Depression and anxiety in systemic lupus erythematosus: A case-control study on prevalence and associated factors in a single-center cohort.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence of self-perceived depression and anxiety in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to explore associated factors. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of unselected patients with SLE (ACR-97 criteria) and controls with chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases. Both completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Demographic and clinical characteristics, comorbidity, and treatments were collected, and a multivariate analysis was performed to explore factors associated with depression and anxiety in SLE. RESULTS: The study population comprised 172 patients and 215 controls. Women accounted for 93% of the patients with SLE. Fibromyalgia was recorded in 12.8% and a history of depression in 17%. According to HADS, 37.2% fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for depression and 58.7% those for anxiety; prevalence was similar in the controls (32.6% and 55.1%, respectively). Up to a third of patients with self-perceived depression were not receiving antidepressants. There was no concordance between a previous history of depression and current depression. In the multivariate model, current depression was associated with single marital status (OR 2.69; 95% CI: 1.17-6.42; p = .022), fibromyalgia (7.69; 2.35-30.72; p = .001), smoking (3.12; 1.24-8.07; p = .016), severity of SLE (0.76; 0.6-0.94; p = .016), and organ damage (1.27; 1.01-1.61; p = .042). Current anxiety was only associated with fibromyalgia (3.97; 1.21-17.98; p = .036). CONCLUSIONS: Depression and anxiety are most likely underdiagnosed in SLE. Prevalence appears to be similar to that of other chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases. Anxiety is associated with fibromyalgia, while depression is also associated with single marital status, smoking, organ damage, and severity of SLE.

Association between the expression of TLR4, TLR2, and MyD88 with low-grade chronic inflammation in individuals with metabolically healthy obesity.

BACKGROUND: Among the Toll-like receptors (TLR) that are dependent of myeloid response protein (MyD88), the TLR4 and TLR2 are directly associated with low-grade chronic inflammation; however, they are not been investigated in subjects with metabolically healthy obesity (MHO). Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the association between the expression of TLR4, TLR2, and MyD88 with low-grade chronic inflammation in individuals with MHO. METHODS AND RESULTS: Men and women with obesity aged 20 to 55 years were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. Individuals with MHO were allocated into the groups with and without low-grade chronic inflammation. Pregnancy, smoking, alcohol consumption, intense physical activity or sexual intercourse in the previous 72 h, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, thyroid disease, acute or chronic infections, renal impairment, and hepatic diseases, were exclusion criteria. The MHO phenotype was defined by a body mass index (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) plus one or none of the following cardiovascular risk factors: hyperglycemia, elevated blood pressure, hypertriglyceridemia, and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. A total of 64 individuals with MHO were enrolled and allocated into the groups with (n = 37) and without (n = 27) inflammation. The multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that TLR2 expression is significantly associated with inflammation in individuals with MHO. In the subsequent analysis adjusted by BMI, TLR2 expression remained associated with inflammation in individuals with MHO. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that overexpression of TLR2, but not TLR4 and MyD88, is associated with low-grade chronic inflammation in subjects with MHO.

QSAR analysis of five generations of cephalosporins to establish the structural basis of activity against methicillin-resistant and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus.

Solving the worldwide problem of growing bacterial drug resistance will require a short-run and medium-term strategy. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) and quantitative SAR (QSAR) analyses have recently been utilized to reveal the molecular basis of the antibacterial activity and antibacterial spectrum of penicillins, the use of which is no longer solely empirical. Likewise, a more rational drug design can be achieved with cephalosporins, the largest group of ß-lactam antibiotics. The current contribution aimed to establish the molecular and physicochemical basis of the antibacterial activity of five generations of cephalosporins on methicillin-sensitive (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). With SAR and QSAR analyses, the molecular portions that provide essential and additional antibacterial activity were identified. The substitutions with greater volume and polarity on the R2 side chain of the cephem nucleus increase potency on MSSA. The best effect is produced by substitutions with polar nitrogen atoms at the alpha-carbon (Cα). Substitutions with greater volume and polarity on the R1 side chain further enhance antibacterial activity. In contrast, the effect against MRSA seems to be independent of any substitution on R2 or at the Cα, while depending on the accessory portions with greater volume and polarity on R1.

Hypocholesterolemia is an independent risk factor for depression disorder and suicide attempt in Northern Mexican population.

BACKGROUND: Cholesterol has been associated as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Recently, however, there is growing evidence about crucial requirement of neuron membrane cholesterol in the organization and function of the 5-HT1A serotonin receptor. For this, low cholesterol level has been reported to be associated with depression and suicidality. However there have been inconsistent reports about this finding and the exact relationship between these factors remains controversial. Therefore, we investigated the link between serum cholesterol and its fractions with depression disorder and suicide attempt in 467 adult subjects in Mexican mestizo population. METHODS: Plasma levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) were determined in 261 MDD patients meeting the DSM-5 criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD), 59 of whom had undergone an episode of suicide attempt, and 206 healthy controls. RESULTS: A significant decrease in total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol and triglyceride serum levels was observed in the groups of MDD patients and suicide attempt compared to those without suicidal behavior (p < 0.05). After adjusting for covariates, lower cholesterol levels were significantly associated with MDD (OR 4.229 CI 95% 2.555 - 7.000, p<.001) and suicide attempt (OR 5.540 CI 95% 2.825 - 10.866, p<.001) CONCLUSIONS: These results support the hypothesis that lower levels of cholesterol are associated with mood disorders like MDD and suicidal behavior. More mechanistic studies are needed to further explain this association.

Why individuals fail to collect HIV-test results: an exploratory study at a testing and counseling center in Mexico City.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the characteristics of clients at an HIV clinic in Mexico City who fail to collect their HIV test results and to explore the reasons for non-collection. METHODS: This was an exploratory, cross-sectional study that used 2016 program data from the HIV Testing and Counseling Center in Mexico City. Clients with a negative HIV-test result in 2016 were classified as collectors or non-collectors, and their sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics were compared by multivariate logistic regression. A telephone survey was conducted with individuals who failed to return for their results. RESULTS: In 2016, a total of 729 individuals obtained an HIV negative test result at the Center. Of these, 40% (n = 299) failed to collect results. In multivariate analysis, having a test requested by a physician, instead of by the individual, was the main variable associated with non-collection. The main reasons reported for not collecting were: unawareness of the collection process (23.6%, n = 21), already knowing the result (22.5%, n = 20), and scheduling difficulties (13.5%, n = 12). In all, 35% of clients were reached by telephone and 50% then returned to collect results. CONCLUSION: Modifications to the result-delivery system are needed to increase results collection. Improving communication with clients on the collection process and with physicians that request HIV testing could be viable strategies. Alternative ways of delivering results and using rapid HIV are other possible solutions, as long as risk reduction counseling and intervention are still effectively offered.

Arsenic exposure and risk of preeclampsia in a Mexican mestizo population.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to arsenic in drinking water has been associated with various complications of pregnancy including fetal loss, low birth weight, anemia, gestational diabetes and spontaneous abortion. However, to date, there are no studies evaluating its possible association with preeclampsia. METHODS: This case-control study involved 104 preeclamptic and 202 healthy pregnant women. The concentrations of arsenic in drinking water and urine were measured using a Microwave Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometer. RESULTS: We found relatively low levels of arsenic in household tap water (range of 2.48-76.02 µg/L) and in the urine of the participants (7.1 µg/L vs 6.78 µg/L in cases and controls, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The analysis between groups showed for the first time that at these lower levels of exposure there is no association with preeclampsia.

The relationship between blood lead levels and occupational exposure in a pregnant population.

BACKGROUND: Pregnant women exposed to lead are at risk of suffering reproductive damages, such as miscarriage, preeclampsia, premature delivery and low birth weight. Despite that the workplace offers the greatest potential for lead exposure, there is relatively little information about occupational exposure to lead during pregnancy. This study aims to assess the association between blood lead levels and occupational exposure in pregnant women from Durango, Mexico. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in a population of 299 pregnant women. Blood lead was measured in 31 women who worked in jobs where lead is used (exposed group) and 268 who did not work in those places (control group). Chi-square test was applied to compare exposed and control groups with regard to blood lead levels. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Multivariable regression analysis was applied to determine significant predictors of blood lead concentrations in the exposed group. RESULTS: Exposed women had higher blood lead levels than those in the control group (4.00 ± 4.08 µg/dL vs 2.65 ± 1.75 µg/dL, p = 0.002). Furthermore, women in the exposed group had 3.82 times higher probability of having blood lead levels ≥ 5 µg/dL than those in the control group. Wearing of special workwear, changing clothes after work, living near a painting store, printing office, junkyard or rubbish dump, and washing the workwear together with other clothes resulted as significant predictors of elevated blood lead levels in the exposed group. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnant working women may be at risk of lead poisoning because of occupational and environmental exposure. The risk increases if they do not improve the use of protective equipment and their personal hygiene.

Relationship between blood lead levels and hematological indices in pregnant women.

Several studies have revealed a negative association between blood lead levels and hematological impairment. In this cross-sectional study, we examined the relationship between blood lead levels and hematological indices in 292 pregnant women from Durango, Mexico. Apparently healthy pregnant women, aged 14-41 years and at 3-41 weeks of gestation, were recruited between June 2007 and May 2008. Blood lead and hematological indices were measured. The mean blood lead was 2.79 ± 2.16 µg/dL, and lead levels ≥ 5 µg/dL were detected in 25 women (8.6%). Hemoglobin, hematocrit, and red blood cells count were significantly higher in pregnant women with a blood lead concentration of ≥ 5 µg/dL than the group with lower blood lead levels (p < .05). Mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin were not significantly related to lead levels. Hemoglobin and hematocrit showed a non-significant positive correlation with blood lead, but the correlation between red blood cell count and blood lead levels was statistically significant (r = 0.185, p = .002). The findings suggest that a positive association between blood lead and some hematological indices may occur at relatively low blood lead concentration (mean < 5 µg/dL).

Polymorphisms in DNA repair genes (APEX1, XPD, XRCC1 and XRCC3) and risk of preeclampsia in a Mexican mestizo population.

Variations in genes involved in DNA repair systems have been proposed as risk factors for the development of preeclampsia (PE). We conducted a case-control study to investigate the association of Human apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) endonuclease (APEX1) Asp148Glu (rs1130409), Xeroderma Pigmentosum group D (XPD) Lys751Gln (rs13181), X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC) Arg399Gln (rs25487) and X-ray repair cross-complementing group 3 (XRCC3) Thr241Met (rs861539) polymorphisms with PE in a Mexican population. Samples of 202 cases and 350 controls were genotyped using RTPCR. Association analyses based on a χ2 test and binary logistic regression were performed to determine the odds ratio (OR) and a 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for each polymorphism. The allelic frequencies of APEX1 Asp148Glu polymorphism showed statistical significant differences between preeclamptic and normal women (p = 0.036). Although neither of the polymorphisms proved to be a risk factor for the disease, the APEX1 Asp148Glu polymorphism showed a tendency of association (OR: 1.74, 95% CI = 0.96-3.14) and a significant trend (p for trend = 0.048). A subgroup analyses revealed differences in the allelic frequencies of APEX1 Asp148Glu polymorphism between women with mild preeclampsia and severe preeclampsia (p = 0.035). In conclusion, our results reveal no association between XPD Lys751Gln, XRCC Arg399Gln and XRCC3 Thr241Met polymorphisms and the risk of PE in a Mexican mestizo population; however, the results in the APEX1 Asp148Glu polymorphism suggest the need for future studies using a larger sample size.

Prevalence and Classification of C-Shaped Canal and Radix in Mandibular Molars Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography on Mexican Population.

The diverse morphological configurations in teeth present clinical challenges in root canal treatment, complicating instrumentation and irrigation processes, which can lead to treatment failure. Understanding anatomical variations, such as C-shaped canals and radix entomolaris, enhances clinical skills and improves long-term endodontic treatment success rates. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) offers superior diagnostic capabilities over conventional radiography, enabling the pre-operative detection of root configurations and canal numbers, facilitating personalized endodontic treatments. A total of 2173 teeth of a Mexican population, including 1057 first mandibular molars and 1116 s mandibular molars, were studied using only CBCT to identify C-shaped canals and radix configurations of patients who were treated from 2018 to 2023 at the Department of Radiology at the Faculty of Dentistry, Juarez University of the State of Durango, Mexico. C-shaped canals were identified in 160 teeth, with a prevalence of 0.2% in first mandibular molars and 14.1% in second mandibular molars. The highest frequency was in the left second mandibular molar (3.7) at 14.8%. Gender differences were significant, with higher prevalence in females (27.3%) compared to males (13.3%). The most common C-shaped canal configuration was type C2 (39.3%). Radix entomolaris was found in 52 teeth, with a prevalence of 3.4% in first mandibular molars and 1.4% in second mandibular molars. This research on a Mexican population using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) highlights significant findings in the prevalence and types of C-shaped canals and radix entomolaris in mandibular molars for this population. The left second mandibular molar (3.7) showed the highest prevalence at 14.8%, followed closely by the right second mandibular molar (4.7) at 13.5%, with a significant difference (p < 0.001). We found a significant difference in the prevalence of C-shaped canals between genders (p = 0.004, OR 1.78). Additionally, radix entomolaris (p < 0.001) was more frequently identified in first mandibular molars to a significant degree. These insights underscore the importance of CBCT in diagnosing complex root anatomies, which can greatly enhance the success rates of endodontic procedures by allowing for more tailored and precise treatments for this population.

Genetic variation in oxidative stress and DNA repair genes in a Mexican population.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress has been associated with several complex diseases. Effects generated as a result of oxidative stress may be modulated by various genes. Variation in these genes, particularly when located within coding or regulating regions, may be the primary cause of this modulation. The aim of this work was to determine the allelic and genotypic frequencies of CAT C-262T, SOD3 Ala58Thr, APEX1 Asp148Glu, XPD Lys751Gln and XRCC3 Thr241Met genetic markers in a northern Mexican population. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study analysed 250 unrelated individuals by RT-PCR. RESULTS: A high allele mutant frequency was found in SOD3 Ala58Thr and APEX1 Asp148Glu genetic markers (0.395 and 0.38, respectively). A correspondence analysis showed that northern Mexicans are close to European populations. A linkage disequilibrium test between XPD Lys751Gln and CAT C-262T and XPD Lys751Gln and SOD3 Ala58Thr genetic markers was significant (p = 0.000). CONCLUSION: The genetic markers described in this work will be a valuable resource for future functional studies in the northern Mexican population to explore comprehensively their role in the aetiology of human diseases. Furthermore, it will be necessary to replicate these studies in other regions of Mexico due to differences between Mexican sub-populations.

Differential expression of PSMC4, SKP1, and HSPA8 in Parkinson's disease: insights from a Mexican mestizo population.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a complex neurodegenerative condition characterized by alpha-synuclein aggregation and dysfunctional protein degradation pathways. This study investigates the differential gene expression of pivotal components (UBE2K, PSMC4, SKP1, and HSPA8) within these pathways in a Mexican-Mestizo PD population compared to healthy controls. We enrolled 87 PD patients and 87 controls, assessing their gene expression levels via RT-qPCR. Our results reveal a significant downregulation of PSMC4, SKP1, and HSPA8 in the PD group (p = 0.033, p = 0.003, and p = 0.002, respectively). Logistic regression analyses establish a strong association between PD and reduced expression of PSMC4, SKP1, and HSPA8 (OR = 0.640, 95% CI = 0.415-0.987; OR = 0.000, 95% CI = 0.000-0.075; OR = 0.550, 95% CI = 0.368-0.823, respectively). Conversely, UBE2K exhibited no significant association or expression difference between the groups. Furthermore, we develop a gene expression model based on HSPA8, PSMC4, and SKP1, demonstrating robust discrimination between healthy controls and PD patients. Notably, the model's diagnostic efficacy is particularly pronounced in early-stage PD. In conclusion, our study provides compelling evidence linking decreased gene expression of PSMC4, SKP1, and HSPA8 to PD in the Mexican-Mestizo population. Additionally, our gene expression model exhibits promise as a diagnostic tool, particularly for early-stage PD diagnosis.

[Blood donors, risk factors and sexual orientation]. / Donantes de sangre, los factores de riesgo y la orientación sexual.

In order to reach high-quality blood-components, it is necessary that people who wish to be a blood donor shall observe a series of conditions that guarantee the least possible risk for the recipient and themselves. According to international standards, an adequate and reliable supply of safe blood can be assured by a stable base of regular, voluntary, unpaid blood donors (altruistic), which is a goal set by the World Health Organization; unfortunately in our country it only represents around 3%, despite the efforts of different institutions. In addition, the population is unaware of risk factors that prevent donating, due to the low culture of this issue. Therefore, it is necessary to implement strategies to disseminate that blood donation is a privilege and donors must have a lifestyle that allows being in a position to be able to carry out this act of solidarity, including having an excellent state of health, adequate dietary hygiene habits, and a lifestyle free of risky behaviors, which includes the non-use of substances as well as a sexual behavior free from situations of exposure to infectious agents transmitted by transfusion. In particular, this point has been controversial, since some groups of the LGBT community have interpreted it as discrimination. The aim of this article is to highlight the difference between the risk factor, particularly for patients who require blood-components for their treatment and sexual behavior.

Con la finalidad de tener disponibles hemocomponentes de alta calidad, es necesario que las personas que deseen donar sangre cumplan con una serie de condiciones que permitan garantizar el menor riesgo posible para el receptor y para ellos mismos. La donación más segura acorde a los estándares internacionales es la altruista de repetición, la cual es una meta establecida por la Organización Mundial de la Salud; lamentablemente, en nuestro país solo representa alrededor del 3%, a pesar de los esfuerzos de las distintas instituciones. Aunado a esto, la población desconoce los factores de riesgo que impiden donar, debido a la poca cultura que hay en relación con este tema. Por lo tanto, es necesario implementar estrategias para difundir que la donación de sangre es un privilegio y se debe contar con un estilo de vida que permita estar en condiciones de poder llevar este acto solidario, incluido tener un excelente estado de salud, adecuados hábitos higiénicos dietéticos y un estilo de vida libre de conductas de riesgo, el cual incluye el no empleo de sustancias, así como un comportamiento sexual libre de situaciones de exposición a agentes infecciosos trasmisibles por trasfusión. En particular este punto ha resultado controversial, ya que algunos grupos de la comunidad LGBTTIQA lo han interpretado como discriminación. El objetivo de este artículo es resaltar la diferencia entre el factor de riesgo, en particular para los pacientes que requieren un hemocomponente para su tratamiento y la orientación sexual.

ICD-11 Guidelines for Mental and Behavioral Disorders of Children and Adolescents: Reliability and Clinical Utility.

OBJECTIVE: ICD-11 clinical guidelines for mental and behavioral disorders must be tested in clinical settings to guarantee their usefulness worldwide. The purpose of this study was to evaluate interrater reliability and clinical utility of the ICD-11 guidelines for children and adolescents in assessing and diagnosing mood, anxiety, and fear-related disorders; attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); and disruptive behavioral disorder (DBD). METHODS: Children and adolescents ages 6-17 from two specialized settings in Mexico City were interviewed. Each was interviewed by a pair of psychiatrists (interviewer and observer), who independently codified established diagnoses and evaluated the clinical utility of the guidelines with each participant. Kappa values were calculated to determine the level of general diagnostic correlation between the two clinicians. RESULTS: A total of 25 psychiatrists evaluated 52 children and adolescents. Kappa values between clinicians ranged from 0.46 to 0.53 for mood, anxiety, and fear-related disorders and for ADHD; the kappa value was 0.81 for DBD guidelines. Over 80% of psychiatrists reported that the guidelines, qualifiers, and descriptions of developmental presentations were quite useful. CONCLUSIONS: ICD-11 guidelines for mental and behavioral disorders of children and adolescents demonstrated mostly moderate interrater reliability and strong interrater reliability in the case of DBD. A large proportion of clinicians regarded the guidelines as quite useful clinical tools.

Cirrhosis etiology trends in developing countries: Transition from infectious to metabolic conditions. Report from a multicentric cohort in central Mexico.

Background: Cirrhosis is a public health threat associated with high mortality. Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD) is the leading cause in Latin America and Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) in western countries. In Mexico, ALD and chronic Hepatitis C Virus infection (HCV) were the most frequent aetiologies during the past decades. We aimed to describe the trends in the aetiologies of cirrhosis in a middle-income country. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study including patients diagnosed with cirrhosis between 2000 and 2019 from six different tertiary care hospitals in central Mexico. We collected information regarding cirrhosis etiology, year of diagnosis, hepatocellular carcinoma development, liver transplantation, and death. We illustrated the change in the tendencies of cirrhosis aetiologies by displaying the proportional incidence of each etiology over time stratified by age and gender, and we compared these proportions over time using chi square tests. Findings: Overall, 4,584 patients were included. In 2019, MAFLD was the most frequent cirrhosis etiology (30%), followed by ALD (24%) and HCV (23%). During the study period, MAFLD became the leading etiology, ALD remained second, and HCV passed from first to fourth. When analysed by gender, ALD was the leading etiology for men and MAFLD for women. The annual incidence of HCC was 3·84 cases/100 persons-year, the median survival after diagnosis was 12·1 years, and seven percent underwent LT. Interpretation: Increased alcohol consumption and the obesity epidemic have caused a transition in the aetiologies of cirrhosis in Mexico. Public health policies must be tailored accordingly to mitigate the burden of alcohol and metabolic conditions in developing countries. Funding: None.

α-syn and SNP rs356219 as a potential biomarker in blood for Parkinson's disease in Mexican Mestizos.

Clinical criteria diagnose Parkinson's disease (PD), therefore, it is crucial to find biological elements that could support diagnosis or even act as prognostic tools of PD. The SNCA gene codifies a protein called α - synuclein; several studies associate genetic and biochemical factors of SNCA with PD, including transcript and plasmatic protein levels, however, contradictory evidence indicates inconclusive results. We aim to compare SNCA mRNA expression, plasmatic α-syn protein and rs356219 SNP between PD cases and a control group, and to identify a potential biomarker in Mexican mestizos', focusing on these three components determined in blood. We included 88 PD patients and 88 age-matched controls. We observed higher α-syn protein and decreased SNCA mRNA levels in PD subjects, compared to control group (p = 0.044 and p < 0.001, respectively). A statistically significant difference was found in allelic and genotypic frequencies of SNP rs356219 between PD patients and normal subjects (p = 0.006 and p = 0.023, respectively). Logistic regression analysis determined as optimal predictors of PD the GG genotype of SNP rs356219 (OR 2.49; p = 0.006) in a recessive model and α-syn protein (OR 1.057; p = 0.033). Furthermore, the G allele of SNP rs356219 was associated with higher plasmatic α-syn and mRNA levels in PD subjects. The receiver operating curves (ROC) distinguished PD from healthy controls with good sensitivity and specificity considering the plasmatic α-syn protein (AUC = 0.693, Sensitivity = 66.7 %, Specificity = 63.9 %) or a predictive probability of plasmatic α-syn protein and SNP rs356219 in a single model (AUC = 0.692, Sensitivity = 62.3 %, Specificity = 62.5 %). The performance of this classifier model in PD at early stage (n = 31) increase the discriminant power in both, plasmatic α-syn protein (AUC = 0.779, Sensitivity = 72.7 %, Specificity = 73.9 %) and predictive probability (AUC = 0.707, Sensitivity = 63.6 %, Specificity = 62.5 %). We propose that α-syn protein and SNP rs356219 together may work as a good signature of PD, and they can be suggested as a non-invasive biomarker of PD risk.

Leptospira infection in people in the city of Durango, Mexico: a cross sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the seroprevalence of Leptospira immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgM antibodies and its association with the characteristics of the study population from the northern Mexican city of Durango, Mexico. METHODS: Through a cross-sectional study design, inhabitants of Durango City, Mexico were surveyed between June 2018 and November 2018. Serum samples from the subjects were analysed for anti-Leptospira IgG and IgM antibodies using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Sociodemographic, clinical, behavioural and housing characteristics were recorded. Data were analysed by bivariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: The study enrolled 413 people, of which 124 (30.0%) and 137 (33.2%) were positive for anti-Leptospira IgG antibodies and anti-Leptospira IgM antibodies, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that Leptospira seropositivity was associated with professional occupation, alcohol consumption, ill clinical status, memory impairment and a history of surgery. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to report the seroepidemiology of Leptospira infection in an urban general population in the north of Mexico. The seroprevalence of Leptospira infection found was higher than those previously reported in Mexican studies.

[Factors related with the performance of a proper hand hygiene]. / Factores asociados a la técnica correcta en la higiene de manos.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors related with the performance of a proper hand hygiene technique in a hand hygiene campaign. METHODS: We developed two cross-sectional studies on 15 hospital units. The outcome variable was complied HH with proper technique and the exposures variables were care factors (unit, professional group, etc) and other factors related with the HH campaign (training on hand washing). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The strength of association was measured using odds ratios (OR) with their 95% confidence interval (CI). Adjusting for confounders was performed using multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: 12% of the observed 1241 hand hygiene were performed with proper technique. The strongest associated factors were ICUS (OR: 4.07 (CI 95% (1.95-8.51)), surgical wards (OR: 3.24 (CI 95% (1.52-6.92), procedures with high risk of contamination (OR: 2,56 CI 95% (1.34-4.70)), and physicians (OR: 2.52 CI 95% (0.93-6.85)). Training increased by 21% the probability of hand hygiene with proper technique for every 10% increase in trained health care workers (OR: 1.21 CI 95% (1.01-1.45). CONCLUSIONS: Hand Washing Training was associated with proper technique especially in surgical services and physicians.

Toxoplasma gondii infection and multiple sclerosis: An age- and a gender-matched case-control seroprevalence study.

The link between Toxoplasma gondii infection and multiple sclerosis remains controversial. In the present study, we aimed to determine the association between T. gondii seropositivity and multiple sclerosis. Using an age- and gender-matched case-control study, we studied 45 patients who had multiple sclerosis attended in two public hospitals and 225 control subjects without this disease and other neurological disorders in Durango City, Mexico. Serum samples of cases and controls were analyzed for detection of anti-Toxoplasma IgG using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunoassay. One (2.22%) of the 45 patients with multiple sclerosis, and 15 (6.67%) of the 225 control subjects without this disease were seropositive for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies. No statistically significant difference (OR = 0.31; 95% CI: 0.04-2.47; P = 0.48) in seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies between cases and controls was found. The frequency of T. gondii seropositivity did not vary among cases and controls about sex or age groups. Results of this study do not support an association between seropositivity to T. gondii and multiple sclerosis. However, additional research with larger sample sizes to confirm this lack of association should be conducted.

Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women: a cross-sectional study in Matehuala City, Mexico.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection in pregnant women in Matehuala City, Mexico; and the associated risk factors. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SETTING: Matehuala City, Mexico. PARTICIPANTS: 311 pregnant women. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Sera of women were analysed for anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies by commercially available immunoassays. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the association between T. gondii seroprevalence and the characteristics of the pregnant women. RESULTS: Thirteen (4.2%) of the 311 pregnant women studied were positive for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies. No anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies were found in anti-T. gondii IgG seropositive women. No association between seropositivity and history of blood transfusion, transplantation, caesarean sections, deliveries, miscarriages or number of pregnancies was found. Logistic regression analysis of sociodemographic, behavioural and housing variables showed that availability of potable water at street represented a risk factor for T. gondii infection (age-adjusted OR=2.18; 95% CI: 1.05 to 4.53; p=0.03), whereas being born in Mexico was a protective factor for infection (age-adjusted OR=0.01; 95% CI: 0.001 to 0.35; p=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: In this first study on the seroepidemiology of T. gondii infection in pregnant women in Matehuala, we conclude that the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection is low and similar to those reported in pregnant women in other Mexican cities. However, the seroprevalence found is lower than those reported in pregnant women in other countries in the Americas and Europe. Two risk factors associated with T. gondii infection were identified. Results of the present study may help for the optimal planning of preventive measures against toxoplasmosis in pregnant women.