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Introduction: This article aims to increase understanding of how Mexican immigrants respond to learning about non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a spectrum disease with a heavy burden among Mexican-origin people. Methodology: This article presents findings from qualitative interviews (n = 26) that formed part of a mixed-methods study of foreign-born Mexican immigrants carried out in 2019 to 2020 in southern Arizona to assess NAFLD awareness. Results: We documented common experiences of surprise, fear, and hope during study participation, all of which motivated research participants to reduce their NAFLD risk by seeking additional information, sharing it with others, and making lifestyle changes. Discussion: Understanding how these emotional experiences are tied to cultural and historical factors—including Mexico's high rates of liver disease, participant's limited access to health care, and the ability to address the NAFLD risk with lifestyle changes—may promote the development of more effective and culturally congruent care in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: People living with diabetes have an increased risk of developing mental health issues. Mexico has observed a high prevalence of people living with diabetes suffering from mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression. Self-management programs have demonstrated promise in helping participants address and prevent not only physiological health complications but mental health issues as well. This qualitative study aimed to understand the mental health benefits of a diabetes self-management intervention for health centers in Northern Mexico and opportunities for improvement through assessing stakeholder perspectives.Methods: Trained research staff used a semi-structured questionnaire guide to conduct all interviews and focus groups from February-May 2018. Individual interviews (n = 16) were conducted face-to-face at four health center sites among all health center directors and key staff located throughout the state of Sonora. One focus group (n = 41) was conducted at each of the four health centers among intervention participants. Directed content analysis was used to establish themes by understanding relationships, identifying similar experiences, and determining patterns across datasets.Results: In total 57 health center directors, health center staff, and intervention participants were involved in the interviews and focus groups across the four health centers. Overall the analysis identified four themes throughout the data, two were categorized as benefits and two as improvements. The primary themes for participant benefits were an increase in self-efficacy and social support to manage their chronic conditions. These were evident from not only participant perspectives, but health staff observations. Conversely, increased family involvement, and increased mental health integration and services within diabetes care were identified themes for opportunities to improve the intervention to be more inclusive and holistic.Conclusion: All stakeholders observed the benefits for intervention participants and opportunities for more inclusivity of the family and integration as well as an increase in mental health services. The themes identified demonstrated a need to more proactively enhance and utilize diabetes self-management as a means to improve mental health outcomes among people living with diabetes in Mexico. This is an opportunity to employ a more comprehensive approach to diabetes self-management, and integrate mental health services into overall diabetes care.Trial Registration: www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT02804698 . Registered on June 17, 2016. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pollen grains of two genera and twelve species (one with two varieties) belonging to Mexican members of the family Cistaceae are studied and illustrated. The taxa are: Helianthemum argenteum Hemsl., H. chihuahuense S. Wats., H. concolor (Riley) González-Ortega, H. coulteri S. Wats., H. glomeratum Lag., H. nutans Brandegee, H. patens Hemsl., H. pringlei S. Wats., H. pugae Calderón, H. scoparium var. aldersonii (Greene) Munz, H. scoparium var. vulgare Jepson, Lechea mucronata Raf. and L. tripetala (Moc. et Sessé) Britton. According to pollen characters two taxa can be differentiated, coinciding with the separation of Helianthemum and Lechea. At the species level within each genus, the species are very similar. All are reticulate and the diameter of lumina varies between 1 and 3 μ in Helianthemum, while that of Lechea measures less than 1 μ. The palynological characters of the Mexican plants considered as Helianthemum do not coincide with those refered in literature for the Old World species of that genus and differ also substantially from those reported for the members of Halimium and Crocanthemum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pollen grains morphology of the following members of the flora of the Valley of Mexico is studied and illustrated: family Aceraceae, represented by Acer negundo L. and A. negundo var. mexicanum (DC.) Standl. & Steyerm.; family Aquifoliaceae by liex tolucana Hemsl.; family Geraniaceae with 2 genera and 11 species: Erodium cicutarium (L.) L'Hérit., E. moschatum (L.) L'Hérit., Geranium aristisepalum Moore, G. bellum Rose, G. cruceroense Knuth, G. latum Small, G. lilacinum Knuth, G. lozani Rose, G. potentillaefolium, DC., G schiedeanum Schl. y G. seemannii Peyr. Pollen grains of Geraniaceae family can be separated on generic level, but differentiation of species is very difficult, in the genus Erodium it is not possible to separate the two species studied and, in Geranium differences in the ornamentation allow the recognition of two pollen groups: Geronium lozani, G. potenlillaefolium, G. seemannii, G. schiedeanum, G. bellum, G. cruceroense and G. litacinum have pollen grains with baculae of uniform size; in G. aristisepalum and G. latum the baculae are of two different sizes. The following families are also treated: Resedaceae, represented by Reseda luteola L.; Sabiaceae, by Meliosma dentata (Liebm.) Urban; and Saxifragaceae, by Heuchera orizabensis Hemsl., Philadelphus mexicanus Schl., Ribes affine H.B.K., R. ciliatum H.B.K. and R. microphyllum H.B.K. In the Ssxifragaceae, pollen grains of Heuchera and Philadelphus are similar but those of Ribes are very different. The observations of pollen grains were carried out with SEM and ML. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mexicans in the United States have been reported to maintain practices of Mexican traditional medicine at comparably higher rates than most other populations, including other Latino sub-groups. In this cross-sectional study, we examined the pre- and post-migration traditional medicine practices of first-generation immigrants from Mexico living in southern Arizona. Our objective was to assess how migration affected Mexican immigrants' ethnomedical practices and to better understand the mechanisms and motivating factors for the post-migration maintenance of practice. We designed a survey instrument based off prior qualitative data on traditional medicine practices and translated it into Spanish. The survey measured the rates and frequency of six domains of lay healing practices: herbal medicine, healing foods, self-medication with over-the-counter medicine, and three types of specialty healers (curandero/a, and sobador/a, or partero/a), and asked questions about knowledge sources, reasons for maintaining practice post-migration, and to what extent participants believed the remedies were effective. The research team fielded the telephone-based survey from April 2022 to February 2023 to 300 first-generation adult Mexican immigrants residing in southern Arizona. A series of proportions tests were conducted to examine differences in reliance on lay healing pre- and post-migration as well as to assess differences between women's and men's lay practices. The data indicate a general, but moderated decline in lay medical practices post-migration, with the usage of expert healers declining at much higher rates than the three self-care domains. Women tend to use herbal medicine and healing foods at higher rates than men post-migration. This cross-sectional quantitative study confirms prior research indicating that traditional medicine practices are heavily relied upon by Mexican origin people both pre- and post-migration. These findings suggest that public health messaging and medical providers should better address and harness Mexican immigrants' lay medical practices in order to optimize health in this population. • 92.3 % of Mexicans surveyed continued using traditional medicine post-migration. • Mexican women were more likely than men to maintain some lay medical practices. • Food-based remedies showed no statistically significant decline post-migration. • Frequency of lay medical practices in Mexico affected post-migration rates. • Mexicans cited manifold reasons for continuing traditional medicine in the US. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pollen grain morphology of the families Acanthaceae, Vitaceae and Violaceae of the flora of the Valley of México is studied and illustrated: the first family is represented by Acanthus mollis L., Anisacanthus quadrifidus (Vahl) Standl., Dicliptera peduncularis Nees, Dyschoriste decumbens (Gray) O. Ktze., D. microphylla (Cav.) O. Ktze., Justicia furcata Jacq., Pseuderanthemum praecox (Benth.) Leonard, Ruellia bourgaei Hemsl., R. lactea Cav., R. speciosa (Nees) Lindau, Stenandrium dulce (Cav.) Nees and Tetramerium nervosum Nees. Of the Vitaceae, pollen morphology of Cissus sicyoides L. and Vitis bourgeana Planchon, is described. Palynological keys for separation of genera and species of the Acanthaceae and Vitaceae are included. The Violaceae comprehend Hybanthus verticillatus (Ort.) Baill., H. verbenaceus (H.B.K.) Loes., Viola beamanii Calderón, V. ciliata Schl., V. hemsleyana Calderón, V. hookeriana H.B.K., V. humilis H.B.K., V. painteri Rose et House and V. umbraticola H.B.K. Pollen grains of this family are very uniform and therefore it is not possible to separate the taxa by palynological characteristics. Observations of pollen grains were carried out with light microscope and scanning electronic microscope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pollen grain morphology of 9 families and 10 species of the tropical deciduous forest of the Biological Station of Chamela, Jalisco, belonging to the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México was studied. These taxa are: Achatocarpaceae represented by Achatocarpus gracilis H. Walt.; Basellaceae, Anredera scandens (L.) Moq.; Caricaceae, Jarilla heterophylla (Cav.) Rusby and Jacaratia mexicana A. DC.; Chrysobalanaceae, Couepia polyandra (Kunth) Rose; Julianiaceae, Amphipterygium adstringens (Schlecht.) Schiede; Moringaceae, Moringa oleifera Lam.; Opiliaceae, Agonandra racemosa (DC.) Standl.; Plumbaginaceae, Plumbago scandens L. and Simaroubaceae, Recchia mexicana Moc. & Sessé. Pollen grains of the families Basellaceae, Caricaceae, Chrysobalanaceae, Moringaceae and Opiliaceae were studied with SEM. A key for genera and species of the Caricaceae, based on pollen grains characteristics, is also included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We examined how socioenvironmental risk factors unique to the United States-Mexico border, defined as border community and immigration stress, normalization of drug trafficking, and perceived disordered neighborhood stress, contribute to tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use among adolescents residing there. Design: Cross-sectional design. Setting: The study was conducted at a high school on the United States-Mexico border. Subjects: A sample of 445 primarily Hispanic students (ages 14-18). Measure: Perceived Disordered Neighborhood Stress Scale, Border Community and Immigration Stress Scale, and Normalization of Drug Trafficking Scale. Analysis: Logistic regression assessed the association between the socioenvironmental risk factors and past 30-day tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use. Results: Participants with higher border community and immigration stress scores were significantly more likely to have used tobacco (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.41, P <.01) and alcohol (aOR = 1.31, P <.01) in the past 30 days. Perceived disordered neighborhood stress also was associated with past 30-day alcohol use (aOR = 1.46, P <.00). The normalization of drug trafficking was associated with past 30-day marijuana use (aOR = 1.45, P <.05). Conclusions: Public health practitioners, educational institutions, and policy makers should consider the economic and normative environment of the United States-Mexico border for future substance use prevention and risk reduction efforts targeting border adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Selection for Cord Blood (CB) grafts for transplantation remains a challenge because of our inability to predict which mismatches will, and which will not, jeopardize patients’ survival. It has been shown that donor exposure to NIMA, can improve survival in unrelated CB transplantation and might reduce relapse, indicating that CB cells can mount an anti-leukemic effect. If this is confirmed, by matching for donors NIMAs in search algorithms of CB unrelated repositories, the probability of selecting a CBU with an optimal outcome will greatly increase. We focused on the analysis of CBU of the BACECU and of their mothers, looking into the HLA allele frequency (AF) of CBU and their mothers and allele and haplotype frequency (HF) of the NIMA. Methods DNA samples from the repository were HLA typed for A ∗ ; B ∗ ; C ∗ ; (two digits) DRB1 ∗ , DQB1 ∗ (HR), with the Luminex PCR-SSOP technology. The AF and haplotype HF was calculated using 82 mothers & CBU the SPSS17 software was used for the analyses. Analyses of HLA AF for CBU and their mothers; HLA AF for NIMAs and NIMA HF were performed as well as the presence of homozygous (H) alleles at any given locus in the mother. Results The prevalent NIMA, alleles (>5%) were: A ∗ 02, ∗ 68, ∗ 24, ∗ 03 ∗ ,01, ∗ 32, ∗ 29, ∗ 30; B ∗ 35, ∗ 39, ∗ 51, ∗ 40, ∗ 07, ∗ 44, ∗ 18, ∗ 52, ∗ 14; C ∗ 07, ∗ 04, ∗ 03, ∗ 12, ∗ 05, ∗ 15; DRB1 ∗ 08:02, ∗ 03:01, ∗ 01:01; ∗ 15:01, ∗ 04:01,16:02, ∗ 07:01, ∗ 04:07; DQB1 ∗ 04:02, ∗ 03:01; ∗ 03:02, ∗ 05:01, ∗ 06:02; the CB most frequent alleles (>5%) were: A ∗ 02, ∗ 24, ∗ 68, ∗ 01, ∗ 31; B ∗ 35, ∗ 14, ∗ 39, ∗ 44, ∗ 15, ∗ 51;C ∗ 07,03, ∗ 04, ∗ 08, ∗ 16;DRB1 ∗ 08:02,04:07, ∗ 01:02, ∗ 01:01, ∗ 07:01, ∗ 14:06; DQB1 ∗ 03:02, ∗ 03:01, ∗ 02:02, ∗ 05:01, ∗ 04:02. The three prevalent NIMA haplotypes (2.4%) were: 1. A ∗ 30-B ∗ 18-C ∗ 05-DRB1 ∗ 03:01-DQB1 ∗ 02:01; 2.- A ∗ 68-B ∗ 39-C ∗ 07-DRB1 ∗ 04:07-DQB1 ∗ 03:02(H); 3.- A ∗ 68-B ∗ 39-C ∗ 07-DRB1 ∗ 04:07-DQB1 ∗ 03:02. Among the NIMA haplotypes, 44%, carried at least one H allele at a given locus in the baby’s mother. The CB has a more Mestizo gene pool, than the NIMA. Conclusion Although many questions remain unanswered, in the light of these and the CB transplant results, it is worthwhile to identify NIMA matches as part of the selection process, to provide patients with permissive HLA mismatched but NIMA matched CBU, that may enhance the transplant outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate perspectives of diabetes, nutrition, and health among underrepresented Mexican-origin males and elucidate on contributing factors of type 2 diabetes disparities., Research Design: Audio-recorded, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 native Spanish-speaking, Mexican-origin males. Men were between the ages of 40 and 64 and at risk for type 2 diabetes-defined as > 40 years of age, BMI > 25, and sedentary over the last 3 months. Data collected included clinical measures (height, weight, waist circumference, blood pressure) and demographic characteristics (years living in the U.S., marital status, employment, occupational physical activity, income, educational attainment, and average physical activity levels). The audio recordings, each lasting approximately 60 min, were transcribed verbatim and underwent three-cycle coding with analysis for codebook formation, categorization, and thematic extraction., Results: Barriers to engaging in health behaviors among Mexican-origin males include poor understanding of diabetes and nutrition, unreliable sources of health information, and socioeconomic status. Enablers of health neglect include intense perceptions of diabetes severity and a reactive health culture rooted in medical machismo and valemadrismo. Perspectives of personal responsibility and the desire to learn through culturally specific recommendations detail potential facilitators of health behaviors., Conclusion: The data convey a network of sociocultural factors that inhibit health prioritization and promote disease misconceptions among Mexican-origin males. Pragmatic, culturally tailored education represents serviceable strategies for health promotion and diabetes prevention. These findings explicate cultural considerations for educators and clinicians seeking optimization of programs and clinical interactions with Mexican-origin men., (© 2020. W. Montague Cobb-NMA Health Institute.)

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has become a major issue in Mexico, reporting almost 100,000 attributable deaths in 2016. Low-income Mexican citizens who face various issues associated with T2DM, including the lack of access to self-management services, are particularly affected by the condition. Health centers have been designated to serve T2DM patients by providing resources on chronic disease prevention. Meta Salud Diabetes (MSD) is a self-management intervention developed to address cardiovascular complications and other health issues within the T2DM population, which have been proven effective and useful for health centers. The intervention was designed for T2DM support groups- grupos de ayuda mutua (GAMs) located within health centers. Methods: From February to June 2019, a binational research team conducted a test scale-up study in Northwest Sonora under the Ministry of Health utilizing the Institute for Healthcare Improvement Framework for scaling up health interventions. Investigators worked in collaboration and trained 19 stakeholders from a regional health system identified from various ecological levels on MSD and implementation process. Results: All five GAMs within the regional health system received and completed the intervention. In total, 72 participants were enrolled with behavioral and biological [HbA1c, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI)] measures taken at baseline. Post-intervention measurements were taken from 72% of participants who completed the intervention. Statistical analysis demonstrated improved behavioral and biological measures when comparing baseline to post-intervention, specifically statistically significant improvements in HbA1c and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption. Implementation fidelity (IF) measures indicated extensive adherence to the intervention curriculum, and moderators specifically demonstrated influences on implementation. Stakeholders from various ecological levels provided support to those facilitating the MSD intervention by allotting time and resources to properly prepare for sessions. An implementation coordinator from the regional health office assisted MSD facilitators by resolving barriers to implementation and worked toward federal accreditation for GAMs to receive additional funding. Conclusion: Results provide evidence for using regional health systems as a scalable unit when implementing chronic disease self-management interventions state- and nationwide. This study will help inform future efforts to scale up the health intervention in various states throughout Mexico. Clinical Trial Registration: www.ClinicalTrials.gov; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02804698?term=NCT02804698&draw=2&rank=1, identifier: NCT02804698., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Aceves, Denman, Ingram, Torres, Nuño, Garcia, Madhivanan and Rosales.)

Mexican-origin (MO) adults have among the highest rates of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) placing them at increased risk of liver cancer. Evidence suggests that a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the PNPLA3 gene, rs738409, increases the risk and progression of NAFLD and may modify the relationship between certain dietary factors and liver steatosis. The purpose of this study was to identify whether interactions exist between specific dietary factors and rs738409 genotype status among MO adults in relation to levels of liver steatosis. We analyzed cross-sectional data from a sample of 288 MO adults. Participants completed at least two 24-h dietary recalls. Multiple linear regression was performed assuming an additive genetic model to test the main effects of several dietary variables on levels of hepatic steatosis, adjusting for covariates. To test for effect modification, the product of the genotype and the dietary variable was included as a covariate in the model. No significant association between dietary intake and level of hepatic steatosis was observed, nor any significant gene-diet interactions. Our findings suggest that dietary intake may have the same magnitude of protective or deleterious effect even among MO adults with high genetic risk for NAFLD and NAFLD progression.

Aim: Skeletal-related events (SREs) are major bone complications that frequently occur in patients with solid tumors (ST) and bone metastases, and in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). SREs include pathological fracture, spinal cord compression, radiation to bone, and surgery to bone. Limited data are available regarding the burden of SREs in Latin America. We built an economic model to quantify the current and future economic burden of SREs among adults in four Latin American countries: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico., Methods: A comprehensive literature review with a systematic search strategy was conducted to parameterize the economic burden of illness (BOI) model. Economic analyses were conducted using a prevalence-based model. Aggregate SRE costs obtained from country-specific sources were used. We also included patient productivity losses. Costs were expressed in 2020 USD for the total annual burden, annual burden per 1,000 at risk, and projected five-year burden., Results: The estimated total number of SREs was 251,503 in 2020, amounting to a total annual cost of USD 1.4 billion. The total projected five-year cost was USD 6.9 billion. Annual costs were highest in Brazil (USD 779.1 million), followed by Mexico (USD 281.8 million), Argentina (USD 174.6 million), and Colombia (USD 120.1 million). The average financial burden per 1,000 at risk was greatest in Brazil (USD 3.6 million), followed by Mexico (USD 3.4 million), Colombia (USD 2.9 million), and Argentina (USD 2.7 million)., Conclusion: Despite recommendations by medical societies for the use of bone-targeted agents in patients with solid tumors and bone metastasis or with multiple myeloma and bone lesions, a large proportion of patients at risk of experiencing SREs are not treated. Early detection of bone metastases and SREs and the use of the most effective preventative treatments are needed to decrease the clinical and economic burden of SREs in Latin America.

Introduction: The purpose of this study is to use Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) methods and Photovoice to identify the perceived environmental factors that influence substance use among adolescents living at the U.S.-Mexico border., Methods: One academic and a local youth health coalition engaged in Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) using Photovoice and qualitative methods to examine the perceived factors influencing adolescent substance use in their border community., Results: Identified novel risk factors for adolescent substance use on the border included the normalization of drug trafficking, normalization of substance use, and cross-border access to substances. Novel protective factors included living in a close-knit binational community and having strong binational family and social support systems. The findings also illustrate a nexus of 'factors' wherein risk and protective elements overlap., Conclusion: This study contributes to the broader literature on international border health and how living in a border space influences adolescent substance use. The examination of influential border-bound factors provides a more complete understanding of the experiences of youth living on the U.S.-Mexico border, and informs the field of the importance of considering the border experience for future prevention and risk reduction efforts with border adolescents., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

This study investigated the risk behaviors and HIV infection rate in a sample of 210 migrant and seasonal farm workers (MSFW) working in the border city of El Paso, Texas and nearby communities. Surveys and structured interviews collected data on sexual behavior, drug use, condom use, and other potential risk behaviors associated with HIV infection. In addition, all subjects were tested for HIV exposure by using commercial kits. The MSFW participants were all Hispanic and comprised 156 males and 54 females. Only a small minority of the subjects reported engaging in same-sex (1.4%) or bisexual relations (2.8%). Most reported vaginal intercourse (94.7%), while 9% of males and 7.4% of females also reported anal intercourse. Forty-eight percent of the sample reported having sexual activity under the influence of alcohol (44%) and/or other drugs (14%). In this study, only 3.8% admitted to intravenous drug use. Furthermore, most reported that they never used any barrier method during vaginal (71.7%), anal (72.0%), or oral intercourse (87.5%). Only one subject, a male with multiple sex and needle-sharing partners was HIV positive. Although a low level (.47%) of HIV infection was detected in the MSFW population tested, this rate is much higher than that reported for the rest of the county (.0099%) and indicates that this population is at a higher risk of HIV infection.