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Preschool programs for socially vulnerable children are believed to affect school readiness and language development but infrequently include follow-up to adolescence; observational measurement of receptive vocabulary is rare. The purpose of this longitudinal cohort study (55 children and 41 parents) was to report the trajectory of receptive vocabulary development for socially vulnerable children of diverse ethnicities (Indigenous, other Canadian-born, and Immigrant) who participated in a two-generation preschool program. English receptive vocabulary scores were measured at 5-time points: (a) program intake, (b) program exit, (c) age 7 years, (d) age 10 years, and (e) adolescence, using the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test – Third Edition (PPVT-III). For all children, PPVT-III scores increased the most between program intake and exit and positive changes were sustained until adolescence. When the sample was examined by gender, PPVT-III scores were higher for boys than girls at all time points. When the sample was examined by ethnicity, other Canadian-born children scored higher than Indigenous and Immigrant children at all time points. Immigrant children scored lowest until age 7 years, and at age 10 years and adolescence scored higher than Indigenous children. Using mixed-effects modeling, PPVT-III scores increased when English was the primary language spoken at home at intake. PPVT-III scores increased slightly as caregiver age and caregiver Adverse Childhood Experiences score increased. PPVT-III scores were lower for Immigrant girls and Indigenous boys than other sub-groups of children. Differential effects of the two-generation preschool program by gender and ethnicity suggest tailoring programming to increase equitability of receptive vocabulary development for immigrant girls and Indigenous boys. Children with intergenerational adversity may require additional support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study racial and ethnic disparities among women undergoing hysterectomy performed for adenomyosis across the United States. A cohort study. Data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) from 2012–2020. Patients with an adenomyosis diagnosis. Hysterectomy for adenomyosis. Patients were identified using the International Classification of Diseases 9th and 10th editions codes 617.0 and N80.0 (endometriosis of the uterus). Hysterectomies were classified on the basis of the Current Procedural Terminology codes. We compared baseline and surgical characteristics and 30-day postoperative complications across the different racial and ethnic groups. Postoperative complications were classified into minor and major complications according to the Clavien-Dindo classification system. A total of 12,599 women underwent hysterectomy for adenomyosis during the study period: 8,822 (70.0%) non-Hispanic White, 1,597 (12.7%) Hispanic, 1,378 (10.9%) non-Hispanic Black or African American, 614 (4.9%) Asian, 97 (0.8%) Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and 91 (0.7%) American Indian or Alaska Native. Postoperative complications occurred in 8.8% of cases (n = 1,104), including major complications in 3.1% (n = 385). After adjusting for confounders, non-Hispanic Black race and ethnicity were independently associated with an increased risk of major complications (adjusted odds ratio 1.54, 95% confidence interval [CI] {1.16–2.04}). Laparotomy was performed in 13.7% (n = 1,725) of cases. Compared with non-Hispanic White race and ethnicity, the adjusted odd ratios for undergoing laparoscopy were 0.58 (95% CI 0.50–0.67) for Hispanic, 0.56 (95% CI 0.48–0.65) for non-Hispanic Black or African American, 0.33 (95% CI 0.27–0.40) for Asian, and 0.26 (95% CI 0.17–0.41) for Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander race and ethnicity. Among women undergoing hysterectomy for postoperatively diagnosed adenomyosis, non-Hispanic Black or African American race and ethnicity were associated with an increased risk of major postoperative complications. Compared with non-Hispanic White race and ethnicity, Hispanic ethnicity, non-Hispanic Black or African American, Asian, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander race and ethnicity were less likely to undergo minimally invasive surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to diverse manifestations of racism in Australia, from everyday attacks against Asian Australians to discriminatory policies towards temporary migrants. Since the start of the pandemic, considerable knowledge on pandemic-related racism has been produced. This knowledge has yet to be consolidated, leaving questions about the nature, forms, impacts and trajectories of racism during the pandemic. This paper presents a systematic review and synthesis of research on racism during the pandemic, with an emphasis on pandemic-specific racism. We searched the databases Scopus, MEDLINE and PsycINFO for research published between January 2020 and July 2022. Eighteen research studies were included in the review, along with reports of routine data collection by five organisations. The research reviewed collected data mainly around the pandemic's 'second wave' in Australia (June-October 2020), focusing largely on Asian Australians and temporary migrants nationally and in Victoria. Widely studied forms of COVID-racism were verbal abuse, physical attacks, exclusion and Othering, and institutional racism involving governments, media and employers. We examined the pandemic's health and socio-economic impacts, and variations in experiences of racism over time between ethnic groups. As Australia emerges from the pandemic, we consider the review's implications for pandemic response, anti-racism practice and policy, and future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Self-reported criminal behaviour has the potential to provide clearer insights into patterns of criminality compared to using police statistics. The risk of inaccurate responses however forms a major obstacle to its validity. This study therefore examines underreporting bias of self-reported criminal behaviour among five ethnic groups and compares different methods to facilitate the creation of valid intergroup comparisons. Methods: This study includes data from the Monitor on Youthful Delinquency (N = 6,218) which was connected to police suspect registrations. To identify patterns of underreporting, we compared self-reported and police recorded crime with a social desirability measure, which was adjusted to be invariant across ethnic groups. Three different methods to correct for underreporting bias were subsequently compared; partialling out the effect of social desirability, listwise deletion, and a novel technique which we named Social Desirability based Score Replacement (SDSR). Results: The study reveals that police suspects with a high social desirability score display a low likelihood to self-report crime when they have an ethnic minority background, but not when they have a native Dutch background or when they have a moderate to low social desirability score. This finding points towards systematic differences in underreporting bias. Model outcomes are shown to be significantly impacted depending on the method that is used to address this issue. Conclusion: Neglecting to correct underreporting-bias hinders the validity of intergroup comparisons of self-reported criminal behaviour. The inclusion of a social desirability measure is therefore recommended to help identify and correct underreporting bias, particularly through the use of SDSR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The book "Southern Europe in the age of revolutions" by Maurizio Isabella explores the political and social changes that occurred in Southern Europe during the 19th century. The author examines the impact of the French Revolution and Napoleonic wars on the region, particularly in Spain, Portugal, and Italy. The book discusses the transformation of civil-military relations, the rise of patriotism, and the debates over constitutional rights and government. It also explores the struggles for independence in the Balkans and the Greek War of Independence. The author emphasizes the complex interplay between revolution and counter-revolution, as well as the diverse motivations and perspectives of different individuals and communities. The book highlights the role of religion, ethnicity, and social class in shaping political movements and conflicts. Overall, the book provides a comprehensive analysis of the political and social dynamics of Southern Europe during this period. [Extracted from the article]

Since South Sudan's independence, complex conflicts across the country have eroded trust, challenged nation-building, and displaced 4 million people, with hunger threatening millions more, continuing a long tradition of war inherited from the Sudan. This article examines people's perceptions of conflict in Aweil and Yambio and found that for trust in the government to return, citizens must believe that development is ethnically and politically inclusive and coherent. In addition to a credible program, government's effective communication of a "peace through development policy" could rebuild the torn social fabric within and across ethnic groups, and between them and Government. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to determine the variations in the prevalence of childhood anemia according to the ethnic group before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru. Secondary analysis of the Demographic and Family Health Survey during 2016–2021. The outcome variable was anemia, and the exposure variable was maternal ethnicity. Also, we included sociodemographic and clinical confounding variables. We constructed generalized linear models of the Poisson family with a logarithmic link function. We evaluated 85,905 records; 30.34% had anemia, 50.83% were mestizo, 25.98% were Quechua, and 2% were Aymara. Compared with mestizos, Quechua children (PR: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.07–1.15; p < 0.001), Aymara (PR: 1.35; 95% CI: 1.27–1.44; p < 0.001), natives of the Amazon (PR: 1.20; 95% CI: 1.12–1.28; p < 0.001) and those who belonged to other indigenous peoples (PR: 1.29; 95% CI: 1.05–1.57; p = 0.013) had a higher prevalence of childhood anemia. On the contrary, compared to mestizos, white children had a lower prevalence of anemia (PR: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.89–0.99; p = 0.019). During the COVID-19 pandemic, compared to mestizos, only Quechua (PR: 1.15; 95% CI: 1.08–1.23; p < 0.001) and Aymara (PR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.23–1.55; p < 0.001) had a higher prevalence of childhood anemia. Except for Afro-descendants, children from 6 to 59 months of age who belong to an ethnic minority had a higher probability of having childhood anemia than mestizos. However, only Quechua and Aymara children had higher odds of anemia during the COVID-19 pandemic than mestizos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnic minority women experience disparities in mammography screening utilisation and breast cancer outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesised multidomain and multilevel factors that intersect to influence the utilisation of mammography among ethnic minorities. A literature search was conducted in five databases (PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO) from inception to May 2022. Guided by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparity research framework, the retrieved data were synthesised using narrative summaries and meta-analyses. Among the 27 studies, most (n = 24) reported individual, interpersonal, and community factors in the health care system domain. In the sociocultural domain, interpersonal and societal (n = 8) factors, such as modesty and karma beliefs, were less frequently identified than individual (n = 20) factors in relation to acculturation. Only individual-level factors were reported for the biological and physical/built environment (e.g., rural residence) domains. In the behavioural domain, cancer screening behaviours had a high combined prediction ability (odds ratio = 18.23; I2 = 23%), whereas interpersonal (e.g., family obligations) and community (e.g., neighbourhood violence) factors discouraged mammography screening. Special focus should be given to ethnic minority women, especially those living in rural areas, those with considerable family obligations, and those who have suffered from violence and other life pressures, to increase their access to mammography services. Multidomain and multilevel efforts, culturally appropriate strategies, and equity-advancing policies such as geographic access and insurance coverage would help to mitigate the ethnic disparities in mammography screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study explored Asian Americans' lay perceptions of successful aging and examined the differences and similarities between Asian Americans and White/Caucasian Americans. One hundred forty-five Asian American adults and 86 White/Caucasian adults were asked how they view successful aging. Open-ended responses were coded for recurring themes. The theme most often mentioned by Asian Americans was health, followed by quality of life, activities/interests, and social resources. Compared to White/Caucasian participants, Asian Americans' meaning of successful aging in the current study did not differ greatly in terms of major themes mentioned, but Asian Americans were more likely to mention certain themes, such as physical appearance and youthful look. In sum, the findings suggest that Asian Americans have a multifaceted understanding of successful aging, and reinforce the importance of cultural variations of the perceptions of successful aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Opioid-related overdose mortality rates have increased sharply in the U.S. over the past two decades, and inequities across racial and ethnic groups have been documented. Opioid-related overdose trends among American Indian and Alaska Natives require further quantification and assessment. Observational, U.S. population-based registry data on opioid-related overdose mortality between 1999 and 2021 were extracted in 2023 using ICD-10 codes from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research multiple cause of death file by race, Hispanic ethnicity, sex, and age. Segmented time series analyses were conducted to estimate opioid-related overdose mortality growth rates among the American Indian and Alaska Native population between 1999 and 2021. Analyses were performed in 2023. Two distinct time segments revealed significantly different opioid-related overdose mortality growth rates within the overall American Indian and Alaska Native population, from 0.36 per 100,000 (95% CI=0.32, 0.41) between 1999 and 2019 to 6.5 (95% CI=5.7, 7.31) between 2019 and 2021, with the most pronounced increase among those aged 24–44 years. Similar patterns were observed within the American Indian and Alaska Native population with Hispanic ethnicity, but the estimated growth rates were generally steeper across most age groups than across the overall American Indian and Alaska Native population. Patterns of opioid-related overdose mortality growth rates were similar between American Indian and Alaska Native females and males between 2019 and 2021. Sharp increases in opioid-related overdose mortality rates among American Indian and Alaska Native communities are evident by age and Hispanic ethnicity, highlighting the need for culturally sensitive fatal opioid-related overdose prevention, opioid use disorder treatment, and harm-reduction efforts. Future research should aim to understand the underlying factors contributing to these high mortality rates and employ interventions that leverage the strengths of American Indian and Alaska Native culture, including the strong sense of community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the everyday influence of social media and online platforms, racially minoritized individuals face the risk of experiencing racial discrimination in both offline and online contexts. Yet, there is scant research on how online and offline racism could jointly impact the mental health of racially minoritized individuals. Thus, the study examined online racism as a moderator in the link between offline racism and mental health issues. Using data from 651 racially minoritized emerging adults (M age = 22.15, SD = 3.39), a moderation analysis was conducted using the PROCESS macro with bias-corrected bootstrapping (10,000 resamples). Experiencing more offline racism was significantly associated with greater mental health issues. Online racism was a significant moderator in the link between offline racism and mental health issues. The link between offline racism and mental health issues was not significant at low levels of online racism. However, the link was significant and strengthened at mean to high levels of online racism. The results suggest complex interactions in understanding the compounding impact of online and offline racism on mental health costs among racially minoritized individuals. Implications for future research on understanding the interplay between online and offline racism are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine how responses to individuals displaced by environmental shocks vary based on the ethnicity of the migrants, the locals, and their ethnic groups' political status. We embed an experiment into a stratified sample of 2,188 white, Black, and Latinx Americans surveyed through Qualtrics Panels. The experiment shows respondents a photo of a flooded road, randomly assigning whether there are white, Black, Latinx, or no persons wading through the water. Results show no outward change in approval for migrants settling in respondents' neighborhoods based on their ethnicity. However, emotional responses to migrants, perceptions of migrants' economic backgrounds, and levels of tolerance and ethnocentrism among locals vary based on migrants' ethnicity. While there may not be outward xenophobia and conflict in the face of internal climate-related migration, the underlying attitudes of members of receiving communities suggest internal migrants from politically excluded groups lack local acceptance and may face more subtle prejudice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calls for the diversification of policing to better mirror communities served date to 1960s-era national commissions and continue to the present. Largely ignored in efforts to diversify policing is the role of race/ethnicity and completion of academy-based training of police recruits. This study used data collected from 615 U.S. basic law enforcement training (BLET) academies during 2018 to examine the correlates of BLET non-completion, including academy-level counts of racial/ethnic group membership of recruits, academy regional location, affiliation, stress of the training model used, and required weeks of BLET for state-level certification. Multivariate negative binomial regression modeling indicated that compared to non-completion counts of White non-Hispanic recruits, except for Asian non-Hispanic group members, the expected change in non-completion counts for members of all other racial/ethnic groups significantly increased holding all other variables in the model constant at their means. Implications for diversifying policing are discussed and recommendations made for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about the recurrence differences among diverse race/ethnic groups in the Adult Protective Services (APS). This mixed methods triangulation design study used data from both administrative databases and interview/focus groups with APS social workers to explore whether race/ethnic groups are associated with different recurrence in APS. The recurrence rate of APS was 21.4% in the sample of 4,426 clients in a county of California. Results from the multiple logistic regression showed that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders were less likely to have one or more APS reports and investigations within the 12-month follow-up after the case closure of the initial APS investigation when compared with Hispanic Americans. No statistically significant results were found among other racial/ethnic groups. Some co-variates were also found to be associated with the recurrence including marital status, risk level, financial abuse, and self-neglect. Qualitative results provided some support to the main findings from the quantitative analysis results. Both quantitative and qualitative analytical approaches intimated that racial/ethnic differences might not be a prominent factor leading to different APS recurrence. The limitations of this article indicate that there is a need for additional studies to further examine the influence of race/ethnicity on APS recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Family Dependency Treatment Court (FDTC) is a problem-solving court for parents who have child welfare involvement and designed to address parental substance misuse by providing treatment and wrap-around services, with the goal of reunifying parents with their children. Objectives: This study aimed to identify different classes of FDTC parents and compare how child placement outcomes differ by class. Parental characteristics and permanent placement outcomes for 354 parents participating in a Central Florida FDTC were assessed using administrative data. An exploratory latent class analysis was conducted to classify parents. Results: Results revealed three distinct classes of FDTC participants: 1) co-occurring issues, 2) racial/ethnic minority participants, and 3) prescription opioid, meth, and heroin users. Regression analyses showed that parents with co-occurring issues were over two times more likely to achieve permanency (OR = 2.05, p <.05), and were two times less likely to terminate their parental rights (TPR) compared to the other two classes. Conclusions: Implications for tailoring FDTC procedures to parents' individual needs, combating racial/ethnic disparities in access to services and placement outcomes, and improved child welfare and placement outcomes are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alcohol is widely used in many cultures as part of everyday life and for special occasions. It is a leading cause of preventable death in the UK, with higher rates among socioeconomically disadvantaged people. Gypsies and Travellers are ethnic and cultural minorities who experience extreme social disadvantage but there is a lack of knowledge about their alcohol use. The study aim was to explore experiences of alcohol use and harm in these distinct groups. Taking a participatory research approach, peer researchers conducted semistructured interviews (n = 26) to explore experiences of alcohol use and harm within the following four Gypsy/Traveller communities: Irish Travellers, Boaters, Gypsies, and Slovakian Roma. Vignettes were used as a basis for interview questions. Data were analysed thematically following the framework model. Alcohol consumption was found to be fundamental to celebration in all groups and integrated within social norms. Among Gypsies, Irish Travellers and Roma, drinking was associated with masculinity and despite an increase in alcohol use among women, female drinking remains highly socially regulated. Gypsies and Irish Travellers reported being illegally excluded from public drinking venues, while Slovakian Roma experienced less discrimination towards their ethnic group in the UK. Knowledge of the risks of alcohol dependence was high in all groups, but there was little awareness of the health impact of regular heavy drinking. Shame was a barrier to help-seeking for Gypsy, Roma, and Irish Traveller men and women, while Boaters' nomadism reduced access to both primary care and alcohol treatment services. These distinct ethnic and cultural groups are aware of the health and social risks of alcohol use but experience barriers to accessing healthcare. Each community has different needs in relation to prevention of alcohol dependence, highlighting the need for targeted health promotion to accompany national strategies to reduce alcohol harm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecuador's declaration as a plurinational state represents a milestone in the affirmation of the rights of indigenous peoples and other ethnic groups within the country. This advancement poses significant challenges for the legal sciences, which are tasked with devising methods for the effective integration of ordinary and indigenous justice systems. This study investigates the inherent uncertainty in the information processing within indigenous justice, employing neutrosophic tools. A neutrosophic analysis of the contraventions in the indigenous context was conducted, utilizing both theoretical and empirical methods, including surveys of law students and the implementation of a neutrosophic soft set model. The main difficulties were identified and ranked, highlighting the lack of an adequate legal framework as the most critical obstacle to the harmonization of ordinary and indigenous justice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analysis delves into the conflict inherent within the thematic discourse surrounding the two tables as portrayed in Mark's Gospel, with particular emphasis on the section concerning the multiplication of loaves of bread (Mk 6–8). Noteworthy is the conflict arising from the juxtaposition of Jewish and pagan individuals at a shared table. This theological tension finds resonance in the narratives presented by Paul in Galatians and Romans, albeit Galatians 2:9 intimates a seemingly facile resolution, a departure from the intricate portrayal in Mark's Gospel. Mark's narrative accentuates two salient dimensions: firstly, the ethnic substrate of the conflict, and secondly, its contextual specificity within the historical milieu of Syria after the Jewish war. The ethnic genesis of this conflict, as delineated in the accounts of Flavius Josephus, furnishes a background essential for comprehending the dual incidents of bread multiplication: the initial instance catering exclusively to Jews and the subsequent occurrence inclusive of both Jews and other disparate ethnic groups "from afar" (Mk 8:3). The spatial symbolism in the section pertaining to the multiplication of loaves may symbolically represent the heterogeneous composition of the recipients, thereby exacerbating the challenges inherent in reconciling conflicts rooted in ethnic diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compared three ethnic/racial groups of informal cancer caregivers on social determinants of health and tested social determinants of health as predictors of psychological distress and caregiver burden. This study was a secondary analysis of baseline data of a sequential multiple assignment randomized trial (SMART) testing symptom management interventions with caregiver-survivor dyads. Caregivers completed baseline measures of social determinants of health (SDoH), functional limitations, psychological distress, and caregiver burden. Hispanic, non-Hispanic White, and non-Hispanic other races caregivers were compared on these variables. Multivariate tests of associations between SDoH and caregiver burden and psychological distress were conducted in structural equation modeling with caregiver burden and psychological distress as latent variables. Hispanic caregivers reported significantly higher caregiver burden, specifically for finances, family, and schedules. Caregiver burden was significantly predicted by having income barely or not meeting needs, being female, socially isolated, married, Hispanic, and having poor physical functioning. Significant predictors of caregivers' psychological distress: being female, being socially isolated, and having poor physical functioning. Hispanic caregivers experience significant challenges associated with caregiver burden, especially if they are female, socially isolated, and have poor physical functioning. Assessment of these SDoH is important in caregiver health to provide supportive care during caregiving. NCT03743415 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Exclusion of blood donors with hepatitis B virus (HBV) core antibodies (anti‐HBc) prevents transfusion‐transmitted HBV infection but can lead to significant donor loss. As isolated anti‐HBc positivity does not always indicate true past HBV infection, we have investigated the effectiveness of confirmatory anti‐HBc testing and the representation of rare blood groups in anti‐HBc‐positive donors. Materials and Methods: Three hundred ninety‐seven HBV surface antigen‐negative and anti‐HBc initially reactive blood donor samples were tested by five different anti‐HBc assays. Results: Eighty percentage of samples reactive in Architect anti‐HBc assay were positive by the Murex assay and anti‐HBc neutralization. Eleven out of 397 samples showed discordant results in supplementary testing from the Murex confirmatory test result, and five remained undetermined following extensive serological testing. Thirty‐eight percentage of anti‐HBc‐positive donors identified as minority ethnic groups compared with 11% representation in anti‐HBc‐negative donors (p < 0.0001); the frequency of the Ro blood group in anti‐HBc‐positive donors was 18 times higher in non‐white ethnic groups. Conclusion: Using two anti‐HBc assays effectively enabled the identification of HBV‐exposed and potentially infectious donors, their deferral and potential clinical follow‐up. However, the exclusion of confirmed anti‐HBc‐positive donors will still impact the supply of rare blood such as Ro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Immune tolerance induction (ITI) is the only treatment to eradicate inhibitors in people with severe haemophilia A with inhibitors. Since the risk of inhibitor development is greater among Black and Hispanic persons, it has been hypothesized that race and ethnicity may influence ITI success. Limited studies have evaluated this hypothesis. Aim: To examine the success of ITI according to race and ethnicity. Methods: Participants who entered the Community Counts (CC) Registry between 2013 and 2017, were aged ≥3 years at study entry, and received ITI were included (n = 559). The proportion of participants with successful ITI was examined with adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Results: Among 559 participants, 56.9%, 19.1%, 18.1% and 4.3% were Non‐Hispanic (NH) White, NH Black, Hispanic and Asian, respectively, and 1.7% were coded as other or missing. Approximately 80% of Hispanic, NH Black and NH White participants had good/very good prognosis, defined as having a pre‐ITI peak inhibitor of < 200 Bethesda Units per millilitre. Nearly 60% of participants (59.7%) achieved successful ITI, 20.7% and 19.5% experienced partially successful or failed ITI, respectively. Successful ITI was non‐significantly lower in NH Black (54.2%; aPR = 0.95, 95% CI 0.62–1.44) and Hispanic (55.4%; aPR = 0.89, 95% CI 0.71–1.13) relative to NH White participants (62.6%). Conclusion: In this study, 60% of participants in the CC Registry had successful ITI, consistent with previous studies. The proportion with successful ITI was generally comparable across racial and ethnic groups with similar prognosis. These findings do not support the hypothesis that ITI response varies according to race or ethnicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surgery for degenerative scoliosis (DS) is a complex procedure with high complication and revision rates. Based on the concept that pelvic incidence (PI) is a constant parameter, the global alignment and proportional (GAP) score was developed from sagittal alignment data collected in the Caucasian populations to predict mechanical complications. However, the PI varies among different ethnic groups, and the GAP score may not apply to Chinese populations. Thus, this study aims to assess the predictability of the GAP score for mechanical complications in the Chinese populations and develop an ethnicity-adjusted GAP score. To test the predictability of the original GAP score in the Chinese population and develop a Chinese ethnicity-tailored GAP scoring system. Retrospective cohort study. A total of 560 asymptomatic healthy volunteers were enrolled to develop Chinese ethnicity-tailored GAP (C-GAP) score and a total of 114 DS patients were enrolled to test the predictability of original GAP score and C-GAP score. Demographic information, sagittal spinopelvic parameters of healthy volunteers and DS patients were collected. Mechanical complications were recorded at a minimum of 2-year follow-up after corrective surgery for DS patients. A total of 560 asymptomatic healthy volunteers with a mean age of 61.9±14.1 years were enrolled to develop ethnicity-adjusted GAP score. Besides, 114 surgically trated DS patients (M/F=10/104) with a mean age of 60.7±7.1 years were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic data and radiological parameters of both groups, including PI, lumbar lordosis (LL), sacral slope (SS), the sagittal vertical axis (SVA), and global tilt (GT) were collected. Ideal LL, SS, and GT were obtained by calculating their correlation with PI of healthy volunteers using linear regression analysis. Relative pelvic version (RPV), relative lumbar lordosis (RLL), lordosis distribution index (LDI), and relative spinopelvic alignment (RSA) were obtained using the ideal parameters, and the Chinese population adjusted GAP score (C-GAP) was developed based on these values. The predictability of original and C-GAP for mechanical failure was evaluated using clinical and radiological data of DS patients by evaluating the area under the curve (AUC) using receiver operating characteristic curve. This study was supported the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (No. 82272545), ($ 8,000–10,000) and the Jiangsu Provincial Key Medical Center, and the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2021M701677), Level B ($ 5,000–7,000). Ideal SS=0.53×PI+9 (p=.002), ideal LL=0.48×PI+22 (p=.023) and ideal GT=0.46 × PI-9 (p=.011). were obtained by correlation analysis using sagittal parameters from those healthy volunteers, and RPV, RLL, RSA, and LDI were calculated accordingly. Then, the ethnicity-adjusted C-GAP score was developed by summing up the numeric value of calculated RPV, RLL, RSA, and LDI. The AUC was classified as "no or low discriminatory power" for the original GAP score in predicting mechanical complications (AUC=0.592, p=.078). Similarly, the original GAP score did not correlate with mechanical complications in DS patients. According to the C-GAP score, the sagittal parameters were proportional in 25 (21.9%) cases, moderately disproportional in 68 (59.6%), and severely disproportional in 21% (18.5%) cases. The incidence of mechanical complications was statistically different among proportioned and moderately disproportional and severely disproportional portions of the C-GAP score (p=.03). The predictability of the C-GAP score is high with an AUC=0.773 (p<.001). In addition, there is a linear correlation between mechanical complication rate and C-GAP score (χ=0.102, p=.02). The Ethnicity-adjusted C-GAP score system developed in the current study provided a more accurate and reliable for predicting the risk of mechanical complications after corrective surgery for adult spinal deformity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are conventionally measured using a cumulative‐risk index without consideration of distinct measurement properties across racial and ethnic groups. Drawing from the 2018–2020 National Survey of Children's Health (N = 93,759; 48% female; average age: 9.52 years), we assess the measurement invariance of a latent‐factor ACE model across five groups: Hispanic children (14%) and non‐Hispanic White (73%), Black (7%), Asian/Pacific Islander (5%), and American Indian/Alaskan Native (1%) children. Results support configural and full metric invariance across groups. However, several ACE item thresholds differed across groups. Findings highlight the potential utility of a latent factor approach and underscore the need to assess differences across racial and ethnic groups in terms of the optimal conceptualization and measurement of ACEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Prevalence of both obesity and type 2 diabetes can be higher in patients from certain ethnic groups, yet uptake and adherence to current support within these groups is lower, leading to widening health inequalities in high‐income countries. Objectives: The main objective of this study is to understand the views, perceptions, and experiences of and barriers and facilitators in relation to the uptake and adherence to weight management and type 2 diabetes programs in minoritized ethnic groups in high‐income countries. Methods: CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus, Academic Search Complete, and PubMed were searched for English language studies undertaken in community‐dwelling adults residing in high‐income countries, who are from a minoritized ethnic group within the country of study. Results: Seventeen studies were synthesized using the JBI System for the Unified Management of the Assessment and Review of Information. From these studies, 115 findings were retrieved, and seven key themes were identified: (1) family health status and program education, (2) social support, (3) challenges, (4) cultural beliefs, (5) increased awareness and dietary changes, (6) impact of psychological evaluations, and (7) considerations for future. Conclusions: Nutritional considerations for type 2 diabetes mellitus and weight management programs in high‐income countries should include social, habitual, economic, and conceptual components, which should include consideration of local ethnic and cultural norms and building community relationships while creating culturally tailored programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Disparities relating to postpartum recovery outcomes in different socio‐economic and racial ethnic groups are underexplored. We conducted a planned analysis of a large prospective caesarean delivery cohort to explore the relationship between ethnicity, socio‐economic status and postpartum recovery. Eligible patients were enrolled and baseline demographic, obstetric and medical history data were collected 18 h and 30 h following delivery. Patients completed postpartum quality of life and recovery measures in person on day 1 (EuroQoL EQ‐5D‐5L, including global health visual analogue scale; Obstetric Quality of Recovery‐10 item score; and pain scores) and by telephone between day 28 and day 32 postpartum (EQ‐5D‐5L and pain scores). Socio‐economic group was determined according to the Index of Multiple Deprivation quintile of each patient's usual place of residence. Data from 1000 patients who underwent caesarean delivery were included. There were more patients of Asian, Black and mixed ethnicity in the more deprived quintiles. Patients of White ethnicities had shorter postpartum duration of hospital stay compared with patients of Asian and Black ethnicities (35 (28–56 [18–513]) h vs. 44 (31–71 [19–465]) h vs. 49 (33–75 [23–189]) h, respectively. In adjusted models at day 30, patients of Asian ethnicity had a significantly greater risk of moderate to severe pain (numerical rating scale ≥ 4) at rest and on movement (odds ratio (95%CI) 2.42 (1.24–4.74) and 2.32 (1.40–3.87)), respectively). There were no differences in readmission rates or incidence of complications between groups. Patients from White ethnic backgrounds experience shorter postpartum duration of stay compared with patients from Asian and Black ethnic groups. Ethnic background impacts pain scores and recovery at day 1 postpartum and following hospital discharge, even after adjusting for socio‐economic group. Further work is required to understand the underlying factors driving differences in pain and recovery and to develop strategies to reduce disparities in obstetric patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay delves into the humanitarian response of British Jews towards the suffering of the Armenians during the Hamidian massacres (1894–7). The essay argues that this humanitarian act is a very early and hardly known attempt by Jews to aid members of other non-Jewish groups. This "external" humanitarian act perhaps fits the scholarly argument concerning the nineteenth century's watershed of humanitarianism: the transition from an earlier more inward-looking based relief action, to aiding, in the name of all humanity, other, distinct religious or ethnic groups. Most importantly, as this essay argues, these Jewish humanitarian activities mainly derived from rational, practical reasons, primarily resulting from Jewish vulnerability. Rational rather than sentimental humanitarianism, hence, was the main cause for the humanitarian response of British Jews. Indeed, the essay argues, the endorsement of the Armenians was an influential affair in Britain, moving the public as well as British Jews into action. However, some British Jews, and interestingly also German Jews objected to any formal or even non-formal support that might endanger their Jewish brethren in the Ottoman Empire. The support of the Armenians, thus, was also controversial, arousing inner conflicts within the community and even between British Jews and German Jews. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Timely intervention is beneficial to the effectiveness of eating disorder (ED) treatment, but limited capacity within ED services means that these disorders are often not treated with sufficient speed. This service evaluation extends previous research into guided self-help (GSH) for adults with bulimic spectrum EDs by assessing the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of virtually delivered GSH using videoconferencing. Method: Patients with bulimia nervosa (BN), binge eating disorder (BED) and other specified feeding and eating disorders (OSFED) waiting for treatment in a large specialist adult ED out-patient service were offered virtually delivered GSH. The programme used an evidence-based cognitive behavioural self-help book. Individuals were supported by non-expert coaches, who delivered the eight-session programme via videoconferencing. Results: One hundred and thirty patients were allocated to a GSH coach between 1 September 2020 and 30 September 2022; 106 (82%) started treatment and 78 (60%) completed treatment. Amongst completers, there were large reductions in ED behaviours and attitudinal symptoms, measured by the ED-15. The largest effect sizes for change between pre- and post-treatment were seen for binge eating episode frequency (d = –0.89) and concerns around eating (d = –1.72). Patients from minoritised ethnic groups were over-represented in the non-completer group. Conclusions: Virtually delivered GSH is feasible, acceptable and effective in reducing ED symptoms amongst those with bulimic spectrum disorders. Implementing virtually delivered GSH reduced waiting times, offering a potential solution for long waiting times for ED treatment. Further research is needed to compare GSH to other brief therapies and investigate barriers for patients from culturally diverse groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Squamous cell carcinoma oral cavity cancers (SCCOCCs) have a higher reported incidence in South Asian countries. We sought to compare presenting stage and outcome by ethnicity in patients with SCCOCC treated with radical radiotherapy in a single centre in the UK. All patients with SCCOCC treated with radical radiotherapy at an oncology department in Leicester (UK) between 2011 and 2017 were identified. Baseline demographic, clinical data and 2-year treatment outcomes were reported. Of the 109 patients included, 40 were South Asian and 59 were non-South Asian. South Asians had significantly poorer 2-year disease-free survival compared with non-South Asians (54.6% versus 73%, P = 0.01). Our analysis suggests that South Asians with SCCOCC have poorer outcomes despite a younger age and similar disease characteristics. Environmental, social factors and differing biology of disease may be responsible and further research is required to inform targeted interventions. • Leicester is a 'super-diverse' city with a South Asian majority population. • The mortality rate for oral cavity cancer in Leicester is above average for England. • South Asians in Leicester are more likely to live in a deprived area. • South Asians with oral cavity cancers have poorer outcomes. • Environmental, social factors and biology of disease may account for this. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When the National Islamic Front (NIF) regime came to power in Sudan in1989, the international community was alarmed. Among other things, the treatment of Sudan's minorities was a chief concern. For instance, in his ten-hour visit to Sudan in 1993, Pope John Paul II warned against imposing Islamic law on the country's large Christian population. The concerns about the NIF regime's treatment of minorities were due to its ideological background, since particular interpretations of Islamic law discriminate against minorities. The paper examines the regime's policies toward the largest ethnic minorities in Sudan. It illustrates that the regime's treatment of minorities lacked coherence toward both Christian and Muslim ethnic groups. Furthermore, it demonstrates that the regime's minority policies were the result of shifts in alliances that followed internal divisions within the regime. As the Islamist leadership fractured, the ruling faction sought to coopt new allies, including ethnic groups, to strengthen its position in the face of relentless opposition from ousted Islamists. The paper draws on material collected through fieldwork as well as secondary sources to make its claims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Treatment resistant depression (TRD) is considered when an individual fails to respond to two or more different antidepressants in adequate doses, duration and with adequate adherence within the same major depressive episode. To examine the clinical profiles of TRD patients through data from electronic healthcare records and compare characteristics and treatment pathways of ethnic minority and non-minority patients in UK. A retrospective, longitudinal, observational cohort study of patients with TRD was carried out in 10 Mental Health NHS Foundation Trusts in the Akrivia Health/UK Clinical Record Interactive Search (CRIS) system network. The CRIS system was used as a means of analysing de-identified data across 3.2 million anonymised patients' records. 10,048 patient records were deemed eligible for this study, of which 20.2 % of patients identified as BAME, and 79.8 % patients identified as White. Overall, around half of the patients were likely to be prescribed an antidepressant within 2 months of the MDD diagnosis. White patients were prescribed more antidepressants than the BAME group (p < 0.001), with a significant effect size for comorbidities. The nature of the data source limited the ability to filter for short treatment durations as clinicians did not often record concrete medication end-dates in clinical note fields. There are significant differences in care pathways between ethnic groups in relation to TRD patients. It is vital to understand factors causing these potential clinical biases and increase awareness and education to deliver the most effective treatments for TRD in ethnic minority patients. • Major ethnic differences for Treatment Resistant Depression patients in the UK • Ethnic minority patients had shorter inpatient stays and more unplanned admissions • Potential clinical biases need to be addressed to enable best treatment pathways [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Distinct bacterial strains may affect the prognosis of patients with chronic respiratory diseases. However, little is known about the clinical significance of respiratory bacteria in patients with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA), a progressive and debilitating disease caused by Aspergillus spp. Objectives. This study aimed to analyze data obtained from CPA patients and their sputum or bronchial washing samples and investigate the prevalence and composition of respiratory bacteria and clinical implications. Patients and Methods. We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients diagnosed with CPA between March 2019 and February 2023 in a tertiary referral hospital. We assessed the clinical characteristics and overall and pneumonia-specific survival rates of patients with CPA based on the presence of bacteria. Results and Conclusions. We included 142 patients with CPA. The most commonly identified bacteria were Klebsiella pneumoniae (22.5%), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (21.8%) and Escherichia coli (4.2%). Patients with isolated bacteria had a higher prevalence of older age, female sex, diabetes, and a history of extrathoracic malignancy than those without isolated bacteria (P = 0.024 , 0.013 , 0.021 , and 0.034 , respectively). Furthermore, over a median follow-up of 11 (4–21) months, the pneumonia-specific mortality rate was 13.4% (19/142), which was higher in patients with isolated bacteria than in those without (P = 0.045 , log-rank test). Particularly, patients with the presence of P. aeruginosa had a significantly higher mortality rate from pneumonia than those without the presence of P. aeruginosa (adjusted hazard ratio, 3.34; P = 0.015). In conclusion, CPA patients with isolated bacteria, especially P. aeruginosa, showed higher mortality rates due to pneumonia. Performing tests to identify bacteria in the lower respiratory tract of patients with CPA may be helpful in predicting future prognosis. Further studies are required to validate these findings in diverse ethnic groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gut microbiome dysbiosis contributes to the pathophysiology of both gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and its associated adverse outcomes in the woman and offspring. Even though GDM prevalence, complications, and outcomes vary among different ethnic groups, limited information is available about the influence of ethnicity on gut microbiome dysbiosis in pregnancies complicated by GDM. This pilot prospective cohort study examined the impact of ethnicity on gut dysbiosis in GDM among three Asian ethnic groups (Chinese, Malay, Indian) living in Singapore, and investigated the potential modulatory roles of diet and lifestyle modifications on gut microbiome post-GDM diagnosis. Women with GDM (n = 53) and without GDM (n = 16) were recruited. Fecal samples were collected at 24–28- and 36–40-weeks' gestation and analyzed by targeted 16S rRNA gene-based amplicon sequencing. Permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) analysis was performed to evaluate differences between groups. Differentially abundant taxa were identified by DeSeq2 based analysis. Functional prediction was performed using the phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states (PICRUSt2). Among women with GDM, gut microbiome from different ethnicities harbored common microbial features. However, among those without GDM, there was contrasting microbiome composition between ethnic groups. Microbial members such as Collinsella, Blautia, Ruminococcus, Ruminococcus gnavus, Ruminococcus torques, and Eubacterium hallii groups were differentially enriched (p < 0.05) in women with GDM compared to those without. Among women with GDM, no differences in alpha- and beta- diversity were observed when comparing 24–28 weeks' samples with 36–40 weeks' samples, a period covering intense dietary and lifestyle modification, suggesting an inability to modulate gut microbiota through classic GDM management. Women with GDM have a distinct gut microbiome profile which harbours common features across different Asian ethnic groups, consistent with the notion that specific microbes are involved in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance, pro-inflammatory conditions, and other metabolic dysregulation known to be present in GDM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Biocultural legacy practices are intricately tied to forestry resources, ethnic identity, and social cohesiveness. This study aims to determine the plant cultural values of forest resources and identify plant cultural indicators in each ethnic group, which can aid in long-term natural resource management plans in the current debate on socio-environmental and ecological transitions. Methods: Semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations were employed to collect data for a comprehensive and systematic ethnobotanical survey from February 2018 to October 2022. Results: A total of 330 informants reported 154 plant species from 65 families. Asteraceae was the most prominent botanical family, with herbaceous plant groups outnumbering trees and shrubs. The Gujjar and Pahari groups exhibited the highest level of overlap, followed by significant overlaps between the Gujjar and Kashmiri communities. The close affinity observed between the Gujjar and Pahari groups suggests the horizontal pattern of local plant knowledge between these communities, influenced by their sociocultural interactions and intermarriages. Notably, the Pahari community displayed a rich understanding of medicinal plants and shared unique uses for the reported taxa. This study affirms that both ecological factors and sociocultural influences have played significant roles in shaping local plant knowledge. A total of 31 plant species have been identified as plant cultural markers among all four ethnic groups. We observed a positive correlation between plant cultural values and plant use with the Gujjar and Kashmiri ethnic groups. Artemisia absinthium reported the highest use value of (0.57) with use reports of (189). Adonis aestivalis, Cynoglossum nervosum, Geum elatum, Geranium himalayense, Juncus inflexus, Oxalis acetosella, Polygonatum biflorum, and Salvia hians from the Himalayan region are among the plant taxa whose ethnomedicinal applications are described here for the first time. Conclusion: Our data show that local and indigenous forest knowledge and practices could significantly contribute to forest conservation and ecological transition. This may happen if stakeholders generate clear frameworks and biocultural conservation strategies aimed at both dynamically preserve natural habitats and ways of traditional management of local natural resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) is a causal genetic risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). There are limited long-term follow-up data from large U.S. population cohorts. This study examined the relationship of Lp(a) with ASCVD outcomes in a large, pooled, multi-ethnic U.S. cohort. The study included data on Lp(a) and ASCVD outcomes from 5 U.S. prospective studies: MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis), CARDIA (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults), JHS (Jackson Heart Study), FHS-OS (Framingham Heart Study-Offspring), and ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities). Lp(a) levels were classified on the basis of cohort-specific percentiles. Multivariable Cox regression related Lp(a) with composite incident ASCVD events by risk group and diabetes status. The study included 27,756 persons without previous ASCVD who were aged 20 to 79 years, including 55.0% women, 35.6% Black participants, and 7.6% patients with diabetes, with mean follow-up of 21.1 years. Compared with Lp(a) levels <50th percentile, Lp(a) levels in the 50th to <75th, 75th to <90th, and ≥90th percentiles had adjusted HRs of 1.06 (95% CI: 0.99-1.14), 1.18 (95% CI: 1.09-1.28), and 1.46 (95% CI: 1.33-1.59), respectively for ASCVD events. Elevated Lp(a) predicted incident ASCVD events similarly by risk group, sex, and race or ethnic groups, but more strongly in patients with vs without diabetes (interaction P = 0.0056), with HRs for Lp(a) levels ≥90th percentile of 1.92 (95% CI: 1.50-2.45) and 1.41 (95% CI: 1.28-1.55), respectively. Lp(a) also individually predicted myocardial infarction, revascularization, stroke, and coronary heart disease death, but not total mortality. The study shows, in a large U.S. pooled cohort, that higher Lp(a) levels are associated with an increased ASCVD risk, including in patients with diabetes. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The discovery of hexanucleotide repeats expansion (RE) in Chromosome 9 Open Reading frame 72 (C9orf72) as the major genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and the association between intermediate repeats in Ataxin-2 (ATXN2) with the disorder suggest that repetitive sequences in the human genome play a significant role in ALS pathophysiology. Investigating the frequency of repeat expansions in ALS in different populations and ethnic groups is therefore of great importance. Based on these premises, this study aimed to define the frequency of REs in the NIPA1, NOP56, and NOTCH2NLC genes and the possible associations between phenotypes and the size of REs in the Italian population. Using repeat-primed-PCR and PCR-fragment analyses, we screened 302 El-Escorial-diagnosed ALS patients and compared the RE distribution to 167 age-, gender-, and ethnicity-matched healthy controls. While the REs distribution was similar between the ALS and control groups, a moderate association was observed between longer RE lengths and clinical features such as age at onset, gender, site of onset, and family history. In conclusion, this is the first study to screen ALS patients from southern Italy for REs in NIPA1, NOP56, and NOTCH2NLC genes, contributing to our understanding of ALS genetics. Our results highlighted that the extremely rare pathogenic REs in these genes do not allow an association with the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the intersectionality of racism and sexual/gender minority (SGM) health. Topics discussed include innovations in medicine and research to address the interaction of race and ethnicity and SGM health, role of the pharmacy profession in addressing the intersection of racism and SGM health, and recommendations for expanding the role of the pharmacists in addressing intersectional health disparities.

Introduction: A health and lifestyle advisor service embedded within primary care was piloted in Kingston-upon-Hull from January 2021. We aimed to evaluate the first two years of service delivery by identifying patient demographics referred to the service, reason for referral, determine uptake and retention rates, and monitor individual lifestyle-related risk factor changes following discharge. Methods: Anonymised data were extracted from the SystmOne database for all patients referred to the service between January 2021 and January 2023. Results: In the initial two years of the service, 705 unique patients were referred at a mean rate of ∼29 per month. Each unique patient received a median (robust median absolute deviation; [MAD]) of 3 (Steel N, et al 2018) planned consultations prior to discharge over this period. The majority of referrals were for symptom management and health promotion purposes (95%). Of those referred, 69% attended their appointments, and 14% did not attend. The majority of referrals were white British (55%), however, the service did receive a substantial number of referrals from minority ethnic groups, with only 67% of referrals speaking English as their main language. Eighteen distinct languages were spoken. Most referrals were classified as class I obese (59.4%). Across initial and final appointments, median (robust MAD) systolic blood pressure was 130 (15) mmHg and 130 (15) mmHg, and median (robust MAD) waist circumference was 103.0 (13.3) cm and 101.0 (13.3) cm. Conclusion: The evaluation highlighted the demand for this service embedded within primary care settings in Kingston-upon-Hull. Service engagement was evident, and a large proportion of those who engaged were from minority ethnic groups. A high proportion of referrals presented with obesity and/or hypertension which requires further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Congenital malformations of the digestive system (CMDS) are one of the major causes of newborn mortality, particularly in developing countries. This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence, pattern, gender distribution of CMDS as well as ethnicity status among newborns in Golestan Province, northern Iran. Methods: This descriptive and analytical study was conducted on 36,156 live births to identify all newborns with CMDS, born between March 2018 and March 2019 in Golestan Province, north of Iran. The type of CMDS according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), the gender and ethnicity status of the newborns were recorded. The prevalence rate was estimated and compared using the exact Poisson method and odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval. Data were analyzed using STATA 14.0 software. Results: The prevalence rate of CMDS in newborns was 2.13 per 1000 live births. The risk of CMDS was significantly higher in males compared to females (OR=1.78, 95% CI: 1.12-2.85). The most common anomaly was Ankyloglossia (19.28%). The prevalence rate of CMDS among native Fars, Turkmen and Sistani ethnic groups was 2.15 [95% CI: 1.50- 2.99], 3.05 [95% CI: 2.06-4.35] and 1.48 [95% CI: 0.64-2.91] per 1000 live births, respectively. Conclusion: Due to the prevalence rate of CMDS and ethnic diversity in this region, effective prevention planning, early diagnosis and thorough screening are particularly important, especially in high-risk groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was undertaken to understand the association of SNP 63(rs5030952) of the CAPN 10 gene with the condition. All statistical tests based on PRISMA and PROSPERO were performed on R studio (4.2.3). The pooled odds ratio (OR) estimates did not reveal any significant association between polymorphism at the SNP 63 locus of the CAPN 10 gene and T2DM under both the Common Effects Model (CEM) and Random Effects Model (REM). Further, subgroup analysis also did not reveal any significant OR implying that the SNP 63 polymorphism does not exhibit different effects in different ethnic groups. Therefore, it is concluded that polymorphism at the SNP63 locus of the CAPN 10 gene alone has no role to play in the etiology of T2DM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The psychosocial outcomes of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) diagnosed with cancer are poorer compared to their peers without cancer. However, AYAs with cancer from diverse racial and ethnic groups have been under-represented in research, which contributes to an incomplete understanding of the psychosocial outcomes of all AYAs with cancer. This paper evaluated the racial and ethnic representation in research on AYAs diagnosed with cancer using observational, cross-sectional data from the large Young Adults with Cancer in Their Prime (YACPRIME) study. The purpose was to better understand the psychosocial outcomes for those from diverse racial and ethnic groups. A total of 622 participants with a mean age of 34.15 years completed an online survey, including measures of post-traumatic growth, quality of life, psychological distress, and social support. Of this sample, 2% (n = 13) of the participants self-identified as Indigenous, 3% (n = 21) as Asian, 3% (n = 20) as "other," 4% (n = 25) as multi-racial, and 87% (n = 543) as White. A one-way ANOVA indicated a statistically significant difference between racial and ethnic groups in relation to spiritual change, a subscale of post-traumatic growth, F(4,548) = 6.02, p < 0.001. Post hoc analyses showed that those under the "other" category endorsed greater levels of spiritual change than those who identified as multi-racial (p < 0.001, 95% CI = [2.49,7.09]) and those who identified as White (p < 0.001, 95% CI = [1.60,5.04]). Similarly, participants that identified as Indigenous endorsed greater levels of spiritual change than those that identified as White (p = 0.03, 95% CI = [1.16,4.08]) and those that identified as multi-racial (p = 0.005, 95% CI = [1.10,6.07]). We provided an extensive discussion on the challenges and limitations of interpreting these findings, given the unequal and small sample sizes across groups. We concluded by outlining key recommendations for researchers to move towards greater equity, inclusivity, and culturally responsiveness in future work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, SARS-CoV-2 has negatively impacted many lives and industries due to its rapid spread, severe outcomes, and the need for the implementation of lockdown strategies across the world. SARS-CoV-2 disease severity varies among different populations. Host genetics have been associated with various diseases, and their ability to alter disease susceptibility and severity. In addition, Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) expression levels and alleles vary significantly among ethnic groups, which might impact the host's response to SARS-CoV-2. Our previous study highlighted that HLA-A might have an effect on COVID-19 disease severity across ethnicities. Therefore, in this study, we aim to examine the effect of HLA-B and C expression levels on COVID-19 disease severity. To achieve this, we used real-time PCR to measure the HLA mRNA expression levels of SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals from a South African cohort and compared them across ethnic groups, disease outcomes, gender, comorbidities, and age. Our results show (1) that the effect of HLA-B mRNA expression levels was associated with differences in disease severity when we compare symptomatic vs. asymptomatic (p < 0.0001). While HLA-C mRNA expression levels were not associated with COVID-19 disease severity. (2) In addition, we observed that HLA-B and HLA-C mRNA expression levels were significantly different between South African Black individuals and South African Indian individuals (p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001). HLA-B mRNA expression levels among symptomatic South African Black individuals were significantly higher than symptomatic South African Indian individuals (p < 0.0001). In addition, the HLA-B mRNA expression levels of symptomatic South African Black individuals were significantly higher than asymptomatic South African Black individuals (p > 0.0001). HLA-C mRNA expression levels among symptomatic South African Black individuals were significantly higher than among symptomatic South African Indian individuals (p = 0.0217). (3) HLA-C expression levels were significantly different between males and females (p = 0.0052). In addition, the HLA-C expression levels of asymptomatic males are higher than asymptomatic females (p = 0.0375). (4) HLA-B expression levels were significantly different between individuals with and without comorbidities (p = 0.0009). In addition, we observed a significant difference between individuals with no comorbidities and non-communicable diseases (p = 0.0034), in particular, hypertension (p = 0.0487). (5) HLA-B expression levels were significantly different between individuals between 26–35 and 56–65 years (p = 0.0380). Our work is expected to strengthen the understanding of the relationship between HLA and COVID-19 by providing insights into HLA-B and C expression levels across ethnic populations in South Africa among COVID-19-symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. Our results highlight that HLA-B mRNA expression levels contribute to COVID-19 severity as well as variation in ethnicities associated with COVID-19. Further studies are needed to examine the effect of HLA expression levels across various ethnic groups with contributing factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethiopia is one of the oldest countries, inhabited by different ethnic and cultural groups. One of the minority groups in the nation, the Negede Woyto of the Lake Tana Catchment Area, has been marginalised in terms of various aspects. Besides reconstructing the history of this minority group, this article strives to investigate the changes and continuities in the social, economic, and political lives of the minority group from a historical perspective. To this end, both primary and secondary sources were collected and used. Based on the analysis, the study found that communal life, low social capital, marginalisation, conflict of values, a lack of institutions that protect minorities, low political participation, and a lack of secure means of survival are identified as the main causes for the majority of the Negede Woyto Community to lead a life as subhuman with (in) dignity and chronic poverty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Most published reports analysing the differences in causation of stillbirth between different ethnic groups focus on stillbirth risk factors, with a paucity of data comparing actual causes of stillbirth. Aims: To determine whether causes of stillbirth differ between Caucasian and non‐Caucasian ethnic groups in an Australian context. Materials and Methods: Data from all stillbirths occurring at 20 or more completed weeks of gestation between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2020 at a secondary level, outer metropolitan hospital, were analysed in this retrospective case series. Causes of stillbirth as determined by perinatal autopsy and placental histopathology were categorised using the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand Perinatal Death Classification and compared between Caucasian and non‐Caucasian groups. Results: Ninety‐two stillbirths (0.7% of all births) were identified during the study period. A greater proportion of non‐Caucasian women had small for gestation age placentas compared to Caucasian women (n = 22/43 (51%) vs n = 12/49 (24%); P = 0.025). A greater proportion of stillbirths were caused by hypoxic peripartum death in non‐Caucasian than in Caucasian women (n = 4/43 (9%) vs n = 0/49 (0%); P = 0.044), and a greater prevalence of placental dysfunction was seen in the non‐Caucasian cohort compared to Caucasian women (n = 14/43 (33%) vs n = 8/49 (16%); P = 0.057). Conclusions: The differences observed in causes of stillbirth between Caucasian and non‐Caucasian women are hypothesis generating and warrant further larger‐scale, multi‐centred studies using standardised definitions and classification systems to determine whether these differences persist in a more representative sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Krishna Hachhethu's book, "Nation-Building and Federalism in Nepal," provides a comprehensive analysis of Nepal's transformation from an authoritarian to a democratic state, from a Hindu to a secular state, from a monarchy to a republic, and from a unitary state to a federation. Hachhethu, a seasoned analyst of Nepali politics and a member of the High-Level State Restructuring Commission, offers valuable insights into the negotiation processes that shaped Nepal's new state structure. The book explores the concepts of state-nation and nation-state, the role of ethnic mobilization, and the debate between ethnic and territorial federalism. While the author expresses some dissatisfaction with the final outcome of Nepal's federal set-up, the book remains an important resource for understanding federal and democratic transitions, particularly in post-conflict contexts. [Extracted from the article]

Many Western governments frame lower Asian voter turnout as a concern that impacts the quality of democracy and representation. However, there is limited evidence on how turnout varies across different ethnic groups under the 'Asian' classification, and what the correlates of turnout among Asian subgroups are. This study provides a comprehensive account of the demographic, socioeconomic, social, political, and psychological factors driving Asian voter turnout in an underexplored, Western English-speaking democracy (New Zealand). It uses the New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study (N = 47,951), a national probability survey, to explore these differences in turnout for Asians (n = 2,445) in the 2017 national election. The analysis shows that Asian New Zealanders have a relatively low voter turnout and that their voting probabilities are significantly influenced by immigration status, social network, and political psychological factors. Furthermore, the results for different Asian ethnic groups can have different relationships between these factors and turnout compared to the Asian group at large. These findings highlight the importance of considering the needs of different Asian communities when developing policies and campaigns to boost their turnout in Western democracies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 booster dose vaccination has been crucial in ensuring protection against COVID-19 including recently predominant Omicron variants. Because vaccines against newer SARS-CoV- 2 variants are likely to be recommended in future, it will be valuable to understand past booster dose uptake among different demographic groups. Using U.S. vaccination data, this study examined intervals between primary series completion and receipt of first booster dose (monovalent or bivalent) during August 2021 - October 2022 among persons ≥12 years of age who had completed a COVID-19 vaccine primary series by October 2021. Sub-populations who were late booster recipients (received a booster dose ≥12 months after the primary series) or received no booster dose included persons <35 years old, Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine primary dose recipients, persons in certain racial and ethnic groups, and persons living in rural and more socially vulnerable areas, and in the South region of the United States; these groups may benefit the most from public health outreach efforts to achieve timely COVID-19 vaccination completion in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sickle cell disease (SCD) has a history of health inequity, as patients with SCD are primarily Black and often marginalized from the health care system. Although recent health care and treatment advancements have prolonged life expectancy, it may be insufficient to support the complex needs of the growing population of older adults with SCD. This retrospective study used a cohort (N = 812) of Medicare Advantage beneficiaries 45 years and older (ages: 45–54, 55–64, 65–74, 75–89) with SCD to identify associations of SCD-related complications and comorbidities with emergency department (ED) visits, potentially avoidable ED visits, all-cause hospitalization, and potentially avoidable hospitalizations, 2018–2020. The 75–89 age group had lower odds of an ED visit (OR 0.56; 95% CI 0.32–1.00), 65–74 age group had lower odds of an ED visit (OR 0.49; 95% CI 0.31–0.78) and hospitalization (OR 0.50; 95% CI 0.31–0.79), compared with the 45–54 age group. Acute chest syndrome was associated with increased odds of an ED visit (OR 2.02; 95% CI 1.10–3.71), avoidable ED visit (OR 1.87; 95% CI 1.14–3.06), and hospitalization (OR 3.61; 95% CI 2.06–6.31). Pain was associated with increased odds of an ED visit (OR 2.64; 95% CI 1.85–3.76), an avoidable ED visit (OR 3.08; 95% CI 1.90–4.98), hospitalization (OR 1.51; 95% CI 1.02–2.24), and avoidable hospitalization (OR 6.42; 95% CI 1.74–23.74). Older adults with SCD have been living with SCD for decades, often while managing pain crises and complications associated increased incidence of an ED visit and hospitalization. The characteristics and needs of this population must continue to be examined to increase preventative care and reduce costly emergent health care resource utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current research investigated an "ironic" consequence of a perceived procedural fairness climate vis-à-vis disadvantaged groups. Specifically, we examined whether the perception that societal institutions treat one's underprivileged group in a procedurally fair way negatively impacts upon minority group members' support for social change. Six studies (total N = 1,076) supported our claims. In survey Study 1 (Belgian ethnic minorities), procedural fairness climate perceptions were negatively related to support for social change. Cross-sectional Studies 2 (colored South Africans) and 3 (Hispanic Americans) further showed that this relationship is mediated by beliefs in minority mobility. Finally, Studies 4–6 (Asian and African Americans) provided experimental evidence corroborating our causal mediation model. Our findings align with literature demonstrating similar "ironic" effects of procedural fairness among advantaged group members, as they illustrate that the perception of a procedural fairness climate can analogously prevent disadvantaged group members from advocating changes that could alleviate their state of deprivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports the findings of a pathbreaking national study that examines executive compensation in American environmental nonprofits. This article seeks to accomplish two goals: (1) examine the gender disparities in the pay of chief executive officers (CEOs), executive directors, and presidents in environmental organizations; and (2) analyze the ethnic/racial differences in the wages of the top executive in said nonprofits. The study uses financial information from Internal Revenue Service Form 990 to examine top executive salaries in 2,703 organizations. The author collected data from tax forms filed between 2018 and 2020. The article examines how gender and race/ethnicity are associated with compensation. It also analyzes how region, organizational type, urbanization, organizational revenue, staff size, the board size, the receipt of bonuses and incentives, the size of the bonuses/incentives, and the size of the base wages are related to overall compensation. Men occupied 51.2% (1,383) and women 48.8% (1,320) of the top executive positions in the organizations studied. Whites dominate the CEO position, that is, 92% or 2,488 of the CEOs were White, and 8% (215) were people of color. The study found significant gender pay gaps. While the median compensation for men was $117,468, it was $88,568.50 for women. Hence, women CEOs earned 75.4% of what men were paid. There was also an ethnic/racial pay gap. The study found that White CEOs earned a median income of $102,801. The median wage for Asian CEOs was 97.6%, Black CEOs was 96%, Latinx CEOs was 80.8%, and Native American CEOs was 73.4% of what White CEOs earned. White men obtained the highest median compensation of all gender, and racial/ethnic groups studied. The total compensation also varied by region, organizational revenues, organizational type, level of urbanization, staff size, board size, receipt of bonuses and incentives, the size of bonuses/incentives, and size of base wages. The size of the organization's revenue, whether a CEO received bonuses/incentives, region, the CEO's race/ethnicity, the CEO's gender, and size of the staff were significant factors in the multivariate regression model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]