OBJECTIVE: The length of anterior-posterior commissure (AC-PC) in racial groups, age, gender of patients with deep brain stimulation (DBS) and pallidotomy were investigated. METHODS: From January 1996 to December 2003, 211 patients were treated with DBS and pallidotomy. There were 160 (76%) Caucasians, 35 (17%) Hispanics, 12 (5%) Asians and 4 Blacks (2%). There were 88 males and 52 females in DBS-surgery group and 44 males, 27 females in pallidotomy group. Mean age was 58 year-old. There were 19 males and 19 females and mean age was 54.7 years in the control group. Measurements were made on MRI and @Target software. RESULTS: The average AC-PC distance was 24.89 mm (range 32 to 19), which increased with aging until 75 years old in Caucasian and also increased with aging in Hispanic, but the AC-PC distance peaked at 45 years old in Hispanic. The order of AC-PC distance were 25.2+/-2 mm in Caucasian, 24.6+/-2.24 mm in Asian, 24.53 mm in Black, 23.6+/-1.98 mm in Hispanic. The average AC-PC distance in all groups was 24.22 mm in female who was mean age of 56.35, 25.28 mm in male who was mean age of 60.19 and 24.5+/-2 mm in control group that was excluded because of the difference of thickness of slice. According to multiple regression analysis, the AC-PC distance was significantly correlated with age, race, and gender. CONCLUSION: The AC-PC distance is significantly correlated with age, gender, and race. The atlas of functional stereotaxis would be depended on the variation of indivisual brain that can influenced by aging, gender, and race.
African Continental Ancestry Group ; Aging ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Brain ; Continental Population Groups ; Deep Brain Stimulation ; Female ; Hispanic Americans ; Humans ; Male ; Pallidotomy

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The Central California Valley has a diverse population with significant proportions of Hispanics and Asians. This cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in healthy blood donors in the Valley. METHODS: A total of 217,738 voluntary blood donors were identified between 2006 and 2010 (36,795 first-time donors; 180,943 repeat donors). RESULTS: Among the first-time donors, the HBV and HCV prevalence was 0.28% and 0.52%, respectively. Higher HBV prevalence seen in Asians (3%) followed by Caucasians (0.05%), African Americans (0.15%), and Hispanics (0.05%). Hmong had a HBV prevalence of 7.63% with a peak prevalence of 8.76% among the 16- to 35-year-old age group. Highest HCV prevalence in Native Americans (2.8) followed by Caucasians (0.59%), Hispanics (0.45%), African Americans (0.38%), and Asians (0.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Ethnic disparities persist with regard to the prevalence of HBV and HCV in the Central California Valley. The reported prevalence may be an underestimate because our study enrolled healthy volunteer blood donors only. The development of aggressive public health measures to evaluate the true prevalence of HBV and HCV and to identify those in need of HBV and HCV prevention measures and therapy is critically important.
African Americans ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Blood Donors ; California ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Hepacivirus ; Hepatitis ; Hepatitis B ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; Hispanic Americans ; Humans ; Indians, North American ; Prevalence ; Public Health ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Tissue Donors

Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPYD) is an enzyme that regulates the rate-limiting step in pyrimidine metabolism, especially catabolism of fluorouracil, a chemotherapeutic agent for cancer. In order to determine the genetic distribution of DPYD, we directly sequenced 288 subjects from five ethnic groups (96 Koreans, 48 Japanese, 48 Han Chinese, 48 African Americans, and 48 European Americans). As a result, 56 polymorphisms were observed, including 6 core polymorphisms and 18 novel polymorphisms. Allele frequencies were nearly the same across the Asian populations, Korean, Han Chinese and Japanese, whereas several SNPs showed different genetic distributions between Asians and other ethnic populations (African American and European American). Additional in silico analysis was performed to predict the function of novel SNPs. One nonsynonymous SNP (+199381A > G, Asn151Asp) was predicted to change its polarity of amino acid (Asn, neutral to Asp, negative). These findings would be valuable for further research, including pharmacogenetic and drug responses studies.
African Americans/genetics ; Alleles ; Amino Acids/metabolism ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group/genetics ; Dihydrouracil Dehydrogenase (NADP)/*genetics ; Ethnic Groups/*genetics ; European Continental Ancestry Group/genetics ; Fluorouracil/metabolism ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPYD) is an enzyme that regulates the rate-limiting step in pyrimidine metabolism, especially catabolism of fluorouracil, a chemotherapeutic agent for cancer. In order to determine the genetic distribution of DPYD, we directly sequenced 288 subjects from five ethnic groups (96 Koreans, 48 Japanese, 48 Han Chinese, 48 African Americans, and 48 European Americans). As a result, 56 polymorphisms were observed, including 6 core polymorphisms and 18 novel polymorphisms. Allele frequencies were nearly the same across the Asian populations, Korean, Han Chinese and Japanese, whereas several SNPs showed different genetic distributions between Asians and other ethnic populations (African American and European American). Additional in silico analysis was performed to predict the function of novel SNPs. One nonsynonymous SNP (+199381A > G, Asn151Asp) was predicted to change its polarity of amino acid (Asn, neutral to Asp, negative). These findings would be valuable for further research, including pharmacogenetic and drug responses studies.
African Americans/genetics ; Alleles ; Amino Acids/metabolism ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group/genetics ; Dihydrouracil Dehydrogenase (NADP)/*genetics ; Ethnic Groups/*genetics ; European Continental Ancestry Group/genetics ; Fluorouracil/metabolism ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

BACKGROUND: There are significant differences in the clincopathologic pattern including the incidence, favor site, and histopathologic type between cutaneous malignant melanomas arising from whites, asians and blacks. These differences might suggest that there is a racial difference in the molecular tumorigenesis mechanism of malignant melanoma. METHODS: To determine the ethnic differences in tumorigenesis of malignant melanoma, we performed loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and sequencing analyses of the p53 gene in cutaneous malignant melanomas arising from 22 white American, 30 Korean and 15 black African patients. RESULTS: The frequency of LOH of the p53 gene is only 12.5% in white American patients, but the frequency is significantly higher in Korean (42.1%) and black African (61.5%) patients. We also detected 17 mutations (nonsense: 1, missense: 16) of the p53 gene in the cutaneous malignant melanomas of Koreans and black Africans, but none in those of white Americans: among the 16 missense mutations, 10 mutations were C:G to T:A transitional mutations. Of these, we also detected one GG (CC) to AA (TT) tandem mutation at the pyrimidine sequence. CONCLUSION: These results strongly suggest that there might be a racial difference in molecular carcinogenesis mechanisms among the cutaneous malignant melanomas occurring in white American, Korean and black African patients. But the role of the p53 genetic alteration in the genesis of melanomas in Korean and black African patients is subject to further evaluation.
African Continental Ancestry Group ; Asian Americans ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Carcinogenesis ; Ethnic Groups ; Genes, p53 ; Humans ; Incidence ; Loss of Heterozygosity ; Melanoma* ; Mutation, Missense

The report of the M. pyramidalis was studied in 51 cadavers of Korean adults (male 33, female 18). Origin, insertion and number of this muscle were observed, and the length and breadth were also measured. The results were as follows : 1. The right pyramidal muscle was absent in one male cadaver, and the left pyramidal muscle was absent in two male cadavers. 2. In one male cadaver, pyramidal muscles of both sides had bifurcated origin. 3. In Korean adults, the average length of this muscle was 6.72cm in right, 7.05cm in left, and the breadth was about 2.0cm in both sides. The morphological index was 31.10 in right, and 29.55 in left. 4. In Korean male, the average length of this muscle was 1.93cm in right, 7.42cm in left, and the breadth was 1.93cm in right and 1.92cm in left. The morphological index was 28.70 in right and 26.58 in left. 5. In Korean female, the average length was 6.26cm in right, 6.38cm in left. and the breadth was 2.13cm in right and 2.12cm in left. The morphological index was 35.57 in right and 34.63 in left. 6. Compared with other human races, the pyramidal muscle was less frequently wanting in Asians (3.9%), including the Korean adults, than wanting in European (19.9%), American Whites (20.4%) and Negroes (15.1%). 7. The morphological index of this muscle was little differences existing in male of the human races, but this index was higher in Korean female (35.0) than in Japanese female (24.4) and in American female Whites (25.8). The morphological index was 32.3 in American female Negroes.
Adult* ; African Continental Ancestry Group ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Cadaver ; Continental Population Groups ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Muscles

Fingerprints have been used for personal identification, for revealing physical anthropological characteristics, and for diagnosing genetic disorders. Morphology of fingerprints has been analyzed in various tribes. However, in Korean, the analytical methods of fingerprints and the numbers of subjects were not sufficient to find standard values for Korean fingerprints. In this study, fingerprints of 3216 Koreans (2095 males and 1121 females) were analyzed using the various methods and compared with those of other tribes to contribute in revealing physical anthropological characteristics of Korean and also in diagnosing genetic disorders of Korean. The results were as follows. 1. The incidence of ulnar loop type, whorl type, radial loop type, and arch type was 50.4%, 42.9%, 3.8%, and 2.9%, respectively. Data from the comparison of the incidences of fingerprint types in Korean with those in various tribes lead us to conclude that Korean belongs to the Asians and becomes closer to the Whites and Blacks in which loop type is frequent and whorl type is not frequent. 2. Fingerprint type seems to be related to the strength of finger since whorl type was frequent in male and in right hand, and arch type was frequent in female and in left hand. In addition, loop of fingerprint appears to have the tendency to open to the side bearing more physical contact since radial loop type was frequent in second finger, and ulnar loop type was frequent in fifth finger. 3. Among the subtypes of fingerprint, morphologically simple types were common. Among the subtypes of arch types, simple arch type with the same number of radial dermal ridges as ulnar ones was the most common. Among the subtypes of loop types, ulnar loop type without concentric circles or spirals was the most common. Among the subtypes of whorl types, concentric whorl type without loops was the most common. 4. Finger ridge counts were 16.9, 13.9, 11.9, 11.3, and 11.2 in first, fourth, third, second, and fifth finger, respectively; and were greater in male than in female. Finger ridge counts are greater in fingers which shows whorl type. However, there would be other factors to determine finger ridge counts; for examples, the size and behavioral habit of finger.
African Continental Ancestry Group ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Dermatoglyphics* ; Female ; Fingers ; Hand ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Population Groups

The purpose of this study was to determine the recognition of body image and food behavior factors according to the BMI. The subjects of this study were 242 7th grade students resided in San Francisco area. The degree of recognition for self-estimated physique of subjects by gender and by race showed no significant differences by gender but significant differences by race, showing that 20.0% was considered as underweight in Asian and 7.5% was considered as underweight in White students. This showed the same tendency as actual physique status (BMI). Also, the ratio of being recognized as more than overweight was 17.3% in Asian, 23.3% in Hispanic, and 13.4% in White students. In case of female students, the ratio of dieting experience was 63.3%, and 49.3% of White students and 63.3% of Hispanic students experienced dieting. In case of students answered not healthy, their body weight were significantly higher than those answered as healthy, and the BMI was also over 19, showing significant differences. Thus cases that answered as not healthy had greater body weight and BMI. Also it showed that frequent dieting experience is related to higher height and weight. The analysis of food behavior factors perceived by body shape showed that the group perceived itself as overweight consumed more 'fast food' but had low scores in 'vegetables' intake, with frequent intake of 'soda' and tendency to 'overeat'. Also, the tendency for 'balanced life' was significantly lower and for skipping breakfast was significantly higher, suggesting problematic food behavior.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Body Image* ; Body Weight ; Breakfast ; Continental Population Groups ; Diet ; Female ; Hispanic Americans ; Humans ; Overweight ; Thinness

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. PURPOSE: We sought to determine the differences in pedicle diameter (PD) in the lumbar spine between various races: ‘Asian,’ ‘Black,’ ‘White,’ and ‘Other.’ These data could aid in perioperative planning during instrumented spinal fusion. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Recent literature underscores the importance of understanding diverse pedicle isthmus morphology to perform successful transpedicular procedures. These studies suggest that more detailed and reliable measurements of pedicles should be undertaken. However, none of the current literature comprehensively compares average PDs between diverse racial populations with a standardized study design. METHODS: Coronal cuts of 5,060 lumbar spine pedicles were inspected to obtain their transverse outer cortical PD as measured through the isthmus at L1–L5. Data were collected and categorized on the basis of patient-reported race. We examined average PD and PD range at each level for each race. To determine the significance, we used a mixed analysis of variance and a post hoc analysis. RESULTS: The Asian cohort consistently had a significantly smaller PD at L1–L5 than Blacks or Whites (p<0.001), as did the ‘Other’ group compared with Blacks (p<0.001) and Whites (p=0.032). At L1–L2, the ‘Other’ group showed the least variability in PD. At L3–L5, the Asian population showed the smallest range, and the Black population had the largest variability in PD except at L5. There was a significant difference in PD between the various races. CONCLUSIONS: The Asian population consistently has significantly smaller pedicles in the lumbar spine than the Black or White populations. This information could prove useful for surgical planning. We suggest using preoperative computed tomography for pedicle screw templating as a safe method for pedicle screw instrumentation with the highest pullout strength given the wide range of PD in the Black population and the variability of PD between races.
African Continental Ancestry Group ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Cohort Studies ; Continental Population Groups ; Demography ; Humans ; Methods ; Orthopedics ; Osteology ; Pedicle Screws ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fusion ; Spine

This review assesses lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with or without erectile dysfunction (ED) and related therapies focusing on tadalafil. A literature search was obtained and reviewed for the epidemiology, treatment therapies, pathophysiology, and efficacy and safety of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE5i) tadalafil in patients with LUTS/BPH. Approximately 42% of men aged 51 to 60 years have BPH. Approximately 90% of men aged 45 to 80 years have LUTS. Occurrence of LUTS increases with age for almost all racial/ethnic groups (range, 32% to 56%) with prevalence of LUTS highest among Hispanic men, then Blacks, Caucasians, and Asians. There is an independent relationship with LUTS/BPH and ED, with approximately 70% of men with LUTS/BPH having ED with severity of one disease often correlating with the other. The European Urological Association guidelines include the use of the PDE5i tadalafil. Tadalafil is the only therapy recommended for treatment of co-existing BPH and ED, while other therapies have unwanted ED side effects. The mode of action of tadalafil may involve different areas of the lower urinary tract such as smooth muscle cell relaxation in the bladder neck, prostate, and urethra, but there may also be resulting modulation of the afferent nerve activity. Tadalafil (5 mg) in Asian men with LUTS/BPH, similar to global studies, is efficacious and safe. Tadalafil (5 mg) improves co-existing LUTS/BPH and ED, independently. Men with LUTS/BPH likely also have ED. Asian men with LUTS/BPH have similar incidence rates, co-existing ED, comorbid diseases, and risks as non-Asian men. Tadalafil can improve co-existing LUTS/BPH and ED.
African Continental Ancestry Group ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group* ; Epidemiology ; Erectile Dysfunction* ; Hispanic Americans ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms ; Male ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; Neck ; Pharmacology ; Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors ; Prevalence ; Prostate ; Prostatic Hyperplasia* ; Relaxation ; Urethra ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Tract* ; Tadalafil