Mexican Individuals Research Articles

Physical Activity Levels in U.S. Latino/Hispanic Adults: Results From the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos.

Physical activity (PA) prevalence among U.S. Latino/Hispanic adults of diverse backgrounds is not well known. This study describes PA among a representative sample of U.S. Latino/Hispanic adults. A population-based cohort of Hispanic/Latino adults (aged 18-74 years) participating in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos from March 2008 to June 2011 (N=16,415) was recruited in four urban areas from Miami, the Bronx, Chicago, and San Diego. Participants wore an Actical hip accelerometer for 1 week (n=12,253) and completed the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (n=15,741). Data were analyzed in 2015. Based on accelerometry, Hispanics/Latinos engaged in 23.8 minutes/day (10.3 minutes/day when only considering minutes from sustained 10-minute bouts) of moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA). Individuals of Puerto Rican and Dominican background had the most minutes/day of MVPA (32.1 and 29.1, respectively), whereas those of Cuban background had the fewest (15.3). Based on the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire, 65% of Hispanic/Latinos met the aerobic component of 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Men and individuals of Puerto Rican background had the most minutes/day of leisure-time MVPA (30.3 and 30.2, respectively). Individuals of Puerto Rican and Dominican background had the most minutes/day of transportation-related PA (48.7 and 39.7, respectively). Individuals of Mexican and Central American background had the most minutes/day of work-related MVPA (90.7 and 93.2, respectively). Among Hispanics/Latinos, self-reported data provided information on the type of PA and helped explain variability identified from accelerometer-assessed PA. These findings highlight variability in PA among Hispanics from diverse ethnic backgrounds.

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Objective: To assess the agreement and reproducibility of the non-invasive measurement of the central systolic blood pressure (cSBP), second systolic shoulder (SYS2), and augmentation index (AIx) with the OMRON HEM-9000AI.Design and method: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 36 healthy Mexican individuals. The cSBP, SYS2, and AIx were measured. All values are expressed as mean ± SD; the correlation was analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient and the Bland Altman method for agreement. All p-values were two-tailed, and p<0.05 was accepted as statistically significant. Results: The mean age of participants was 20.6 ± 1.6 years, mean BMI was 23.5 ± 3.5 and mean waist circumference was 82.5 ± 9.3 cm. Good correlation between the first and second measurements was exhibited by cSBP (r2 Pearson = 0.680), SYS2 (r2 Pearson = 0.680), and AIx (r2 Pearson = 0.675) (p < 0.001 for all). The Bland–Altman plots of the first and second SYS2 and AIx measurements also demonstrated good agreement (respective mean differences: 2.4 ± 6.07 mmHg and 0.029 ± 8.39%). Figure 1. Conclusions: The results obtained demonstrate that there are strong and significant correlations between the first and second measurements of cSBP, SYS2, and AIx, respectively.

Suppression of the Ornamental Invasive Mexican Petunia (Ruellia simplex) by Native Species

Mexican petunia ( Ruellia simplex ) is a commonly planted herbaceous ornamental known for densely invading floodplain forests in the southeastern United States. While the use of herbicides is a typical management approach, revegetation strategies are needed not only to restore the native plant community, but also to limit reinvasion. We identified four native species appropriate for floodplain revegetation in Florida, US: bushy bluestem ( Andropogon glomeratus ), common rush ( Juncus effusus ), redtop panicgrass ( Coleataenia longifolia sp. longifolia ), and pinebarren goldenrod ( Solidago fistulosa ). In a controlled greenhouse container study, we investigated competition between Mexican petunia and native species compositions grown from seeds under varying hydrologic conditions and seeding densities. Results showed that number of Mexican petunia individuals and biomass decreased when seeded together with either pinebarren goldenrod or a mix of four native species (bushy bluestem, common rush, redtop panicgrass, and pinebarren goldenrod). Pinebarren goldenrod and bushy bluestem had a short establishment period (2–4 weeks), similar to Mexican petunia (2–5 weeks). Data from this container study suggests that revegetation with these native species could effectively compete with and suppress Mexican petunia in field conditions.

Frequency of SMN1 deletion carriers in a Mestizo population of central and northeastern Mexico: A pilot study.

Individuals who suffer from spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) exhibit progressive muscle weakness that frequently results in mortality in the most severe forms of the disease. In 98% of cases, there is a homozygous deletion of the survival of motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene, and both parents carry the same heterozygous genetic abnormality in the majority of cases. Various population studies have been conducted to estimate the frequency of carriers and thereby identify the communities or countries in which children are at a high risk of being affected by SMA. However, the prevalence of SMA in Mexican populations has not yet been established. In the present pilot study, the frequency of the heterozygous deletion of the SMN1 gene was determined in two groups from northeastern (n=287) and central (n=133) Mexican Mestizo populations and compared with other ethnic populations. Amplification refractory mutation system polymerase chain reaction analysis yielded a disease carrier frequency of 11/420 (2.62%) healthy individuals, comprising 9/287 (3.14%) northeastern and 2/133 (1.5%) central Mexican individuals. In summary, no significant differences were identified between the northeastern and central populations of Mexico and other ethnic populations, with the exception of the general worldwide Hispanic population, which exhibited the lowest carrier frequency of 8/1,030. The results of the present study may be used to improve the evaluation procedure, and appear to justify further studies involving larger sample populations.

Pharmacogenomic assessment of Mexican and Peruvian populations.

Clinically relevant polymorphisms often demonstrate population-specific allele frequencies. Central and South America remain largely uncategorized in the context of pharmacogenomics. We assessed 15 polymorphisms from 12 genes (ABCB1 3435C>T, ABCG2 Q141K, CYP1B1*3, CYP2C19*2, CYP3A4*1B, CYP3A5*3C, ERCC1 N118N, ERCC2 K751Q, GSTP1 I105V, TPMT 238G>C, TPMT 460G>A, TPMT 719A>G, TYMS TSER, UGT1A1*28 and UGT1A1-3156G>A) in 81 Peruvian and 95 Mexican individuals. Six polymorphism frequencies differed significantly between the two populations: ABCB1 3435C>T, CYP1B1*3, GSTP1 I105V, TPMT 460G>A, UGT1A1*28 and UGT1A1 -3156G>A. The pattern of observed allele frequencies for all polymorphisms could not be accurately estimated from any single previously studied population. This highlights the need to expand the scope of geographic data for use in pharmacogenomics studies.

Interleukin-17A gene haplotypes are associated with risk of premature coronary artery disease in Mexican patients from the Genetics of Atherosclerotic Disease (GEA) study.

AimThe role of interleukin 17A (IL-17A) in the inflammatory process has caused interest in the potential significance of IL-17A as a biomarker for coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of IL-17A gene polymorphisms as susceptibility markers for CAD in the Mexican population.MethodsFour IL-17A gene polymorphisms (rs8193036, rs3819024, rs2275913 and rs8193037) were genotyped by 5’ exonuclease TaqMan assays in a group of 900 patients with premature CAD and 667 healthy controls (with negative calcium score by computed tomography), seeking associations with CAD and other metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors using logistic regression analyses.ResultsNo single IL-17A polymorphism was associated with premature CAD, however two haplotypes (CAGG and TAGA) were significantly associated with increased risk of premature CAD (OR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.00–1.84, P = 0.018 and OR = 2.09, 95% CI: 1.16–3.76, P = 0.003, respectively). Moreover, rs3819024 was associated with increased levels of visceral abdominal fat (P = 0.002) and rs8193036 was significantly associated with risk of central obesity (P = 0.020), hypertriglyceridemia (P = 0.027), and metabolic syndrome (P = 0.027) in the premature CAD group, under dominant models adjusted by age, gender, BMI, smoking history, alcohol consumption, and treatment.ConclusionThe results suggest that IL-17A haplotypes are involved in the risk of developing premature CAD and some IL-17A polymorphisms are associated with cardiovascular risk factors in Mexican individuals with premature CAD.

A genetic risk score is associated with hepatic triglyceride content and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in Mexicans with morbid obesity

Background and aimsGenome-wide association studies have identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) near/in PNPLA3, NCAN, LYPLAL1, PPP1R3B, and GCKR genes associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) mainly in individuals of European ancestry. The aim of the study was to test whether these genetic variants and a genetic risk score (GRS) are associated with elevated liver fat content and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in Mexicans with morbid obesity. Methods130 morbidly obese Mexican individuals were genotyped for six SNPs in/near PNPLA3, NCAN, LYPLAL1, PPP1R3B, and GCKR genes. Hepatic fat content [triglyceride (HTG) and total cholesterol (HTC)] was quantified directly in liver biopsies and NASH was diagnosed by histology. A GRS was tested for association with liver fat content and NASH using logistic regression models. In addition, 95 ancestry-informative markers were genotyped to estimate population admixture proportions. ResultsAfter adjusting for age, sex and admixture, PNPLA3, LYPLAL1, GCKR and PPP1R3B polymorphisms were associated with higher HTG content (P<0.05 for PNPLA3, LYPLAL1, GCKR polymorphisms and P=0.086 for PPP1R3B). The GRS was significantly associated with higher HTG and HTC content (P=1.0×10−4 and 0.048, respectively), steatosis stage (P=0.029), and higher ALT levels (P=0.002). Subjects with GRS ≥6 showed a significantly increased risk of NASH (OR=2.55, P=0.045) compared to those with GRS ≤5. However, the GRS did not predict NASH status, as AUC of ROC curves was 0.56 (P=0.219). ConclusionNAFLD associated loci in Europeans and a GRS based on these loci contribute to the accumulation of hepatic lipids and NASH in morbidly obese Mexican individuals.

Normative and standardized data for cognitive measures in the Mexican Health and Aging Study.

To describe the cognitive instrument used in the Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS) in Mexican individuals aged 60 and over and to provide normative values for the Cross Cultural Cognitive Examination test and its modified versions (CCCE). The CCCE was administered to 5,120 subjects as part of a population-based sample free of neurologic and psychiatric disease from the MHAS 2012 survey. Normative data were generated by age and education for each test in the cognitive instrument as well as for the total cognition score. Pearson correlations and analysis of variance were used to examine the relationship of scores to demographic variables. Results present standardized normed scores for eight cognitive domains: orientation, attention, verbal learning memory, verbal recall memory, visuospatial abilities, visual memory, executive function, and numeracy in three education groups within three age groups. These findings highlight the need for population-based norms for the CCCE, which has been used in population-based studies. Demographic factors such as age and education must be considered when interpreting the cognitive measures.

The relationship between facial shape asymmetry and attractiveness in Mexican students

It has been postulated that symmetric faces are considered more attractive than asymmetric ones because symmetry may signal high quality due to developmental stability. However, other studies showed that both symmetric and slightly asymmetric faces are considered attractive. Here we aim to explore this discrepancy, beginning with the analysis of the normal prevalence of facial symmetry in a population as a necessary first step prior to any attractiveness assessment. We collected facial landmarks from two-dimensional digital images of a sample of Mexican individuals (280 females and 285 males aged 18-68 years) that were analyzed using geometric morphometric methods. Then, we chose a subsample of 100 photographs (50 females and 50 males aged 18-27 years) selected to represent a broad range of asymmetrical variation, in order to evaluate attractiveness using a sex-opposite test. Finally, we analyzed the linear correlation between attractiveness and asymmetry. We found that every evaluated subject presents some degree of facial asymmetry, and that both fluctuating asymmetry and directional asymmetry were significant (P < 0.0001) components of total facial asymmetry. Fluctuating asymmetry was slightly associated with age (r = 0.0858, P = 0.0414) and there were no differences between geographical regions (P = 0.413). Attractiveness was not correlated to levels of asymmetry in either sex (males: P = 0.0973; females P = 0.7415). Asymmetry was a prevalent feature in the present sample, and preferences for symmetric faces were not operating in the studied population.

Cigarette Smoking and Depressive Symptoms Among Hispanic/Latino Adults: Results From the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL).

In the present study, we investigated associations among cigarette smoking, smoking cessation treatment, and depressive symptoms in Hispanic/Latino adults. The multisite prospective population-based Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) enrolled a cohort of Hispanic/Latino adults (aged 18-74) from diverse backgrounds (n = 16,412) in 4U.S. communities (Chicago, San Diego, Miami, and Bronx). Households were selected using a stratified 2-stage probability sampling design and door-to-door recruitment, and sampling weights calibrated to the 2010U.S. Population Census. Hispanic/Latino individuals of Dominican, Central American, South American, Cuban, Mexican, and Puerto Rican background were considered. Cigarette smoking, smoking cessation treatment, and depressive symptoms were measured by self-report. Results indicated that current smokers had greater odds for significant depressive symptoms (CES-D score ≥ 10) than never smokers in all Hispanic background groups [odds ratio (OR) > 1.5]. Depressed persons were not more likely to receive prescribed smoking cessation medications from a doctor (OR = 1.43, 95% CI = 0.98-2.08), take over-the-counter medications (OR = 1.11, 95% CI = 0.75-1.66), or receive psychotherapy (OR = 1.02, 95% CI = 0.57-1.85). In conclusion, these findings suggest that the positive association between smoking status and depressive symptoms is present in all examined Hispanic/Latino background groups.

Haplotypes of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene are associated with coronary artery disease but not with restenosis after coronary stenting

The aim of the present study was to establish the role of ACE gene polymorphisms in the risk of developing in-stent restenosis and/or coronary artery disease (CAD). Eight ACE gene polymorphisms were genotyped by 5′ exonuclease TaqMan genotyping assays in 236 patients with CAD who underwent coronary artery stenting. Basal and procedure coronary angiographies were analyzed searching for angiographic predictors of restenosis and follow-up angiography was analyzed looking for binary restenosis. A group of 455 individuals without clinical and familial antecedents of cardiovascular diseases were included as controls. Haplotypes were constructed after linkage disequilibrium analysis. Distribution of ACE polymorphisms was similar in patients with and without restenosis. Similar results were observed when the analysis was made comparing the whole group of patients (with and without restenosis) and healthy controls. Six out of eight polymorphisms were in high linkage disequilibrium and were included in five haplotypes (AAAGCA, GGGATG, GAGATG, AGAGCA and AAGACA). The distribution of these haplotypes was similar in patients with and without restenosis. However, CAD patients showed an increased frequency of the AAAGCA haplotype (OR=1.31, 95% CI: 1.04–1.66, P=0.018) and decreased frequencies of GAGATG (OR=0.47, 95% CI: 0.25–0.88, P=0.011) and AGAGCA (OR=0.15, 95% CI: 0.02–0.65, P=0.002) haplotypes when compared to healthy controls. Haplotypes of the ACE gene could be a genetic factor related to coronary artery disease in the Mexican individuals, but do not support its role as a risk factor for developing restenosis after coronary stenting.

Association of a low-frequency variant in HNF1A with type 2 diabetes in a Latino population.

Latino populations have one of the highest prevalences of type 2 diabetes worldwide. To investigate the association between rare protein-coding genetic variants and prevalence of type 2 diabetes in a large Latino population and to explore potential molecular and physiological mechanisms for the observed relationships. Whole-exome sequencing was performed on DNA samples from 3756 Mexican and US Latino individuals (1794 with type 2 diabetes and 1962 without diabetes) recruited from 1993 to 2013. One variant was further tested for allele frequency and association with type 2 diabetes in large multiethnic data sets of 14,276 participants and characterized in experimental assays. Prevalence of type 2 diabetes. Secondary outcomes included age of onset, body mass index, and effect on protein function. A single rare missense variant (c.1522G>A [p.E508K]) was associated with type 2 diabetes prevalence (odds ratio [OR], 5.48; 95% CI, 2.83-10.61; P = 4.4 × 10(-7)) in hepatocyte nuclear factor 1-α (HNF1A), the gene responsible for maturity onset diabetes of the young type 3 (MODY3). This variant was observed in 0.36% of participants without type 2 diabetes and 2.1% of participants with it. In multiethnic replication data sets, the p.E508K variant was seen only in Latino patients (n = 1443 with type 2 diabetes and 1673 without it) and was associated with type 2 diabetes (OR, 4.16; 95% CI, 1.75-9.92; P = .0013). In experimental assays, HNF-1A protein encoding the p.E508K mutant demonstrated reduced transactivation activity of its target promoter compared with a wild-type protein. In our data, carriers and noncarriers of the p.E508K mutation with type 2 diabetes had no significant differences in compared clinical characteristics, including age at onset. The mean (SD) age for carriers was 45.3 years (11.2) vs 47.5 years (11.5) for noncarriers (P = .49) and the mean (SD) BMI for carriers was 28.2 (5.5) vs 29.3 (5.3) for noncarriers (P = .19). Using whole-exome sequencing, we identified a single low-frequency variant in the MODY3-causing gene HNF1A that is associated with type 2 diabetes in Latino populations and may affect protein function. This finding may have implications for screening and therapeutic modification in this population, but additional studies are required.

PNPLA3 I148M polymorphism is associated with elevated alanine transaminase levels in Mexican Indigenous and Mestizo populations

The patatin like phospholipase domain-containing (PNPLA3) I148M variant is the strongest genetic factor associated with elevated alanine transaminase (ALT) levels in different populations, particularly in Hispanics who have the highest 148M risk allele frequency reported to date. It has been suggested that Indigenous ancestry is associated with higher ALT levels in Mexicans. The aim of the present study was to assess the frequency of the PNPLA3 148M risk allele in Mexican indigenous and Mestizo individuals, and to examine its association with serum ALT levels. The study included a total of 1624 Mexican individuals: 919 Indigenous subjects from five different native groups and 705 Mexican Mestizo individuals (141 cases with ALT levels ≥ 40 U/L and 564 controls with ALT <40 U/L). The I148M polymorphism was genotyped by TaqMan assays. The frequency of elevated ALT levels in Indigenous populations was 18.7%, and varied according to obesity status: 14.4% in normal weight, 19.9% in overweight and 24.5% in obese individuals. The Mexican indigenous populations showed the highest reported frequency of the PNPLA3 148M risk allele (mean 0.73). The M148M genotype was significantly associated with elevated ALT levels in indigenous individuals (OR = 3.15, 95 % CI 1.91-5.20; P = 7.1 × 10(-6)) and this association was confirmed in Mexican Mestizos (OR = 2.24, 95% CI 1.50-3.33; P = 8.1 × 10(-5)). This is the first study reporting the association between M148M genotype and elevated ALT levels in Indigenous Mexican populations. The 148M allele risk may be considered an important risk factor for liver damage in Mexican indigenous and Mestizo populations.

Association of the interleukin 15 (IL-15) gene polymorphisms with the risk of developing ulcerative colitis in Mexican individuals

Interleukin 15 (IL-15) is a Th1-related cytokine that triggers inflammatory cell recruitment with implications for pathogenesis in ulcerative colitis. The IL-15 gene is located within a 35 kb region of the q28-31 locus of chromosome 4. In the present work, the role of IL-15 gene polymorphisms as susceptibility markers for UC was evaluated. Seven polymorphisms of IL-15 (rs3806798, rs10833, rs4956403, rs2254514, rs2857261, rs10519613, and rs1057972) were genotyped by 5' exonuclease TaqMan genotyping assays in a group of 199 Mexican patients with UC and 698 Mexican Mestizo healthy unrelated individuals. UC patients and healthy controls showed similar distribution of the rs3806798, rs10833, rs4956403, rs2857261, rs10519613, and rs1057972 polymorphisms. The rs2254514 polymorphism was significantly associated with decreased risk of UC as compared to controls under both dominant and additive models (OR 0.62, Pdom = 0.014 and OR 0.65, Padd = 0.02). The rs2254514 CC genotype was associated with young age at diagnosis <40 years (P = 0.03; OR 3.67). Five polymorphisms (rs1051613, rs2254514, rs2857261, rs1057972, and rs10833) were in strong linkage disequilibrium and were included in six haplotypes: H1 (ACAAC), H2 (CCGTC), H3 (CTAAT), H4 (CCAAT), H5 (CTAAC), and H6 (CCAAC). UC patients showed an increased frequency of the H6 haplotype (P = 0.005; OR 3.2) and a decreased frequency of the H5 haplotype (P = 0.031; OR 0.40). These results suggest that the IL-15 rs2254514 polymorphism might have an important role in the development of UC in the Mexican population. We were able to distinguish one risk and one protective uncommon haplotype for the development of UC.

Performance of MDRD-IDMS and CKD-EPI equations in Mexican individuals with normal renal function.

&nbsp;The performance of the CKD-EPI and MDRD formulae for estimating glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in patients of Hispanic origin with normal renal function has been poorly explored and requires validation in Mexico.&nbsp; &nbsp;We included previously healthy Mexican adults. We obtained clinical variables and determined serum creatinine to calculate the CKD-EPI and MDRD-IDMS formulae. These results were compared with the gold standard (GFR measured by Tc99DTPA). We evaluated other clinical variables that could affect the performance of the CKD-EPI formula.&nbsp; &nbsp;A total of 97 healthy volunteers were included, 55 males and 42 females; the mean age was 35.8 years old (18 to 73). Mean creatinine was 0.76mg/dl (&plusmn;0.18). CKD-EPI performance was significantly better than MDRD-IDMS in all comparisons (bias, correlation and accuracy). The bias difference between the formulae was 6.08ml/min/1.73m2&nbsp;(95% CI 2.58 to 9.58) (p&lt;.001). Individuals with a body mass index (BMI) above 25kg/m2&nbsp;displayed a better performance than the group with a lower BMI (difference of means 7.39ml/min/1.73m2;&nbsp;95% CI 1.17 to 13.6 p&lt;.02). Both formulae overestimated the GFR. BMI was significantly associated with the performance of the CKD-EPI formula (&beta; 0.82; 95% CI 0.085 to 1.56 p=.029).&nbsp; &nbsp;In healthy Mexican adults, the CKD-EPI formula is a better predictor of the mGFR than the MDRD-IDMS formula. BMI is significantly associated with the performance of the CKD-EPI formula and is better in those with a BMI greater than 25kg/m2. Both formulae overestimate mGFR.

Cancer Mortality in Older Mexican Individuals (2000 – 2010)

Objective: Given the trends in aging worldwide, in Mexico, we determined trends in adjusted mortality rates due to cancer and 11 cancer subtypes in older individuals (>65 years) from 2000 to 2010. Methods: For this retrospective study, we collected data on mortality due to cancer from the registries of the National Institute of Statistics and Geography. Adjusted rates were calculated with a direct method based on the world standard population. Trend analysis was performed with a linear regression of the natural logarithm of the adjusted rate, and trends were evaluated with the Student´s t test. Results: During the studied period, the cancer mortality rates significantly declined from 51.90 to 47.19 (per 100,000 inhabitants) in the overall population. Similar declines were observed in women (from 45.19 to 40.36) and men (from 59.79 to 55.42). Significant declines in mortality rates were observed across several cancer subtypes, including esophageal, gastric, colorectal-anal, liver-biliary, pancreatic, and tracheal-bronchial-lung cancers. Significant increases in mortality rates were observed in colorectal and breast cancer, but no changes were observed in mortality rates due to prostate, ovarian, bladder, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma cancers. Conclusion: Mortality due to cancer in older Mexicans was lower than that observed in developed countries, and it significantly declined over the study period. Men had higher mortality rates than women. The highest mortality rates were due to breast and prostate cancer subtypes in older individuals.

The burden of blood-pressure-related cardiovascular mortality in Mexico.

This study shows that in Mexico, a country at an advanced stage in the epidemiologic transition, with the national burden of disease dominated by noncommunicable diseases, elevated blood pressure is a major clinical and public health problem. 31.7% of the Mexican individuals aged 50 and over had systolic hypertension, and 47.3% were at systolic prehypertensive levels. Also, approximately half of all cardiovascular deaths that occurred annually in the population of Mexico aged ≥50 years are attributable to above optimal levels of systolic blood pressure. We think these estimates may help order health priorities in Mexico (and other middle-income countries) at a time when the costs of medical care take a considerable share of the gross national product in most countries.

Sequence variants in SLC16A11 are a common risk factor for type 2 diabetes in Mexico.

Performing genetic studies in multiple human populations can identify disease risk alleles that are common in one population but rare in others, with the potential to illuminate pathophysiology, health disparities, and the population genetic origins of disease alleles. Here we analysed 9.2 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in each of 8,214 Mexicans and other Latin Americans: 3,848 with type 2 diabetes and 4,366 non-diabetic controls. In addition to replicating previous findings, we identified a novel locus associated with type 2 diabetes at genome-wide significance spanning the solute carriers SLC16A11 and SLC16A13 (P = 3.9 × 10(-13); odds ratio (OR) = 1.29). The association was stronger in younger, leaner people with type 2 diabetes, and replicated in independent samples (P = 1.1 × 10(-4); OR = 1.20). The risk haplotype carries four amino acid substitutions, all in SLC16A11; it is present at ~50% frequency in Native American samples and ~10% in east Asian, but is rare in European and African samples. Analysis of an archaic genome sequence indicated that the risk haplotype introgressed into modern humans via admixture with Neanderthals. The SLC16A11 messenger RNA is expressed in liver, and V5-tagged SLC16A11 protein localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum. Expression of SLC16A11 in heterologous cells alters lipid metabolism, most notably causing an increase in intracellular triacylglycerol levels. Despite type 2 diabetes having been well studied by genome-wide association studies in other populations, analysis in Mexican and Latin American individuals identified SLC16A11 as a novel candidate gene for type 2 diabetes with a possible role in triacylglycerol metabolism.

Neuroscience and ethnography: an interdisciplinary revision and a cognitive proposal based on compassion research in Mexico

Social neuroscience considers the interplay of biologically evolved mechanisms and culturally shaped experiences as decisive to contextualize, motivate and influence complex brain functions and cognition. Compassion is a suitable moral emotion for approaching social cognition because it involves naturally and socially evolved factors to empathize with and wish to alleviate a perceived suffering of other individuals, and thereby promote social welfare. The present paper outlines research projects performed in Mexico, which focused on compassion from different viewpoints. The analysis includes psychometric evaluations of emotional appraisals, ethnographic records of Mayan populations, functional brain imaging with healthy Mexican individuals, including a sample of police officers’, and theoretical analysis relating compassion and violence. We propose a threefold neurocognitive compassion system encompassing empathy, executive functions and memory. Also, we suggest applying ethnographic methods to design neuroimaging studies and thereby reveal and interpret brain functions among different social and cultural groups.

93-P: MIC AND NKG2D GENES POLYMORPHISM IN MEXICAN POPULATION

Aim Nowadays, different knowledge polymorphism in genes involved in the immune response helps to identify the susceptibility or risk in the development of different human diseases. Therefore, the objective was to determine the distribution of MIC gene polymorphisms and Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNP) rs1049174, rs2255336 and rs2617160 of KLRK1 (NKG2D) gene in the Mexican population by their interaction, MICA/MICB-NKG2D. Methods The polymorphism of MICA and MICB genes and the SNPs of NKG2D were analyzed by Reference Strand Conformation Analysis (RSCA) and Sequence Specific Oligonucleotide Probes (SSOP)-Single Specific Primer (SSP) and allelic discrimination, respectively. We genotyped 336 samples of persons clinically healthy and MICA, MICB and NKG2D polymorphisms were identified by RSCA, SSOP-SSP and allelic discrimination, techniques, respectively. Results The most frequent allele were MICA ∗002:01 (33.28%), MICB ∗005:02 (63.09%), NKG2D rs1049174 ∗T (61.31%), NKG2D rs2255336 ∗C (61.31%) and NKG2D rs2617160 ∗G (93.30%). We also found that the most frequent combination of genotypes in the genes MICA/MICB was ∗002:01-∗002:01/∗005:02-∗005:02 with 7.44%, while the combination of genotypes at SNPs NKG2D in positions rs1049174/rs2255336/rs2617160 was ∗A-∗T/∗C-∗G/∗G-∗G with 45.53%. Conclusions The data obtained provide other genetic markers involved in the immune innate response that can be considered for the study of susceptibility or protection in different diseases of public health and participation in transplants in Mexican individuals. FOFOI 2005/1/I/016, CONACYT 14019.