Risk of sleep apnea associated with higher blood pressure among Chinese and Korean Americans.

OBJECTIVE: This study examines associations between sleep apnea risk and hypertension in a sample of immigrant Chinese and Korean Americans. DESIGN: The dataset included Chinese and Korean patients ages 50-75 recruited from primary care physicians' offices from April 2018 to June 2020 in the Baltimore-Washington DC Metropolitan Area (n = 394). Hypertension risk was determined using a combination of blood pressure measurements, self-reported diagnosis of hypertension by a medical professional, and/or self-reported use of antihypertensive medications. Linear regression models examined the associations between sleep apnea risk and blood pressure (systolic blood pressure [SBP] and diastolic blood pressure [DBP]). Poisson regression models examined associations sleep apnea risk and hypertension. Models controlled for body mass index (BMI), demographic, and socioeconomic risk factors. We further examined models for potential effect modification by age, gender, Asian subgroup, and obesity, as well as effect modification of daytime sleepiness on the association between snoring and hypertension risk. RESULTS: High risk of sleep apnea appeared to be associated positively with SBP (ß = 6.77, 95% CI: 0.00-13.53), but not with DBP. The association was positive for hypertension, but it was not statistically significant (PR = 1.11, 95% CI: 0.87-1.41). We did not find effect modification of the associations between sleep apnea and hypertension risk, but we did find that daytime sleepiness moderated the effect of snoring on SBP. Snoring was associated with higher SBP, primarily in the presence of daytime sleepiness, such that predicted SBP was 133.27 mmHg (95% CI: 126.52, 140.02) for someone with both snoring and daytime sleepiness, compared to 123.37 mmHg (95% CI: 120.40, 126.34) for someone neither snoring nor daytime sleepiness. CONCLUSION: Chinese and Korean immigrants living in the U.S. who are at high risk of sleep apnea have higher SBP on average, even after accounting for sociodemographic characteristics and BMI. CLINICAL TRAIL REGISTRATION: : NCT03481296, date of registration: 3/29/2018.

The Cross-Sectional Association of Sleep Disturbance and Sleep Apnea With Complex Multimorbidity Among Chinese and Korean Americans.

A new concept called complex multimorbidity provides a more reliable measure of disease burden than multimorbidity based on a simple count of diseases, by categorizing diseases according to the body system they affect. This study examined associations between sleep measures and complex multimorbidity among Chinese and Korean Americans in the Baltimore-Washington DC Metropolitan Area, using cross-sectional data (n = 400) from the Screening to Prevent Colorectal Cancer study (2018-2020). Sleep disturbance was measured using the 8-item Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Sleep Disturbance scale and sleep apnea risk was assessed using the Berlin questionnaire. Complex multimorbidity was defined as the coexistence of 3 or more of body system disorders assessed by self-report of physician-diagnosed diseases. Poisson regression models with adjustments indicated that individuals with sleep disturbance had 2.15 times the prevalence of having complex multimorbidity (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07, 4.29). Individuals with a high risk of sleep apnea had 1.19 times the prevalence of having complex multimorbidity (95% CI: 0.47, 3.01). These findings suggest a need for interventions to increase awareness of the importance of sleep among health-care providers and the public and to educate them about causes, signs, and treatment of sleep disturbance and sleep apnea.

Prevalence and predictors of perceived COVID-19 stigma within a population-based sample of adults with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Growing evidence suggests that individuals with COVID-19 face stigmatization, which is associated with poor health outcomes and behaviors. However, very few population-based studies have examined risk factors for experiencing COVID-19 stigma. This study examined prevalence and predictors of perceived COVID-19 stigma using a population-based probability sample of adults with COVID-19. METHODS: We included adults with polymerase chain reaction-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 in Michigan between January 1, 2020 and July 31, 2021. Perceived COVID-19 stigma was considered present if a respondent answered affirmatively to any of the following items due to people thinking they might have COVID-19: "you were treated badly," "people acted as if they were scared of you," and "you were threatened or harassed." We conducted modified Poisson regression with robust standard errors to estimate associations between perceived COVID-19 stigma and potential predictors, including sex, age, race and ethnicity, household income, education, employment, smoking status, body mass index, preexisting diagnosed physical or mental comorbidities, and COVID-19 illness severity. RESULTS: Perceived COVID-19 stigma was commonly reported among our respondents (38.8%, n = 2,759). Compared to those over 65 years, respondents who were 18 - 34 (adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR): 1.41, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.12 - 1.77) and 35 - 44 years old (aPR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.31 - 2.09) reported higher perceived stigma. Female respondents had 1.23 times higher prevalence of perceived COVID-19 stigma (95% CI: 1.10 - 1.37) than male respondents and non-Hispanic Black respondents had 1.22 times higher prevalence of perceived COVID-19 stigma (95% CI: 1.04 - 1.44) than non-Hispanic White respondents. Moreover, respondents with pre-existing diagnosed psychological or psychiatric comorbidities were more likely to report perceived COVID-19 stigma (aPR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.13 - 1.48) compared to those without diagnosed comorbidities. Respondents with very severe COVID-19 symptoms were also more likely to report perceived COVID-19 stigma (aPR: 1.47, 95% CI: 1.23 - 1.75) than those with asymptomatic or mild symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: We found that populations who are marginalized in United States, such as females, non-Hispanic Black adults, or individuals with chronic conditions, are more likely to report perceived COVID-19 stigma. Continuing to monitor COVID-19 stigma, especially in vulnerable populations, may provide useful insights for anti-stigma campaigns and future pandemics.

The Mediating Role of Sleep Disturbance on the Association Between Stress and Self-Rated Health Among Chinese and Korean Immigrant Americans.

INTRODUCTION: Disturbed sleep may be a factor that links stress with poor health, especially among groups experiencing high levels of stress caused by racial and ethnic minority and nativity status. The objective of this study was to describe the potential mediating role of sleep disturbance in the associations between various types of stress and self-rated health among Chinese and Korean Americans. METHODS: Our cross-sectional study consisted of 400 Chinese and Korean immigrants aged 50 to 75 years recruited from August 2018 through June 2020 from physicians' clinics in the Baltimore-Washington, DC, metropolitan area. We used the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) short-form questionnaire to measure sleep disturbance. Linear regression analyses examined associations between 3 types of stress (acculturative stress, perceived stress, and distress) and self-rated health, accounting for demographic, socioeconomic, and health insurance factors. The Karlson-Holm-Breen method was used to estimate the total and direct effects of stresses on self-rated health and the indirect effects of stresses on health through sleep disturbance. RESULTS: Greater acculturative stress (ß = 0.08; 95% CI, 0.01-0.14), perceived stress (ß = 0.05; 95% CI, 0.03-0.08), and distress (ß = 0.09; 95% CI, 0.05-0.13) were all associated with poorer self-rated health. Sleep disturbance was a partial mediator, with sleep disturbance accounting for 21.7%, 14.9%, and 18.7% of the associations between acculturative stress, perceived stress, and distress and self-rated health, respectively. CONCLUSION: Because sleep disturbance partially mediates the associations between stress and poor self-rated health, future interventions and research may consider mitigating sleep disturbances and stress among racial and ethnic minority populations to address health disparities.

Effects of luteolin on canine osteosarcoma: Suppression of cell proliferation and synergy with cisplatin.

Canine osteosarcoma is characterized by aggressiveness, easy metastasis to the lungs, and high mortality after standard therapy. Luteolin is a flavonoid found in vegetables and fruits and has diverse functions. Elucidation of the biological mechanisms of luteolin on canine osteosarcoma will enhance the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents in canine tumors. In this study, we examined the effects of luteolin in the canine osteosarcoma cell lines, D17 and DSN. The results of this study show that luteolin inhibited canine osteosarcoma cell proliferation and induced apoptosis by altering cell-cycle proportion, producing reactive oxygen species, increasing the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, and reducing cytosolic Ca2+ concentration. In addition, luteolin activated ERK1/2 and inactivated phosphoinositide 3-kinase/AKT signaling in canine osteosarcoma cells. Moreover, luteolin showed synergistic effects with cisplatin to reduce cell proliferation. In summary, luteolin induced cell death by initiating mitochondrial dysfunction and regulating intracellular signal transduction in canine osteosarcoma cells.

Chrysin leads to cell death in endometriosis by regulation of endoplasmic reticulum stress and cytosolic calcium level.

Chrysin is a natural compound derived from honey, propolis, or passion flowers and has many functional roles, such as antiinflammatory and antiangiogenesis effects. Although endometriosis is a benign gynecological disease, there is a need to identify the pathology and develop a therapy for endometriosis. Elucidating the biological mechanism of chrysin on endometriosis will improve the understanding of endometriosis. In this study, we confirmed the apoptotic effects of chrysin in human endometriotic cells using End1/E6E7 (endocervix-derived endometriotic cells) and VK2/E6E7 (vaginal mucosa-derived epithelial endometriotic cells). The results showed that chrysin suppressed the proliferation of endometriosis and induced programmed cell death through changing the cell cycle proportion and increasing the cytosolic calcium level and generation of reactive oxygen species. In addition, chrysin activated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress by stimulating the unfolded protein response proteins, especially the 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein-PRKR-like ER kinase (PERK)-eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) pathway in both endometriotic cell lines. Furthermore, chrysin inactivated the intracellular phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (PKB, also known as AKT) signaling pathway in a dose-dependent manner. Collectively, the results of this study indicated that chrysin induced programmed cell death by activating the ER stress response and inactivating the PI3K signaling pathways in human endometriotic cells.

Quercetin augments apoptosis of canine osteosarcoma cells by disrupting mitochondria membrane potential and regulating PKB and MAPK signal transduction.

Osteosarcoma is a mesenchymal malignant bone tumor accompanied by a high rate of lung metastasis and short survival in dogs. Although various therapies have been reported, the etiological mechanism of osteosarcoma remains undetermined and the development of novel therapeutic agents is warranted. In this study, we have reported the diverse functions of quercetin, one of the well-known flavonoid, in D-17 and DSN (canine osteosarcoma) cell lines. Current results indicate that quercetin decreases proliferative properties and increases programmed cell death, in addition to altering the cell cycle, mitochondrial depolarization, level of reactive oxygen species, and concentration of cytoplasmic calcium in both cells. Furthermore, it was observed that quercetin suppresses phosphorylation of AKT, P70S6K, and S6 proteins and upregulates phosphorylation of ERK1 or 2, P38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and P90RSK proteins in both cell lines. Collectively, we suggest that quercetin can be used as a pharmacological agent for suppressing the proliferation and inducing the apoptosis of canine osteosarcoma cells.

Chrysin attenuates progression of ovarian cancer cells by regulating signaling cascades and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Chrysin is mainly found in passion flowers, honey, and propolis acts as a potential therapeutic and preventive agent to inhibit proliferation and invasion of various human cancer cells. Although chrysin has anti-carcinogenic effects in several cancers, little is known about its functional roles in ovarian cancer which shows poor prognosis and chemoresistance to traditional therapeutic agents. In the present study, we investigated functional roles of chrysin in progression of ovarian cancer cells using ES2 and OV90 (clear cell and serous carcinoma, respectively) cell lines. Results of the current study demonstrated that chrysin inhibited ovarian cancer cell proliferation and induced cell death by increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and cytoplasmic Ca2+ levels as well as inducing loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Moreover, chrysin activated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathways in ES2 and OV90 cells in concentration-response experiments. Collectively, our results led us to propose that chrysin-induced apoptotic events are mediated by the activation of PI3K and MAPK pathways in human ovarian cancer cells.

Chrysin induces death of prostate cancer cells by inducing ROS and ER stress.

Chrysin is a natural flavone found in numerous plant extracts, honey, and propolis that has multiple biological activities including anti-cancer effects. Understanding of biological mechanisms mediated in response to chrysin in cancerous cells may provide novel insight into chemotherapeutic approaches with reduced side effects in cancers. In the present study, we investigated functional roles of chrysin in progression of prostate cancer cells using DU145 and PC-3 cell lines. The results showed that chrysin induced apoptosis of cells evidenced by DNA fragmentation and increasing the population of both DU145 and PC-3 cells in the sub-G1 phase of the cell cycle. In addition, chrysin reduced expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen in the prostate cancer cell lines compared to untreated prostate cancer cells. Moreover, chrysin induced loss of mitochondria membrane potential (MMP), while increasing production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation in a dose-dependent manner. Also, it induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress through activation of unfolded protein response (UPR) proteins including PRKR-like ER kinase (PERK), eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α (eIF2α), and 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78) in DU145 and PC-3 cells. The chrysin-mediated intracellular signaling pathways suppressed phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and the abundance of AKT, P70S6K, S6, and P90RSK proteins, but stimulated mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and activation of ERK1/2 and P38 proteins in the prostate cancer cells. Collectively, these results indicate that chrysin initiates cell death through induction of mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis and ER stress, and regulation of signaling pathways responsible for proliferation of prostate cancer cells.

Risk of Sleep Apnea Is Associated with Abdominal Obesity Among Asian Americans: Comparing Waist-to-Hip Ratio and Body Mass Index.

OBJECTIVE: This study examines associations between the risk of sleep apnea and abdominal obesity (assessed by waist-to-hip ratio (WHR)) and general obesity (assessed by body mass index (BMI)) in a sample of Chinese and Korean American immigrants. METHODS: The dataset included Chinese and Korean participants aged 50-75 who were recruited from primary care physicians' clinics from April 2018 to June 2020 in the Baltimore-Washington D.C. Metropolitan area (n = 394). Abdominal obesity was determined if WHR ≥ 0.9 in men and WHR ≥ 0.85 in women. General obesity was determined if BMI ≥ 30. The risk of sleep apnea was determined by using the Berlin questionnaire. Poisson regression models examined associations between sleep apnea risk and obesity. Models controlled for socio-demographic risk factors. RESULTS: Twelve percent of the study participants were classified as a high risk for sleep apnea, and 75% had abdominal obesity whereas 6.4% had general obesity. High risk of sleep apnea was positively associated with abdominal obesity (PR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.17-1.47) and general obesity (PR = 2.19, 95% CI: 0.90-5.32), marginally significant at p < 0.1). CONCLUSIONS: Chinese and Korean immigrants living in the USA who are at high risk of sleep apnea have higher abdominal obesity, even after accounting for sociodemographic characteristics. Abdominal obesity may be a better indicator than general obesity when examining the risk of sleep apnea among Asian Americans. INFORMATION ON CLINICAL TRIAL: Name: Screening To Prevent ColoRectal Cancer (STOP CRC) among At-Risk Asian American Primary Care Patients NCT Number: NCT03481296; Date of registration: March 29, 2018 URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03481296?term=Sunmin+Lee&draw=2&rank=1.

Do conditional cash transfers reduce hypertension?

Progresa, an anti-poverty conditional cash transfer program, has been a model for similar programs in more than 60 countries. Numerous studies have found positive impacts on schooling, the nutritional and health status of children and adolescents, and household consumption. However, the effects on the health of older adult beneficiaries have been particularly understudied. In this paper we analyze the effects of Progresa on middle-aged and older adult health, focusing on a high prevalence chronic condition: hypertension. Our results show that Progresa had significant benefits in terms of improved hypertension diagnosis and use of treatment drugs. However, we did not find significant changes in uncontrolled hypertension as measured by systolic and diastolic blood pressure biomarkers in household survey data. Thus, while cash transfer programs may facilitate financial access to healthcare visits and the ability to buy prescribed medicines, by itself the program might not improve hypertension outcomes without complementary healthcare system follow-up to ensure dosage titration and medication adherence.

Cross-sectional population-based estimates of a rural-urban disparity in prevalence of long COVID among Michigan adults with polymerase chain reaction-confirmed COVID-19, 2020-2022.

PURPOSE: To (1) assess whether residential rurality/urbanicity was associated with the prevalence of 30- or 90-day long COVID, and (2) evaluate whether differences in long COVID risk factors might explain this potential disparity. METHODS: We used data from the Michigan COVID-19 Recovery Surveillance Study, a population-based probability sample of adults with COVID-19 (n = 4,937). We measured residential rurality/urbanicity using dichotomized Rural-Urban Commuting Area codes (metropolitan, nonmetropolitan). We considered outcomes of 30-day long COVID (illness duration ≥30 days) and 90-day long COVID (illness duration ≥90 days). Using Poisson regression, we estimated unadjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) to compare 30- and 90-day long COVID between metropolitan and nonmetropolitan respondents. Then, we adjusted our model to account for differences between groups in long COVID risk factors (age, sex, acute COVID-19 severity, vaccination status, race and ethnicity, socioeconomic status, health care access, SARS-CoV-2 variant, and pre-existing conditions). We estimated associations for the full study period (Jan 1, 2020-May 31, 2022), the pre-vaccine era (before April 5, 2021), and the vaccine era (after April 5, 2021). FINDINGS: Compared to metropolitan adults, the prevalence of 30-day long COVID was 15% higher (PR = 1.15 [95% CI: 1.03, 1.29]), and the prevalence of 90-day long COVID was 27% higher (PR = 1.27 [95% CI: 1.09, 1.49]) among nonmetropolitan adults. Adjusting for long COVID risk factors did not reduce disparity estimates in the pre-vaccine era but halved estimates in the vaccine era. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide evidence of a rural-urban disparity in long COVID and suggest that the factors contributing to this disparity changed over time as the sociopolitical context of the pandemic evolved and COVID-19 vaccines were introduced.

The Relationship Between Financial Worries and Psychological Distress Among U.S. Adults.

This study examines the association between financial worries and psychological distress among US adults and tests its moderating effects by gender, marital status, employment status, education, and income levels. Data were derived from the cross-sectional 2018 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) of the adult population. The hierarchical regression analysis revealed that higher financial worries were significantly associated with higher psychological distress. Additionally, the association between financial worries and psychological distress was more pronounced among the unmarried, the unemployed, lower-income households, and renters than their counterparts. The findings suggest that accessible financial counseling programs and public health intervention programs are needed to mitigate financial worries and its negative influences on overall psychological health, with greater attention devoted to vulnerable populations.

Acculturation and self-rated health among Chinese and Korean immigrants aged 49 to 75.

Background: Given the rapidly growing Asian populations in the U.S. due to immigration, and the aging demographic of Asian immigrants, it is crucial to understand how acculturation shapes health among older adult Asian immigrants. We study the relationship between acculturation and self-rated health (SRH) and moderating roles of age and Asian subgroup. Methods: Our cross-sectional study consisted of 200 Chinese and 200 Korean immigrants aged 49-75 living in Baltimore-Washington DC metropolitan area, who were recruited from primary care physicians' clinics in Maryland and Northern Virginia. The participants completed the survey either in-person or by phone in their preferred language. Multidimensional proxies were used to measure acculturation: years living in the U.S. (≥23 years, <23 years), English proficiency (fluently/well, so-so, poorly/not at all), and ethnic identity (very Asian, mostly Asian, bicultural/westernized). SRH was measured using the question "How would you rate your general health?" (excellent/very good/good, fair/poor). Poisson regression models with robust error variance examined associations between acculturation and SRH, accounting for socioeconomic and health insurance factors. Results: Speaking English so-so and fluently/well had 0.73 (95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.55-0.97) and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.30-0.87) times the prevalence of having fair or poor SRH compared to speaking English poorly/not at all, respectively. The magnitudes and statistical significance of these associations were stronger among Chinese participants than Korean participants. Moreover, individuals who self-identified as bicultural/westernized had 0.63 times the prevalence of having fair or poor SRH (95% CI: 0.43-0.92) as those who self-identified as very Asian. The association was more pronounced among older participants (≥58) compared to younger participants (<58). Conclusion: Further research should identify the possible mechanisms linking acculturation with health to find effective strategies to enhance health among aging Asian immigrant populations.

Acculturation and Cardiometabolic Abnormalities Among Chinese and Korean Americans.

BACKGROUND: Studies generally show that higher acculturation is associated with greater cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among immigrants in the United States (US). However, few studies have compared how proxies of acculturation are differentially associated with metabolic abnormalities measured using objective biomarkers, self-reported diagnosis, and medication use, particularly among East Asian Americans. METHODS: Survey data and biomarker measurements collected from random (non-fasting) blood samples of Chinese and Korean immigrants in the US (n = 328) were used to examine the associations between two proxies for acculturation (years living in the US and English speaking proficiency) with three cardiometabolic abnormalities (high triglyceride levels, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia). Poisson regression models estimated prevalence ratios adjusted for demographic characteristics, socioeconomic factors, and body mass index. Gender, Asian subgroup, and household income were tested as potential effect modifiers. RESULTS: Living longer in the US was associated with greater likelihood of having high triglycerides. In addition, living longer in the US was associated with greater likelihood of diabetes for people with lower household income and greater likelihood of hypercholesterolemia for people with higher household income. Higher level of English proficiency was less consistently associated with higher cardiometabolic risk, although there was a significant association with greater likelihood of hypercholesterolemia. CONCLUSIONS: Longer time lived in the US is associated with higher risk of cardiometabolic abnormalities among Chinese and Korean Americans. Future studies of acculturation and cardiometabolic risk should carefully consider potential mechanisms and what proxy measures of acculturation capture. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03481296, date of registration: 3/29/2018.

Racial discrimination in healthcare settings and mental health among a population-based sample of racial and ethnic minoritized adults with COVID-19 in Michigan.

The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened existing racial health disparities and racial discrimination in healthcare; however, little is known about how racial discrimination in healthcare settings is related to mental health during the pandemic. Using a population-based probability sample of racial and ethnic minoritized adults with a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in Michigan, we examined how measures of perceived racial discrimination in (1) seeking healthcare for COVID-19 (n = 1,210) and (2) receiving testing/treatment for COVID-19 (n = 1,364) were associated with binary variables of depressive and anxiety symptoms. We conducted a modified Poisson regression analysis with robust standard errors to estimate associations between each measure of racial discrimination and each mental health outcome separately, adjusting for demographic and socio-economic variables, health insurance, and pre-existing physical and psychiatric conditions. 7.3 % and 8.7 % of adults reported racial discrimination in seeking healthcare for COVID-19 and in getting testing/treatment for COVID-19, respectively. Although the overall prevalence of racial discrimination in healthcare settings was low, experiences of racial discrimination were associated with depressive symptoms. Adults who experienced racial discrimination in seeking healthcare had 1.74 times higher prevalence of reporting depressive symptoms (95 % CI:1.21-2.52) than those who did not. Moreover, adults who experienced racial discrimination in getting testing/treatment had 1.86 times higher prevalence of reporting depressive symptoms (95 % CI:1.36-2.53) than those who did not. Neither measure of racial discrimination was associated with anxiety symptoms in the adjusted models. There is a need for promoting anti-racial discrimination policies, educational programs, and awareness efforts in healthcare settings.

Associations between sleep apnea risk and cardiovascular disease indicators among Chinese and Korean Americans.

Study objectives: While sleep apnea has been associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in white individuals in the U.S., these associations in Chinese and Korean Americans are less well-understood, particularly how these associations vary by age, gender, Asian origin, obesity, chronic conditions, and daytime sleepiness. Methods: We used a sample of Chinese and Korean Americans ages 50-75 (n = 394) from the Baltimore-Washington DC Metropolitan Area to examine the associations of high risk (HR) sleep apnea with diagnoseable hypercholesterolemia and diabetes, as well as the following biomarkers: total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), total cholesterol/HDL-C ratio, triglycerides, and glucose (non-fasting). Poisson models included demographic factors, socioeconomic status, and body mass index (BMI). We tested for potential effect modifiers. Results: HR-sleep apnea was associated with higher LDL-C level (ß = 14.56, p < 0.05) and higher total cholesterol/HDL ratio (ß = 0.64, p < 0.01). Younger respondents had higher levels of triglycerides associated with HR-sleep apnea than older respondents. For men, HR-sleep apnea was associated with higher total cholesterol, total cholesterol/HDL-C ratio, and triglycerides. Obese and overweight respondents had positive associations between HR-sleep apnea and total cholesterol, total cholesterol/HDL ratio, and triglycerides, while underweight/normal weight individuals did not. The interactions between snoring and daytime sleepiness were associated with hypercholesterolemia and diabetes. Conclusions: This study demonstrates associations between sleep apnea risk and dyslipidemia among Chinese and Korean Americans. Associations were particularly pronounced among younger, male, overweight/obese, and sicker individuals. Future research should examine how to improve sleep health in Asian American populations to improve CVD risk.

Development and Characterization of Solution-Processable Dithieno[3,2-b : 2',3'-d]thiophenes Derivatives with Various End-capped Groups for Organic Field-Effect Transistors.

In this paper, four organic materials based on dithieno[3,2-b : 2',3'-d]thiophene (DTT) core structure with end-capping groups (phenyl and thienyl) and linker (acetylenic and olefinic) between DTT-core and end-capping groups were synthesized and characterized as solution-processable organic semiconductors (OSCs) for organic field-effect transistors (OFETs). Thermal, optical, and electrochemical properties of the corresponding materials were determined. Next, all DTT-derivatives were coated by solution-shearing method, and the thin-film microstructures and morphologies were investigated. To investigate the electrical performance of four newly synthesized DTT-derivatives, bottom-gate/top-contact OFETs were fabricated and characterized in ambient condition. It was found that substitution of acetylenic for olefinic linkers between DTT-cores and end-capping groups enhanced device performance. Especially, the resulting OFETs based on the compound containing phenylacetylene exhibited the highest hole mobility of 0.15 cm2 /Vs and current on/off ratio of ∼106 , consistent with film morphology and texture showing long range interconnected crystalline grains and strong diffraction peaks.

The association of acculturative stress with self-reported sleep disturbance and sleep duration among Asian Americans.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: This study aims to examine associations between acculturative stress-defined as the psychological impact, or stress reaction, of adapting to a new cultural context-and self-reported sleep outcomes among Chinese and Korean immigrants in the United States. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, acculturative stress was assessed using a 9-item scale, and sleep disturbance was measured using the 8-item scale. Sleep duration was self-reported. Poisson and linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the associations between acculturative stress, sleep disturbance, and sleep duration. RESULTS: Our sample consists of 400 participants (females: 52%, Chinese: 50%, Koreans: 50%, the mean of age = 58.4). 81.8% of them were classified as having no sleep disturbance, whereas 18.2% were classified as having sleep disturbance. Poisson models revealed that greater acculturative stress was associated with a higher prevalence of sleep disturbance (Prevalence Ratio (PR): 1.18, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06% to 1.31%). In linear models, a one-unit increase in acculturative stress was associated with 0.08 hr less sleep (p < .05). Interaction tests indicated effect modification for sleep disturbance by sex and ethnic identity: only women had a significant association between acculturative stress and sleep disturbance (PR: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.13 to 1.49), while the association was significant for individuals identifying as "very Asian" (PR: 1.21; 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.35), but not for those identifying as "mostly Asian" or "bicultural/western". CONCLUSIONS: If findings are replicated, we suggest developing intervention programs for Asian immigrants to minimize acculturative stress and bolster protective factors that decrease the risk for poor sleep outcomes.Information on Clinical Trial: Name: Screening To Prevent ColoRectal Cancer (STOP CRC) among At-Risk Asian American Primary Care Patients NCT Number: NCT03481296 URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03481296?term=Sunmin+Lee&draw=2&rank=1.

Acculturation and sleep outcomes in Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders: Results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigates an association between acculturation and sleep outcomes in Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, an understudied population in sleep studies. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. PARTICIPANTS: About 1401 adults who spoke an Asian or Pacific Islander language from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III. MEASUREMENTS: Acculturation was assessed using the Bidimensional Acculturation Scale and participants were categorized into non-Asian (proficient only in English), Bicultural (proficient in English and an Asian language), and Asian (proficient only in an Asian language). Nativity and years lived in the United States (US-born, ≤5 years, 6-20 years, and ≥21 years) was used as a proxy of acculturation. Linear and logistic regression models were examined associations between acculturation and sleep duration and sleep difficulties. RESULTS: Those in the Bicultural group slept slightly longer by 0.19 hours per day than those in the non-Asian group, but this increase was driven by those sleeping >9 hours. Foreign-born Asians who lived in the United States for 6-20 years and ≥21 years slept less by 0.17 and by 0.28 hours relative to US-born Asians. Foreign-born Asians who lived in the United States ≤5 years were less likely to have sleep difficulties than US-born Asians (odds ratio: 0.49, 95% confidence interval: 0.26-0.92). CONCLUSIONS: The Bicultural group has unusually long sleep hours, while the benefits of not having sleep difficulties among recent immigrants did not exist among immigrants who lived a longer time in the United States. Future studies should identify the mechanism underlying the observed associations.