Ethnic Groups Research Articles

Barriers to accessing perinatal mental health services and suggestions for improvement: qualitative study of women of Black and south Asian backgrounds.

Maternity outcomes for women from certain ethnic groups are notably poor, partly owing to their not receiving treatment from services. To explore barriers to access among Black and south Asian women with perinatal mental health problems who did not access perinatal mental health services and suggestions for improvements, and to map findings on to the perinatal care pathway. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in 2020 and 2021 in the UK. Data were analysed using the framework method. Twenty-three women were interviewed, and various barriers were identified, including limited awareness of services, fear of child removal, stigma and unresponsiveness of perinatal mental health services. Whereas most barriers were related to access, fear of child removal, remote appointments and mask-wearing during COVID-19 affected the whole pathway. Recommendations include service promotion, screening and enhanced cultural understanding. Women in this study, an underrepresented population in published literature, face societal, cultural, organisational and individual barriers that affect different aspects of the perinatal pathway.

Unraveling the nexus: Exploring Malaysia's research trends in advancing UN SDG 1

This study examines Malaysia's poverty rate with respect to SDG poverty reduction targets, the specific policies and programmes implemented to address poverty within the SDGs' framework, and the challenges and obstacles faced by Malaysia in achieving SDG poverty reduction targets. Despite Malaysia's significant achievements in reducing the aggregate poverty rate from 8.9% in 1995 to 1.7% in 2012, the country still faces poverty pockets in rural areas, specific states or regions, ethnic groups, and urban areas. These figures underscore the importance of targeted spatial planning and policy implementation to eradicate poverty effectively. Utilising a bibliometric analysis of the SCOPUS database, this study identifies key indicators of poverty in Malaysia based on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Furthermore, Malaysia's alignment with SDG Poverty Reduction Targets comprises its poverty eradication programme, which has successfully reduced the incidence of poverty from 49.3% in 1970 to 8.7% in 1995 and then to 0.4% in 2016. Despite this overall reduction in poverty, the reality of relative poverty and the poverty gap is increasing, indicating the need for a more comprehensive approach to address poverty and inequality. The Malaysian government has prioritised the provision of employment opportunities, household income, infrastructure, and facilities. However, challenges remain in identifying the infrastructure and facilities capable of providing maximum services for all levels of society, particularly in rural areas. The bibliometric analysis highlights the expanding sphere of SDG poverty reduction research in Malaysia, which reflects the country's intricate socio-economic landscape, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic. Increasing academic output and impressive citation metrics indicate a strong scholarly interest in addressing poverty through various approaches. However, the emerging nature of this field warrants further exploration of the socio-legal and political factors that impact poverty alleviation. By focusing on the local context and incorporating grey literature into research, discussions can be enhanced, enriching the applicability of poverty reduction strategies and contributing to global sustainable development discourses.

Hexokinase Domain Containing 1 (HKDC1) Gene Variants and Their Association With Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Mini-Review

Abstract Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most common metabolic disorder during the gestational period. Maternal glucose metabolism differs significantly from nonpregnant levels during pregnancy, with increased insulin resistance being the main physiological response. Maternal glucose levels during pregnancy, have a significant impact on the development of early and long-term metabolic health of the offspring. Therefore, a better understanding of the GDM pathophysiology is needed. Hexokinase domain containing 1 (HKDC1) gene was discovered as a gene related to glucose metabolism during pregnancy compared with nongravid state. HKDC1 plays a critical role in glucose homeostasis during pregnancy. Haplotypes of HKDC1 genetic variants associated with 2-h plasma glucose (2hPG) in pregnancy, disrupt regulatory element activity, thereby reducing HKDC1 expression in different tissues. The association of HKDC1 variants with gestational diabetes and 2hPG was investigated in several ethnic groups. These studies suggested that HKDC1 plays a more important role in glucose metabolism during pregnancy than outside of it and also demonstrated that while GDM and type 2 diabetes mellitus have many similarities, there are differences in at least one underlying pathway. This review focuses on the findings of the genetic studies on HKDC1 and GDM.

Status and associated factors of health insurance enrollment among women in Nepal

AbstractThe Government of Nepal (GoN) introduced a Health Insurance Program (HIP) in 2016 aiming to ensure quality healthcare for all Nepalese citizens without financial hardship. However, the HIP has not attracted as many people as expected. It shows low enrollment and high dropout rates. Studies on this issue are scarce, particularly regarding women. To identify the factors associated with women enrollment in health insurance (HI), this study utilized a cross‐sectional design, analyzing secondary data (n = 14,845) from the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey 2022. Chi‐square test and logistic regression were used to identify associations with women participation in the HIP. Women enrollment in HI was positively and significantly associated with province, age, ethnicity, educational level, religion, place of residence, ecological region, wealth index, women's autonomy in household decisions, household head status, and current employment (p < 0.01). Socioeconomic and demographic factors of the respondents, such as being over 35 years old (aOR = 1.98; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.65–2.39), having a secondary or higher education (aOR = 2.96; 95% CI: 2.43–3.64), being currently employed in a paid job (aOR = 1.31; 95% CI: 1.17–1.47), and belonging to the richest wealth status (aOR = 5.64; 95% CI: 4.33–7.34), were more likely to be enrolled in the HIP compared to their respective reference groups. In conclusion, being of privileged socioeconomic status, belonging to a specific ethnic group, having a higher educational level, being employed, and living in the Mountain region are all associated with women enrollment in HIP. Policymakers may consider these findings when planning and implementing future interventions.

Experiences of Racism in School and Associations with Mental Health, Suicide Risk, and Substance Use Among High School Students - Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2023.

Racism is a fundamental determinant of health inequities among racial and ethnic groups and is understudied among adolescents. In 2023, the national Youth Risk Behavior Survey questionnaire included an item assessing experiences of racism in the school setting among students in grades 9-12 in the United States. This report estimates the prevalence of students who reported ever having experienced racism in school and compares prevalence by racial and ethnic groups. For each racial and ethnic group, prevalence differences and prevalence ratios were estimated comparing the prevalence of indicators of poor mental health, suicide risk, and substance use among students who reported that they have ever versus never experienced racism in school. In 2023, approximately one in three high school students (31.5%) said that they had ever experienced racism in school. Reported experiences of racism were most prevalent among Asian (56.9%), multiracial (48.8%), and Black or African American (Black) (45.9%) students and least prevalent among White students (17.3%). Black and Hispanic or Latino (Hispanic) students who reported experiencing racism had a higher prevalence of all health risk behaviors and experiences investigated, including indicators of poor mental health, suicide risk, and substance use compared with students of their racial and ethnic group who reported never experiencing racism. Many of these associations were also found among multiracial and White students. Student reports of racism were associated with indicators of mental health and suicide risk among American Indian or Alaska Native (AI/AN) and Asian students. Among students of color, including AI/AN, Asian, Black, Hispanic, and multiracial students, the prevalence of seriously considering and attempting suicide was more than two times higher among students who ever compared with never experienced racism. These findings demonstrate that racism in the school setting is experienced by high school students attending public and private schools and continues to disproportionately affect students of color. Students who reported experiencing racism had a higher prevalence of indicators of poor mental health, suicide risk, and substance use. Schools can incorporate policies and practices to prevent unfair treatment on the basis of race and ethnicity and offer resources to help students cope with these experiences.

Intra-ethnic divisions and disagreement over self-determination demands in ethnic movements

Abstract Ethnic movements continue to challenge state governments globally, with many ethnic conflicts revolving around the status of groups’ territories. Yet, politically mobilized ethnic groups vary considerably in their territorial demands: some press for increased autonomy or even outright secession, while others do not make such demands at all and prefer integration in the existing state. What explains this divergence in ethnic group demands with respect to the group's territorial status? We argue that the expected benefits of ethno-regional autonomy or secession compared to integration in a centralized state differ across distinct segments within the group as a function of three structural factors: heterogeneity in the group's income sources, cultural divisions, and territorial fragmentation, leading to disagreement over self-determination demands between different political organizations representing the same ethnic group. We test our argument using an expanded version of the Ethnic Power Relations–Organizations (EPR-O) dataset. Our pre-registered study finds support for one of our hypotheses: heterogeneity in groups’ income sources increases disagreement over self-determination demands. This finding sheds new light on the structural sources of internal divisions within ethno-political movements.

Does Ethnicity Moderate the Union Dissolution Penalty for Women? A Register-based Analysis of Changes in Income Components

Union dissolution has severe consequences for women’s economic well-being. Theoretical work links these consequences to ethnic inequality. Ethnic groups vary in terms of separation rates, female employment, repartnering trajectories, kin support, and reliance on welfare benefits. The current study examines whether ethnicity moderates the dissolution penalty. To do so, the authors draw on register data, covering women from five major ethnic groups in the Netherlands: Dutch, Antillean, Surinamese, Moroccan, and Turkish. The authors describe women’s income trajectories from 1 year before to 5 years after union dissolution. Using decomposition techniques, changes in household income are decomposed into changes in six underlying income sources (i.e., earnings, benefits, alimony, partner income, and coresident family income). The results show that ethnicity moderates the dissolution penalty and, especially, the contribution of the various income sources when recovering from dissolution.

Skipping Breakfast and Academic Grades, Persistent Feelings of Sadness or Hopelessness, and School Connectedness Among High School Students - Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2023.

Breakfast consumption is positively associated with academic achievement and diet quality among students, whereas skipping breakfast has been linked with poor mental health. Data from CDC's 2023 nationally representative Youth Risk Behavior Survey were used to describe how often high school students ate breakfast in the past 7 days and the associations between skipping breakfast every day (ate breakfast on 0 of the past 7 days), experiencing persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, school connectedness, and self-reported grades. Prevalence estimates and corresponding 95% CIs were calculated, and t-tests were used to identify differences within demographic groups (e.g., sex, race and ethnicity, and sexual identity). Logistic regression analyses were conducted to calculate prevalence ratios describing breakfast skipping, adjusting for demographics, and stratified by sex and race and ethnicity. Most students missed breakfast ≥1 time in the past 7 days (72.6%), and 17.9% of students skipped breakfast every day, with differences by sex, sexual identity, and race and ethnicity. Overall, and among both males and females, students who experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness were more likely to skip breakfast every day. The association between feelings of sadness and hopelessness and skipping breakfast was generally consistent across racial and ethnic groups. In contrast, greater levels of school connectedness and earning mostly As or Bs were inversely associated with skipping breakfast. Students who had higher school connectedness were approximately 30% less likely to skip breakfast on all 7 days. Skipping breakfast and poor mental health co-occur among many adolescents and might impede students' readiness to learn. School efforts to make breakfast accessible and appealing to high school students might yield multiple benefits and help reinforce school administrators' efforts to recover student learning losses that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. Parents, school decision-makers, and organizations that partner with schools and families can use these findings to guide efforts to promote breakfast consumption.

Metaphor as an Ideological-Conveying Process in Panegyrics: The Ifẹ̀ and Ò̩yó̩ Ethnic Groups of Yorùbá in Perspective

Panegyrics, as a genre of oral literature, play a significant role in the social, historical and political systems of the Yorùbá people. Through the recitation of praise songs, panegyric reciters often seek to create awareness about the hegemonic status of the individuals or entities being praised. However, the ideologies expressed through the use of metaphor in these panegyrics are usually subtle and covert, thereby enabling the subtle manipulation of the praised individual(s). To uncover the subtle ways metaphors are constructed in panegyrics to serve various purposes, including the maintenance of unequal power relations, this paper examines the use of metaphor as a strategic linguistic device for conveying ideological messages in the panegyrics of the Ifẹ̀ and Ò̩yó̩ ethnic groups within the broader Yorùbá cultural context. It therefore evaluates how metaphor is employed in Yorùbá panegyrics to communicate ideological content in Ifẹ̀ and Ò̩yó̩ panegyrics. By shedding light on the covert ways metaphors are constructed in the panegyrics, the paper offers insights into how language can be strategically employed to maintain and perpetuate unequal power structures within a society. It also highlights the versatility of metaphor as a rhetorical device, capable of conveying complex ideological messages in a subtle and aesthetically pleasing manner, as evident in the Yorùbá panegyric genre. Keywords: Metaphor, Discourse, Critical Discourse Analysis, Ideology and Panegyrics

The drivers of sustainable homeownership

AbstractThis article introduces a novel measure of homeownership sustainability—homeownership longevity—and examines patterns of sustainable homeownership across multiple mortgage characteristics from 2012 onward, using a unique and nationally representative data set of first‐time homeowners, the National Mortgage Database borrower sample. Importantly, the unit of observation is the individual borrower and the data track how long each borrower remains a homeowner throughout the sample period. The results show that first‐time homebuyers have remained homeowners at high rates since 2012 with over 60% maintaining homeownership throughout the entire sample period. Although there are statistically significant differences in expected homeownership longevity by loan origination characteristics, the absolute magnitudes of these differences are small. Notably, the disparity among racial and ethnic groups in terms of homeownership longevity is small. The high rates and relative uniformity of homeownership longevity for this population suggest that self‐selection into homeownership and existing underwriting standards have allocated mortgage credit to households highly likely to maintain homeownership.

A model of prevention of mother-to-child transmission and health management team for improving adverse outcomes of pregnancy syphilis in Ningxia, China

Regional variations exist in the implementation of Syphilis Mother-to-Child Transmission Prevention (PMTCT). Thus, it is crucial to assess the effectiveness of this model in the Ningxia region and explore the supplementary role of Health Management Teams (HMT). This study established the PMTCT + HMT model and examined its impact on adverse outcomes in pregnant women with syphilis infection. The majority of participants were urban residents, married, had a minimum high school education, and held public positions; 36.7% and 26.7% were from minority ethnic groups. The PMTCT + HMT model enhanced participants’ knowledge, rates of voluntary counseling, and testing. The incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes (miscarriages, preterm births, stillbirths) significantly decreased, and adverse neonatal outcomes (low birth weight, neonatal mortality, congenital syphilis) were notably reduced. Simultaneously, we identified factors associated with adverse outcomes, including non-residency, unmarried status, lower educational attainment, minority ethnicity, primary syphilis, and positive titers. Thus, HMT may be an effective intervention to enhance the effect of PMTCT for syphilis. The unique population structure in Ningxia is closely linked to adverse outcomes, highlighting the significance of providing equitable treatment for vulnerable populations.

Adding a Cultural Lens to Active Transport Initiatives: Māori and Pacific Adolescents’ Perceptions of Transport to School

In Aotearoa/New Zealand, there is government directive and community support to focus on health equity in research and health promotion. Culturally responsive policies and services are expected. The purpose of this research is to describe Māori and Pacific adolescents’ perceptions of different modes of transport to school (walking, cycling, busing and being driven/driving) rather than to compare perceptions between different ethnic groups through a deficit lens which is commonplace. Reporting findings in this way is so that equitable approaches to policy, and initiatives for active transportation to school can be considered. This study analysed data from adolescents (age 13 to 18 years) (n = 3608) who completed an online survey at school as part of the BEATS Research Programme in the city of Dunedin, New Zealand. In addition, four focus groups were conducted with Māori and Pacific adolescents. Overwhelmingly, adolescents across all ethnic groups had similar perceptions of walking, cycling, being driven/driving and busing to school. This similarity means that a whole of population approach to policy would be sufficient when combined with good quality overarching cultural responsiveness imbedded to support equity for Māori and Pacific adolescents. Findings specific to Māori and to Pacific adolescents are reported which will enable policy makers to consider additional cultural nuances in the active transport space.

Polymorphic variants of the dopamine receptor gene DRD2 (rs6277, rs1800497) in adolescents with problematic video game use

Problematic video games use, as a specific form of problematic Internet use, is widespread among adolescents and can have negative effects on their mental and somatic well-being. An increasing incidence of addictive video gaming, as well as the overuse of the Internet, among the young population makes the current study of susceptibility factors, including the genetic component, relevant. There has been a number of investigations related to the involvement of gene variants of the neurotransmitter system in the development of Internet addiction, with the results being different for various ethnic groups. The dopamine type 2 receptor gene (DRD2) is one of the candidate genes for susceptibility to video game addiction. The aim of the work was to study polymorphic variants of the dopamine receptor gene DRD2 (rs6277, rs1800497) in Russian adolescents with problematic use of computer video games. A sampling of 407 adolescents aged 14.1±1.8 years was tested, of which 56 (13.8 %) were identified as having problems with the pathological use of video games use based on the GASA scale results. Boys in the sample proved to be addicted to video games more than girls (p = 0.041). As a result of comparing the allele frequency of DRD2 (rs6277), a tendency to a higher frequency of the minor allele T was revealed in the group of adolescents with problematic video game use compared with adolescents without problematic video game use (i. e. 0.563 and 0.466, respectively, p = 0.06). When using the dominant inheritance model, it was revealed that adolescents with problematic use of video games were statistically significantly more likely to carry the T (CT+TT) allele (p = 0.04, OR = 2.14, CI = 1.01–4.53). The T allele DRD2 (rs6277) is associated with low expression of the dopamine receptor D2 and leads to decreasing the density and affinity of extrastriatal dopamine type 2 receptors, which is associated with impaired social communication as well. We suggest that the presence of CT and TT genotypes of rs6277 DRD2 may be a potential risk factor for developing problematic video game use in adolescents.

The Association of IFNL4 Gene Polymorphisms with Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Infection in the Northern Region of Pará, Brazil

It is heavily suggested that one IFNL4 gene polymorphism, rs12979860 (T/C), exerts influence on the outcome of HBV infection, with the rs12979860-T allele being classified as a risk predictor, and the rs12979860-C allele being classified as a protective one. This study investigated whether the rs12979860 IFNL4 gene polymorphism presented any association with the clinical severity for HBV carriers in an admixed population in Northern Brazil. A total of 69 samples were investigated from infected people from the city of Belém-Pará. The rs12979860-T allele was positively associated with HBV infection, suggesting a higher risk of chronicity. This research’s importance is that the polymorphism influence was investigated in a population of HBV carriers with a heterogeneous genetic profile, formed through the extensive admixture of different ethnic groups, including Europeans, Africans, and Natives with indigenous heritage. This analysis is particularly important since highly mixed populations do not always follow the same association patterns previously established by studies using populations classified as more genetically homogeneous, due to a different formation process.

Intestinal parasites in children from native communities of Salta, Argentina.

Intestinal parasites particularly affect vulnerable populations, making their management crucial in endemic areas. To evaluate the relationship between intestinal parasites, socioeconomic characteristics, and anthropometric nutritional status. This is an observational, cross-sectional study conducted on children aged 1 to 15 years in Tartagal, Argentina, for a year. Intestinal parasitic infections were determined through fecal analysis using sedimentation techniques (Teleman), Kato-Katz, and the Baerman method. Demographic and socioeconomic data were collected using a standardized survey. Height, weight, and mid-upper arm and head circumference were measured in the participants. Of the 588 participants who provided fecal samples, 55.4% had intestinal parasites, with G. lamblia and H. nana being the most prevalent species. Additionally, 31.9% of participants were found to have malnutrition due to excess weight. Risk factors for intestinal parasite presence included age, overcrowding, and walking barefoot, while owning a refrigerator, having an animal corral, adequate water storage, and belonging to the Guaraní ethnic group were protective factors. High vulnerability areas were observed regarding housing conditions and access to public services. An association between socioeconomic conditions and the risk of intestinal parasite presence was observed. However, no association was found between anthropometric nutritional status and the presence of intestinal parasites.

РЕПРЕЗЕНТАЦИЯ ЗДОРОВОГО ЧЕЛОВЕКА В НЕМЕЦКОЙ И АНГЛИЙСКОЙ ФРАЗЕОЛОГИИ

The article provides a comparative study of German and English phraseological units with a zoonymic or phytonymic component representing a healthy person. The analysis is given according to the following two types of cultural codes: 1) zoonymic and 2) phytomorphic. Consideration of comparative phraseological units containing zoonyms and phytonyms in the context of culture allows us to determine the general and the specific in the imaginative thinking of the Germans and the British about health, to explain the peculiarity of their functioning. Studying phraseological units within the framework of the linguistic and cultural paradigm is considered relevant since the zoomorphic and phytomorphic images underlying the formation of phraseological units are the conductors of culture. They transmit valuable information about the geographical and climatic living conditions of a particular ethnic group that helps to identify ethnocultural stereotypes and standards reflecting the collective view of the most valuable human being that is health. Moreover, the very trope (tropeic) essence of a phraseological unit is born from a combination of cultural codes, which are the structure-forming elements of cultural space and are present in the cognitive base of any linguistic and cultural community.

Relative, Absolute, and Excess Risk of Second Primary Melanomas Among Multiple Racial and Ethnic Groups—Analysis of Rare Events

Relative, Absolute, and Excess Risk of Second Primary Melanomas Among Multiple Racial and Ethnic Groups—Analysis of Rare Events

Traces of Paleolithic expansion in the Nivkh gene pool based on data on autosomal SNP and Y chromosome polymorphism.

The Nivkhs are a small ethnic group indigenous of the Russian Far East, living in the Khabarovsk Territory and on Sakhalin Island, descending from the ancient inhabitants of these territories. In the Nivkhs, a specific Sakhalin-Amur anthropological type is prevalent. They are quite isolated, due to long isolation from contacts with other peoples. The gene pool of the Nivkhs and other Far Eastern and Siberian populations was characterized using a genome-wide panel of autosomal single-nucleotide polymorphic markers and Y chromosome haplogroups. Bioinformatic processing of frequencies of autosomal SNPs, Y chromosome haplogroups and YSTR haplotypes showed that the Nivkh gene pool is very different from the other populations'. Analysis of the SNP frequencies using the PCA method divided the Far Eastern populations in full accordance with the territories of their residence into the northern group of the Chukchi and Koryaks and the southern group, including the Nivkhs and Udege. The remoteness of the Nivkhs coincides with their geographic localization, with the Nivkhs and Udege demonstrating the greatest kinship. The Nivkhs have a specific component of their gene pool, which is present with much less frequency in the Udege and Transbaikal Evenks. According to the IBD blocks, the genotypes of the Nivkhs show a very small percentage of coincidence with the Udege, Koryaks, Evenks and Chukchi, the value of which is the lowest compared to the IBD blocks among all other Siberian populations. The Nivkh-specific composition of haplogroups and YSTR haplotypes was shown. In the Nivkhs, the C2a1 haplogroup is divided into three sublines, which have a fairly ancient origin and are associated with the ancestors of modern northern Mongoloids. The Nivkh haplogroup O2a1b1a2a-F238 is found among residents of China and Myanmar. The Q1a1a1-M120 line is represented among the Nivkhs, Koryaks, Evenks and Yukaghirs. Phylogenetic analysis of individual Y chromosomal haplogroups demonstrated the closeness of the Nivkh gene pool with the ancient population of the Amur and Okhotsk regions, the Koryaks, the Tungus peoples and the population of Southeast Asia. The Nivkh gene pool confirms the relative smallness of their ancestral groups without mixing with other populations.

Genetic aspects of lactase deficiency in indigenous populations of Siberia.

The ability to metabolize lactose in adulthood is associated with the persistence of lactase enzyme activity. In European populations, lactase persistence is determined mainly by the presence of the rs4988235-T variant in the MCM6 gene, which increases the expression of the LCT gene, encoding lactase. The highest rates of lactase persistence are characteristic of Europeans, and the lowest rates are found in East Asian populations. Analysis of published data on the distribution of the hypolactasia-associated variant rs4988235-C in the populations of Central Asia and Siberia showed that the frequency of this variant increases in the northeastern direction. The frequency of this allele is 87 % in Central Asia, 90.6 % in Southern Siberia, and 92.9 % in Northeastern Siberia. Consequently, the ability of the population to metabolize lactose decreases in the same geographical direction. The analysis of paleogenomic data has shown that the higher frequency of the rs4988235-T allele in populations of Central Asia and Southern Siberia is associated with the eastward spread of ancient populations of the Eastern European steppes, starting from the Bronze Age. The results of polymorphism analysis of exons and adjacent introns of the MCM6 and LCT genes in indigenous populations of Siberia indicate the possibility that polymorphic variants may potentially be related to lactose metabolism exist in East Asian populations. In East Asian populations, including Siberian ethnic groups, a ~26.5 thousand nucleotide pairs long region of the MCM6 gene, including a combination of the rs4988285-A, rs2070069-G, rs3087353-T, and rs2070068-A alleles, was found. The rs4988285 and rs2070069 loci are located in the enhancer region that regulates the activity of the LCT gene. Analysis of paleogenomic sequences showed that the genomes of Denisovans and Neanderthals are characterized by the above combination of alleles of the MCM6 gene. Thus, the haplotype discovered appears to be archaic. It could have been inherited from a common ancestor of modern humans, Neanderthals, and Denisovans, or it could have been acquired by hybridization with Denisovans or Neanderthals. The data obtained indicate a possible functional significance of archaic variants of the MCM6 gene.

Differences in SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence at the end of the pre-vaccination period between age groups: A cross-sectional analysis of the multi-ethnic population-based HELIUS study.

During the first waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence (seroprevalence) was lower in older compared to younger adults. We studied age group differences in SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence, across ethnic groups, and assessed the explanatory value of factors that increase the exposure to the virus, and factors related to susceptibility, given the level of exposure. We analysed cross-sectional data from 2,064 participants from the multi-ethnic HELIUS study (Amsterdam, The Netherlands). SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence at the second wave of infections was compared between age groups (<40, 40-54, and ≥55 years), within ethnic groups, using Poisson regression with robust standard errors. To determine whether age group differences were explained by differences in exposure and in susceptibility, we sequentially adjusted for exposure (job setting, occupation level, health literacy, household size, household member with suspected infection), education level, and susceptibility (vitamin D intake, BMI, systolic blood pressure, haemoglobin level, number of comorbidities). SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence did not statistically differ across age groups (p>0.05), but age patterns varied across ethnic groups. Age group differences in SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence were most pronounced in the Dutch majority group, with the highest prevalence ratio in the youngest group (2.55, 95%CI 0.93-6.97) and the lowest in the oldest group (0.53, 95%CI 0.16-1.74), compared to the middle-aged group. In ethnic minority groups, age group differences were smaller. In all groups, patterns did not substantially change after adjustments for exposure and susceptibility variables. We found no evidence of age group differences in SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence, particularly for ethnic minority groups, even when accounting for exposure and susceptibility. While early prevention strategies particularly aimed at protecting older adults against SARS-CoV-2 infections, seroprevalence was similar across age groups in ethnic minority groups. Thus, older adults in ethnic minority groups may pose a target group for additional prevention strategies for future infectious disease outbreaks.