Dynamics of Mitochondrial Proteome and Acetylome in Glioblastoma Cells with Contrasting Metabolic Phenotypes.

Glioblastoma, a type of cancer affecting the central nervous system, is characterized by its poor prognosis and the dynamic alteration of its metabolic phenotype to fuel development and progression. Critical to cellular metabolism, mitochondria play a pivotal role, where the acetylation of lysine residues on mitochondrial enzymes emerges as a crucial regulatory mechanism of protein function. This post-translational modification, which negatively impacts the mitochondrial proteome's functionality, is modulated by the enzyme sirtuin 3 (SIRT3). Aiming to elucidate the regulatory role of SIRT3 in mitochondrial metabolism within glioblastoma, we employed high-resolution mass spectrometry to analyze the proteome and acetylome of two glioblastoma cell lines, each exhibiting distinct metabolic behaviors, following the chemical inhibition of SIRT3. Our findings reveal that the protein synthesis machinery, regulated by lysine acetylation, significantly influences the metabolic phenotype of these cells. Moreover, we have shed light on potential novel SIRT3 targets, thereby unveiling new avenues for future investigations. This research highlights the critical function of SIRT3 in mitochondrial metabolism and its broader implications for cellular energetics. It also provides a comparative analysis of the proteome and acetylome across glioblastoma cell lines with opposing metabolic phenotypes.

Phosphorylation Codes in IRS-1 and IRS-2 Are Associated with the Activation/Inhibition of Insulin Canonical Signaling Pathways.

Insulin receptor substrates 1 and 2 (IRS-1 and IRS-2) are signaling adaptor proteins that participate in canonical pathways, where insulin cascade activation occurs, as well as in non-canonical pathways, in which phosphorylation of substrates is carried out by a diverse array of receptors including integrins, cytokines, steroid hormones, and others. IRS proteins are subject to a spectrum of post-translational modifications essential for their activation, encompassing phosphorylation events in distinct tyrosine, serine, and threonine residues. Tyrosine residue phosphorylation is intricately linked to the activation of the insulin receptor cascade and its interaction with SH2 domains within a spectrum of proteins, including PI3K. Conversely, serine residue phosphorylation assumes a different function, serving to attenuate the effects of insulin. In this review, we have identified over 50 serine residues within IRS-1 that have been reported to undergo phosphorylation orchestrated by a spectrum of kinases, thereby engendering the activation or inhibition of different signaling pathways. Furthermore, we delineate the phosphorylation of over 10 distinct tyrosine residues at IRS-1 or IRS-2 in response to insulin, a process essential for signal transduction and the subsequent activation of PI3K.

Riesgo de desarrollar diabetes mellitus tipo 2 según escala Finnish Diabetes Risk Score en atención primaria / Risk of Developing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus According to the Finnish Diabetes Risk Score in Primary care

Introducción: La diabetes mellitus tipo 2, representa 90-95 por ciento de todas las diabetes, es una enfermedad crónica potencialmente prevenible, la escala Finnish Diabetes Risk Score es uno de los instrumentos más utilizados a nivel mundial para evaluar el riesgo de presentar diabetes en 10 años con enfoque fácil y económico. Objetivo: Determinar el riesgo de desarrollar diabetes en los próximos 10 años según escala Finnish Diabetes Risk Score en pacientes en una Unidad Médica Familiar de México. Métodos: Estudio transversal analítico, se aplicó la escala Finnish Diabetes Risk Score a 383 pacientes y se analizaron las variables implicadas en dicha escala, las variables edad e índice de masa corporal se describieron con medidas de tendencia central, las variables sexo, escolaridad, así como aquellas dicotómicas y de intervalo, mediante razones y proporciones. Se midió asociación mediante Odds Ratio para dicotómicas y coeficiente de Spearman para numéricas. Resultados: La mediana de edad fue de 47 años, predominó el sexo femenino, el 71,5 por ciento reportó sedentarismo, el 51,9 por ciento refirió un familiar de primer grado con diabetes, se determinó probabilidad del 67 por ciento de tener peso normal al realizar actividad física diaria; se determinó una probabilidad del 65 por ciento de presentar prediabetes si se tiene sobrepeso u obesidad, se determinó asociación lineal entre índice de masa corporal y edad, el riesgo predominante para desarrollar diabetes mellitus tipo 2 en 10 años fue alto. Conclusiones: El riesgo de desarrollar diabetes en 10 años en la población estudiada fue elevado y se relacionó con falta de actividad física, antecedentes familiares y sobrepeso(AU)

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus, accounts for 90-95 percent of all diabetes. It is a potentially preventable chronic disease. The Finnish Diabetes Risk Score is one of the most widely used instruments worldwide to assess the risk of developing diabetes in 10 years with an easy and inexpensive approach. Objective: To determine the risk of developing diabetes in the next 10 years according to the Finnish Diabetes Risk Score in patients in a Family Medical Unit in Mexico. Methods: Analytical cross-sectional study. The Finnish Diabetes Risk Score was applied to 383 patients and the variables involved in this scale were analyzed. The variables age and body mass index were described with measures of central tendency, while the variables gender, schooling, as well as dichotomous and interval variables, were described by ratios and proportions. Association was measured by Odds Ratio for dichotomous variables and Spearman's coefficient for numerical variables. Results: The average age was 47 years and female gender predominated. Sedentary lifestyle was reported by 71.5 percent and 51.9 percent reported a first-degree relative with diabetes. A 67percent probability of having a normal weight was determined when performing daily physical activity. In addition, a 65percent probability of having prediabetes was established if overweight or obese, and a linear association was found between body mass index and age. The predominant risk for developing type 2 diabetes mellitus in 10 years was high. Conclusions: The risk of developing diabetes in 10 years in the studied population was high and was related to lack of physical activity, family history and overweight(AU)

The Insulin Receptor Substrate 2 Mediates the Action of Insulin on HeLa Cell Migration via the PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway.

Insulin signaling plays an important role in the development and progression of cancer since it is involved in proliferation and migration processes. It has been shown that the A isoform of the insulin receptor (IR-A) is often overexpressed, and its stimulation induces changes in the expression of the insulin receptor substrates (IRS-1 and IRS-2), which are expressed differently in the different types of cancer. We study the participation of the insulin substrates IRS-1 and IRS-2 in the insulin signaling pathway in response to insulin and their involvement in the proliferation and migration of the cervical cancer cell line. Our results showed that under basal conditions, the IR-A isoform was predominantly expressed. Stimulation of HeLa cells with 50 nM insulin led to the phosphorylation of IR-A, showing a statistically significant increase at 30 min (p ≤ 0.05). Stimulation of HeLa cells with insulin induces PI3K and AKT phosphorylation through the activation of IRS2, but not IRS1. While PI3K reached the highest level at 30 min after treatment (p ≤ 0.05), AKT had the highest levels from 15 min (p ≤ 0.05) and remained constant for 6 h. ERK1 and ERK2 expression was also observed, but only ERK2 was phosphorylated in a time-dependent manner, reaching a maximum peak 5 min after insulin stimulation. Although no effect on cell proliferation was observed, insulin stimulation of HeLa cells markedly promoted cell migration.

Economic Vulnerability among Girls at Risk for Adolescent Pregnancy: Qualitative Findings among a Clinic Sample of Girls Residing in the U.S.-Mexico Border Region.

Background: In the U.S., research to identify the risk factors explaining high rates of adolescent pregnancy disproportionately affecting racial/ethnic minorities, including Latinas, have largely focused on social and cultural factors that influence girls' pregnancy intentions and decisions regarding the use of contraception, as well as girls' sexual and reproductive decision-making control in relationships. However, economic factors may play a role in increasing girls' risk for adolescent pregnancy as well. Disproportionately high rates of adolescent pregnancy occur in areas of concentrated poverty, with higher rates among ethnic minorities. This qualitative study used a descriptive, exploratory design with a content analysis approach (1) to describe economic vulnerability in girls' lives and (2) to identify potential ways in which economic vulnerability may influence risk factors for adolescent pregnancy among adolescent females at high risk for pregnancy recruited from a health clinic by the U.S.-Mexico border in California. Methods: Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted among 21 girls reporting risk factors for pregnancy (including a previous pregnancy, experiences of dating violence, or having ever been diagnosed with an STI) and who were seeking sexual/reproductive health services at a clinic near the U.S.-Mexico border in California. Participants were asked about their family life, economic stressors, characteristics of intimate partner relationships, and future education/career aspirations. Interviews were analyzed using content analysis to identify common themes related to economic vulnerability and risk for pregnancy. Results: Female participants were 17 years of age on average, most (72%) were Latina, and over half (60%) were in a relationship. Participants reported a high level of economic vulnerability at home, which they felt compromised their welfare, negatively affected expectations for future educational goals, and promoted financial dependence for basic needs (e.g., food) on male partners. The latter often compromised girls' decision-making control with relationship partners over contraceptive use and pregnancy timing. Conclusions: Study findings suggest that economic vulnerability: (a) supports economic reliance on male partners, with implications for male partner control over pregnancy decisions and (b) hinders girls' expectations for future educational opportunities, which may reduce girls' prioritization to delay pregnancy.

Changes in young children's oral health-related behaviours and caregiver knowledge: A cluster randomized controlled trial in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention to improve young children's oral health-related behaviours and caregiver knowledge. METHODS: This paper reports on findings from a cluster randomized controlled trial, 12 months after of baseline, conducted in Pelotas, Southern Brazil. Two Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) and 170 caregiver-child dyads were assigned to an intervention group, and two PHCs and 174 dyads were assigned to a control group. Children's oral hygiene behaviours, sugar consumption and use of dental services were the outcomes analysed as well as changes in caregiver knowledge. The impact of the intervention was assessed using multilevel mixed-effects model regressions and the change rate ratios (IRR) were expressed. RESULTS: There were positive and significant changes in favour of the intervention group in children's oral hygiene behaviours, use of dental services, and caregivers' knowledge of oral health. For example, children in the intervention group were more likely to have brushed with fluoride toothpaste at least two times a day (IRR 1.43, 95% CI 1.06-1.92), to have brushed their teeth before bedtime (IRR 1.37, 95% CI 1.02-1.84), and to have used dental services for preventive care (IRR 2.54, 95% CI 2.02-3.19) than children in the control group. CONCLUSION: This intervention had positive effects on children's oral health-related behaviours and caregivers' oral health knowledge.

Quantitative proteomics reveals proteins involved in the progression from non-cancerous lesions to gastric cancer.

Gastric cancer is one of the most aggressive malignancies affecting humankind. With almost a million cases globally, it sits in fifth position in terms of incidence, and third in terms of mortality. The progression of this disease is slow, with prolonged and sequential precancerous stages including chronic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia, and finally gastric cancer. Here we used the iTRAQ approach combined with high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis to describe the spectrum of the gastric cancer cascade. Biopsies from three stages: chronic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, and gastric adenocarcinoma, were selected for analysis by quantitative proteomics. We identified and reported quantitative data for 3914 different proteins quantified with high confidence, uncovering pathways and processes dysregulated between the different stages. Intestinal metaplasia is characterized by the down-regulation of ribosomal proteins, with overexpression of cell survival proteins such as GSTP1 and EPCAM. The transformation to gastric cancer involves overexpression of the DNA replication and the spliceosome pathways. The impairment of mitochondrial pathways was correlated with down-regulation of SIRT3 and SIRT5, and overexpression of enzymes supporting the glycolytic phenotype, such as HK3 and PCK2. Several proteins found dysregulated during the progression of gastric cancer have potential to be used as specific biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets.

Exploring how bicultural and assimilated children of Mexican origin influence their Latina mothers' diet: Perspectives from mothers and children.

Social and cultural factors influence dietary intake and behaviors. Research shows that mothers consume a lower quality diet when they have a child who is assimilated to the US culture versus bicultural. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively compare how bicultural and assimilated children influenced their culturally traditional mothers' dietary intake/behaviors. Separate one-on-one interviews with 21 Mexican-origin mothers and their bicultural (n = 11) or assimilated (n = 10) children (10-13 years old) were conducted. We used framework analysis to reduce qualitative data to themes and subthemes. Data were analyzed separately and then compared between mothers of bicultural versus assimilated children. Mothers of bicultural children reported typically having an easier time consuming a better quality diet than mothers of assimilated children. For example, although all children requested non-traditional foods, bicultural children were typically more accepting of their mothers preparing traditional healthier foods than assimilated children. Furthermore, mothers believed their children's food preferences both influenced and were influenced by their own feeding styles. Mothers of bicultural children described using more "Mexican" (i.e., authoritative) feeding styles that they believed shaped their children's palate into preferring traditional foods. Mothers of assimilated children explained that their children's preference for non-traditional foods resulted in their use of more permissive or indulgent feeding styles. Longitudinal research is needed to test and confirm the directionality between feeding styles and child's food preferences. Interventions may need to consider the reciprocal influences between mothers' feeding styles, children's food preferences, and how children influence their mothers' dietary intake/behavior.

Health-related quality of life among Mexican-origin Latinos: the role of immigration legal status.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between immigration legal status and related vulnerabilities and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among Mexican-origin Latinos living in a U.S.-Mexico border region. METHODS: Data were obtained using multistage sampling from 393 Latino adults who took part in the 2009 San Diego Prevention Research Center community survey. RESULTS: Significant differences in HRQoL were found across immigration legal status subgroups. Vulnerabilities associated with HRQoL varied across immigration legal status subgroups, and only depression was associated with HRQoL regardless of immigration legal status. CONCLUSION: Results from this study emphasize the need for policies and programs to facilitate access to preventive services, including mental health services, in order to maintain the health of at-risk Latino immigrants.

Effects of Latino children on their mothers' dietary intake and dietary behaviors: The role of children's acculturation and the mother-child acculturation gap.

RATIONALE: Research shows that acculturation is important to Latinas' dietary intake and related behaviors. Although evidence suggests children may also play a role, it remains unclear whether children's acculturation is related to mothers' dietary intake/behaviors. OBJECTIVES: We examined the relationship between Latino children's acculturation and mothers' dietary intake/behaviors. We also examined the mother-child acculturation gap to identify dyad characteristics associated with mothers' diet. METHODS: Baseline surveys were collected in 2010 from 314 Latino mother-child (7-13 years old) dyads of Mexican-origin enrolled in a family-based dietary intervention in Southern California, USA. Mother's daily intake of fruits, vegetables, and sugary beverages, percent of calories from fat, weekly away-from-home eating, and percent of weekly grocery dollars spent on fruits and vegetables were assessed via self-report. Mothers' and children's bidimensional acculturation were examined using acculturation groups (e.g., assimilated, bicultural) derived from Hispanic and non-Hispanic dimensions of language. We also assessed the acculturation gap between mothers and children with the a) difference in acculturation between mothers' and children's continuous acculturation scores and b) mother-child acculturation gap typologies (e.g., traditional mothers of assimilated children). RESULTS: Findings show that having an assimilated versus a bicultural child was negatively associated with mothers' vegetable intake and positively associated with mothers' sugary beverage intake, percent of calories from fat, and frequency of away-from-home eating, regardless of mothers' acculturation. Traditional mothers of assimilated children reported more sugary beverage intake, calories from fat, and more frequent away-from-home eating than traditional mothers of bicultural children. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that children's acculturation is associated with their mothers' dietary intake/behaviors and traditional mothers of assimilated children require more attention in future research.

Facilitators and Barriers to Dental Care Among Mexican Migrant Women and Their Families in North San Diego County.

To qualitatively examine facilitators and barriers to dental care access and quality services among Mexican migrant women and their families living in North San Diego County, California. Six focus groups were conducted, with 52 participants. Three focus groups were with community residents (average group size of 10), and three were with community health workers/leaders (called Lideres; average group size of 7). The behavioral model for vulnerable populations theoretical framework guided qualitative data analyses. Predisposing factors to dental care access varied and included immigration status, language, and dental care experiences. Barriers to accessing quality dental services included high cost, lack of insurance coverage, dissatisfaction with providers, long wait times and discrimination. Participants expressed a desire for health policy changes, including affordable coverage for immigrants and their families. This study provided insights into how dental care providers, community health centers, and policymakers can improve dental care access and services to migrant populations.

Neighborhoods, Social and Cultural Correlates of Obesity Risk among Latinos living on the U.S.-Mexico border in Southern California.

OBJECTIVES: We explored the relationship between obesity and neighborhood-related, social, and cultural variables and possible moderation by acculturation and cross-national practices. METHODS: We obtained data from the 2009 San Diego Prevention Research Center's community survey, which used multistage sampling methods to recruit 397 adult respondents and conducted multilevel logistic analytic methods. RESULTS: Nearly half of the respondents were obese. Respondents had low acculturation scores and reported crossing the U.S.-Mexico border about three times per month, mostly to visit family and friends. Neighborhoods where respondents lived were predominantly Latino and had 27% home ownership. A significant cross-level interaction emerged: those who reported crossing the border and reported higher levels of collective efficacy were more likely to be obese than those who had not crossed. CONCLUSIONS: Study findings provide evidence of the complex relationship among obesity risk factors in a U.S.-Mexico border community that warrant further examination to prevent and control obesity.

Sex Differences in Cardiometabolic Risk Factors among Hispanic/Latino Youth.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of obesity and cardiometabolic risk in US Hispanic/Latino youth and examine whether there are disparities by sex in cardiometabolic risk factors. STUDY DESIGN: Study of Latino Youth is a population-based cross-sectional study of 1466 Hispanic/Latino youth (8-16 years old) who were recruited from 4 urban US communities (Bronx, NY, Chicago, IL, Miami, FL, and San Diego, CA) in 2012-2014. The majority of children were US-born (78%) and from low-income and immigrant families. Cardiometabolic risk factors were defined by the use of national age- and sex-specific guidelines. RESULTS: The prevalence of obesity was 26.5%. The prevalence of class II-III obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia was high (9.7%, 16.5%, and 23.3%, respectively). The prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors increased with severity of obesity in both boys and girls. Boys had a greater prevalence of diabetes and of elevated blood pressure than girls (20.9% vs 11.8% and 8.5% vs 3.3%). In multivariable analyses, younger boys were more likely to have obesity class II-III than girls (OR 3.59; 95% CI 1.44-8.97). Boys were more likely to have prediabetes than girls (OR 2.02; 95% CI 1.35-3.02), and the association was stronger at older ages. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors was high in this sample of Hispanic youth. Boys had a more adverse cardiometabolic profile compared with girls that may put them at higher risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease later in life. Reasons for this disparity and the long-term clinical implications remain to be elucidated.

Neighborhoods, Social and Cultural Correlates of Obesity Risk among Latinos living on the U.S.-Mexico border in Southern California.

OBJECTIVES: We explored the relationship between obesity and neighborhood-related, social, and cultural variables and possible moderation by acculturation and cross-national practices. METHODS: We obtained data from the 2009 San Diego Prevention Research Center's community survey, which used multistage sampling methods to recruit 397 adult respondents and conducted multilevel logistic analytic methods. RESULTS: Nearly half of the respondents were obese. Respondents had low acculturation scores and reported crossing the U.S.-Mexico border about three times per month, mostly to visit family and friends. Neighborhoods where respondents lived were predominantly Latino and had 27% home ownership. A significant cross-level interaction emerged: those who reported crossing the border and reported higher levels of collective efficacy were more likely to be obese than those who had not crossed. CONCLUSIONS: Study findings provide evidence of the complex relationship among obesity risk factors in a U.S.-Mexico border community that warrant further examination to prevent and control obesity.

A three-decade evolution to transdisciplinary research: community health research in California-Mexico border communities.

BACKGROUND: The Institute for Behavioral and Community Health (IBACH) is a transdisciplinary organization with a team-oriented approach to the translation of research to practice and policy within the context of behavioral medicine. OBJECTIVES: This paper tracks the growth of IBACH in the context of evolving, multi-university transdisciplinary research efforts from a behavioral medicine research focus to community approaches to disease prevention and control, ultimately specializing in Latino health research and practice. We describe how this growth was informed by our partnerships with community members and organizations, and training a diverse array of students and young professionals. METHODS: Since 1982, IBACH's research has evolved to address a greater breadth of factors associated with health and well-being. This was driven by our strong community focus and emphasis on collaborations, the diversity of our investigative teams, and our emphasis on training. Although behavioral science still forms the core of IBACH's scientific orientation, research efforts extend beyond those traditionally examined. CONCLUSIONS: IBACH's "team science" successes have been fueled by a specific population emphasis, making IBACH one of the nation's leaders in Latino health behavior research.

Correlates of measured prehypertension and hypertension in Latina women living along the US-Mexico border, 2007-2009.

INTRODUCTION: Although Latinos have lower hypertension rates than non-Latino whites and African Americans, they have a higher prevalence of undiagnosed and uncontrolled hypertension. Research on predictors of hypertension has mostly focused on intrapersonal factors with no studies assessing the combined influence of intrapersonal, interpersonal, and environmental factors. The purpose of this study was to assess a broad range of correlates including intrapersonal, interpersonal, and environmental factors on measured blood pressure category (nonhypertensive, prehypertensive, and hypertensive) in a sample of Latina women residing in San Diego, California. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used baseline data from the San Diego Prevention Research Center's Familias Sanas y Activas program, a promotora-led physical activity intervention. The sample was 331 Latinas who self-selected into this program. Backward conditional logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the strongest correlates of measured blood pressure category. RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis suggested that the strongest correlates of prehypertension were soda consumption (odds ratio [OR] = 1.34, [1.00-1.80], P ≤ .05) and age (OR = 1.03, [1.00-1.05], P ≤ .05). The strongest correlates of hypertension were soda consumption (OR = 1.92, [1.20-3.07], P ≤ .01), age (OR = 1.09, [1.05-1.13], P ≤ .001), and measured body mass index (OR = 1.13, [1.05-1.22], P ≤ .001). All analyses controlled for age and education. No interpersonal or environmental correlates were significantly associated with blood pressure category. CONCLUSION: Future research should aim to further understand the role of soda consumption on risk for hypertension in this population. Furthermore, interventions aimed at preventing hypertension may want to focus on intrapersonal level factors.

Modeling of scale-dependent bacterial growth by chemical kinetics approach.

We applied the so-called chemical kinetics approach to complex bacterial growth patterns that were dependent on the liquid-surface-area-to-volume ratio (SA/V) of the bacterial cultures. The kinetic modeling was based on current experimental knowledge in terms of autocatalytic bacterial growth, its inhibition by the metabolite CO2, and the relief of inhibition through the physical escape of the inhibitor. The model quantitatively reproduces kinetic data of SA/V-dependent bacterial growth and can discriminate between differences in the growth dynamics of enteropathogenic E. coli, E. coli JM83, and Salmonella typhimurium on one hand and Vibrio cholerae on the other hand. Furthermore, the data fitting procedures allowed predictions about the velocities of the involved key processes and the potential behavior in an open-flow bacterial chemostat, revealing an oscillatory approach to the stationary states.

Cholera toxin expression by El Tor Vibrio cholerae in shallow culture growth conditions.

Vibrio cholerae O1 classical, El Tor and O139 are the primary biotypes that cause epidemic cholera, and they also express cholera toxin (CT). Although classical V. cholerae produces CT in various settings, the El Tor and O139 strains require specific growth conditions for CT induction, such as the so-called AKI conditions, which consist of growth in static conditions followed by growth under aerobic shaking conditions. However, our group has demonstrated that CT production may also take place in shallow static cultures. How these type of cultures induce CT production has been unclear, but we now report that in shallow culture growth conditions, there is virtual depletion of dissolved oxygen after 2.5 h of growth. Concurrently, during the first three to 4 h, endogenous CO2 accumulates in the media and the pH decreases. These findings may explain CT expression at the molecular level because CT production relies on a regulatory cascade, in which the key regulator AphB may be activated by anaerobiosis and by low pH. AphB activation stimulates TcpP synthesis, which induces ToxT production, and ToxT directly stimulates ctxAB expression, which encodes CT. Importantly, ToxT activity is enhanced by bicarbonate. Therefore, we suggest that in shallow cultures, AphB is activated by initial decreases in oxygen and pH, and subsequently, ToxT is activated by intracellular bicarbonate that has been generated from endogenous CO2. This working model would explain CT production in shallow cultures and, possibly, also in other growth conditions.

Towards a Casa Segura: a consumer product study of the effect of insecticide-treated curtains on Aedes aegypti and dengue virus infections in the home.

The home, or domicile, is the principal environment for transmission of dengue virus (DENV) between humans and mosquito vectors. Community-wide distribution of insecticide-treated curtains (ITCs), mimicking vector control program-driven interventions, has shown promise to reduce DENV infections. We conducted a Casa Segura consumer product intervention study in Mérida, Mexico to determine the potential to reduce intradomicillary DENV transmission through ITC use in individual homes. Dengue virus infections in mosquitoes and in humans were reduced in homes with ITCs in one of two study subareas. Overall, ITCs reduced intradomicillary DENV transmission; ITC homes were significantly less likely to experience multiple DENV infections in humans than NTC homes. Dengue virus-infected Aedes aegypti females were reduced within the ITC homes where curtain use was highest. Some homes yielded up to nine infected Ae. aegypti females. This study provides insights regarding best practices for Casa Segura interventions to protect homes from intradomicillary DENV transmission.

Efficacy of a store-based environmental change intervention compared with a delayed treatment control condition on store customers' intake of fruits and vegetables.

OBJECTIVE: The present store-based intervention was designed to promote sales of fruits and vegetables (F&V) to increase intake among store customers--specifically customers of tiendas, small-to-medium-sized Latino food stores. DESIGN: Four tiendas were randomized to a 2-month environmental change intervention or a delayed treatment control condition. Employees and managers were trained to promote F&V sales, including how to implement a food marketing campaign and installing store equipment to promote fresh fruits and vegetables. The primary outcome was self-reported daily intake of F&V among a convenience sample of customers (at least forty per store) collected at baseline prior to randomization and then 4 months later. In addition, changes in availability of F&V in the tiendas, using unobtrusive observational methods, provided evidence of intervention fidelity. SETTING: Tiendas in central North Carolina. SUBJECTS: Participants included 179 customers who were recent immigrants from Mexico and Central America. RESULTS: A group-by-time interaction approached significance on daily servings of F&V; intervention customers reported an increase in F&V intake over time and as a function of the intervention (P < or = 0.06). Unexpectedly, self-efficacy for consuming more fruits (P < or = 0.01) and more vegetables (P < or = 0.06) decreased. In our store-level analyses, a group-by-time interaction was observed for availability of fresh and canned vegetables; the intervention increased availability of vegetables but not fruit. CONCLUSIONS: Environmental change strategies to promote healthy eating are needed given the rates of obesity and diabetes in the Latino population. A store-based intervention was moderately effective at increasing customers' reported F&V intake. Such strategies can have a public health impact on underserved populations.