Quercetin protects the retina by reducing apoptosis due to ischemia-reperfusion injury in a rat model / Quercetina protege a retina reduzindo a apoptose consequente à lesão por isquemia e reperfusão em um modelo de rato

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of quercetin on apoptotic cell death induced by ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in the rat retina. Methods: Twenty-four rats were divided into four equal groups: control, ischemic, solvent, and quercetin. I/R injury was achieved by elevating the intraocular pressure above the perfusion pressure. Intraperitoneal injections of 20 mg/kg of quercetin and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) were performed in the quercetin and solvent groups, respectively, immediately prior to I/R injury, and the researchers allowed for the retinas to be reperfused. Forty-eight hours after injury, the thicknesses of the retinal ganglion cell layer (RGCL), inner nuclear layer (INL), inner plexiform layer (IPL), outer plexiform layer (OPL), and outer nuclear layer (ONL) were measured in all groups. Moreover, the numbers of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end-labeled [TUNEL (+)] cells and caspase-3 (+) cells in both INL and ONL were evaluated in all groups. Results: The administration of quercetin was found to reduce the thinning of all retinal layers. The mean thickness of INL in the quercetin and ischemic groups was 21 ± 5.6 µm and 16 ± 6.4 µm, respectively (P<0.05). Similarly, the mean thickness of ONL in the quercetin and ischemic groups was 50 ± 12.8 µm and 40 ± 8.7 µm, respectively (P<0.05). The antiapoptotic effect of quercetin in terms of reducing the numbers of both TUNEL (+) cells and caspase-3 (+) cells was significant in INL. The mean number of TUNEL (+) cells in INL in the ischemic and quercetin groups was 476.8 ± 45.6/mm2 and 238.72 ± 251/mm2, respectively (P<0.005). The mean number of caspase-3 (+) cells in INL of ischemic and quercetin groups was 633.6 ± 38.7/mm2 and 342.4 ± 36.1/mm2, respectively (P<0.001). Conclusion: The use of quercetin may be beneficial in the treatment of retinal I/R injury because of its antiapoptotic effect on the retinal layers, particularly in INL. .

Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo é investigar o efeito da quercetina, contra a morte celular por apoptose induzida por lesão consequente à isquemia-reperfusão (I/R) na retina de ratos. Método: Vinte e quatro ratos foram divididos em quatro grupos iguais: controle, isquêmico, solvente e quercetina. O modelo lesão por I/R foi realizado por meio da elevação da pressão intraocular acima da pressão de perfusão, em todos os grupos. Injecções intraperitoneais de 20 mg/kg de quercetina ou sulfóxido de dimetilo (DMSO) foram realizadas nos grupos quercetina e solvente, respectivamente, imediatamente antes da lesão por I/R, permitindo que as retinas fossem reperfundidas. Quarenta e oito horas após a lesão, as espessuras de camada de células ganglionares da retina (RGCL), camada nuclear interna (INL), camada plexiforme interna (IPL), camada plexiforme externa (OPL), e a camada nuclear externa (ONL) foram medidas em todos os grupos. Além disso, o número de células TUNEL (+) e caspase-3 (+) tanto na camada nuclear interna quanto na camada nuclear externa foi avaliada em todos os grupos. Resultados: A administração de quercetina diminuiu o afinamento de todas as camadas da retina em comparação com o grupo isquêmico. A espessura média da camada nuclear interna nos grupos quercetina e isquêmico foi de 21 ± 5,6 µm e 16 ± 6,4 µm, respectivamente (p<0,05). A espessura média da camada nuclear externa no grupo quercetina e isquêmico foi 50 ± 12,8 µm e 40 ± 8,7 µm, respectivamente (p<0,05). O efeito anti-apoptótico de quercetina em termos de redução do número de células TUNEL (+) e caspase-3 (+) foi significativa na INL. O número médio de células TUNEL (+) da camada nuclear interna no grupo isquêmico e quercetina foi 476,8 ± 45,6/mm2 e 238,72 ± 251/mm2, respectivamente (p<0,005). O médio número de células de caspase-3 (+) na INL do grupo isquêmico e quercetina foi 633,6 ± 38,7/mm2 e 342,4 ± 36,1/mm2, respectivamente (p<0,001). Conclusão: A utilização ...

Changes in and Factors Affecting Second-hand Smoke Exposure in Nonsmoking Korean Americans in California: A Panel Study

PURPOSE: We evaluated changes in and factors affecting second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure in a panel study of nonsmokers. METHODS: This study was based on data from a larger study of tobacco use among a representative sample of adults of Korean descent residing in California. Participants included 846 males and 1,399 females who were nonsmokers at baseline (2005-2006) and at follow-up (2007-2009). Participants were selected by probability sampling and were interviewed by telephone. RESULTS: At baseline, 50.0% were exposed to any SHS, and at follow-up 2 years later, 60.4% were exposed to any SHS (p < .001). SHS exposure at baseline was associated with acculturation, employment, spousal smoking, and having a friend who smoked (p < .001). Employment, spousal smoking, and other family members smoking were associated with SHS at follow-up (p < .001). The odds ratio of SHS in the employed group declined from 2.01 at baseline to 1.53 at follow-up, that of the group having a smoking spouse increased from 1.88 to 2.36, and that of the group having other family members smoking increased from 1.20 to 1.69. CONCLUSIONS: We showed that SHS exposure increased among Korean American nonsmokers in California, and the most important variables explaining the change in SHS exposure involved smoking among others with whom the subject is associated. These findings could be used as objective evidence for developing public health policies to reduce SHS exposure.

Las generaciones de inmigrantes y sus descendientes y el riesgo de diabetes en la población de los Estados Unidos de origen o ascendencia mexicana: el Estudio sobre Envejecimiento en Latinos del Área de Sacramento (estudio SALSA) / Immigrant generation and diabetes risk among Mexican Americans: the Sacramento Area Latino Study on Aging

OBJETIVO: Se investigó si la aculturación de los inmigrantes y sus descendientes y la generación a la que pertenecen, un marcador de la asimilación, se relacionan con el riesgo de diabetes en una población de adultos mayores de ascendencia u origen mexicano. MÉTODOS: Se analizaron los datos sobre 1 789 adultos de 60 a 101 años de edad del Estudio sobre Envejecimiento en Latinos del Área de Sacramento (estudio SALSA). Se determinó la presencia de diabetes tipo 2 con base en el uso de medicamentos antidiabéticos, la mención por el paciente del diagnóstico de un médico, o una glucosa en ayunas de 126 mg/dl o mayor. Se aplicó un modelo de regresión logística para la prevalencia de diabetes. RESULTADOS: Tras ajustar por edad y sexo, se observaron asociaciones significativas pero divergentes entre las generaciones de inmigrantes y sus descendientes, la aculturación y el riesgo de diabetes. En relación con los adultos de la primera generación, los de la segunda tuvieron una razón de posibilidades (odds ratio, OR) de padecer diabetes de 1,8 (intervalo de confianza [IC] de 95% = 1,4, 2,4) y los adultos de la tercera generación tuvieron una OR de 2,1 (IC de 95% = 1,4, 3,1). Sin embargo, una mayor aculturación a los Estados Unidos se relacionó con una tasa ligeramente menor de diabetes. En el modelo completo, tras la incorporación de ajustes para tener en cuenta los factores socioeconómicos y del modo de vida, la relación entre la generación y la diabetes seguía siendo significativa, no así la relación de esta última con la aculturación. CONCLUSIONES: El presente estudio respalda la idea, anteriormente cuestionada, de que la asimilación se relaciona con un mayor riesgo de diabetes entre los inmigrantes de origen mexicano. Los investigadores deben analizar más detalladamente la presencia de una relación causal entre la asimilación y la salud.

OBJECTIVE: We examined whether acculturation and immigrant generation, a marker for assimilation, are associated with diabetes risk in an aging Mexican origin population. METHODS: We analyzed data on 1789 adults aged 60 to 101 years from the Sacramento Area Latino Study on Aging. We ascertained type 2 diabetes on the basis of diabetic medication use, self-report of physician diagnosis, or a fasting glucose of 126 milligrams/deciliter or greater. Logistic regression modeled prevalent diabetes. RESULTS: Adjusting for age and gender, we observed significant but divergent associations between immigrant generation, acculturation, and diabetes risk. Relative to first-generation adults, second-generation adults had an odds ratio (OR) of 1.8 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.4, 2.4) and third-generation adults had an OR of 2.1 (95% CI = 1.4, 3.1) of having diabetes. Greater US acculturation, however, was associated with a slightly decreased diabetes rate. In the full model adjusting for socioeconomic and lifestyle factors, the association between generation (but not acculturation) and diabetes remained significant. CONCLUSIONS: Our study lends support to the previously contested notion that assimilation is associated with an increased diabetes risk in Mexican immigrants. Researchers should examine the presence of a causal link between assimilation and health more closely.

Targeting children's dietary behaviors in a family intervention: 'Entre familia: reflejos de salud' / Enfoque en hábitos alimenticios de los hijos en una intervención familiar: 'Entre familia: reflejos de salud'

Objective. This intervention sought to promote healthy eating with the ultimate goal of reducing childhood obesity risk. Materials and methods. Three hundred and sixty-one Latino families living on the US-Mexico border with at least one child between 7-13 years of age were eligible to participate. Families randomly assigned to the four-month intervention received 14 contacts with a promotora (community health worker), consisting of 11 home visits and three telephone calls; the control condition was a delayed treatment intervention. Children reported on their dietary intake at baseline, immediately post-intervention and at the six month follow-up visit. Results. The intervention reduced weekly consumption of fast food (p<0.05). A dose-response relationship was observed such that for every seven hours of promotora contact, monthly variety of fruits (p<0.01) and vegetables (p<0.01) increased by one. No other intervention effects were observed. Conclusions. Family-based interventions can improve children's eating habits, with the amount of contact with the promotora being key to success.

Objetivo. Promover una alimentación saludable con el objetivo final de reducir el riesgo de obesidad infantil. Material y métodos. Trescientas sesenta y una familias latinas que viven en la frontera de EU y México, y que cuentan con por lo menos un hijo entre 7 y 13 años, fueron elegibles para participar. Las familias asignadas al azar a la intervención de cuatro meses tuvieron contacto 14 veces (11 visitas familiares y tres llamadas telefónicas) con una promotora; el grupo de control recibió el tratamiento de intervención al final del programa. Los niños reportaron su ingesta alimenticia al inicio, inmediatamente después de la intervención y en la visita de seguimiento a los seis meses. Resultados. La intervención redujo el consumo semanal de comida rápida (p<0.05). Se observó una relación dosis-respuesta tal que por cada siete horas de contacto con la promotora, la variedad mensual de frutas (p<0.01) y verduras (p<0.01) tuvo un incremento de uno. No se observaron otros efectos de intervención. Conclusiones. Las intervenciones basadas en la familia pueden mejorar los hábitos alimenticios de los niños, siendo la cantidad de contacto con la promotora clave para el éxito.

Current depression among women in California according to residence in the California—Mexico border region / Depresión actual en las mujeres en California según el lugar de residencia en la región fronteriza entre California y México

Objective. To estimate the prevalence of current depression; examine the relationshipbetween current depression and immigration, health status, health care access, and healthbehaviors; and assess differences by California–Mexico border region (Imperial and San DiegoCounties) among women in California.Methods. Using a cross-sectional, representative sample of adult women from the CaliforniaWomen’s Health Survey (n = 13 454), a statewide telephone survey, prevalence of currentdepression and predictors of depression were examined in California and according to borderregion residence. Depression was assessed with the eight-item Patient Health Questionnaire.Results. The prevalence of current depression for women in California was 12.0%. It wassimilar in the border (13.0%) and the nonborder (11.9%) regions. Odds of current depressionin women were lower among recent immigrants (< 5 years or 5 to < 10 years in the UnitedStates) than in women born in the United States and in immigrants who had been living inthe United States for 10 to < 15 years or longer (P < 0.05). Odds ratios for current depressionand health status, health care access, and binge drinking were larger in the border region thanoutside the border region.Conclusions. Similar prevalences of current depression were observed among those wholive in the border region of California and in those who do not, but the relationship betweendepression and health status, health care access, and binge drinking varied by border regionresidence. Ideally, future surveillance of depression and its predictors along the Mexico–California border will be conducted binationally to inform interventions and tracking such asthe Healthy Border Program’s objectives.

Support for disease management, depression, self-care, and clinical indicators among Hispanics with type 2 diabetes in San Diego County, United States of America / Indicadores clínicos y apoyo para el manejo de la enfermedad, la depresión, el autocuidado en hispanos que padecen diabetes tipo 2 en el Condado de San Diego, Estados Unidos

This study used a social-ecological framework to examine predictors of depression, diabetes self-management, and clinical indicators of health risk among Hispanics with type 2 diabetes residing in the United States (U.S.)-Mexico border region in San Diego County, California, United States of America. Important links were observed between greater social-environmental support for disease management and less depression, better diabetes self-management, and lower body mass index and serum triglyceride concentrations. Less depressive symptomatology was also related to lower hemoglobin A1c levels. Findings suggest that programs aiming to improve diabetes self-management and health outcomes in Hispanics with type 2 diabetes should consider multilevel, social, and environmental influences on health, behavior, and emotional well-being.

En este estudio se utilizó un marco socioecológico para analizar los factores predictivos de la depresión, la autogestión de la diabetes y los indicadores clínicos de riesgo para la salud en hispanos que padecen diabetes tipo 2 residentes en la zona fronteriza entre México y los Estados Unidos del Condado de San Diego en California. Se observaron vínculos importantes entre un mayor apoyo socioambiental para el manejo de la enfermedad y una presencia menor de la depresión, una mejor autogestión de la diabetes, y menores índices de masa corporal y concentraciones de triglicéridos séricos. La presencia menor de síntomas depresivos también se relacionó con niveles inferiores de hemoglobina A1c. Estos resultados indican que los programas dirigidos a mejorar la autogestión de la diabetes y los resultados en materia de salud en los hispanos que padecen diabetes tipo 2 deben tener en cuenta las influencias sociales y ambientales sobre la salud, el comportamiento y el bienestar emocional.

Longitudinal study of smoking progression in Chinese and Vietnamese American adolescents.

The use of tobacco remains a significant public health concern among Asian American (AA) adolescents. Understanding the factors that affect smoking progression among Chinese and Vietnamese adolescents in particular, may help in illuminating potential interventions that can be implemented to maximize scarce programming and resources. This study is a longitudinal cohort study with data collected in California via telephone over a two-year period. 1,270 Chinese and Vietnamese American adolescents were recruited via telephone listings from one southern and four northern California counties. Main outcomes were smoking susceptibility and change in smoking status. Examination of these adolescents indicated that in both groups: boys were more likely than girls to become susceptible to smoking, risk behaviors were associated with becoming smokers, having been susceptible at baseline was associated with susceptibility and smoking at follow-up, and the influence of friends was a predictor of susceptibility and smoking.

Cancer incidence in the Middle Eastern population of California, 1988-2004.

International statistics suggest lower cancer incidence in the Middle East and Middle Eastern (ME) immigrants in Europe, Australia, and Canada, but little is known from the United States. This study compares cancer rates in ME population with other race/ethnic groups in California from 1988 through 2004. ME cases in California cancer registry were identified by surname and ME population was estimated from U.S. Census data. Cancer rates for ME countries was obtained from Globocan. The ME incidence rate ratios for all sites combined in male and female were 0.77 and 0.82, respectively and were statistically significant. ME rates were significantly lower for cancers of the colon, lung, skin melanoma, female breast and prostate, and were significantly higher for cancers of the stomach, liver, thyroid, leukemia, and male breast. Cancer incidence in ME population in California was 2.4 times higher than rates in home countries. Incidence trends in ME males remained fairly stable but in females shows a slight decline in recent years. Cancer incidence in ME population is lower than non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic Black, but is higher than rates for Hispanics and Asians, and ME countries. Improved data quality, chronic infections, acculturation, and access to screening services are some of the factors responsible for the observed pattern.

Hepatitis B and liver cancer knowledge and preventive practices among Asian Americans in the San Francisco Bay Area, California.

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection causes liver cancer and disproportionately affects the Asian community in the U.S. In order to advance HBV and liver cancer awareness and prevention, it is important to identify existing gaps in knowledge and preventive practices among Asian Americans. Therefore, the authors administered a written questionnaire to 199 adults in the Asian-American community of the San Francisco Bay Area, California. Although the majority of adults had at least a college education, knowledge regarding HBV transmission, prevention, symptoms, risks, and occurrence was low. Fewer than 60% reported having been tested for HBV, only 31% reported having been vaccinated against HBV, and only 44% reported having had their children vaccinated. Asians, especially those born in China or Southeast Asia, had significantly poorer knowledge regarding HBV and liver cancer than non-Asians. Those with higher knowledge levels were significantly more likely to have been tested for HBV and to have had their children vaccinated. Younger adults, women, Caucasians, more highly educated individuals, those not born in China or Hong Kong, and those with a personal or family history of liver disease were more likely to have taken preventive action against HBV. Our results suggest that HBV and liver cancer knowledge among Asian Americans, especially Chinese Americans, is poor, and that better knowledge is associated with increased preventive practices. Thus, there is a need for increased HBV education and improved community-based interventions to prevent HBV-related liver disease in the high-risk Asian-American community.

Hepatitis A: the burden among Latino children in California

OBJETIVO: Determinar la tasa de prevalencia de la hepatitis A entre ciertos grupos de población de los condados del sur de California. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se calcularon las tasas de hepatitis A por edad y raza/etnia utilizando los datos de los archivos del Centro de Servicios de Salud y Vigilancia de California, y los denominadores demográficos del ciclo 1996-2001 de la Sección de Estadísticas del Departamento de Finanzas de California. RESULTADOS: Los 2.3 millones de niños latinos (de 0 a 14 años) de cinco condados del sur de California presentaron una tasa de 31.1 casos por cada 100 000 niños, lo que muestra que es cinco veces más alta que la tasa anglosajona. CONCLUSIONES: El Comité Consejero de Prácticas de Inmunización del CDC recomienda vacunar rutinariamente a los niños con índices "muy altos" de hepatitis A. La frecuencia anual de hepatitis A, especialmente en el sur de California, alcanzó el índice "muy alto" de acuerdo con lo establecido por el CDC; por lo tanto, debería considerarse a los niños latinos de estos condados para la administración rutinaria de vacunas contra la hepatitis A. Como la salud no tiene fronteras, este problema debería tomarse en cuenta por los servicios de la salud pública de ambos países, México y Estados Unidos.

Inseguridad alimentaria en latinos de California: observaciones de grupos focales / Food insecurity among Latinos in California: A focal groups study

OBJETIVO: Estudiar la percepción y la experiencia sobre inseguridad alimentaria entre latinoamericanos de California, así como su interpretación de los insumos incluidos en la Escala de Seguridad Alimentaria. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Entre noviembre y diciembre de 2000, en los condados californianos de Solano y San Joaquín, se efectuaron cuatro grupos focales, con 30 adultos de origen latinoamericano residentes allí. Los comentarios de los participantes fueron codificados por dos investigadores para determinar los temas principales, y fueron confrontados para verificar su convergencia. RESULTADOS: Las preguntas fueron bien comprendidas, no percibiéndose como ofensivas. El marco conceptual se confirmó como "proceso manejado" con diferentes niveles de severidad. Las causas de inseguridad alimentaria identificadas fueron: desempleo, alto costo de algunos alimentos y falta de información nutricional. La necesidad de educación nutricional fue una constante. CONCLUSIONES: Para interpretar datos nacionales de inseguridad alimentaria en latinoamericanos es esencial considerar su percepción particular de ese fenómeno

Caracterización de los procesos neumónicos en becerros lecheros de la región de Tijuana Baja California, México / Characterization of sairy calf pneumonia in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico

Este estudio se realizó con objeto de caracterizar los procesos neumónicos sufridos por becerras lecheras de Tijuana, Baja California, México, así como conocer la importancia relativa de los principales agentes bacterianos involucrados. En 12 establos, con distintos tipos de alojamientos para sus crías, se obtuvieron muestras pulmonares de un total de 100 becerras, de 15 días a 4 meses de edad, con antecedentes de haber padecido neumonía. La mayor parte de los problemas neumónicos se presentaron en granjas que alojaron a sus crías dentro de edificios, mientras que las que utilizaban casetas exteriores mostraron el menor índice de mortalidad ocasionado por neumonías. Las muestras pulmonares fueron sembradas por duplicado en agar sangre y agar chocolate, e incubadas a 37oC por 24 h en aerobiosis o microaerobiosis, respectivamente. Las bacterias aisladas fueron identificadas de acuerdo a los métodos bioquímicos rutinarios, utilizando cepas de referencia como control. Se aisló Pasteurella multocida en 34 animales, P. haemolytica en 31 casos y Haemophilus somnus en 11 ocasiones. Además se aislaron diversas bacterias consideradas como secundarias: Streptococcus spp en 12 casos y Staphylococcus spp en 7 animales. La totalidad de las cepas aisladas de P. multocida fueron clasificadas como del biotipo A, al igual que las 31 cepas de P. haemolytica. De estas últimas, 26 cepas (83.9 por ciento) se clasificaron como serotipo 1 y solamente 2 cepas se caracterizaron como serotipo 2, detectándose 3 cepas no tipificables