Article
Pediatrics
Jesus M. Melendez-Montanez, Wilfredo De Jesus-Rojas
Summary: CFTR-related metabolic syndrome (CRMS) is a newly diagnosed condition in asymptomatic children with cystic fibrosis (CF) due to advancements in newborn screening process. A retrospective chart review of 12 pediatric cases in Puerto Rico revealed a higher frequency of CFTR gene mutations in patients with idiopathic recurrent or chronic pancreatitis. It is crucial to consider CRMS or CFTR-related disorder (CRD) as a potential differential diagnosis in the pediatric population of Puerto Rico due to the increased risk of pancreatitis and CF-related complications.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Walter W. Wolfsberger, Nikole M. Ayala, Stephanie O. Castro-Marquez, Valerie M. Irizarry-Negron, Antoliy Potapchuk, Khrystyna Shchubelka, Ludvig Potish, Audrey J. Majeske, Luis Figueroa Oliver, Alondra Diaz Lameiro, Juan Carlos Martinez-Cruzado, Gabriella Lindgren, Taras K. Oleksyk
Summary: This study reveals a genetic connection between the Puerto Rican Non-Purebred (PRNPB) horses and the Puerto Rican Paso Fino (PRPF) horses, suggesting that PRNBP horses are descendants of the original genetic pool. The selection for specific traits in the local horses over centuries resulted in the desired traits, including the paso gait, being present in both varieties. However, the PRPF horses show a lack of detectable selection associated with the DMRT3 gene, indicating that they may have originated from the genetic pool of PRNPB horses.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gilberto Ruiz-Deya, Jaime Matta, Jarline Encarnacion-Medina, Carmen Ortiz-Sanchez, Julie Dutil, Ryan Putney, Anders Berglund, Jasreman Dhillon, Youngchul Kim, Jong Y. Park
Summary: This study aimed to assess methylation patterns of prostate cancer in Hispanic/Latino men in the US, identifying differences between aggressive and indolent cancers as well as specific patterns related to DNA repair. The results showed differential methylation of certain genes and significant differences in ancestry proportions among African, European, and Indigenous American populations. The findings contribute to a better understanding of prostate cancer in this specific population.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Tahani Boumenna, Tammy M. Scott, Jong-Soo Lee, Xiyuan Zhang, David Kriebel, Katherine L. Tucker, Natalia Palacios
Summary: Adherence to the MIND diet was associated with better cognitive function over 8 years of follow-up, but did not affect the 8-year cognitive trajectory. Educational level, income status, and job complexity were significantly associated with cognitive function, but did not modify the relationship between the MIND diet and cognition.
JOURNALS OF GERONTOLOGY SERIES A-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND MEDICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sarah Morton, Trenton Honda, Emily Zimmerman, Kipruto Kirwa, Gredia Huerta-Montanez, Alaina Martens, Morgan Hines, Martha Ondras, Ki-Do Eum, Jose F. Cordero, Akram Alshawabekeh, Helen H. Suh
Summary: This study assessed the impact of air pollution on infant neurodevelopment in Puerto Rico, revealing that prenatal maternal exposure to specific PM components such as sulfur, zinc, copper, vanadium, and nickel were significantly associated with decreased NNS amplitude in infants. Additionally, sulfur exposure was linked to reduced NNS frequency in infants born in Puerto Rico.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Arleen Hernandez-Diaz, Theany Calderon-Abreu, Segundo Castro-Gonzales, Luis Portales-Derbez
Summary: This study aimed to diagnose and analyze the current sustainability level of Puerto Rican SMEs. Findings showed that 51% of the companies are at an intermediate stage of sustainability, with global management, impacts, and competitiveness being higher in sustainability, while relationships and transparency were lower. Suggestions for SMEs include modifying business models, enhancing competitiveness, creating innovative products and services, and collaborating with organizations for more efficient business ecosystems.
ENVIRONMENT DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY
(2021)
Review
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Cristalis Capielo Rosario, Tristan Mattwig, Kyana D. Hamilton, Brenton Wejrowski
Summary: Migration to the United States has been a significant aspect of Puerto Rican life since it became a U.S. colony in 1898. Economic turmoil resulting from over a century of U.S. colonialism in Puerto Rico is the primary driving force behind this migration. Additionally, the pre-and post-migration context plays a role in influencing the mental health of Puerto Ricans. Emerging theory suggests that Puerto Rican migration to the United States should be seen as a form of colonial migration, as U.S. colonialism not only explains why they migrate but also influences their circumstances upon migration.
CURRENT OPINION IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Christian Smolka, Delia Schloesser, Catherine Hohnloser, Xavier Bemtgen, Caterina Jaenich, Laura Schneider, Julien Martin, Dietmar Pfeifer, Martin Moser, Peter Hasselblatt, Christoph Bode, Sebastian Grundmann, Franziska Pankratz
Summary: The study found that miR-100 plays a protective role in high fat diet-induced obesity and metabolic syndrome by reducing fat intake and hepatic lipid metabolism, suggesting it could be a potential therapeutic target for liver steatosis.
MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anders Berglund, Jaime Matta, Jarline Encarnacion-Medina, Carmen Ortiz-Sanchez, Julie Dutil, Raymond Linares, Joshua Marcial, Caren Abreu-Takemura, Natasha Moreno, Ryan Putney, Ratna Chakrabarti, Hui-Yi Lin, Kosj Yamoah, Carlos Diaz Osterman, Liang Wang, Jasreman Dhillon, Youngchul Kim, Seung Joon Kim, Gilberto Ruiz-Deya, Jong Y. Park
Summary: This study assessed DNA methylation patterns and ancestral proportions in Hispanic/Latinos men with aggressive and indolent prostate cancer. The findings revealed differentially methylated genes in prostate tumor tissues and observed higher stem cell divisions in tumor tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues. The study also identified differentially methylated genes associated with PCa aggressiveness.
Article
Development Studies
Gemma Sou, Duncan Shaw, Felix Aponte-Gonzalez
Summary: This study utilizes a qualitative, longitudinal methodology to explore the heterogeneous pathways and speeds of household recovery after disasters. Households leverage their agency and assets to adapt to societal conditions, which act as enablers and barriers to recovery. The interaction between societal conditions and household characteristics shapes households' capacity to recover.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Oladimeji J. Akinlawon, Chao-Qiang Lai, Sabrina E. Noel, Kaylea D. Flanagan, Katherine L. Tucker
Summary: This study found that 13% of adults in the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study were deficient in vitamin D, 43% were insufficient. Factors such as skin pigmentation, ancestry, smoking, BMI, etc. were associated with 25(OH)D levels.
JOURNAL OF NUTRITION
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Tahani Boumenna, Tammy M. Scott, Jong-Soo Lee, Natalia Palacios, Katherine L. Tucker
Summary: The study found that high plasma folate and high plasma vitamin B-12 levels were positively associated with cognitive function, while vitamin B-12 deficiency was linked to lower cognitive scores. Further research and treatment for vitamin B-12 deficiency should be emphasized to improve cognitive function in this population.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION
(2021)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Deepika Dinesh, Jong Soo Lee, Tammy M. Scott, Katherine L. Tucker, Natalia Palacios
Summary: This study conducted among Boston Puerto Ricans found no association between proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use and global cognition, executive function, or memory, both cross-sectionally and over 12.7 years of follow-up.
JOURNALS OF GERONTOLOGY SERIES A-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND MEDICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Geum Jin Kim, Samantha J. Mascuch, Emily Mevers, Paul D. Boudreau, William H. Gerwick, Hyukjae Choi
Summary: Luquilloamides A-G were isolated from a marine cyanobacterium found growing on eelgrass near Luquillo, Puerto Rico. The structures of these compounds were elucidated through detailed NMR and MS analyses, and they exhibited different structural features and antitumor activity.
JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Amanda C. McClain, Rui S. Xiao, Katherine L. Tucker, Luis M. Falcon, Josiemer Mattei
Summary: The study found that subthreshold depressive symptoms were significantly associated with higher 5-year allostatic load scores, while high allostatic load was significantly associated with higher 5-year depressive symptoms scores. This suggests a bidirectional relationship between depressive symptoms and allostatic load, linking depression with chronic diseases among the studied population.
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Nicole A. Karazurna, Caitlin M. Porter, Semra Aytur, Tammy Scott, Josiemer Mattei, Sabrina E. Noel, Hector M. Gonzalez, Yasmin Mossavar-Rahmani, Daniela Sotres-Alvarez, Linda C. Gallo, Martha L. Daviglus, Linda Van Horn, Tali Elfassy, Marc D. Gellman, Ashley E. Moncrieft, Katherine L. Tucker, Robert C. Kaplan, Sherman J. Bigornia
Summary: The study aimed to investigate the association between dietary fatty acid patterns and cognitive function among Hispanic/Latino adults. The results suggest that the consumption of short to medium-chain SFA may be associated with higher cognitive function.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Andrea Lopez-Cepero, Christine Frisard, Guadalupe Mabry, Tanya Spruill, Josiemer Mattei, S. Bryn Austin, Stephenie C. Lemon, Milagros C. Rosal
Summary: This study examined the association between sleep quality and emotional eating in US Latinx adults and found that poor sleep quality was associated with a higher risk of experiencing high levels of emotional eating. Additionally, negative emotions partially mediated the relationship between sleep quality and emotional eating.
BEHAVIORAL SLEEP MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Ethnic Studies
Maya Almoussa, Josiemer Mattei
Summary: This narrative review aimed to assess existing studies on cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its risk factors among African refugees and immigrants in the US, and highlight the limitations in current research, policy, and healthcare for CVD-related care. The studies showed varying prevalence of CVD risk factors, with worsening cardiometabolic health among those with longer residency in the US. Social and structural barriers to cardiovascular health, including cultural and linguistic challenges, were identified. The review calls for further research and interventions to improve cardiovascular health in this population.
ETHNICITY & HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Neha Sahasrabudhe, Jong Soo Lee, Xiyuan Zhang, Tammy Scott, Laura Punnett, Katherine L. Tucker, Natalia Palacios
Summary: Higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with lower depressive symptoms, including among Latino populations such as Puerto Ricans in mainland U.S. This study found that adherence to the Mediterranean diet was negatively associated with self-reported depressive symptoms among Puerto Rican adults in the Boston area.
JOURNALS OF GERONTOLOGY SERIES A-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND MEDICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Nayla Bezares, Amanda C. McClain, Martha Tamez, Jose F. Rodriguez-Orengo, Katherine L. Tucker, Josiemer Mattei
Summary: This study examined the association between frequency and type of consuming foods away from home (FAFH) and diet quality in adults in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The results showed that frequent FAFH consumption was associated with lower diet quality and lower adherence to dietary recommendations. Future studies should explore strategies to improve diet quality, such as prioritizing healthy at-home meals and improving the quality of commercial FAFH.
JOURNAL OF THE ACADEMY OF NUTRITION AND DIETETICS
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
J. M. Ordovas, D. Rios-Insua, A. Santos-Lozano, A. Lucia, A. Torres, A. Kosgodagan, J. M. Camacho
Summary: This study constructs a Bayesian network based on a large population database and expert judgment to explore the interrelations between cardiovascular risk factors. It emphasizes the predictive assessment of medical conditions and provides a computational tool to explore and hypothesize such interrelations.
COMPUTER METHODS AND PROGRAMS IN BIOMEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Deepika Dinesh, Jong Soo Lee, Tammy M. Scott, Katherine L. Tucker, Natalia Palacios
Summary: This study conducted among Boston Puerto Ricans found no association between proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use and global cognition, executive function, or memory, both cross-sectionally and over 12.7 years of follow-up.
JOURNALS OF GERONTOLOGY SERIES A-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND MEDICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Pediatrics
Mariana Contiero San Martini, Daniela de Assumpcao, Marilisa Berti de Azevedo Barros, Josiemer Mattei, Antonio de Azevedo Barros Filho
Summary: This article conducted a literature review of cross-sectional studies among healthy adolescents to identify the prevalence of weight dissatisfaction among adolescents aged 10-19 years and stratify the analysis by sex. A total of 34 papers were included in the review, and the prevalence of weight dissatisfaction was found to be high among adolescents, especially girls.
REVISTA PAULISTA DE PEDIATRIA
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Andrea A. Baccarelli, Jose Ordovas
Summary: Epigenetics has revolutionized our understanding of complex diseases like cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge on epigenetic processes implicated in these diseases, highlighting the potential of DNA methylation as a biomarker and examining the impact of social determinants of health, gut bacterial epigenomics, noncoding RNA, and epitranscriptomics. The field offers opportunities for preventive strategies, targeted therapies, and personalized medicine approaches, but there are challenges in advancing the research. Emerging technologies like single-cell sequencing and epigenetic editing hold promise in dissecting the interplay between genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.
CIRCULATION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Nere Pena, Javier Amezaga, Gerard Marrugat, Alba Landaluce, Toscana Viar, Julen Arce, Jon Larruskain, Josean Lekue, Carla Ferreri, Jose Maria Ordovas, Itziar Tueros
Summary: This study analyzed the lipid profile of mature erythrocyte membranes in female football players and found that there were variations in fatty acid content during the competitive season. Compared to the general population, the athletes had increased levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids in their membrane lipid profile, along with a decrease in a specific omega-6 fatty acid called DGLA, which is involved in immune and anti-inflammatory responses. These findings suggest that membrane lipidomics can be used as a tool to assess the molecular characteristics of elite female football players and provide insights for future personalized nutritional strategies.
JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF SPORTS NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Christoph Hoechsmann, Shengping Yang, Jose M. Ordovas, James L. Dorling, Catherine M. Champagne, John W. Apolzan, Frank L. Greenway, Michelle I. Cardel, Gary D. Foster, Corby K. Martin
Summary: Weight loss differences between isocaloric high-carbohydrate and high-fat diets are generally small, but individual weight loss varies within diet groups. Genotype patterns may modify diet effects on weight loss.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Toshiko Tanaka, Jayanta K. Das, Yichen Jin, Qu Tian, Ruin Moaddel, Ann Zenobia Moore, Katherine L. Tucker, Sameera A. Talegawkar, Luigi Ferrucci
Summary: This study explores the role of circulating metabolites in mediating the relationship between dietary protein and frailty. The results suggest that higher intake of plant protein is associated with lower levels of frailty, while animal protein does not show such association. The study also identifies specific metabolites, such as lipid metabolites and tryptophan-related metabolites, that mediate the protective effect of plant protein on frailty.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Areli Caballero-Gonzalez, Andrea Lopez-Cepero, Josiemer Mattei
Summary: Little is known about the deep-structure cultural attitudes toward healthy eating among Hispanics/Latinos in the United States. This study aimed to identify ethnic-specific dietary attitudes of Latino adults and evaluate their associations with self-rated diet and health. The findings suggest the importance of tailored programs promoting healthy eating for Latino adults based on their ethnic backgrounds.
HEALTH PROMOTION PRACTICE
(2023)
