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Different Races (different + races)
Selected AbstractsA 9-year review of dystonia from a movement disorders clinic in SingaporeEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 1 2006R. D. G. Jamora The clinical features of dystonia have not been evaluated in Southeast Asia. We therefore investigated the clinical spectrum and characteristics of dystonia in Singapore, a multi-ethnic Southeast Asian country comprising 77% Chinese, 14% Malays, and 8% Indians. We identified all dystonia patients from the Movement Disorders database and Botulinum Toxin clinic between 1995 and November 2004. Their medical records were reviewed to verify the diagnosis of dystonia and obtain demographic and clinical data using a standardized data collection form. A total of 119 (73%) patients had primary dystonia whilst 45 (27%) had secondary dystonia. There were 77% Chinese, 9% Malays, and 8% Indians. The most common focal dystonia were cervical dystonia (47%), writer's cramp (32%), and blepharospasm (11%). There was no significant difference in the distribution of dystonia between the different races. Males were noted to have earlier onset of dystonia overall. There was a significant male predominance in primary dystonia overall (M:F 1.6:1, P = 0.008) and in the subgroup of focal dystonia (M:F 1.6:1, P = 0.037). This contrasts with previous studies that found a female predominance. The role of genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors and their interactions need to be investigated to better understand the gender differences in the occurrence of dystonia. [source] A study on interaspecific biodiversity of eight groups of silkworm (Bombyx mori) by biochemical markersINSECT SCIENCE, Issue 2 2005KAYVAN ETEBARI Abstract The recognition of biodiversity in different races and lines of silkworm (Bombyx mori) is very useful for breeding programs and production of high efficiency hybrids. In this study eight groups of silkworm were selected including 103, 107, Xihang 1 and 2 of Japanese origin and 104, 110, Koming 1 and 2 of Chinese origin. The activity levels of three enzymes including alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in haemolymph of fifth instar larva were measured. Moreover, the quantitative amount of total protein, cholesterol and glucose of haemolymph was evaluated. The data reveal that the activity level of measured macromolecules except for alkaline phosphatase were significantly different in all the groups. Hierarchical agglomerative clustering under UPGMA model separated line 104 from other groups. Two groups of Koming 1 and Xihang 1 had the most intergroup similarities. [source] Influence of environmental stress on skin tone, color and melanogenesis in Japanese skinINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE, Issue 1 2005K. Kikuchi Introduction It is needless to say that one of the most potent environmental stress for melanogenesis of the human skin is the effect of ultraviolet (UV) light from the sunlight. Characteristic skin aging as a result of this UV light is recognized as photoaging. Clinical features in photoaging are wrinkles, skin laxity, coarseness, leathery, yellowing, lentigenes, mottled pigmentation, telangiectasia, sebaceous hypertrophy and purpura. There is an apparent difference in clinical features in photoaging among different races, i.e. between Caucasians, African American and Asians that include Japanese. Not only photo skin type but also environmental factors, such as climate, latitude, altitude and their habit of sunbathing, smoking and skin care influence the characteristic development of their photoaging. Racial difference in photoaging Caucasians tend to develop skin laxity and fine wrinkles more than Asians [1]. Asians tend to produce coarser wrinkles than the Caucasians although their development is rather late in life. There is also a difference in the skin color. Pigmentation is an earliest and prominent skin changes in Asians [1] and it increases with age [2]. In contrast, pigmentation is not apparent in the Caucasians although redness probably because of an increase in cutaneous vascularization becomes prominent in middle aged Caucasians [2]. Chung reported that seborrheic keratosis is a major pigmentary lesion in men, whereas hyperpigmented macules are prominent features in women in Koreans [3]. Melanogenesis pigmentation disorders in Japanese Ephelides (freckles) are commonly found in those with photo skin type I who have fair skin and red eyes and blond hair. They are also found in the Japanese. Clinical feature reveals that multiple small pigmentary macules on sun-exposed areas mainly on the mid-portion of the face. These lesions seem to be familial, becoming apparent even in early childhood after sun exposure. Melasma is an acquired pigmentary disorder commonly found in middle aged Japanese women characterized by irregular brown macules and patches on the sun-exposed areas on the face typically as bilaterally present macules on the cheeks. An increase in sex hormones as a result of pregnancy and intake of contraceptive pills is one of the etiological factors to develop melasma. Sun exposure also worsens it. Nevus of Ota is also a common pigmentary disorder found in the Japanese. It is usually unilateral, blue-brown to slate-gray pigmentary macules on the eyelid and cheek that appear in early childhood or in puberty. Acquired dermal melanocytosis is also a pigmentary disorder, in which dermal melanocytes are found as shown in nevus of Ota, characterized by bilateral brown to blue-gray macules on the forehead, temple, eyelid and malar areas in middle aged Japanese women. This tends to be misdiagnosed as melasma. Solar lentigo is an acquired pigmented macule induced by sun exposure. Solar lentigines are usually multiple, circumscribed brown macules. There are two types of solar lentigo. One is a small macular type, characterized by multiple, small brown macules whose diameter is less than 5 mm, being similar to ephelides (freckles). The other type is a large macular type, characterized by a few round to oval, brown macules whose diameter is beyond 1 cm. Some of their surface are hyperkeratotic and become elevated to produce seborrheic keratosis. Again, the early sign of photoaging in Japanese is pigmentated spots and these pigmentation disorders increase with age. Among the pigmentary changes, nevus of Ota, acquired dermal melanocytosis, melasma and large macular type of solar lentigo are characteristic skin changes found in the Japanese in addition to ephelides and small macular type of solar lentigo. Seasonal changes of the various functional properties of the skin including skin color assessed by non-invasive bioengineering techniques [4]. When we consider skin tone, color and melanogenesis, UV light from the sunlight is the most potent environmental stress, although we cannot forget also the important influence of environmental relative humidity affects our skin functions as well as its appearance. We investigated seasonal influences on the various properties of the skin in 39 healthy Japanese females consisting of different age groups. Their skin is thought to be affected by the UV light in summer, and by the exposure to the dry and cold air in winter. Materials and methods Biophysical, non-invasive measurements, including transepidermal water loss (TEWL) as a parameter for the barrier function of the stratum corneum (SC), high frequency conductance as a parameter for the hydration state of the SC, skin color and casual surface lipid levels, were conducted during late summer and winter months. Skin color was determined with a chromameter according to the L*a*b* CIE 1976 system, where L* is an attribute on the luminance scale, a* that on the red versus green scale and b* that on the yellow versus blue scale. All the measurements were conducted in an environment controlled-chamber (21 ± 1 °C room temperature, and 50 ± 3% relative humidity). Results The barrier function of the SC was found to be significantly impaired in winter on the cheek as compared with that measured in summer, whereas no such seasonal change was apparent both in the hydration state of the SC and sebum levels on the cheek. In the assessment of the skin color on the cheek, a significant increase in a* (redness) and a decrease in b* (yellowness) were observed in winter. In contrast, on the flexor forearm, the values of L* (luminescence) increased in winter, but no seasonal change was noted in the values of a* and b*. In this study, skin changes with aging were also found by the non-invasive bioengineering methods. The value of TEWL on the cheek tended to increase with age, whereas no significant change was observed in the value of TEWL on the forearm. In the assessment of skin color, b* value on the cheek significantly increased with age whereas a* and L* values on the cheek did not show any significant change with age. Summary of this study We think that such an increase in yellowness with aging of the cheek skin is a phenomenon unique to the Japanese (Asians) since an increase in b* value was not observed in Caucasians [2]. The facial skin that is always exposed shows barrier impairment in a dry and cold winter environment and demonstrates increased yellowness in skin color because of a prolonged exposure to the UV light from the sun in the summer season. The non-invasive bioengineering methods are useful to demonstrate even invisible seasonal changes occurring in the same individuals and changes with age occurring in the skin. References 1.,Goh, S.H. The treatment of visible signs of senescence: the Asian experience. Br. J. Dermatol.122, 105,109 (1990). 2.,LeFur, I., Numagami, K., Guinot, C. et al. Age-related reference values of skin color in Caucasian and Japanese healthy women according to skin site. Pigment Cell Res. 7, 67 (1999). 3.,Chung, J.H., Lee, S.H., Youn, C.S. et al. Cutaneous photodamage in Koreans: influence of sex, sun exposure, smoking, and skin color. Arch. Dermatol. 137, 1043,1051 (2001). 4.,Kikuchi, K., Kobayashi, H., Le Fur, I. et al. Winter season affects more severely the facial skin than the forearm skin: comparative biophysical studies conducted in the same Japanese females in later summer and winter. Exog. Dermatol. 1, 32,38 (2002). [source] Behaviour of haematological parameters in athletes performing marathons and ultramarathons in altitude (,skyrunners')INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LABORATORY HEMATOLOGY, Issue 6 2004G. BANFI Summary We observed athletes performing marathons and ultramarathons in altitude over several years to study the behaviour of haematological parameters in order to screen eventual paraphysiological or pathological conditions (sports anaemia). We collected samples from 124 athletes participating in seven races; 23 athletes were recruited in different races: 16 for four times, four for three times, and three for two times. The pre- and post-race values of erythrocytes, haemoglobin and packed cell volume did not show statistically significant differences in the studied athletes. The erythrocytes' indices (MCV, MCH, MCHC) and red cell distribution width (RDW) also were not significantly modified by the strenuous effort. The leukocytes were significantly increased because of immunological involvement during the endurance performance. Platelets and relative indices were not significantly modified. The stability of packed cell volume and haemoglobin in athletes performing training and races in altitude is strong evidence for the use of these parameters as an index of general health status and for illustrating possible abnormal increase because of exogenous stimulation of bone marrow. The preanalytical and analytical accuracy is crucial to assure clinical validity of the collected data: we strictly observed international recommendations in this field. [source] Stigmatizing attitudes of the community towards people living with HIV/AIDSJOURNAL OF COMMUNITY & APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 1 2006Maretha J. Visser Abstract This research involved an exploratory study in which a questionnaire was used to investigate the personal stigma and perceived community stigma regarding HIV/AIDS in a South African community. Student fieldworkers interviewed a convenient sample of 901 respondents from different races, gender and age groups, and found that respondents tended towards stigmatizing persons with HIV/AIDS. Yet, this degree of stigmatization was significantly less severe than the degree of stigmatization that respondents attributed to the community at large. Altogether 17% of the respondents had high stigmatizing attitudes, while 42% perceived the stigmatization by others in the community to be high. Race group, personal knowledge of someone with HIV, area of residence, gender and age group impacted on the respondents' personal tendency to stigmatize those with HIV/AIDS. The article discusses the difference between the level of personal stigma attached by the respondents and that perceived by them to be attached by the community. Attention is also paid to the possible implications of stigmatizing behaviour patterns and interventions on a community level. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Isozyme Analysis and Soluble Mycelial Protein Pattern in Iranian Isolates of Several formae speciales of Fusarium oxysporumJOURNAL OF PHYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 5 2004M. Mohammadi Abstract A total of 13 representative isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis (FOM) from Iran, USA and France, eight isolates of seven formae speciales from Iran and one isolate of F. oxysporum f. sp. niveum from the USA were compared based on isozyme analysis and soluble mycelial protein pattern. Isozyme analyses of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), catalase (CAT), esterase (EST), malate dehydrogenase (MDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH) revealed polymorphism among the F. oxysporum isolates in which 22 electrophoretic phenotypes (EP) were determined. At least 10 putative loci for these six enzymes were detected and they were all polymorphic. Maximum genetic diversity was observed in CAT, EST and XDH loci. Using UPGMA, the 22 isolates were separated into three main groups with one of the groups divided into two subgroups. Group I included isolates belonging to five formae speciales from Iran, whereas group II that included FOM isolates from both Iran and the USA was divided into two subgroups each containing the vast majority of the respective isolates from either country. Group III constituted FOM isolates from France and one pathogenic isolate on pepper from Iran. FOM isolates representing five different geographical regions from Iran belonged to two different races of 1 and 1,2Y and one vegetative compatibility group (VCG)0134 and thus were genetically homologous. Isozyme polymorphism in these isolates was highly correlated with VCG and geographical origins and to a lesser extent with races. Variations in soluble protein profile in FOM isolates were correlated with genetic distances determined in isozyme analysis. This study suggests that isozyme analysis could be a useful tool for identifying genetic diversity not only in FOM but also several formae speciales of F. oxysporum. [source] Development of a PCR test to detect the downy mildew causal agent Plasmopara halstedii in sunflower seedsPLANT PATHOLOGY, Issue 2 2007R. Ioos Plasmopara halstedii, the causal agent of downy mildew of sunflower, is an obligate parasite but viable sporangia and oospores of the pathogen may be found in a quiescent state in seeds of sunflower and therefore may be transported with sunflower seeds in international commercial exchanges. In order to prevent the spread of this pathogen, especially the introduction of potentially new races, an efficient method to analyse sunflower seed samples is required. In this study, a P. halstedii -specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test was developed based on the ribosomal large sub unit (LSU) DNA. The forward (PHAL-F) and reverse (PHAL-R) PCR primers were designed from two polymorphic regions of LSU. After screening 22 isolates of P. halstedii corresponding to different races and countries and 32 other oomycete, deuteromycete and ascomycete isolates, the PHAL-F/R primers amplified only a single PCR band of c. 310 bp from P. halstedii. The PHAL-F/R PCR test could detect as little as 3 pg of P. halstedii genomic DNA per 20 µL reaction volume and enabled the direct detection of P. halstedii in 35 g sunflower seed samples without the need for any prior biological baiting step. An internal amplification control (IAC) was developed to help discriminate against false negative samples due to the potential presence of inhibitory compounds in DNA extracts. The test was successfully used on samples of naturally contaminated seeds. These new molecular tools should be of great interest for quarantine seed testing purposes. [source] Systematic Exploration of the Equine Tarsus by UltrasonographyANATOMIA, HISTOLOGIA, EMBRYOLOGIA, Issue 5 2008J. M. Vilar Summary The authors propose a standard protocol of ultrasonographic exploration of the tarsal region in transversal and longitudinal planes, with the aim to spread with an accurate location of the anatomical structures. For this study, 10 adult horses of different races and ages (ranged 5,10 years) were used, with the characteristic of not having suffered any kind of tarsic pathology. The equipment was a real time ultrasound machine with a 7.5 mHz lineal transducer. Some different anatomical structures in this region of the hind-limb such as the tendons, ligaments, muscles and articular components were identified and labelled as regards their echoic characteristics. [source] Comparison of the clinical outcome after hormonal therapy for prostate cancer between Japanese and Caucasian menBJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 6 2006TAKASHI FUKAGAI OBJECTIVE To investigate the impact of race on the effectiveness of hormonal therapy in patients with prostate cancer, by comparing the outcomes of Caucasian men (CM) and Japanese-American men (JAM) treated with hormonal therapy at one institution. PATIENTS AND METHODS Fifty-nine CM and 105 JAM with prostate cancer were treated with hormonal therapy at The Queen's Medical Center in Honolulu. Age, stage, Gleason score, race, and pretreatment PSA levels were abstracted. The Kaplan,Meier method was used to construct overall and cause-specific survival curves, which were compared using log-rank statistics. These factors were assessed as to their interdependence and correlation with the clinical course using a Cox proportional hazards regression model. RESULTS Although there were no statistical differences in patient background, JAM who had received hormonal treatment had a better outcome than CM for overall and cause-specific survival rate (P = 0.001 and 0.036, respectively). Race was one of the significant prognostic factors in the multivariate analysis (P = 0.03). The findings suggest a difference in the effectiveness of hormonal therapy for prostate cancer in JAM living in Hawaii compared to CM. CONCLUSIONS There were marked racial differences in clinical outcome after hormonal therapy between JAM and CM. A prospective study with more patients might be necessary to elucidate the differential effectiveness of hormonal therapy for prostate cancer in different races, especially between Japanese and Caucasians. [source] Lack of association of ,-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase genotype with blood lead levels in environmentally exposed children of Uygur and Han populationsACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 12 2008Yan Chen Abstract Aim: A cross-section study was conducted to explore the association between polymorphism of ,-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) and lead poisoning in Uygur and Han children in China. Methods: The ALAD genotyping was determined by PCR-RFLP in 443 Uygur and 469 Han children aged 6,10 years from Urumqi in Xinjiang province. Results: The blood lead levels of 912 environmentally exposed children ranged from 0.5 to 48.2 ,g/dL, with a mean of 5.45 ,g/dL and a standard deviation of 0.22 ,g/dL, and 23. Thirty-one percent individuals were with blood lead level ,10 ,g/dL. The mean and standard deviation of blood lead levels were 5.57 ± 0.223 ,g/dL and 5.30 ± 0.224 ,g/dL in Uygur and Han children, respectively. The frequencies of the allele ALAD1 and ALAD2 in Uygur subjects were 90.52% and 9.48%, and in Han subjects were 95.73% and 4.27%, respectively (chi-square = 19.55, p < 0.05). No statistic correlation between the distribution of ALAD alleles and the blood lead level was found in both populations. Conclusion: A significant difference was seen in the frequency distribution of ALAD genotype between the different races. The genetic susceptibility of ALAD polymorphism to lead toxicity may exhibit in a lead dose-dependent manner. [source] Optic nerve head parameters of an indigenous population living within Central AustraliaCLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL OPHTHALMOLOGY, Issue 9 2006John A Landers MBBS MPH Abstract Purpose:, Clinical examination of the optic disc is an essential element in the assessment of its health. Previous work has described normal optic disc appearance among different races. No such description of optic discs exists for indigenous Australians, who are at low risk of developing glaucoma. This study was designed to evaluate optic disc parameters of indigenous Australians. Methods: A sample of 208 indigenous Australians were recruited as they presented to remote clinics in Central Australia. Each subject underwent optic disc photography using a Topcon TRC-NW100 digital fundus camera. Optic discs were measured and analysed with Topcon ImageNet 2000 software. Results: Among other parameters, mean vertical disc diameter and disc area were 2.13 ± 0.21 mm (mean ± SD) and 3.13 ± 0.57 mm2, respectively, for right eyes and 2.14 ± 0.21 mm and 3.16 ± 0.58 mm2 for left eyes. When compared with published studies, these parameters were significantly larger than Caucasians, but similar to African individuals. Conclusion:, Our results suggest that indigenous Australians have optic discs that are larger than those of Caucasians, but similar to those of Africans who are considered to at a greater risk of glaucoma. Factors other than optic disc area are likely to underlie the higher prevalence of primary open angle glaucoma among African individuals. [source] Differences in colorectal carcinoma stage and survival by race and ethnicityCANCER, Issue 3 2005Chloe Chien M.S. Abstract BACKGROUND In the United States, blacks with colorectal carcinoma (CRC) presented with more advanced-stage disease and had higher mortality rates compared with non-Hispanic whites. Data regarding other races/ethnicities were limited, especially for Asian/Pacific Islander and Hispanic white subgroups. METHODS Using data from 11 population-based cancer registries that participate in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results program, the authors evaluated the relation among 18 different races/ethnicities and disease stage and mortality rates among 154,103 subjects diagnosed with CRC from 1988 to 2000. RESULTS Compared with non-Hispanic whites, blacks, American Indians, Chinese, Filipinos, Koreans, Hawaiians, Mexicans, South/Central Americans, and Puerto Ricans were 10,60% more likely to be diagnosed with Stage III or IV CRC. Alternatively, Japanese had a 20% lower risk of advanced-stage CRC. With respect to mortality rates, blacks, American Indians, Hawaiians, and Mexicans had a 20,30% greater risk of mortality, whereas Chinese, Japanese, and Indians/Pakistanis had a 10,40 % lower risk. CONCLUSIONS The authors observed numerous racial/ethnic disparities in the risks of advanced-stage cancer and mortality among patients with CRC, and there was considerable variation in these risks across Asian/Pacific Islander and Hispanic white subgroups. Although the etiology of these disparities was multifactorial, developing screening and treatment programs that target racial/ethnic populations with elevated risks of poor CRC outcomes may be an important means of reducing these disparities. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society. [source] | |||||||||||||