The Influence of Education and Occupation Type on Birth Cohort Differences in Cognitive Function of Mexican Older Adults.

OBJECTIVES: Mexico's population aging is occurring in the context of social changes such as increased educational attainment and occupational shifts from agriculture to service and industry. The current study compares cognitive function between two birth cohorts of Mexican adults aged 60-76 to determine if population-level changes in education and occupation type contribute to cohort differences in cognitive function. METHODS: We used the Mexican Health and Aging Study to examine adults aged 60-76 in 2001 (men: 2,309; women: 2,761) and 2018 (men: 2,842; women: 3,825). Global cognition was calculated from five measures. Five main lifetime occupation types were created: no main job; agriculture; service; professional; and industrial. Ordinary least squares regression and structural equation models (SEM) were used to examine cohort differences in cognitive functioning. RESULTS: Ordinary least squares models that adjusted for age, community size, and marital status indicated that men and women had higher global cognition in 2018 than 2001 (men: b = 0.44, p < .01; women: b = 0.54, p < .01). These differences were reduced after adjusting for education and occupation type (men: b = 0.27, p < .01; women: b = 0.37, p < .01). Results from SEM indicated that the indirect effects of education on cognitive functioning were larger than occupation type for men (education: b = 0.18, p < .05; occupation: b = 0.001, p = .91) and women (education: b = 0.18, p < .05; occupation: b = 0.002, p = .22). DISCUSSION: Cognitive functioning is higher among more recent birth cohorts of older adults in Mexico. These cohort differences are partially mediated by education but not main lifetime occupation. Additional factors may contribute to cohort differences in cognitive function for older adults in Mexico.

Rural and urban differences in lifetime occupation and its influence on mortality among Mexican adults.

OBJECTIVE: To determine how primary lifetime occupation type is associated with mortality, and how the relationship varies by rural and urban dwelling. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data come from 2001-2018 Mexican Health and Aging Study (adults aged 50+, n=11 094). We created five occupation categories. Cox proportional hazard models predicted mortality using baseline covariates. RESULTS: In both rural and urban settings, participants with manual jobs, such as agriculture and production/industrial jobs, had an increased risk of mortality compared to those with administrative/professional jobs. In urban settings, participants in the domestic/service and no main job categories had higher risk of mortality than those in the administrative/professional category. For men these differences remained, but not for women. CONCLUSION: In a context of rural and urban demographic shifts, it is crucial to consider the implications that occupation as a socioeconomic factor can have on health and to identify the most vulnerable groups.

Assigning lifetime occupation domains for older Mexicans: MHAS-O*NET linkage protocol.

OBJECTIVE: We developed a MHAS (Mexican Health and Aging Study) and O*NET (Occupational Information Network) linkage to allow global researchers using MHAS data to assign lifetime occupation domains for older Mexicans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three bilingual raters independently matched 440 records with 132 unique occupation codes from the 2012 MHAS. We used a modified Delphi technique to reach agreements. To assess reliability, we compared the distribution of observations between the MHAS file and the MHAS-O*NET linked file across five job categories (upper white collar, lower white collar, upper blue collar, low blue collar, and agriculture/fishing/forestry). The Institutional Review Board at the University of Texas Medical Branch reviewed and approved the research (IRB # 21-0268). RESULTS: Using the developed 1:1 MHAS-ONET linkage, consistency between MHAS and ONET was 97.4% across the five job categories. CONCLUSION: This MHAS-O*NET linkage will allow researchers to analyze the association between lifetime occupation and multiple dimensions of health, functionality, and retirement determinants for a low-middle income country with a large proportion of workers in the informal sector.

Implementation of the standardized process of Pharmacotherapeutic evaluation in inpatients and outpatients. / Implementación del Proceso Estandarizado de Evaluación Farmacoterapéutica en pacientes hospitalizados y ambulatorios.

OBJECTIVES: The Pharmacotherapeutic follow-up program (PFU) carried out by the clinical pharmacist can be categorized within 3 fundamental activities; identification, resolution and prevention of adverse drug events. These must be adjusted to the requirements and resources of each institution, developing procedures to increase PFU efficiency and to guarantee patient safety. The clinical pharmacists of UC-CHRISTUS Healthcare Network developed a Standardized Pharmacotherapeutic Evaluation Process (SPEP). The main goal of our study is to evaluate the impact of this tool through the pharmacist evaluation number and pharmacist interventions number. Secondarily to determine the potential and direct cost savings associated with the pharmacist interventions in an Intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: A quasi-experimental study evaluated the frequency and type of pharmacist evaluation and pharmacist interventions performed by clinical pharmacists in adult patients units of UC-CHRISTUS Healthcare Network, before and after the implementation of SPEP. The distribution of variables was evaluated using the Shapiro-Wilk test and the association between the use of SPEP and the pharmacist evaluation and pharmacist interventions number was performed using the Chi-square test. The cost evaluation associated with pharmacist interventions in the ICU was carried out using methodology proposed by Hammond et al. RESULTS: A total number of 1,781 patients was evaluated before and 2,129 after the SPEP. The pharmacist evaluation and pharmacist interventions number in the before-SPEP period were 5,209 and 2,246. In the after-SPEP period were 6,105 and 2,641, respectively. The increase in both the pharmacist evaluation and pharmacist interventions number was significant only in critical care patients. The potential cost saving in after-SPEP period in the ICU was USD 492,805. Major adverse drug events prevention was the intervention that generated the most savings with a reduction of 60.2%. The total direct savings for sequential therapy was USD 8,072 in the study period. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows a clinical pharmacist developed tool called SPEP that increased the pharmacist evaluation and pharmacist interventions number in multiple clinical scenarios. These were significant only in critical care patients. Future investigations should make effort to evaluate the quality and clinical impact of these interventions.

Intervention to Increase Cervical Cancer Screening Behavior among Medically Underserved Women: Effectiveness of 3R Communication Model.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling has the potential to increase Cervical Cancer Screening (CCS) and reduce the cervical cancer burden in Medically Underserved Women (MUW). However, interventions promoting self-sampling are limited. We examined the effectiveness of an intervention study in increasing CCS among MUW. We conducted a quasi-experimental intervention study. A face-to-face verbal approach was used to recruit MUW (n = 83, mean age 48.57 ± 11.02) living in a small city in the US. Behavioral intervention based on reframing, reprioritizing, and reforming (3R model) was used to educate the women about CCS in a group format. The women (n = 83) completed pre-and post-intervention assessments, and 10 of them were invited for follow-up interviews. The primary outcome was CCS uptake. Mixed methods analyses were conducted using a t-test for the primary outcome, PROCESS for mediation analysis, and NVivo for interview data. The majority of women (75%) completed self-testing. High-risk HPV among women was 11%, and of those, 57% followed up with physicians for care. We found that the significant increase in the women's post-intervention screening behaviors was mediated by the increase in knowledge (Indirect Effect [IE] = 0.1314; 95% CI, 0.0104, 0.4079) and attitude (IE = 0.2167; 95% CI, 0.0291, 0.6050) scores, (p < 0.001). Interview analyses offered further explanations why MUW found the intervention messages acceptable (encourages proactive behavior), feasible (simple and easy to understand), and appropriate (helpful and informative). Barriers, including lack of trust and fear of results, were identified. The findings suggest that an intervention that combines the 3R model and self-sampling may increase CCS among MUW.

Antisense-acting riboswitches: A poorly characterized yet important model of transcriptional regulation in prokaryotic organisms.

Riboswitches are RNA elements involved in regulating genes that participate in the biosynthesis or transport of essential metabolites. They are characterized by their ability to recognize their target molecules with high affinity and specificity. Riboswitches are commonly cotranscribed with their target genes and are located at the 5' end of their transcriptional units. To date, only two exceptional cases of riboswitches being situated at the 3' end and transcribing in the antisense direction of their regulated genes have been described. The first case involves a SAM riboswitch located at the 3' end of the ubiG-mccB-mccA operon in Clostridium acetobutylicum involved in converting methionine to cysteine. The second case concerns a Cobalamin riboswitch in Listeria monocytogenes that regulates the transcription factor PocR related to this organism's pathogenic process. In almost a decade since the first descriptions of antisense-acting riboswitches, no new examples have been described. In this work, we performed a computational analysis to identify new examples of antisense-acting riboswitches. We found 292 cases in which, according to the available information, we infer that the expected regulation of the riboswitch is consistent with the signaling molecule it senses and the metabolic function of the regulated gene. The metabolic implications of this novel type of regulation are thoroughly discussed.

Revisión anatómica de la cavidad oral, glándulas salivares y esófago de dos ejemplares de pudú (Pudu puda) / Anatomical review of the oral cavity, salivary glands and esophagus of two specimens of pudú (Pudu puda)

RESUMEN: El pudú (Pudu puda), pertenece al orden Artiodactyla y a la familia Cervidae, corresponde al segundo cérvido más pequeño del mundo y es endémico de Chile y Argentina. Son herbívoros que se alimentan de hojas jóvenes y brotes de algunos árboles, arbustos, hierbas, frutos y flores. Esta especie está catalogada en estado Vulnerable, por lo que se prohíbe su caza y captura, esto debido a que su población ha disminuido sustancialmente a causa de la pérdida y fragmentación de la vegetación nativa, los incendios forestales, ataques de perros asilvestrados y caza furtiva. Existe escasa información científica anatómica de esta especie, y más aún referente a su morfología digestiva, por lo que se requieren estudios que aporten información específica de este cérvido. Se utilizaron dos cadáveres de pudú hembras adultas, los cuales fueron donados por el Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero (SAG) de Talca, Región del Maule, Chile. Dentro de los resultados, podemos indicar que la cavidad oral, glándulas salivares y esófago se asemejan a otros rumiantes domésticos, como también existen semejanzas con el venado de campo, sin embargo, existen diferencias como la forma y desarrollo de la glándula parótida; el conducto parotídeo pasa ventral al músculo masetero y se abre en una papila a nivel del tercer premolar superior; la glándula mandibular se divide en tres lobos; la glándula sublingual solo posee porción polistomática, las glándulas bucales dorsales poseen un menor tamaño que las bucales ventrales, la glándula bucal ventral es alargada y de forma compacta y se observa la presencia de una redondeada glándula bucal intermedia, poseen 11 crestas palatinas por lado en el paladar duro y además la papila incisiva se encuentra rodeando al pulvino dental. Esta información es relevante y corresponde a un aporte al conocimiento específico de esta especie, la cual es endémica, vulnerable y protegida.

SUMMARY: The pudu (Pudu puda), belongs to the Artiodactyla order and the Cervidae family, corresponding to the second smallest deer in the world and is endemic to Chile and Argentina. They are herbivores that feed on young leaves and shoots of certain trees, shrubs, herbs, fruits, and flowers. The status of is species is classified as Vulnerable; therefore, its hunting and capture is prohibited, this because its population has decreased substantially due to the loss and fragmentation of native vegetation, forest fires, attacks by feral dogs and poaching. There is little scientific anatomical information available on this species, and even more so regarding its digestive morphology, which is why studies are required to provide specific information on this deer. Two adult female pudu specimens were used, which were donated by the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG) of Talca, Maule Region, Chile. Among the results, we can indicate that the oral cavity, salivary glands and esophagus resemble other domestic ruminants; there are also similarities with the field deer, however, there are differences such as the shape and development of the parotid gland; the parotid duct passes ventral to the masseter muscle and opens into a papilla at the level of the upper third premolar; the mandibular gland is divided into three wolves; the sublingual gland only has a polystomatic portion, the dorsal buccal glands are smaller than the ventral buccal glands, the ventral buccal gland is elongated and compact and the presence of a rounded intermediate buccal gland is observed, it has 11 palatal ridges per side in the hard palate and also the incisive papilla is found surrounding the dental pulvino. This information is relevant and corresponds to a report on the specific knowledge of this species, which is endemic, vulnerable, and protected.

A Prescription for Wellness: Exercise Referrals at a Federally Qualified Health Center.

Introduction/Objectives: Physical activity (PA) improves quality of life and prevents chronic disease, but many adults are inactive. Planning with a health care provider in the form of an exercise "prescription" or referral may increase PA, but determinants of referral utilization are not well understood among underserved populations. This study examined sociodemographic and theory-based psychosocial determinants of exercise referral program utilization. Methods: Patients at a large, federally qualified health center with an on-site exercise facility (ie, "Wellness Center") referral were eligible to exercise with a personal fitness advisor. Self-reported PA behavior, self-efficacy, and self-regulation strategies were measured via survey and merged with electronic health records and attendance data. Negative binomial regression was used to estimate the rate of Wellness Center utilization. Results: Patients with exercise referrals (n = 1136) were, on average, 45.6 ± 14.6 years, 78.8% female, and 78.0% Hispanic/Latino or non-Hispanic Black. Approximately half (593/1136; 52.2%) initiated exercise at the Wellness Center; initiators completed 8.8 ± 12.4 visits during follow-up. Older age was associated with higher utilization (P < .001) and patients meeting PA recommendations had lower utilization than patients not meeting recommendations (incident rate ratio = 0.72, 95% CI 0.53-0.97; P = .03). Baseline self-efficacy (P < .001) and self-regulation strategies (P = .03) were significantly associated with follow-up PA, even after adjusting for baseline PA. Conclusions: In this racially/ethnically diverse patient population, older and less active patients at baseline had higher program utilization. Patients with higher self-efficacy and self-regulation strategies reported higher PA over time. Community health centers have a unique opportunity to support PA through exercise referral programs to public health priority populations.

A Call to Action to Address the Health Needs and Support Systems to Care for Central American Migrant Families.

The ongoing immigration crisis at the U.S. southern border represents a challenge to society and institutions. The socio-political discussion of immigration has reached and is likely to stay in the position of a top news category. It is hard to ignore the health care implications and negative health outcomes aff ecting Central American migrant families through their long journey to the U.S.-Mexico border. Additionally, radical changes in refugee/asylum policies are affecting how new migrants are being processed and connected to resources, which is affecting their care while detained. As individuals with familial ties to Central America, we share our knowledge of and perspective on contextual factors affecting migrant health. As health care professionals and scholars, we aim to trigger conversation and present a "call to action" to all stakeholders to address the health care needs of vulnerable Central American migrant families, who deserve high-quality and humanitarian care.

Seasonality of Rotavirus Hospitalizations at Costa Rica's National Children's Hospital in 2010-2015.

Rotavirus is a leading cause of acute diarrhea in children worldwide. Costa Rica recently started universal rotavirus vaccinations for infants with a two-dose schedule in February 2019. We aimed to study the seasonality of rotavirus during the pre-vaccination era. We retrospectively studied a six-year period of hospital admissions due to rotavirus gastroenteritis. We estimated seasonal peak timing and relative intensities using trend-adjusted negative binomial regression models with the δ-method. We assessed the relationship between rotavirus cases and weather characteristics and estimated their effects for the current month, one-month prior and two months prior, by using Pearson correlation coefficients. A total of 798 cases were analyzed. Rotavirus cases predominated in the first five months of the year. On average, the peak of admissions occurred between late-February and early-March. During the seasonal peaks, the monthly count tended to increase 2.5-2.75 times above the seasonal nadir. We found the strongest negative association of monthly hospitalizations and joint percentiles of precipitation and minimal temperature at a lag of two months (R = -0.265, p = 0.027) and we detected correlations of -0.218, -0.223, and -0.226 (p < 0.05 for all three estimates) between monthly cases and the percentile of precipitation at lags 0, 1, and 2 months. In the warm tropical climate of Costa Rica, the increase in rotavirus hospitalizations coincided with dry and cold weather conditions with a two-month lag. The findings serve as the base for predictive modeling and estimation of the impact of a nation-wide vaccination campaign on pediatric rotaviral infection morbidity.

Sibship, physical activity, and sedentary behavior: a longitudinal, observational study among Mexican-heritage sibling dyads.

BACKGROUND: Shared genetic and environmental factors suggest that family relationships are important predictors of obesity-related behaviors, yet little is known about how siblings influence physical activity and sedentary behaviors. This study examined physical activity and sedentary behavior between sibling dyads across summer and fall time points and determined if birth order and gender modify the relationship between sibling behaviors. METHODS: Mexican-heritage families residing in colonias along the United States-Mexico border were recruited using promotoras de salud to participate in summer and school year surveys. Eighty-seven sibling dyads had complete data for the physical activity sub-study: 21 older brother-younger brother, 21 older brother-younger sister, 23 older sister-younger brother, and 22 older sister-younger sister dyads. Physical activity and sedentary behavior were measured using a validated 7-day recall instrument to create summary measures of weekly active, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) metabolic equivalents (MET), sitting, and screen time minutes. We used linear regression analyses to examine changes over time and the association between older and younger sibling behavior. RESULTS: During summer, older siblings (mean age = 11.2 years) reported 1069 active minutes and 1244 sitting minutes per week; younger siblings (mean age = 8.3 years) reported 1201 active minutes and 1368 sitting minutes per week. Younger brothers reported fewer active minutes (mean = - 459.6; p = 0.01) and fewer MVPA MET-minutes (mean = - 2261.7; p = 0.02) of physical activity during the fall. Within all 87 dyads, older sibling physical activity was significantly associated with younger sibling active minutes (B = 0.45;p = 0.004) and MET-minutes (B = 0.45;p = 0.003) during summer but not fall; older sibling sedentary behavior was significantly associated with younger sibling sitting (B = 0.23;p = 0.01) and screen time minutes (B = 0.23;p = 0.004) during fall but not summer. After stratifying by gender dyad groups, younger brother behavior was strongly associated with older brother behavior at both time points. CONCLUSION: Younger siblings appear to emulate the physical activity behaviors of their older siblings during non-school summer months and sedentary behaviors of older siblings during school-time fall months, especially older brother-younger brother dyads. Family-based interventions to increase physical activity and decrease sedentary behavior are growing in popularity, but more work is needed to understand the role of sibling influences.