Leptin and its Association with Obesity among Mexican Adolescents

Purpose: To investigate the association between leptin concentrations and nutritional status among a Mexican adolescent population. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 448 adolescents attending five schools in Durango, Mexico. Serum leptin concentrations were measured by ELISA. Other measurements included height, weight, and waist and hip circumference. Body fat of participants was assessed with bio-electrical impedance using a body composition analyzer InBody-720. Sociodemographic information was also collected. Results: Based on IOTF BMI cut-off points, 34.1% of adolescents were overweight and obese and prevalence rates were higher among females (37.1%) than males (29.5%). In agreement with waist circumference, 22.5% of participants were overweight and had abdominal obesity; and based on waist-to-hip ratio 35.5% had truncal obesity. Leptin concentration levels among females (19.33 ng/dL) were two times higher than among males (40.07 ng/dL) with a statistical significant difference (p=0.000). Leptin levels among obese females (69.92 ng/dL) were three times higher than among underweight females (17.70 ng/dL). Conversely, leptin levels among males (43.52 ng/dL) were four times higher than among their underweight counterparts (10.08 ng/dL). Mean leptin levels among women with body fat greater than 28% (46.44 ng/dL) were statistically different and 1.7 times higher than those with lower body fat (25.96 ng/dL) (p=0.000). Mean leptin levels among males with body fat greater than 20% (30.17 ng/dL) were statistically different (p=0.000) and 2.4 times higher than among males with lower body fat (12.35 ng/dL). Among both females and males, leptin concentration levels were positively and significantly associated with visceral body fat (R2=0.344 females; R2=0.373 males; p=0.000). Conclusions: Significant correlations between leptin and BMI, body fat percentage, and visceral adipose tissue area indicate that this hormone can be used as a biomarker for obesity among adolescents

Decrypting pMHC-I Diversity Through Noncanonical Translation Initiation

MHC class-I antigen processing provides CD8+ T-cells with a window into cellular proteomic states in the form of peptide-MHC-I (pMHC-I). In previous work, we uncovered a set of ATG-like translation initiation codons that define noncanonical open reading frames (ORFs) of cryptic peptides presented by MHC-I. The model cryptic initiation codon CTG shares key translation initiation requirements with canonical ATG initiation yet incorporates N-terminal Methionine or N-terminal Leucine. Here, we aim to characterize the activity and peptide products associated with the remaining cryptic codons, shedding light on the contribution of cryptic ORFs to the peptidome accessible to MHC-I. We use the subfemtomole sensitivity of the hyperB3Z reporter T-cell hybridoma to interrogate the identity of an OVA peptide variant (SIINFEHL) reporter in a standardized cryptic initiation context. Transfection of mammalian cell lines with reporter constructs enabled the purification of peptides from cell extracts, followed by Reverse Phase HPLC to distinguish N-terminally extended and processed SIINFEHL intermediates. Our findings indicate that CTG and ACG initiation incorporate N-terminal Methionine. At the same time, N-terminal Leucine was not observed under CTG initiation despite coexpression of the H2-Db allotype known to bind and protect N-terminally extended OVA peptide. Peptide reporters with a P2 satisfying the optimal (CACCxxxG) Kozak sequence (i.e., glycine and aspartic acid) revealed that bulky residues at P2 enhance recovery of the total reporter, suggesting that peptide stability from cryptic reading frames largely depends on P2 residue. Furthermore, our model replicates the loss of endogenous antigens resulting from TAP deficiency and is amenable to studying the effects of nonsense-mediated decay on antigen presentation. These tools expand our understanding of cryptic initiation products, providing insights into defining the immune self and uncovering new sources of pMHC-I unique to tumor immunology, autoimmunity, and viruses

Relationship between Dyslipidemia and Physical Activity in Mexican Children

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to determine the relationship between physical activity and lipid levels in children 10 to 13 years of age living in Durango, Mexico. Method: Cross-sectional study performed in 823 children (n=428, 52% boys; n=395, 48% girls) enrolled in nine elementary schools. Physical activity was monitored in two ways: a) a questionnaire was used to obtain information about physical activity done in the previous week, and b) steps were counted for 24 hours with a Yamax SW-200 pedometer. A subsample of 425 children provided serum samples to determine total-cholesterol (TC), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides (TG). Results: Over half (52.9%) participated in a sports team inside or outside of school; most (90.9%) reported one sport, with few (9.1%) reporting 2-3 sports. The most commonly reported vigorous PA was: soccer (33%), basketball (24%), jogging (8-12 km/h) (23%), volleyball (17%) and others (3%). Those who participated in a sports team had higher levels of HDL-C and lower TG. Participation in 2 or 3 sports reduced TG levels just over 20%. Boys who reported 30 minutes or more per day of vigorous activity had lower triglyceride levels than those who reported less (p = 0.020). Boys accumulated significantly more steps per day (m=17,030 ± 6444) than girls (m=12,991± 5316; p \u3c 0.001). The prevalence of lipid abnormalities was higher in children with fewer steps. Hypercholesterolemia was lower in boys with the highest number of steps (p = 0.044), in girls the differences were not statistically significant. Hypertriglyceridemia in both sexes was lower in the group with the highest number of steps (

The Bio-Psycho-Social-Cultural Domains And Their Impact On Psychopharmacological Utilization Among Latinxs

The Latinx population has become the largest minority group in the United States (U.S.).1 Compared to non-Hispanic Whites, Latinxs are younger and have less formal education. This community is also confronted with additional stressors (i.e., more likely to have problems of unemployment, poverty, lack of insurance, and language barriers).2 Although Latinxs are just as likely as non-Hispanic Whites to suffer from a mental illness, they are more likely to go untreated.3 Specifically, Latinxs experiences with psychopharmacological treatments is not well understood but can be studied through the multipath model (MPM).4 The MPM offers a way to view the variety and complexity of contributors to mental disorders. The etiology can be understood through four domains: Biological, Psychological, Social, and Sociocultural.4 To date, little attention has been given to specific domains of the MPM that contribute to psychopharmacological utilization among Latinxs. This qualitative study therefore explores the bio-psycho-social-cultural domains and its role on psychopharmacological utilization among 20 Latinx adults (50% Spanish speakers, 80% immigrant). Using thematic analysis, results indicated Latinxs underutilize psychopharmacology within three of the four domains of the MPM. Psychological factors included perceived negative outcomes, such as illness or dependency, and even fear of deportation. The role of family was the strongest social factor for underutilization. Sociocultural factors for underutilization included religion and religious fatalism. Perceived acceptance of receiving mental health treatment in the U.S. as compared to native Latin American countries was a sociocultural factor for utilizing psychopharmacology. Interestingly, participants did not highlight any biological factor as means for psychopharmacological treatments. Overall, providers can benefit from the multipath model (MPM) when working with the Latinx community in order to better understand preconceptions that may impact psychopharmacological utilization. Additional research and practical implications are therefore discussed when working with the Latinx community. References: 1. Garcia, J. A., Sanchez, G. R., Sanchez-Youngman, S., Vargas, E. D., & Ybarra, V. D. (2015). Race as lived experience: The impact of multi-dimensional measures of race/ethnicity on the self-reported health status of Latinos. Du Bois review: Social Science Research on Race, 12(2), 349-373. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742058X15000120 2. McDonald, J. A., & Paulozzi, L. J. (2019). Parsing the paradox: Hispanic mortality in the US by detailed cause of death. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 21(2), 237-245. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-018-0737-2 3. Moreno, O., Ortiz, M., Fuentes, L., Garcia, D., & Leon-Perez, G. (2020). Vaya con Dios: The influence of religious constructs on stressors around the migration process and U.S. lived experiences among Latina/o immigrants. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health,17(11), 3961. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17113961 4. Neuendorf, K.A. The Content Analysis Guidebook; SAGE Publications: Thousand Oaks, CA, USA, 2017. https://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781071802878 5. Rush, S.C. (2014) Transana: Qualitative analysis software for video and audio. Educational Psychology 30, 213–214. 6. Sue, D., Sue, D. W., Sue, S., & Sue, D. M. (2015). Understanding abnormal behavior. Cengage Learning.. doi: 01/01/2016 7. U.S. Census Bureau (2015). Quick facts: United States population estimates. Retrieved from https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/US/PST045218. 8. Moreno, O., Nelson, T. & Cardemil. E. (2017) Religiosity and attitude toward professional mental health services: analysing religious coping as a mediator among Mexican origin Latinas/os in the southwest United States, Journal of Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 20(7), 626-637. https://doi.org/10.1080/13674676.2017.1372735 9. Moreno, O., & Cardemil, E. (2018). Religiosity and well-being among Mexican-born and U.S.-born Mexicans: A qualitative investigation. Journal of Latina/o Psychology, 6(3). 235-247. https://doi.org/10.1037/lat000009

Demographic Factors and Attitudes towards Mental Health Medication Treatments among Latinxs

Attitudes towards mental health medications vary, however negative perceptions are often born of normative cultural values, stigma, and religious fatalism,1-3 as well as overall demographic characteristics such as gender, nativity, and primary language.4,5 Further research suggests many Latinx adults fear negative outcomes from adhering to medication for mental health treatment, such as dependence and side effects and, instead, would prefer psychotherapy over psychopharmacology.1,2 Lastly, a lack of health literacy,6 culturally appropriate treatments and information,7 as well as barriers to care also have shown to impact attitudes towards mental health medication treatments among Latinxs.8 To date, little attention has been given to the attitudes towards mental health treatments that will either facilitate or impede using medication treatments for mental health. This qualitative study therefore explores the demographic factors and attitudes towards mental health medication treatment among 20 adult Latinxs (45% Puerto Rico, 20% El Salvador, 10% Guatemala, 10% Honduras, 15% other). Using thematic analysis, results indicated that Latinxs held positive, negative, and neutral attitudes toward mental health medication treatments. Participants who were neutral tended to be more open to treatment, however, still hesitant, indicating medication treatment as a last resort or would engage in it only if recommended by someone they trust (i.e., medical doctor or religious leader). Positive attitudes towards medication treatment were split between it being easier to take medication than talk to someone about one\u27s problems, or the opposite; it is easier to talk to a stranger (i.e., mental health provider) than to someone who is close and trusted (i.e., religious leader). Positive attitudes were also supported through trust in medical professionals. Negative attitudes towards receiving mental health medication treatment were more cultural such that individuals suffering from mental illness should be strong enough to get through it on their own, or that one should trust in God to heal you. The participants who held negative attitudes reported more mistrust in medical professionals, including mental health providers and psychological treatment methodology. Demographically, there were no clear trends in the data for variables such as gender, age, primary language, or educational attainment. However, there was a pattern of attitudes for those who identified with a religion (n=15). Of those who identified with either Catholicism or Christianity, 60% held negative attitudes. The participants who identified with no religion (n=4) all held positive attitudes towards medication for mental health treatment. Additional research and practical implications are therefore discussed. 1. Ailinger, R. L., Martyn, D., Lasus, H., & Lima Garcia, N. (2010). The effect of a cultural intervention on adherence to latent tuberculosis infection therapy in Latino immigrants. Public Health Nursing, 27(2), 115-120. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1525-1446.2010.00834.x 2. Batalova, J., & Zong, J. (2016). Language diversity and English proficiency in the United States. Migration Information Source. 3. Eisenman, D. P., Meredith, L. S., Rhodes, H., Green, B. L., Kaltman, S., Cassells, A., & Tobin, J. N. (2008). PTSD in Latino patients: illness beliefs, treatment preferences, and implications for care. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 23(9), 1386–1392. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-008-0677-y 4. Green, B. L., Watson, M. R., Kaltman, S. I., Serrano, A., Talisman, N., Kirkpatrick, L., & Campoli, M. (2017). Knowledge and preferences regarding antidepressant medication among depressed Latino patients in primary care. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 205(12), 952–959. https://doi.org/10.1097/NMD.0000000000000754 5. Interian, A., Martinez, I. E., Guarnaccia, P. J., Vega, W. A., & Escobar, J. I. (2007). A qualitative analysis of the perception of stigma among Latinos receiving antidepressants. Psychiatric services, 58(12), 1591–1594. doi:10.1176/ps.2007.58.12.1591 6. Moreno, O., & Cardemil, E. (2018). Religiosity and well-being among Mexican-born and U.S.-born Mexicans: A qualitative investigation. Journal of Latina/o Psychology, 6(3), 235–247, https://doi.org/10.1037/lat0000099 7. Moreno, O., Nelson, T., & Cardemil, E. (2017) Religiosity and attitudes towards professional mental health services: analysing religious coping as a mediator among Mexican origin Latinas/os in the southwest United States, Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 20:7, 626-637, doi:10.1080/13674676.2017.1372735 8. Peeters, B., Van Tongelen, I., Boussery, K., Mehuys, E., Remon, J. P., & Willems, S. (2011). Factors associated with medication adherence to oral hypoglycaemic agents in different ethnic groups suffering from type 2 diabetes: a systematic literature review and suggestions for further research. Diabetic medicine: A journal of the British Diabetic Association, 28(3), 262–275. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1464-5491.2010.03133.x 9. Shattell, M. M., Hamilton, D., Starr, S. S., Jenkins, C. J., & Hinderliter, N. A. (2008). Mental health service needs of a Latino population: A community-based participatory research project. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 29(4), 351–370. https://doi.org/10.1080/01612840801904316 10. Zuniga J. A. (2012). Medication adherence in Hispanics to latent tuberculosis treatment: a literature review. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 14(1), 23–29, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-010-9393-

Relación entre la inversión extranjera directa y recaudación de impuestos en México (2006-2023).

This article analyzes the relationship between foreign direct investment and tax collection, which is complex and varies depending on economic circumstances. At first, we did not know if there really was a relationship between these two variables, which motivated us to carry out the study of both and make a graph to determine their complementarity. The main objective of this article is to determine what the relationship between these two variables is. We find the theory of public economy and the effect of taxes on investment, which is the basis of this research along with the analysis and opinion of some authors who point out the positive effect that one has on the other. For example, investment is one of the main aspects of a country’s economic growth, which leads to the payment of taxes and is a premise for pursuing due collection.Este articulo analiza la relación entre inversión extranjera directa y la recaudación de impuestos, la cual es compleja y varía dependiendo de las circunstancias económicas. Al principio desconocíamos si realmente existía una relación entre estas dos variables, lo que nos motivó a llevar a cabo el estudio de ambas y realizar una gráfica para determinar su complementariedad. El objetivo principal de este artículo es determinar cuál es la relación que existe entre estas dos variables. Encontramos la teoría de la economía pública y el efecto de los impuestos en la inversión, la cual es el sustento de esta investigación junto con el análisis y la opinión de algunos autores que señalan el efecto positivo que tiene una a otra, como por ejemplo, la inversión es uno de los principales aspectos para el crecimiento económico de un país, lo cual deriva en el pago de impuestos y supone una premisa para perseguir el debido recaudo

Respuesta dinámica de un inversor conectado a red modelado por fasores dinámicos para línea resistiva

Este artículo presenta un análisis de estabilidad y respuesta dinámica de un inversor trifásico conectado a red ante perturbaciones de tensión y frecuen- cia. Se propone un modelo de pequeña señal en variables de estado utilizando la teoría de fasores dinámicos, incluyendo impedancia de línea con relación R/X resistiva. Se presentan resultados del análisis de estabilidad y respuesta dinámica utilizando Matlab/Simulink, en donde se muestran un buen ajuste de resultados del modelo propuesto con respecto al modelo eléctrico de la microrred

Measurement of the cosmic ray spectrum above 4×10184{\times}10^{18} eV using inclined events detected with the Pierre Auger Observatory

A measurement of the cosmic-ray spectrum for energies exceeding $4{\times}10^{18}$ eV is presented, which is based on the analysis of showers with zenith angles greater than $60^{\circ}$ detected with the Pierre Auger Observatory between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2013. The measured spectrum confirms a flux suppression at the highest energies. Above $5.3{\times}10^{18}$ eV, the "ankle", the flux can be described by a power law $E^{-\gamma}$ with index $\gamma=2.70 \pm 0.02 \,\text{(stat)} \pm 0.1\,\text{(sys)}$ followed by a smooth suppression region. For the energy ($E_\text{s}$) at which the spectral flux has fallen to one-half of its extrapolated value in the absence of suppression, we find $E_\text{s}=(5.12\pm0.25\,\text{(stat)}^{+1.0}_{-1.2}\,\text{(sys)}){\times}10^{19}$ eV.Comment: Replaced with published version. Added journal reference and DO

Search for the standard model Higgs boson in the H to ZZ to 2l 2nu channel in pp collisions at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV

A search for the standard model Higgs boson in the H to ZZ to 2l 2nu decay channel, where l = e or mu, in pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 7 TeV is presented. The data were collected at the LHC, with the CMS detector, and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 4.6 inverse femtobarns. No significant excess is observed above the background expectation, and upper limits are set on the Higgs boson production cross section. The presence of the standard model Higgs boson with a mass in the 270-440 GeV range is excluded at 95% confidence level.Comment: Submitted to JHE

Combined search for the quarks of a sequential fourth generation

Results are presented from a search for a fourth generation of quarks produced singly or in pairs in a data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5 inverse femtobarns recorded by the CMS experiment at the LHC in 2011. A novel strategy has been developed for a combined search for quarks of the up and down type in decay channels with at least one isolated muon or electron. Limits on the mass of the fourth-generation quarks and the relevant Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix elements are derived in the context of a simple extension of the standard model with a sequential fourth generation of fermions. The existence of mass-degenerate fourth-generation quarks with masses below 685 GeV is excluded at 95% confidence level for minimal off-diagonal mixing between the third- and the fourth-generation quarks. With a mass difference of 25 GeV between the quark masses, the obtained limit on the masses of the fourth-generation quarks shifts by about +/- 20 GeV. These results significantly reduce the allowed parameter space for a fourth generation of fermions.Comment: Replaced with published version. Added journal reference and DO