[Physical inactivity in young people during home confinement due to COVID-19]. / Inactividad física en jóvenes durante el confinamiento en casa debido a la COVID-19.

Background: Physical inactivity is a highly prevalent condition in the world and has been associated with increased susceptibility to develop comorbidities and present with severe respiratory distress syndrome due to COVID-19. Objective: To identify the factors present in the family environment and the personal reasons associated with physical inactivity in young people during confinement at home due to COVID-19. Material and methods: A cross-sectional study analyzed data from 1,326 young people, ages 15 - 18. To collect information, a questionnaire was constructed using the Google Forms tool and distributed through the WhatsApp application and email to collect the information. Results: The prevalence of physical inactivity was 43.4%. Approximately 24.4% were overweight, and 8.8% were obese. Near 43.0% of young people reported living in an environment with a dysfunctional family. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that suffering from obesity, does not have space at home, or devices to exercise and present a change in emotions, are related to the physical inactivity of young people during confinement at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions: It is important to promote a harmonious environment within the family and the personal development of a healthy lifestyle, during the period of application of the contingency plan due to the presence of a pandemic, in order to maintain a better healthy physical and mental state.

Introducción: la inactividad física es una condición altamente prevalente en el mundo y ha sido asociada con una mayor susceptibilidad para desarrollar comorbilidades y presentar síndrome de distrés respiratorio agudo por COVID-19. Objetivo: identificar los factores presentes en el entorno familiar y los motivos personales asociados a la inactividad física en jóvenes durante el confinamiento en casa debido a la COVID-19. Material y métodos: mediante un estudio transversal se analizaron los datos de 1326 jóvenes de 15 a 18 años. Para la recogida de la información se construyó un cuestionario mediante la herramienta de Google Forms y se distribuyó a través de la aplicación de WhatsApp y por correo electrónico. Resultados: la prevalencia de inactividad física fue del 43.4%. Aproximadamente, el 24.4% sufría de sobrepeso y el 8.8% de obesidad. El 42.8% de los jóvenes declaró vivir en el ambiente de una familia disfuncional. El análisis de regresión logística multivariado mostró que tener obesidad, no contar con espacio en casa, ni aparatos para realizar ejercicio y presentar un cambio en las emociones, se relaciona con la inactividad física de los jóvenes durante el confinamiento en casa. Conclusión: es importante promover un ambiente armónico en el seno familiar, así como el desarrollo personal de un estilo de vida saludable durante el periodo de aplicación del plan de contingencia debido a la presencia de una pandemia, con la finalidad de mantener un mejor estado físico y mental saludable.

Low Activation of CD8+ T Cells in response to Viral Peptides in Mexican Patients with Severe Dengue.

It is acknowledged that antiviral immune response contributes to dengue immunopathogenesis. To identify immunological markers that distinguish dengue fever (DF) and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), 113 patients with confirmed dengue infection were analyzed at 6 or 7 days after fever onset. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated, lymphocyte subsets and activation biomarkers were identified by flow cytometry, and differentiation of T helper (Th) lymphocytes was achieved by the relative expression analysis of T-bet (Th1), GATA-3 (Th2), ROR-γ (Th17), and FOXP-3 (T regulatory) transcription factors quantified by real-time PCR. CD8+, CD40L+, and CD45+ cells show higher numbers in DF compared to DHF patients, whereas CD4+, CD19+, and CD25+ cells show higher numbers in DHF than DF patients. High expression of GATA-3 accompanied by low expression of T-bet indicates predominance of Th2 response. In addition, higher expression of FOXP-3 and reduced functional cytotoxic T cells (CD8+perforin+) were observed in DHF patients. In further experiments, PBMC were stimulated ex vivo with dengue virus E, NS3, NS4, and NS5 peptides, and proliferating T cell subsets were determined. Lower proliferative responses to NS3 and NS4 peptides and reduced CD8+ cytotoxic T cells were observed in DHF patients. Our results suggest that immune response to dengue is dysregulated with predominance of CD4+ T cells, low activation of Th1 cells, and downregulation of the antiviral cytotoxic activity during severe dengue, likely induced by regulatory T cells.

Zika en silencio epidemiológico / Zika in epidemiological silence

La enfermedad por virus del Zika ha sufrido una importante disminución en la notificación de casos. A nivel mundial se observa un descenso aproximado del 58%, comparado con el mismo periodo en 2020. En México ocurre una situación similar, pues en la semana epidemiológica 48 solamente se han confirmado 34 casos. Dicha situación coincide con la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2, la cual se vive desde el 2019; sin embargo, es de suma importancia reestablecer las acciones de vigilancia epidemiológica enfocadas en el Zika para así continuar con las medidas de prevención y control dirigidas a minimizar el impacto de la enfermedad.

Zika virus disease has suffered a significant decrease in case reporting. Worldwide, an approximate decrease of 58% is observed, compared to the same period in 2020. Mexico is experiencing a similar situation, given that at epidemiological week 48 only 34 cases have been confirmed. This situation coincides with the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, which has been experienced since 2019; however, it is of the utmost importance to reestablish epidemiological surveillance actions aimed at Zika to continue with prevention and control measures focused on minimizing the impact of the illness.

[Factors associated with tobacco use in patients with asthma during the confinement due to COVID-19 in an urban region with high numbers of SARS-CoV-2 infections]. / Factores asociados al tabaquismo en pacientes con asma durante el confinamiento por COVID-19 en una región urbana con cifras elevadas de infecciones por SARS-CoV-2.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with tobacco use during the period of confinement in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Through an analytical and cross-sectional study, the data of 2, 372 participants were analyzed. The information was collected through a self-administered questionnaire that was built with the Google Forms tool, which was distributed and applied via email and WhatsApp; the private messaging platform. The relationship between the independent variables and the outcome was determined by multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Out of the total population, 69.3 % were women, the median age was 20.11±2.01 years, the prevalence of asthma was 12.2 %, and the active tobacco use was 13.3 %. There was a higher number of patients with asthma who smoked (14.2 vs. 13.2 %) than of those who didn't have asthma. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that factors like considering that COVID-19 does not exist and not being confined were related to tobacco use in patients with asthma during the implementation of the contingency plan that the COVID-19 pandemic represents. CONCLUSIONS: During confinement to home for COVID-19, the prevalence of tobacco use is higher in patients with asthma than in individuals without this ailment; the factors that favor the aforementioned are present in the family environment.

Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia y factores de riesgo asociados al tabaquismo durante el periodo de confinamiento ante la pandemia de COVID-19. Métodos: Mediante un estudio analítico y transversal se analizaron los datos de 2372 participantes. La recolección de la información se realizó con un cuestionario autoadministrado construido con la herramienta Google Forms, el cual se distribuyó y aplicó a través de correo electrónico y de la plataforma de mensajería privada WhatsApp. La relación entre las variables independientes y la resultante fue determinada a través de regresión logística multivariada. Resultados: De la población total, 69.3 % fue del sexo femenino, la edad media de 20.11 ± 2.01 años, la prevalencia de asma de 12.2 % y la de tabaquismo activo, de 13.3 %. Una mayor proporción de pacientes con asma fumaba (14.2 versus 13.2 %), en comparación con quienes no padecían asma. La regresión logística multivariante mostró que considerar que COVID-19 no existe y no cumplir con el confinamiento se relacionaron con el tabaquismo en pacientes con asma durante la aplicación del plan de contingencia que representa la pandemia de COVID-19. Conclusiones: Durante el confinamiento en casa por COVID-19, la prevalencia de tabaquismo es mayor en pacientes con asma comparados con los individuos sin esta enfermedad. Los factores que favorecen lo anterior están presentes en el entorno familiar.

[Epidemiology in modern times]. / Epidemiología en tiempos modernos.

The constant advance of diseases, as well as the continuous socio-demographic change has made medical sciences to dig deep in the field of causal research and prevention. For this, epidemiology, whose main axis is to break paradigms, has undergone a very rapid evolution worldwide. Health challenges are becoming greater, which is why training more specialists in epidemiology is a priority need.

El constante avance de las enfermedades, así como el continuo cambio sociodemográfico ha obligado a las ciencias médicas a profundizar en el campo de la investigación de la causalidad y la prevención. Para ello, la epidemiología, cuyo eje principal es romper paradigmas, ha sufrido una evolución muy rápida a nivel mundial. Los retos en salud cada vez son mayores, por lo que la formación de más especialistas en epidemiología es una necesidad prioritaria.

Epidemiología en tiempos modernos / Epidemiology in modern times

El constante avance de las enfermedades, así como el continuo cambio sociodemográfico ha obligado a las ciencias médicas a profundizar en el campo de la investigación de la causalidad y la prevención. Para ello, la epidemiología, cuyo eje principal es romper paradigmas, ha sufrido una evolución muy rápida a nivel mundial. Los retos en salud cada vez son mayores, por lo que la formación de más especialistas en epidemiología es una necesidad prioritaria.

The constant advance of diseases, as well as the continuous socio-demographic change has made medical sciences to dig deep in the field of causal research and prevention. For this, epidemiology, whose main axis is to break paradigms, has undergone a very rapid evolution worldwide. Health challenges are becoming greater, which is why training more specialists in epidemiology is a priority need.

[Associations between family history of allergy, exposure to tobacco smoke, active smoking, obesity, and asthma in adolescents]. / Asociación entre atopia familiar, exposición a humo de tabaco, tabaquismo activo, obesidad y asma en adolescentes.

OBJECTIVE: The relationships between asthma in adolescents and various environmental and social exposures needs to be clarified. The aim of this study was to determine the association between family history of allergy, passive or active tobacco smoking, obesity, and asthma in adolescents. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A population-based case-control study was carried out. A random sample of 4003 students aged 13 to 18 years old was selected from secondary and preparatory schools in an urban area in northeastern Mexico. Data was gathered in physical examinations and with a questionnaire administered by trained staff. Two study groups were formed: a group of 253 adolescents with asthma and a control group of students without asthma. RESULTS: Variables associated with asthma were family history of allergy (odds ratio [OR], 1.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.28-2.06), passive smoking (OR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.18-1.99), and obesity (OR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.45-2.65). Female gender and active smoking were unrelated to asthma. The percentage of obese adolescents was higher in the group of asthmatics (18.2%) than in the control group (12.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Family history of allergy, passive tobacco smoking, and obesity seem to be the main risk factors for the development of asthma in adolescents. The relationship of active smoking and asthma requires further study.

Asociación entre atopia familiar, exposición a humo de tabaco, tabaquismo activo, obesidad y asma en adolescentes / Associations between family history of allergy, exposure to tobacco smoke, active smoking, obesity, and asthma in adolescents

Objetivo: Es necesario aclarar la relación entre varias exposiciones ambientales y sociales y el asma en la población adolescente. El objetivo de este estudio ha sido determinar la asociación entre la atopia familiar, la inhalación pasiva o activa de humo de tabaco, la obesidad y el asma en adolescentes. Sujetos y métodos: Se ha realizado un estudio de casos y controles basado en un estudio de población. Se encuestó a 4.003 estudiantes de 13 a 18 años de edad, seleccionados aleatoriamente, que acudían a escuelas de secundaria y preparatoria de un área urbana del nordeste de México. La información sobre las variables estudiadas se recabó a través de la exploración física y de la aplicación de un cuestionario por parte de personal capacitado. Se formaron 2 grupos de estudio: uno compuesto por 253 adolescentes con asma, y un grupo control formado por estudiantes sin asma. Resultados: De los resultados se desprende que la atopia familiar (odds ratio [OR] = 1,62; intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95%, 1,28-2,06), la exposición involuntaria al humo de tabaco (OR = 1,53; IC del 95%, 1,18-1,99) y la obesidad (OR = 1,96; IC del 95%, 1,45-2,65) se encuentran asociadas con el asma en adolescentes. El sexo femenino y el tabaquismo activo no se relacionan con dicha enfermedad. El porcentaje de obesos fue mayor en el grupo de adolescentes con asma (18,2%) que en el grupo control (12,8%). Conclusiones: La atopia familiar, la inhalación involuntaria de humo de tabaco y la obesidad parecen ser los factores de riesgo más importantes para el desarrollo de asma en adolescentes. La relación entre tabaquismo activo y asma requiere una mejor evaluación

Objective: The relationships between asthma in adolescents and various environmental and social exposures needs to be clarified. The aim of this study was to determine the association between family history of allergy, passive or active tobacco smoking, obesity, and asthma in adolescents. Subjects and methods: A population­based case­control study was carried out. A random sample of 4003 students aged 13 to 18 years old was selected from secondary and preparatory schools in an urban area in northeastern Mexico. Data was gathered in physical examinations and with a questionnaire administered by trained staff. Two study groups were formed: a group of 253 adolescents with asthma and a control group of students without asthma. Results: Variables associated with asthma were family history of allergy (odds ratio [OR], 1.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.28-2.06), passive smoking (OR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.18-1.99), and obesity (OR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.45-2.65). Female gender and active smoking were unrelated to asthma. The percentage of obese adolescents was higher in the group of asthmatics (18.2%) than in the control group (12.8%). Conclusions: Family history of allergy, passive tobacco smoking, and obesity seem to be the main risk factors for the development of asthma in adolescents. The relationship of active smoking and asthma requires further study