Do Império à cidade multiétnica: austríacos no sul do Brasil / From Empire to multiethnic city: Austrians in the South of Brazil / Del imperio a la ciudad multiétnica: austríacos en el sur de Brasil

Este artigo enfoca as circunstâncias que configuraram uma identidade específica a imigrantes identificados como "austríacos". O lócus principal da pesquisa é um núcleo de povoamento no interior do Rio Grande do Sul, reunindo dados que vão do final do século XIX ao final do século XX, período que contempla, em termos internacionais, a existência, ainda que a poucas décadas do seu final, do Império Austro-Húngaro e, em nível local, investimentos recentes no memorialismo étnico. Está sendo dado destaque aos agentes que realizam conexões entre mundos e tempos diferentes e aos modos pelos quais são operacionalizadas as representações do passado.

This article focuses the circumstances which shaped the creation of a specific identity forimmigrants recognized as 'Austrians' in the South of Brazil. The main locus of this research is a small settlement in Rio Grande do Sul's inland, as we collected data from the end of the nineteenth century to the end of the twentiethcentury, comprising the finalyears of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and locally witnessing late investment in ethnic memorialism. We highlight the agents who accomplish connections between distinct worlds and times, as well as the ways in which past representations are put into action.

Este artículo se centra en las circunstancias que dieron forma a una identidad específica para los inmigrantes identificados como austríacos. El lugar principal de la investigación es un asentamiento en el interior de Río Grande del Sur y fueron recolectados datos que van desde finales del siglo XIX hasta finales del siglo XX, un período que contempla, en términos internacionales, la existencia, aunque unas pocas décadas a partir de su fin, del Imperio austrohúngaro y, en lo local, las recientes inversiones en el memorialismo étnico. Se hace hincapié en los agentes que conectan diferentes mundos y tiempos y en las formas en las que las representaciones del pasado se hacen operativas.

Negative affect moderates the link between body image dissatisfaction and disordered eating among psychiatric outpatients in a multi-ethnic Asian setting

INTRODUCTION@#Few studies have investigated the factors that affect the relationship between body image dissatisfaction and disordered eating locally. Our study aimed to investigate the moderating effects of depression and anxiety levels on the body dissatisfaction-disordered eating link in Singapore.@*METHODS@#A total of 329 participants completed a set of questionnaires that included various scales pertaining to eating behaviours, body image, psychological distress and quality of life.@*RESULTS@#Participants were diagnosed with schizophrenia (47.4%), depression (46.8%) and substance use disorders (5.8%). Moderation analyses revealed that depression (F [9, 251] = 18.50, p < 0.001, R@*CONCLUSION@#Greater effort should be dedicated to the screening of disordered eating behaviours in psychiatric outpatients presenting with greater psychological distress.

Validation of the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 among older adults in an Asian country

INTRODUCTION@#As populations age globally and the burden of chronic illnesses increases, valid measures of disability are needed for assessment in the older adult population. The aim of the current analysis was to explore the psychometric properties and validity of the 12-item World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) in an epidemiological survey of older adults in Singapore.@*METHODS@#The study comprised secondary data analysis of the Well-being of the Singapore Elderly study. Inclusion criteria for the study were Singapore residents (Singapore citizens and permanent residents) aged 60 years and above. The 12-item interviewer-administered version of the WHODAS 2.0 was used to assess disability in the study. Data on cognition, health status and sociodemographic information were collected. Depression was assessed using the Automated Geriatric Examination for Computer Assisted Taxonomy.@*RESULTS@#The study found a one-factor model solution for WHODAS 2.0 with a high internal consistency of all items. The internal consistency for the overall scale was 0.92. The WHODAS 2.0 score positively correlated with multimorbidity, perceived overall health status, depression and subsyndromal depression. There was a significant inverse association between the WHODAS 2.0 score and the cognitive status. After adjustment for all sociodemographic variables in the multiple linear regression analysis, these measures remained significantly associated with the WHODAS 2.0 score.@*CONCLUSION@#WHODAS 2.0 was found to be a valid measure of disability among older adults. However, further research is required to determine its usefulness as a responsive instrument that can detect change following interventions.

Successful ageing in Singapore: prevalence and correlates from a national survey of older adults

INTRODUCTION@#The current study aimed to estimate the overall prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of successful ageing, as defined by Rowe and Kahn, among a national sample of multiethnic adults aged 60 years and older in Singapore.@*METHODS@#Data from older adults who participated in the Well-being of the Singapore Elderly study was analysed. Successful ageing was defined with five indicators: no major diseases; no disability; high cognitive functioning; high physical functioning; and active engagement with life.@*RESULTS@#The prevalence of successful ageing was 25.4% in this older population. Older adults aged 75-84 years and ≥ 85 years had 0.3 times and 0.1 times the odds of successful ageing, respectively, than those aged 60-74 years. Compared to older adults of Chinese ethnicity, those of Malay (odds ratio [OR] 0.6) and Indian (OR 0.5) ethnicities were less likely to be associated with successful ageing. Older adults with lower education levels, who had no formal education (OR 0.2), some schooling but did not complete primary education (OR 0.4) or only primary education (OR 0.5), had lower odds of ageing successfully than those with tertiary education.@*CONCLUSION@#Older adults in Singapore tend to have much more active engagement with life as compared to their counterparts from other countries. Further research into this population is needed, both in terms of qualitative research to gain a better understanding of successful ageing from the older adult's perspective, as well as longitudinal studies that explore behavioural determinants of successful ageing.

Goals, beliefs, knowledge, and barriers for diabetes selfcare in a multi-ethnic population in Malaysia: A qualitative study

@#Introduction: Ethnic differences may influence diabetes selfcare practices and glycaemic control among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This qualitative study explored goals, beliefs about treatment effectiveness, knowledge, and barriers to and facilitators for diabetes self-care among the three main ethnic groups in Malaysia. Methods: Patient focus group discussions were conducted in three different ethnic groups: Malays, Chinese, and Indians. Participants were recruited from the primary-care clinic of a university medical centre located in an urban area. Focus group discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed using a thematic approach. Results: A total of 31 patients participated in the study: Malays (n=12), Indians (n=10), and Chinese (n=9). There were three sessions for each ethnic group. Reported goals primarily related to quality of life and glycaemic control. Participants expressed the belief that the combination of diet, exercise, and medications is effective for controlling diabetes. Groups described their obtaining information external to a healthcare system and reported a need for more specific, practical counselling from health professionals on diet, exercise, and medications. Barriers to and facilitators for diabetes self-care practices were categorised into three major themes: having discipline, social habits, and “other” themes. Conclusion: Emerging themes were similar across the ethnic groups and included quality-of-life goals, confidence in combination treatment, common use of complementary and alternative medicine, need for further counselling, and the challenge regarding self-discipline.

Exploration of the Factors in Treatment Adherence to Coronary Heart Diseases Diagnosis Among the Multi-Ethnic Patients: A Qualitative Study

Abstract@#Introduction: Introduction: Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death in Malaysia. This study aims to explore the treatment experiences of patients with recurrent coronary heart disease during hospital admission and after discharge. This research also attempts to understand patients’ adherence to the prescribed treatment. Method: The main sample for this study includes inpatients and outpatients with recurrent CHD who have undergone secondary prevention treatment at certain tertiary hospitals which were purposively sampled. The transcripts of one-to-one semi-structured interviews (N=22) were analyzed using the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Results: Three themes emerged in the analysis of treatment adherence among multi-ethnic patients with CHD: (i) doctor-patient relationships; (ii) information-seeking behaviour; and (iii) psychosocial beliefs. Other factors that influence treatment adherence include patients’ cultural, religious, or spiritual beliefs-based complementary alternative medicines (CAM), if these factors were inadequately addressed by their respective heath professional. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that for future cardiac rehabilitation program development, health professionals must not only focus on the patient’s care improvement but must also be knowledgeable on the patient’s preferred alternative treatment.

Comparison of surgical outcomes between canaloplasty and trabeculectomy with mitomycin C at 2-year follow-up: A longitudinal cohort study

Purpose: To compare operative outcomes of patients after canaloplasty and trabeculectomy with mitomycin C (MMC) through 2-year follow-up. Methods: We included 31 eyes of 31 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) who underwent canaloplasty and 37 eyes of 37 patients with POAG who underwent trabeculectomy with MMC with 24 months of postoperative follow-up. All surgeries were performed by a single surgeon between January 2005 and May 2011. Failure was defined as intraocular pressure (IOP >18 or <4 mmHg at 2 years), second operative procedure, or loss of light perception. Change in IOP, visual acuity (VA), glaucoma medications, and complication rates at 24 months were analyzed. Results: Caucasians made up to half of the patients included in this study (58% vs. 43%) while the rest where either African Americans (32% vs. 43%) or Hispanic (10% vs. 14%) patients between the canaloplasty and trabeculectomy group. Both groups showed significant reduction in IOP from baseline at 24 months. Trabeculectomy patients had a greater mean reduction of IOP compared to canaloplasty patients (12.2 ± 12 vs. 4.7 ± 7.5, P = 0.003) and also achieved lower IOP at 24 months (12.2 ± 4.1 vs. 14.9 ± 6.0, P = 0.03). Postoperative glaucoma medication use was less in the trabeculectomy group (n = 0, interquartile range [IQR] 0–2) compared to those in whom canaloplasty was performed (n = 2, IQR 0–3, P = 0.02). VA showed no statistical change in either group over 2 years. Overall failure rates at 2 years were comparable between the two groups: 32% for trabeculectomy and 26% for canaloplasty (P = 0.6). Subgroup analysis revealed a lower failure rate in Caucasions (15%) when compared to Blacks (42%) and Hispanics/others (50%, P = 0.03). Conclusion: Canaloplasty and trabeculectomy both achieved significant reduction in IOP with comparable success rates. Trabeculectomy can achieve a greater reduction in IOP while requiring fewer medications however is associated with more intensive postoperative care and frequent interventions. Pigmented populations have worse outcomes compared to Caucasians.

Associations between dietary risk factors and ischemic stroke: a comparison of regression methods using data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis / 한국역학회지

OBJECTIVES: We analyzed dietary patterns using reduced rank regression (RRR), and assessed how well the scores extracted by RRR predicted stroke in comparison to the scores produced by partial least squares and principal component regression models.METHODS: Dietary data at baseline were used to extract dietary patterns using the 3 methods, along with 4 response variables: body mass index, fibrinogen, interleukin-6, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The analyses were based on 5,468 males and females aged 45–84 years who had no clinical cardiovascular disease, using data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.RESULTS: The primary factor derived by RRR was positively associated with stroke incidence in both models. The first model was adjusted for sex and race and the second model was adjusted for the variables in model 1 as well as smoking, physical activity, family and sibling history of stroke, the use of any lipid-lowering medication, the use of any anti-hypertensive medication, hypertension, and history of myocardial infarction (model 1: hazard ratio [HR], 7.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.66 to 33.69; p for trend=0.01; model 2: HR, 6.83; 95% CI, 1.51 to 30.87 for quintile 5 compared with the reference category; p for trend=0.02).CONCLUSIONS: Based primarily on RRR, we identified that a dietary pattern high in fats and oils, poultry, non-diet soda, processed meat, tomatoes, legumes, chicken, tuna and egg salad, and fried potatoes and low in dark-yellow and cruciferous vegetables may increase the incidence of ischemic stroke.

Associations between dietary risk factors and ischemic stroke: a comparison of regression methods using data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis / 한국역학회지

OBJECTIVES: We analyzed dietary patterns using reduced rank regression (RRR), and assessed how well the scores extracted by RRR predicted stroke in comparison to the scores produced by partial least squares and principal component regression models. METHODS: Dietary data at baseline were used to extract dietary patterns using the 3 methods, along with 4 response variables: body mass index, fibrinogen, interleukin-6, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The analyses were based on 5,468 males and females aged 45–84 years who had no clinical cardiovascular disease, using data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. RESULTS: The primary factor derived by RRR was positively associated with stroke incidence in both models. The first model was adjusted for sex and race and the second model was adjusted for the variables in model 1 as well as smoking, physical activity, family and sibling history of stroke, the use of any lipid-lowering medication, the use of any anti-hypertensive medication, hypertension, and history of myocardial infarction (model 1: hazard ratio [HR], 7.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.66 to 33.69; p for trend=0.01; model 2: HR, 6.83; 95% CI, 1.51 to 30.87 for quintile 5 compared with the reference category; p for trend=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Based primarily on RRR, we identified that a dietary pattern high in fats and oils, poultry, non-diet soda, processed meat, tomatoes, legumes, chicken, tuna and egg salad, and fried potatoes and low in dark-yellow and cruciferous vegetables may increase the incidence of ischemic stroke.

Investigating alpha-globin structural variants: a retrospective review of 135000 Brazilian individuals

Background: Brazil has a multiethnic population with a high diversity of hemoglobinopathies. While screenings for beta-globin mutations are far more common, alterations affecting alpha-globin genes are usually more silent and less well known. The aim of this study was to describe the results of a screening program for alpha-globin gene mutations in a representative sample of the Southeastern Brazilian population. Methods: A total of 135,000 individuals, including patients with clinical suspicion of hemoglobinopathies and their family members, randomly chosen individuals submitted to blood tests and blood donors who were abnormal hemoglobin carriers were analyzed. The variants were screened by alkaline and acid electrophoreses, isoelectric focusing and cation-exchange high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the abnormal chains were investigated by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Mutations were identified by molecular analyses, and the oxygen affinity, heme-heme cooperativity and Bohr effect of the variants were evaluated by functional tests. Results: Four new and 22 rare variants were detected in 98 families. Some of these variants were found in co-inheritance with other hemoglobinopathies. Of the rare hemoglobins, Hasharon, Stanleyville II and J-Rovigo were the most common, the first two being S-like and associated with alpha-thalassemia. Conclusion: The variability of alpha-globin alterations reflects the high degree of racial miscegenation and an intense internal migratory flow between different Brazilian regions. This diversity highlights the importance of programs for diagnosing hemoglobinopathies and preventing combinations that may lead to important clinical manifestations in multiethnic populations.

Clinical Presentation of Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia in Selected Multiethnic Paediatric Population

A clinical descriptive study was done to determine the sociodemographic, laboratory and clinical characteristics of patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) referred to Hospital Putrajaya, a tertiary endocrine centre in Malaysia. Electronic laboratory data of 51 CAH patients were obtained. The demographics and clinical details of the study population were acquired from a questionnaire completed by parents of participants. There were 25 males (49%) and 26 females (51%), of which, 58.8% were Malays. Median age of participants was 4 years whilst median age at diagnosis of CAH was two years. Parental consanguinity was documented in three patients (5.9%). Patients originated from Johor (19.6%), Selangor (19.6%), Negeri Sembilan (17.6%) and Kedah (13.7%). Majority of patients were diagnosed after one week of life (80.4%) although more females were diagnosed under the age of one week compared to males (p=0.041). Most females presented with ambiguous genitalia (42.3%) [p=0.001] whereas 72% of males presented with salt wasting (p=0.003). No significant associations between race and all other variables, though interestingly three Malay patients presented with ambiguous genitalia and hypertension. Equal gender distribution noted as expected in an autosomal recessive condition, although not in keeping with other Asian countries. Early diagnosis in females attributed to obvious genital ambiguity at birth. Varied clinical presentation, although in minority, necessitates genetic studies for prompt diagnosis and treatment. Considering that majority of patients presented with salt wasting and the age at diagnosis was delayed, the introduction of a neonatal screening programme is essential in Malaysia.

O "X" do problema. Uma reflexão acerca das representações sociais do outro-estrangeiro como suporte ao preconceito e à desigualdade na Europa "quase-multiétnica" / The reason why. An investigation on social representations of the "other-stranger" as support for prejudice and unequality in a "nearly-multiethnic" Europe

O artigo é o primeiro resultado duma pesquisa que tende a repercorrer algumas das principais problemáticas de fundo da relação com o Outro (o "Outro-estrangeiro" em particular), relação que hoje, num território de sociedades europeias de facto cada vez mais multiétnico-multiculturais, pode promover ou minar completamente a própria possibilidade de multiculturalismo. Trata-se de um assunto certamente não esgotável num ensaio de tamanho limitado como este; portanto, sem a pretensão de sermos exaustivos, tenta-se apenas desenvolver de maneira côngrua (espera-se) algumas questões de fundo; finalmente, lembremos que o discurso que aqui se defende se baseia essencialmente no pressuposto de que cada acção social (e portanto também o preconceito e a desigualdade) funda-se, entre outras, na forma em que nós conhecemos o outro reproduzindo-o numa imagem

This article represents a first result of research carried out on the main problems relative to the relationship with the 'Otherforeigner', a relationship which today, in a Europe that would like to be increasingly multi-ethnic and multi-cultural, can develop or wipe out the possibility (for Europe itself) of succeeding in actually being such. This is a subject that clearly cannot be thoroughly dealt with in just a few pages, and the aim therefore is at least to define a number of leading issues, starting with the assumption that every social action (and therefore also prejudice and inequality) is often founded on the way in which we know the Other, reproducing it by means of pre-established images.

The Importance of Global Studies of the Genetics of Type 2 Diabetes

Genome wide association analyses have revealed large numbers of common variants influencing predisposition to type 2 diabetes and related phenotypes. These studies have predominantly featured European populations, but are now being extended to samples from a wider range of ethnic groups. The transethnic analysis of association data is already providing insights into the genetic, molecular and biological causes of diabetes, and the relevance of such studies will increase as human discovery genetics increasingly moves towards sequencing-based approaches and a focus on low frequency and rare variants.

Analysis on vascular risk factors accompanied with high-normal blood pressure among Uygur,Kazak,Mongolian and Han populations in Boertala region of Xinjiang, China / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To study the prevalence and distribution of high-normal blood pressure (BP) and the prevalence rates of risk factors related to cardiovascular diseases (CVD) among Uygur,Kazak,Mongolian and Han populations in Boertala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture of Xinjiang. Methods 4325 Subjects,with numbers of Uygur,Kazak,Mongolian,Han ethnicities as 1247,1047,817,1214 cases,respectively and aged 20-79 years,were selected from the cross-sectional study on hypertension in Boertala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture of Xinjiang. The prevalence rates of related risk factors on CVD were analyzed among multiethnic populations with high-normal BP. Results (1) The prevalence rates of high-normal BP were 39.2%,34.5%,36.0%,36.5% respectively in Uygur,Kazak,Mongolian,Han populations. The prevalence rate of aged <40 years in Uygur,Kazak,Mongolian was higher than that of aged 40-60 (P=0.000,0.006,0.016 respectively in Uygur,Kazak,Mongolian) and >60 years (all the P=0.000 in the three ethnic populations) in the same ethnic population. (2) In the high-normal BP groups,subjects with both SBP (120-139 mm Hg) and DBP (80-89 mm Hg) at high-normal BP level accounted for the majority (>45%) while subjects with only DBP (80-89 mm Hg) at high-normal BP level had the lowest prevalence rate (>13%). (3) The prevalence rates of overweight-obesity (body mass index≥24.0 kg/m~2),visceral obesity (waist circumference≥male 85 cm/female 80 cm),dyslipidemia and≥1 risk factors of CVD in multiethnic populations respectively were≥57%,62%,43 % and 82 %. (4) Analyzed by multiple regression,aging,over-weight and or obesity,being male etc. were risk factors for high-normal BP. Conclusion High-normal blood pressure was common among aged 20-79 years Uygur,Kazak,Mongolian,Han populations,especially among people <40 years,in Xinjiang Boertala region,which was often accompanied by others risk factors of cardiovascular disease. Prevention and control programs on risk factors for population with high-normal blood pressure need to be strongly advocated.

A cidade dos outros / The city of the others

Os percursos costumeiros dentro da cidade em que vivemos desenham nosso "mapa da cidade". A tipologia deste mapa depende fundamentalmente de nosso nível social. Examinou-se, anteriormente, o mapa da cidade dos pacientes que saíram do hospital psiquiátrico, para avaliar os efeitos da desinstitucionalização. Hoje, examina-se como vive o clandestino dentro das cidades italianas. O mapa do clandestino se baseia na degradação; evidencia mecanismos de intolerância e de acolhida; permite entender como as pessoas se enrijecem em suas posições ou, ao contrário, como as identidades dos sujeitos interagem e favorecem mudanças e emancipação. A escolha se funda na disponibilidade dos sujeitos e é fortemente influenciada pelas políticas públicas de respeito dos direitos das pessoas.

In the city where we live each one of us usually goes to those places that have a special meaning. All these places describe one's map of the city. But the use of the city depends above of all on the social standing of a person.Before, it was considered the city map of patients discharged from psychiatric hospitals to understand the impact of deinstitutionalization . Today , it is necessary to consider the underground life of "illegal" immigrants in Italian cities. Their maps describe the social mechanism of refusal or acceptance. This helps us understand how people refuse to budge from their respective standpoints or on the contrary how the identities interact with each other and change. The choice results from the individual receptivity, but above all from human rights policies.