Contextual Boundaries: Skin Tone Stratification and Skill Transferability Among Mexicans in the Age of Mass Migration.

An extensive literature has focused on the association between human, social, and economic capital and better immigrant economic attainment, and how these characteristics contribute to stratification among members of the same group. However, few studies have explored how racialization processes contribute to these within-group differences. We examine the role of intragroup differences in skin tone in stratifying outcomes among Mexican immigrants in the early twentieth century. We create a new dataset of 1910-1940 Mexican border-crossing records that we then link to the U.S. 1940 census. We use characteristics at entry to predict income in 1940 and find that-in line with dominant assimilation theories-standard measures of capital are associated with within-group attainment differences. However, we also find skin tone to be a source of within-group stratification: being perceived as having darker skin is associated with lower subsequent economic attainment than being perceived as having lighter skin. Furthermore, whereas human and social capital transcended context to allow migrants to transfer those skills anywhere, the effect of skin tone was significant only in Texas and not in other major receiving places like California. We argue that although standard measures of assimilation typically predict later outcomes, the stratifying effect of skin tone has long been a feature of Mexican immigration.

Laryngeal photobiomodulation: application sites, interferences from body mass index and skin phototype.

PURPOSE: Establish points on the neck, correspondent to the laryngeal topography, where to apply Low Level Light therapy (LLLT), to evaluate the incidence of light through variables such as skin phototype and body mass index (BMI). METHODS: This is a cross-sectional, analytical, observational study, carried out with 15 vocally healthy women, between 18 and 50 years of age, who were divided into three groups, according to BMI and skin phototype. Six anatomical reference points were established to locate the larynx and its musculature, with visual monitoring by videonasolaryngoscopy, to assess light reach (present/absent) and degree of illumination (from very weak to very strong) in the larynx during the LASER application at doses of 3J, 6J and 9J. A flexible endoscope was used for visual monitoring during the LASER application, and subsequent image analysis. RESULTS: The light reached the larynx at doses of 3J, 6J and 9J, in the anterior commissure of the vocal folds, membranous (thyroarytenoid muscle) and cartilaginous portions of the vocal fold and the cricothyroid muscle. The degree of LASER light illumination decreased in overweight and obese participants and increased in moderate brown and dark brown skin phototypes. CONCLUSION: Data suggest that the LLLT penetrates differently according to skin phototype and BMI, being more evident in individuals with Fitzpatrick IV and V phototypes and less evident with higher BMI levels. The evidence that the LASER light reaches the larynx in specific anatomical points provides direction for the standardization of its use in voice practice.

Genetic Ancestry and Self-Reported "Skin Color/Race" in the Urban Admixed Population of São Paulo City, Brazil.

Epidemiological studies frequently classify groups based on phenotypes like self-reported skin color/race, which inaccurately represent genetic ancestry and may lead to misclassification, particularly among individuals of multiracial backgrounds. This study aimed to characterize both global and local genome-wide genetic ancestries and to assess their relationship with self-reported skin color/race in an admixed population of Sao Paulo city. We analyzed 226,346 single-nucleotide polymorphisms from 841 individuals participating in the population-based ISA-Nutrition study. Our findings confirmed the admixed nature of the population, demonstrating substantial European, significant Sub-Saharan African, and minor Native American ancestries, irrespective of skin color. A correlation was observed between global genetic ancestry and self-reported color-race, which was more evident in the extreme proportions of African and European ancestries. Individuals with higher African ancestry tended to identify as Black, those with higher European ancestry tended to identify as White, and individuals with higher Native American ancestry were more likely to self-identify as Mixed, a group with diverse ancestral compositions. However, at the individual level, this correlation was notably weak, and no deviations were observed for specific regions throughout the individual's genome. Our findings emphasize the significance of accurately defining and thoroughly analyzing race and ancestry, especially within admixed populations.

Skin pigmentation related variants in Mexican population and interaction effects on serum 25(OH)D concentration and vitamin D deficiency.

Skin pigmentation is negatively associated with circulating vitamin D (VD) concentration. Therefore, genetic factors involved in skin pigmentation could influence the risk of vitamin D deficiency (VDD). We evaluated the impact genetic variants related to skin pigmentation on VD in Mexican population. This cross-sectional analysis included 848 individuals from the Health Worker Cohort Study (ratio males to females ~ 1:3). Eight genetic variants: rs16891982 (SLC45A2), rs12203592 (IRF4), rs1042602 and rs1126809 (TYR), rs1800404 (OCA2), rs12913832 (HERC2), rs1426654 (SLC24A5), and rs2240751 (MFSD12); involved in skin pigmentation were genotyped. Skin pigmentation was assessed by self-report. Linear and logistic regression were used to assess the association between the variants of interest and VD and VDD, as appropriate. In our study, eight genetic variants were associated with skin pigmentation. A genetic risk score built with the variants rs1426654 and rs224075 was associated with lower VD levels (ß = - 1.38, 95% CI - 2.59, - 0.17, p = 0.025). Nevertheless, when examining gene-gene interactions, we observed that rs2240751 × rs12203592 were associated with VD levels (P interaction = 0.021). Whereas rs2240751 × rs12913832 (P interaction = 0.0001) were associated with VDD. Our results suggest that skin pigmentation-related gene variants are associated with lower VD levels in Mexican population. These results underscore the importance of considering genetic interactions when assessing the impact of genetic polymorphisms on VD levels.

Dermatology in black skin.

The vast majority of publications in dermatology refer to lightly pigmented skin, with few addressing the peculiarities of black skin. In addition there is no consensus on what it means to be black in different regions of the world. The lack of knowledge on the subject makes it difficult to recognize and manage dermatoses in this type of skin. This article aims to review the literature on intrinsic characteristics, as well as epidemiological and clinical aspects of the cutaneous manifestations of different dermatoses in black skin. It was found that there are sometimes striking differences, in the structural, biological, and functional aspects when comparing lightly pigmented and black skin. There are also physiological changes that need to be recognized to avoid unnecessary interventions. Some dermatoses have a higher incidence in black skin, such as acne, eczema, dyschromia and dermatophytosis. On the other hand, several dermatoses are more specific to black skin, such as pseudofolliculitis barbae, keloid, dermatosis papulosa nigra, ulcers caused by sickle-cell anemia, dactylolysis spontanea, confluent and reticulated papillomatosis of Gougerot and Carteaud, and some diseases of the hair and scalp (including fragile and brittle hair, traction alopecia, folliculitis keloidalis nuchae, folliculitis dissecans and central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia). A spectrum of peculiar aspects of specific dermatoses, including sarcoidosis, lichen planus (with emphasis on the pigmentosus variant), psoriasis, lupus erythematosus, vitiligo, syphilis, pityriasis versicolor, and neoplasms are highlighted. In the latter, characteristics of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma are compared, in addition to highlighting unusual aspects of primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, endemic Kaposi sarcoma, and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans.

Frequency of the prominent transverse nasal root vein in children.

BACKGROUND: The presence of a vascular, blue linear discoloration on the nasal root of infants and young children is a frequent incidental feature, rarely reported in the medical literature. It is related to the trajectory of the transverse nasal root vein (TNRV). OBJECTIVE: To study the frequency and clinical characteristics of the vascular discoloration of the nasal root in children. METHODS: A prospective study was performed to address the presence or absence of vascular discoloration of the nasal root in all children under 6 years of age attending a pediatric dermatology clinic from November 2022 to November 2023. Data on age and skin phototype (Fitzpatrick classification I-VI) were also collected. RESULTS: Of 701 patients examined, 345 (49.2%) presented with a vascular discoloration of the nasal root. This was present in 97 of 193 (50.3%), 127 of 261 (48.7%), and 121 of 247 (49.0%) patients for the age groups 0-1, 1-3, and 3-6 years, respectively. The presence of vascular discoloration of the nasal root was more frequent in patients with lighter Fitzpatrick skin phototypes: 49 of 69 (71.0%) phototype II, 157 of 290 (54.1%) phototype III, and 137 of 337 (40.7%) phototype IV. CONCLUSIONS: A vascular discoloration of the nasal root is a frequent skin feature in infants and children, persisting at least until the age of 6. It does not constitute any medical problem aside from cosmetic concern and parents can be reassured of its benign nature. We propose the medical term "prominent TNRV" to describe this condition.

A National Study on Psychological Violence in Brazil: Differences by Sex and Skin Color.

Violence is a global public health problem that affects especially the most vulnerable people. The aim was to analyze the prevalence of psychological violence in the Brazilian population and inequalities according to sex and skin color. This was a cross-sectional study in which the database of the National Health Survey 2019 was used. Psychological violence was considered present when an individual answered yes to at least one of the five variables investigated: In the last 12 months, has anyone (a) offended you, humiliated you, or ridiculed you in front of other people?; (b) yelled at you or called you names?; (c) used social media or cell phones to threaten, offend, curse, or expose your images without your consent?; (d) threatened to hurt you or hurt someone important to you?; and (e) destroyed something of yours on purpose? The independent variable was skin color. The crude prevalence ratio (PR) was determined by Poisson regression. All analyses were stratified by sex. Of the 88,531 respondents, 41,662 were males and 46,869 were females. The prevalence of the presence of psychological violence was 19% in women and 15.6% in men. Men and women with black/brown/yellow/indigenous skin color were 20% and 15% more likely to suffer one or more items of psychological violence, respectively, than men and women with white skin color (PR = 1.20; 95% CI [1.11, 1.30] and PR = 1.15; 95% CI [1.08, 1.23]). Psychological violence occurred predominantly against females and individuals with black/brown/yellow/indigenous skin color. There were notable inequalities in the exposure to this type of violence that need to be considered when making plans to address this problem. The findings emphasize the relevance of constantly reviewing political and social constructions to promote a reduction of inequalities.

Measuring skin color inequality in women's health in Northeast Brazil: Evidence from the PCSVDFMulher survey.

In this paper, we investigate whether skin color is a source of inequality in women's health by exploring the longitudinal framework of the PCSVDFMulher survey in Northeast Brazil. Specifically, we measure the skin color gradient in women's general and mental health, as well as in showing health risk behavior. We find that darker-skinned women show poorer mental health outcomes and a higher likelihood of drinking and smoking more frequently than their lighter-skinned counterparts. The skin color gradient is persistent and systematic, even when modeling different sources of unobserved heterogeneity and accounting for the existing socioeconomic inequalities and racial identity. We also find that racial identity is an important source of heterogeneous responses of women's health to skin tone.

Evolution of pigments and their relationship with skin color and sensory profile in date fruits (Phoenix dactylifera L. ) / Evolução dos pigmentos e sua relação com a cor da casca e o perfil sensorial em frutos de tâmaras (Phoenix Dactylifera L. )

Fresh dates of seventeen varieties and khalts from Southern Morocco were analysed for their colour, pigments content, and sensory profile. The results showed significant differences between the sensory profiles of the samples due to the variability of the genotype and their different origin. Fresh date varieties and khalts were a good source of ß-carotene (0.49 - 10.86 µg of ß-carotene /100 g FW). The results revealed that the date varieties and khalts were found to have an excellent functional composition and good sensory characteristics. Therefore, these varieties of Moroccan dates could be used for fresh consumption and in the processing industry, which will constitute a significant source of antioxidants.

Tâmaras frescas de 17 variedades e khalts do sul do Marrocos foram analisadas por sua cor, conteúdo de pigmentos e perfil sensorial. Os resultados mostraram diferenças significativas entre os perfis sensoriais das amostras devido à variabilidade do genótipo e suas diferentes origens. Variedades de tâmaras frescas e khalts foram consideradas uma boa fonte de ß-caroteno (0,49-10,86 µg de ß-caroteno / 100 g FW). Na verdade, os resultados revelaram que as variedades de tâmaras e khalts apresentam uma boa composição funcional e boas características sensoriais. Portanto, essas variedades de tâmaras marroquinas podem ser usadas para consumo in natura e na indústria de processamento, que constituirá uma fonte considerável de antioxidantes.

Potentially Pathogenic Bacteria in Nesting Olive Ridley Turtles in Northwestern Mexico.

Olive ridleys (Lepidochelys olivacea) are the most common sea turtle found in the Gulf of California. Unfortunately, the bacterial flora of nesting olive ridley turtles is still unknown. We conducted a study to identify, characterize, serotype, and determine the antibiotic resistance of potentially pathogenic bacteria isolated from olive ridley turtles nesting in northwestern Mexico. Bacteria were isolated and identified from the oral cavity and cloaca of 47 postnesting turtles. Escherichia coli and Vibrio parahaemolyticus were characterized, and antibiotic resistance testing was performed. One hundred bacteria belonging to 21 species were isolated, 53 from the oral cavity and 47 from the cloaca, the most prevalent being Pseudomonas aeruginosa, followed by Aeromonas hydrophila, Vibrio alginolyticus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and E. coli, among others. Moreover, two to three different bacterial species were found co-colonizing both anatomical sites in some turtles. E. coli phylogroups B1, A, F, and unknown were identified as diarrheagenic E. coli (enteroaggregative and enteropathogenic E. coli). O1, O4, K8, K12, OUT, and KUT of V. parahaemolyticus serogroups were identified, also comprising pathogenic and nonpathogenic strains. Finally, 100% of the bacterial species tested were antibiotic resistant, and both MDR and XDR strains were found. In conclusion, olive ridley turtles are colonized by a diversity of bacterial species with a high rate of antibiotic resistance, some with pathogenic potential to turtles, representing a health risk factor for the species.

Effects of facial skin pigmentation on social judgments in a Mexican population.

People quickly and involuntarily form impressions of others based on their facial physical attributes, which can modulate critical social interactions. Skin pigmentation is one of the most variable and conspicuous facial traits among human populations. Empirical evidence suggests that these variations reflect ancestral ecological selective pressures balancing cutaneous vitamin D synthesis with the protection of the dermis from ultraviolet radiation. Nevertheless, skin pigmentation may currently be subject to additional selective pressures. For instance, the colonial era in Central and South America developed a highly stratified society based on ethnic origins, and light skin pigmentation became associated with higher social status and deference. This association could have originated through historical social learning that promoted favorable social perceptions towards individuals with lighter skin color and unfavorable perceptions towards individuals with darker skin color, which could still be present in the perception of current populations. Facial skin pigmentation is also sexually dimorphic, with males tending to exhibit darker skin than females, a difference that could be driven by sexual selection. To explore whether social learning and sexual selection represent additional selective pressures on skin pigmentation, we tested how this facial trait influences fundamental social perceptions in a Mexican population (N = 700, 489 female). We sampled facial images of eight European American males with natural lighter facial skin and eight males from an indigenous pre-Columbian community from Mexico, the Me'Phaa, with natural darker facial skin. We produced stimuli from these images by varying the skin pigmentation while preserving the facial shape. Stimuli were rated on attractiveness, trustworthiness, perceived health, dominance, aggressiveness, and femininity/masculinity. We found that the natural light-skinned faces were perceived as more attractive, trustworthy, and healthy but less dominant than the natural dark faces. Furthermore, by varying the facial skin color in these original groups, we altered the perceptions of them, mainly their attractiveness. These results partially support the hypothesis that dark facial skin color may help males compete for mates. Also, the results strongly support the view that lighter facial skin color became associated with social benefits through social learning in this Mexican population. Our findings, when viewed through the lens of cultural evolution, align with previous research in social psychology and anthropology. They hold the potential to offer a comprehensive understanding of the origin of this social phenomenon of cultural transmission, which currently plays a role in the formation of racial attitudes, stereotyping, and racial inequality in Mexican and other Latin American populations.

Autologous cell transplant as a treatment for stable segmental vitiligo: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review provides a comprehensive analysis of the efficacy of autologous cell transplant as a therapeutic approach for stable segmental vitiligo. Vitiligo poses significant challenges for healthcare professionals in terms of treatment selection. Autologous cell transplant has emerged as a promising modality for managing vitiligo, with cultured and noncultured transplants being considered when determining the patient's treatment approach. There is little knowledge and literature on the subject, so we analyze the different studies. METHOD: Using online medical literature databases and the PRISMA guidelines, six out of 60 articles met the acceptance criteria to be analyzed, emphasizing the lack of current literature on this subject. RESULTS: Autologous cell transplant achieves excellent pigmentation rates for many body parts. We found that cultivated cells had better results than noncultivated ones. Both types of treatments could pigment 80% or more where needed. CONCLUSION: This review highlights the importance of autologous cell transplant as a new and reliable tool for the treatment of stable segmental vitiligo, cultured transplants being the most effective. By employing autologous cell transplant, the repigmentation rate is notably high and consistently achievable. Although its cost and logistical complexities hinder the current accessibility to this therapy, efforts are being made to enhance its availability, and its scope is expected to expand further. More studies are needed to understand this therapy method in other kinds of vitiligo.

Assessment of incompleteness of Mortality Information System records on deaths from external causes in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, 2000-2019.

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the incompleteness of Mortality Information System (Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade - SIM) data on deaths from external causes (ECs) in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, 2000-2019. METHODS: This was an ecological study, using SIM data on all deaths from external causes and, specifically, from transport accident, homicides, suicides and falls; the analysis of the trend of incompleteness was performed by means of Prais-Winsten regression, with a 5% significance level. RESULTS: A total of 146,882 deaths were evaluated; sex (0.1%), place of death (0.1%) and age (0.4%) showed the lowest incompleteness in 2019; the proportion of incompleteness showed a decreasing trend for the place of death and schooling, an increasing trend for marital status and a stable trend for age and race/skin color, among all types of death evaluated. CONCLUSION: the variables analyzed reached a high degree of completion; with the exception of marital status and schooling, for which unsatisfactory scores persisted for deaths from ECs, both total and by subgroups.

Visual Learning Equity: A Course Auditing System of Skin Color in Preclinical Medical Education.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Visual learning equity is a health justice effort in response to the lack of representation of brown and black skin images in medical education. This paucity creates a knowledge gap and decreases providers' competence in managing skin disease in minoritized populations. Herein, we aimed to create a standardized course auditing system to assess the use of brown and black skin images in medical education. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of the 2020-2021 preclinical curriculum at one US medical school. All human images in the learning material were analyzed. Skin color was categorized as light/white, medium/brown, and dark/black using the Massey-Martin New Immigrant Survey Skin Color Scale. RESULTS: We included 1,660 unique images in our analysis; 71.3%, (n=1,183) were light/white, 16.1% (n=267) were medium/brown and 12.7% (n=210) were dark/black. Dermatologic images of skin, hair, nails, or mucosal disease made up 62.1% (n=1,031) of the images and 68.1% (n=702) were light/white. The pulmonary course presented the highest proportion of light/white skin (88.0%, n=44/50) and the dermatology course presented the lowest proportion of light/white skin (59.0%, n=301/510). Images of infectious diseases were more frequently presented in darker skin colors (χ2 [2]=15.46, P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Light/white skin was the standard used for visual learning images in the medical school curriculum at this institution. The authors outline steps to perform a curriculum audit and diversify medical curricula to ensure the next generation of physicians are educated to care for all patients.

Trend of incompleteness of maternal schooling and race/skin color variables held on the Brazilian Live Birth Information System, 2012-2020.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the trend of incompleteness of the maternal schooling and race/skin color variables held on the Brazilian Live Birth Information System (SINASC) between 2012 and 2020. METHODS: this was an ecological time series study of the incompleteness of maternal schooling and race/skin color data for Brazil, its regions and Federative Units, by means of joinpoint regression and calculation of annual percentage change (APC) and average annual percentage change. RESULTS: a total of 26,112,301 births were registered in Brazil in the period; incompleteness of maternal schooling data decreased for Brazil (APC = -8.1%) and the Southeast (APC = -19.5%) and Midwest (APC = -17.6%) regions; as for race/skin color, there was a downward trend for Brazil (APC = -8.2%) and all regions, except the Northeast region, while nine Federative Units and the Federal District showed a stationary trend. CONCLUSION: there was an improvement in filling out these variables on the SINASC, but with regional disparities, mainly for race/skin color.