Ecuadorian Population Research Articles

Genetic characterization of 12 STRs (Investigator® HDplex kit) in the Ecuadorian population

Allele frequencies, and genetic data for 12 autosomal Short Tandem Repeat (STRs) loci (D2S1360, D3S1744, D4S2366, D5S2500, D6S474, D7S1517, D8S1132, D10S2325, D12S391, D18S51, D21S2055, and SE33 [ACTBP2]) using the Investigator® HDplex kit (QIAGEN) were obtained from 200 non-related individuals from the Ecuadorian mestizo population. Subjects included 100 men and 100 women, from the 24 provinces of Ecuador. Heterozygosity (Ho), power of discrimination (PD), power of exclusion (PE) and polymorphism information content (PIC) were estimated for the population sample. Locus SE33 had the highest values for power of discrimination (0.9372), polymorphism information content (0.9338), and power of exclusion (0.7852). The most informative STRs for the Ecuadorian population were SE33, D7S1517, D10S2325 and the least informative were D2S1360, D3S1744 and D6S474. The Investigator® HDplex makers have shown to be highly informative in the Ecuadorian population and are suitable as a powerful complementary tool in forensic analysis and complex kinship cases.

Genetic polymorphisms of 12 X-STRs in the Ecuadorian population

The X-STR markers represent a powerful tool to complement the information provided by the autosomal and Y chromosome markers, particularly, in cases involving at least one woman. In the present study, allele frequencies, power of exclusion (PE), power of discrimination (PD) and polymorphism information content (PIC) were analyzed for 12 X chromosome loci. A total of 200 unrelated Ecuadorian individuals were selected for the population analysis. The data showed that DXS10135 locus had the highest power of discrimination value (PD = 0.9351), and polymorphism information content (PIC = 0.9313). The heterozygosity observed ranged from 0.9300 to 0.6400. The power of exclusion varied between 0.3417 to 0.8570 for DXS10135 and DXS8378 respectively. No significant departure from Hardy Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) was detected for any of the analyzed markers. The X-STR markers have demonstrated their potential to efficiently complement the analysis to solve complex kinship and forensic cases.

Migration effects on living standards of the left behind. The case of overcrowding levels in Ecuadorian households

This paper reports an investigation of the effects of international migration on left-behind household overcrowding levels in Ecuador, a traditional migrating country. To do so, we use the universe of the Ecuadorian population collected in the Census of Population and Dwelling 2010. Using an instrumental variable regression model, we find a negative association between international migration and the overcrowding level of such household. Additionally, we verify the key role of remittances in order to ameliorate the overcrowding in the left-behind.

Apego y Autismo en Ecuador: Exploración de validez de contenido del Attachment Q-set (AQS)

INTRODUCCIÓN. En el presente estudio se buscó evidencia que permitiera ampliar al medio ecuatoriano y al contexto latinoamericano, los hallazgos de las investigaciones internacionales sobre el uso del Attachment Q-set (AQS) en la evaluación de la conducta de apego de preescolares con trastorno del espectro autista (TEA). OBJETIVO. El objetivo de este estudio fue explorar la validez de contenido del AQS para su uso en población ecuatoriana con autismo. MÉTODO. Participaron tres grupos de personas. En el primer grupo, tres profesionales evaluaron la adaptación lingüística del instrumento. En el segundo grupo, 10 figuras cuidadoras utilizaron el AQS para construir perfiles idealmente seguros de preescolares de desarrollo típico. En el tercer grupo, 10 profesionales expertos en autismo construyeron perfiles óptimamente seguros de preescolares con TEA. Se utilizó una metodología mixta para el procesamiento y análisis de los datos. RESULTADOS. Las correlaciones encontradas entre los puntajes promedio de ambos perfiles y en contraste con los criterios normativos del instrumento, son similares a las reportadas en estudios realizados con población latinoamericana típica. DISCUSIÓN Y CONCLUSIONES. Se concluye que el AQS es aplicable a preescolares ecuatorianos con TEA, y que su uso en esta población contribuiría al diseño de programas de intervención con la participación de las figuras cuidadoras.

X-STR decaplex study in the population of Imbabura-Ecuador

X chromosome STR markers are a useful tool in population genetics, they provide supplementary information for forensic and kinship analysis where autosomal and Y chromosome information is not enough. A total of 100 unrelated individuals from Imbabura-Ecuador were genotyped using the X-STR Decaplex system (DXS8378, DXS9902, DXS7132, DXS9898, DXS6809, DXS6789, DXS7133, GATA172D05, GATA31E08, and DXS7423). Allele frequencies and population parameters were calculated for each STR. The most informative marker was DXS6809 and the least informative was DXS7133. High discrimination power values were obtained (greater than 99.99%), as well as high mean exclusion chance in trios (mother / daughter / father) 0.9999948011 and duos (father/daughter) 0.9992880836. The genetic distance (FST) obtained comparing the Ecuadorian population and the Pichincha province population show low genetic distances. The data analyzed confirmed the potential of these 10 X-STRs.

Geographic distribution analysis of the genus Xenodacnis (Birds: Thraupidae) using ecological niche modeling

Xenodacnis is a monotypic thraupid genus restricted to the tropical high Andes of Peru and Ecuador. Its only species, X. parina has a large discontinuous distribution from central Ecuador to southern Peru. To date, three subspecies are recognized, all separated by geographical barriers that clouded promote allopatric events. The taxonomic affinities of the Ecuadorian population have not been assessed since its discovery in the 1970s at the Cajas National Park in Azuay province. I studied the environmental affinities between the distribution of the described subspecies and the Ecuadorian population bias ecological niche modeling. I found a distinctive ecological niche in the distribution of each of the analyzed populations and also for the southern Arequipa population. These different environmental niche conditions come apart by deep Andean valleys playing a role as geographical barriers for the isolation of these populations that need further taxonomic analysis.

El empoderamiento digital en Ecuador a través de sus infocentros

La red de infocentros de Ecuador constituye el eje vertebrador de los procesos de alfabetización informacional del país, siendo un punto esencial en el desarrollo de las Políticas TIC, por su fuerte inversión y capacidad de conectar todo el territorio. Por ello, se analiza a través de esta red la situación actual de los procesos de empoderamiento digital de la población ecuatoriana. Asimismo, este estudio evalúa su capacidad de intermediación en el proceso de empoderamiento ciudadano, especialmente orientados a colectivos específicos como mujeres, minorías indígenas y personas con diversidad funcional. Los datos para el estudio se han obtenido de la aportación de los propios responsables de los centros. Para ello, se aplicó un cuestionario a una muestra de 829 infocentros del país. La tasa de respuesta obtenida fue del 35,8%. Los resultados muestran: su grado de desarrollo, capacidad formativa e implicación en favorecer el empoderamiento en función de distintos colectivos. Asimismo, permitió detectar problemas reales en su gestión y tendencias o líneas de acción futuras. El estudio concluye la importancia vital de estos centros para la reducción de la brecha digital en el país mediante evidencias de su utilidad formadora. Se plantean varios retos para su supervivencia: la necesaria colaboración con los agentes locales y el desarrollo de programas de empoderamiento digital para colectivos específicos. El presente estudio destaca por su carácter único y revelador y puede servir de soporte para la toma de decisiones por parte de los responsables políticos, o bien, como instrumento de reflexión y análisis para los agentes sociales implicados.

Genes involved in damage response caused by UV radiation in Ecuadorian population of different altitude regions

Ecuador has various regions at different altitudes. It is known that at high altitudes, organisms experience multiple stressors, including exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The UV radiation exposure increases when getting closer to the Equator line. Consequently, cities in the Ecuadorian inter-Andean region and located at 2,800-3,000 m above sea level (masl) are exposed to UV levels approximately 40% higher than those of the lowlands. UV light is a carcinogen that causes mutations, DNA damage and cellular apoptosis. However, the XPC, XPD and XPG genes encode proteins that repair DNA caused by UV radiation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of three polymorphisms (rs2228001, rs13181 and rs17655) involved in the response to the damage caused by UV radiation in the Ecuadorian populations of high and low altitudes, and thus, correlate the ancestral proportions of these populations. Results showed that the behavior of both groups located at different altitudes is similar. The ancestry of these groups exhibited that the Native American component prevails, and the European and African component varies.

Molecular variants associated with flavor perceptions and ancestral proportions of Ecuadorian populations

The perception of taste is determined by several factors, including genetics, which at the same time is related with the diet and diseases in different populations. We aimed to identify the frequency of six single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs307355, rs35744813, rs713598, rs1726866, rs10246939 and rs11091046) involved in the perception of sweet, bitter and salty flavor in Ecuadorian mestizo population. It was found that the presence of the T allele of rs307355 and rs35744813 is associated with decreased ability of subjects to carry out specific discrimination of sweetness, this is particularly interesting given the correlation found (p = 0.0022) between sucrose perception and family history of cancer and diabetes. Furthermore, rs713598, rs1726866 and rs10246939 do not influence the ability to perceive the bitter taste. Concerning the perception of the salty taste, rs11091046 does influence the capacity of detecting it more easily. This theoretical knowledge of the genetic influence on taste perception can contribute to the understanding of eating habits and their impact on human health.

Genetic variation of high-altitude Ecuadorian population using autosomal STR markers

Fifteen autosomal STRs were analyze in order to elucidate the differences between low and high land Ecuadorian population. Seven Ecuadorian geographic areas (Tisaleo-Mocha, Cañar, Quito, Rocafuerte, Santa Rosa, Guayaquil and Lago Agrio) from different altitude were selected for the study. After the analysis, little genetic distances were observed between all cities, the more distant cities (FST = 0.02354) were Rocafuerte at an elevation of 17 m.a.s.l. and Quito at 2850 m.a.s.l. and the similar cities (FST = 0.00033) were Rocafuerte (17 m.a.s.l.) and Santa Rosa (10 m.a.s.l). In conclusion, there is not a great genetic distance in the 15 STRs reported in high and low land Ecuadorian population, therefore previously reported frequencies could been used in identification and paternity cases under analysis.

Assessing knowledge of genetics in undergraduate students in Quito, Ecuador.

Knowledge of genetics is crucial for understanding genetic and genomic tests and for interpreting personal genomic information. Despite this relevance, no data are available about the level of knowledge of genetics in an Ecuadorian population. This investigation sought to survey such knowledge in undergraduate students affiliated with private and public institutions in Quito, the capital city of Ecuador. A total of 350 individuals responded to a validated questionnaire measuring knowledge of genetics. Scores ranged from 45% to 87% (mean: 66.8%), and students achieved slightly better results when asked about genetics and diseases (mean score: 68.3%) than when asked about genetic facts (mean score: 64.9%). Additionally, no significant differences in performance were found among students from private and public institutions. Surprisingly, the lower score obtained (45%) was from a question about how chromosomes are passed to the next generation. The highly educated status of the surveyed population could explain the overall results; nonetheless, the possibility that the correct responses were given by chance cannot be ignored. Therefore, the actual knowledge of genetics among the participants might be different than that revealed by the percentages of correct answers. Consequently, to achieve the goal of ensuring informed decision-making concerning genetic and genomic tests, it seems evident that the national education programs of Ecuador require improvement in the teaching of genetic concepts.

Exposure to traumatic events and perceptual priming in forcedly displaced Colombian population in Ecuador

Los recientes estudios en priming perceptivo se han centrado en identificar las diferencias entre población con y sin Trastorno por Estrés Postraumático (TEPT) confirmando la hipótesis que el TEPT representa un trastorno de la memoria. En este trabajo, se pretende abordar el priming en personas que han estado expuestas a diversas experiencias traumáticas relacionadas con el desplazamiento forzado. Para ello se diseñaron tres categorías de palabras “trauma” (i.e., de amenaza, emocional y judicial) y una categoría de palabras “neutra”, las cuales compartían su raíz de tres letras en 44 colombianos refugiados y solicitantes de asilo que residen en Ecuador con presencia o ausencia de TEPT. Los resultados confirman que las personas con TEPT presentan mayor priming perceptivo en las categorías de amenaza y emociones y los solicitantes de asilo en la categoría judicial. Se discuten las implicaciones para los estudios que abordan el impacto de violencia política. In line with the hypothesis that PTSD is a memory disorder, recent studies on perceptual priming have focused on identifying the differences between population with and without Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This study addresses priming in people who have been exposed to traumatic experiences of forced displacement. To that end, three categories of the word “trauma” (i.e., of threat, emotional and judicial) and a category of “neutral” words, which shared their three-letter root were chosen. The participants were 44 Colombian refugees and asylum seekers living in Ecuador with or without PTSD. The results of our study point that people with PTSD have higher perceptual priming in the threat and emotional categories, and asylum seekers show higher priming in the judicial category. The implications for studies that address the impact of political violence are discussed.

Assessment of Predictors of Sun Sensitivity as Defined by Fitzpatrick Skin Phototype in an Ecuadorian Population and Its Correlation with Skin Damage

Background: The Fitzpatrick skin phototype scale (FSPTS) is a widely used instrument to assess skin type. Methods: A cross-sectional survey collected responses from 254 subjects from Quito regarding self-reported FSPTS, gender, age, education, and tobacco and alcohol consumption. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine if ethnicity, hair color, and eye color significantly predict FSPTS. In addition, we studied the correlation between FSPTS and the SCINEXA scale with Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results: Ethnicity, eye color, and hair color are significant independent predictors of FSPTS (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Patient self-reported race and pigmentary phenotypes are inaccurate predictors of sun sensitivity as defined by Fitzpatrick skin phototype. Our study does not fully represent the population of the country. There are limitations to using patient-reported race and appearance in predicting individual sunburn risk.

Analysis of births, abortions and maternal mortality in adolescents in Ecuador from 2013 to 2016.

IntroductionAdolescent pregnancy is associated to school desertion, violence, termination of pregnancy under suboptimal conditions, obstetric complications and other consequences that can put the woman's quality of life at risk and of those that surround her. The purpose of this study is to describe the situation and tendencies of adolescent pregnancies, abortions and maternal deaths between 2013 and 2016 in Ecuador.MethodsThis cross-sectional study uses secondary data from national Ecuadorian vital statistics reports of adolescents between 10 and 19 years old. The data sources used register all the births, deaths and hospital discharges in the country at both public and private health establishments. We performed a descriptive analysis of qualitative and quantitative variables.ResultsEcuador has approximately 1.5 million female adolescents that gave birth to 256,561 newborns between 2013 and 2016, resulting in an average annual birth rate in early adolescence of 13.9 live births per 1000 and in late adolescence of 86.6 per 1000 live births.The number of registered abortions among adolescents between 2013 and 2016 was of 19,214. The estimated annual abortion rate in late stage adolescents is 6.3 abortions per 1000 women between 15 and 19. The estimated abortion ratio for this same age group is 72.9 per 1000 live births.Of all the adolescents that gave birth, 84.9% self-identified as mestiza, while 71.9% of Ecuador's general population identifies as such. Only 7% of the general population in Ecuador self-identifies as indigenous, while 21.6% of pregnancies come from this population. Out of all adolescents that gave birth, 57.4% of those aged 17 and over; 43% of those between 14 and 16 and 96.7% of adolescents from 10 to 13, completed the level of education for their age. There were 81 maternal deaths among this group. The maternal mortality rate for late stage adolescents is of 7.72 per 100,000.

Perfectionism and school anxiety: More evidence about the 2 × 2 model of perfectionism in an Ecuadorian population

The purpose of this study was to examine the 2 × 2 model of dispositional perfectionism via a person-oriented approach in a sample of 1588 Ecuadorian students aged 12- to 18-years-old ( M = 14.83, SD = 1.86). The Child and Adolescent Perfectionism Scale (CAPS) and the School Anxiety Inventory (IAES) were employed. The statistical analysis included a non-hierarchical cluster analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA), effect size (Cohen's d index), and bivariate and partial correlations. Four perfectionism profiles were obtained by using cluster analysis: Non-Perfectionism, Mixed Perfectionism, Pure Perfectionistic Strivings ( Pure PS) and Pure Perfectionistic Concerns ( Pure PC). Mixed Perfectionism and Pure Perfectionistic Strivings were the most maladaptive profiles whereas Non-Perfectionism was the most adaptive profile. Pure PC did not significantly differ from Mixed Perfectionism and Pure PS, with the exception of the mean scores on Anxiety about Academic Evaluation and Cognitive Anxiety. Results from bivariate and partial correlations revealed that both Perfectionistic Strivings and Perfectionistic Concerns showed shared relationships with all the dimensions of IAES. However, only Perfectionistic Concerns showed a consistent pattern of unique relationships with school anxiety. The current study provides evidenced about the importance of implementing strategies to prevent school anxiety in Ecuadorian population focused on Perfectionistic Concerns.

The three-hybrid genetic composition of an Ecuadorian population using AIMs-InDels compared with autosomes, mitochondrial DNA and Y chromosome data

The history of Ecuador was marked by the arrival of Europeans with Africans, resulting in the mixture of Native Americans with Africans and Europeans. The present study contributes to the knowledge of the Ecuadorian mestizo population by offering information about ancestry and ethnic heterogeneity. Forty-six AIM-InDels (Ancestry Informative Insertion/Deletion Markers) were used to obtain information on 240 Ecuadorian individuals from three regions (Amazonia, the Highlands, and the Coast). As a result, the population involved a significant contribution from Native Americans (values up to 51%), followed by Europeans (values up to 33%) and Africans (values up to 13%). Furthermore, we compared the data obtained with nine previously reported scientific articles on autosomal, mitochondrial DNA and Y chromosomes. The admixture results correspond to Ecuador’s historical background and vary slightly between regions.

Biogeographical origin and timing of the founder ichthyosis TGM1 c.1187G\u2009>\u2009A mutation in an isolated Ecuadorian population

An unusually high frequency of the lamellar ichthyosis TGM1 mutation, c.1187G > A, has been observed in the Ecuadorian province of Manabí. Recently, the same mutation has been detected in a Galician patient (Northwest of Spain). By analyzing patterns of genetic variation around this mutation in Ecuadorian patients and population matched controls, we were able to estimate the age of c.1187G > A and the time to their most recent common ancestor (TMRCA) of c.1187G > A Ecuadorian carriers. While the estimated mutation age is 41 generations ago (~1,025 years ago [ya]), the TMRCA of Ecuadorian c.1187G > A carrier haplotypes dates to just 17 generations (~425 ya). Probabilistic-based inferences of local ancestry allowed us to infer a most likely European origin of a few (16% to 30%) Ecuadorian haplotypes carrying this mutation. In addition, inferences on demographic historical changes based on c.1187G > A Ecuadorian carrier haplotypes estimated an exponential population growth starting ~20 generations, compatible with a recent founder effect occurring in Manabí. Two main hypotheses can be considered for the origin of c.1187G > A: (i) the mutation could have arisen in Spain >1,000 ya (being Galicia the possible homeland) and then carried to Ecuador by Spaniards in colonial times ~400 ya, and (ii) two independent mutational events originated this mutation in Ecuador and Galicia. The geographic and cultural characteristics of Manabí could have favored a founder effect that explains the high prevalence of TGM1 c.1187G > A in this region.

MHC class I polymorphic Alu insertion (POALIN) allele and haplotype frequencies in the Arabs of the United Arab Emirates and other world populations

Polymorphic Alu insertions (POALINs) are found throughout the human genome and have been used in various studies to infer geographic origin of human populations. The main aim of this study was to determine the allele and haplotype frequencies of five POALINs, AluHF, AluHG, AluHJ, AluTF and AluMICB, within the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I region of 95 UAE Arabs, and correlate their frequencies to those of the HLA-A, HLA-C and HLA-B class I allele lineages. Evolutionary relationships between the POALINs of the Arabs and those previously studied in populations of African, Asian and European descent were compared. At each of the five Alu loci (AluHF, AluHG, AluHJ, AluTF and AluMICB), Alu insertion was designated as Alu(locus)*02 and absence was Alu(locus)*01. The AluHG insertion (AluHG*02) had the highest frequency (0.332), followed by AluHF*02 (0.300), AluHJ*02 (0.263), AluMICB*02 (0.111) and AluTF*02 (0.058). Of the 270 Alu-HLA haplotypes pairs in the UAE Arabs, 110 had no Alu insertion, and 54 had an Alu insertion at >50% per haplotype. An Alu insertion >75% per haplotype was found between AluMICB*02 and HLA-B*14, HLA-B*22, HLA-B*44, HLA-B*55, HLA-B*57 and HLA-B*73, and with HLA-C*01 and HLA-C*18; AluHJ*02 with HLA-A*01, HLA-A*19, HLA-A*24 and HLA-A*32; AluHG*02 with HLA-A*02 and HLA-B*18; and AluHF*02 with HLA-A*10. The genotyped allele and haplotype frequencies of the MHC POALINs in UAE Arabs were compared with the results of 30 previously published Asian, European, American and African populations. Phylogenetic and multidimensional scaling (MDS) analysis of the relative MHC POALINs allele and haplotype frequencies revealed that the UAE Arabs have a similar lineage to Caucasians and the most distant genetic relationship to the Waorani native American population of Ecuador. The structure of both the phylogenetic tree and the MDS analysis supports the Out of Africa theory of human evolution. The nature of the clusters suggests the Arabian Middle East represents a crossroads from which human populations migrated towards Asia in the east and Europe to the north-west.

Inorganic arsenic content in Ecuadorian rice-based products

ABSTRACTArsenic intake in the world is linked with drinking water and food; the main sources of inorganic As (i-As) exposure in food are rice and rice-based products. The consumption of rice in Ecuador is 53.2 kg year−1 and it is the most commonly used cereal for the preparation of many popular dishes especially for subjects with celiac disease. Objectives of this research were: (i) to determine the content of i-As in foods widely consumed by Ecuadorians with celiac disease, (ii) to calculate the i-As dietary intake, and (iii) to model and predict the health risks of the population under study as a result of their exposure to i-As from rice-based food. The estimated daily intakes of Ecuadorian children (below 3 years of age) and adults were established at 0.52 and 0.55 μg kg−1 body weight d−1, respectively. These values were above the lower BMDL01 value established for i-As established by the EFSA; consequently, it can be concluded that health risk cannot be excluded for the Ecuadorian population with celiac disease.

Obesity as a risk factor linked to high blood pressure in ecuadorian labor population

Introduction Studies have shown that obesity and high blood pressure are related and constitute a public health problem due to the burden on health worldwide and Ecuador is no exception. Objective: The objective of this study is to determine obesity as a risk factor linked to high blood pressure in employees of a public institution in Ecuador. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study, with a population of 18 to 72 years of age, carried out from December 2016 to March 2017, in a local government of Guayas province. The variables studied were sociodemographic, anthropometric to determine the body mass index, measurement of blood pressure. After the informed consent, a control-card was applied. Results: Obesity contributes as a risk factor for high blood pressure with 42.7%, with a predominance in the group of 28 to 37 years of age of the population studied; and obesity grade 1, grade 2 and grade 3, represents 37.3%. People with high blood pressure corresponded to 36.4%, with dominance in the population from 18 to 57 years of age and similarly distributed in these age groups. Discussion overweight and obesity are health problems that are increasing and may present complications related to other diseases such as hypertension. Conclusions: The study concludes that there is an important relationship between obesity and high blood pressure in the research participants. Conclusions: The study concludes that there is an important percentage relationship between obesity and high blood pressure in research participants.