Agricultural pesticide residues in water from a karstic aquifer in Yucatan, Mexico, pose a risk to children's health.

Yucatan is a region with a high impact of water contamination since it has a karst type soil favoring contaminants entry into the phreatic level, the only source of freshwater in the area. However, no studies report pesticides in water for human consumption or the risk it represents. The objective of this study was to detect and measure pesticide concentrations in domestic tap water to estimate the risk (carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic) to health. A non-probabilistic sampling was applied of 48 tap water sources, and then pesticide detection with solid-phase extraction gas chromatography coupled to the electron capture and flame photometric detectors allowed the estimation of risk through hazard ratios. The present results suggest that aldrin, heptachlor, and ß-BHC residues in domestic tap water from Ticul, Yucatan, pose a risk to children's health, particularly for potential carcinogenic risks.

Dietary flavonoids may have a protective and therapeutic effect in Parkinson disease: A systematic review.

Parkinson disease (PD) is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons because of oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. Polyphenols in vegetables, known for their high antioxidant capacity, may prevent the onset, or delay the progression of the disease; among these, flavonoids are the most abundant class of polyphenols in foods. Clinical and cohort studies have evaluated the effect of polyphenol consumption on the risk of developing PD or of attenuating the symptoms after diagnosis; therefore, it is necessary to integrate the scientific evidence into making dietary recommendations. The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review of randomized controlled trials and cohort studies that have investigated the use of polyphenols in PD. The studies were identified through the PubMed, Science Direct, Scielo, and Web of Science databases. A total of 1100 studies were found; these were analyzed and filtered by 2 independent reviewers. After completion, 5 studies were included (3 randomized controlled trials and 2 cohort studies). The consumption of flavonoids, anthocyanins, or 2-5 servings/week of specific foods (apples, red wine, blueberries, and strawberries) reduces the risk of PD and associated mortality. Treatment with licorice, curcumin, or cocoa, which are rich in flavonoids and other polyphenols, improves motor function in PD patients. No statistically significant differences were found in quality of life, disease progression or nonmotor symptoms such as cognitive ability and mood. Although cohort studies suggest a neuroprotective effect, further clinical studies are urgently needed to evaluate the effect of specific flavonoids and other polyphenols in PD.

Evaluation of hydroxylated metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and biomarkers of early kidney damage in indigenous children from Ticul, Yucatán, Mexico.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are environmental persistent chemicals, produced by the incomplete combustion of solid fuels, found in smoke. PAHs are considered carcinogenic, teratogenic, and genotoxic. Children are susceptible to environmental pollutants, particularly those living in high-exposure settings. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the exposure to PAHs through hydroxylated metabolites of PAHs (OH-PAHs), 1-hydroxynaphtalene (1-OH-NAP), and 2-hydroxynaphtalene (2-OH-NAP); 2-,3-, and 9-hydroxyfluorene (2-OH-FLU, 3-OH-FLU, 9-OH-FLU); 1-,2-,3-, and 4-hydroxyphenanthrene (1-OH-PHE, 2-OH-PHE, 3-OH-PHE, 4-OH-PHE); and 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OH-PYR), as well as kidney health through biomarkers of early kidney damage (osteopontin (OPN), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), α1-microglobulin (α1-MG), and cystatin C (Cys-C)) in children from an indigenous community dedicated to footwear manufacturing and pottery in Ticul, Yucatán, Mexico. The results show a high exposure to PAHs from the found concentrations of OH-PAHs in urine in 80.5% of the children in median concentrations of 18.4 (5.1-71.0) µg/L of total OH-PAHs, as well as concentrations of kidney damage proteins in 100% of the study population in concentrations of 4.8 (3-12.2) and 7.9 (6.5-13.7) µg/g creatinine of NGAL and Cys-C respectively, and 97.5% of the population with concentrations of OPN and α1-MG at mean concentrations of 207.3 (119.8-399.8) and 92.2 (68.5-165.5) µg/g creatinine. The information provided should be considered and addressed by the health authorities to establish continuous biomonitoring and programs to reduce para-occupational exposure in the vulnerable population, particularly children, based on their fundamental human right to health.

[Frequent consumption of industrialized food and its perception among overweight and obese indigenous Mayan adolescents]. / Consumo frecuente de alimentos industrializados y su percepción en adolescentes indígenas Mayas con sobrepeso y obesidad.

The scope of this paper was to identify what kind and which type of modern industrialized foods that overweight and obese adolescents consume and the perception they have of them. The study was of the qualitative-quantitative, descriptive and interpretative type and was conducted with adolescent students from four high schools in the municipality of Abalá, Yucatán, Mexico. It consisted of three stages, the first of which involved recording anthropometric measurements of 292 high school students to obtain their Body Mass Index. In the second stage, 58 students who were overweight and obese were randomly selected and a food consumption frequency questionnaire was applied. In the third stage, four focus groups were held to ascertain the perception with respect to food consumption. A high intake of modern industrialized foods was observed at breakfast, school break and dinner, though traditional dishes are still consumed at mealtimes. The conclusion drawn is that there is a transculturation of food among adolescents.

Se planteó como objetivo identificar cuáles y de qué tipo son los alimentos industrializados modernos que los adolescentes con sobrepeso y obesidad consumen y la percepción que tienen de ellos. El estudio fue de tipo cuali-cuantitativo, descriptivo e interpretativo; se llevó a cabo con estudiantes adolescentes de cuatro secundarias del municipio de Abalá, Yucatán, México. Constó de tres etapas, en la primera se realizaron mediciones antropométricas a 292 estudiantes de las secundarias para obtener el Índice de Masa Corporal, en la segunda se seleccionaron al azar 58 estudiantes que presentaron sobrepeso y obesidad; a los cuales se les aplicó un cuestionario de frecuencia de consumo de alimentos. En la tercera etapa se realizaron cuatro grupos focales para conocer la percepción respecto al consumo de alimentos. Se observó una ingesta alta de alimentos industrializados modernos en el desayuno, receso escolar y cena; en el tiempo de la comida aún se consumen preparaciones tradicionales. Existe una transculturación de la alimentación en los adolescentes.

Evaluation of Benzene Exposure and Early Biomarkers of Kidney Damage in Children Exposed to Solvents Due to Precarious Work in Ticul, Yucatán, México.

BACKGROUND: The child labor situation has been associated with precarious job conditions and poor health conditions because children are often exposed to unsafe work environments, stressful psycho-social work conditions, scarce or no access to protective services, and heavy work burdens. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate markers of exposure to benzene through the exposure biomarker trans, trans-muconic acid (tt-MA), and biomarkers of early renal damage in children who work in sites that are under precarious job conditions. METHOD: Samples of urine were obtained from children (aged 6-12 years old) who resided in Ticul, Yucatan, Mexico. Exposure to benzene was assessed through trans, trans-muconic acid (t,t-MA). Evaluated renal damage biomarkers were: Cystatin-C (Cys-C), Osteopontin (OPN), α1-Microglobulin (α1-MG) and Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL). FINDINGS: Children who live where the workplace is inside the dwelling presented higher mean levels of tt-MA (0.59 mg/g creatinine) compared with those who live away from the workshops (0.19 mg/g creatinine). Likewise, mean levels of NGAL (4.7, 5.2 ng/ml), albuminuria (10, 10 ng/ml), Cys-C (11.8, 7.5 ng/ml), OPN (224.4, 226.5 ng/ml) and α1-MG (96.6, 73.6 ng/ml) were found in children where the workplace was inside the dwelling and outside, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that the children who work under precarious job conditions are exposed to benzene, and they exhibit protein levels that suggest renal damage in a population in precarious working conditions. Therefore, the child population should be considered as the most vulnerable and susceptible to suffer adverse health effects.

Environmental Risks and Children's Health in a Mayan Community from Southeast of Mexico.

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 25% of global morbidity and one-third of childhood morbidity may be attributable to environment. Low and high-income countries displayed different environmental risks. Mexico demonstrates the necessity for creating a national environmental health program. In southeastern Mexico, Tixméhuac, is a Mayan community with a high marginalization degree and social backwardness. The main childhood morbidities are acute and chronic diseases. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to recognize environmental risks for children's health in Tixméhauc, Yucatan State. METHODS: A total of one hundred children under five years old participated. To identify the environmental risks at home, items from the Green Sheet Guidance (WHO), Salamanca General Survey and Environmental Clinical History were used. To know the prevalence of respiratory diseases and asthma, the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Children (ISAAC) survey was used. Potentially hazardous sites were identified partially using the Methodology for Identification and Evaluation of Health Hazards in Contaminated Sites from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). FINDINGS: The low stature of, malnutrition, presence of wheezing and asthma symptoms in children were higher than expected. The suspected cases of parasitosis and vector-borne disease occurred in 50% of the children. Indoor air quality perception was associated with respiratory pathology history; housing quality was related to suspected cases of vector-borne diseases; drinking water quality was linked to suspected cases of parasitosis. Risk areas in the community include agricultural activity, which has led to deposits of empty containers of agrochemicals and electronic waste among solid waste dump. CONCLUSION: This study presents observed environmental risks to children in a low development country and in developing countries. The community has a low perception of the environmental risk. The need for public health programs reducing risks to children's environmental health is imperative.

Consumo frecuente de alimentos industrializados y su percepción en adolescentes indígenas Mayas con sobrepeso y obesidad / Frequent consumption of industrialized food and its perception among overweight and obese indigenous Mayan adolescents

Resumen Se planteó como objetivo identificar cuáles y de qué tipo son los alimentos industrializados modernos que los adolescentes con sobrepeso y obesidad consumen y la percepción que tienen de ellos. El estudio fue de tipo cuali-cuantitativo, descriptivo e interpretativo; se llevó a cabo con estudiantes adolescentes de cuatro secundarias del municipio de Abalá, Yucatán, México. Constó de tres etapas, en la primera se realizaron mediciones antropométricas a 292 estudiantes de las secundarias para obtener el Índice de Masa Corporal, en la segunda se seleccionaron al azar 58 estudiantes que presentaron sobrepeso y obesidad; a los cuales se les aplicó un cuestionario de frecuencia de consumo de alimentos. En la tercera etapa se realizaron cuatro grupos focales para conocer la percepción respecto al consumo de alimentos. Se observó una ingesta alta de alimentos industrializados modernos en el desayuno, receso escolar y cena; en el tiempo de la comida aún se consumen preparaciones tradicionales. Existe una transculturación de la alimentación en los adolescentes.

Abstract The scope of this paper was to identify what kind and which type of modern industrialized foods that overweight and obese adolescents consume and the perception they have of them. The study was of the qualitative-quantitative, descriptive and interpretative type and was conducted with adolescent students from four high schools in the municipality of Abalá, Yucatán, Mexico. It consisted of three stages, the first of which involved recording anthropometric measurements of 292 high school students to obtain their Body Mass Index. In the second stage, 58 students who were overweight and obese were randomly selected and a food consumption frequency questionnaire was applied. In the third stage, four focus groups were held to ascertain the perception with respect to food consumption. A high intake of modern industrialized foods was observed at breakfast, school break and dinner, though traditional dishes are still consumed at mealtimes. The conclusion drawn is that there is a transculturation of food among adolescents.