The relationship between insulin sensitivity and serum adiponectin levels in three population groups.

Reduced plasma adiponectin levels are associated with insulin resistance. Black South Africans, like African Americans, are more insulin-resistant than BMI-matched white subjects, as are Asian Indians. We investigated whether this interethnic variation in insulin resistance is due to differences in plasma adiponectin levels. Blood and anthropometric measurements were taken from black, white and Asian-Indian subjects. Serum adiponectin, lipids, glucose and insulin were measured; insulin sensitivity was calculated using HOMA. Black (HOMA = 2.62 +/- 0.99) and Asian-Indian subjects (HOMA = 3.41 +/- 2.85) were more insulin-resistant than BMI-matched white (HOMA = 1.76 +/- 0.63) subjects (p = 0.0001). Furthermore, the white subjects had higher adiponectin levels (8.11 +/- 4.39 microg/ml) compared to black (5.71 +/- 2.50 microg/ml) and Asian Indian (5.86 +/- 2.50 microg/ml) subjects (p = 0.003). When all ethnic groups were combined, multiple regression analysis demonstrated that serum adiponectin levels corrected for BMI and ethnicity did not correlate with HOMA, but did explain 10.0 % of the variance in HDL-cholesterol levels. Within each ethnic group, adiponectin only correlated inversely with HOMA in white subjects. Adiponectin may play a role in determining serum HDL-cholesterol levels, but ethnic variation in insulin sensitivity is not dependent on serum levels of this adipokine. The relationship between adiponectin and insulin resistance varies across ethnic groups.     

Ethnic and Sex Variations in Dental Care Utilization Patterns in a Group of Malaysian Elderly

The purpose of this study was to identify the ethnic and sex variations in the motives for seeking dental care in a group of Malaysian elderly. Three hundred and forty-two patients aged 55 years and above who presented themselves for treatment for the first time at the Dental Faculty, University of Mayala, Kuala Lumpur in 1986 were screened for their chief dental complaints. Request for dentures and extractions and complaints of toothache were the more frequent dental motives in all the ethnic groups. However, there exist ethnic and sex variations among these dental complaints. The Chinese were found to be high utilizers of rehabilitative services whereas the Malays and Indians were more frequent utilizers of emergency services. The only consistent feature between sex among all the ethnic groups for the more frequent dental complaints was that more females complained of toothache than males.     

Survival disparities among racial/ethnic groups of women with ovarian cancer: An update on data from the Surveillance,Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) registry

ObjectiveUpdate information on racial disparities in ovarian cancer survival from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program.MethodsData on women with epithelial ovarian cancer from the SEER Program between 1995–2015 were collected including; patient ID, age at diagnosis, year of diagnosis, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, insurance status, region of registry, tumor grade, tumor histology, tumor summary stage, survival months, race/ethnicity, and vital status. Multivariable analyses were performed to examine overall survival, differences in survival by age at diagnosis, by year of diagnosis, risk of not receiving surgery, and risk of 12-month death across racial/ethnic groups.ResultsNon-Hispanic black women (n = 4261) had an increased risk of overall mortality (HR = 1.28, CI: 1.23–1.33) when compared to non-Hispanic white women (n = 47,475), which appears more pronounced among women diagnosed under age 50. Hispanic women (n = 7052) had no difference in survival when compared to non-Hispanic white women (HR = 1.03, CI: 0.99–1.07). Non-Hispanic Asian/PI women (n = 5008) exhibited slightly reduced risk (HR = 0.95, CI: 0.91–0.99) when compared to non-Hispanic white women. Risk of not receiving surgical intervention remains high among non-Hispanic black women and Hispanic women, when compared to non-Hispanic white women. Non-Hispanic black women, non-Hispanic Asian/PI women, and Hispanic women were all at significantly greater risk of dying within the first 12 months of cancer diagnosis when compared to non-Hispanic white women.ConclusionDisparities in survival remain across various racial/ethnic groups, when compared to non-Hispanic white women with ovarian cancer. These disparities should continue to be examined in an effort to decrease such gaps.     

Female preponderance in congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to CYP21 deficiency in England: implications for neonatal screening

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase (CYP21) deficiency causes symptoms ranging from life-threatening neonatal adrenal crises to minimal virilization in adulthood. The relationship between CYP21 genotype and phenotypic markers in a non-screened population of 73 CAH children (44 female, 29 male; 54 white, 19 Asian) treated at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital was investigated and ethnic and sex differences assessed. The patients were categorized according to the mutation on the mildest allele. The age at the time of diagnosis differed significantly between the groups (p = 0.02): all 25 Null and 25 of 26 of the I2 splice patients were diagnosed during the neonatal period, whereas 7 of 11 I172N patients were diagnosed late. Degree of female genital virilization, 17-hydroxyprogesterone level at diagnosis, and fludrocortisone requirement during the 1st year of treatment correlated with the genotype, although Asian Null patients required more fludrocortisone than their white counterparts (p = 0.055). There was an equal sex ratio in both the I2 splice (12 female/14 male) and I172N (5 female/6 male) groups. However, in the Null group, the ratio was 4.0 (20 female/5 male; p = 0.003), suggesting that some Null male infants perish before being clinically detected to have CYP21 deficiency. Our findings strongly support the need for implementation of a neonatal screening programme for CAH in the UK which may reduce the male infant mortality.     

The diagnostic value of drawing a clock in geriatrics

In this study the Clock Drawing Test (CDT) is used in a geriatric department to search for dementia in a population with somatic disorders (N=236). The demented group (N=113) has significant lower scores on every item and on the total score of the scoring method, compared to the non-demented group (N=123). A factor analysis of the scoring method shows that the fourteen items can be grouped into the three groups "contour", "digits", and "hands". A logistic regression shows that "hands" is the most discriminating, although this effect is moderate (sensitivity 59.3%, specificity 75.6%). Considering however that the CDT, compared to other screening tasks, appeals to an unique combination of cognitive functions, including visual semantic memory, working memory, visuospatial skills, attention and executive functions, it can be concluded that this test can contribute to the diagnoses of dementia, besides the traditionally used instruments.     

Characterization of Fecal Microbiota across Seven Chinese Ethnic Groups by Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction

The human gut microbiota consists of complex microbial communities, which possibly play crucial roles in physiological functioning and health maintenance. China has evolved into a multicultural society consisting of the major ethnic group, Han, and 55 official ethnic minority groups. Nowadays, these minority groups inhabit in different Chinese provinces and some of them still keep their unique culture and lifestyle. Currently, only limited data are available on the gut microbiota of these Chinese ethnic groups. In this study, 10 major fecal bacterial groups of 314 healthy individuals from 7 Chinese ethnic origins were enumerated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Our data confirmed that the selected bacterial groups were common to all 7 surveyed ethnicities, but the amount of the individual bacterial groups varied to different degree. By principal component and canonical variate analyses of the 314 individuals or the 91 Han subjects, no distinct group clustering pattern was observed. Nevertheless, weak differences were noted between the Han and Zhuang from other ethnic minority groups, and between the Heilongjiang Hans from those of the other provinces. Thus, our results suggest that the ethnic origin may contribute to shaping the human gut microbiota.     

Fair shares in health care? Ethnic and socioeconomic influences on recording of preventive care in selected inner London general practices. Healthy Eastenders Project.

OBJECTIVE--To describe the association of ethnic and socioeconomic status with recording of preventive care information by selected general practitioners. DESIGN--Random selection of people aged 20-64 registered with 43 general practitioners. Ethnic and social characteristics of stratified samples were determined at interview in the subject''s home. Recording of preventive information was ascertained from general practitioners'' medical records. SETTING--Inner London borough of Tower Hamlets. SUBJECTS--505 ut of 739 people confirmed as residents at their home address (190 white, 86 black, 112 Bangladeshi, 105 Chinese or Vietnamese, 12 other). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Socioeconomic characteristics, consultation with general practitioner, and recorded preventive activities for ethnic groups. RESULTS--Minority ethnic groups were considerably more disadvantaged than white people and five times more likely to be overcrowded (31% v 6%), three times less likely to own their own home(11% v 37%), twice as likely to be in social classes IV and V (54% v 28%) and less likely to be employed (34% v 63%). There were no significant differences between white, black, Bangladeshi, and Chinese or Vietnamese subjects in recording smoking, blood pressure, alcohol consumption, weight, and height in the general practitioners'' medical records. White women were more likely to have a record of mammography (46% v 20%; P=0.03) and of cervical smears than women in minority ethnic groups. CONCLUSION--Despite major socioeconomic inequity, equitable recording of preventive activity for the major causes of death for white, black and Bangladeshi populations is possible. Chinese and Vietnamese people had lower levels of recording and consultation. Mammography and, to a lesser extent, cervical cytology are inequitably recorded and require additional support at practice level.     

Communication in Illness: The Relationship of National Origin to Symptoms and Diagnosis

This study compares the subjective symptoms recorded by questionnaire, and the diagnoses applied, in 289 adult medical outpatients of six national origins, namely, Canada (Ontario), England, Germany, Hungary, Italy, and Scotland. No significant differences were observed in the number or type of symptoms presented among the national groups. In each group, women and patients with psychological diagnoses reported more symptoms. There were considerable differences in the incidence of somatic (organic) and psychological diagnoses between the groups, which did not reflect equivalent variations in the incidence of definite clinical entities. It is suggested that the symptom habits of the groups studied appeared similar, with the method of investigation used, but that difficulties in patient-physician communication may lead to significantly different diagnostic habits for the national groups involved.     

The APOA5 locus is a strong determinant of plasma triglyceride concentrations across ethnic groups in Singapore

Singapore comprises three ethnic groups: Chinese (76.7%), Malays (14%), and Asian-Indians (7.9%). Overall, Singaporeans experience coronary heart disease rates similar to those found in the United States. However, there is a dramatic interethnic gradient, with Asian-Indians having significantly higher risk than Chinese and Malays. These differences are associated with HDL cholesterol levels and cannot be solely explained by environmental exposure, and may be driven by genetic factors. The gene encoding apolipoprotein A-V (APOA5) has been located on chromosome 11, and it is emerging as an important candidate gene for lipoprotein metabolism. We investigated associations between APOA5 polymorphisms and plasma lipids in 3,971 Singaporeans to establish whether they accounted for some of the ethnic differences in plasma lipids. We found significant associations between the minor alleles at each of four common polymorphisms and higher plasma triglycerides (TGs) across ethnic groups. Haplotype analyses showed significant associations with TGs, explaining 6.9%, 5.2%, and 2.7% of the TG variance in Malays, Asian-Indians, and Chinese, respectively. Conversely, we observed significant inverse associations between the minor alleles and HDL cholesterol concentrations for Chinese and Malays. These data suggest that APOA5 plays a role in the ethnic differences observed for plasma TG and HDL cholesterol concentrations.     

Analysis of polymorphism at nine nuclear genome DNA loci in maris

Population genetic survey of the indigenous populations of the Marii El Republic, represented by the two major ethnographic groups of Maris, Meadow (five samples from Morkinsk, Orshansk, Semursk, Sovetsk, and Zvenigovsk districts) and Mountain (one sample from Gornomariisk district) Maris, was carried out. All Mari groups were examined at nine polymorphic DNA loci of nuclear genome, VNTR(PAH) (N = 422), STR(PAH) (N = 152), VNTR(ApoB) (N= 294), VNTR(DAT1) (N = 363), VNTR(eNOS) (N = 373), ACE (N = 412), IVS6aGATT (N = 513), D7S23(KM.19) (N = 494), and D7S8 (N = 366). Allele and genotype frequency distribution patterns were obtained for individual samples and ethnographic groups, as well as for the ethnic group overall. In each of six Mari samples examined, the deficit of heterozygotes was observed, i.e., the mean observed heterozygosity was lower than the expected one. The indices of mean heterozygosity, Hs = 0.455, and interpopulation differentiation, FST = 0.0024, for the Mari gene pool were obtained using a set of DNA markers analyzed. Analysis of the genetic distances and between population differentiation (FST) showed that the main part of genetic diversity in Maris was determined by the differentiation between the populations of Meadow Maris. The contribution of the differences between the ethnographic groups of Mountain and Meadow Maris to the ethnic gene pool was small. It is suggested that the main role in the formation of the Mari gene pool is played by the geographic factor.     

Validation of Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis in Adolescents Across Different Ethnic Groups

Adolescent obesity is difficult to assess in multi‐ethnic populations using BMI, due to variability in the BMI–fatness relationship. We aimed to describe body composition (BC), and to validate leg–leg bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), in adolescents from different ethnic groups using deuterium (D₂O) as the reference method. Measurements were made of weight, height, total body water (TBW), and BIA (TANITA TBF‐300) in 110 white, 170 Asian, and 102 black adolescents aged 11–15 years. TBW was converted to lean mass (LM) using assumed hydration of lean tissue. General linear models were used to compare BC by D₂O between the ethnic groups. BC values from D₂O were compared with TANITA values, and used to generate ethnic‐specific prediction equations in the whole sample, and also in equation‐generation (group 1) and cross‐validation (group 2) subsamples. Ethnic variability in BMI did not reflect variability in adiposity. Asians had less LM than white and black adolescents, and less fat mass (FM) than white girls. TANITA in‐built equations did not predict BC accurately across ethnic groups, with significant bias in white and Asian males, and Asian and black females. The new equation generated from the entire sample removes ethnic‐specific mean biases. The group 1 equation showed no significant bias in any ethnic group when tested in group 2. We found significant variability in BC between ethnic groups that was not reflected by BMI. Manufacturers' equations are unsuitable for predicting BC in multi‐ethnic populations, and our new equations are recommended.     

Genome-wide linkage scan for the metabolic syndrome: the GENNID study

In the United States, the metabolic syndrome (MetS) constitutes a major public health problem with over 47 million persons meeting clinical criteria for MetS. Numerous studies have suggested genetic susceptibility to MetS. The goals of this study were (i) to identify susceptibility loci for MetS in well-characterized families with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in four ethnic groups and (ii) to determine whether evidence for linkage varies across the four groups. The GENNID study (Genetics of NIDDM) is a multicenter study established by the American Diabetes Association in 1993 and comprises a comprehensive, well-characterized resource of T2D families from four ethnic groups (whites, Mexican Americans, African Americans, and Japanese Americans). Principal component factor analysis (PCFA) was used to define quantitative phenotypes of the MetS. Variance components linkage analysis was conducted using microsatellite markers from a 10-cM genome-wide linkage scan, separately in each of the four ethnic groups. Three quantitative MetS factors were identified by PCFA and used as phenotypes for MetS: (i) a weight/waist factor, (ii) a blood pressure factor, and (iii) a lipid factor. Evidence for linkage to each of these factors was observed. For each ethnic group, our results suggest that several regions harbor susceptibility genes for the MetS. The strongest evidence for linkage for MetS phenotypes was observed on chromosome 2 (2q12.1-2q13) in the white sample and on chromosome 3 (3q26.1-3q29) in the Mexican-American sample. In conclusion, the results suggest that several regions harbor MetS susceptibility genes and that heterogeneity may exist across groups.     

Excavating Culture: Summary of Results

This is a companion paper to the seven articles also published in this special issue of Applied Developmental Science. This paper summarizes and discusses the results from common analyses that were conducted on different datasets. The common analyses were designed to disentangle contextual and ethnic influences on parenting. Initial ethnic group differences were found in many of the datasets with multiple ethnic groups. Although certain ethnic group differences were explained by contextual influences, some ethnic group differences remained after contextual influences were controlled. Follow-up analyses with datasets containing cultural variables revealed within group differences in the degree to which ethnic differences in parenting may be accounted for by contextual factors versus culturally-specific processes. Methodological and theoretical implications are discussed and future directions are offered.     

Sutural bone frequency in synostotic rabbit crania

This study tests the hypothesis that crania with synostosed sutures will have a significantly higher incidence of calvarial sutural bones than normal crania. Sutural bones were counted in seven calvarial sutures and compared among four groups of adult New Zealand white rabbit skulls: normal in-colony (NI) controls (N = 14), normal out-colony (NO) controls (N = 12), skulls with familial delayed onset (DO) coronal synostosis (N = 25), and skulls with experimentally immobilized coronal sutures (EI) (N = 20). Comparisons among groups were made with a Kruskal-Wallis one-way ANOVA and between groups with a Mann-Whitney U-test, using a Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. Significant differences (P > 0.05) were noted only in the coronal and sagittal sutures, with EI crania having the greatest number of coronal sutural bones; between group differences were undetectable for sagittal sutural bones. A post hoc two-sample binomial test for equal proportions showed that the distribution of coronal sutural bones among individuals across groups was even, while the distribution of sagittal sutural bones was significantly higher in EI crania. These results suggest that altered sutural forces of the calvaria contribute to an increased occurrence of sutural bones. However, the influence of inheritance on increased occurrence of sutural bones cannot be discounted, as reflected in the equivalent number of individuals across groups that possessed coronal sutural bones. Am J Phys Anthropol 102:555–563, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Within‐ and across‐group dating in Hawaii

Abstract

224 subjects from 5 different racial/ethnic groups responded to a dating questionnaire. There are both sex and racial/ethnic differences in frequency of cross‐ethnic dating in Hawaii and in attitudes (as reported by Ss) of parents and close friends toward within‐and across‐ethnic dating. Females date within their own groups more frequently than males and also report stronger support of within‐ and lesser support of across‐group dating by significant others. Racial/ethnic differences are substantial, with groups higher in mean income being more supportive of within‐group dating, being more accepted by other groups, and being less accepting of dating other groups. Amount of actual intergroup dating was related, in part, to group differences in income, with the two groups lowest in income (Filipinos and Hawaiians/Part Hawaiians) showing the highest amount of cross‐ethnic dating, but with the association breaking down in the upper income groups, possibly because of group differences in group size and in length of residence. The results are remarkably similar to those reported earlier on within‐ and across‐group marriage in Hawaii.     

National survey of notifications of tuberculosis in England and Wales in 1983. Medical Research Council Tuberculosis and Chest Diseases Unit.

In a survey of all notifications of tuberculosis in England and Wales for the first six months of 1983 56% of the 3002 newly notified patients who had not been treated before were of white and 37% were of Indian subcontinent (Indian, Pakistani, or Bangladeshi) ethnic origin, findings similar to those of a survey in 1978-9. In the four and a quarter years between the surveys the number of patients notified had declined by 26%, the decline being 28% among those of white and 23% among those of Indian subcontinent ethnic origin. The white patients were on average older than the patients of Indian subcontinent ethnic origin, and a higher proportion of them had respiratory disease (82% compared with 66%). The pulmonary lesions were on average larger and more often bacteriologically positive in the white patients. There were considerable differences between the ethnic groups in the estimated yearly rates of notifications per 100 000 population in England in 1983. The highest rates occurred in the Indian (178) and the Pakistani and Bangladeshi (169) populations and were roughly 25 times the rate in the white population (6 X 9). In the Indian subcontinent ethnic groups the highest rates occurred among those who had arrived in the United Kingdom within the previous five years.     

中国东乡族9个STR基因座遗传多态性研究

选择9个STR基因座,采用四色荧光标记STR基因扫描技术,对中国甘肃省特有民族——东乡族的群体遗传多态性进行研究。同时检测94个无关个体血液样本,共检出72种等位基因,基因频率的分布在0.0053~0.5825之间;检出182种基因型,基因型频率分布在0.0106~0.2660之间;9个STR位点基因型分布均符合Hardy-Weinberg平衡定律（P＞0.05）。9个STR位点多态信息量（polymorphism information content,PIC）均大于0.6378,杂合度(heterozygosity,H) 均大于0.6500,个体识别力(discrimination power,DP)均大于0.8216,非父排除率(probabilities of paternity exclusion,PPE) 均大于 0.4903。种族比较结果显示,甘肃东乡族与白种人及黑种人在绝大多数位点存在显著差异（P＜0.05）,而9个STR位点与汉族群体的遗传差异均不显著（P＞0.05）。研究结果丰富了中华民族基因数据库,在人类群体遗传学及法医学研究领域有重要应用价值。 Abstract:Genetic distribution for nine STR loci was determined in a Chinese Dongxing ethnic group based on STR genescan marked by fluorescence.Seventy-Two alleles and 182 genotypes were observed in 94 unrelated Chinese Dongxiang individuals,with the corresponding gene frequency and genotype frequency being 0.0053~0.5825 and 0.0106~0.2660 respectively.The genotypes of nine STR loci were in accordance with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P＞0.05).The statistical analysis of nine STR loci showed PIC( polymorphism information content,PIC)≥0.6378,H(heterozygosity,H) ≥0.6500,DP (discrimination power,DP) ≥0.8216,PPE(probabilities of paternity exculation,PPE) ≥0.4903.The result indicated that there was a significant difference between Dongxiang ethnic group and the white and the black.There was no significant difference in Han nationality.These result filled the Dongxiang ethnic group-a specific group of Chinese into the genetic database and played an important role in Chinese population genetic study and forensic medicine application.     

Greater Abdominal Fat Accumulation Is Associated with Higher Metabolic Risk in Chinese than in White People: An Ethnicity Study

Introduction

Chinese are reported to have a higher percent body fat (%BF) and a higher percent trunk fat (%TF) than whites for a given body mass index (BMI). However, the associations of these ethnic differences in body composition with metabolic risks remain unknown.

Methods and Procedures

A total of 1 029 Chinese from Hangzhou, China, and 207 whites from New York, NY, USA, were recruited in the present study. Body composition was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Analysis of covariance was used to assess the ethnic differences in fat, fat distribution, and metabolic risk factors.

Results

After adjusting for BMI, age, and height, Chinese men had an average of 3.9% more %BF and 12.1% more %TF than white men; Chinese women had an average of 2.3% more %BF and 11.8% more %TF than white women. Compared with whites, higher metabolic risks were detected in Chinese for a given BMI after adjusting for age and height. Further adjustment for %BF did not change these ethnic disparities. However, after adjusting for %TF, the ethnic differences decreased and become insignificant in triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and blood pressure (except for systolic blood pressure in men). For fasting plasma glucose, the ethnic differences persisted after adjustment for %BF, but decreased significantly from 0.910 to 0.686 mmol/L among men, and from 0.629 to 0.355 mmol/L among women, when the analyses were further controlled for %TF.

Discussion

Chinese have both higher %BF and %TF than white people for a given BMI. However, only %TF could in part account for the higher metabolic risk observed in Chinese men and women.     

Development of a culture specific (Nigeria) screening scale of somatic complaints indicating psychiatric disturbance

In a pre-study it was seen that somatization complaints formed the basis of the distress of the mentally ill in Nigeria and there was need for somatic complaints to be employed in evolving a psychodiagnostic system which would lead to a better understanding of mental illness in Nigeria. In pursuit of this goal, some 65 somatic complaints were drawn from protocols of patients treated at the Psychiatric Hospital, Enugu, from 1978–1981. These complaints were administered in form of questions to 179 psychiatric patients and 349 students (normals) of the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu. Forty-six of the 65 complaints distinguished male normals from the psychiatric patients and 30 items of the 65 distinguished the female normals from the female psychiatric patients at the 0.05 level or better. In a further step each subject was rated. A positive response to each of the discriminant items was scored as one point. The mean, standard deviation and cumulative frequency percentage of both groups were calculated. These values are recommended for use in discriminating normals from the mentally ill in Nigeria. This study is seen as a first step leading towards a much wider study involving somatizations in a psychodiagnostic endeavor, as well as throwing more light into the problem of classification of psychiatric disorders in Nigeria.