A comprehensive review on monitoring and purification of water through tunable 2D nanomaterials.

Instead of typical household trash, the heavy metal complexes, organic chemicals, and other poisons produced by huge enterprises threaten water systems across the world. In order to protect our drinking water from pollution, we must keep a close eye on the situation. Nanotechnology, specifically two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials, is used in certain wastewater treatment systems. Graphene, g-C3N4, MoS2, and MXene are just a few examples of emerging 2D nanomaterials that exhibit an extraordinary ratio of surface (m3), providing material consumption, time consumption, and treatment technique for cleaning and observing water. In this post, we'll talk about the ways in which 2D nanomaterials may be tuned to perform certain functions, namely how they can be used for water management. The following is a quick overview of nanostructured materials and its possible use in water management: Also discussed in length are the applications of 2D nanomaterials in water purification, including pollutant adsorption, filtration, disinfection, and photocatalysis. Fluorescence sensors, colorimetric, electrochemical, and field-effect transistors are only some of the devices being studied for their potential use in monitoring water quality using 2D nanomaterials. Utilizing 2D content has its benefits and pitfalls when used to water management. New developments in this fast-expanding business will boost water treatment quality and accessibility in response to rising awareness of the need of clean, fresh water among future generations.

Impact of storage conditions on fungal community composition of green coffee beans Coffea arabica L. stored in jute sacks during 1 year.

AIMS: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of warehouse storage conditions on the composition of the fungal community of green coffee beans (GCB) that were stored in jute sacks for 1 year. METHODS AND RESULTS: Molecular characterization of the fungal community composition and population dynamics obtained by Q-PCR, CE-SSCP (Simpson's diversity index D) and Illumina MiSeq sequencing indicated that Saccharomycetales dominated during the first 6 months of storage period with species as Meyerozyma guilliermondii and Pichia kluyveri. However, after 6 months of storage, the filamentous genus Wallemia became dominant. Principal components analysis correlated this fungal dynamic with storage conditions and other variables as chromaticity (colour), water activity, moisture content, reducing sugars concentration, fungal infection and ochratoxin A production. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that GCB stored in jute sacks after 6 months of storage lead to fungal population dynamics, decreased chromaticity in GCB by bleaching and, then, affected overall quality. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Storage plays an important role in the quality evolution during the handling of the GCB. In this context, the composition of the microbial community could be considered a marker to assess the trade value of the coffee beans.

The impact of carbon coating on the synthesis and properties of α''-Fe16N2 powders.

This paper presents the preparation of carbon composite Fe16N2 powders, and the influence of a protective carbon coating on the yield and magnetic properties of Fe16N2. Nanoparticle precursors with and without carbon were reacted under ammonia gas flow to produce Fe16N2. Neutron and X-ray powder diffraction indicate that the powders contain typically 40-60% Fe16N2, with the remaining phases being unreacted iron, Fe4N or Fe3N. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrates that the carbon coating is effective at reducing the level of sintering of Fe nanoparticles during the reduction stage prior to ammonolysis. XPS results support the retention of a carbon coating on the surface after ammonolysis, and that there is Fe-C bonding present at the particle surface. In situ TEM was used to observe loss of ordering in the nitrogen sublattice of carbon composite Fe16N2 powders in the range of 168 °C to 200 °C. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show maximum values for saturation magnetization in the range of 232 emu g(-1), and for coercivity near 930 Oe, for different samples measured up to 2 T applied field at 300 K.

Infección por el virus de la hepatitis B en individuos con factores de exposición en Quibdó y Apartadó, Colombia / Hepatitis B Infections in Individuals with Exposure Factors in Quibdo and Apartado, Colombia

Antecedentes: Colombia presenta un patrón de prevalencia heterogéneo para la infección por virus de la hepatitis B (VHB) con regiones de alta, moderada y baja prevalencia. Objetivo: identificar los casos de infección por VHB y caracterizar los genotipos virales en población con factores de exposición en las ciudades de Quibdó y Apartadó, Colombia. Materiales y métodos: la población del estudio correspondió a 768 individuos asintomáticos con factores de exposición a la infección por VHB. El primer análisis fue la detección del antígeno de superficie del VHB (HBsAg) por prueba rápida. En las muestras de individuos positivos para esta prueba, se confirmó la presencia del HBsAg por ELISA y se detectó el genoma del VHB por reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR). El genotipo viral fue determinado por secuenciación y análisis filogenético. Resultados: se identificaron 17/768 individuos con infección por VHB (2,2%) según la detección del HBsAg por prueba rápida y por ELISA. Los análisis filogenéticos permitieron la identificación de los genotipos F, (subgenotipos F3 y F1a) y A en las muestras. Conclusiones: se reporta por primera vez la circulación del subgenotipo F1a en Colombia y se confirma la circulación del subgenotipo F3 y el genotipo A.

Introduction: Colombia has a varied geographical pattern of prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections with regions of high, moderate and low prevalences. Objective: The objective of this study was to identify cases of HBV infection and characterize viral genotypes in population with factors of exposure in the cities of Quibdo and Apartado, Colombia. Materials and Methods: The study population included 768 asymptomatic individuals with factors of exposure to HBV infections. An HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) rapid detection test was the first test used. Samples from individuals who tested positive were tested with ELISA to confirm the diagnosis and with PCR to detect the HBV genome. Viral genotypes were determined by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Results: Seventeen individuals (17/768, 2.2%) were diagnosed with HBV infections by both the Rapid Test and Elisa. Phylogenetic analyses allowed identification of genotypes F (F3 and Subgenotype F1a) and A in the samples. Conclusions: We report for the first time the presence of the F1a subgenotype in Colombia and confirme the presence of subgenotype F3 and genotype A.

Frecuencia de la infección por nemátodos gastrointestinales en ovinos y caprinos de cinco municipios de Antioquia / Infection frequency of gastrointestinal nematode in goats and sheep of five municipalities in Antioquia

Objetivo. Determinar la frecuencia de infección por nemátodos gastrointestinales en ovinos y caprinos de apriscos de algunos municipios de Antioquia. Materiales y métodos. Estudio descriptivo de corte realizado entre febrero y junio del 2011 en muestras de materia fecal de 84 caprinos y 11 ovinos distribuidos entre 2 y 132 meses de edad en 6 apriscos de Antioquia. Se determinó el recuento de huevos por gramo de heces (hpg) usando la técnica de Mcmaster, y para obtención del estadio larvario 3, la técnica de Corticelli y Lai. Para la identificación del género de las larvas se emplearon claves taxonómicas de nemátodos gastrointestinales de ovinos y caprinos. Se calcularon la frecuencia y asociación entre los datos epidemiológicos y la infección por tricostrongilidos mediante la prueba de independencia de Chi cuadrado, y prueba de contraste U de Mann-Whitney. Resultados. La frecuencia de infección fue 86.6% y los nemátodos con mayor prevalencia fueron Haemonchus contortus (66.3%), Oesophagostomum spp., (38.9%), Trichostrongylus spp., (34.7%) y Ostertagia spp., (24.2%). Se encontró una diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre la proporción de infectados y no infectados según la raza. Conclusiones. Existen diferencias entre la frecuencia de infección de las razas Camuro, La mancha y Toggenburg, en comparación con otras razas de los mismos apriscos. Esta variación puede relacionarse con procesos de resistencia, reponiéndose a la infección, sobre los cuales se hace necesaria la realización de investigaciones enfocadas al estudio de mecanismos de acción en ovinos y caprinos de Antioquia.

Objective. To determine the frequency of gastrointestinal nematode infection in goat and sheep folds of some municipalities of Antioquia. Materials and methods. A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out between February and June 2011 in fecal samples of 84 goats and 11 sheep between 2 and 132 months of age in six folds in Antioquia. The number of eggs per gram of feces (epg) was determined using the McMaster technique, and the 3rd larval stage was obtained by means of Corticelli and Lai technique. For larval gender identification, gastrointestinal nematode taxonomical keys for goats and sheep were used. Tricostrongilides infection frequency and its association with epidemiological data was measured by means of chi-square test and comparison of proportions by column with Z test and U of Mann-Whitney contrast test. Results. Nematode infection frequency was 86.6% and Haemonchus contortus (66.3%), Oesophagostomum spp (38.9%), Trichostrongylus spp (34.7%) and Ostertagia spp. (24.2%) were the most prevalent nematodes. A statistically significant difference was found between infected and non-infected proportion per animal breed. Conclusions. There are differences between infection frequencies in Camuro, La mancha and Toggenburg breeds compared with other breeds in the same folds. These differences can be related with resistance and/or recovering from infection, but more research focused in mechanisms of action in goats and sheep of Antioquia is necessary.

Anti-Aspergillus activity of green coffee 5-O-caffeoyl quinic acid and its alkyl esters.

The antifungal activities of 5-O-caffeoyl quinic acid (5-CQA) and of methyl, butyl, octyl, and dodecyl esters or 5-CQA, were tested on five toxigenic moulds from the Aspergillus genus (Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus nomius, Aspergillus ochraceus, Aspergillus parasiticus, Aspergillus westerdijkiae). These mycotoxin producers' moulds may contaminate many types of food crops throughout the food chain posing serious health hazard to animals and humans. The use of chemical methods to decrease mycotoxin producer moulds contamination on food crops in the field, during storage, and/or during processing, has been proved to be efficient. In this work, the antifungal effect of 5-CQA and a homologous series of 5-CQA esters (methyl, butyl, octyl, dodecyl), was investigated using the microdilution method and the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC50 and MIC80). All molecules presented antifungal activity, and two esters showed a MIC for all fungi: octyl (MIC50 ≤ 0.5-0.75 mg/mL, MIC80 = 1.0-1.5 mg/mL) and dodecyl (MIC50 = 0.75-1.25 mg/mL) chlorogenates. Dodecyl chlorogenate showed a MIC80 (1.5 mg/mL) only for A. parasiticus. The maximum percent of growth inhibition on aspergillii was observed with octyl (78.4-92.7%) and dodecyl (54.5-83.7%) chlorogenates, being octyl chlorogenate the most potent antifungal agent. It was thus concluded that lipophilization improved the antifungal properties of 5-CQA, which increased with the ester alkyl chain length, exhibiting a cut-off effect at 8 carbons. As far as we know, it is the first report demonstrating that lipophilization may improve the antifungal activity of 5-CQA on five toxigenic moulds from the Aspergillus genus. Lipophilization would be a novel way to synthesize a new kind of antifungal agents with a good therapeutic value or a potential use as preservative in food or cosmetics.

Decreased plasma cytokines are associated with low platelet counts in aplastic anemia and immune thrombocytopenic purpura.

BACKGROUND: We previously found plasma levels of CD40 ligand (CD40L), chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 5 (CXCL5), chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5 (CCL5) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) to be low in aplastic anemia (AA) patients and to be correlated with platelet count. OBJECTIVES: To study the association of CD40L, CXCL5, CCL5 and EGF with platelets. METHODS: We measured cytokines in the plasma of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and AA patients using the Luminex assay and confirmed the results in a mouse model and in vitro experiments. RESULTS: Both ITP and AA showed similarly low levels of CD40L, CXCL5, CCL5 and EGF, compared with healthy controls. In ITP, levels of these proteins were significantly greater in patients with higher platelet counts than in those with lower platelet counts. In a murine thrombocytopenia model, levels of CD40L, CXCL5, CCL5 and EGF decreased with platelet count after immune-mediated destruction, while the cytokine levels increased when the platelet count recovered. In vitro, concentrations of these cytokines in the supernatants of platelet suspensions were proportional to platelet numbers, and levels in sera prepared by simple blood coagulation were equivalent to those in platelet-rich plasma-converted sera. mRNA expression for CXCL5, CCL5 and EGF was higher in platelets than in megakaryocytes, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, granulocytes and non-megakaryocytic bone marrow cells. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma CD40L, CXCL5, CCL5 and EGF are mainly platelet-derived, suggesting a role of platelets in immune responses and inflammation. Measurement of CD40L, CXCL5, CCL5 and EGF in human blood allowed testable inferences concerning physiology and pathophysiology in quantitative platelet disorders.

Principales marcadores moleculares utilizados para la identificación de Babesia bovis y Babesia bigemina / Principal molecular markers used to identify Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina

Este artículo describe los principales marcadores moleculares utilizados para la identificación de B. bovis y B. bigemina reportados en la literatura científica. Para ello se diseñó una revisión sistemática a partir de la aplicación de la estrategia metodológica PICO modificada con el objetivo de definir las secuencias nucleotídicas detectadas en los diferentes sitios geográficos y su utilidad diagnóstica. Se realizó una búsqueda avanzada con los términos “Babesia bovis” y “DNA” y “Babesia bigemina” y “DNA” en las bases de datos ScienceDirect, SpringerLink y PubMed que después de ser filtradas permitieron obtener un resultado total de 68 artículos originales. Tanto los artículos incluidos como los excluidos fueron almacenados en tablas, en las cuales se presenta la justificación de su condición dentro del estudio. A los 68 artículos seleccionados se les aplicó una evaluación con criterios de inclusión y exclusión previamente definidos, de este modo, 21 artículos originales cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión y se incluyeron en el estudio. Se describe la utilidad de los marcadores moleculares referenciados en la literatura científica desde 1995 hasta el 2010: la subunidad pequeña RNAr, el gen citocromo b, gen msa-1 and msa-2c, el gen Bv, el factor de elongación alfa (EF-1α), el gen de la beta-Tubulina, SBP 1-2-3, y los RAP; su aplicación diagnóstica y su utilización en los diferentes sitios geográficos. Los marcadores moleculares utilizados para la detección de las babesias bovinas varían dependiendo de la región geográfica, grado de conservación genética y resultados de estudios previos que concluyen su utilidad diagnóstica.

Reacciones adversas de la vacunación contra la influenza humana en adultos jóvenes de la Araucanía en abril-mayo 2010 / Adverse reactions of the anti influenza vaccination in young adults from Araucanía between april–may 2010

Introducción: El año 2009 el mundo fue sorprendido por una pandemia provocada por el virus de la influenza A(H1N1). Ha existido gran controversia por el uso de la vacuna dada su supuesta alta prevalencia de reacciones adversas. Objetivo: Describir la prevalencia de las reacciones adversas relacionadas con la vacunación H1N1 2010, en estudiantes de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de La Frontera de Temuco en abril-mayo 2010. Pacientes y Método: Estudio de corte transversal. Se aplicó, presencialmente, un cuestionario con campo obligatorio de síntomas frecuentes según Laboratorio Sanofi Pasteur: dolor, enrojecimiento, mialgias, fiebre y malestar general y un campo abierto para describir otros tipos de reacciones, a estudiantes seleccionados mediante muestreo simple por concurrencia, de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de La Frontera de Temuco, tras la campaña de vacunación de abril–mayo de 2010. El análisis de datos se realizó con Stata 10.0. Resultados: Se encuestó 98 alumnos (15,43 por ciento), del total de vacunados. Un 50 por ciento no tuvo síntomas. De los que presentaron síntomas, 40,8 por ciento refirió inflamación en la zona de inyección, 49 por ciento malestar general, 20,1 por ciento fiebre y 26,5 por ciento mialgias. Además, 88 por ciento tuvo uno o dos síntomas, el 12 por ciento refirió 3 síntomas o más. Discusión: Un alto porcentaje presentó alguna reacción adversa, sin embargo las más frecuentes fueron menores: inflamación local y malestar general. Sólo hubo un 6 por ciento que presentó más de 3síntomas y no se presentaron reacciones adversas que requirieran hospitalización.

Introduction: In 2009 the World was shocked by the influenza A (H1N1) pandemia. A huge debate has taken place for the convenience of the anti A(H1N1) vaccination in relation to the few clinical trials and the adverse reactions generated by other vaccines produced under the same process. Methods: Cross-sectional study in students selected by simple sampling and concurrence criteria in the Faculty of Medicine of the Universidad de La Frontera in Temuco, Chile, after the vaccination campaign from april to may 2010. We developed a simple cuestionnaire with obligatory fields of frequent symptoms reported by Sanofi Pasteur: local pain, redness, myalgias, fever, malaise, and an open field to describe any other reaction. Data analysis was performed with Stata 10.0. Results: We surveyed 98 students (15.43 percent) of the total vaccinated students population. 50 percent had no symptoms, 40,8 percent reported swelling in the area, malaise 49 percent, 20,1 percent fever and 26,5 percent myalgias. Of those with symptoms 88 percent had one or two symptoms, 12 percent reported three or more symptoms. Discussion: A high percentage had some adverse reaction, however the most frequent were mild: local swelling and general discomfort. There were only 6 percent who presented more than 3 symptoms and there were no adverse events requiring hospitalisation.

Dihydrofurochromones from Prionosciadium thapsoides.

Chemical investigations of Prionosciadium thapsoides roots led to the isolation of the new dihydrofurochromones (S)-(+)-4'-O-angeloyl-5-O-methylvisamminol (1) and (S)-(+)-4'-O-senecioyl-5-O-methylvisamminol (2), together with the known coumarins jatamansin, buchtormin, isopteryxin, isosamidin, psoralen, and bergapten. The structures of 1 and 2 were determined by 1D and 2D NMR experiments, and their absolute configuration was established by chemical correlation with (+)-5-O-methylvisamminol (3), whose structure was secured by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and its absolute configuration was established as S by vibrational circular dichroism spectroscopy in comparison to DFT B3LYP/DGDZVP calculations.

Hallazgos cardiacos no coronarios en coronariografía por tomografía computada / Findings in coronary heart not coronariografía by computed tomography

Se presentan los hallazgos intracardíacos en CT de coronarias realizados en Clínica Alemana de Santiago entre noviembre 2003 - agosto 2006. La tomografía computada cardíaca es utilizada para la evaluación de las arterias coronarias, pero también puede ser útil para la evaluación de otras estructuras cardíacas. En estas estructuras podemos encontrar patología asociada como aneurismas auriculares o ventriculares, secuelas de infartos entre otros. Nosotros describimos nuestro protocolo y revisamos los principales hallazgos no coronarios.

We present the retrospective review of incidental intracardiac findings in coronary CTA performed at Clínica Alemana Santiago between november2003 until august 2006. Cardiac CT is frequently used in clinical practice for evaluation coronary arteries, but can be useful for evaluation of other cardiac structures. In these structures we can find associated pathology as auricular and ventricular aneurysms, damage of heart infarcts, among others. We describe our study protocol and review principal findings.

Caracterización de fistulas anorrectales mediante resonancia magnética de alta resolución: revisión pictográfica / Characterization of anorectal fistulas by high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging: pictographic review

The goal of this pictorial review is the evaluation of perianal fistulas by means of magnetic resonance imaging. This technique has been shown to demonstrate accurately the anatomy of the perianal region. Our MRI protocol is simple and easy to standardize. We use the classification of St James University Hospital which employs simple anatomic discriminators identifiable on axial and coronal planes. Several examples are shown with emphasis in the importance of this classification.

El objetivo de esta revisión pictográfica es la evaluación de las fístulas anorrectales mediante resonancia magnética. Esta técnica ha demostrado ser altamente confiable para estudiar la anatomía de la región perianal. Nuestro protocolo de estudio es simple y fácil de estandarizar. Usamos la clasificación del Hospital de la Universidad de Saint James (Inglaterra) que enfatiza la relación de la fístula con el esfínter externo y su importancia en la continencia anal.

Neurosyphilis and status epilepticus: case report and literature review.

We review the literature concerning the initial presentation of neurosyphilis in status epilepticus (SE) and provide an additional case of a 41-year-old male with no past medical history of seizures who presented in status epilepticus with subsequent laboratory confirmation of neurosyphilis. Neurosyphilis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with status epilepticus.

[Pollutants in water bodies in the south of Sonora]. / Contaminantes en los cuerpos de agua del sur de Sonora.

OBJECTIVE: To contribute to the knowledge on the impact of human productive activities on the environment, human health, and the survival of animal species. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A study case of water bodies in the south of Sonora was conducted in 1996. The software Decision Support System for Industrial Pollution Control DSS-IPC (IPC)IPC developed by the World Bank and the Pan American Health Organization was used to analyze data. RESULTS: At least three factors have contributed to the loss of fish and shrimp hatcheries in the municipality of Huatabampo: the filtration of fertilizers and pesticides into the irrigation drainage system, blockage produced by the continuous disposal of industrial waste water, and the discharge of sewer water into the drainage system. CONCLUSIONS: Study findings provide evidence that environmental deterioration resulting from human activity is decimating the population of fish and shrimp in the area. The English version of this paper is available at: http://www.insp.mx/salud/index.html

Postnatal development of cholinergic system in mouse basal forebrain: acetylcholinesterase histochemistry and choline-acetyltransferase immunoreactivity.

The distribution of acetylcholinesterase histochemistry and choline-O-acetyltransferase immunohistochemistry in the basal forebrain was studied in newborn mice (P0) and until 60 days of postnatal life (P60). A weak acetylcholinesterase activity was found at P0 and P2 in the anterior and intermediate parts of the basal forebrain, and higher in the posterior region. The intensity of labeling, neuronal size and dendritic growth seems to increase progressively in all regions of basal forebrain from P4 to P10. The AChE+ cell count shows that in the anterior portion of the magnocellular basal nucleus the number of cells does not vary significantly from birth to the second month of postnatal life. However, in the intermediate and posterior portions of the nucleus the mean number of labeled cells increases significantly from birth to the end of the second week of postnatal life (P13). The choline-acetyltransferase immunoreactivity appears only detectable at the end of the first week (P6) as a slight immunoreaction, which increases progressively in intensity at P8, and at P10 seems to attain the same intensity of labeling found at P60. These results seem to indicate that the acetylcholinesterase could have a non-classic cholinergic role in the first stages of postnatal development, acting as a growth and cellular differentiation factor.

Acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase histochemical activities and tumor cell growth in several brain tumors.

BACKGROUND: The hydrolysis enzymes of the acetylcholine, acetylcholinesterase, and butyrylcholinesterase are involved in non-cholinergic functions such as proliferation processes and cellular adhesion. These enzymes have been found in several tumors other from brain tumors. METHODS: Thirty fresh brain tumor specimens were obtained from biopsies taken during neurosurgical procedures. The specimens were cut in two parts, one designated for routine histopathological control and the other for histochemical and growth studies. The formalin fixed specimens were serially cut at 10 microm in a freezing cryostat, mounted in gelatin-coated slides, and processed for sensitive histochemical detection of acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase. The other specimens were processed for a HMEM cell growth culture. RESULTS: The results show the coexistence of acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase in all tumors studied. Type II and III gliomas and oligodendrogliomas show moderate activity of both cholinesterases, whereas in type IV glioma and meningiomas the labeling of both cholinesterases was high. In the craniopharyngiomas a high acetylcholinesterase activity was observed and low level of butyrylcholinesterase labeling. The cell growth was high only in the cases in which butyrylcholinesterase activity was high, such as type IV glioma. In type II and III gliomas, oligodendroglioma, and craniopharyngioma the growth rate was slow. CONCLUSIONS: These results could indicate a possible relationship between the presence of butyrylcholinesterase and acetylcholinesterase in brain tumor tissue and cellular proliferation in tumorigenesis.

Postnatal development of the basal forebrain cholinergic projections to the medial prefrontal cortex in mice.

The postnatal development of basal forebrain cholinergic projections to the medial prefrontal cortex in mice was analyzed by means of the double labeling track-tracing study. The tracer was injected into the medial prefrontal cortex of mice, on the day of birth (P0) to 60 days after birth. The total number of basal forebrain neurons increased from P4 to P8, and began to decrease until P13 (52.9% vs. the maximal average (P8)). After P13, the mean average remains stable up to P60. On the other hand, differential pattern of frontocortical projections of the anterior, intermediate, and posterior regions can be observed.

Prostate cancer mortality trends in Mexico, 1980-1995.

BACKGROUND: In Mexico, prostate cancer (PC) is the second highest cause of mortality by cancer in men. In 1991, there were 2,473 deaths, with a crude rate of 5.66 cases per 100,000 men age 40 or over. For this same year, the ratio of proportional mortality to the total number of malignant tumors was 12.6%. Our objectives were to determine the trends and geographic distribution of mortality for PC in Mexico for 1980-1995. METHODS: Crude and adjusted mortality rates were carried out for 1980-1995. A test for trend was done using the simple lineal regression method. The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) was calculated for 1980-1995 for each Mexican state. RESULTS: The total number of deaths by PC in Mexico for 1980-1995 was 32,349. The crude mortality rate increased during that period from 3.16 to 6.75 cases per 100,000 men over age 40. The statistical trend test with respect to time was significant (P<0.0001). The state of Southern Baja California showed a higher SMR, and a smaller SMR was shown for the state of Quintana Roo. CONCLUSIONS: The mortality trends for PC increased for the period studied. It represents a serious problem for public health. We find that the central and northern states of the country, characterized by a greater industrial and socioeconomic development, are those with a higher SMR.