Publications by authors named "Mayra L Estrella"

Background: Higher allostatic load (AL), a multi-system measure of physiological dysregulation considered a proxy for chronic stress exposure, is associated with poorer global cognition (GC) in older non-Hispanic white adults. However, evidence of these associations in middle-aged and older US-based Hispanic/Latino adults is limited.

Objective: To examine associations of AL with level of cognition, performance in cognition 7 years later, and change in cognition over 7 years among middle-aged and older US-based Hispanic/Latino adults.

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Introduction: Few studies have examined the associations of psychosocial factors with cognitive change in Hispanics/Latinos.

Methods: Data from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos-Investigation of Neurocognitive Aging (HCHS/SOL INCA) and Sociocultural studies were used (n = 2,155; ages ≥45 years). Psychosocial exposures included intrapersonal (ethnic identity, optimism, purpose in life), interpersonal (family cohesion, familism, social networks, social support), and social factors (ethnic discrimination, loneliness, subjective social status).

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Background We previously outlined the importance of considering acculturation within the context of older Latino adults' lived experience (ie, acculturation in context) to better capture contributors to cognitive aging. We now examine this conceptual framework as related to level of and change in cardiovascular health, and whether cardiovascular health modifies previously documented associations of acculturation in context with cognition. Methods and Results Acculturation in context data from 192 Latino participants without dementia at baseline (age ~70 years) were compiled into 3 separate composite scores: acculturation-related (nativity, language-, and social-based preferences), contextually related socioenvironmental (experiences of discrimination, social isolation, social networks), and familism-related (Latino-centric family ethos).

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Objectives: Derive latent profiles of accelerometry-measured moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) for Hispanic/Latino adults, examine associations between latent MVPA profiles and neurocognition, and describe profiles via self-reported MVPA.

Methods: Complex survey design methods were applied to cross-sectional data from 7,672 adults ages 45-74 years in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL; 2008-2011). MVPA was measured via hip-worn accelerometers.

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Hispanic/Latino populations may experience significant neighborhood disadvantage, but limited research has explored whether these factors affect their health behaviors. Associations between perceived neighborhood factors at Visit 1 and health behaviors and related outcomes at Visit 2 in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos were evaluated. Multivariable logistic regression assessed cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between perceived neighborhood social cohesion (NSC, 5 items), and neighborhood problems (NP, 7 items), with cancer screening, current smoking, excessive/binge drinking, hypertension, obesity, physical activity, and poor diet by gender and birthplace.

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Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether the association of chronic stress with obesity is independent of genetic risk and test whether it varies by the underlying genetic risk.

Methods: The analysis included data from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos, a community-based study of Hispanic/Latinos living in four US communities (Bronx, NY; Chicago, IL; Miami, FL; San Diego, CA). The sample consisted of 5336 women and 3231 men who attended the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos second in-person examination, had measures of obesity, and chronic stress, and were genotyped.

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Background: Limited health literacy is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in the general population but the relation of health literacy with long-term clinical outcomes among adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is less clear.

Methods: Prospective data from the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) Study (n = 3715) were used. Health literacy was assessed with the Short Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (dichotomized as limited/adequate).

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Background: Population-based studies typically rely on self-reported medical diagnosis (SRMD) of mild cognitive impairment (MCI)/dementia; however, links to objective neurocognitive function have not been established.

Objective: Examine the association between SRMD of MCI/dementia and objective neurocognitive function among Hispanic/Latino adults.

Methods: We conducted a case-control study using the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) baseline data and its ancillary SOL-Investigation of Neurocognitive Aging (SOL-INCA) at visit 2.

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Introduction: This study examines the associations of neighborhood environments with BMI, HbA1c, and diabetes across 6 years in Hispanic/Latino adults.

Methods: Participants from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos San Diego site (n=3,851, mean age=39.4 years, 53.

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Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the sex-specific associations of mutually exclusive iron-anemia status categories with hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) levels among U.S. Hispanics/Latinos without self-reported diabetes mellitus.

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Objectives: Identifying sociocultural correlates of neurocognitive dysfunction among Hispanics/Latinos, and their underlying biological pathways, is crucial for understanding disparities in Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. We examined cross-sectional associations between stress and neurocognition, and the role that metabolic syndrome (MetS) and systemic inflammation might play in these associations.

Method: Participants included 3,045 adults aged 45-75 (56% female, education 0-20+ years, 86% Spanish-speaking, 23% U.

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Introduction: Despite increased risk of cognitive decline in Hispanics/Latinos, research on early risk markers of Alzheimer's disease in this group is lacking. Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) may be an early risk marker of pathological aging. We investigated associations of SCD with objective cognition among a diverse sample of Hispanics/Latinos living in the United States.

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Representation of under-represented minority (URM) faculty in the health sciences disciplines is persistently low relative to both national and student population demographics. Although some progress has been made through nationally funded pipeline development programs, demographic disparities in the various health sciences disciplines remain. As such the development of innovative interventions to help URM faculty and students overcome barriers to advancement remains a national priority.

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Objectives: The objective of this study was to examine the association between volunteerism and favorable cardiovascular health (CVH) among Hispanics/Latinos living in the US.

Methods: Data from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (2008-2011) Sociocultural Ancillary Study were used (N = 4,926; ages 18-74 years). Favorable CVH was defined as positive profiles of all major CVD risk factors: low total serum cholesterol, blood pressure, and body mass index; not having diabetes; and not smoking.

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Background: Evidence suggests that psychosocial factors are associated with cognitive health in older adults; however, associations of psychosocial factors with cognition remain largely unexamined in middle-aged and older Hispanics/Latinos.

Objective: To examine the cross-sectional associations of psychosocial factors with cognitive function among middle-aged and older Hispanics/Latinos living in the US.

Methods: Baseline (2008-2011) data from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos Sociocultural Ancillary Study (n = 2,818; ages 45-74) were used to examine the associations of each psychosocial factor with global cognition (GC), verbal learning, verbal memory, verbal fluency, and processing speed independent of age, sex, education, Hispanic/Latino background, income, language, and depressive symptoms.

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Objective: The aim of this study was to examine perceptions including knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about e-cigarettes among ethno-culturally diverse Latino adults living in the US, a rapidly growing minority group for which we know little about their e-cigarette perceptions.

Design: A total of 25 focus groups with Latinos ( = 180; ages 18-64 years) were conducted in 2014. E-cigarettes users and non-users were recruited via purposive sampling techniques.

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Background: Among older adults, poorer cognitive functioning has been associated with impairments in instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). However, IADL impairments among older Hispanics/Latinos is poorly understood.

Objective: To characterize the relationships between cognition and risk for IADL impairment among diverse Hispanics/Latinos.

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Objective: To provide an overview of the health literacy tools that have been validated in samples of African Americans and Hispanics/Latinos with type 2 diabetes, growing segments of the US population.

Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, three electronic databases were searched. The following inclusion criteria were used: peer-reviewed research; examined validity of a health literacy tool; and included US African American and/or Hispanic/Latino adults with type 2 diabetes.

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Background: Diet quality may be an important area of focus for promoting cognitive health; however, the association between diet quality and cognitive function among Hispanics/Latinos remains largely unexamined. We hypothesized that a healthier diet quality will be associated with better cognitive function in middle-aged and older Hispanics/Latinos.

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine associations between the Alternate Healthy Eating Index (AHEI-2010), a measure of diet quality, and cognitive function in middle-aged and older Hispanics/Latinos.

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Purpose: To examine cross-sectional associations between perceived neighborhood environment and cognitive function among middle-aged and older Hispanic/Latino women and men.

Methods: Data from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (2008-2011) and its Sociocultural Ancillary Study (2009-2010) were used. Participants were Hispanic/Latino women (n = 1812) and men (n = 1034) aged 45-74 years.

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Background: Individuals with "metabolically healthy obesity" (MHO) phenotype (i.e., obesity and absence of cardiometabolic abnormalities: favorable levels of blood pressure, lipids, and glucose) experience lower risk of cardiovascular disease compared with those with "metabolically at-risk obesity" (MAO) phenotype (i.

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Rationale: The aim of this study was to examine the direct associations of perceived personal and group discrimination with physical health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among Latinx adults. We also tested whether ethnic identity and depression symptoms sequentially mediate these associations.

Method: This population-based study included 5313 Latinx adults, ages 18-74 years, from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (2008-11) and its Sociocultural Ancillary Study (2010-11).

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