Men's mental health in a university community during the COVID-19 pandemic / Saúde mental masculina em uma comunidade universitária durante a pandemia de COVID-19

Abstract Objective This study aims to identify associations between sociodemographic characteristics and mental health, behaviors, and perceptions among men in a Brazilian university community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method A total of 862 subjects participated, responding to an online questionnaire with sociodemographic questions, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale, and the Psychological Well-Being scale. Results The results indicate that sociodemographic characteristics are associated with the mental health, behaviors, and perceptions of the participants. Variables such as age, race, occupation, marital status, and living arrangements during the period of social distancing relate in different ways to levels of anxiety, stress, and depression, as well as psychological well-being, in addition to behaviors and perceptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion The results highlight the need to consider the specificities of the male population facing the COVID-19 pandemic and emphasize the importance of investing in health actions that consider the influence of the process of social construction of masculinities.

Resumo Objetivo Esse estudo tem por objetivo identificar associações de características sociodemográficas com a saúde mental, comportamentos e percepções entre homens de uma comunidade universitária brasileira durante a pandemia de COVID-19. Método Participaram 862 sujeitos, os quais responderam a um formulário online com questões sociodemográficas e às escalas de Depressão Ansiedade e Estresse e a Escala de Bem-Estar Psicológico. Resultados Os resultados apontam que características sociodemográficas mostram-se associadas à saúde mental, comportamentos e percepções dos participantes. Variáveis como faixa etária, raça/cor, ocupação, estado civil e moradia, durante o período de distanciamento, estão relacionadas de maneiras diferentes a níveis de ansiedade, estresse e depressão, bem como, de bem-estar psicológico, além dos comportamentos e percepções durante a pandemia de COVID-19. Conclusão Os resultados apontam para a necessidade de se considerar as singularidades da população masculina diante da pandemia de COVID-19 e ressaltam a importância do investimento em ações em saúde que considerem a influência do processo de construção social das masculinidades.

The pathogenic characteristics and ethnic differences of diabetic retinopathy / 解放军医学杂志

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the most common microangiopathies of diabetes mellitus (DM). It is due to abnormal blood glucose metabolism caused by insufficient insulin secretion or decreased activity. Its pathogenesis is complex, related to multi-gene inheritance and environmental factors. At present, the etiologic study of DR has been gradually deepened at home and abroad, but the epidemiological study of minority DR is lacking. This paper reviews DR's characteristics, ethnic differences and its characteristics in ethnic minority.

The prevalence and associated factors of neuropathic pain symptoms in a cohort of multi-ethnic Malaysian patients with diabetes mellitus

Objective: To determine prevalence and factors associated with neuropathic pain symptoms in a multiethniccohort of Malaysian adult diabetic patients. Methods: This was aprospective cross-sectionalobservational study of hospital-based diabetic outpatients in Malaysia. Subjects were interviewedfor their demographic data and medical history. The painDETECT questionnaire was used to screenfor neuropathic pain symptoms and pain intensity was assessed using the numeric pain rating scale(NPRS). Neuropathy symptoms and signs were assessed using the Neuropathy Symptom Score(NSS) and Neuropathy Disability Score (NDS). Results:Of 242 patients,140 (58%) were women,with a mean age of 61 + 11.4 years (range 21 to 81). Ninety nine(40.9%) were Malay, 64 (26.4%)Chinese, 76 (31.4%) Indian and three (1.2%) were Eurasian. Mean duration of diabetes was 15.9+ 9.8years (range 1 to 53) and 232 (95.9%) patients had Type II diabetes. Peripheral neuropathy,based onNSS and NDS criteria, was found in 83 (34.3%). Thirteen (5.4%) patients were found to likely haveneuropathic pain symptoms and this was independently associated with peripheral neuropathy ((OR)= 3.40, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04, 11.14) and Indian ethnicity (OR = 5.44, 95% CI: 1.50,19.57)). Patients with neuropathic pain had higher average pain intensity scores.Conclusions: The prevalence of neuropathic pain symptoms in a Malaysian DM patient cohort waslow and was associated with the severity of neuropathy symptoms and Indian ethnicity. The causesfor ethnic differences are unknown and could be due socio-cultural or physiological differences inneuropathic pain perception.

Morphometry of the Orbital Region: "Beauty Is Bought By Judgment Of The Eyes.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the orbital index which varies with race, regions, within the same race and periods in evolution. The knowledge of this index is therefore important in various aspects such as in interpretation of fossil records, skull classification in forensic medicine and in exploring the trends in evolutionary and ethnic differences. The documented ranges of this index in different nationalistic groups will assist in skull identification. Method: Sixty eight skulls were obtained from the Anatomy Department of University College of Medical Sciences and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Delhi for the present study. To prevent interobserver and intraobserver error two individuals measured the parameters independently with predetermined procedures. Vernier calipers accurate to 0.1mm and a 30mm ruler were used to measure the width and height of the orbits and a tapeline was used to measure the length and width of the skull. Result: The mean orbital height was found to be 33.47 ±1.56mm and 33.65 ±1.53mm whereas the mean orbital width was 42.06 ±1.68mm and 41.87 ±1.73mm on the right and left sides respectively. The mean orbital index was 79.65 ±4.02mm and 80.49 ±4.67mm on right and left sides respectively. The mean width of the skull was 128.71±5.94mm whereas the mean height of skull was 130.96 ± 4.07mm. Data obtained was statistically analyzed. Conclusion: Comparison of results from previous studies makes it evident that there is a large variation of the anatomical characteristics of the orbital cavity, not only due to the diversity of the used parameters, but also due to ethnic differences, the different measurement method and sample size. Data collected in the present investigation could serve as data base for the quantitative description of human orbital morphology during normal growth and development considering sex and ethnic related variation.

Radiographic assessment of clinical root-crown ratios of permanent teeth in a healthy Korean population

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the absolute value of the root/crown ratio (R/C ratio) using panoramic radiographs (PRGs) in a healthy Korean population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 99 patient radiographs (of 50 males and 49 females subjects; aged 16 to 24 years old) were examined, and 2,770 teeth were analyzed. Crown lengths and root lengths were measured with modified Lind's measurements using PACS tools by two examiners in two separate sessions two months apart. All data were analyzed using SPSS. The independent t-test was used to assess for gender differences, and the paired t-test was used to compare both arches with a significance level of P<.05. RESULTS: The mean R/C ratios varied from 1.29 to 1.89 (male: 1.28-1.84; females: 1.31-1.94). The highest R/C ratios were recorded for the mandibular canines (1.89), followed by the maxillary canines (1.79). The lowest R/C ratios were recorded for the maxillary second molars (1.31). In comparison with the maxillary teeth (1.29-1.78), the mandibular teeth yielded the higher R/C ratio (1.47-1.89), and this difference was significant in the females (P<.05). The difference between the genders was not statistically significant, except for the maxillary central incisors, mandibular canines and mandibular first premolars. CONCLUSION: These data may enhance the understanding of the clinical R/C ratio as a useful guideline for determining the status of teeth and the ethnic difference.

Prediction of Stature from Hand Anthropometry: A Comparative Study in the Three Major Ethnic Groups in Nigeria.

Aims: The study was carried out to establish standard anthropometric values for stature estimation by using hand length in the three major ethnic groups in Nigeria. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria between January - April 2010. Methodology: A total of 407 right hand dominant students (210 males and 197 females) aged 18 – 35 years who were purely of Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba origin by both parents and grandparents, are included in this study. Each person has been studied for measurements of stature, hand length and handbreadth. Results: No significant difference was observed in stature and hand dimensions between the Igbos and Hausas. However the Yorubas are significantly shorter and have shorter hands than the Igbos and the Hausas. The males are significantly taller than the females in all the three tribes and have longer hands than the females in the Hausas and Igbos. Both the sexes of Yorubas are significantly shorter than the Hausas and have significantly shorter hands than the Hausas and Igbos when comparison was made between same sexes. The Yoruba females have shorter but wider hands than the Hausa females. No significant difference was observed in stature and hand dimensions between the Hausas and Igbos when compared between same sexes. Regression equations for estimation of stature were formulated for each ethnic group and both sexes. Conclusion: The study supports the fact that variations are present not only between races but also among ethnic groups, thus formulae derived for one ethnic group and both sexes may not be applicable to other ethnic group and sex. This study therefore provides standard anthropometric values and regression equations for the three major ethnic groups in Nigeria.

Higher Serum Insulin Concentrations Positively Influence the Bone Mineral Density in African American Adolescents.

Background: Puberty is a developmental stage of increased insulin resistance that also is a critical period for bone mass accrual. Historically, African Americans (AA) have lesser risk for osteoporotic fractures compared to European Americans (EA). AA also have higher incidence of insulin resistance. The possibility that bone health and insulin secretion or concentrations are linked has not been investigated. Aims: We aimed to examine the associations of bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral apparent density (BMAD) with insulin sensitivity and secretion in healthy adolescent girls and healthy female adults and to evaluate ethnic differences in these associations. Study Design: Observational cohort design. Place and Duration of the Study: University of Alabama at Birmingham, between January 2010 and September 2011. Methodology: Healthy, female, non-smoking adolescents and young adults (14-55 years) were enrolled in this observational cohort study. Results: Adolescents had significantly higher fasting insulin (P=0.0002), insulin area under the curve [AUC] (P= 0.0004) and lower insulin sensitivity (P=0.0005) compared to adults. Among adolescents, AA race was significantly associated with BMD (β=0.086, P=0.01) and BMAD (β=0.0075, P=0.002); however, adjusting for insulin AUC explained this difference. Insulin AUC (β=0.0006, P=0.029) and fasting insulin (β=0.0005, P=0.01) were positively associated with BMAD only in AA adolescents. Insulin AUC and fasting insulin were not significant predictors of BMD for adults. Conclusion: The higher insulin concentration among AA adolescents is associated with increased BMD and higher BMAD.

Variations in the occurrence of specific rpoB mutations in rifampicin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from patients of different ethnic groups in Kuwait.

Background & objectives: Frequency of resistance-conferring mutations vary among isoniazid- and ethambutol-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates obtained from patients of various ethnic groups. This study was aimed to determine the occurrence of specific rpoB mutations in rifampicin-resistant M. tuberculosis isolates from tuberculosis patients of various ethnic groups in Kuwait. Methods: Rifampicin-resistant M. tuberculosis isolates (n=119) from South Asian (n=55), Southeast Asian (n=23), Middle Eastern (n=39) and other (n=2) patients and 107 rifampicin-susceptible isolates were tested. Mutations in rpoB were detected by DNA sequencing. Polymorphisms at katG463 and gyrA95 were detected by PCR-RFLP for genetic group assignment. Results: None of rifampicin-susceptible but 116 of 119 rifampicin-resistant isolates showed rpoB mutation(s). Mutations among isolates from South Asian patients were distributed at rpoB516 (20%), rpoB526 (24%) and rpoB531 (27%) while 78 and 51 per cent of isolates from Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern patients, respectively, contained a mutated rpoB531. All isolates with rpoB N-terminal and cluster II mutations were obtained from Middle Eastern and South Asian patients. Most isolates from South Asian (84%) and Southeast Asian (70%) patients belonged to genetic group I while nearly all remaining isolates belonged to genetic group II. Isolates from Middle Eastern patients were distributed among genetic group I (46%), genetic group II (33%) and genetic group III (21%). Interpretation & conclusions: The occurrence of specific rpoB mutations varied considerably in rifampicin-resistant M. tuberculosis isolates obtained from patients of different ethnic groups within the same country. The present data have important implications for designing region-specific rapid methods for detecting majority of rifampicin-resistant strains.

Challenges in Diagnosing Type 1 Diabetes in Different Populations

Diabetes affects today an estimated 366 million people world-wide, including 20 million to 40 million of patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D). While T1D accounts for 5% to 20% of those with diabetes, it is associated with higher morbidity, mortality and health care cost than the more prevalent type 2 diabetes. Patients with T1D require exogenous insulin for survival and should be identified as soon as possible after diagnosis to avoid high morbidity due to a delay in insulin treatment. It is also important to present to the patient correct prognosis that differs by the type of diabetes. From the research point of view, correct classification should help to identify the etiologies and to develop specific prevention for T1D. This review summarizes evidence that may be helpful in diagnosing T1D in various ethnic groups. Challenges in interpretation of results commonly used to determine the type of diabetes are highlighted.

Effects of Smoking on the Lipoprotein Levels among Mauritian of Different Ethnic Groups and their Preponderance to Cardiovascular Threats

Disease progression and initiation has since long been known to be influenced by smoking and also genetic variability, owing to ethnic differences. Past studies conducted among Mauritian, have reported certain genetic preponderance to diseases. In the current study, effect of smoking on various cardiovascular parameters in two different ethnic groups of Mauritius was studied. Smokers and non-smokers volunteers were recruited from ethnic Asian and African population and blood sample collected by venipuncture. Myeloperoxidase, APOA1, OxLDL, HDL, TG, LDL, and cholesterol were assessed The level of cholesterol, TG, HDL, LDL, myeloperoxidase, APO A1, and OxLDL was 5.56±1.09, 2.13±1.70, 0.67±0.11, 4.07±0.93, 145.90±9.59, 0.42±0.13 and 74.55±13.73 mmol/L respectively in Asian smokers. Corresponding values in African smokers were respectively 4.65±0.88, 1.17±0.78, 1.18±0.42, 2.33±0.67, 172.50±15.55, 0.47±0.88 and 65.11±7.38. Results of our study indicate a significant difference (p<0.05) in cardiovascular parameters between Asian and African smokers. Furthermore, Asians were also observed to be prone to dyslipidaemia. On the other hand, smoking did not seem to influence cardiovascular parameters among African smokers, but rather seemed to have an underlying genetic protective effect against the deleterious effects of smoking.

Genetic Contributribution to Alcohol Consumption and Alcohol Dependence.

Although the use of alcoholic beverages is found in virtually all societies, certain socio-economic, cultural, biobehavioural factors and ethnic / gender differences are among strongest determinants of drinking pattern in a society. The legacy of alcoholism among certain ethnic groups suggests that genetic factors can increase an individual's vulnerability for this disease. Although some of the putative environmental and genetic factors remain obscure in their character, there is a strong evidence that a crucial interplay of nature and nurture, heredity and environment, and biology and culture is responsible for the development of alcoholism across ethnic groups and gender.