Food Insecurity Among Haitian Migrants Living In Brazil.

Objective: To analyze the situation of food insecurity among Haitians living in Midwest of Brazil, based on questions of the Brazilian Scale of Food Insecurity (BSFI).

Methods: A survey was carried out with a probabilistic sampling proportional to sex of Haitians aged over 18 years who lived in Cuiabá and Várzea Grande, Mato Grosso. Haitian migrants were interviewed by bilingual (Haitian Creole/Portuguese) individuals, and for the analysis of the BSFI questions.

Genome-wide CRISPR Screening to Identify Drivers of TGF-β-Induced Liver Fibrosis in Human Hepatic Stellate Cells.

Liver fibrosis progression in chronic liver disease leads to cirrhosis, liver failure, or hepatocellular carcinoma and often ends in liver transplantation. Even with an increased understanding of liver fibrogenesis and many attempts to generate therapeutics specifically targeting fibrosis, there is no approved treatment for liver fibrosis. To further understand and characterize the driving mechanisms of liver fibrosis, we developed a high-throughput genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 screening platform to identify hepatic stellate cell (HSC)-derived mediators of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β-induced liver fibrosis.

Effect of an intensive lifestyle intervention on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components among overweight and obese adults.

Background: Despite the fact that up to a third of the global population has metabolic syndrome (MetS), it has been overlooked in clinical settings. This study assesses the impact of a physician-supervised nonsurgical weight management program on the prevalence of MetS and its key indicators.

Methods: Four-hundred seventy-nine overweight and obese participants aged 19 years or older were included in a prospective longitudinal study.

Using Target Engagement Biomarkers to Predict Clinical Efficacy of MetAP2 Inhibitors.

Target-engagement pharmacodynamic (PD) biomarkers are valuable tools in the prioritization of drug candidates, especially for novel, first-in-class mechanisms whose robustness to alter disease outcome is unknown. Methionine aminopeptidase 2 (MetAP2) is a cytosolic metalloenzyme that cleaves the N-terminal methionine from nascent proteins. Inhibition of MetAP2 leads to weight loss in obese rodents, dogs and humans.

MetAP2 inhibition increases energy expenditure through direct action on brown adipocytes.

Inhibitors of methionine aminopeptidase 2 (MetAP2) have been shown to reduce body weight in obese mice and humans. The target tissue and cellular mechanism of MetAP2 inhibitors, however, have not been extensively examined. Using compounds with diverse chemical scaffolds, we showed that MetAP2 inhibition decreases body weight and fat mass and increases lean mass in the obese mice but not in the lean mice.

Sub-population differences in the relationship between the neighborhood environment and Latinas' daily walking and vehicle time.

Background: Over 60% of Latinas report not meeting moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) guidelines of 150 minutes/week. Ecological models of health posit that intrapersonal and environmental factors interact with one another to influence physical activity. Understanding their interactions in relation to transportation behaviors may inform interventions to increase Latinas' physical activity.

Diagnostic value of serum galactomannan, (1,3)-β-d-glucan, and Aspergillus fumigatus-specific IgA and IgG assays for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in non-neutropenic patients.

Detection of serum galactomannan (GM) and (1,3)-β-d-glucan (BG) is considered useful for non-culture diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in neutropenic patients. Only few studies evaluated these seromarkers in non-neutropenic patients suspected of having IPA. The aim of this study was to evaluate both tests together with the Aspergillus fumigatus-specific serum IgG and IgA (IgAG) test for serological IPA diagnosis in non-neutropenic patients.

Acceptance of Mobile Health in Communities Underrepresented in Biomedical Research: Barriers and Ethical Considerations for Scientists.

Background: The rapid expansion of direct-to-consumer wearable fitness products (eg, Flex 2, Fitbit) and research-grade sensors (eg, SenseCam, Microsoft Research; activPAL, PAL Technologies) coincides with new opportunities for biomedical and behavioral researchers. Underserved communities report among the highest rates of chronic disease and could benefit from mobile technologies designed to facilitate awareness of health behaviors. However, new and nuanced ethical issues are introduced with new technologies, which are challenging both institutional review boards (IRBs) and researchers alike.

Comparing Obesity-Related Health Disparities among Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders, Asians, and Whites in California: Reinforcing the Need for Data Disaggregation and Operationalization.

Since the 2000 Census, Asians and Pacific Islanders have been categorized as separate races. Government initiatives have called for greater study of Asian, Native Hawaiian, and other Pacific Islander (NHPI) health outcomes. NHPI often have worse health outcomes than Asians and Whites.

Discovery of potent, reversible MetAP2 inhibitors via fragment based drug discovery and structure based drug design-Part 1.

Methionine aminopeptidase 2 (MetAP2) is an enzyme that cleaves an N-terminal methionine residue from a number of newly synthesized proteins. Pre-clinical and clinical studies suggest that MetAP2 inhibitors could be used as a novel treatment for obesity. Herein we describe our use of fragment screening methods and structural biology to quickly identify and elaborate an indazole fragment into a series of reversible MetAP2 inhibitors with <10nM potency, excellent selectivity, and favorable in vitro safety profiles.

Discovery of potent, reversible MetAP2 inhibitors via fragment based drug discovery and structure based drug design-Part 2.

Methionine aminopeptidase-2 (MetAP2) is an enzyme that cleaves an N-terminal methionine residue from a number of newly synthesized proteins. This step is required before they will fold or function correctly. Pre-clinical and clinical studies with a MetAP2 inhibitor suggest that they could be used as a novel treatment for obesity.

Fe en Accion/Faith in Action: Design and implementation of a church-based randomized trial to promote physical activity and cancer screening among churchgoing Latinas.

Objectives: To describe both conditions of a two-group randomized trial, one that promotes physical activity and one that promotes cancer screening, among churchgoing Latinas. The trial involves promotoras (community health workers) targeting multiple levels of the Ecological Model. This trial builds on formative and pilot research findings.

Characterization of metabolic syndrome among diverse Hispanics/Latinos living in the United States: Latent class analysis from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL).

Background/objectives: Empirical investigation of the adequacy of metabolic syndrome (MetS) diagnostic criteria, and whether meaningful subtypes of MetS exist, is needed among Hispanics/Latinos.

Methods: In 15,825 US Hispanics/Latinos from HCHS/SOL, latent class analysis of MetS components (waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, and antihypertensive, lipid- and glucose-lowering medication use) was used to investigate (1) whether distinct subtypes of MetS could be identified, and how component levels differed between them, and (2) how identified subtypes related to covariates and cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevalence.

Results: Two latent clusters emerged in both men (n=6317) and women (n=9508): one characterized by relatively healthy mean levels (Non-MetS cluster, 77.

Promotion of water consumption in elementary school children in San Diego, USA and Tlaltizapan, Mexico.

Objective: Consumption of water may help promote health and prevent obesity in children by decreasing consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages. This study used evidence-based strategies to increase water consumption in Mexican-American and Mexican children.

Materials And Methods: In 2012, two schools in San Diego, USA and two other in Tlaltizapan, Mexico were recruited to Agua para Niños (Water for Kids), a program designed to promote water consumption among elementary grade students.

School-wide programs aimed at obesity among Latino youth in the United States: a review of the evidence.

Background: In the past 30 years, childhood obesity rates have tripled, disproportionately affecting Latino children. From 2003 to 2006, 43.0% of Mexican-American children were classified as overweight compared with 36.

Terms used for people living with HIV in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

For this study we conducted in-depth interviews with 29 youth living with HIV (YLWH) and key informant interviews with 8 HIV care/support providers. We describe terms used to portray people living with HIV (PLWH) in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Labels commonly used, mostly derogatory, described PLWH as walking corpses, dangers to others, or people deserving to die before others get infected.

Feasibility and preliminary findings of a church-based mother-daughter pilot study promoting physical activity among young Latinas.

Physical activity (PA) rates in young Latina girls are low. This study examined acceptability and feasibility of implementing a mother-daughter intervention targeting individual and family-level correlates of PA. Eleven mother-daughter dyads participated in an 8-week intervention promoting PA in preadolescents.

School-based programs aimed at the prevention and treatment of obesity: evidence-based interventions for youth in Latin America.

Background: Rapidly rising childhood obesity rates constitute a public health priority in Latin America which makes it imperative to develop evidence-based strategies. Schools are a promising setting but to date it is unclear how many school-based obesity interventions have been documented in Latin America and what level of evidence can be gathered from such interventions.

Methods: We performed a systematic review of papers published between 1965 and December 2010.

Evidence-based obesity treatment interventions for Latino adults in the U.S.: a systematic review.

Context: Latinos have one of the highest prevalences of obesity in the U.S. Efforts to address U.

Weight-related child behavioral interventions in Brazil: a systematic review.

Context: Between 1974 and 1997, the prevalence of overweight increased 300% among Brazilian children and adolescents. A systematic review was conducted between January 2010 and December 2011 of obesity-related interventions targeting Brazilian children and adolescents.

Evidence Acquisition: Manuscripts from 1965 to December 2010 were evaluated based on inclusion criteria including evaluating obesity-related outcomes and at least 50% of participants living in Brazil.

Worksite interventions: improving lifestyle habits among Latin American adults.

Context: Worksite-based interventions have been shown to result consistently in significant improvements in weight- and health-related outcomes among the working adult population; however, applicability and effectiveness of studies has often been limited by inadequate reporting of age and ethnicity. This study aimed to examine work-based interventions among Latinos in the U.S.

Obesity control in Latin American and U.S. Latinos: a systematic review.

Context: Latinos are the largest and fastest-growing ethnically diverse group in the U.S.; they are also the most overweight.

Interventions to increase physical activity and healthy eating among overweight and obese children in Mexico.

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to conduct a systematic literature review of obesity interventions that focused on increasing physical activity and healthy eating among overweight and obese children in Mexico.

Materials And Methods: Data was taken from a larger literature review focused on obesity interventions for Latinos in Latin America and the United States. Study design suitability, quality of execution, and effect size were assessed for a subset of these articles.

Interventions for the treatment of obesity among children and adolescents in Latin America: a systematic review.

Objective: The objective of this systematic literature review was to identify evidence-based strategies associated with effective healthcare interventions for prevention or treatment of childhood obesity in Latin America.

Materials And Methods: A systematic review of peer-reviewed, obesity-related interventions implemented in the healthcare setting was conducted. Inclusion criteria included: implementation in Latin America, aimed at overweight or obese children and evaluation of at least one obesity-related outcome (e.