Tibetan Ethnicity Research Articles

Impact of Tibetan ethnicity and residence altitude on complications during total knee arthroplasty and difficulties of measurement of perioperative blood loss.

Tibetan patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have greater fluctuations in perioperative haemoglobin levels and blood hypercoagulability. This study was to investigate whether ethnicity and altitude affect perioperative blood loss and the risk of complications after TKA. We retrospectively enrolled 1,116 patients undergoing TKA for knee osteoarthritis at our hospital between January 2016 and September 2021. We divided patients into four groups according to whether they were of Tibetan or Han ethnicity and whether they lived above or below 2500m above sea level. Primary outcomes were total, intraoperative, and hidden blood losses, while secondary outcomes were complications and homologous transfusion. Factors associated with increased blood loss were analyzed by multivariate regression. Total blood loss was higher among patients residing at high altitude compared with lower altitude, whether they were of Han (794.6 mL vs. 667.2 mL, P = 0.020) or Tibetan (904.4 mL vs. 663.8 mL, P < 0.001). Total blood loss was similar between the two ethnic groups at the same altitude. Altitude, but not Tibetan ethnicity, remained associated with increased blood loss after being analyzed by multivariate regression. Complications among the four groups were generally similar, although the frequency of calf muscular venous thrombosis was higher among Tibetan patients, while the frequency of blood transfusion was higher among Han subjects. Our findings indicate that residence at high altitude, but not ethnicity, may contribute to increased total blood loss during TKA. Thrombotic complications were more frequent among Tibetan than Han patients.

Between History and Phantasmagoria: Critical Nostalgic Lyricism in Alai's Poetry and Short Fiction

In his poetry and fiction, Alai creates a historiography of Eastern Tibet replete with the grandeur and magnificence of the past occasionally interposed with some oppressive cultural practices. It is a historiography motivated and energized by nostalgic lyricism, which helps locate and construct a symbolic Tibetan ethnicity. This article proposes that Alai's nostalgic lyricism critically reflects on the inversion of loss and the compensation of lack, thus articulating alternatives against the discontent of the present. In so doing, Alai formulates a minority position against the forces of deterministic historicism and discourse of linear modernity that have constantly placed the minority subject in modern China under threat of erasure.

Electrocardiogram Parameters Associated With the Diagnosis of Pulmonary Hypertension in High-Altitude Tibetan Populations: A Retrospective Single-Centre Study

Electrocardiogram (ECG) is a commonly used diagnostic method for pulmonary hypertension (PH) in Tibetan areas, but its sensitivity and specificity are not good enough. This study aimed to investigate the ECG parameters associated with the diagnosis of PH in Tibetan areas. Ninety-four PH patients of Tibetan ethnicity who were treated at the hospital between March 2019 and October 2020, and 52 Tibetan individuals as controls, were included. The ECG parameters were compared between groups. Multivariate logistic analysis was performed to identify the ECG parameters that can be used for the diagnosis of PH. The univariate significances of ECG parameters were included in the multivariate analyses, whereas those exhibiting opposite trends between different PH subtypes were excluded. Two ECG parameters were significant in multivariate analysis. The final model included S wave amplitude in lead V3 (OR 5.81; 95% CI 2.79-12.11; p<0.001) and a negative T wave in leads V1-V3 (OR 0.05; 95% CI 0.01-0.41; p=0.005). The ROC curve analysis on the final model yielded an AUC of 0.830 (95% CI 0.766-0.894; p<0.001), indicating good diagnostic performance. A nomogram for diagnosis of PH was also established using S wave amplitude in lead V3 and a negative T wave in leads V1-V3. The ECG parameters S wave amplitude in lead V3 and a negative T wave in leads V1-V3 were independent factors associated with the diagnosis of PH in high-altitude Tibetan populations.

Mapping urban scenescapes of ethnicity: a study of Tibetan cultural scenes in downtown Chengdu, China

ABSTRACT Urban scenescapes are significantly influenced by cultural groups representing different ethnicities. In order to foster a cohesive and inclusive urban environment, it is crucial to comprehend the scale, type, and distribution of scenes associated with ethnicity. With the aim of exploring Tibetan cultural scenescapes in Chinese cities, this study employed the theory of scenes to develop a socio-spatial research method. By focusing on the five downtown districts of Chengdu as the study area, the study evaluated the effectiveness of urban facilities in expressing Tibetan culture and delineated the scenescapes related to Tibetan ethnicity in the designated region. This study’s findings indicate the following: 1) different urban facilities exhibited notable variation in their cultural performance; 2) currently, seven distinct scene clusters showcase Tibetan culture in downtown Chengdu; 3) these scene clusters can be categorised into three types. Based on the findings, this study has proposed strategies for planning scene clusters and designing facilities, with the overarching objective of fostering an inclusive and multicultural urban environment.

Anthropometric indices, body function, and physical fitness reference values for Tibetan ethnic children aged 6-17 residing at 3,650 meters above sea level.

ObjectivesIt is known that high altitude influences the growth metrics of high-altitude residents. Using a WHO-recommended standard, the research aimed to establish growth and development reference values for children of Tibetan ethnicity between the ages of 6 and 17 years old.MethodsThe measurements took place in Jomda County, Tibet with an average altitude of 3,650 m above sea level. A total of 3,955 observations (1,932 boys and 2,023 girls) were utilized to model the centile estimations. Included in the measurements are height, weight, body mass index, heart rate, blood pressure, forced lung capacity, sit and reach, and standing long jump. The measurements were modeled using the generalized additive models for location, scale, and shape (GAMLSS). Models were fitted with suitable distributions and locally smoothed using the P-spline for each GAMLSS hyper-parameter. Using the smallest Schwarz Bayesian criterion, the optimal model for each measurement was selected. After model adjustment, centile estimations were calculated for each model.ResultsCompared to the height reference values at the 50th percentile for multi-ethnic Chinese children residing at low altitudes, Tibetan ethnic children exhibit apparent stunted growth. In terms of forced vital capacity, it is remarkable that Tibetan ethnic children lag behind multi-ethnic Chinese children residing at low altitudes. Heart rate and blood pressure regulation are generally normal. Centile estimations are provided in this article and tabulated centiles (1p, 3p, 5p, 15p, 25p, 50p, 75p, 85p, 95p, 97p, 99p) in Chinese, Tibetic, and English are openly available in FigShare (doi: 10.6084/m9.figshare.20898196.v1).ConclusionThis study established the first GAMLSS based growth and development reference values for Tibetan ethnic children aged 6–17. These reference values have numerous clinical and scientific applications. We offer Chinese policymakers with practical initiatives to further enhance the health of Tibetan ethnic children.

The Characteristics of Sleep Apnea in Tibetans and Han Long-Term High Altitude Residents.

PurposeObstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is common both at low and high altitude. Since adaptations to high altitude and respiratory control may differ among Tibetans and Hans, we compared characteristics of sleep-disordered breathing in the two ethnic groups at high altitude.Materials and MethodsThis was a prospective observational study including 86 Tibetan and Han long-term (>5 years) high altitude residents with chief complaints of snoring and/or witnessed apnea underwent clinical evaluation and polysomnography at 3200 meters in Shangri-La, China.ResultsIn 42 Tibetans, 38 men, median (quartiles) age was 50.0 (41.0; 56.0)y, total apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) 53.9 (32.0; 77.5)/h, obstructive AHI 51.0 (28.0; 72.2)/h and central AHI 1.5 (0.2; 3.1)/h. In 44 Hans, 32 men, median (quartiles) age was 47.0 (43.5; 51.0)y, total AHI 22.2 (12.8; 39.2)/h, obstructive AHI 17.7 (12.0; 33.0)/h and central AHI 2.4 (0.5; 3.4)/h (p < 0.001 total and obstructive AHI vs Tibetans). In Tibetans, mean nocturnal oxygen saturation was lower [median 85.0 (83.0; 88.0)% vs 88.5 (87.0; 90.0)%] and obstructive apnea and hypopnea duration was longer [22.0 (19.6; 24.8) sec vs 18.3 (16.7; 20.6) sec] than in Hans (all p < 0.001). In regression analysis, Tibetan ethnicity, neck circumference and high-altitude living duration were the predictors of total AHI. We also found that with every 10/h increase in total AHI, there were an approximately 0.9 beat/min and 0.8 beat/min increase in mean heart rate during rapid eye movement (REM) and non-REM sleep and 1.9 mmHg and 2.0 mmHg increase in evening and morning systolic blood pressure.ConclusionOur data suggest that Tibetans presented more severe obstructive sleep apnea, hypoxemia and longer apnea duration compared to Hans at 3200 meters, which was correlated with higher heart rate and blood pressure suggesting a greater cardiovascular risk.

Scoliosis among children in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau of China: A cross-sectional epidemiological study.

BackgroundThe average altitude of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau is 4,500 m and most of the residents are Tibetan ethnicity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of scoliosis and associated factors among children in this region through a scoliosis screening program.MethodsA cross-sectional study was preformed between May 2020 and December 2020 in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. A total of 9,856 children aged 6–17 years from schools and nearby villages were screened using visual inspection, the Adams forward-bending test, the angle of trunk rotation, and radiography. A self-designed questionnaire was used to collect demographic data. The prevalence of scoliosis and associated factors were analyzed.ResultsThe overall prevalence of scoliosis among children in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau was 3.69%, with 5.38% for females and 2.11% for males. The prevalence of scoliosis was 3.50% in children resided below 4,500 m while 5.63% in those resided above 4,500 m (P = 0.001). The prevalence of congenital scoliosis (2.14 vs. 0.42%, P < 0.001) and neuromuscular scoliosis (0.34 vs. 0.07%, P = 0.041) were significantly higher in the altitude above 4,500 m. 50.00% of patients resided above 4,500 m were recommended for surgery while 16.24% in those resided below 4,500 m (P < 0.001). Independent associated factors were detected as female (OR = 2.217, 95 CI% 1.746–2.814, P < 0.001), BMI < 18.5 (OR = 1.767, 95 CI% 1.441–2.430, P = 0.005), altitude of residence ≥ 4,500 m (OR = 1.808, 95 CI% 1.325–2.483, P = 0.002), and sleep time < 8 h (OR = 2.264, 95 CI% 1.723–2.846, P = 0.001).ConclusionThe prevalence of scoliosis among children in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau was 3.69%. With increasing altitudes, the prevalence of scoliosis and its major type were different from that at lower altitudes. Female, BMI < 18.5, altitude of residence ≥ 4,500 m, and sleep time < 8 h were independently associated with the prevalence of this disease. Early screening should be carried out before the age of 7 years, especially in the high-altitude, underdeveloped, and rural areas.

Prevalence of hypertension and its relationship with altitude in highland areas: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized the pooled prevalence of hypertension at high altitudes and explored its correlation with altitude using studies published in Chinese and English from database inception to February 2021. A systematic literature search was conducted among bibliographic databases (PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science) and three Chinese databases (CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang data) to identify eligible studies. A random-effects model was used to calculate the overall pooled prevalence of hypertension. The I2 statistic was used to assess heterogeneity across studies. Random-effects meta-regression was conducted to investigate covariates that may have influenced between-study heterogeneity. The pooled prevalence of hypertension among the general population in high-altitude areas was 33.0% (95% CI: 29.0-38.0%), with high between-study heterogeneity (I2 = 99.4%, P < 0.01). Subgroup analyses showed the pooled prevalence of hypertension in Tibetan individuals was significantly higher than that in non-Tibetan individuals living in the Himalayas and Pamir Mountains (41% vs. 18%). A trend toward an increase in the prevalence of hypertension was found with every 100-m increase in elevation (coefficient: 0.012, 95% CI: -0.001 to 0.025, P = 0.069) only in Tibetan individuals. In addition, in these individuals, we found an increase in mean diastolic BP with each 100-m increase in altitude (coefficient: 0.763, 95% CI: 0.122-1.403, P = 0.025). Our meta-analysis suggests that the pooled prevalence of hypertension among the general population in high-altitude areas is 33.0%. Subjects of Tibetan ethnicity were more prone to developing hypertension at high altitudes. However, a very weak relationship between altitude and the prevalence of hypertension was found only in Tibetan individuals.

Tibetan Ethnicity, Birthplace, Helicobacter pylori Infection, and Gastric Cancer Risk.

Tibetan Ethnicity, Birthplace, Helicobacter pylori Infection, and Gastric Cancer Risk.

CYP2D6 Gene Polymorphisms and Variable Metabolic Activity in Schizophrenia Patients of Han and Tibetan Populations.

BackgroundIt has been suggested that the pharmacogenomic response to antipsychotics in schizophrenia patients partially contributed by drug metabolism enzyme polymorphism, including P450 2D6 (CYP2D6). However, CYP2D6 gene polymorphism across populations is largely unknown.Materials and MethodsHere, we investigated the differences of CYP2D6 gene polymorphism between Chinese Han and Tibetan schizophrenia patients. We analyzed five CYP2D6 gene related polymorphic locus in 103 patients with schizophrenia, including 60 Han ethnicity and 43 of Tibetan ethnicity, by nucleic acid MALDI-TOF.ResultsPolymorphisms of rs1065852, rs1135840 and rs16947 were significantly different between Han and Tibetan patients. rs1065852 AA genotype had a low frequency of 9.3% in Tibetan patients in comparison with a frequency of 41.7% in Han patients, whereas rs16947 AA genotype had a low frequency of 3.3% in Han patients in comparison with a frequency of 34.9% in Tibetan patients. Additionally, the two patient groups showed distinct distribution of CYP2D6 haplotypes, with the highest frequency of *10/*10 and *1/*2 in Han and Tibetan patients, respectively. Furthermore, Han and Tibetan patients showed differential CYP2D6 metabolic activity.DiscussionTaken together, this exploratory study showed the differences of CYP2D6 gene and metabolic polymorphism between Han and Tibetan schizophrenia patients, and therefore may improve our understanding of the pharmacogenomic response to antipsychotics in schizophrenia patients across populations.

Effect of acetazolamide on obstructive sleep apnoea in highlanders: protocol for a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blinded crossover trial

IntroductionObstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a highly prevalent disease that causing systemic hypertension. Furthermore, altitude-dependent hypobaric hypoxic condition and Tibetan ethnicity have been associated with systemic hypertension independent of OSA,...

Stereoacuity and its determinants in 7-year-old children: the Lhasa Childhood Eye Study.

To explore the distribution of stereoacuity and to examine its determinants in school-age children in Tibetan plateau, Southwest China. This is the cross-sectional part of a school-based cohort study of 7-year-old children in Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, Southwest China. Children in first year of primary school were invited to undergo a comprehensive examination, including height, weight, visual acuity, cycloplegic autorefraction (1% cyclopentolate), anterior segment, cover and uncover test, and stereoacuity (Titmus Stereo Test). A total of 1833 eligible subjects were included, with a mean age of 6.82 ± 0.46years. Mean stereoacuity was 1.78 ± 0.21 in log units (median: 60 arcsec). Children with stereoacuity equal to 40 arcsec and stereoacuity worse than 100 arcsec accounted for 29.24% and 8.18% of the cohort, respectively. Tibetan ethnicity (OR = 1.98; 95%CI, 1.30-3.03), astigmatism (OR = 1.65; 95%CI, 1.26-2.17), strabismus (OR = 2.92; 95%CI, 1.38-6.18), and amblyopia (OR = 3.77; 95%CI, 1.14-12.49) were risk factors for normal stereoacuity (= 40 arcsec). Shorter height, younger age, strabismus, and worse BCVA (P < 0.05 for all) were both related to lower stereoacuity in Spearman correlation analysis and associated with lower stereoacuity in multivariate regression analysis. Stereoacuity maturation does not appear fully completed in 7-year-old children, while few children present stereoacuity worse than 100 arcsec (8.18%). Lower stereoacuity was associated with younger age, shorter height, strabismus, and lower best-corrected visual acuity.

The silent Tibetan women and their visual exclusions in Pema Tseden’s ‘Tibetan Trilogy’

It can be observed that Pema Tseden’s ‘Tibetan Trilogy’ is a series of male-dominant films. Men, at times, serve as ‘images’ used to represent Tibetan culture and ethnicity. Women in the trilogy can be considered silent and sometimes they are outside of the dichotomy of ‘image’ and the play of the ‘look’. This visual representation of gendered politics can be seen to differ from feminist film studies readings of ‘woman as image’ and ‘man as bearer of the look’ in traditional (Hollywood) mainstream cinema. Meanwhile, the trilogy rejects any objectification and exoticisation of Tibetan culture and landscape. This paper therefore takes into consideration a postcolonial feminist perspective to examine if it is possible to understand Pema Tseden’s refusal to include visually women in his ‘Tibetan Trilogy’ as one way in which he rejects the objectification and exoticisation of the Tibetan culture. In addressing this question, this paper will adopt the lines of inquiry, asking: can the ‘Tibetan women’ speak? If yes, from where can they speak? What can they speak? In this way, this paper raises questions for whether and how the permissible subjectivity of female characters in the trilogy can speak, be heard or be seen.

Transcultural Adaptation of Tibetan Nursing Trainees: A Case Study of "9+3" Vocational Technical Students in Sichuan Province, China.

BackgroundNursing education is an important part of the “9+3” vocational education program led by Sichuan Province. In the internship stage, nursing students of Tibetan ethnicity may have problems of intercultural adaptation in the process of getting along with patients, which may affect the effective nursing outcome. The purpose of this study was to clarify the current situation of transcultural adaptation of Tibetan trainee nurses and to provide more theoretical support and guidance.Material/MethodsWe collected 237 valid survey questionnaires, based on Ward’s acculturation process model, from a total of 363 Tibetan trainee nurses in the “9+3” free vocational education program in Chengdu, Luzhou, and Nanchong of Sichuan Province. The SPSSAU project (2020), an online application software retrieved from https://www.spssau.com, was used for data coding and archiving.ResultsThe results of questionnaire and data analysis showed that the overall level of transcultural adaptation of Tibetan trainee nurses was that the number of people with poor adaptation was slightly higher than those with good adaptation, and most Tibetan trainee nurses were in the middle level. Meanwhile, sociocultural adaptation was better than psychological adaptation. There were no statistically significant differences among the 4 grouping variables: gender, student home region, the city where the internship hospital was located, and whether they were from a single-child family or not.ConclusionsThe results revealed that there was still transcultural maladjustment among Tibetan nurses in the internship stage, and the psychological maladjustment was more obvious than the sociocultural maladjustment. We provide countermeasures and suggestions to solve the problems of transcultural adaptation reflected in the research.

Effects of health education on HIV/AIDS related knowledge among first year university students in China.

The number of new HIV infections has increased and implementation of school-based health education programs on AIDS have been advocated for a long time. This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of an intervention of HIV/AIDS on the knowledge of HIV/AIDS prevention and control among first year university students. An awareness questionnaire was adopted to assess awareness and knowledge of HIV/AIDS pre- and post-health education among first year university students in Qinghai, China. Independent sample t-test, chi-square test, and multiple logistic regression analyses were used. A total of 2,165 and 2,062 first year university students were respectively recruited pre- and post- HIV/AIDS health education. The awareness rate increased significantly after the health education intervention (from 48.59%, 95%CI: 46.47%-50.72% to 76.24%, 95%CI: 74.35%-78.06%). Students from Hui and Tibetan ethnicities, and those holding prejudices against AIDS patients were less knowledgeable than their counterparts regarding HIV/AIDS related knowledge, whereas urban-dwellers and those with higher paternal education were positively associated with awareness of HIV/AIDS related knowledge (p <0.05). HIV/AIDS awareness among first year university students improved greatly after receiving an education intervention, which underscores its utility as part of the approaches of HIV/AIDS control and prevention.

Ethnic, geographic, and seasonal differences of vitamin D status among adults in south-west China.

BackgroundThere are limited data on vitamin D status of Sichuan province, and no investigation has been carried out on the correlations of 25(OH)D and BTMs between healthy Hans and Tibetans of Sichuan province. This study aimed to examine 25(OH)D levels around Sichuan province and to assess differences by ethnicity, age, gender, sunlight exposure, geographic location, and seasons.MethodsBlood samples from 2317 healthy adults aged of 18 to 75 years and of Han and Tibetan ethnicities were collected in six regions and during four seasons. Serum 25(OH)D2 and 25(OH)D3 levels were measured by LC‐MS/MS method. Serum total P1NP and β‐CTX were measured by immunoassay.ResultsParticipants aged 18‐40 years showed significantly lower 25(OH)D levels than participants aged 41‐75 years old (P < .0001). The median serum 25(OH)D level for males was significantly higher than that of females (P < .0001). Serum 25(OH)D levels among four seasons and different districts varied significantly (P < .0001). In addition, the 25(OH)D level of Tibetans was significantly lower than that of Hans, while the serum total P1NP and β‐CTX levels of Tibetans were significantly higher than those of Hans (P < .0001).ConclusionAdult population was more common to have vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency among Tibetans, females, north regions and in spring and winter.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome among ethnic groups in China

BackgroundMetabolic syndrome (MetS) is common in China, which has a multi-ethnic population of 1·3 billion. We set out to determine the prevalence of MetS and its components in different ethnic groups.MethodsThis nationwide cross-sectional survey involved 24,796 participants from eight ethnicities in six provinces in China from 2008 to 2011. MetS was defined using the modified National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. Results were analysed using SPSS version 22·0 in 2018. Logistic regression was used for deriving odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals of risk factors for the MetS.ResultsThe prevalence of MetS increased with age from 3·60% to 21·68%. After age standardization, the prevalence of MetS, in descending order, was 35·42% (Korean), 22·82% (Hui), 19·80% (Han), 13·72% (Miao), 12·90% (Tujia), 12·04% (Li), 11·61% (Mongolian), 6·17% (Tibetan). Korean ethnicity was associated with a higher prevalence in five components of MetS, while Tibetan ethnicity was associated with lower prevalence except decreased HDL cholesterol. Logistic regression analyses showed that age, drinking and being non-Tibetan were associated with a higher risk of MetS.ConclusionsWithin one country, albeit a large one, the prevalence of MetS can vary greatly. Chinese of Korean ethnicity had a much higher prevalence than Tibetan ethnicity. Measures to tackle MetS should be tailored to the ethnic groups within a population.

Whole mitochondrial genome analysis of highland Tibetan ethnicity using massively parallel sequencing

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is a key player in numerous multifaceted and intricate biological processes and plays a pivotal role in dissecting the peopling of different populations, due to its maternally inherited property and comparatively high mutation rate. In this study, 119 Tibetan individuals from the Muli Tibetan Autonomous County of China (average altitude above 3,000 m) were employed in mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) sequencing by massively parallel sequencing (MPS) techniques using the Precision ID mtDNA Whole Genome Panel on an Ion S5XL system. The dataset presented 88 distinct haplotypes, resulting in the haplotype diversity of 0.9909. The majority of haplotypes were assigned to East Asian lineages and the distribution of haplogroups of Muli Tibetan significantly differed from reference Tibetan populations. The maximum parsimony phylogeny reconstructed by 119 newly generated mitogenomes revealed 12 major Muli Tibetan lineages. Intriguingly, a Sherpa-specific sub-haplogroup A15c1 with the lack of mutations at 4216 and 15,924 was discerned in our dataset, which suggested that the maternal gene pool of Sherpas may derive from Tibetan populations. The shared haplogroups between Muli Tibetan and lowland Han Chinese hinted that these lineages may derive from non-Tibetans and have already differentiated before their arrival on the Tibetan Plateau. Furthermore, extensive pairwise population comparisons displayed that Muli Tibetan had a closer genetic relationship with ethnically or linguistically close Nyingtri Tibetan, Nyingtri Lhoba and Chamdo Tibetan populations. Genetic affinity was also observed between the Muli Tibetan and North Han Chinese. Collectively, the results generated in this study enriched the existing forensic mtDNA database and raised additional interest in the application of whole mitogenome sequencing in forensic investigations.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in ethnic groups in China: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundMetabolic syndrome is common in China, which has a multiethnic population of 1·3 billion. We set out to establish the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components in different ethnic groups. MethodsWe did a nationwide cross-sectional survey of eight ethnicities from six provinces in China. Metabolic syndrome was defined with the modified National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. We analysed results using SPSS version 22·0. We used logistic regression for deriving odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals of risk factors for the metabolic syndrome. FindingsBetween June 1, 2008, and Dec 31, 2011, 24 796 participants were involved in the survey. The crude prevalence of metabolic syndrome ranged from 3·60% to 21·70% depending on the age group. After age standardisation, the respective prevalence of metabolic syndrome in descending order was 34·53% (Korean), 22·81% (Hui), 19·80% (Han), 13·72% (Miao), 12·88% (Tujia), 12·04% (Li), 11·58% (Mongolian), and 6·18% (Tibetan). Korean ethnicity was associated with a higher prevalence in five components of metabolic syndrome, whereas Tibetan ethnicity was associated with lower prevalence in most of the components except decreased HDL cholesterol. Logistic regression analyses showed that age (OR for 60–86 years old 34·12; 95% CI 24·67–47·18), drinking status (1·35; 1·20–1·51), and not being Tibetan (Han 2·975; 2·194–4·034; Li 2·096; 1·487–2·954; Miao 1·961; 1·262–3·048; Mongolian 1·835; 1·272–2·648; Korean 5·989; 4·249–8·442; Hui 4·020; 2·859–5·653; and Tujia 1·753; 1·166–2·637) were all associated with a higher risk of metabolic syndrome. InterpretationThe prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Korean and Hui ethnicities was higher than for the other ethnic groups. Tibetan ethnicity was associated with a lower risk of metabolic syndrome. The ethnic differences in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components mean that measures to tackle the metabolic syndrome should be tailored to the characteristics of that population. FundingThe Ministry of Science and Technology of P R China (2006FY110300).

Validation of the Moral Foundations Questionnaire with three Chinese ethnic groups

Moral foundations theory is claimed to be universally applicable and is classified into 5 foundations of morality: care/harm, fairness/cheating, loyalty/betrayal, respect/subversion, and purity/degradation. This theory has not been tested in the Eastern cultural context. Therefore, in this study I addressed this lack in the context of China, where there are people of a number of different ethnicities. I adopted the Moral Foundations Questionnaire, which was completed by 761 Chinese of Han, Uygur, and Tibetan ethnicity. The results show that there was no gender difference in morality foundation scores, but the differences among ethnic groups were significant: Tibetans scored lower than did Han and Uygur in care and fairness, and Uygur scored higher than Han and Tibetans did in loyalty, respect, and purity. The interactions between gender and ethnic group were significant for care, fairness, and respect. These findings suggest that moral foundations theory is applicable to China, that the Moral Foundations Questionnaire can also be partially applied to Chinese, and that ethnicity is an influential factor when people make moral judgments.