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ObjectivesIdentifying 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.MethodParticipants included 3,045 adults aged 45-75 (56% female, education 0-20+ years, 86% Spanish-speaking, 23% U.S.-born), enrolled in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos and its Sociocultural Ancillary Study. Global neurocognition was the primary outcome and operationalized as the average of the z scores of measures of learning and memory, word fluency, and processing speed. Stress measures included self-report assessments of stress appraisal (perceived and acculturative stress) and exposure to chronic and traumatic stressors. MetS was defined via established criteria including waist circumference, high blood pressure, elevated triglycerides, fasting plasma glucose, and high levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Systemic inflammation was represented by high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP).ResultsSeparate survey multivariable linear regression models adjusting for covariates showed that higher perceived (b = -0.004, SE = 0.002, p < .05) and acculturative stress (b = -0.004, SE = 0.001, p < .0001) were significantly associated with worse global neurocognition, while lifetime exposure to traumatic stressors was associated with better global neurocognition (b = 0.034, SE = 0.009, p < .001). Neither MetS nor hs-CRP were notable pathways in the association between stress and neurocognition; rather, they were both independently associated with worse neurocognition in models including stress measures (ps < .05).DiscussionThese cross-sectional analyses suggest that stress appraisal, MetS, and systemic inflammation may be targets to reduce neurocognitive dysfunction among Hispanics/Latinos.

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the hypothesis that chronic and acculturative stress would be negatively associated with neurocognitive function among middle aged to older Hispanics/Latinos.MethodOur analytic sample consisted of 3,265 participants (mean age = 56.7 (±0.24)) from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos who participated in its Sociocultural Ancillary Study. During the baseline phase of this project, participants were assessed on multiple domains of neurocognitive function, and completed self-report measures of chronic and acculturative stress.ResultsEach standard deviation increase in chronic stress was associated with lower performance in a verbal learning task (B = -.17, 95% CI [-.32, -.01]); this association was no longer significant after adjusting for mental and physical health symptoms, including depression and anxiety symptoms, and cardiovascular health. A standard deviation increase in acculturative stress was associated with poorer performance in all cognitive measures (Bs range = -.13 to -1.03). Associations of acculturation stress with psychomotor speed, verbal learning, and word fluency remained significant after adjusting for mental and physical health symptoms.DiscussionOur results suggest that mental and physical health may help explain some cross-sectional associations between stress and cognition and highlight the need to examine culture-specific psychosocial stressors to better understand the context of psychosocial risk factors for neurocognitive performance.

The present study examined early socioeconomic status (SES) and neighborhood disadvantage (ND) as independent predictors of antisocial behavior (ASB) and addressed the etiology of the associations (i.e., genes versus the environment) using a longitudinal adoption design. Prospective data from the Colorado Adoption Project (435 adoptees, 598 nonadopted children, 526 biological grandparents of adoptees, 481 adoptive parents, and 617 nonadoptive parents including biological parents of unrelated siblings of adoptees) were examined. SES and ND were assessed during infancy and ASB was evaluated from ages four through 16 using parent and teacher report. Associations between predictors and ASB were compared across adoptive and nonadoptive families and sex. Early SES was a nominally significant, independent predictor of antisocial ASB, such that lower SES predicted higher levels of ASB in nonadoptive families only. ND was not associated with ASB. Associations were consistent across aggression and delinquency, and neither SES nor ND was associated with change in ASB over time. Nominally significant associations did not remain significant after controlling for multiple testing. As such, despite nonsignificant differences in associations across sex or adoptive status, we were unable to make definitive conclusions regarding the genetic versus environmental etiology of or sex differences in the influence of SES and ND on ASB. Despite inconclusive findings, in nonadoptees, results were consistent—in effect size and direction—with previous studies in the literature indicating that lower SES is associated with increased risk for ASB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Weight bias toward patients in larger bodies is pervasive among health care providers and can negatively influence provider‐patient communication, as well as patients' behavior and health outcomes. Weight bias has historical roots that perpetuate thinness and Whiteness as the cultural norm. Although weight bias remains socially acceptable in US culture, contributing factors to an individual's body size are complex and multifactorial. Providers and health care systems also consistently use body mass index (BMI) as an indicator of health status, despite its limitations and harmful effects in the clinical setting. This state of the science review presents 8 evidence‐based strategies that demonstrate how to mitigate harm from weight bias and improve quality of care and health outcomes for patients living in larger bodies. Person‐centered approaches to care include (1) eliminating clinical recommendations to lose weight; (2) shifting from a focus on weight to health; (3) implementing a size and weight‐inclusive approach; (4) engaging in weight bias self‐evaluation; (5) creating a welcoming environment for patients of all sizes; (6) seeking permission and learning the patient's story; (7) using weight‐inclusive language; and (8) re‐evaluating clinical guidelines and policies based on BMI. Midwives and other health care providers may benefit from training that re‐imagines the delivery of health care to patients in larger bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Greater neighborhood cohesion is associated with better cognitive function in adulthood and may serve as a protective factor against cognitive impairment and decline. We build on prior work by examining the effects of perceived neighborhood cohesion across the life course on level and change in cognitive function in adulthood. Methods Utilizing longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study (1998–2016) and its Life History Mail Survey , we leveraged data from 3,599 study participants (baseline age: 51–89) who participated in up to 10 waves. Respondents provided retrospective ratings of neighborhood cohesion at childhood (age 10), young adulthood (age at the first full-time job), early midlife (age 40), and concurrently at baseline (i.e. late midlife/adulthood); they completed the modified version of the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status. We fit a univariate latent growth curve model of change in cognitive function across waves and tested whether neighborhood cohesion during each recollected life stage predicted level and change in cognitive function. Results Greater neighborhood cohesion during childhood and late midlife/adulthood each predicted higher cognitive function at baseline but not the rate of cognitive decline. The final model showed that greater neighborhood cohesion in childhood and in late midlife/adulthood remained significantly associated with higher baseline cognitive function, even after accounting for one another. Discussion Findings provide insight into life-course neighborhood contextual influences on cognitive aging. Our results emphasize the need for more research to understand the life-course dynamics between neighborhood environments and cognitive aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate temporal dynamics between loneliness and both objective and subjective health (i.e. functional impairment and self-rated health) in mid- to late-adulthood. We applied bivariate dual-change-score models to longitudinal data from 3 Swedish twin studies (N = 1,939) to explore dynamic associations between loneliness and health across 3 age ranges (50–69, 70–81, and 82+ years) to investigate whether associations between loneliness and health change with age due to increasing incidence of chronic health conditions and bereavement. Results showed bidirectional associations between loneliness and both objective and subjective health, with adverse impacts of loneliness observed on subsequent subjective and objective health beginning at age 70. Associations between health and subsequent loneliness were observed after age 82 and varied for subjective and objective health, with subjective health associated with less loneliness and objective health associated with greater loneliness. Our results indicate dynamic associations between loneliness and health with age in mid- to late-adulthood, with earlier impacts of loneliness on health and later impacts of health on loneliness that vary for objective and subjective measures of health. These findings suggest impacts of health on loneliness may arise later in life when worsening health or mobility interfere with social interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Latinx adults with both cognitive dysfunction and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are significantly more likely than Latinx adults with diabetes alone to have complications such as cardiovascular disease. Glucose variability may be a risk for dementia, but the course of glucose variability in the time before a dementia diagnosis for Latinx adults with T2DM has not been examined. We used a 10-year retrospective cohort of medical records of Latinx patients with T2DM who had at least one use of a continuous glucose monitor. The objective was to examine how glucose variability was associated with future dementia diagnoses. A total of 116 charts were included. Mean of daily differences and mean amplitude of glycemic excursions were more strongly associated with dementia diagnoses than other variability indices (p <.01). Understanding the relationships between cognitive function, glucose variability, and barriers to health care can translate into improved interventions to enhance diabetes care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of a second dose of vinasse on some physical and chemical properties of a Vertisol was evaluated with cut sugarcane in Valle del Cauca, Colombia. We analyzed the expression of any possible toxicity in foliar tissue samples at the end of the cycle. Vinasse treatments added with two different mixtures of microorganisms were established in a randomized complete block with five replicates: soil without vinasse and no microorganisms; soils with a dose of vinasse, soils with two doses of vinasse; soils with a single dose of vinasse separately evaluated with two different mixtures of microorganisms and soils with two doses of vinasse separately evaluated with two different mixtures of microorganisms. The chemical properties evaluated were pH, soil organic matter content, C, N, P, Ca, Mg, Na, and K content, cation exchange capacity CEC and electrical conductivity EC. The physical properties determined were bulk density, particle density and porosity. There were no significant differences in the physical and chemical properties of the soil for the evaluated cultivation cycle with the application of one or two doses of vinasse with and without microorganisms. Leaf tissue analysis did not show a nutritional imbalance due to the second application.

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Copyright of Dimensión Empresarial is the property of Universidad Autonoma del Caribe, Departamento del Atlantico and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)