Chinese Female Subjects Research Articles

Interaction of social role functioning and coping in people with recent-onset attenuated psychotic symptoms: a case study of three Chinese women at clinical high risk for psychosis.

Clinical high risk of psychosis is defined as the period in which the first signs of psychotic symptoms begin to appear. During this period, there is an increased probability of developing frank psychosis. It is crucial to investigate the interaction between psychotic symptoms and the individual’s personality and life experiences in order to effectively prevent, or delay the development of psychosis. This paper presents case reports of three Chinese female subjects with attenuated positive symptoms, attending their initial outpatient assessment in a mental health service, and their longitudinal clinical outcomes. Information regarding each subject’s symptoms and life stressors was collected at 2-month intervals over a 6-month period. The assessments indicated that these women were suffering from the recent onset of symptoms in different ways. However, all three hid their symptoms from others in their school or workplace, and experienced a decline in performance related to their social roles and in their daily functioning. They were often excluded from the social groups to which they had previously belonged. A decline in social activities may be a risk factor in the development of psychosis and a mediator of functional sequelae in psychosis. Effective treatment strategies may include those that teach individuals to gain insights related to their symptoms and a service that provides a context in which individuals can discuss their psychotic symptoms.

Anthropometric parameters and their associations with cardio-metabolic risk in Chinese working population.

BackgroundThere remains controversy regarding which of the anthropometric indicators best defines obesity. In this study, we compared the efficacy of using body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) in the diagnosis of obesity and assessed their associations with diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia in an urban working population in China.MethodsAnthropometric measurements, blood pressure, plasma lipids, fasting and 2-hour plasma glucose (PG) levels by a 75 gram oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were obtained from 2603 working Chinese who had no history of cardiovascular diseases or diabetes. Cardio-metabolic risk factors including high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, and glucose intolerance were evaluated. The diagnoses of overweight and obesity were based on the WHO definitions with BMI for general obesity and WC and WHR for central obesity.ResultsBased on BMI, WC and WHR, there were 31.3%, 16.6%, 35.2% of the studied subjects, respectively, being overweight and 2.0%, 5.6%, 9.2% being obese. Among women but not men, more overweight and obese subjects were diagnosed using WHR and WC. The number of cardio-metabolic risks was higher by WC criterion than BMI and WHR in the whole group (p <0.05) and female subjects (p <0.01). Comparing the three anthropometric indexes predicting hypertension, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia and multiple cardio-metabolic risks, for women, it was WC having the largest areas under ROC curves (0.759, 0.746, 0.701 and 0.773 respectively); while in men, it was WC for hypertension, WHR for hyperglycemia, BMI for dyslipidemia and WC for multiple cardio-metabolic risks (areas under ROC curves were 0.658, 0.686, 0.618 and 0.695 respectively).ConclusionsAmong Chinese working population, the need of lower cutoff values to define overweight and obesity were observed. Central obesity indicator (WC) is the preferred measure to predict the presence of cardio-metabolic risk in Chinese female subjects.

Pharmacokinetics of Mirabegron, a β3-Adrenoceptor Agonist for Treatment of Overactive Bladder, in Healthy East Asian Subjects

PurposeThe objective of these studies was to evaluate the pharmacokinetic profile, safety, and tolerability of mirabegron, a β3-adrenoceptor agonist for the treatment of overactive bladder, including food effects (low- or high-fat meals) and sex, in healthy East Asian subjects. MethodsIn total, 5 pharmacokinetic studies of mirabegron were conducted in healthy East Asian subjects. Food effects were assessed in 3 randomized, single-dose studies in young Japanese male subjects (study 1), male and female subjects (study 2), and young Taiwanese male and female subjects (study 3). In the other 2 single- and multiple-dose studies in young Chinese male and female subjects (study 4 and study 5), mirabegron was administered as a single dose under fasted conditions. After the washout period, mirabegron was administered once daily under fed conditions for 8 days. Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined using noncompartmental methods. Safety and tolerability assessments included physical examinations, vital signs, 12-lead ECG, clinical laboratory tests (biochemistry, hematology, and urinalysis), and adverse event monitoring. FindingsAfter administration of single oral doses of mirabegron, exposure under fed conditions was lower than under fasted conditions in Japanese and Taiwanese subjects. In Japanese subjects, a greater reduction in mirabegron Cmax and AUC0–∞ was observed after a low-fat meal compared with a high-fat meal. In Chinese subjects, Cmax was reached at approximately 4.0 hours after single oral doses. Mirabegron accumulated 2- to 3-fold on once-daily dosing of multiple-dose relative to single-dose data. Steady state was reached within 7 days. After administration of mirabegron, mean values for Cmax and AUC in female subjects were higher than those in male subjects. Mirabegron was well tolerated in Japanese, Taiwanese, and Chinese subjects. ImplicationsOur studies confirm the higher exposure levels of mirabegron in female compared with male East Asian subjects as found earlier in Western subjects. Furthermore, the effects of food on the pharmacokinetic profiles appeared to be similar among the 3 populations tested in our studies. The findings suggest that there are no significant pharmacokinetic differences among the Japanese, Taiwanese, and Chinese populations.

Comparative Cephalometric Analysis of Angle Class II Division 1 Malocclusion between Chinese Male and Female Subjects

Objective: To compare the craniofacial features of male and female Chinese samples with Angle Class II Division 1 malocclusion.Materials &amp; Method: The cephalometric radiographs were obtained from 39 Chinese subjects (mean age17.18 ± 7.1 years) with Angle Class II Division 1 malocclusion. Ten skeletal, nine dental and three soft tissue variables were investigated.Result: The craniofacial features between Chinese genders showed statistical significant differences among only one of the twenty-two variables studied.Conclusion: Chinese males have anteriorly long face compare to females.

The influence of the menstrual cycle on energy balance and taste preference in Asian Chinese women.

In Caucasian women, research has shown that energy balance and taste preference change throughout the menstrual cycle. However, the contributory role of the menstrual cycle to obesity and insulin resistance among Asian women remains unclear. We investigate the impact of the menstrual cycle on energy balance and taste preference in Singaporean Chinese females. Thirty-one healthy young Chinese female subjects with regular menstrual cycles were recruited. Anthropometrics, body composition, energy intake, resting metabolic rate, premenstrual syndrome (PMS) severity and taste preference to sucrose were assessed during three phases (menses, follicular and luteal), over one (N=18) to two (N=13) menstrual cycles. For all subjects (N=31), we found significant reductions in energy, fat intake (p<0.05) and taste preference for sucrose (p<0.05) in the luteal phase compared to early follicular phase as far as Cycle 1 is concerned. No significant differences were observed for carbohydrate and protein intake as well as PMS score. In those evaluated for two full cycles (N=13), we found that taste preference for sucrose and PMS score were significantly higher in the menstrual phase in Cycle 2 (p<0.05). No significant differences were observed in energy and macronutrient intake throughout Cycle 2. RMR was similar across the three phases. However, non-significant cyclic variations were noted within and between the cycles. Cyclic variations in energy intake and expenditure contributed by sensory and behavioural changes occur during the menstrual cycle. Whether this contributes to cyclic weight gain is speculative and remains to be proven. Further research in non-Caucasians spanning more than one menstrual cycle is needed to establish the impact of the menstrual cycle on taste preference and energy balance.

Association between calcitonin receptor AluI gene polymorphism and bone mineral density: A meta-analysis.

The association between calcitonin receptor (CTR) AluI gene polymorphism and bone mineral density (BMD) remains unclear. In order to elucidate this association, a meta-analysis was performed to provide a comprehensive assessment of the studies carried out to date. PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure database were searched to identify eligible studies. The data were extracted independently by two authors using a standard form, the studies were meta-analyzed and disagreements were resolved through discussion. Fifteen eligible studies involving 3,093 females and 654 males were included for analysis. Overall, the male subjects with the CC genotype had non-statistically different lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD compared to subjects with the CT/TT and CT genotypes. The BMD of female subjects with the CC genotype was similar to that of patients with the CT or CT/TT genotypes. In Chinese male subjects, those with the CC genotype had almost the same BMD as those with the CT and CT/TT genotypes. The results also demonstrated that Chinese female subjects with the CC genotype had similar BMD at the lumbar spine and femoral neck to subjects with the CT and CT/TT genotypes. Furthermore, Southern Chinese subjects with CC genotypes did not have a different BMD at the lumbar spine and femoral neck compared to patients with CT and CT/TT genotypes. Notably, Northern Chinese subjects with the CC genotype had a higher BMD at the lumbar spine compared to subjects with CT/TT genotypes and a lower BMD at the femoral neck compared to subjects with CT/TT genotypes. Among Northern Chinese females, those with CC genotypes also had a higher BMD at the lumbar spine compared to those with CT/TT genotypes, while no difference was observed in the BMD of the lumbar spine and femoral neck between patients with CC and CT genotypes. In Southern Chinese females, no significant difference was found in the BMD at the lumbar spine and femoral neck between those with CC and those with CT or CT/TT genotypes. In conclusion, the AluI gene polymorphism may have an association with BMD in Northern Chinese subjects and the CC genotype may have a protective effect on spine BMD; however, the CC genotype may be a risk factor for low femoral neck BMD in Northern Chinese subjects. Further studies are required to fully investigate the potential association between AluI gene polymorphism and BMD.

Bioequivalence Study of Two 30 Mg Tolvaptan Tablets Formulations in Healthy Chinese under Fed Condition

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the bioavailability between the two 30 mg tolvaptan tablets formulations and to evaluate the bioequivalence of Reference and Test formulations of tolvaptan tablets 30 mg in healthy adult male and female subjects under fed condition. Method: 50 healthy Chinese male and female subjects were enrolled in a single-center, randomized, open-label, single-dose, two-treatment, two-sequence, two-period, crossover study. The plasma of tolvaptan were determined by a validated LC- MS/MS method. The bioequivalence of Test and Reference will be determined based on AUC0-t, AUC0A¢Â€Â‘inf and Cmax of tolvaptan in plasma. Results: All the 50 subjects completed the study and the main pharmacokinetic parameters for test and reference preparations were as follows: Cmax were 308.8 ± 108.8 and 339.9 ± 114.3 ng/mL, tmax were 2.670 (1.0–6.0) and 2.330 (1.0–6.0) h, AUC0-48 were 1832 ± 781.8 and 1702 ± 616.2 ngA¢ÂˆÂ™h/ml, AUC0-inf were 1848 ± 785.2 and 1720 ± 616.7 ngA¢ÂˆÂ™h/ml, t1/2 were 4.742 ± 1.129 and 4.608 ± 1.120 h. The 90% confidence intervals (CIs) of Cmax, AUC0-48 and AUC0-inf on the ratio of test to reference formulation were 82.83%-97.61%, 99.55%-112.91% and 99.44%-112.66%, respectively. The results of two one-side t test and variance analysis showed that there was no significant difference between the main parameters of the two preparations (P>0.05). Conclusion: This study shows that two tolvaptan tablets 30 mg preparations are bioequivalent in Chinese adult healthy volunteers under fed condition.

A single and multiple dose study to investigate the pharmacokinetics of a prolonged release formulation of ropinirole in healthy Chinese subjects.

An open-label, single, and 7-day multiple dose study was conducted to investigate the pharmacokinetics, safety and tolerability of a prolonged release formulation of ropinirole 2 mg in healthy Chinese male (n = 12) and female (n = 12) subjects. After single doses, median tmax was 8 hours and mean t12 was 5.26 hours. After 7 days dosing, median tmax was 6 hours (t12 not determined). Systemic exposure, AUC and Cmax , following multiple and single dosing was similar (mean AUC(0-τ) (h ng/mL): 23.84 vs. AUC(0-∞) : 22.13; Cmax (ng/mL) 1.48 vs. 1.21, respectively). Systemic exposure was higher in females than males following single doses (mean AUC(0-24) (h ng/mL): 21.45 vs. 15.48; P = 0.009; Cmax (ng/mL): 1.40 vs. 0.99; P = 0.014, respectively), but similar at steady state (mean AUC(0-τ) (h ng/mL): 24.96 vs. 22.62; Cmax (ng/mL): 1.56 vs. 1.39, respectively). Estimated accumulation ratio was 1.29 (90% CI: 1.11, 1.51). Ropinirole did not display time-dependent pharmacokinetics (estimated steady state ratio: 1.09; 90% CI: 0.93, 1.27). The most common adverse events included dizziness and oral ulcer. In conclusion, Chinese subjects displayed predictable absorption, exposure and elimination following the prolonged release formulation of ropinirole 2 mg. The safety findings are consistent with the previously established safety profile for ropinirole.

Pharmacokinetics of Febuxostat in Healthy Chinese Volunteers

Febuxostat is a novel non-purine selective inhibitor of xanthine oxidase developed for the management of hyperuricemia in patients with gout. To investigate the pharmacokinetics and also evaluate the effects of gender and food on the pharmacokinetics of febuxostat in healthy Chinese volunteers. A phase I, 3-period study was performed in healthy Chinese male and female subjects. Subjects either received single 40 mg, multiple 40 mg and single 80 mg doses of febuxostat under fasted conditions, or received single 80 mg doses under fed condition. Plasma concentrations of febuxostat were collected and determined at 14 time points over 48 h. After 40 mg and 80 mg single dose administration of febuxostat, the C max were 2.308±0.812 and 4.559±1.246 μg/mL, the T max were 1.6±0.6 and 2.1±1.0 h, the t 1/2 were 6.8±1.7 and 6.7±1.9 h, and the AUC0-∞ were 7.704±1.723 and 16.34±3.87 μg∙h/mL, respectively. In the multiple-dose study at 40 mg dose for 6 consecutive days, the mean (SD) steady-state pharmacokinetic parameters on day 8 were similar to those following a single dose of febuxostat on day 1. In addition, food caused a decrease of 33% for C max and a delay of 0.3 h for T max. Gender had no significant effect on the pharmacokinetics of febuxostat. Febuxostat was well tolerated over the investigated dose range. Compared with the previous study, the pharmacokinetics of febuxostat appeared to be different between Chinese and other races.

Randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind, single- and multiple-dose study to evaluate the pharmacokinetics, safety and tolerability of avagacestat (BMS-708163) in healthy young male and elderly male and female Chinese subjects

Randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind, single- and multiple-dose study to evaluate the pharmacokinetics, safety and tolerability of avagacestat (BMS-708163) in healthy young male and elderly male and female Chinese subjects

Dental age estimation from the developmental stage of the third molars in western Chinese population

The purpose of this study is to provide reference data about estimating dental age from third molars of the western Chinese population for comparing with other populations and being applied to the age estimation of western Chinese juveniles and adolescents. A total of 2078 digital panoramic radiographs of 989 male and 1089 female Chinese subjects aged between 5 and 23 years were examined. The mineralization status of the third molars was assessed using the formation stages described by Demirjian et al. with two modifications. The results showed that the development of third molars in the western Chinese population was likely to begin at age 5 in both males and females. The third molars 28 and 48 showed significantly higher frequency in females than in males. The third molars 18 in the stage 1, 38 in the stages 1, A and G, and 48 in the stage H showed significantly older average age in females than in males. The Demirjian's stages C and D could be used as a reference stage to determine dichotomously whether a western Chinese is more likely to be under or above age 14 or 16, respectively. This study provided reference data for the age estimation of western Chinese juveniles and adolescents by the mineralization stages of the third molar. Apart from forensic age determination in living subjects, the presented reference data can also be used for age estimations of unidentified corpses and skeletons.

Glucokinase Regulatory Protein (GCKR) Gene rs4425043 Polymorphism is Associated with Overweight and Obesity in Chinese Women

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of GCKR polymorphism on the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Chinese female subjects using a gene-wide tagging- single nucleotide polymorphism (tSNP) strategy. We conducted a genetic association study in the Taizhou Retiree Women Cohort, a sub-cohort of the Taizhou longitudinal study. We genotyped four tSNPs (rs4425043, rs780094, rs814295, and rs8179206) of the GCKR gene using the Taqman assay in 2,851 female subjects and investigated their associations with overweight and obesity. Odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were derived from ordered logistic regression model. We observed significant association between rs4425043 and body-mass-index-defined overweight and obesity. The frequencies of A allele of the rs4425043 exhibited a significant increasing trend from normal weight (13.20%), overweight (15.08%), to obese subjects (17.10%) (P = 0.006). Individuals with the GA or AA genotypes showed a 31% excessive risk to develop overweight or obesity (95% CI: 1.12-1.52, P = 0.001). In addition, we observed significantly increased levels of fasting plasma glucose associated with variations of both rs780094 and rs814295 (5.03, 5.09, and 5.15 mmol/L for rs780094 AA, GA and GG genotypes, respectively, and 5.03, 5.11, and 5.20 mmol/L for rs814295 AA, GA and GG genotypes, respectively). In conclusion, a novel polymorphism (rs4425043) in the GCKR gene increases the risk of overweight and obesity in Chinese women. Previous report that other polymorphisms in the GCKR gene are associated with glucose levels have also been confirmed.

Determination of cymipristone in human plasma by liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry

A rapid, specific and sensitive liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for determination of cymipristone in human plasma. Mifepristone was used as the internal standard (IS). Plasma samples were deproteinized using methanol. The compounds were separated on a ZORBAX SB C 18 column (50 mm × 2.1 mm i.d., dp 1.8 μm) with gradient elution at a flow-rate of 0.3 ml/min. The mobile phase consisted of 10 mM ammonium acetate and acetonitrile. The detection was performed on a triple-quadruple tandem mass spectrometer by selective reaction monitoring (SRM) mode via electrospray ionization. Target ions were monitored at [M+H] + m/ z 498 → 416 and 430 → 372 in positive electrospray ionization (ESI) mode for cymipristone and IS, respectively. Linearity was established for the range of concentrations 0.5–100 ng/ml with a coefficient correlation ( r) of 0.9996. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was identifiable and reproducible at 0.5 ng/ml. The validated method was successfully applied to study the pharmacokinetics of cymipristone in healthy Chinese female subjects.

Common variants in FLNB/CRTAP, not ARHGEF3 at 3p, are associated with osteoporosis in southern Chinese women

SummaryWe performed an association study of five candidate genes within chromosome 3p14-25 in 1,080 Chinese female subjects. Polymorphisms in FLNB/CRTAP are associated with bone mineral density (BMD) in Chinese.IntroductionChromosomal region 3p14-25 has shown strong evidence of linkage to BMD in genome-wide linkage scans. The variants responsible for this linkage signal, nonetheless, remain obscure.MethodsThirty SNPs in five positional and functional candidate genes within 3p14-25 (PPARG, CRTAP, TDGF1, PTHR1, and FLNB) and rs7646054 in the ARHGEF3 gene were genotyped in a case-control cohort of 1,080 Chinese females. Allelic and haplotypic association were tested using logistic regression analysis implemented in PLINK software. Potential transcription factor binding sites were predicted with MatInspector.ResultsMultiple SNPs and haplotypes in FLNB were significantly associated with BMDs, with the strongest association between lumbar spine BMD and rs9828717 (p = 0.005). SNP rs7623768 and the haplotype G-C of rs4076086-rs7623768 in CRTAP were associated with femoral neck BMD (p = 0.009 and p = 0.003, respectively). PTHR1 showed haplotypic associations with lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD (p = 0.02 and p = 0.044, respectively). Nevertheless, the association between rs7646054 in ARHGEF3 and BMD observed in Caucasians was not replicated in our samples. Comparative genomics analysis indicated that rs9828717 is located within a highly conserved region. The minor T allele at rs9828717 may lead to loss of binding site for nuclear factor of activated T cells which binds and triggers the transcriptional program of osteoblasts.ConclusionsOur data suggest that variants in FLNB and CRTAP at 3p are involved in BMD regulation in southern Chinese.

Androgen receptor gene CAGn trinucleotide repeats polymorphism in Chinese women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Trinucleotide repeats CAG(n) in androgen receptor gene is thought to be a potential site of genetic susceptibility to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, previous studies of PCOS have shown variable association of CAG(n )polymorphism with PCOS. In order to evaluate CAG(n )polymorphism in Chinese women with PCOS, we have genotyped CAG(n) repeat numbers in female Chinese subjects (148 PCOS patients and 104 control subjects). The mean CAG(n) repeat lengths of PCOS patients and control subjects were similar (22.88 +/- 1.76 vs. 22.85 +/- 1.60; P = NS). No difference in the mean CAG(n) repeat lengths of hyperandrogenic and nonhyperandrogenic subgroups of PCOS patients was found (22.86 +/- 1.68 vs. 22.91 +/- 1.84; P = NS). Moreover, no difference was found in the term of mean CAG(n) repeat lengths in the nonhyperandrogenic subgroup and the control subjects (22.86 +/- 1.68 vs. 22.85 +/- 1.60; P = NS). However, mean CAG(n) repeat lengths were negatively correlated with serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentration in PCOS patients (r = -0.182, P < 0.05 and r = -0.210, P < 0.05, respectively), but not with total testosterone, body mass index, waist and hip circumferences. The CAG(n) repeat length polymorphism may not be a major determinant of PCOS, but it may influence the lipid metabolism of PCOS patients.

Quantitative determination of olmesartan in human plasma and urine by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry

A specific, sensitive and fast method based on high performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS/MS) was developed for the determination of olmesartan in human plasma and urine. Solid-phase extraction (SPE) was used to isolate the compounds from biological matrix followed by injection of the extracts onto a C 18 column with isocratic elution. The method was validated over the concentration range of 0.2–1000 and 5–10,000 ng/mL for olmesartan in human plasma and urine, respectively. The method was applied to the pharmacokinetic study of olmesartan medoxomil in healthy Chinese male and female subjects.

Validation of various osteoporosis risk indices in elderly Chinese females in Singapore

This study aimed to compare the sensitivity and specificity of various published indices for identifying elderly Chinese females at risk of osteoporosis in Singapore. The indices considered were the Simple Calculated Osteoporosis Risk Estimation (SCORE), the Osteoporosis Risk Assessment Instrument (ORAI), the Age Bulk One or Never Estrogens (ABONE), body weight (WEIGHT), and the Osteoporosis Self-Assessment Tool for Asians (OSTA). Altogether, 135 postmenopausal Chinese female subjects aged 55 years and older participated in the study, and their bone mineral density (BMD) was measured with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Subjects were classified as osteoporotic if their femoral neck BMD T-score was -2.5 or lower. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to determine the indices' cut-off points, sensitivity, and specificity. OSTA had the highest discriminatory power, with an estimated area under the ROC curve of 0.82. This was followed by SCORE (0.80), WEIGHT (0.78), ORAI (0.76), and ABONE (0.70). At the cut-off point of -2, OSTA achieved sensitivity and specificity of 91% and 59%, respectively. The study showed that OSTA is an effective index for identifying postmenopausal women at risk for osteoporosis.

From a Distance of One Hundred and Twenty Years:Theorizing Diasporic Chinese Female Subjectivities in Geling Yan's: The Lost Daughter of Happiness

Diasporic Chinese women's literature presents a recurring struggle to integrate the complexities of national and transnational pasts with contemporary manifestations of racial, gender, and sexual politics and histories. Geling Yan's The Lost Daughter of Happiness problematizes the narrative conventions used to depict diasporic Chinese female subjects (2001). x Her examination of female subjectivity interrogates how diasporic Chinese women's narratives cross national, racial, and sexual boundaries. Yan casts her novel as the contestable ground for new feminist textualities and subjectivities of the diasporic Chinese female subject, writing in new ways previously unspoken stories. My analysis of Yan's novel examines the deployment of rescue narratives, the politics of interracial love affairs, and the power of the female gaze in light of the contemporary narrator's selfconscious cynicism about her Chinese heritage and positionality in the United States. Reading about these issues within the novel's metafictional framework compels readers to focus on the contradictions and paradoxes that gird Chinese women's narratives. Yan's text necessitates an investigation into the reconstruction of a feminist literary history and its relation to both the nation-state and current transnational practices of capitalism. In

Association and linkage analyses of interleukin-6 gene 634C/G polymorphism and bone phenotypes in Chinese

In this study, we tested the interleukin-6 (IL-6) gene as an important candidate gene for its linkage and association with the variation of bone phenotypes (bone mineral density [BMD] and bone size) in young Chinese female subjects. We genotyped the IL-6 gene at the -634C/G restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) site (ID, RS1800796) in 1263 individuals from 402 Chinese nuclear families, composed of both parents and at least one healthy daughter (mean age +/- SD, 31.4 +/- 5.8 years). Using the daughters' bone phenotypes, we tested total-family association, within-family association (via transmission disequilibrium test, [TDT]), and linkage, between the -634C/G marker and bone phenotypes at the spine and the hip. No significant association or linkage was found for bone size and BMD, although a trend was observed for linkage between the IL-6 gene -634C/G marker and L1-4 spinal BMD (adjusted for age, weight, and height). Our results, together with the findings from other studies, indicate that the IL-6 gene, although important for postmenopausal bone loss, may have a limited impact on peak bone mass variation in a Chinese population.

Performance on a smell screening test (The MODSIT): A study of 510 predominantly illiterate Chinese subjects

The 12-item Modular Smell Identification Test (MODSIT) was administered to 239 male and 271 female Chinese subjects whose age ranged from 50 to 92 years (68.3 ± 10.9) and whose education ranged from 0 to 20 years (2.5 ± 4.3). Every participant was examined by a physician and was found to be free of dementia, stroke, and Parkinson's disease. Different from the standard procedures, only one-third of each odor pad was used for each subject, the four odor choices were presented orally for the majority of subjects, and they were not forced to make a selection when they could not detect or identify the odor. The average level of performance was 46% correct. The score was negatively associated with age, positively associated with education and with performance on a dementia screening test, and corroborated with subjects' report of smell deterioration in recent years. Nonsmokers and women performed better than smokers and men. The 12-item MODSIT had an internal consistency reliability of 0.73 and a 7-month retest stability of 0.57 with different examiners. The MODSIT is satisfactory for group studies, even when administered with suboptimal procedures such as those used in the present study.