Association of racism and substance use treatment with belief in the myth of an American Indian/Alaska Native biological vulnerability to alcohol problems.

OBJECTIVES: Belief in an American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) specific biological vulnerability (BV) to alcohol problems is associated with worse alcohol outcomes among AIANs. Despite a notable lack of evidence that biogenetic factors play a greater role in the development of alcohol problems among AIANs than other groups, many people still believe this myth. Consistent with theory and evidence that greater experiences with discrimination leads to the internalization of stereotypes and oppression, we hypothesized that greater perceived racial discrimination (racism) would be associated with greater BV belief, but that having a stronger ethnic identity would weaken this association. We also examined whether previous substance use treatment as well as participation in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) was associated with BV belief. METHOD: Participants were 198 reservation-dwelling AI adults with a substance use problem who completed a survey as part of a larger community-based participatory study. RESULTS: A multiple regression analysis revealed that greater systemic racism was associated with greater belief in a BV; this association was not moderated by ethnic identity. Greater interpersonal racism was also associated with greater BV belief-but only among those low in ethnic identity. A regression analysis revealed that previous treatment, AA, and NA participation were not associated with BV belief. CONCLUSIONS: Greater systemic and interpersonal racism were associated with belief in a BV, and greater ethnic identity buffered the association between interpersonal racism and BV belief. This suggests that both combatting racism and fostering positive ethnic identity may help to lessen BV belief. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Air Pollution and Mortality at the Intersection of Race and Social Class.

BACKGROUND: Black Americans are exposed to higher annual levels of air pollution containing fine particulate matter (particles with an aerodynamic diameter of ≤2.5 µm [PM2.5]) than White Americans and may be more susceptible to its health effects. Low-income Americans may also be more susceptible to PM2.5 pollution than high-income Americans. Because information is lacking on exposure-response curves for PM2.5 exposure and mortality among marginalized subpopulations categorized according to both race and socioeconomic position, the Environmental Protection Agency lacks important evidence to inform its regulatory rulemaking for PM2.5 standards. METHODS: We analyzed 623 million person-years of Medicare data from 73 million persons 65 years of age or older from 2000 through 2016 to estimate associations between annual PM2.5 exposure and mortality in subpopulations defined simultaneously by racial identity (Black vs. White) and income level (Medicaid eligible vs. ineligible). RESULTS: Lower PM2.5 exposure was associated with lower mortality in the full population, but marginalized subpopulations appeared to benefit more as PM2.5 levels decreased. For example, the hazard ratio associated with decreasing PM2.5 from 12 µg per cubic meter to 8 µg per cubic meter for the White higher-income subpopulation was 0.963 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.955 to 0.970), whereas equivalent hazard ratios for marginalized subpopulations were lower: 0.931 (95% CI, 0.909 to 0.953) for the Black higher-income subpopulation, 0.940 (95% CI, 0.931 to 0.948) for the White low-income subpopulation, and 0.939 (95% CI, 0.921 to 0.957) for the Black low-income subpopulation. CONCLUSIONS: Higher-income Black persons, low-income White persons, and low-income Black persons may benefit more from lower PM2.5 levels than higher-income White persons. These findings underscore the importance of considering racial identity and income together when assessing health inequities. (Funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.).

Prevalence and Susceptibility to Hepatitis B virus and the Need for Community Health Education in Milwaukee's Hmong Community.

BACKGROUND: Chronic Hepatitis B virus infection, the leading cause of hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide, disproportionately affects Asian Pacific Islanders (APIs) within the USA. Among APIs, the Hmong have one of the highest rates of chronic HBV infection-up to 18% compared to 0.1% for non-Hispanic Caucasians. This study sought to estimate the prevalence of HBV infection and assess the need for community HBV education within Milwaukee County's Hmong. METHODS: Between 3/2013 and 12/2019, 287 Hmong participants were screened for HBV and 271 were provided targeted HBV education to evaluate its impact on HBV knowledge. RESULTS: Among participants screened, 178 (62%) were immune; 77 (27%) susceptible; 27 (9%) positive; and 5 (2%) in a "gray zone." Targeted health education showed statistically significant improvement in HBV knowledge. DISCUSSION: With 38% lacking immunity to HBV and 9% with active infection, there remains a significant need for HBV screening, vaccination, and education in Milwaukee's Hmong community.

Factors Associated with Perceived Susceptibility to COVID-19 Among Urban and Rural Adults in Alabama.

We examined factors associated with and reasons for perceived susceptibility to COVID-19 among urban and rural adults in Alabama. We surveyed 575 eligible participants' engagement in preventive behaviors, concern about COVID-19 in their communities, perceived susceptibility to the virus, and reasons for susceptibility across three response options (Yes, No, and Don't Know/Not Sure). Bivariate analyses compared characteristics by level of perceived susceptibility to COVID-19. A multinomial logistic regression model evaluated the association of demographics, health insurance coverage, and chronic illness status with perceived susceptibility. Participants' race, gender, and educational attainment were significantly associated with perceived susceptibility to COVID-19. African Americans and males had higher odds of responding 'No', compared to 'Yes' and 'Don't Know/Not Sure' than Whites and females. Participants with a high school education and lower had higher odds of responding 'Don't Know/Not Sure' versus 'Yes' compared to those with college or higher education. Those unconcerned about COVID-19 in their community had higher odds of responding 'No' (OR = 2.51, CI 1.35-4.68) and 'Don't Know/Not Sure' (OR = 2.51, CI 1.26-4.99) versus 'Yes', as compared to those who were concerned. Possibility of exposure at work was the most frequent reasons for perceiving themselves susceptible to COVID-19, engagement in recommended preventive measures was the most frequent reason among respondents who indicated 'No', and uncertainty/perception that everyone is at risk was the most frequent reason among the ones who indicated 'Don't Know/Not Sure'. Results indicate that tailored efforts to heighten perceived susceptibility to COVID-19 among specific demographics are needed.

Chinese Adults Are More Susceptible to Effects of Overall Obesity and Fat Distribution on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors.

CONTEXT: The body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) as diagnostic tools of obesity do not reflect the same level of fat mass and whether obesity leads to various effects on cardiometabolic risk factors among different racial/ethnic population is unknown. OBJECTIVE: The study aims to address the multicollinearity between BMI and WC by using the residual model approach and to assess and compare the effects of obesity metrics on cardiometabolic risk factors among different races/ethnicities. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Data from a nationally representative sample of mainland Chinese adults collected in 2010 and data from the National Health and Nutrition Evaluation Survey 2005-2016 were used. By conducting a regression analysis between WC and BMI, the variation of BMI was removed from WC measures and residual of WC was obtained. The associations between obesity metrics and cardiometabolic risk factors were compared among different races/ethnicities by sex. RESULTS: The residual WC was significantly associated with all the cardiometabolic risk factors in mainland Chinese, and most of the factors in non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic black adults, but not in the other races/ethnicities. The standardized regression coefficients of the associations between obesity metrics and cardiometabolic factors showed that the obesity metrics had greater impact on systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and triglyceride in Chinese adults than those of other racial/ethnic groups. CONCLUSIONS: Chinese adults are more susceptible to the effects of overall obesity and fat distribution on cardiometabolic risk factors than the other racial/ethnic population.

Lack of association of IL-10 (rs1800896) and IL-13 (rs1800925) with non-segmental vitiligo susceptibility in South Indian population.

BACKGROUND: Vitiligo is an autoimmune depigmentation disorder caused by multiple etiologies. Genetic polymorphisms in cytokine genes influence their expression and augment disease development. Analyzing the influence of genetic polymorphisms will help in better understanding of the complex etiopathogenesis of vitiligo. AIM: To study the influence of interleukin IL-10 (rs1800896) and IL-13 (rs1800925) polymorphisms on vitiligo risk in South Indian population. METHODS: Two hundred and sixty-four vitiligo patients and 264 controls were recruited in this study. Genotyping was done by quantitative PCR and plasma cytokine levels were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: Allele frequencies of IL-10 (rs1800896) and IL-13 (rs1800925) SNPs were observed to be equal in the groups. Mutant allele G of IL-10 (rs1800896) enhanced the familial inheritance of vitiligo (P < 0.0001, OR-25.1, 95% CI-7.64-82.7) and influenced the development of vulgaris type of vitiligo (P = 0.034, OR-1.83, 95% CI-1.07-3.13). Ancestral allele A of IL-10 (rs1800896) conferred protection against development of acrofacial vitiligo (P = 0.04, OR-0.56, 95% CI-0.33-0.95). Circulatory IL-10 levels in vitiligo patients were higher than controls (P < 0.0001). Individuals with genotype GG of IL-10 (rs1800896) had the highest circulatory levels of IL-10 (P < 0.0001). Among the genotypes of IL-13 (rs1800925) variant, none influenced the phenotype of nonsegmental vitiligo such as gender, family history, age of onset and types of vitiligo (P > 0.05). In addition, no difference was noted in the circulatory levels of IL-13 between patients and controls (P = 0.48). Within patients, CC genotype of IL-13 (rs1800925) was observed to enhance the circulatory IL-13 levels (P < 0.0001). LIMITATION: Replication group analysis in a larger multicentric cohort in future would validate further understanding of vitiligo susceptibility in South Indian ethnics. CONCLUSION: IL-10 (rs1800896) and IL-13 (rs1800925) polymorphisms did not confer risk to develop vitiligo in South Indian population.

Can the gap in Aboriginal outcomes be explained by DOHaD.

In Australia, there are two distinct populations, each with vastly disparate health outcomes: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People and non-Aboriginal Australians. Aboriginal Australians have significantly higher rates of health and socioeconomic disadvantage, and Aboriginal babies are also more likely to be born low birth weight or growth restricted. The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) hypothesis advocates that a sub-optimal intrauterine environment, often manifested as diminished foetal growth, during critical periods of foetal development has the potential to alter the risk of non-communicable disease in the offspring. A better understanding of the role of the intrauterine environment and subsequent developmental programming, in response to both transgenerational and immediate stimuli, in Aboriginal Australians remains a relatively unexplored field and may provide insights into the prevailing health disparities between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children. This narrative review explores the role of DOHaD in explaining the ongoing disadvantage experienced by Aboriginal People in today's society through a detailed discussion of the literature on the association between foetal growth, as a proxy for the quality of the intrauterine environment, and outcomes in the offspring including perinatal health, early life development and childhood education. The literature largely supports this hypothesis and this review therefore has potential implications for policy makers not only in Australia but also in other countries that have minority and Indigenous populations who suffer disproportionate disadvantage such as the United States, Canada and New Zealand.

Perceived Susceptibility to Cervical Cancer among African American Women in the Mississippi Delta: Does Adherence to Screening Matter?

BACKGROUND: Although preventive measures have greatly decreased the national burden of cervical cancer, racial/ethnic and geographic disparities remain, including the disproportionate incidence and mortality among African American women in the Mississippi Delta. Along with structural barriers, health perceptions and cultural beliefs influence participation in cervical screening. This study examined perceived susceptibility to cervical cancer among African American women in the Delta across three groups: 1) women attending screening appointments (screened), 2) women attending colposcopy clinic following an abnormal Papanicolaou test (colposcopy), and 3) women with no screening in 3 years or longer (unscreened/underscreened). METHODS: Data were collected during a study assessing the feasibility/acceptability of self-collected sampling for human papillomavirus (HPV) testing as a cervical screening modality. A questionnaire assessed demographics, health care access, and cervical cancer knowledge and beliefs (including perceived susceptibility). Participants were asked, "Do you think you are at risk for cervical cancer?", and responses included yes, no, and I don't know. Multinomial logistic regression models compared variables associated with answers among each group. RESULTS: Of 524 participants, one-half did not know if they were at risk of cervical cancer (50%) or HPV exposure (53%). Between the unscreened/underscreened (n = 160), screened (n = 198), and colposcopy (n = 166) groups, age (p < .001), education (p = .02), and perceived risk of HPV exposure (p < .01) differed. Older age and younger age at first intercourse (unscreened/underscreened), family history and screening recommendations (screened), and family history and perceived risk of HPV exposure (colposcopy) were associated with perceived susceptibility to cervical cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in the perceived susceptibility to cervical cancer exist between African American women in the Delta. Understanding these variations can help in developing strategies to promote screening among this population with a high burden of disease.

C-peptide levels and the risk of diabetes and pre-diabetes among Chinese women with gestational diabetes.

AIMS: To examine the association of connecting peptide (C-peptide) and the risks of postpartum diabetes and pre-diabetes among women with prior gestational diabetes. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 1263 women with prior gestational diabetes was carried out at 1-5years after delivery in Tianjin, China. Logistic regression was used to assess the associations of C-peptide and the risks of diabetes and pre-diabetes. RESULTS: The multivariable-adjusted odds ratios based on different levels of C-peptide (0-33%, 34-66%, 67-90%, and >90% as C-peptide cutpoints) were 1.00, 1.93 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.85-4.39), 2.49 (95% CI 1.06-5.87), and 3.88 (95% CI 1.35-11.1) for diabetes (P for trend <0.0001), and 1.00, 1.66 (95% CI 1.18-2.36), 2.38 (95% CI 1.56-3.62) and 2.35 (95% CI 1.27-4.37) for pre-diabetes (P for trend <0.0001), respectively. Restricted cubic splines models showed a positive linear association of C-peptide as a continuous variable with the risks of type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes. The positive association was significant when stratified by healthy weight and overweight participants. CONCLUSIONS: We found a positive association between serum C-peptide levels and the risks of diabetes and pre-diabetes among Chinese women with prior gestational diabetes. Our finding suggested that elevated C-peptide levels may be a predictor of diabetes and pre-diabetes.

Race differences in depression vulnerability following Hurricane Katrina.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated whether racial disparities in depression were present after Hurricane Katrina. METHOD: Data were gathered from 932 New Orleans residents who were present when Hurricane Katrina struck, and who returned to New Orleans the following year. Multiple logistic regression models evaluated racial differences in screening positive for depression (a score ≥16 on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale), and explored whether differential vulnerability (prehurricane physical and mental health functioning and education level), differential exposure to hurricane-related stressors, and loss of social support moderated and/or reduced the association of race with depression. RESULTS: A univariate logistic regression analysis showed the odds for screening positive for depression were 86% higher for African Americans than for Caucasians (odds ratio [OR] = 1.86 [1.28-2.71], p = .0012). However, after controlling simultaneously for sociodemographic characteristics, preexisting vulnerabilities, social support, and trauma-specific factors, race was no longer a significant correlate for screening positive for depression (OR = 1.54 [0.95-2.48], p = .0771). CONCLUSIONS: The racial disparity in postdisaster depression seems to be confounded by sociodemographic characteristics, preexisting vulnerabilities, social support, and trauma-specific factors. Nonetheless, even after adjusting for these factors, there was a nonsignificant trend effect for race, which could suggest race played an important role in depression outcomes following Hurricane Katrina. Future studies should examine these associations prospectively, using stronger assessments for depression, and incorporate measures for discrimination and segregation, to further understand possible racial disparities in depression after Hurricane Katrina. (PsycINFO Database Record

Urbanized South Asians' susceptibility to coronary heart disease: The high-heat food preparation hypothesis.

OBJECTIVE: Known risk factors do not fully explain the comparatively high susceptibility to coronary heart disease (CHD) in South Asians (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and Sri Lankan populations in South Asia and overseas). The search for explanatory hypotheses and cofactors that raise susceptibility of South Asians to CHD continues. The aim of this study was to propose "the high-heat food preparation hypothesis," where neo-formed contaminants (NFCs) such as trans-fatty acids (TFAs) and advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are the cofactors. METHODS: We reviewed the actions of AGEs and TFAs, the burden of these products in tissues and blood in South Asians, the relationship between these products and CHD, the effects of preparing food and reheating oils at high temperatures on NFCs, and the foods and mode of preparation in South Asian and Chinese cuisines. RESULTS: Animal and human studies show NFCs increase the risk for CHD. Evidence on the consumption and body burden of these products across ethnic groups is not available, and comparable data on the NFC content of the cuisine of South Asians and potential comparison populations (e.g., the Chinese with lower CHD rates) are limited. South Asians' cuisine is dominated by frying and roasting techniques that use high temperatures. South Asian foods have high TFA content primarily through the use of partially hydrogenated fats, reheated oils, and high-heat cooking. Reheating oils greatly increases the TFA content. In comparison, Chinese cuisine involves mostly braising, steaming, and boiling rather than frying. CONCLUSION: We hypothesize that South Asians' susceptibility to CHD is partly attributable to high-heat treated foods producing high NFCs. Research to accrue direct evidence is proposed.

Trends in Susceptibility to Smoking by Race and Ethnicity.

OBJECTIVES: Examine racial/ethnic differences in smoking susceptibility among US youth nonsmokers over time and age. METHODS: We used nationally representative samples of youths who never tried cigarettes (N = 143 917; age, 9-21, mean, 14.01 years) from National Youth Tobacco Survey, 1999 to 2014. We used time-varying effect modeling to examine nonlinear trends in smoking susceptibility adjusted for demographics, living with smokers, and exposure to tobacco advertising. RESULTS: Compared with non-Hispanic whites (NHWs), Hispanics were more susceptible to smoking from 1999 to 2014 (highest adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.67 in 2012). Non-Hispanic blacks were less susceptible to smoking than NHWs from 2000 to 2009 (lowest aOR, 0.80 in 2003-2005). Non-Hispanic Asian Americans were less susceptible to smoking from 2000 to 2009 (aOR, 0.83), after which they did not differ from NHWs. Other non-Hispanics were more susceptible to smoking than NHWs from 2012 to 2014 (highest aOR, 1.40 in 2014). Compared with NHWs, non-Hispanic blacks and other non-Hispanics were more susceptible to smoking at ages 11 to 13 (highest aOR, 1.22 at age 11.5 ) and 12 to 14 (highest aOR, 1.27 at age 12 ), respectively. Hispanics were more susceptible to smoking throughout adolescence peaking at age 12 (aOR, 1.60) and age 16.5 (aOR, 1.46). Non-Hispanic Asian Americans were less susceptible to smoking at ages 11 to 15 (lowest aOR, 0.76 at ages 11-13 ). CONCLUSIONS: Racial/ethnic disparities in smoking susceptibility persisted over time among US youth nonsmokers, especially at ages 11 to 13 . Interventions to combat smoking susceptibility are needed.

Evaluation of the Relationship between Childhood Traumas and Adulthood Obesity Development.

This study aimed to delineate the relationship between childhood traumas and adulthood obesity. A total of 314 individuals (157 obese and 157 nonobese) were recruited in the study. After obtaining anthropometric and sociodemographic variables, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) was administered to the participants. Overall scores of CTQ were determined to be 42.6 ± 10.5 (higher trauma) in obese group and 37.2 ± 6.6 (lower trauma) in nonobese group (P < 0.001). Frequency rates of childhood traumatic experience were found to be 68.8% for obese people and 38.8% for nonobese people. In conclusion, an increased risk for adulthood obesity development was significantly associated with childhood traumatic experience.

Prevalence of chronic infections and susceptibility to measles and varicella-zoster virus in Latin American immigrants.

BACKGROUND: Large numbers of Latin American immigrants recently arrived in Western Europe. Curative and preventive programmes need to take account of their risk of suffering and transmitting imported chronic infections and of their susceptibility to cosmopolitan infections. We aimed to assess the prevalence and co-occurrence of imported chronic infections among Latin American immigrants, and their susceptibility to highly prevalent cosmopolitan infections. METHODS: Adult participants were recruited in the community and in a primary health centre in Geneva in 2008. Serological tests were performed on stored sera for HIV, HBV, syphilis, Strongyloides stercoralis, Trypanosoma cruzi, varicella and measles. We considered only chronic active infections in the analysis. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The 1 012 participants, aged 37.2 (SD 11.3) years, were mostly female (82.5 %) and Bolivians (48 %). Overall, 209 (20.7 %) had at least one and 27 (2.7 %) two or more chronic infections. T. cruzi (12.8 %) and S. stercoralis (8.4 %) were the most prevalent chronic active infections compared to syphilis (0.4 %), HBV (0.4 %) and HIV (1.4 %). Concomitant infections affected 28.2 and 18.5 % of T. cruzi and S. stercoralis infected cases. Bolivian origin (aOR: 13.6; 95 % CI: 3.2-57.9) was associated with risk of multiple infections. Susceptibilities for VZV and measles were 0.7 and 1.4 %, respectively. Latin American immigrants are at risk of complications and possible reactivation of chronic parasitic infections but have overall low risks of chronic viral and syphilitic active infections. CONCLUSIONS: Systematic screening for chronic active parasitic infections is therefore necessary especially among Bolivians. The high protection rate against measles and VZV doesn't require specific preventive interventions.

Associations of Genetic Variants at Nongenic Susceptibility Loci with Breast Cancer Risk and Heterogeneity by Tumor Subtype in Southern Han Chinese Women.

Current understanding of cancer genomes is mainly "gene centric." However, GWAS have identified some nongenic breast cancer susceptibility loci. Validation studies showed inconsistent results among different populations. To further explore this inconsistency and to investigate associations by intrinsic subtype (Luminal-A, Luminal-B, ER-&PR-&HER2+, and triple negative) among Southern Han Chinese women, we genotyped five nongenic polymorphisms (2q35: rs13387042, 5p12: rs981782 and rs4415084, and 8q24: rs1562430 and rs13281615) using MassARRAY IPLEX platform in 609 patients and 882 controls. Significant associations with breast cancer were observed for rs13387042 and rs4415084 with OR (95% CI) per-allele 1.29 (1.00-1.66) and 0.83 (0.71-0.97), respectively. In subtype specific analysis, rs13387042 (per-allele adjusted OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.00-1.87) and rs4415084 (per-allele adjusted OR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.66-1.00) showed slightly significant association with Luminal-A subtype; however, only rs13387042 was associated with ER-&PR-&HER2+ tumors (per-allele adjusted OR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.00-2.40), and none of them were linked to Luminal-B and triple negative subtype. Collectively, nongenic SNPs were heterogeneous according to the intrinsic subtype. Further studies with larger datasets along with intrinsic subtype categorization should explore and confirm the role of these variants in increasing breast cancer risk.

Association of CRP gene polymorphisms with CRP levels, frailty and co-morbidity in an elderly Chinese population: results from RuLAS.

OBJECTIVES: to examine the associations of two common CRP gene polymorphisms with CRP levels, frailty and co-morbidity in an elderly Chinese population. DESIGN: a population-based cohort study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: we obtained data on 1,723 elderly participants aged 70-84 from the ageing arm of the Rugao Longevity and Ageing study (RuLAS), a population-based observational cohort study conducted in Rugao, Jiangsu province, China. MEASUREMENTS: the genotyping of two common CRP gene polymorphisms (rs1205 and rs3093059) was performed. Items concerning the frailty index and co-morbidity were collected. RESULTS: the mean age of the study population was 75.3 ± 3.9 years, and 53.5% (n = 922) were women. The minor allele frequencies of rs1205 and rs3093059 were 42.4% (C allele) and 16.9% (C allele), respectively. The polymorphisms rs1205 and rs3093059 were significantly associated with CRP levels (ß = 0.113 and 0.222, all P < 0.001). Non-significant association between rs1205 and rs3093059 and frailty, as well as between rs3093059 and co-morbidity was observed. However, SNP rs1205 CC genotype had an increased odds of co-morbidity compared with the TT genotype (odds ratio (OR):1.53; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.16-2.02). Each additional copy of the C allele of SNP rs1205 was associated with 1.23 times (95% CI: 1.07-1.41) odds of co-morbidity. The significance remained after controlling for covariates such as education level, etc. CONCLUSIONS: among elderly Chinese individuals, two CRP gene polymorphisms were significantly associated with CRP levels. However, none of them was associated with frailty. The preliminary findings warrant further validations.

What accounts for ethnic differences in newborn skinfold thickness comparing South Asians and White Caucasians? Findings from the START and FAMILY Birth Cohorts.

OBJECTIVE: South Asians are a high-risk group for type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease. We sought to determine ethnic differences in newborn adiposity comparing South Asians (SA) to White Caucasians (Whites). METHODS: Seven hundred ninety pregnant women (401 SA, 389 Whites) and their full-term offspring from two birth cohorts in Canada were analyzed. Pregnant women completed a health assessment including a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test to assess for dysglycemia. Birthweight, length, waist and hip circumference, and triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness (a surrogate measure of body adiposity) were measured in all newborns. Multivariate regression was used to identify maternal factors associated with newborn skinfold measurements. RESULTS: South Asian women were younger (30.1 vs 31.8 years, P<0.001), their prepregnancy body mass index was lower (23.7 vs 26.2, P<0.0001) and gestational diabetes was substantially higher (21% vs 13%, P=0.005) compared with Whites. Among full-term newborns, South Asians had lower birthweight (3283 vs 3517 g, P=0.0001), had greater skinfold thickness (11.7 vs 10.6 mm; P=0.0001) and higher waist circumference (31.1 vs 29.9 cm, P=0.0001) compared with Whites. Risk factors for newborn skinfold thickness included South Asian ethnicity (standardized estimate (s.e.): 0.24; P<0.0001), maternal glucose (s.e.: 0.079; P=0.04) and maternal body fat (s.e.: 0.14; P=0.0002). CONCLUSIONS: South Asian newborns are lower birthweight and have greater skinfold thickness, compared with White newborns, and this is influenced by maternal body fat and glucose. Interventions aimed at reducing body fat prior to pregnancy and gestational diabetes during pregnancy in South Asians may favorably alter newborn body composition and require evaluation.

Association of genetic loci for migraine susceptibility in the she people of China.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of the genotype and allele frequencies of the polymorphisms rs4379368, rs10504861, rs10915437, rs12134493 and rs13208321 in She people of China with migraine headache susceptibility. The five alleles were previously identified as being associated with migraine in a Western population, but it was not known if this association would hold in a She population. rs4379368 is in the succinic HMG coenzyme A transferase (C7orf10) gene; rs10504861 is near the matrix metallopeptidase 16 (MMP16) gene; rs10915437 is near the adherens junctions associated protein 1 (AJAP1) gene; rs12134493 is upstream of the tetraspanin 2 (TSPAN2) gene; and rs13208321 is within the four and a half LIM domains protein 5 (FHL5) gene. METHODS: This was a case-controlled study conducted in She people of Fujian province in China. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and direct sequencing were performed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the association of the different genotypes of each SNP with migraine. RESULTS: The rs4379368 T allele was not in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and was more common than the C allele in subjects with migraine (58.7 %; P = 0.049), possibly suggesting a selection bias for T allele in this population. In support of this, the CT and TT genotypes were more frequent in the migraine compared with the control groups (54.0 % and 31.7 % vs. 48.0 % and 28.7 %, respectively; P = 0.019). These genotypes were also more common in females with migraines than females without migraines (53.8 % and 30.9 % vs. 46.7 % and 27.6 %; P = 0.026). Univariate and multivariate analyses found the CC genotype of rs4379368 and AA or AG genotype of rs13208321 were associated with a reduced risk of migraine (P values ≤0.039). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that rs4379368 and rs13208321 are potential genetic markers for migraine in this She population. The findings of this study and others indicate important differences between ethnic populations in regard to genetic markers of migraine susceptibility.

A tale of two diatheses: Temperament, BIS, and BAS as risk factors for mood disorder.

OBJECTIVE: Learning more about how biological traits, like temperament and sensitivity in the behavioral inhibition (BIS) and behavioral activation (BAS) systems, relate to mood pathology is consistent with the Research Domain Criteria initiative׳s goal of investigating mechanisms of risk. METHOD: Korean young adults (n=128) and American young adults (n=630, of whom 23 has recent treatment for bipolar disorder, and 21for depression) completed self-report questionnaires, including the TEMPS-A, the BIS/BAS scales, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Hypomanic Checklist (HCL-32). Linear regression quantified relations between mood symptoms, sample characteristics, temperament, and BIS/BAS. RESULTS: Temperament styles explained 49% of the variance in BDI scores. BIS explained an additional 1% of the variance in BDI scores. BAS Fun and Reward (p<.01), in addition to cyclothymic and hyperthymic temperaments (p<.001) explained 21% of the variance in HCL-32 scores. Sample characteristics were not significant predictors in the full model. LIMITATIONS: Differences in sample size, the cross-sectional study design, and lack of collateral report or behavioral measures of constructs are limitations. CONCLUSIONS: Affective temperament and BIS/BAS are complementary but distinct constructs. Affective temperament, particularly cyclothymic, may represent a stronger diathesis for mood pathology, and seems potent irrespective of culture or diagnosis. Assessing temperament may help overcome some challenges in diagnosing mood disorders.