Ethnic Characteristics Research Articles

Racial, Ethnic, and Socioeconomic Characteristics Independently Predict for Cachexia Risk and Associated Survival Outcomes in Stage IV NSCLC: A Brief Report

IntroductionCancer cachexia, found in more than a third of patients with NSCLC, directly leads to functional and survival detriments. As screening and interventions for cachexia and NSCLC improve, deficits in health care access and quality among patients disadvantaged by racial-ethnic and socioeconomic factors must be addressed. MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated 957 patients diagnosed with having stage IV NSCLC between 2014 and 2020 in Dallas, Texas. Cachexia was retrospectively assessed by applying criteria for substantial unintentional weight loss in the time leading up to cancer diagnosis. Nonparametric, parametric, multivariate logistic regression, and Kaplan-Meier analyses were conducted to evaluate for variables potentially associated with cachexia incidence and survival. ResultsIn multivariate analysis including age, sex, comorbidities, body mass index, risk behaviors, and tumor characteristics, Black race and Hispanic ethnicity were independently associated with more than a 70% increased risk of presenting with cachexia at the time of NSCLC diagnosis (p < 0.05). When private insurance status was included as a covariate, this association was diminished for Hispanic patients only. Black patients presented with stage IV disease at an average of approximately 3 years younger than White patients (Kruskal-Wallis p = 0.0012; t test p = 0.0002). Cachexia status at diagnosis consistently predicted for survival detriments, further highlighting the importance of addressing differential cachexia risk across racial-ethnic groups. ConclusionsFundamentally, our findings reveal elevated cachexia risk in Black and Hispanic patients with stage IV NSCLC with associated survival detriments. These differences are not fully accounted for by traditional determinants of health and suggest novel avenues for addressing oncologic health inequities.

A Study on the Expression of Three Colors - Black, Red, and Yellow and Related Aesthetic Ideas of the Yi People

China is steeped in a long history and splendid culture, where minority cultures add brilliance to traditional Chinese culture like bright pearls. For example, the culture of the Yi people showcases the richness of Chinese minority cultures, and at the same time, it is of special significance to traditional culture. From the perspective of the three-color culture (referring to black, red, and yellow) peculiar to the Yi people, this paper will analyze the features of the three-color culture and the colors, and study the unique aesthetic ideas of the three-color culture in the long history to demonstrate the Yi people’s color-favored customs and connotations of traditional culture.This paper consists of two important parts. First, it describes the traditional color culture of the Yi people and the features of these colors. The Yi people have a long history of the reverence for colors and a deep cultural heritage, which is a product of cultural accumulation. The Yi people have their unique understanding of colors, which comes from their life and nature. The reverence for and the worship of black, red, and yellow also has a long history and reasons. The features of these three colors unique to the Yi people reflect the culture of the Yi people and their emotions, embodying the unique color culture of the Yi people. Second, it studies the aesthetic ideas of the color culture of the Yi people, which is the focus of this paper. It analyzes and studies the aesthetic principles, styles, and ideas of the color culture of the Yi people deeply through centering on their costumes, lacquerware, and unique dance poems. With unique styles, the costumes of the Yi people are varied in colors, mainly using black, red, and yellow. Such use of colors creates a stark contrast, highlighting the characteristics of the Yi ethnic group’s costumes and its ethnic features. The lacquerware of the Yi people is an expression of their unique aesthetic understanding of the use of three colors and the area of colors used. The color rhythms demonstrated with the help of a symmetric and harmonious application of colors is an important feature of the Yi ethnic group’s lacquerware. The dance poem is a unique way to display the three-color culture of the Yi ethnic group. The black, red, and yellow are interpreted through three chapters by using the simplest colors to match the dance, creating a stark contrast that not only demonstrates the unique color culture of the Yi people, but also highlights the characteristics of the Yi people and their aesthetic ideas. Therefore, the research on the Yi ethnic group’s color culture starts from three colors including black, red, and yellow, and explores the history of the culture as well as the characteristics of the Yi people, aiming to help people deepen their understanding of the color culture and the color-favored psychology of the Yi nationality, and the unique aesthetic ideas of this group. And this can further help us identify the special value of the Yi ethnic group’s color culture and promote the spreading of the color culture of ethnic minorities.In the context of the times, the colors used by ethnic minorities all demonstrate their own ethnic characteristics, and it relates to people’s life and emotions, and nature. Therefore, it can be said that the choice of colors not only reflects one’s aesthetic appreciation but also embodies the desire for life and a recognized culture.

Banjarese Cultural Traditions During Pregnancy and After Childbirth in South Kalimantan: A Semi-Qualitative Descriptive

The matter of inequality in context of health status is reflected in the high differences in maternal mortality rates in several countries. Often health information is ignored because of differences in understanding the needs of women and their families. This becomes a communication barrier between health care providers and families in selecting and making emergency decisions that may arise during pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium. This study aims to describe the habits and traditions of women during pregnancy and after childbirth in maternal health care. This research uses descriptive analysis method with a case study approach. The study sample consisted of four postpartum mothers with criteria of normal conditions without complications since the third trimester of pregnancy, and the similarity of Banjar ethnic characteristics. The illustration of the results shows that four research subjects carried out the habits of the prevailing tradition, including self-perception; services received from attendants, places and types of care; taboo on food and medicine; suggestion about food and medicine; and rituals in the form of ceremonies and salvation prayers together with maternal health care from midwives, nurses at midwife clinics and Puskesmas. Our research findings confirm that Banjar people are accustomed to using cultural traditions that are integrated into their families and communities and health care services in available and affordable facilities in the area.

Sociodemographic characteristics differ across routine adult vaccine cohorts: An All of Us descriptive study.

The National Institutes of Health All of Us (AoU) Research Program is currently building a database of 1million+ adult subjects. With it, we describe the characteristics of those with documented vaccinations. To describe the sociodemographic, health status, and lifestyle factors associated with vaccinations. This is a retrospective study involving data from the AoU program (R2020Q4R2, N= 315,297). Five vaccine cohorts [influenza, hepatitis B (HBV), pneumococcal <65 years old, pneumococcal ≥65 years old, and human papillomavirus (HPV)] were generated based on vaccination history. The influenza cohort comprised participants with documented influenza vaccinations in electronic health records (EHRs) from September 2017 to May 2018. Other vaccine cohorts comprised participants with ≥1 lifetime record(s) of vaccination documented in the EHR by December 2018. The vaccine cohorts were compared to the overall AoU cohort. Descriptive statistics were generated using EHR- and survey-based sociodemographic, health, and lifestyle information. The SAMBA (0.9.0) R package was utilized to adjust for EHR selection and outcome misclassification biases to infer sources of disparity for pneumococcal vaccinations in older adults. Cohort counts were as follows: influenza (n= 15,346), HBV (n= 6323), pneumococcal <65 (n= 15,217), pneumococcal ≥65 (n= 15,100), and HPV (n= 2125). All vaccine cohorts had higher proportions of White and non-Hispanic/Latino participants compared to the overall AoU cohort. The largest differences were found in pneumococcal age ≥65, with 80.2% White participants compared to 52.9% in the overall study population. Multivariable analysis revealed that race/ethnic disparities in pneumococcal vaccination among older adults were explained by biological sex, income, health insurance, and education-related variables. Racial, ethnic, education, and income characteristics differ across the vaccine cohorts among AoU participants. These findings inform future utilization of large health databases in vaccine epidemiology research and emphasize the need for more targeted interventions that address differences in vaccine uptake.

Nutritional status of adults in Northwest Argentina: an observational study

Background: Northwestern Argentina (NWA) is a region with geographic, ethnic, socioeconomic, and cultural characteristics that set it apart from the rest of the country. The present study aimed to analyze both the anthropometry and nutritional status of adults in this region and establish its recent secular trend.

Crime hierarchy, victimization and coping results of a qualitative study on the older incarcerated Person's mental health in Switzerland

BackgroundIncarcerated persons rank themselves according to the crime they have committed. Due to which, those lower in this hierarchy (e.g., paedophiles) are bullied. The goal of this paper was to better knowledge on older incarcerated adults' experiences of crime and social hierarchy in prisons. MethodsOur results comprise data from 50 semi-structured interviews with older incarcerated persons. Data was assessed following thematic analysis. ResultsOur research showed that crime hierarchy occurs in prison and is recognized by older incarcerated individuals. Also, a social hierarchy based on various characteristics (e.g., ethnicity, education, language, mental health) is established within detention centres. This hierarchy is put forth by all persons deprived of liberty, but mostly by the ones at the bottom of the crime hierarchy, thus using it to portray themselves as better human beings than other incarcerated adults. They use the social hierarchy to cope with bullying whilst exhibiting coping mechanisms, such as the narcissistic facade. A concept we put forth as a novel idea. DiscussionOur results show that crime hierarchy prevails in prison. Also, we explain the social hierarchy based on ethnicity, education, and other characteristics. Hence, being a victim of bullies, make lower-ranked (on the crime hierarchy) persons resort to social hierarchy to portray themselves as better individuals. This should not be considered as a personality disorder, but rather a narcissistic facade.

Abstract P408: Association Between South Asian Ethnicity and Clinical Characteristics of Patients Undergoing Cardiac Catheterization

Background: We sought to describe differences in the characteristics of coronary interventions in U.S. South Asians (SA), an ethnicity at high risk for CAD, as compared to other races/ethnicities in New Jersey. Methods: In this single-center, retrospective cohort study of 8,850 patients from 2019-2021 undergoing coronary interventions (elective or acute), SAs were identified by 2 expert adjudicators. We used multivariable linear regression to estimate differences in mean age of coronary intervention by race/ethnicity (SA, non-Hispanic White [NHW], non-Hispanic Black [NHB], Hispanic, Other Asian, Other/unspecified). Among a subset of 7,288 patients, we used logistic regression to estimate odds of premature CAD (age&lt;50y for overall cohort, &lt;45y for male, &lt;55y for female) and odds of multi-vessel disease (MVD; &gt;2 vessels with ≥70% stenosis), adjusted for confounders (Table). Results: Among 8,850 patients (mean age 68y; 34% female; 5,011 [58%] NHW, 1,054 [12%] SA), 8.6% had premature CAD, 38% had acute coronary syndrome, and 20% had MVD. SA males, on average, were 5.1y younger and SA females were 3.9y younger, than NHW (male: SA, 63y [SD,12], 67[11] for NHW; female: SA, 67[11], NHW, 70[12]. p&lt;0.001). Compared to NHW, SAs had 4.0x higher odds (male: 4.6x, female: 2.1x), NHB had 2.6x higher odds (M: 2.7x, F: 2.3x), other Asians had 2.1x higher odds (M: 2.3x, F: 1.3x), and Hispanics had 4.5x higher odds (M: 5.4x, F: 2.5x) of premature CAD (Table). SAs also had 47% higher odds of MVD than NHW (male: 45%, female: 47%), while NHB and Hispanics had 46% and 24% lower odds, respectively (Table). Findings were similar when restricting the cohort to patients requiring acute intervention (SA vs. NHW; OR [95% CI]. premature CAD, 3.73[2.44,5.71]; MVD, 1.54[1.12,2.11]). Conclusion: Independent of CAD risk factors, NJ SA males and females undergoing coronary intervention have more than 4 times and 2 times the likelihood of premature CAD, respectively, and more than 1.4 times the likelihood of multi-vessel disease compared to NHW.

Comply with OCR's new guidance on Title VI, shared ancestry, ethnicity

The Office for Civil Rights recently published a fact sheet explaining how colleges and universities can protect students from discrimination related to “shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics” (bit.ly/3iPfyZP). The guidance seeks to shine light into a gray area concerning race, color, and national origin discrimination.

Race-Based Care and Beliefs Regarding the Etiology of Racial Differences in Health Outcomes

Physicians' perspectives regarding the etiology of racial health differences may be associated with their use of race in clinical practice (race-based practice). This study evaluates whether attributing racial differences in health to genetics, culture, or social conditions is associated with race-based practice. This is a cross-sectional analysis, conducted in 2022, of the Council of Academic Family Medicine Education Research Alliance 2021 general membership survey. Only actively practicing U.S. physicians were included. The survey included demographic questions; the Racial Attributes in Clinical Evaluation (RACE) scale (higher scores imply greater race-based practice); and 3 questions regarding beliefs that racial differences in genetics, culture (e.g., health beliefs), or social conditions (e.g., education) explained racial differences in health. Three multivariable linear regressions were used to evaluate the relationship between RACE scores and beliefs regarding the etiology of racial differences in health. Of the 4,314 survey recipients, 949 (22%) responded, of whom 689 were actively practicing U.S. physicians. In multivariable regressions controlling for age, gender, race, ethnicity, and practice characteristics, a higher RACE score was associated with a greater belief that differences in genetics (β=3.57; 95% CI=3.19, 3.95) and culture (β=1.57; 95% CI=0.99, 2.16)-in but not social conditions-explained differences in health. Physicians who believed that genetic or cultural differences between racial groups explained racial differences in health outcomes were more likely to use race in clinical care. Further research is needed to determine how race is differentially applied in clinical care on the basis of the belief in its genetic or cultural significance.

Sociocultural Infrastructure of Tatar Rural Settlements of Tobolsk Province at Beginning of 20th Century

The article is devoted to the characteristics of the socio-cultural image of the Tatar rural settlements of the Tobolsk province population at the beginning of the 20th century. The dynamics of the population and the number of settlements for the second half of the 19th — early 20th centuries are traced (according to the lists of settlements in the Tobolsk province). The authors focus on the consideration of the socio-cultural infrastructure of the Tatar rural settlements. It is understood as a set of objects of the non-productive sphere (religious, educational institutions, healthcare facilities and communications). They reveal regional and ethnic features of the integration of the Tatar population into the all-Russian system in the period under review. The country has undergone reforms aimed at unifying the management system and actively integrating the national outskirts into national processes. There was an acceleration of migration processes. It caused a violation of the former isolation of the rural Tatar-Muslim communities. Settlers arriving in the region contributed to the active development of commodity-money relations. The educational and cultural needs of the Tatar population grew. All-Russian processes have caused the need to adapt to new realities, in connection with which there is a modernization within the confessional education system.

Housing estates' trajectories in post-socialist countries: Similarities and differences of Estonian and Czech cities

An increasing number of studies focus on the divergent trajectories of housing estates in post-socialist cities; however, they are mostly case studies of particular cities. There is little research that offers a more systematic and comparative analysis of different housing estates between the settlement systems of different countries. This study aims to explore the trajectories of housing estates from 1989 to 2011 by examining neighbourhood transitions in Estonian and Czech cities based on socio-economic, demographic, and ethnic characteristics of their residents. We use data from population censuses and clustering techniques to create typologies of housing estate neighbourhoods. Our results suggest that the main development trajectory of Estonian and Czech housing estates has been stability with neighbourhoods remaining in the same housing estate type and developing similarly as other urban neighbourhoods. This is mainly related to housing market specifics of post-socialist countries, and ageing being the main mechanisms of residential change of housing estates. Other types of trajectories are differentiated along two lines: the position of the city within the settlement system and the location of heavy industry in the city during the socialist period, indicating persistent impact of socialist urban development for housing estates.

Experiences of socioeconomic disadvantage in clinical psychology: A thematic analysis of aspiring and trainee clinical psychologists

There is increasing recognition and action in the recent years to widen participation in the clinical psychology workforce. It continues to be important to promote diversity in the workforce so that it reflects the population it serves. However, much of the recent efforts have focused predominantly on diversity characteristics of ethnicity and race and much less so on other equally important diversity characteristics like socioeconomic status or class. This study explores the experiences of 275 trainee and aspiring clinical psychologists, self-identifying as from a socioeconomically disadvantaged background, on the practical and perceptual barriers they have faced in their clinical psychology journey. Recommendations for Doctorate of Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) courses to support this underrepresented group in the field are provided.

Epidemiological characteristics of viral gastro-enterocolitis outbreaks in Sofia province, Bulgaria, during the period 2007 – 2022

The aim of the first study of viral gastroenterocolitis epidemic outbreaks during a 15-year period in a region of Bulgaria, with the elucidation of epidemiological characteristics in terms of etiological structure, clinical diversity and severity, intensity, dynamics, as well as an outline of their significance in the context of the modern level of medical development and current organization of healthcare in this country. The subject of the epidemiological survey was Sofia Province, which has specific geographic, economic, ethnic and social characteristics as neighboring with the capital. The epidemiological study considers thirteen viral gastroenterocolitis epidemic outbreaks during the period under review, characterized by intensity, range, etiology and clinical diversity. Between 2007 and 2022, 4 municipalities in the region with compact Roma population were affected - Samokov, Ihtiman, Pravets and Elin Pelin, as well as a university hospital in Sofia, providing services also to the population in the region.

Effects of epicardial adipose tissue volume and thickness assessed by computed tomography and echocardiography on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) has garnered attention as a potential imaging biomarker for the risk stratification of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). However, the prognostic utility of EAT due to inter-ethnic differences and imaging modality (computed tomography (CT) or transthoracic echocardiography (TTE)) remains undetermined. Purpose To evaluate the effect of EAT volume and thickness on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular outcomes. We also aim to compare the prognostic utility between CT volumetric and TTE thickness quantification; and provide consolidated data on the heterogeneity in EAT measurements across different ethnic groups. Methods Medline and Embase databases were searched from inception till 16 May 2022 for studies that measured EAT volume or thickness of adult patients at baseline and reported follow-up data on outcomes of interest. Outcomes included MACE, all-cause mortality, cardiac death, myocardial infarction (MI), coronary revascularisation, atrial fibrillation (AF), and stroke. Statistical analyses were conducted on Review Manager 5.4.1 to obtain unadjusted and adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and odds ratios (OR) with the results presented on forest plots. Results Twenty-nine studies comprising 19709 patients were included in our analysis. Increased EAT thickness and volume were associated with higher risks of MACE (adjusted HR [aHR] 1.46, 95%CI 1.25–1.71, p&amp;lt;0.001), cardiac death (OR 2.53, 95%CI 1.17–5.44, p=0.020), MI (OR 2.63, 95%CI 1.39–4.96, p=0.003), coronary revascularisation (OR 2.99, 95%CI 1.64–5.44, p&amp;lt;0.001), AF (aOR 4.04, 95%CI 3.06–5.32, p&amp;lt;0.001), and stroke (HR 1.02, 95%CI 1.01–1.03, p&amp;lt;0.001). CT-volumetric quantification of EAT conferred a larger MACE risk (aHR 1.79, 95%CI 1.47–2.17, p&amp;lt;0.001) compared to TTE thickness quantification (aHR 1.20, 95%CI 1.09–1.32, p&amp;lt;0.001). Studies originating from North America (HR 1.91, 95%CI 1.26–2.89, p=0.002) and Asia (HR 1.60, 95%CI 1.09–2.36, p=0.020) demonstrated a significantly higher risk of MACE with increased EAT thickness and volume. However, this significance was not seen in European studies (HR 1.48, 95%CI 0.99–2.20, p=0.060). Subgroup differences were also noted across the studies’ countries of origin when analysing the association of EAT and MI (p=0.020). European studies reported a higher magnitude of MI risk associated with higher EAT thickness and volume (OR 5.28, 95%CI 2.34–11.95, p&amp;lt;0.001) as compared to Asian studies (OR 1.75, 95%CI 1.05–2.92, p=0.030). No differences were noted across other outcomes in the subgroup comparisons by geographical region and between CT and TTE quantification of EAT. Conclusion The utility of EAT as an imaging biomarker for predicting and prognosticating CVD is promising. Future efforts to harmonise the EAT parameter thresholds, based on the type of imaging modality and the target population’s ethnic characteristics, will be the next important step before including EAT in CVD prediction models.

Continuous glucose monitors and virtual care in high-risk, racial and ethnic minority populations: Toward promoting health equity.

Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) have become an important tool to aid self-management of blood glucose for many patients with diabetes in the U.S., and the benefits of CGM use are well-documented. However, disparities in CGM use exist, with lower use in certain marginalized racial and ethnic groups. CGM may be an important and underutilized tool to help reduce inequities. Evidence supporting the use of CGMs as a part of virtual care is discussed, with an emphasis on designing virtual diabetes care programs to promote health equity. Recommendations for clinical practice and research are presented. In clinical practice, CGM should be an option for all people with diabetes who qualify based on clinical practice guidelines, regardless of race, ethnicity, or other individual characteristics. Future research should characterize the use of, benefit from, and preferences for CGM among individuals from racial and ethnic groups to guide interventions at the health system, clinic, provider, and patient levels to promote equitable, evidence-based, and guideline-directed CGM use in marginalized racial and ethnic groups with diabetes.

On Teaching Mode of MTI Translation Workshop Based on IPT Corpus for Tibetan Areas of China

With the technological turn of applied research in translation, increasing attention has been paid to the teaching of translation technology. This article addresses two important questions in this regard: how to independently develop Master of Translation and Interpreting (MTI) translation teaching resources with ethnic minority characteristics and how to use information technology to carry out Tibet-related computer-assisted translation (CAT) teaching. This article discusses the background, structure, and functions of the International Publicity Translation Corpus (IPT Corpus) for Tibetan Areas of China through empirical research, combining theory with practice, and validates the translation teaching mode through case study to better train translators and interpreters working on content related to Tibetan culture. Through teaching practice since 2017, the MTI translation workshop based on the IPT Corpus has proven to be an effective teaching mode that is worthy of further improvement and extension.

Exploration of microbial profile of traditional starters and its influence on aroma profile and quality of Chinese steamed bread.

Chinese steamed bread (CSB) is a popular staple food in China with traditional ethnic characteristics. CSB with traditional starters has good flavor and texture but is unstable and requires a long preparation time. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the traditional starters (ST) and their influence on the flavor and quality of steamed bread to meet people's requirements as a staple food. The count of yeast, lactic acid bacteria and total microbial population significantly varied in different traditional starters; Saccharomyces and Lactobacillus were the predominant genera. Among the tested samples, fungi were found in ST from Shijiazhuang (SJ), Handan (HD) and Langfang (LF), while bacteria were found in ST from Tangshan (TS) and SJ at sub-predominant levels. In terms of the bread quality, the highest specific volume and porosity were in XT-CSB (Xingtai); the highest height/diameter ratio was in SJ-CSB; and the highest sensory score was in TS-CSB. A total of 26 aroma compounds (VIP > 1; variable importance for predictive components) were identified to discriminate CSB fermented with different starters, which were separated by stepwise canonical discriminant analysis using two functions. The correlation analysis among microbiota, aroma compounds and bread quality showed a higher contribution of bacteria than of fungi. Differences in microbial profiles caused different aroma profiles and quality of CSB; and the CSB fermented with traditional starters were sufficiently separated by stepwise canonical discriminant analysis based on aroma compounds. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

International experience in the primary prevention of cystic fibrosis (part two)

This text is a continuation of a review of international studies and guidelines/recommendations for primary prevention of cystic fibrosis (CF). This section reviews the selection of pathogenic variants for different CF mutation carrier screening programmes to form panels, taking into account the geographical and ethnic characteristics of the couples being screened, describes the monitoring of couples at intermediate risk of carrier, presents the relationship between carrier screening and neonatal screening, highlights the importance of timely information, including medical and genetic counselling for stakeholders, taking into account the psychosocial status. Separately, we present studies that have found a reduction in the rate of CF births in France, Italy and Israel after the introduction of CF carrier screening.

Ethnicity as a factor in the subjective experience of loneliness in students

Introduction. The phenomenon of loneliness is multidimensional and ambigu­ous. Attitudes to loneliness are heterogeneous and mediated, among many factors, by cultural and ethnic features. Territorial proximity and historically conditioned relations and migrations of Ural-Siberian territories and Kazakhstan allow conducting intercultural and interethnic re­search. This research is devoted to the study of specifics of loneliness experience by first-year students – representatives of these nations. The problem of loneliness becomes especially ur­gent as a result of growth of anxious and depressive states, and sometimes suicidal and victim behaviour among first-year students.Aim. The aim of the current research is to identify ethnic aspects of the subjective ex­perience of loneliness of first-year students studying in Russia and Kazakhstan. The research examines the specifics of experiencing loneliness by students of different ethnic backgrounds (Russians, Kazakhs), 197 students (119 males and 78 females).Research design. The research design involved the determination of loneliness factors for the entire empirical sample (factor analysis) with subsequent calculation of the values of the received factors for each respondent. Then students were compared separately for boys and girls of Kazakh and Russian ethnicity.Measurements. To conduct the research, the authors used a set of methods to study loneliness, Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale and a questionnaire to identify the level and na­ture of loneliness by G. R. Shagivaleeva.Results. The authors found that the component composition of loneliness can be repre­sented by three factors: depressive experience of loneliness, positive experience of loneliness, experience of loneliness in interpersonal relationships. It was revealed that students of Kazakh ethnicity expressed a negative perception of loneliness (p = 0.007), actualising depressive ten­dencies. A positive experience of loneliness is more characteristic of girls than boys (p = 0.02). For girls of Kazakh ethnicity, separation from the parental family enhances the feeling of lone­liness (p &lt; 0.05).Scientific novelty. The presented research results confirm the multidimensional nature of the phenomenon of loneliness, which determines the ambiguity of attitudes towards it and gives special weight to the value attitude towards loneliness in culture. Differences in the expe­rience of loneliness by students, due to the specifics of ethnic attitudes, are revealed. Theoretical significance of the study is determined by the identified regularities in the component composition of the experience of loneliness by students of two ethnic groups (Rus­sians and Kazakhs), its content and gender-role specificity.Practical significance. Empirical data contribute to the understanding of the ethnic characteristics of students’ experiences of loneliness and can serve as the basis for the devel­opment of university programmes that enhance psychological well-being.

Comparison of Novel Biomarkers of Insulin Resistance With Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance, Its Correlation to Metabolic Syndrome in South Indian Population and Proposition of Population Specific Cutoffs for These Indices.

Background The clustering of risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in individualshas been defined as Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). The major forerunner of all the components of MetS is Insulin Resistance (IR) which is measured by the Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) and requires the measurement of fasting plasma insulin levels. We attempted to study the performance of lipid-based biochemical markers of IR for the diagnosis of MetS and postulate a population-specific cutoff for these indices in the South Indian population. In this study, we analyzed three lipid-based indices, Triglyceride Glucose index (TyG index), triglyceride: high-Density Lipoprotein (TG:HDL) ratio, and lipid accumulation product (LAP). Methods This was a cross-sectional study and included apparently healthy individuals presenting to our hospital for routine Master Health Checkup assessment and apparently healthy population residing in Kallindhiri, a village near Madurai. Based on the anthropometric measurements and blood investigations, Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist hip ratio, Waist height ratio, HOMA-IR, TyG index, TG:HDL ratio, and LAP were calculated. The diagnostic efficacy of these indices was compared against the presence of MetS based on the NCEP ATP III criteria. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) Curve was performed to discriminate decision levels (cutoffs) of serum markers in early diagnosis of metabolic syndrome. The results were considered significant with a p-value less than 0.05. Results We included a total of 192 patients in our study, consisting of 36% (n=70) males and 63% (n=122) females. All the baseline characteristics except height, weight, and HDL cholesterol were comparable between the male and female groups. The values of HOMA-IR, TyG index, TG:HDL ratio, and LAP showed an increasing trend with the BMI. The mean values of HOMA-IR, TyG index, TG:HDL ratio and LAP was significantly higher in patients with MetS than in patients without MetS. Based on the ROCcurve plotted for the data, a population-specific cutoff for these indices was computed. Our proposed cutoff for the South Indian population for HOMA-IR is 1.23, for TyG index is 4.65, for TG:HDL ratio is 3.44 in males and 2.6 in females and for LAP is 43.81 Conclusion The cutoffs for the novel indices of insulin resistance which have been previously studied in Caucasian populations cannot be applied to Indian populations due to distinct ethnic characteristics. The diagnostic accuracy of these novel lipid-based biomarkers of Insulin Resistance is better than the biochemical gold standard of HOMA-IR based on the ROC curve. We propose the usage of these population-specific cutoffs in routine clinical practice for early diagnosis of metabolic syndrome.