Mexican Hispanics Research Articles

Mexican Hispanics show significant improvement in lung function approximately 1year after having severe COVID-19.

The long-term effects of COVID-19 on lung function are not understood, especially for periods extending beyond 1year after infection. This observational, longitudinal study investigated lung function in Mexican Hispanics who experienced severe COVID-19, focusing on how the length of recovery affects lung function improvements. At a specialized COVID-19 follow-up clinic in Yucatan, Mexico, lung function and symptoms were assessed in patients who had recovered from severe COVID-19. We used z-scores, and Wilcoxon's signed rank test to analyse changes in lung function over time. Lung function was measured twice in 82 patients: the first and second measurements were taken a median of 94 and 362days after COVID-19 diagnosis, respectively. Initially, 61% of patients exhibited at least one of several pulmonary function abnormalities (lower limit of normal = -1.645), which decreased to 22% of patients by 390days post-recovery. Considering day-to-day variability in lung function, 68% of patients showed improvement by the final visit, while 30% had unchanged lung function from the initial assessment. Computed tomography (CT) scans revealed ground-glass opacities in 33% of patients. One year after infection, diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide z-scores accounted for 30% of the variation in CT fibrosis scores. There was no significant correlation between the length of recovery and improvement in lung function based on z-scores. In conclusion, 22% of patients who recovered from severe COVID-19 continued to show at least one lung function abnormality 1year after recovery, indicating a prolonged impact of COVID-19 on lung health.

Reference equations for DLNO and DLCO in Mexican Hispanics: influence of altitude and race

ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate pulmonary diffusing capacity for nitric oxide (DLNO) and pulmonary diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) in Mexican Hispanics born and raised at 2240 m altitude...

Abstract P282: Pooled Cohort Equation Performance at Quantile Thresholds of African and European Ancestry Among Hispanic/Latino: Findings From Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)

Background: Current recommendations include using the non-Hispanic White (NHW) pooled cohort equation (PCE) for 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk estimation among Hispanic individuals and the non-Hispanic Black (NHB) PCE when African ancestry is present. We studied PCE performance at thresholds of African and European ancestry among US Hispanics. Methods: Hispanic participants from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), ages 44-75 years without diabetes mellitus or prior cardiovascular disease were included. ADMIXTURE software was used to estimate quantile thresholds of continental genetic ancestry (African and European). We compared 10-year survival Kaplan-Meier estimates among Mexican Hispanics, Caribbean Hispanics and Other Hispanics using a log-rank analysis. We calculated the predicted-to-observed (P/O) ASCVD event ratios using the NHW and NHB PCE across quantile threshold of African and European ancestry. Results: 966 MESA Hispanics were stratified into: Mexican (n=504), Caribbean (n=284) or Other Hispanic (n=178). At 10-years, there were 179 ASCVD events [Mexicans (n=107), Caribbean (n=49), Other Hispanic (n=23)]. We observed overestimation using the NHW and NHB PCE as evidenced by P/O ratios >1. Both PCEs performed better (P/O ratios converge toward 1) with increasing quantiles of European Ancestry and performed worse (P/O ratios diverge from 1) with increasing quantiles of African Ancestry. At a greater than 0.7 quantile of African ancestry, a sharp increase in overestimation was recorded for both PCEs. (Fig1A). Though Mexican Hispanics had the lowest ASCVD-free survival probability at 10 years’ time mark, results were not statistically significant. (Fig 1B) Conclusion: We observed overestimation in the 10-year ASCVD risk estimation using the NHW and NHB PCE among Hispanics as evidenced by P/O ratios >1. Both PCEs performed better with increasing quantiles of European ancestry and performed poorly with increasing quantiles of African ancestry.

RISK AND PROTECTIVE FACTORS OF COGNITIVE FUNCTIONING AND DEMENTIA: COMPARING MEXICAN AND NON-MEXICAN HISPANICS

Abstract This study investigates the cognitive functioning of Hispanic individuals aged 65 and above, focusing on the unique risk and protective factors associated with dementia in Mexican Hispanics and non-Mexican Hispanics. The study utilizes data from the Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol (HCAP) subsample of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), comprising 388 Hispanic older individuals who participated in the HCAP in 2016 (traced back to 2000), allowing for a comprehensive examination of cognitive health within this population. Cognitive function was measured using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score and to classify dementia. The findings reveal distinct patterns in cognitive functioning between Mexican Hispanic and non-Mexican Hispanic populations. Mexican Hispanic males exhibit lower MMSE scores across all age groups, while Mexican Hispanic females show slightly higher scores compared to non-Mexican Hispanic females. Education and wealth levels do not significantly affect cognitive scores in either group. Mexican Hispanics have lower odds of dementia compared to non-Mexican Hispanics, even when accounting for sociodemographic, midlife, and late-life characteristics. Both educational attainment and wealth emerge as protective factors against dementia for both groups. Additionally, midlife obesity, hearing loss, and later-life physical inactivity are identified as specific risk factors for dementia in Mexican Hispanics but have an insignificant impact on non-Mexican Hispanics. These findings have implications for targeted interventions and policies to promote cognitive well-being and address health disparities in older Hispanics. The aim is to improve the overall quality of life and achieve equitable healthcare outcomes.

Disparities in Metabolic Conditions and Cancer Characteristics among Hispanic Women with Breast Cancer: A Multi-Institutional Study.

Simple SummaryThis multi-institutional analysis suggests associations of common metabolic conditions with ethnicity among Hispanic patients with breast cancer. Hispanic individuals with breast cancer are diverse and have been historically lumped under one category in research protocols without distinction or reference to their country of origin. This study highlights differences in tumor characteristics and their associations with metabolic conditions among the various Hispanic patients with breast cancer based on their ethnic origins, which should be considered when referencing race and ethnicity. This study supports a more focused approach to addressing obesity and other metabolic conditions in patients with breast cancer within the Hispanic population. In addition, the authors aim to increase awareness regarding the prevalence of common metabolic conditions in the Hispanic population and recommend measures to improve overall health and breast cancer care, including prioritizing lifestyle modifications for Hispanics and other minorities.While the associations of common metabolic conditions with ethnicity have been previously described, disparity among Hispanic individuals based on country of origin is understudied. This multi-institutional analysis explored the prevalence of metabolic conditions and their association with cancer subtypes among Mexican and non-Mexican Hispanics. After IRB approval, we conducted a cross-sectional study at two academic medical centers with a significant Hispanic patient population (Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, TX (TTUHSC-EP) and Cleveland Clinic Florida in Weston, FL (CCF)). A total of n = 1020 self-identified Hispanic patients with breast cancer consecutively diagnosed between 2005 and 2014 were selected from the two institutional databases. Comparisons between Mexican and Non-Mexican Hispanics revealed variations in tumor types and metabolic conditions. Mexican Hispanics were found to have a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus (27.8% vs. 14.2%, p < 0.001), obesity (51.0% vs. 32.5%, p < 0.001), and ductal carcinoma type (86.6 vs. 73.4%, p < 0.001). On the other hand, hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer was more common in non-Mexicans, while Mexicans had more triple-negative breast cancer, especially in premenopausal women. In addition to highlighting these variations among Hispanic patients with breast cancer, this study supports a more focused approach to addressing obesity and other metabolic conditions prevalent in the Hispanic population with breast cancer. Moreover, Hispanic individuals with breast cancer are diverse and should not be lumped under one category without reference to their country of origin regarding the impact of race and ethnicity.

The Caribbean‐American Dementia and Aging Study (CADAS): A multinational initiative to address dementia in Caribbean populations

AbstractBackgroundLatinos represent the fastest growing proportion of dementia cases among different ethnic groups. Most of the studies in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) include Latino populations within the same group, failing to sufficiently account for the real richness of linguistic, ethnic, ancestry, cultural, and socioeconomic diversity represented across Latino communities (e.g., Caribbean‐Hispanic vs Non Caribbean‐Hispanics), yet there is substantial AD disparities and disease heterogeneity among Hispanic groups.MethodsThe Caribbean‐American Dementia and Aging Study (CADAS) is a multinational initiative aimed to answer key questions regarding dementia determinants and consequences in Caribbean‐origin populations in origin communities as well as among emigrant populations in the United States. By building a collaborative team of leading Caribbean and U.S‐based dementia researches, CADAS will analyze differences in dementia prevalence and risk factor profiles between Caribbean‐Hispanics living in the main Hispanic Caribbean Islands and extend comparisons to Hispanic immigrant groups in the US as well as non‐Hispanic whites, exploiting the considerable difference in life course risk exposures across these populations.ResultsPreliminary findings from the CADAS study indicate that prevalence of dementia in the older Caribbean population is high, both in the main islands and in U.S. compared to non‐Hispanic‐whites. We found overall weaker associations between education and dementia probability in the three main Caribbean islands. By contrast, a stronger association between education and dementia probability was found in the US among non‐Hispanic whites, Mexican Hispanics, and non‐Mexican Hispanics; these persist even after controlling for income and wealth.ConclusionsThere are differential associations between SES risk factors, education, and dementia probability between Caribbean islands and the U.S., which may be attributed to differences across societies in risk factors correlated with education. The CADAS study will fill a critical gap in AD knowledge, exploiting rich variation in life‐course exposures to better disentangle genetic versus environmental determinants of dementia levels and disparities. Future studies within this populations will focus on early‐life socioeconomic status, gene by environment interactions and societal cost.

Anti-carbamylated protein antibodies positivity and disease activity in Hispanic patients with established rheumatoid arthritis: An observational study

Objectives We aimed to determine the prevalence of anti-carbamylated protein (anti-CarP) antibodies in Mexican Hispanics with established rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to assess their relationship with disease activity. Methods A cohort study was conducted in 278 patients with established RA during an 18-month follow-up. We measured IgG/IgM/IgA rheumatoid factor (RF), IgG anticitrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) and IgG/IgM/IgA anti-CarP antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). For disease activity, we performed the 28-joint disease activity score with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR). Repeated measures one-way ANOVA was used to test the association between anti-CarP IgG antibody status and longitudinal DAS28-ESR scores. Patients were evaluated at baseline and at 6, 12, and 18 months during follow-up. Results Anti-CarP IgG antibodies were positive in 47.8% of patients and, accounting for all isotypes, in 9.5% of patients with negative RF and ACPA. Triple antibody positivity was present in 42.6% of patients in our sample. Anti-CarP IgG antibody positivity did not show statistically significant differences in mean DAS28-ESR when compared to anti-CarP IgG antibody negative patients at baseline, 6, 12 or 18 months. Conclusion Anti-CarP IgG antibodies are not associated to a higher disease activity in Hispanic patients with established RA. Our findings suggest that the clinical value of measuring anti-CarP antibodies in RA diminishes over time.

Hispanic Racialization, Citizenship, and the Colorado Border Blockade of 1936

Abstract In April of 1936, Governor Edwin “Big Ed” Johnson of Colorado declared martial law in a one-mile strip along the state’s southern border with New Mexico, claiming that an invasion of “aliens and indigents” threatened the well-being of Colorado and its citizens. In addition to literally placing a militarized boundary between the more Anglo state of Colorado and the heavily Hispanic state of New Mexico, Johnson’s blockade also heightened contestations over the social boundary between who belonged and who fell outside of citizenship and belonging. Those crossing the New Mexico-Colorado border for work included Mexican immigrants as well as New Mexican Hispanics who were long-time US citizens, most of whom were racialized as undesirable foreigners by many Anglo residents. Interestingly, during the blockade, many native-born Hispanics in New Mexico and Colorado also characterized Mexican immigrants in a negative light, while simultaneously and vigorously asserting their belonging as Spanish American citizens of the United States. The scholarly literature on the racialization of Hispanics has generally approached Mexican-origin people as a unitary group, explored their racial identity in contrast to Anglos, and, less often, taken into account tensions over racialization as they played out between different Hispanic groups. In response, this article details how Johnson’s blockade contributed to the racialization—by both Anglos and Hispanics—of Mexican immigrants and Hispanics in the Southwest during the New Deal Era. This case study also offers a rare example of a state’s attempt to usurp the federal government’s plenary power over immigration during the twentieth century, a time when the federal government’s control over immigration was relatively unquestioned.

The Association of Race/Ethnicity, Dietary Intake, and Physical Activity with Depression.

This study investigated the association of race/ethnicity, dietary intake, and physical activity with depression and potential other barriers associated with the use of mental health services among depressed people. We used the nationally representative data, 2011-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Depression status was defined using a Patient Health Questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regressions were conducted on depression status and the use of mental health specialists among depressed adults, accounting for the complex sampling design. The prevalence of depression was 8.3% with substantial racial/ethnic differences (8.0% for white, 3.1% for Asian, 9.2% for black, 7.6% for Mexican Hispanics, 13.0% for other Hispanics). Good/acceptable diet and a high level of physical activity were negatively associated with depression. Among depressed people, no significant racial/ethnic differences were observed in using mental health specialists. Prevalence for depression was lower among people who have good or acceptable diet and moderate physical activity. These modifiable factors as well as race/ethnicity should be incorporated into psychotherapeutic interventions to improve depression.

EPID-12. IMPACT OF RACE AND GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION ON IDH MUTATIONS AND GLIOBLASTOMA SURVIVAL

Abstract Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary malignant brain tumor of the central nervous system with a 5-year survival of &lt; 5%. Population studies have demonstrated that among all ethnicities, non-Hispanic whites (NHW) have the worst prognosis; however, differences within the oncogenome based on ethnicity have not been assessed. We utilized the Texas Cancer Registry (TCR) for population-based analysis including 4,134 GBM patients between the years of 1995 to 2013 with 75.6% NHW and 16.5% Hispanics. In accordance with previously published findings, within the TCR we detected a 12% relative survival improvement in Hispanics compared to NHW when controlling for known survival mediators including age, resection, chemotherapy, and radiation. In order to assess for oncogenic differences, we utilized a prospectively maintained database of 257 GBM patients within the city of Houston, TX (14.9% Hispanic) and 48 GBM patients from the National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery in Mexico City, Mexico (100% Hispanic) to assess for oncogenomic differences attributable to ethnicity. Next generation sequencing of GBM within the Houston cohort, for 315 tumor-related genes, identified no significant differences in genomic alterations owing to ethnicity. However, when we compared the multigenerational, mixed-heritage Hispanics present in the Houston cohort to the Mexico cohort (Sanger sequencing), a significant difference was found in the frequency of IDH1and IDH2mutations (29.8 % Mexico Hispanics, 7.9% Houston Hispanics; p=0.014). In particular, the rate of IDH2mutations is significantly enriched in the Mexico population (19%) when compared to the Houston population (0%) or to previously published rates of IDH2 mutations in GBM (~3%). Ultimately, these findings highlight the need for multiethnic trial enrollment as well as the need for improved testing of IDH2 mutations in patients of distinct ethnicities. Future studies are needed to identify the mechanisms promoting the increased frequency of IDH2 mutations in Mexican Hispanics.

Effect of Sociodemographics, Health-Related Problems, and Family Structure on Chronic Absenteeism Among Children.

From 5 to 7.5 million schoolchildren are chronically absent, defined as missing ≥15 days of school within a year. Students miss schools due to various reasons such as health, socioeconomic status, and environmental factors. We examined child's health and behavior, family structure, and sociodemographics to understand chronic absenteeism. The population included children ages 6 to 17 years from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey years 2008-2013. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to identify the risk factors of chronic absenteeism, adjusting for the complex sampling design. Among sociodemographic variables, age ≥14 years, race/ethnicity, lower-income family, public health insurance, US born, and speaking English at home were associated with absenteeism. Asians, Mexican Hispanics, and blacks have lower absenteeism than whites. Among health-related variables, children using an inhaler for asthma, having behavioral problems, and less healthy than other children were more likely to be chronically absent. Among family variables, a smaller family size was a risk factor for absenteeism. Asthma and behavioral problems were highly associated with chronic absenteeism. The identification of children at risk for chronic absenteeism will help the educational professionals identify the barriers to academic achievements and develop integrated educational interventions and policies to support disadvantaged children.

Frequency of the T307A, N680S, and -29G>A single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor in Mexican subjects of Hispanic ancestry

BackgroundFSHR SNPs may influence the ovarian sensitivity to endogenous and exogenous FSH stimulation. Given the paucity of data on the FSHR c.919A > G, c.2039A > G and − 29G > A SNPs in Hispanic population, we here analyzed their frequency distribution in Mexican mestizo women.MethodsSamples from 224 Mexican mestizo women enrolled in an IVF program as well as a genotype database from 8182 Mexican mestizo subjects, were analyzed for FSHR SNPs at positions c.919, c.2039 and − 29G > A. Association between the genetic variants and reproductive outcomes was assessed.ResultsThe c.919 and c.2039 SNPs were in strong linkage disequilibrium and their corresponding genotype frequencies in the IVF group were: AA 46.8%, AG 44.2%, and GG 8.9%, and AA 41.9%, AG 48.2% and GG 9.8%, respectively. For the -29G > A SNP, genotype frequencies were 27% (GG), 50% (GA) and 23% (AA). In normal oocyte donors with the c.2039 GG genotype, the number of oocytes recovered after ovarian stimulation (COS) were significantly (p < 0.01) lower than in those bearing other genotypes in this or the -29G > A SNP. Analysis of the large scale database revealed that both allelic and genotype frequencies for the three SNPs were very similar to those detected in the IVF cohort (p ≥ 0.38) and that female carriers of the c.2039 G allele tended to present lower number of pregnancies than women bearing the AA genotype; this trend was stronger when women with more Native American ancestry was separately analyzed (OR = 2.0, C.I. 95% 1.03–3.90, p = 0.04). There were no differences or trends in the number of pregnancies among the different genotypes of the -29G > A SNP.ConclusionsThe frequency of the GG/GG combination genotype for the c.919 and c.2039 SNPs in Mexican hispanics is among the lowest reported. The GG genotype is associated with decreased number of oocytes recovered in response to COS as well as to lower pregnancy rates in Hispanic women from the general population. The absence of any effect of the -29AA genotype on the response to COS, indicates that there is no need to perform this particular genotype testing in Hispanic women with the purpose of providing an individually-tailored COS protocol.

Validity of the Hispanic version of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Foot and Ankle Outcomes Questionnaire in patients with traumatic foot and ankle injuries.

Background:Hispanics represent the largest minority group in the United States and are projected to represent 29% of the US population by 2060. Enrolling Hispanic patients in clinical outcome trials is critical to study a representative sample of the general population. Lack of translated and validated survey tools has been identified as a major barrier to enrolling Spanish speaking patients. The purpose of this validation study was to study the correlation between the Spanish translation of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Foot and Ankle Outcomes questionnaire (AAOS-FAOQ) and the Spanish versions of the Foot Function Index (FFI) and the Foot Health Status Questionnaire (FHSQ) in Hispanics from Mexican lineage with traumatic foot and ankle injuries.Methods:A cross-sectional validation study in 36 Hispanic patients from Mexican lineage with foot and ankle injuries was performed. The Hispanic version of the AAOS-FAOQ and the Spanish translations of the FAOQ, FHSQ, FFI, and the Short-Form 36 questionnaire (SF-36) were distributed among all patients. Subsequent statistical analysis correlating the Hispanic version of the AAOS-FAOQ to the FFI, FHSQ, and SF-36 was performed. Additional analysis on the Hispanic AAOS-FAOQ included test–retest reliability and internal consistency.Results:The Hispanic AAOS-FAOQ Global Foot and Ankle subscale showed statistically significant (P < .05) correlations with 5 of 8 subscales of the FHSQ, the FFI, and the Physical Component Summary subscale of the SF-36. The AAOS-FAOQ Global Foot & Ankle Scale also demonstrated a test–retest reliability of 0.736 and a strong internal consistency.Conclusions:This study further validates AAOS-FAOQ in Mexican Hispanics by showing strong correlations with the validated Spanish versions of the FFI and FHSQ.

Divergence and convergence in cause-specific premature adult mortality in Mexico and US Mexican Hispanics from 1995 to 2015: analyses of 4.9 million individual deaths

BackgroundMexicans and US Mexican Hispanics share modifiable determinants of premature mortality. We compared trends in mortality at ages 30–69 in Mexico and among US Mexican Hispanics from 1995 to 2015.MethodsWe examined nationally representative statistics on 4.2 million Mexican and 0.7 million US deaths to examine cause-specific mortality. We used lung cancer indexed methods to estimate smoking-attributable deaths stratified by high and lower burden Mexican states.ResultsIn 1995–99, Mexican men had about 30% higher relative risk of death from all causes than US Mexican Hispanic men, and this difference nearly doubled to 58% by 2010–15. The divergence between Mexican and US Mexican Hispanic women over this time period was less marked. Among US Mexican Hispanics, declines in the risk of smoking-attributable death constituted about 25–30% of the declines in the overall risk of death. However, among Mexican men the declines in the risk of smoking-attributable deaths were offset by increases in causes of death not due to smoking. Homicide rates (mostly from guns) rose among men in Mexico from 2005 to 2010, but not among Mexican women or US Mexican Hispanic men or women. The probability at 30–69 years of death from cardiac disease diverged significantly between Mexicans and US Mexican Hispanics, reaching 10% and 5% for men, and 7% and 2% for women, respectively.ConclusionsLarge differences in premature mortality between otherwise genetically and culturally similar groups arise from a few modifiable factors, most notably smoking, untreated diabetes and homicide.

Moderate and Severe Blood Pressure Elevation Associated with Stroke in the Mexican Hispanic Population.

Background:Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in US. Amongst other factors such as age, sex, race, genetics, obesity, diabetes etc., hypertension continues to be the leading contributing factor towards stroke. Studies regarding stroke in Hispanics are sparse and inconclusive.Objectives:The objective of the present study is to investigate the potential association between blood pressure elevation and risk of ischemic stroke among the Mexican Hispanic population.Methods:A retrospective data analysis was carried out for a planned case-control study with case-control ratios of 1:2. Mexican Hispanic cases were from the ElPasoStroke database with diagnosed hypertension that had sustained an ischemic stroke (n = 505) and Mexican Hispanics diagnosed with hypertension who were stroke-free as controls from the 2005–2010 NHANES databases (n = 1010). In this analysis, we included subjects who had data on systolic, diastolic or mean arterial blood pressures for cases (327) and controls (772). In cases, blood pressure was determined by the initial admission measurement, and in controls, the first measured blood pressure was used. The unadjusted and adjusted effects of continuous measurements of systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure on stroke were determined using logistic regression analyses. Subjects were further classified into groups based on prehypertension and hypertension ranges, as established by the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC7). Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models were also used to determine the effect of categorized blood pressures.Results:Our data indicate that per unit increase in systolic, diastolic or mean arterial blood pressure elevates the odds of stroke among the Mexican Hispanic population. Adjusted analysis of categorized blood pressures showed that mild or moderate/severe high blood pressure significantly associated with odds of stroke. Maintaining and controlling blood pressure at more stringent and lower levels, specifically lowering mean arterial pressure may effectively reduce the odds of ischemic stroke among the Mexican Hispanic population.Conclusion:Elevation of blood pressure increases the odds of stroke among the Mexican Hispanic population. Our results provide new strategies to manage the stroke prevention and health disparity issues among the Mexican Hispanic population.

Detection of autoantibodies to DSF70/LEDGFp75 in Mexican Hispanics using multiple complementary assay platforms

PurposeAntinuclear autoantibodies (ANA) targeting the dense fine speckled antigen DFS70, also known as lens epithelium-derived growth factor p75 (LEDGF/p75), are attracting attention due to their low frequency in systemic rheumatic diseases but increased frequency in clinical laboratory referrals and healthy individuals (HI). These ANA specifically recognize the stress protein DFS70/LEDGFp75, implicated in cancer, HIV-AIDS, and inflammation. While their frequency has been investigated in various ethnic populations, there is little information on their frequency among Hispanics/Latinos. In this study, we determined the frequency of anti-DFS70/LEDGFp75 autoantibodies in Mexican Hispanics using multiple detection platforms.MethodsThe frequency of anti-DFS70/LEDGFp75 antibodies was determined in 171 individuals, including 71 dermatomyositis (DM) patients, 47 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, 30 obesity (OB) patients, and 23 HI. Antibody detection was achieved using four complementary assay platforms: indirect immunofluorescence, Western blotting, ELISA, and chemiluminescent immunoassay.ResultsWe detected relatively low frequencies of anti-DFS70/LEDGFp75 antibodies in patients with DM (1.4%), RA (4.3%), and OB (6.6%), and elevated frequency (17.4%) in HI. A strong concordance between the different antibody detection platforms was observed.ConclusionsThe low frequency of anti-DFS70/LEDGFp75 antibodies in Mexican patients with rheumatic diseases, but relatively higher frequency in HI, is consistent with previous observations with non-Hispanic populations, suggesting that geographic differences or ethnicity do not influence the frequency of these autoantibodies. Our results also highlight the importance of confirmatory assays for the accurate detection of these autoantibodies. Future studies with larger cohorts of healthy Hispanics/Latinos are needed to confirm if their anti-DFS70/LEDGFp75 antibody frequencies are significantly higher than in non-Hispanics.

Pain-Related Symptom Reporting Among Hispanics: Implications for Forensic Psychological Evaluations

Competent forensic psychologists constantly pursue the understanding of cultural differences. The purposes of this paper were to describe and explain the literature regarding the influences of the Hispanic culture on reports of pain-related symptoms and disabilities, and to illustrate ways in which culture-specific factors can impact a forensic psychological evaluation that includes malingering identification. The reviewed literature indicates that, as a group, Hispanics do not consistently differ from other ethnic groups on pain-related symptom reports. However, when examining culture-specific indicators, individuals from a Puerto Rican background and those with high acculturation to the American culture tend to report more pain and psychological distress than non-Hispanic Whites and other Hispanic subgroups. Additionally, language barriers and cultural-structured views of health and illness seem to hinder help-seeking options among the Mexican and less-acculturated Hispanics. Based on these results, we discuss a number of recommendations to make forensic psychological evaluations more sensitive to differences in acculturation and country of heritage. By taking these within-culture characteristics into consideration, the forensic psychologist can most accurately comprehend the meanings associated with the Hispanic client’s pain-related experience.

Molecular Characterization of Mexican HIV-1 Vif Sequences.

The viral infectivity factor (Vif) is an HIV accessory protein that counteracts host antiviral proteins of the APOBEC3 family. Accumulating evidence highlights the pivotal role that accessory HIV proteins have on disease pathogenesis, a fact that has made them targets of interest for novel therapeutic and preventive strategies. Little is known about Vif sequence diversity outside of African or white populations. Mexico is home to Americas' third largest HIV-affected population and Mexican Hispanics represent an ever-increasing U.S. minority. This study provides a detailed analysis of the diversity seen in 77 Mexican Vif protein sequences. Phylogenetic analysis shows that most sequences cluster with HIV-1 subtype B, while less than 10% exhibit greater similarity to subtype D and A subtypes. Although most functional motifs are conserved among the Mexican sequences, substantial diversity was seen in some APOBEC binding sites, the nuclear localization inhibitory signal, and the CBFβ interaction sites.

Postcranial sex estimation criteria for Mexican Hispanics.

Population-specific reference data are necessary for sex estimation in forensic anthropological practice. Currently, there are no population-specific data for Hispanics equivalent to data available for American Blacks and Whites. Individuals of Mexican origin represent the largest group of Hispanics in the United States (Spradley and Jantz. 2011. J Forensic Sci;56:289). This paper presents new population-specific sex estimation criteria for postcranial measurements for Mexican Hispanics. Metric data come from positively identified border-crossing fatalities at the Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner and documented cemetery collections curated at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México and Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán. Stepwise variable selection procedures and discriminant function analyses were utilized to generate classification functions for postcrania. Sectioning points were also created for select measurements. Both the cross-validated classification rates and sectioning points achieved accuracy rates as high as 95% and 92%, respectively. These new criteria will improve sex estimation for US Mexico border crossers and Hispanics in the US.

Vitamin D Intake among adults of varying age, race, and gender (1041.1)

Vitamin D deficiency is a significant problem in the United States, especially among older adults. The objectives of this studywere to determine if age, gender, and race influence vitamin D intake and to determine if varying degrees of vitamin D inadequacy exist in adults. Secondary data analyses were performed on 1,065 adults (&gt;41 years) in the 2009‐2010 NHANES data set. We found that Mexican Hispanics had significantly higher vitamin D intake levels compared to Non‐Hispanic Whites (p=.003, 2‐tailed). Analysis also showed that there was a significant difference in the vitamin D intake levels among males (0.6 ‐ 38.6 mcg/d) and females (5.6 ‐ 43.2 mcg/d), p&lt;.001. There was no relationship between vitamin D intake and age. The findings suggest that the mean intake of vitamin D for age, race, and gender where all above the RDA (15 mcg/d), but the min ‐ max ranges for all participants in the study suggest some individuals were well above the RDA for vitamin D while others were well below that threshold. Much of the current research on vitamin D is showing a correlation between deficiency and all‐cause mortality. Further research is needed to confirm this correlation.