Singapore Chinese Research Articles

“You don't ask me to speak Mandarin, okay?”: Ideologies of language and race among Chinese Singaporeans

Mandarin holds an artificial but official heritage language status for Chinese Singaporeans. Despite state efforts to regiment the racial and linguistic harmony of its Chinese population, Singapore has witnessed drastic linguistic-ideological shifts regarding Mandarin and other Sinitic varieties. Situating our analysis both diachronically and synchronically, we examine how the increased interactions between Chinese Singaporeans and non-local Chinese have led to confrontations that challenge a discourse of ‘shared’ Chineseness. Through two viral videos that capture such disputes, we demonstrate how language is racialized to discursively and semiotically discriminate against a subset of an aggregate of people with ‘shared’ linguistic and cultural norms.

K.M. Teoh, Schooling Diaspora: Women, Education, and the Overseas Chinese in British Malaya and Singapore, 1850s–1960s

K.M. Teoh, <i>Schooling Diaspora: Women, Education, and the Overseas Chinese in British Malaya and Singapore, 1850s–1960s</i>

Abstract 4646: Association between dietary vitamin B intake and risk of endometrial cancer in the prospective Singapore Chinese Health Study

Abstract Background: Endometrial cancer (EC) is the 6th most common cancer worldwide. However, only few studies addressed dietary factors influencing EC risk in Asia. We explored the association between dietary risk factors and endometrial cancer in the prospective Singapore Chinese Health Study. Methods: A population of 34,028 ethnically Chinese women aged 45-74 residing in Singapore were enrolled in a longitudinal prospective cohort study between 1993 and 1998, and followed up to Dec 31, 2010. Data on baseline demographics, dietary, and reproductive factors were collected via a structured questionnaire. Endometrial cancer cases were identified from the Singapore Cancer Registry. Poisson regression was used to estimate the incidence rate ratio (IRR) on established and dietary risk factors. Results: 166 EC cases were identified (age 53.6±7.2; BMI 24.1±3.3). Obesity (IRR=1.84, 95%CI 1.06-3.06) and having a higher number of live births (IRR=0.43, 95%CI 0.24-0.79, 5+ vs nulliparous) were associated with EC. Overall, compared with the lowest quartile, elevated risk of EC was observed for the highest quartile of dietary thiamine (IRR 1.74, 95%CI 1.02-2.58), riboflavin (IRR 1.58, 95%CI 1.01-2.53), vitamin B6 (IRR 1.71, 95%CI 1.07-2.80), and folate (IRR1.56, 95%CI 1.00-2.47). The highest quartiles of riboflavin (IRR 1.74, 95%CI 1.00-3.12), vitamin B6 (IRR 1.91, 95%CI 1.04-3.65), and folate (IRR 1.89, 95%CI 1.01-3.64) were associated with elevated EC risk in postmenopausal women, but not among premenopausal women. Conclusion: Obesity, parity, and higher intake of dietary vitamin B were associated with elevated EC risk in our analysis. More studies are needed to evaluate the association of supplementary vitamin B complex and EC risk. Citation Format: Ming Lei, Shalkar Adambekov, Robert Edwards, Renwei Wang, Jianmin Yuan, Samia Lopa, Faina Linkov. Association between dietary vitamin B intake and risk of endometrial cancer in the prospective Singapore Chinese Health Study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 4646.

Where authoritarianism is not always bad: Parenting styles and romantic relationship quality among emerging adults in Singapore

The associations between perceived maternal parenting styles and emerging adults’ romantic relationship quality (commitment and compromise) were examined in the Singaporean context. Participants were 155 ethnic Chinese Singaporeans aged 18 to 25, who were in current romantic relationships that had lasted for at least one month prior to the study. Participants completed the locally-validated Parental Authority Questionnaire (PAQ) that measured perceived authoritative and authoritarian parenting by mothers, along with the commitment subscale of the Relationship Experiences Questionnaire and the compromise subscale of the Conflict Resolution Behavior Questionnaire. Latent Profile Analysis showed that 107 individuals had authoritative mothers, while 48 had authoritarian mothers. Emerging adults with authoritative mothers tended to compromise more than those with authoritarian mothers, whereas those with authoritarian mothers reported greater commitment. Authoritativeness was related to greater compromise in romantic relationships, but less commitment towards a romantic partner. Authoritarianism was neither related to commitment nor compromise. The findings showed that parenting styles continued to play a role in romantic relationship quality in emerging adulthood. Furthermore, Baumrind’s parenting typology, particularly authoritative and authoritarian parenting, may have a different functional meaning in the Singaporean context.

Use of age-dependent FRAX-based intervention thresholds for Singapore

SummaryAssessment and treatment pathways based on age-specific intervention thresholds in Singapore using FRAX paths can be used to identify patients at high risk of fracture and avoid unnecessary treatment in those at low risk.PurposeIntervention thresholds for the treatment of osteoporosis have been based historically on the measurement of bone mineral density. The development of FRAX® has permitted a more accurate assessment of fracture risk. The aim of the present study was to explore treatment paths and characteristics of women selected for treatment in Singapore based on FRAX.MethodsThe approach to the setting of intervention and assessment thresholds used the methodology adopted by the National Osteoporosis Guideline Group for FRAX-based guidelines in the UK but based on the epidemiology of fracture and death in Singapore. The methodology was applied to women age 50 years or more drawn from the population-based Singapore Chinese Health Study (SCHS) cohort. Missing data for the calculation of FRAX was simulated using data from Chinese cohorts from Hong Kong.ResultsIntervention thresholds expressed as a 10-year probability of a major osteoporotic fracture ranged from 2.9% at the age of 50 years increasing to 32% at the age of 90 years. A total of 1927 of 29,323 women (7%) had a prior fragility fracture and would be eligible for treatment for this reason. An additional 3019 women (10.3%) would be eligible for treatment on the basis of age-dependent thresholds. The mean BMD T-score of women so selected was −2.94.ConclusionProbability-based assessment of fracture risk using age-specific intervention thresholds was developed for Singapore to help guide decisions about treatment.

Rewarding the good and punishing the bad: The role of karma and afterlife beliefs in shaping moral norms

Abstract Moralizing religions encourage people to anticipate supernatural punishments for violating moral norms, even in anonymous interactions. This is thought to be one way large-scale societies have solved cooperative dilemmas. Previous research has overwhelmingly focused on the effects of moralizing gods, and has yet to thoroughly examine other religious moralizing systems, such as karma, to which more than a billion people subscribe worldwide. In two pre-registered studies conducted with Chinese Singaporeans, we compared the moralizing effects of karma and afterlife beliefs of Buddhists, Taoists, Christians, and the non-religious. In Study 1 (N = 582), we found that Buddhists and Taoists (karmic religions) judge individual actions as having greater consequences in this life and the next, compared to Christians. Pointing to the specific role of karma beliefs in these judgements, these effects were replicated in comparisons of participants from the non-karmic religions/groups (Christian and non-religious) who did or did not endorse karma belief. Study 2 (N = 830) exploited religious syncretism in this population by reminding participants about either moral afterlife beliefs (reincarnation or heaven/hell), ancestor veneration beliefs, or neither, before assessing norms of generosity in a series of hypothetical dictator games. When reminded of their ancestor veneration beliefs, Buddhists and Taoists (but not Christians) endorsed parochial prosocial norms, expressing willingness to give more to their family and religious group than did those in the control condition. Moral afterlife beliefs increased generosity to strangers for all groups. Taken together, these results provide evidence that different religious beliefs can foster and maintain different prosocial and cooperative norms.

The Hungry Ghost Festival in Singapore: Getai (Songs on Stage) in the Lunar Seventh Month

This paper examines the interaction between state power and the everyday life of ordinary Chinese Singaporeans by looking at the Hungry Ghost Festival as a contested category. The paper first develops a theoretical framework building on previous scholars’ examination of the contestation of space and the negotiation of power between state authorities and the public in Singapore. This is followed by a short review of how the Hungry Ghost Festival was celebrated in earlier times in Singapore. The next section of the paper looks at the differences between the celebrations in the past and in contemporary Singapore. The following section focuses on data found in local newspapers on Getai events of the 2017 Lunar Seventh Month. Finally, I identify characteristics of the Ghost Festival in contemporary Singapore by looking at how Getai is performed around Singapore and woven into the fabric of Singaporean daily life.

Dietary Antioxidants and Risk of Parkinson's Disease in the Singapore Chinese Health Study.

BackgroundDespite experimental evidence implicating oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of PD, epidemiological studies have provided inconsistent associations between dietary antioxidants and risk of developing PD. Furthermore, no study has been done in any Asian population.ObjectivesWe examined the associations for intake levels of dietary carotenoids (α‐carotene, β‐carotene, lycopene, β‐cryptoxanthin, and lutein) and vitamins (vitamin A, C and E) and the risk of developing PD.MethodsWe used data from the Singapore Chinese Health Study, a population‐based prospective cohort of 63,257 men and women aged 45 to 74 years during enrollment in 1993–1998. Antioxidant intake was derived from a validated semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Incident cases were identified through follow‐up interviews, hospital records, or PD registries through 31 July 2018. Hazard ratios and corresponding 95% confidence intervals were derived from multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression models with adjustment for other lifestyle and dietary factors.ResultsDuring an average 19.4 years of follow‐up, 544 incident PD cases were identified. No association was found for dietary carotenoids, individually or summed. Hazard ratio comparing highest to lowest quartile for total carotenoids was 0.98 (95% confidence interval: 0.76–1.28; P trend = 0.83). There were also no clear dose‐dependent associations of dietary vitamins A, C, and E with risk of developing PD (all P trend ≥ 0.10). Sensitive analyses with lag time and excluding supplement use did not materially alter results.ConclusionsIntake of dietary antioxidants, such as carotenoids and vitamins, was not associated with the risk of developing PD in Singaporean Chinese. © 2020 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Association of SOD2 p.V16A polymorphism with Parkinson’s disease: A meta-analysis in Han Chinese

Oxidative stress could participate in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the role of genetic variation of superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), an important regulator against oxidative stress, in PD remains to be elucidated. We screened SOD2 gene variation by sequencing cDNA from 72 patients with early onset PD. A cohort of PD (n=609) and ethnically matched controls (n=681) were further examined for the identified sequence variant by PCR and NaeI restriction analysis. Only a reported c.47T>C polymorphism (rs4880, SOD2 p.V16A) was found by cDNA sequencing. Case-control study of c.47T>C revealed that genotype and allele frequencies were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in both patients and healthy controls. In a recessive model, those with CC genotype had a 2.61-fold increased risk of PD (95% CI: 1.08-6.30, P=0.03) compared to subjects with TT and TC genotypes. Significant association between CC genotype and PD in non-smokers was also observed after stratification according to the history of smoking (3.54-fold increased risk of PD, 95% CI: 1.17-10.72, P=0.02). Meta-analysis by combining studies of Chinese in China, Singapore, and Taiwan (total 2302 cases and 2029 controls) consistently showed CC genotype with increased risk of PD (OR=1.77, 95% CI: 1.15-2.71, P=0.01). Our findings demonstrate that SOD2 p.V16A may play a role in the susceptibility of PD in Han Chinese.

Staged Orthodontic, Orthognathic Surgery and Open Septorhinoplasty for Management of Cleidocranial Dysplasia: A Case Report

Background: Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder with a prevalence of 1:1,000,000. These patients often present with dentofacial deformities such as midface hypoplasia, multiple supernumeraries and delayed eruption and non-eruption of permanent teeth. Case Presentation: We report a staged orthodontic, orthognathic surgery and open septorhinoplasty management of a 13-year-old male Chinese Singaporean patient diagnosed with cleidocranial dysplasia. He presented with multiple retained primary teeth, buried supernumerary teeth and unerupted permanent teeth. He had a Class III malocclusion and concave facial profile. The multidisciplinary management, which took place over 12 years, resulted in much improved occlusion and facial aesthetics. Conclusion: Collaboration of different specialties and careful planning is required for the successful treatment of cleidocranial dysplasia

The Homogenization of Ethnic Differences in Singapore English? A Consonantal Production Study.

Past research on Singapore English (SgE) has shown that there are specific segmental and prosodic patterns that are unique to the three major ethnic groups, Chinese, Malay, and Indian in Singapore. These features have been highlighted as the "stereotypical" ethnic markers of SgE speakers, assuming substrate influence from the speakers' "ethnic" languages (Mandarin, Malay, and Tamil). However, recent research suggests that Singaporeans are becoming increasingly English dominant and has challenged the position of the ethnic languages as true "mother tongues" of Singaporeans. Hence, this study seeks to question if such "stereotypical" ethnic features exist, and if so, the extent to which a less dominant ethnic language would affect the phonology of speakers' English. This study looks specifically at the production of consonants /f/, /θ/, /t/, /v/, and /w/ as salient segmental features in SgE. Participants' phonetic behavior of /θ/, which was produced similarly across the three ethnic groups, disputed substrate influence. Tamil speakers were the most disparate, particularly with the /v/-/w/ contrast production. However, these deviations were often sporadic phonetic changes, which scarcely reflect robust speech patterns in the community. As a result, consonantal production in SgE is found to be largely independent of substrate influence and relatively uniform across the three ethnicities. The homogeneity observed in this study sheds light on bilinguals' acquisition of sounds, and it also provides phonological evidence toward the understanding of the evolutionary process of postcolonial Englishes.

Caroline Plüss, Transnational Lives in Global Cities: A Multi-Sited Study of Chinese Singaporean Migrants

Caroline Plüss, Transnational Lives in Global Cities: A Multi-Sited Study of Chinese Singaporean Migrants

Comparative Blood and Urine Metabolomics Analysis of Healthy Elderly and Young Male Singaporeans.

Comparative metabolomics analysis of biofluids could provide information about the metabolic alterations in aging. To investigate the signature of multiple metabolic profiles associated with aging in an Asian population, we performed a pilot study in healthy Singaporeans, including 33 elderly and 33 young males. Fasting whole bloods were analyzed by routine hematology; the serum and urine metabolome profiles were obtained using NMR-based nontargeted metabolomics analysis and targeted lipoprotein analysis. Among the 90 identified compounds in serum and urine samples, 32 were significantly different between the two groups. The most obvious age-related metabolic signatures include decreased serum levels of albumin lysyl and essential amino acids and derivatives but increased levels of N-acetyl glycoproteins and several lipids and elevated urine levels of trimethylamine N-oxide, scyllo-inositol, citrate, and ascorbic acid but decreased levels of several amino acids, acetate, etc. Among 112 lipoprotein subfractions, 65 were elevated, and 2 were lower in the elderly group. These significantly age-varying metabolites, especially in the amino acid and fatty acid metabolism pathways, suggest that the regulation of these pathways contributes to the aging process in Chinese Singaporeans. Further multiomics studies including the gut microbiome and intervention studies in a larger cohort are needed to elucidate the possible mechanisms in the aging process.

Determinants of lamina cribrosa depth in healthy Asian eyes: the Singapore Epidemiology Eye Study

AimTo investigate the determinants of lamina cribrosa depth (LCD) in healthy eyes of Chinese and Indian Singaporean adults.MethodsThe optic nerve head (ONH) of the right eye of 1396 subjects (628...

Schooling Diaspora: Women, Education, and the Overseas Chinese in British Malaya and Singapore, 1850s–1960s. By Karen M. Teoh. New York: Oxford University Press, 2018. xi, 210 pp. ISBN: 9780190495619 (cloth).

Schooling Diaspora: Women, Education, and the Overseas Chinese in British Malaya and Singapore, 1850s–1960s. By Karen M. Teoh. New York: Oxford University Press, 2018. xi, 210 pp. ISBN: 9780190495619 (cloth).

Book Review: Transnational Lives in Global Cities: A Multi-Sited Study of Chinese Singaporean Migrants

Book Review: Transnational Lives in Global Cities: A Multi-Sited Study of Chinese Singaporean Migrants

Dietary Intakes of Trace Elements and the Risk of Kidney Cancer: The Singapore Chinese Health Study

Background: Epidemiological studies have demonstrated separately that patients with kidney stone may have higher dietary intake of zinc and higher risk of developing kidney cancer. We prospectively assessed the associations of dietary zinc and other trace elements with kidney cancer risk for the first time.Methods: We used data from the prospective Singapore Chinese Health Study that recruited 63,257 adult Chinese residing in Singapore between 1993 and 1998. A validated food frequency questionnaire and the Singapore Food Composition Database was used to compute the values of intake for zinc, copper and manganese. We identified incident cancer cases via linkage with nationwide cancer registry, and used Cox proportional hazard models to compute hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the association with kidney cancer risk.Results: There were 229 incident kidney cancer cases after median follow-up of 20.1 years. Dietary zinc intake was positively associated with higher kidney cancer risk; the HR comparing the extreme quartiles of zinc intake was 1.74 (95% CI: 1.02-2.97; P-trend = 0.033). Conversely, intakes of copper and manganese were not associated with kidney cancer risk.Conclusions: The positive association between dietary zinc and risk of kidney cancer suggests that zinc may be implicated in renal carcinogenesis.

Midlife Dietary Intakes of Monounsaturated Acids, n–6 Polyunsaturated Acids, and Plant-Based Fat Are Inversely Associated with Risk of Cognitive Impairment in Older Singapore Chinese Adults

Previous studies have shown inconsistent results for the relation between dietary fat intake and cognitive function in the elderly. Furthermore, prospective studies on this topic among the Chinese population are scarce. We aimed to examine the association between midlife dietary fat intake and risk of cognitive impairment in the elderly. Prospective cohort analysis was conducted among 16,736 participants from the Singapore Chinese Health Study. Dietary information was assessed by a validated FFQ at baseline (1993-1998) when participants aged 45-74 y (mean: 53.5; SD: 6.22). Cognitive impairment was identified using the Singapore modified Mini-Mental State Examination at the third follow-up visit (2014-2016) when participants aged 61-96 y (mean: 73.2; SD: 6.41). Multivariable logistic regression models were used to calculate ORs and 95% CIs. Cognitive impairment was presented in 2397 participants. When substituted for total carbohydrate, dietary fat intake was inversely related to cognitive impairment (OR comparing extreme quartiles: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.67, 0.94; P-trend=0.003). The OR (95% CI) comparing extreme quartiles of specific dietary fats was 1.08 (0.89, 1.31; P-trend=0.51) for SFAs, 0.80 (0.64, 0.99; P-trend=0.02) for MUFAs, 0.84 (0.72, 0.99; P-trend=0.02) for PUFAs, 0.92 (0.77, 1.09; P-trend=0.49) for n-3 PUFAs, and 0.83 (0.70, 0.98; P-trend=0.01) for n-6 PUFAs. An inverse association was found for plant-based fat (OR: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.72, 0.98; P-trend=0.02), but not for animal-based fat (OR: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.81, 1.15; P-trend=0.76). When substituted for SFAs, the OR (95% CI) was 0.77 (0.61, 0.97; P-trend=0.02) for MUFAs and 0.82 (0.70, 0.95; P-trend=0.003) for PUFAs. We found that substitution of total carbohydrate or SFAs with MUFAs and PUFAs, particularly n-6 PUFAs, was related to a lower risk of cognitive impairment in elderly Chinese participants. In addition, an inverse association with cognitive impairment was found for plant-based fat.

Tissue inhibitor matrix metalloproteinase 1 and risk of type 2 diabetes in a Chinese population

IntroductionThe non-invasive enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF) score—comprising tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP1), hyaluronic acid (HA) and amino-terminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP)—has been shown to accurately predict fibrosis...

Abstract P144: The Modification Effect of Genetic Variants on the Association Between Dietary Red Meat Intake and Telomere Length

Background: Telomeres are repetitive nucleotide sequences (TTAGGG) combined with associated protein at the end of eukaryote chromosomes. They shorten with each cell division and thus can act as a biomarker of cellular aging. Many factors can influence telomere length, including nutrition, physical activity and other lifestyle factors. However, the effects of diet, such as consumption of red meat on telomere length, is controversial. In East-Asians, the effect of red meat on telomeres as well as the modification effect of red meat on the association between genetic variants and telomeres are largely unknown. Method: Study included 20,011 individuals with complete information. Relative telomere length was determined using monochrome multiplex quantitative PCR (qPCR) and expressed as T/S ratio from 20,011 participants of the prospective Singapore Chinese Health Study (SCHS) Dietary information was collected using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Red meat consumption was first adjusted for total energy intake by linear regression and then dichotomized based on median value. Telomere length was standardised by z score transformation. Linear regression was used to test the association between telomere length and red meat consumption. Interaction analyses were performed by introducing the interaction term (red meat x SNP) in the same regression model with adjustment for age, gender, total energy intake and population structure as covariates. Result: Higher intake of red meat was significantly associated with longer telomere length in SCHS (β = 0.027, se = 0.013, p = 0.042). Red meat intake can modify the association between rs7536250 and telomere length (β = -0.170, se = 0.025, p int = 1.35 х 10 -11 ). Rs7536250 was intergenic and found to affect the expression level of several genes through expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL), some of which are known to be involved in T-cell activation, apoptosis and programmed cell death. Conclusion: The association between red meat intake and telomeres is consistent with some previous findings. We also found that genetic variant can modify the association between dietary red meat intake and telomere length.