Betel quid dependence mechanism and potential cessation therapy.

Background: Global reports estimate the number of betel quid (BQ) chewers up to 600 million. The proportion of betel quid dependence (BQD) is 20%-90% among current users. BQD mechanisms are not fully understood, and no pharmacological solution exists for its cessation therapy.

ALPK1 genetic regulation and risk in relation to gout.

Background: The present study investigated whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the alpha-protein kinase 1 (ALPK1) gene are associated with gout in aboriginal and Han Chinese Taiwanese.

Methods: A total of 1351 aborigines from the community (511 cases and 840 controls) and 511 Han people from hospital (104 cases and 407 controls) were recruited. SNPs in potentially functional regions of the 38 genes within 4q25 were identified and genotypes determined by direct sequencing.

The effect of maternal betel quid exposure during pregnancy on adverse birth outcomes among aborigines in Taiwan.

In considering documented developmental toxicity and teratogenicity found in earlier research, maternal betel quid chewing may very well be linked to a higher risk of adverse birth outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the significance of betel quid chewing, together with the use of cigarettes or alcohol, either independently or combined, on birth-related outcomes. A total of 1264 aboriginal women who had just given birth in 10 hospitals in Southern and Eastern Taiwan were recruited.

Prevalence and associated factors of betel quid use in the Solomon Islands: a hyperendemic area for oral and pharyngeal cancer.

Chewing betel quid is a popular habit in tropical areas. It is also a known fact that oral cancer is one of the most common cancers in the Solomon Islands, where betel quid chewing is prevalent. This study explores the prevalence of betel quid chewing in the Solomon Islands and related sociodemographic factors.

Genomewide scan for gout in taiwanese aborigines reveals linkage to chromosome 4q25.

Gout is a disorder of uric-acid metabolism. The Pacific Austronesian population, including Taiwanese aborigines, has a remarkably high prevalence of hyperuricemia and gout, which suggests a founder effect across the Pacific region. We report here a genomewide linkage study of 21 multiplex pedigrees with gout from an aboriginal tribe in Taiwan.