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PubMed1987

Congenital rubella in babies of south Asian women in England and Wales: an excess and its causes.

The incidence of congenital rubella was found to be 2.3 times higher in Asian than non-Asian births in England and Wales. This was attributed in part to higher susceptibility to rubella in Asian than non-Asian women, as shown by antenatal serological data from public health laboratories in Leeds, Luton, and Manchester. Examination of the ethnic origin of pregnant women requesting laboratory testing after contact with rubella or rash and of women with laboratory confirmed rubella in pregnancy also suggested that the disease was being underdiagnosed in pregnant Asian women. Failure to prevent congenital rubella by termination of infected pregnancies may therefore contribute to the increased incidence of the syndrome in Asians. Health education programmes about the dangers of rubella in pregnancy and of the need for vaccination can readily be promoted in the Asian community through existing ethnic organisations. Protection of other ethnic minorities likely to be at similar increased risk may require a vaccination programme aimed at national elimination of rubella.

Asia↗
PubMed1989

Prevalence of diabetes in a predominantly Asian community: preliminary findings of the Coventry diabetes study.

To assess the prevalence of both diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes mellitus in an area of predominantly Asian population the Coventry diabetes study is carrying out house to house screening for diabetes in people aged 20 and over in Foleshill, Coventry. In the first five of 12 areas to be studied 2130 of 2283 Asian (93.3%) and 1242 of 1710 white subjects (72.6%) aged 20-79 agreed to be screened. The prevalence of diabetes adjusted to 1987 demographic estimates was 11.2% in Asian men and 8.9% in Asian women whereas it was 2.8% in white men and 4.3% in white women. The excess of diabetes in Asian subjects was predominantly of non-insulin-dependent diabetes, and no significant differences in body mass were found to account for the higher prevalence. Diabetes had not been diagnosed previously in at least 26% of the white and 30% of the Asian diabetics screened, and it is estimated that in this community the condition remains undiagnosed in 42% of white and 40% of Asian diabetics.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Abnormalities of vascular endothelial function may contribute to increased coronary heart disease risk in UK Indian Asians.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that abnormalities of endothelial function are present in Indian Asians and may contribute to their increased coronary heart disease risk. SETTING: Single centre in west London. PATIENTS: 26 Indian Asian and 18 European white healthy male subjects, aged 35 to 61 years recruited from general practice lists. DESIGN: Brachial artery diameter responses to reactive hyperaemia and sublingual glyceryl trinitrate were compared using high resolution ultrasound. RESULTS: Mean (SEM) flow mediated, endothelium dependent dilatation was reduced in Indian Asians compared with European whites, at 3.2 (0.8)% v 5.9 (1.0)%, p = 0.03. In contrast, there were no significant differences in baseline brachial arterial diameter (4.6 (0.1) v 4.6 (0.1) mm, p = 0.65) or glyceryl trinitrate induced dilatation (18.8 (1.5)% v 18.5 (1.7)%, p = 0.90) between Indian Asians and European whites, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that Indian Asian race was significantly associated with impaired flow mediated dilatation (regression coefficient = -2.8 (1.3)%, p = 0.03), and in multivariate analysis, this relation was independent of both conventional coronary heart disease risk factors and markers of insulin resistance. CONCLUSIONS: Endothelial function is impaired in healthy UK Indian Asians compared with European whites, and the defect is not accounted for by major coronary heart disease risk factors. Endothelial function may be modulated by novel risk factors in Indian Asians.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Resistance to insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and dyslipidemia in Asian Indians.

Persons from the Indian subcontinent have elevated coronary heart disease risk. We measured insulin resistance with the insulin suppression test in 22 Asian Indian men and women and an equal number of control subjects of European ancestry matched for age and body mass index. Asian men and women had increased glucose and insulin responses to oral glucose tolerance tests (P < .05 by ANOVA) and had approximately 60% higher steady-state plasma glucose levels during the insulin suppression test (P < .001 by ANOVA), consistent with insulin resistance. In response to mixed meals, Asian women had higher plasma free fatty acids and glycerol concentrations than women of European ancestry (P < .02 by ANOVA), whereas Asian Indian men had similar free fatty acid and glycerol levels compared with men of European ancestry despite higher plasma insulin levels. Thus, results in both sexes were consistent with resistance to insulin suppression of free fatty acid levels in Asian Indians. Asian Indians of both sexes had higher fasting plasma triglyceride (P < .01) and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < .01) concentrations than men and women of European ancestry. Resistance to insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and to insulin suppression of free fatty acid levels in Asian Indians is associated with a number of metabolic abnormalities that are demonstrated risk factors for coronary heart disease, including increased glucose, insulin, and triglyceride concentrations and decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations.

Asia↗
PubMed1994

A comparison of stress test referral rates and outcome between Asians and Europeans.

The Asian population is at greater risk from a myocardial infarction than their European counterparts. Fewer Asians are referred for coronary angiography. We studied referral rates for exercise stress testing following acute myocardial infarction in Asians and Europeans and also examined stress test outcome. A retrospective analysis was performed using hospital activity analysis data, ward admission book and stress test referral forms and reports. There were 962 acute myocardial infarctions with 90% being European. Fewer Asian patients were referred for stress testing (32.3% versus 45%, P < 0.001). Asian patients were more likely to have a positive test (42.9% versus 31.3%, P < 0.02). Fewer Asian patients completed the test (14.3% versus 31.3%, P < 0.001). Possible reasons for the decreased referral rates include communication difficulties and real or perceived poor exercise tolerance. More Asian patients should be referred for stress testing. Interpreters and information leaflets in multiple languages may help achieve this aim.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

The complete mitochondrial genome of a basal teleost, the Asian arowana (Scleropages formosus, Osteoglossidae).

BACKGROUND: Mitochondrial DNA-derived sequences have become popular markers for evolutionary studies, as their comparison may yield significant insights into the evolution of both the organisms and their genomes. From the more than 24,000 teleost species, only 254 complete mtDNA sequences are available (GenBank status on 06 Sep 2006). In this paper, we report the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Asian arowana, a basal bonytongue fish species, which belongs to the order of Osteoglossiformes. RESULTS: The complete mitochondrial genomic sequence (mtDNA) of Asian arowana (Scleropages formosus) was determined by using shotgun sequencing method. The length of Asian arowana mtDNA is ca. 16,650 bp (its variation is due to polymorphic repeats in the control region), containing 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA and 2 rRNA genes. Twelve of the thirteen protein coding genes were found to be encoded by the heavy strand in the order typically observed for vertebrate mitochondrial genomes, whereas only nad6 was located on the light strand. An interesting feature of Asian arowana mitogenome is that two different repeat arrays were identified in the control region: a 37 bp tandem repeat at the 5' end and an AT-type dinucleotide microsatellite at the 3' end. Both repeats show polymorphism among the six individuals tested; moreover the former one is present in the mitochondrial genomes of several other teleost groups. The TACAT motif described earlier only from mammals and lungfish was found in the tandem repeat of several osteoglossid and eel species. Phylogenetic analysis of fish species representing Actinopterygii and Sarcopterygii taxa has shown that the Asian arowana is located near the baseline of the teleost tree, confirming its status among the ancestral teleost lineages. CONCLUSION: The mitogenome of Asian arowana is very similar to the typical vertebrate mitochondrial genome in terms of gene arrangements, codon usage and base composition. However its control region contains two different types of repeat units at both ends, an interesting feature that to our knowledge has never been reported before for other vertebrate mitochondrial control regions. Phylogenetic analysis using the complete mtDNA sequence of Asian arowana confirmed that it belongs to an ancestral teleost lineage.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Adipose tissue metabolites and insulin resistance in nondiabetic Asian Indian men.

Obesity-related insulin resistance is associated with changes in adipose tissue release of leptin, adiponectin, and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFAs). We have previously described that persons originating from the Indian subcontinent (Asian Indians) manifest excessive insulin resistance even in the absence of obesity. Therefore, in this study, we tested the hypothesis that nondiabetic, insulin-resistant Asian Indians differ from less insulin-resistant Caucasians of similar age and body composition in adipose tissue production of leptin and adiponectin, and in suppression of plasma NEFA concentrations during hyperinsulinemia. Seventy-nine Asian Indian men were compared with 61 Caucasian men. Higher plasma NEFAs and leptin in Asian Indians (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.003 for NEFAs and leptin, respectively) and lower plasma concentrations of adiponectin (P = 0.009) were not explained by body fat content and distribution. Oral glucose tolerance test studies revealed that Caucasian men had greater suppression of plasma NEFAs than Asian Indian men. We conclude that plasma concentrations of the adipose tissue metabolites leptin and NEFAs are higher and that of adiponectin is lower in insulin-resistant Asian Indians compared with more insulin-sensitive Caucasians. These differences may contribute to the excessive prevalence of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease in nonobese Asian Indians.

Adiponectin↗
PubMed1998

Vitamin D metabolism is altered in Asian Indians in the southern United States: a clinical research center study.

Asian Indians who immigrate to northern Europe have lower serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] than Caucasians, and they develop vitamin D deficiency, rickets, and osteomalacia. We investigated vitamin D metabolism, the effects of 25(OH)D3 on vitamin D metabolism and activity of 25(OH) D-24-hydroxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme for degradation of 25(OH)D, from cultured skin fibroblasts of Asian Indians and compared them with cultured skin fibroblasts of Caucasians in the southern United States. Normal subjects, ages 20-40 yr, were admitted to a metabolic ward for 2.5 days and given a daily diet containing 400 mg calcium and 900 mg phosphorus. Serum vitamin D, serum 25(OH)D, urinary calcium, and urinary phosphorus were significantly lower, whereas serum immunoreactive intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) and serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D] were significantly higher in Asian Indians than in Caucasians. Administration of 25(OH)D3 increased serum 25(OH)D and urinary calcium but did not change serum PTH or serum 1,25(OH)2D in Asian Indians. In cultured skin fibroblasts, Emax and Vmax of 25(OH)D-24-hydroxylase activity were significantly higher in Asian Indians. In summary, in Asian Indians serum vitamin D and 25(OH)D are markedly reduced, altered vitamin D metabolism is only partially reversed by 25(OH)D3, and 25(OH)D-24-hydroxylase activity in cultured skin fibroblasts is markedly increased. Thus, Asian Indians residing in the U.S. are at risk for developing vitamin D deficiency, rickets, and osteomalacia.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Exploration into the recruitment of South Asian nurses.

Nursing is currently striving to ensure that its body of practitioners is reflective of the cultural diversity that exists in the population of healthcare consumers it serves. This is perceived as desirable to reflect and accommodate cultural differences within ethnic communities. The aim of this study was to investigate the rationale for the low recruitment of young South Asian people into nursing and midwifery education from an area of rich cultural diversity in the West Midlands. A triangulated approach was used involving four phases and sources of data collection. The study participants included students from secondary school (n = 70), parents of young South Asian students, career advisers and a small group of South Asian nurse practitioners. Data collection involved focus group interviews and a postal questionnaire for parents. The data revealed that very few young South Asian females and fewer young South Asian males had ever considered a career in nursing. The students' insight into the nature and scope of nursing as a profession was limited and based upon several misconceptions. Interaction with South Asian nursing role models was virtually non-existent. Their views of the physical, social and psychological demands placed on nurses made nursing an unattractive career option. Portrayals of an NHS in turmoil contributed to this view. Cultural issues also created problems for some students such as uniform policies and caring for the opposite gender. Further work needs to be undertaken to raise the profile of nursing and midwifery as a career option for young South Asian people.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Prevalence of sensorineural hearing loss in Asian children.

The study was designed to assess whether Asian children were at an increased risk of having sensorineural hearing loss. All the Asian children aged between 5 and 16 years were identified from class lists to form the study group, and an equal number of non-Asian children, controlling for age and sex, were randomly selected from the Child Health records to form the control group. With parent's consent, a four frequency (1, 2, 4 and 8 kHz) pure tone screening test was carried out on the children in both groups. There was a second screen for the failures and a diagnostic assessment for those failing again. Prevalence rate was calculated for two categories of hearing impairment (mild-to-profound and moderate-to-profound) and for the better and worse ear, resulting in four prevalence estimates for each group. The absolute prevalence rates for the Asian children were all consistently higher (ranging from 5.09 to 9.61 per 1000) than the non-Asian children (ranging from 1.4 to 3.51 per 1000) and the relative risk measure showed the Asian group to be 2.42-3.61 times at greater risk of having a hearing loss. The results of this study were compared with other studies and inconsistencies were discussed with reference to methodological differences and deficiencies. It was concluded that Asian children were at an increased risk of sensorineural hearing loss.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

The Asian Taenia and the possibility of cysticercosis.

In certain Asian countries, a third form of human Taenia, also known as the Asian Taenia, has been discovered. This Asian Taenia seems to be an intermediate between Taenia solium and T. saginata since in morphological terms it is similar to T. saginata, yet biologically, as it uses the same intermediate host (pigs), it is more akin to T. solium. Taenia solium causes human cysticercosis, while T. saginata does not. It is not known whether the Asian taeniid is able to develop to the larval stage in humans or not. The arguments proposed by those authors who consider it unlikely that the Asian Taenia causes human cysticercosis are: (a) its molecular similarities with T. saginata; (b) the absence of cases of human cysticercosis in populations where the Asian adult is highly prevalent; and (c) the unsupporting results derived from an experimental infestation study. These three arguments are debated, although bearing in mind that at present there is still no clear scientific data to support that human cysticercosis can be caused by the Asian Taenia.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Asian American and Pacific Islanders Mental Health Issues: A Historical Perspective.

PURPOSE OF THE PAPER. This paper reviews literature documenting these complexities and emphasizes the need to adopt a dynamic, multidimensional framework in conceptualizing Asian American ethnic identity and acculturation. In particular, the paper highlights the importance of evaluating the role of intergenerational and sociohistorical influences that can shape and change an individual's acculturative and ethnic identity experiences. SUMMARY OF THE METHODS UTILIZED. The author reviewed the last ten years of literature on Asian American mental health. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS. Mental health professionals recognize the importance of assessing a client's level of acculturation and ethnic identification. However, research findings demonstrate complex relationships among acculturation, ethnic identity, and psychological functioning. CONCLUSIONS. It is proposed that the inclusion of these factors within a multidimensional framework represents a needed step in advancing our understanding of Asian American identity and acculturation. The clinical and research implications of these issues are discussed. RELEVANCE TO ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER AMERICAN POPULATIONS. This paper calls attention to the absence of an optimum, mental healthy resolution of ethnic identity formation that can be applied to all Asian Americans and the shared as well as unique qualities of each Asian American. KEY WORDS. Asian American; Pacific Islander; mental health; acculturation.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Profile of Tuberculosis among Foreign-born Asians Residing in Los Angeles County, California, 1985&shy;1994.

PURPOSE. To present a profile of tuberculosis %lpar;TB) among foreign& shy;born Asians residing in Los Angeles County and priorities in eliminating TB. SUMMARY OF METHODS UTILIZED. The demographic and disease&shy;related data were analyzed from a total of 3,364 TB cases among Asians, which were obtained over a 9&shy;year period (1985& shy;1994) by the Los Angeles County Tuberculosis Control Program. Various sources were used to obtain the denominators needed to calculate case rates because no one source had all the information. The data were analyzed using the standard SAS statistical software system. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS. Ninety& shy;eight percent of Asians with TB were foreign& shy;born, and 91 percent of the foreign& shy;born with TB were born in countries with high endemic rates of TB (Vietnam, Philippines, South Korea and the People's Republic of China). The TB case rate of foreign& shy;born Asians increased linearly with increase in percent household income below poverty level. The relative risk of TB among newly arrived Vietnamese, Filipinos, Chinese from People's Republic of China and Koreans was 112.0, 91.0, 36.8 and 28.1 times higher than that of the overall U.S., respectively (risk). CONCLUSIONS. The current screening procedures identify large numbers of TB cases among newly arrived Asians who contribute significantly to the occurrence of TB in Los Angeles County. Better strategies should be developed to effectively reduce morbidity in foreign& shy;born Asians from countries with high endemic rates of TB. They include the development of a comprehensive, ethnic& shy;specific, culturally sensitive educational intervention campaign and readily accessible outreach clinics with culturally sensitive TB preventive therapy program. KEY WORDS. Asians, tuberculosis, immigrants, Filipinos, Koreans, Chiense, Vietnamese.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1959

Studies in swine of Asian influenza virus.

This article reports on experiments with 6- to 8-week-old pigs infected with a human isolate of Asian strain influenza virus and on the successful passage of this virus into a second group of pigs. These findings are discussed in relationship to negative results obtained by others when swine sera, collected from apparently healthy animals before and after the recent Asian influenza epidemic, were tested for the presence of complement-fixing and haemagglutination-inhibiting antibodies.Six "normal" pigs were inoculated intranasally with 1.0 ml of fluid containing approximately 3 200 000 EID(50) of Asian influenza virus. Clinical evidence of disease was not apparent, but Asian strain virus was isolated from four of the pigs and the development of haemagglutination-inhibiting antibody to A/Asia/Japan/305/57 antigen was detected in all of them. Virus isolated from the first group was inoculated intranasally into another group of six "normal" pigs. Clinical evidence of illness was also absent in this group, but Asian strain virus was isolated from five pigs. Haemagglutination-inhibiting antibody developed in all six pigs but complement-fixing antibody in none.The authors conclude that the available evidence indicates that swine did not play a significant role in the epidemiology of the Asian influenza epidemic in the USA, and that the Asian strain appears not to have established itself in swine.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

The emergence of inflammatory bowel disease in the Asian Pacific region.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Inflammatory bowel disease has been traditionally considered rare in the Asian Pacific region, but recent evidence indicates that both Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis are becoming increasingly common among local populations. This review will validate this significant epidemiological and clinical observation using data published in the current Asian literature and information presented at the 2004 Asian Pacific Digestive Week in Beijing, China. RECENT FINDINGS: A progressive rise in the incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease is discernible is most Asian Pacific countries, more so for ulcerative colitis than Crohn disease. Some ethnic differences are notably evident, as Indians suffer more inflammatory bowel disease than Chinese or Malays. Age of onset and gender are similar to those of Western patients, as are the distribution and extent of disease which, however, tends to be clinically less severe than in European and North American patients. A family history is occasionally elicited, whereas smoking and appendectomy appear to have the same impact on inflammatory bowel disease as seen in the West. A remarkable difference is the absence of any association of Asian Crohn disease with NOD2/CARD15 mutations, as repeatedly observed in white and Jewish populations. Intestinal tuberculosis is still common in the Asian Pacific region, and poses major diagnostic and therapeutic hurdles, often delaying the diagnosis of true Crohn disease. SUMMARY: Investigation of inflammatory bowel disease in the Asian Pacific region offers the unprecedented opportunity to study the 'early stages' of the disease, and may provide new clues to its pathophysiology by identifying key environmental factors and distinct genetic make-ups.

Asia↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Independence of the Central Asian faunistic region (according to the distribution of lizards (Reptilia, Sauria))].

Central Asian area above 2000 m was studied to test the independence of the Central Asian Mountain region in the herpetogeographical map of the Palearctic Region and the neighboring Sahara-Gobi Desert region. According to the range and origin similarity, all species inhabiting this area were assigned to several groups: mountain Central Asian species (the bulk of the range lies within the studied area), Western Asian upland species (the bulk of the range lies in the Near Eastern uplands), plain desert species (the bulk of the range is below 2000 m), Indo-Malayan species (the bulk of the range lies within the Indo-Malayan Kingdom), European species (the bulk of the range lies in the forest and steppe zones of Europe and West Siberia), and mountain desert species (equal parts of the range lie in the deserts and mountains of Central Asia). The distribution of species density was mapped by range superposition for each group. The dominance (over 50% of the total number of species) of mountain Central Asian or other species groups allowed us to assign the studied area to either the Central Asian mountain region or Sahara-Gobi desert region. The areas where neither of the specified groups exceeded the 50% threshold were recognized as transitional. Considering a large number of endemic species (28% of the total fauna), the Central Asian mountain area should be recognized as an independent region rather than a subregion of the Sahara-Gobi Desert region.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

A possible explanation for the increased referral of atopic dermatitis from the Asian community in Leicester.

The population of the city of Leicester contains, in addition to the 'native' population, a large immigrant 'Asian' community originating from the Indian subcontinent. Among referrals to our department, atopic dermatitis (AD) was 3,3 times more common in Asians. We therefore performed a study based on a cohort of consecutive births in Leicester hospitals to investigate the possible ethnic difference in prevalence and to examine possible reasons for an ethnic difference in referral pattern. Parents of 1,800 children were asked at the time of the birth to allow their child to be entered on a register. A year later, parents of a sample of 499 of these children, 158 Asian and 341 non-Asian, were invited for interview and for examination of the children. A total of 413 children were examined. The overall point prevalence of AD was 10.7% (95% confidence interval, 7.7%-13.7%). There was no significant ethnic difference. However, a history of eczema in a first degree relative was found in 14.2% of Asian subjects and 35.1% of non-Asians (P < 0.0001, chi-square test). The data suggest the increased referrals to our clinic from the Asian community may result from a lower level of familiarity with AD.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Comparative pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of furosemide in Middle Eastern and in Asian subjects.

The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of a single oral dose of 40 mg furosemide has been compared in 11 healthy Middle Eastern Arabs with 12 Asian subjects under fasting conditions. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) between the 2 ethnic groups in either the area under the plasma concentration time curve (AUC) or the time to maximal plasma concentration (tmax). The elimination half-life was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in Middle Eastern subjects (2.9+/-0.7 h) than in Asian subjects (2.2+/-0.6 h), while the maximal plasma concentration (Cmax) in Asian subjects (1,087+/-262 ng/ml) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) compared with Middle Eastern Arabs (776+/-163 ng/ml). The mean residence time (MRT) and the operative apparent volume of distribution (Vd/F) were significantly greater in Middle Eastern Arabs (4.5+/-0.9 h and 54.1+/-14.91) than in Asian subjects (3.6+/-0.8 h and 38.6+/-16.51). The difference between them in (Vd/F) abolished (p > 0.05) when corrected for body weight. The mean cumulative urinary excretion of furosemide in 8 h was 5.6 mg (range 1.6-15.2 mg) for Arabs and 6.1 mg (range 2.1-15.9 mg) for Asians. The relationships between furosemide-induced diuresis and furosemide, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and chloride excretion rates appeared as a clockwise hysteresis loop indicating the development of tolerance during the course of drug action in both ethnic groups. No statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed in the cumulative amounts excreted in urine of these electrolytes or their excretion rates between Arabs and Asians. The relationships between urinary excretion rates of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and chloride were linear with almost identical slopes for Arabs and Asians in each relationship.

Adult↗