Browsing by Author "Ramírez-Santana, Muriel"

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    A Positive Relationship between Exposure to Heavy Metals and Development of Chronic Diseases: A Case Study from Chile
    (2021) Cortés Arancibia, Sandra; Zúñiga-Venegas, Liliana; Pancetti, Floria; Covarrubias, Alejandra; Ramírez-Santana, Muriel; Adaros, Héctor; Muñoz, Luis; CEDEUS (Chile)
    Chile is a mining country, where waste mining is frequently found in the vicinity of inhabited areas. To explore the association between metal exposure and alterations in glucose metabolism, inflammatory status, and oxidative stress in individuals with chronic exposure to metals, a cross-sectional study was performed with 25 volunteers, between 45–65 years old. Inductive coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to measure urinary levels of total arsenic (As) and its metabolites, cooper, nickel, chromium, and lead. Lipid profile, glucose, and insulin were measured in blood, as well as inflammation (interleukin-6, IL-6) and oxidative stress (8-hydroxy-2′deoxyguanosine, 8-OHdG) markers. Increased levels of Low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoproteins, cholesterol and 8-OHdG, and the index for homeostasis model assessment—insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were observed in 72%, 60%, and 56% of the volunteers, respectively. Blood-glucose levels were correlated with dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) (R2 = 0.47, p = 0.019), inorganic As (Asi) (R2 = 0.40, p = 0.012), and Ni (R2 = 0.56; p = 0.044). The models with these compounds explained 72% of the glycemia variability (βDMA = −6.47; βAsi = 6.68; βNi = 6.87). Ni showed a significantly influence on IL-6 variability (β = 0.85: R2 = 0.36). Changes in glycemia could be related to exposure to low levels of Asi and Ni, representing risk factors for metabolic diseases. Body mass index would confuse the relation between IL-6 and Ni levels, probably due to known chronic inflammation present in obese people.
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    Health Effects of Pesticide Exposure in Latin American and the Caribbean Populations: A Scoping Review
    (Public Health Services, US Dept of Health and Human Services, 2022) Zúñiga-Venegas, Liliana A.; Jara, Juan P. Gutiérrez; Hyland, Carly; Cardenas, Andrés; Smith, Anna; Mora, Ana M.; Muñoz-Quezada, María Teresa; Lucero, Boris; Quirós-Alcalá, Lesliam; Butinof, Mariana; Buralli, Rafael; Fernandez, Ricardo A.; Foerster, Claudia; Gouveia, Nelson; Muñoz, María Pía; Ramírez-Santana, Muriel; Tirado, Noemi; Joode, Berna van Wendel; Calaf, Gloria M.; Handal, Alexis J.; Silva, Agnes Soares; Cortés Arancibia, Sandra Isabel; CEDEUS (Chile)
    © 2022, Public Health Services, US Dept of Health and Human Services. All rights reserved.BACKGROUND: Multiple epidemiological studies have shown that exposure to pesticides is associated with adverse health outcomes. However, the literature on pesticide-related health effects in the Latin American and the Caribbean (LAC) region, an area of intensive agricultural and residential pesticide use, is sparse. We conducted a scoping review to describe the current state of research on the health effects of pesticide exposure in LAC populations with the goal of identifying knowledge gaps and research capacity building needs. METHODS: We searched PubMed and SciELO for epidemiological studies on pesticide exposure and human health in LAC populations published between January 2007 and December 2021. We identified 233 publications from 16 countries that met our inclusion criteria and grouped them by health outcome (genotoxicity, neurobehavioral outcomes, placental outcomes and teratogenicity, cancer, thyroid function, reproductive outcomes, birth outcomes and child growth, and others). RESULTS: Most published studies were conducted in Brazil (37%, n = 88) and Mexico (20%, n = 46), were cross-sectional in design (72%, n = 167), and focused on farmworkers (45%, n = 105) or children (21%, n = 48). The most frequently studied health effects included genotoxicity (24%, n = 62) and neurobehavioral outcomes (21%, n = 54), and organophosphate (OP) pesticides were the most frequently examined (26%, n = 81). Forty-seven percent (n = 112) of the studies relied only on indirect pesticide exposure assessment methods. Exposure to OP pesticides, carbamates, or to multiple pesticide classes was consistently associated with markers of genotoxicity and adverse neurobehavioral outcomes, particularly among children and farmworkers. DISCUSSION: Our scoping review provides some evidence that exposure to pesticides may adversely impact the health of LAC populations, but methodological limitations and inconsistencies undermine the strength of the conclusions. It is critical to increase capacity building, integrate research initiatives, and conduct more rigorous epidemiological studies in the region to address these limitations, better inform public health surveillance systems, and maximize the impact of research on public policies.
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    Medicina traslacional e innovación en salud: mecanismos y perspectivas
    (2018) Valdés, Isabel P.; Ramírez-Santana, Muriel; Basagoitía González, Andrea; Testar, Xavier; Vásquez, Julio A.
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    Population-based seroprevalence survey: post-pandemic COVID-19 vaccination, related factors, and geographic distribution of vaccine acceptability in Chile
    (2025) Nuñez-Franz, Loreto; Rubilar, Paola; Apablaza, Mauricio; Canales, Luis; Cortés, Lina J.; Molina, Xaviera; Said, Macarena; Olivares, Kathya; Correa Parra, Juan; Ramírez-Santana, Muriel
    Background Prevention of infectious diseases is based on host protection, especially using vaccines. Several factors have been linked to the acceptance of vaccines in the population. Chile achieved high COVID-19 vaccination coverage early in the pandemic. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of antigens and antibodies, vaccination status, geographical distribution, and factors related to vaccine acceptability. Methods In two Chilean cities, the fourth round of a population-based seroprevalence cross-sectional survey was conducted in May 2024. 654 participants aged seven or older were recruited. After signing consent, participants were interviewed, blood samples were taken to identify antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 using ELISA, and antigens were assessed through a nasal swab rapid test. Territorial analysis of the vaccine dose distribution was carried out. Results All participants tested negative for antigens and positive for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, with an overall vaccination uptake rate of 98,5%. However, their vaccination status was heterogeneous. Territorial distribution showed a slight geographical clustering of vaccine doses in both cities. 52.7% had the basic scheme and/or boosters, 32.1% had the bivalent vaccine, and 13.7% had anti-Omicron. Self-report identification with a risk group was not associated with vaccine adherence. City, age, education, and comorbidities were associated with perceived and actual risk discrepancies. Conclusions Overall, vaccine acceptance is high. However, the acceptance of the last two doses was below expectations and showed heterogeneous geographical distribution. Adulthood is the most important predictor of vaccine uptake. Participants underestimated their level of risk. Risk communication must be improved, especially for risk groups, to help them perceive themselves as beneficiaries of vaccination. Efforts should be made to disseminate information on vaccine safety and counter misinformation to increase knowledge about vaccines.