuner scolaire et éducation nutritionnelle saine a l'école primaire

Abstract Objective: To identify opportunity areas in elementary school to develop integrative educative process for health education in food. Materials and methods: A case of study in 30 elementary schools in a Tabasco was made. About 9293 students were attended. Data was collected and defined by elements of analysis in observations and interviews. Results: Most schools had at least minimal infrastructure for an integrative breakfast preparation and development of the content teaching projects. There were identified three primordial problems: A) in the scholar's breakfast practice there was a dynamic that does not follow the guidelines of the governmental office that regulates them. B) The preparation and distribution of meals was unrelated with the teaching of content. C) There were contradictions in the contents of different educational materials and among these contents and scientific evidence. Conclusions: Nevertheless infrastructure breakfast preparation and subject teaching was cut oneself off. The results of this search are the basis for the design of educative strategies that integrate content from various school subjects, and the development of scholar projects that involve students, teachers, and families to join the activities of food preparation with the construction of concepts, skills and values.

Resumen Objetivo: Identificar las áreas de oportunidad en la escuela primaria para desarrollar procesos educativos integradores para la alimentación saludable. Materiales y métodos: Se hizo mediante un estudio de caso en 30 escuelas de primaria de una zona escolar del estado de Tabasco, México, en las cuales se atendía a 9293 educandos. A partir de elementos de análisis definidos previamente se colectaron datos mediante observaciones y entrevistas formales e informales. Resultados: La mayoría de las escuelas tenía al menos la infraestructura mínima para el desarrollo de procesos que integren las actividades de la preparación de desayunos escolares y la enseñanza de contenidos. Se identificaron tres problemas primordiales: A) La práctica de los desayunos escolares seguía una dinámica propia que no seguía los lineamientos de las guías que los deberían regular B) La preparación y distribución de las comidas no se relaciona con los contenidos de enseñanza C) Hay contradicciones entre los diferentes materiales educativos y entre los contenidos y la evidencia científica. Conclusiones: A pesar de la infraestructura las actividades de preparación de los desayunos y la enseñanza de contenidos están desvinculadas. Los resultados muestran las bases para el diseño de estrategias educativas para integrar los contenidos de varias asignaturas, y el desarrollo de proyectos escolares que involucren estudiantes, maestros, y familias en conjunto para actividades de preparación de las comidas con la construcción de conceptos, habilidades y valores.

Resumo Objetivo: Identificar áreas de oportunidade na escola primária para desenvolver um processo educativo integrador de uma alimentaçáo saudável. Materiais e métodos: Foi realizado um estudo de caso em 30 escolas primárias em Tabasco, México, nas quais frequentavam 9293 alunos. A partir de elementos de análise definidos, os dados foram colhidos através de observações e de entrevistas formais e informais. Resultados: A maioria das escolas apresentava infra-estruturas mínimas para o desenvolvimento de processos que integram as actividades de preparaçáo do pequeno-almoço e de leccionaçáo dos conteúdos. Identificaram-se tres problemas primordiais: A) A prática de pequenos-almoços escolares apresentava uma dinámica própria que náo seguia os guias orientadores B) A preparaçáo e distribuyo das refeições náo estáo relacionadas com o conteúdo dos ensinos C) Existem contradiçoes entre os conteúdos dos diferentes materiais educativos e as evidencias científicas. Conclusoes: Apesar da infra-estrutura, as actividades de preparaçáo dos pequenos-almoços e as de ensino náo se relacionam. Os resultados desta pesquisa podem servir de base para a concepçáo de conteúdos nas várias disciplinas escolares e para o desenvolvimento de projetos escolares que envolvam estudantes, professores e famílias nas atividades de preparaçáo de refeiçoes, permitindo a construçáo de conceitos, habilidades e valores.

Résumé Objectif: Identifier les domaines d'opportunité a l'école primaire de développement de processus d'éducation inclusive pour une alimentation saine. Matériaux et méthodes: Une étude de cas a été réalisée dans 30 écoles primaires d'une zone scolaire de l'État de Tabasco, au Mexique, ou assistait un total de 9293 étudiants. Les donnés pour l'analyse ont été recueillies en fonction d'éléments précédemment définis au moyen d'observations et d'entretiens formels et informels. Résultats: La plupart des écoles avaient au moins les infrastructures minimales pour le développement de procédés qui integrent la préparation des repas scolaires et l'enseignement de contenu. Trois problemes principaux ont été identifiés: A) La pratique des petits déjeuners scolaires suivait une dynamique propre qui ne correspondait pas aux lignes directrices des guides qui devrait réglementer B) La préparation et la distribution des repas ne sont pas en accord avec le contenu de l'enseignement C) Il existe des contradictions entre les différents matériaux éducatifs, et entre les contenus et l'évidence scientifique. Conclusions: Malgré l'infrastructure existante, les activités de préparation des petits déjeuners et l'enseignement de contenus sont dissociés. Les résultats indiquent les bases pour la conception de stratégies éducatives integrant les contenus de plusieurs matieres et le développement de projets scolaires qui impliquent a la fois les éleves, les enseignants et les familles dans les activités de préparation des repas, associant la construction de concepts, d'habilitées et de valeurs.

Antihyperalgesic Effects of Indomethacin, Ketorolac, and Metamizole in Rats: Effects of Metformin.

Preclinical Research Metformin-dependent mechanisms have been implicated in the antinociceptive effect of some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). In this study, the effect of local peripheral or systemic administration of metformin on the local peripheral or systemic antinociception induced by indomethacin, ketorolac and metamizole was assessed in the rat carrageenan-induced thermal hyperalgesia model. Rats were injected with carrageenan (1%, 50 µl) into the right hindpaw which reduced paw withdrawal latency, a measure of thermal hyperalgesia. Local peripheral or systemic administration of indomethacin, ketorolac or metamizole dose-dependently reduced carrageenan-induced thermal hyperalgesia. Local peripheral pre-treatment with metformin (800 µg/paw) partially inhibited the anti-hyperalgesic effect of indomethacin (200 µg/paw) and metamizole (200 µg/paw), but not that of ketorolac (200 µg/paw). In contrast, systemic pre-treatment with metformin (200 mg/kg) attenuated the antihyperalgesic effect of metamizole (10 mg/kg), but not that observed with either indomethacin (10 mg/kg) or ketorolac (10 mg/kg). These findings suggest that some but not all NSAIDs have effects mediated by metformin-dependent mechanisms. Drug Dev Res 78 : 98-104, 2017. ©2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Gender differences in the association between HTR2C gene variants and suicidal behavior in a Mexican population: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this case-control study was to explore the association by gender between the HTR2C gene variants and suicidal behavior in a Mexican population. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 183 suicide attempters and 208 healthy volunteers were included in this study. We genotyped five polymorphisms of HTR2C (rs547536, rs2192372, rs4272555, rs6318, and rs2428707), then measured the association by genotype, allele, and haplotype. RESULTS: In the female group, we found an association between two polymorphisms of the HTR2C (rs4272555 and rs2428707) and suicide attempts. The C allele of the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs4272555 was associated with a decreased risk of suicide attempt (P=0.01, odds ratio =0.26, 95% confidence interval: 0.09-0.79), whereas the G allele of the SNP rs2428707 was associated with an increased risk of suicide attempt (P=0.01, odds ratio =3.68, 95% confidence interval: 1.24-10.90). No significant association was observed between the other polymorphisms studied (rs547536, rs2192372, rs6318) or haplotypes with suicide attempts. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest a possible risk factor of the HTR2C gene in the pathology of suicidal behavior in Mexican population. More studies are necessary to confirm this association.

Role of NHE1 in Nociception.

Intracellular pH is a fundamental parameter to cell function that requires tight homeostasis. In the absence of any regulation, excessive acidification of the cytosol would have the tendency to produce cellular damage. Mammalian Na(+)/H(+) exchangers (NHEs) are electroneutral Na(+)-dependent proteins that exchange extracellular Na(+) for intracellular H(+). To date, there are 9 identified NHE isoforms where NHE1 is the most ubiquitous member, known as the housekeeping exchanger. NHE1 seems to have a protective role in the ischemia-reperfusion injury and other inflammatory diseases. In nociception, NHE1 is found in neurons along nociceptive pathways, and its pharmacological inhibition increases nociceptive behavior in acute pain models at peripheral and central levels. Electrophysiological studies also show that NHE modulates electrical activity of primary nociceptive terminals. However, its role in neuropathic pain still remains controversial. In humans, NHE1 may be responsible for inflammatory bowel diseases since its expression is reduced in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The purpose of this work is to provide a review of the evidence about participation of NHE1 in the nociceptive processing.