RESUMEN
BACKGROUND AND SCOPE: Agaves played a central role as multi-use plants providing food, fibre and beverage to pre-contact and historical Mesoamerican cultures. However, their importance to Indigenous Peoples in the Southwest USA and northern Mexico, where they occur because of adaptations such as CAM photosynthesis, is less well known. Archaeological research indicates the Hohokam and other pre-contact Southwestern agrarian people increased agricultural potential in this region by engineering riverine terraces and bajadas for agave dry farming. Agricultural features such as terraces and rock piles were especially characteristic of post-1000 CE with the increase of dense, aggregated populations. We present an overview of six pre-contact agave domesticates (PCADs) the Hohokam and other cultures cultivated, and their ecological and cultural attributes. These PCADs are Agave murpheyi, A. delamateri, A. phillipsiana, A. sanpedroensis, A. verdensis and A. yavapaiensis. CONCLUSION: Pre-contact agriculturists cultivated at least six once cryptic domesticated agave species in the modern Arizona landscape associated with pre-contact agricultural features, such as rock structures. Because of the longevity and primarily asexual reproduction of these agaves, relict clones have persisted to the present day, providing an opportunity to study pre-contact nutrition, trade, migration and agricultural practices. Taxonomic data imply that pre-contact farmers selected desirable attributes, initiating domestication processes that resulted in discrete lineages. These agaves are morphologically and genetically distinct from Southwest US and northern Mexico wild agaves and Mesoamerican wild and domesticated species. Additionally, the remnant clones present a rare opportunity to examine domesticates virtually unchanged since they were last cultivated prehistorically. These discoveries underline the need to view landscapes and some plant species from a cultural, rather than 'natural', perspective and discern potential cryptic species veiled by traditional taxonomic treatments. Protecting and understanding the distribution, and ecological and cultural roles of these plants require interdisciplinary collaboration between botanists, archaeologists, federal agencies and Indigenous Peoples.
Asunto(s)
Agave , Humanos , Agave/anatomía & histología , Arizona , Domesticación , Agricultura , MéxicoRESUMEN
Although prior research has shown that Community Health Workers/Promotores de Salud (CHW/PS) can facilitate access to care, little is known about how CHW/PS are perceived in their community. The current study reports the findings of a randomized telephone survey conducted in a high-risk urban community environment along the U.S.-Mexico border. In preparation for a community-based CHW/PS intervention called the HEART ecological study, the survey aimed to assess perceptions of CHW/PS, availability and utilization of community resources (recreational and nutrition related) and health behaviors and intentions. A total of 7,155 calls were placed to complete 444 surveys in three zip codes in El Paso, Texas. Results showed that participants felt that healthful community resources were available, but utilization was low and variable: 35% reported going to a park, 20% reported having taken a health class, few reported using a gym (12%), recreation center (8%), or YMCA/YWCA (0.9%). Awareness and utilization of CHW/PS services were low: 20% of respondents had heard of CHW/PS, with 8% reporting previous exposure to CHW/PS services. Upon review of a definition of CHW/PS, respondents expressed positive views of CHW/PS and their value in the healthcare system. Respondents who had previous contact with a CHW/PS reported a significantly more positive perception of the usefulness of CHW/PS (p = 0.006), were more likely to see CHW/PS as an important link between providers and patients (p = 0.008), and were more likely to ask a CHW/PS for help (p = 0.009). Participants who utilized CHW/PS services also had significantly healthier intentions to reduce fast food intake. Future research is needed to evaluate if CHW/PS can facilitate utilization of available community resources such as recreational facilities among Hispanic border residents at risk for CVD.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedades Cardiovasculares , Agentes Comunitarios de Salud/estadística & datos numéricos , Conductas Relacionadas con la Salud , Conocimientos, Actitudes y Práctica en Salud , Adolescente , Adulto , Enfermedades Cardiovasculares/etnología , Enfermedades Cardiovasculares/prevención & control , Enfermedades Cardiovasculares/terapia , Agentes Comunitarios de Salud/psicología , Ejercicio Físico/fisiología , Femenino , Alimentos , Conductas Relacionadas con la Salud/etnología , Conocimientos, Actitudes y Práctica en Salud/etnología , Humanos , Masculino , México/epidemiología , México/etnología , Persona de Mediana Edad , Instalaciones Públicas/economía , Recreación/economía , Recreación/fisiología , Conducta de Reducción del Riesgo , Factores Socioeconómicos , Estados Unidos/epidemiología , Estados Unidos/etnología , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: To address cardiovascular disease risk factors among Hispanics, a community model of prevention requires a comprehensive approach to community engagement. The objectives of our intervention were to reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors in Hispanics living in 2 low-income areas of El Paso, Texas, and to engage the community in a physical activity and nutrition intervention. METHODS: Drawing on lessons learned in phase 1 (years 2005-2008) of the HEART Project, we used an iterative, community-based process to develop an intervention based on an ecological framework. New community partners were introduced and community health workers delivered several elements of the intervention, including the curriculum entitled "Mi Corazón, Mi Comunidad" ("MiCMiC" [My Heart, My Community]). We received feedback from the project's Community Health Academy and Leadership Council throughout the development process and established a policy agenda that promotes integration of community health workers into the local and state workforce. OUTCOME: Collaboration with 2 new community partners, the YWCA and the Department of Parks and Recreation, were instrumental in the process of community-based participatory research. We enrolled 113 participants in the first cohort; 78% were female, and the mean age was 41 years. More than 50% reported having no health insurance coverage. Seventy-two (60%) participants attended 1 or more promotora-led Su Corazón, Su Vida sessions, and 74 (62%) participants attended 1 or more of the 15 exercise classes. INTERPRETATION: HEART phase 2 includes a multilevel ecological model to address cardiovascular disease risk among Hispanics. Future similarly targeted initiatives can benefit from an ecological approach that also embraces the promotora model.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedades Cardiovasculares/prevención & control , Servicios de Salud Comunitaria/métodos , Investigación Participativa Basada en la Comunidad/métodos , Educación en Salud/organización & administración , Promoción de la Salud , Evaluación de Programas y Proyectos de Salud , Salud Pública , Adulto , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , México , Factores de Riesgo , TexasRESUMEN
Of 59 Sephardic Jewish and Arab children in whom functional abdominal pain was diagnosed, we found that 20% were homozygote for the familial Mediterranean fever gene. Inclusion of genetic screening for familial Mediterranean fever may be advisable in the investigation of recurrent abdominal pain among children of Mediterranean extraction.
Asunto(s)
Fiebre Mediterránea Familiar/genética , Dolor Abdominal/genética , Dolor Abdominal/patología , Adolescente , Niño , Preescolar , Fiebre Mediterránea Familiar/epidemiología , Femenino , Pruebas Genéticas/métodos , Humanos , Incidencia , Masculino , Recurrencia , Factores de RiesgoRESUMEN
We report the association of celiac disease and alopecia in 3 children. In one, the alopecia developed after 4 years' nonadherence to a gluten-free diet; the other 2 patients presented with alopecia. Administration of a gluten-free diet resulted in partial regrowth of hair in the first child and complete hair growth in the others.
Asunto(s)
Alopecia/etiología , Enfermedad Celíaca/complicaciones , Adolescente , Alopecia/diagnóstico , Alopecia/dietoterapia , Enfermedad Celíaca/diagnóstico , Enfermedad Celíaca/dietoterapia , Preescolar , Enfermedad Crónica , Proteínas en la Dieta/administración & dosificación , Femenino , Glútenes , Humanos , Lactante , Zinc/deficiencia , Sulfato de Zinc/administración & dosificaciónAsunto(s)
Instrumentos Dentales/historia , Bibliotecas Odontológicas , Museos , Brasil , Historia del Siglo XXRESUMEN
We describe veno-occlusive disease of the liver associated with humoral and cellular immune defects in two siblings. Another child, with aplastic anemia, died before the age of 1 year. No consanguinity was found in the family. Both infants had lymphopenia and hypogammaglobulinemia; the surviving infant has defective in vitro immunoglobulin production after stimulation of lymphocytes with pokeweed mitogen, increased proportions of OKT8 positive cells, defective proliferative responses to phytomitogens, and decreased help for immunoglobulin production. A therapeutic trial with cimetidine, an H2 receptor antagonist, has not changed the immunologic status of the surviving child.