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Liver cancer, particularly hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is more common in Asians than in Caucasians. This is due, at least in part, to regional differences in the prevalence of exogenous factors such as HBV; however, endogenous factors specific to Asia might also play a role. Such endogenous factors include HLA (human leukocyte antigen) genes, which are considered candidates due to their high racial diversity. Here, we performed a pancancer association analysis of 147 alleles of HLA-class I/II genes (HLA-A, B, and C/DRB1, DQA1, DQB1, DPA1, and DPB1) in 31,727 cases of 12 cancer types, including 1684 liver cancer cases and 107,103 controls. HLA alleles comprising a haplotype prevalent in Asia were significantly associated with pancancer risk (e.g., odds ratio [OR] for a DRB1*15:02 allele = 1.12, P = 2.7 × 10–15), and the associations were particularly strong in HBV-related HCC (OR 1.95, P = 2.8 × 10–5). In silico prediction suggested that the DRB1*15:02 molecule encoded by the haplotype does not bind efficiently to HBV-derived peptides. RNA sequencing indicated that HBV-related HCC in carriers of the haplotype shows low infiltration by NK cells. These results indicate that the Asian-prevalent HLA haplotype increases the risk of HBV-related liver cancer risk by attenuating immune activity against HBV infection, and by reducing NK cell infiltration into the tumor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study evaluated whether patients with particular lower limb morphological factors have femoral and tibial component malpositioning during mechanically aligned total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and lower postoperative satisfaction. Methods: This study included 146 knees in 117 Asian patients undergoing TKA for medial osteoarthritis. Preoperative bony morphological factors such as the angle between the femoral mechanical and anatomical axes (MA-AA angle), angle between the anatomical axes of the proximal and distal femur (lateral bowing femoral angle, LBFA), mechanical lateral distal femoral angle, medial proximal tibial angle, and % anatomical axis of the tibia were evaluated, as well as preoperative and 1-year postoperative 2011 Knee Society scores (KSSs). Results: MA-AA angle and LBFA were significantly larger in knees with varus femoral component alignment versus neutral alignment. Preoperative MA-AA angle was underestimated in patients with larger MA-AA angle or LBFA, especially by inexperienced surgeons. Tibial morphological factors did not affect tibial component alignment. Changes in 2011 KSSs were similar among groups by lower limb alignment or femoral and tibial component alignment. Conclusion: Femoral bowing affects varus femoral component alignment by obscuring preoperative planning, but it had little impact on patient satisfaction when mechanical alignment is targeted during TKA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID‐19 pandemic has caused disruptions to national health systems and impacted health outcomes worldwide. However, the extent to which surveillance systems, such as population‐based cancer registration, have been affected was not reported. Here we sought to evaluate the effect of the pandemic on registry operations across different areas and development levels worldwide. We investigated the impact of COVID‐19 on three main areas of cancer registry operations: staffing, financing and data collection. An online survey was administered to 750 member registries of the International Association for Cancer Registries. Among 212 responding registries from 90 countries, 65.6% reported a disruption in operations, ranging between 45% in south‐eastern Asia and 87% in the Latin America and Caribbean. Active data collection was disrupted more than case notifications or hybrid methods. In countries categorized with low Human Development Index (HDI), a greater number of registries reported a negative impact (81.3%) than in very high HDI countries (57.8%). This contrast was highest in term of impact on financing: 9/16 (56%) registries in low HDI countries reported a current or an expected decline in funding, compared to 7/108 (7%) in very high HDI countries. With many cancer registries worldwide reporting disruption to their operations during the early COVID‐19 pandemic, urgent actions are needed to ensure their continuity. Governmental commitment to support future registry operations as an asset to disease control, alongside a move toward electronic reporting systems will help to ensure the sustainability of cancer surveillance worldwide. What's new? The COVID‐19 pandemic has caused disruptions to health systems worldwide. Has it also affected surveillance systems, such as population‐based cancer registries? In this study, the authors found that two‐thirds of analyzed cancer registries reported disruption in staffing, finances, and/or data collection. In countries with a low Human Development Index (HDI), a greater number of registries reported a negative impact (81.3%) than in very high HDI countries (57.8%). These results emphasize the need for actionable, strategic plans to ensure the continuity of registry operations globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The global epidemiological situation of gastric cancer has changed considerably over time, and it is essential to understand the epidemiological trends and future perspectives of gastric cancer. Summary: Although gastric cancer was common in the United States less than a century previously, it is no longer common in this country. Currently, over 60% of gastric cancers are found in Eastern Asia. In some Eastern Asian countries such as Japan and Korea, population-based gastric cancer screening has been conducted using upper gastrointestinal endoscopy or radiography to lower gastric cancer mortality. Due to earlier detection of gastric cancer, the survival of patients with gastric cancer is more favorable in these countries than in other Western countries. Even in Eastern Asia, a remarkable decrease in the age-standardized incidence and mortality of gastric cancer has been observed. This downward trend is mainly due to the reduced Helicobacter pylori infection, and this trend is considered to continue. Nevertheless, both the absolute number of incident cases and deaths of gastric cancer are still increasing at present due to the aging population. For the time being, the management of gastric cancer in elderly population is a critical issue in Eastern Asia. The absolute numbers of gastric cancer cases and deaths are believed to peak in the near future, following the decreasing age-standardized incidence and mortality. Key Messages: After a long period, gastric cancer may become a rare cancer even in Eastern Asia, and new efficient approaches for its prevention, screening, and treatment are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate real‐world data of ixazomib plus lenalidomide and dexamethasone (IRd) therapy for patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 122 patients treated with IRd at 16 centers from May 2017 to January 2019 by using the Kansai Myeloma Forum database. Result: At the start of IRd, the median age was 72 years, 66.7% of patients had IgG type, and the median number of prior therapies was 4, comprising bortezomib (85.4%) and lenalidomide (89.3%)‐based regimens. Disease progression and adverse events accounted for treatment discontinuation in 46 and 32 patients, respectively. The median overall survival (OS) was not reached, and the median progression‐free survival (PFS) was 11.9 months. Sensitivity to bortezomib did not affect the PFS, whereas lenalidomide‐refractory patients had significantly lower PFS than lenalidomide‐sensitive patients, who were comparable to TOURMALINE‐MM1 study. The patients with IgG type had significantly better PFS and OS than those with non‐IgG type. Conclusion: This study presents the largest real‐world data of patients treated with IRd in Asia. However, in real clinical practice, the patient background is different from the TOURMALINE‐MM1 study, and IRd showed poor efficacy, especially in the non‐IgG type and lenalidomide‐refractory patients with RRMM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Amphitetranychus Oudemans (Tetranychidae) consists of only three species, A. quercivorus (Ehara & Gotoh), A. savenkoae (Reck) and A. viennensis (Zacher). The original description of A. savenkoae was extremely simple and had no drawing of the aedeagus; however, a subsequent study described only the aedeagus. The present study investigated all three species in detail using a combination of morphological traits, crossbreeding experiments, esterase zymograms and the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. Morphological differences in the peritremes and male aedeagi were observed among the three species. Complete reproductive isolation was confirmed in the reciprocal crosses between the morphologically similar A. savenkoae and A. quercivorus (no female offspring were produced). Esterase zymograms differed interspecifically, but not intraspecifically (among individuals in a given species). All three species formed clearly separate clades with 100% bootstrap values in the COI tree, and A. savenkoae was more closely related to A. quercivorus than to A. viennensis, which corresponded to the morphological similarity of their aedeagi and setal counts on tarsi IV. A key to Amphitetranychus species is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With recent economic development in Southeast Asia, there have been improvements in medical services and healthcare provision. This has led to increased numbers of dialysis patients and increased numbers of dialysis facilities in the region. To assist economically developing countries in managing this change, support projects from Japan have been conducted in the region since around 2007. This article summarizes and discusses Japan's support activities, in which some of the authors were directly involved, in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Myanmar. Initial support was mainly organized by the non-governmental organization Ubiquitous Blood Purification International (NGO UBPI), and currently several organizations in the field of blood purification work together to offer ongoing support in the region. Many positive changes have resulted from these activities in Southeast Asia, but challenges remaining for the future are to establish an educational system for each dialysis specialty and develop dialysis techniques ensuring high treatment quality and safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Since the publication of the first Asia Pacific Consensus on Colorectal Cancer (CRC) in 2008, there are substantial advancements in the science and experience of implementing CRC screening. The Asia Pacific Working Group aimed to provide an updated set of consensus recommendations. Design Members from 14 Asian regions gathered to seek consensus using other national and international guidelines, and recent relevant literature published from 2008 to 2013. A modified Delphi process was adopted to develop the statements. Results Age range for CRC screening is defined as 50- 75 years. Advancing age, male, family history of CRC, smoking and obesity are confirmed risk factors for CRC and advanced neoplasia. A risk-stratified scoring system is recommended for selecting high-risk patients for colonoscopy. Quantitative faecal immunochemical test (FIT) instead of guaiac-based faecal occult blood test (gFOBT) is preferred for average-risk subjects. Ancillary methods in colonoscopy, with the exception of chromoendoscopy, have not proven to be superior to high-definition white light endoscopy in identifying adenoma. Quality of colonoscopy should be upheld and quality assurance programme should be in place to audit every aspects of CRC screening. Serrated adenoma is recognised as a risk for interval cancer. There is no consensus on the recruitment of trained endoscopy nurses for CRC screening. Conclusions Based on recent data on CRC screening, an updated list of recommendations on CRC screening is prepared. These consensus statements will further enhance the implementation of CRC screening in the Asia Pacific region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. Recently, a non-synonymous (Gly307Ser) variant, rs763361, in the CD226 gene was shown to be associated with multiple autoimmune diseases (ADs) in European Caucasian populations. However, shared autoimmunity with CD226 has not been evaluated in non-European populations. The aim of the present study is to assess the association of this single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) with ADs in non-European populations. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) have been occurring in domestic poultry in Asia since 1996. In the beginning of 2004, HPAI outbreaks were caused by H5N1 virus in two farms and a group of pet chickens in different areas of Japan. In the present study, the pathogenicity of A/chicken/Yamaguchi/7/04 (H5N1), which had been isolated from a dead chicken during the first outbreak in Japan, was assessed in chickens, quails, budgerigars, ducklings, mice, and miniature pigs by experimental infection. The virus was highly pathogenic to all the birds tested. Mice were susceptible to infection with a low mortality rate and miniature pigs were resistant to infection with the virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractResearchers from Japan, China and Singapore have initiated a collaborative project, with the aim of comparing adolescent quality of life (QOL) internationally. This study presents the primary results of the investigation conducted in Beijing, China, and Kobe, Japan. The 70-item Quality of Life Questionnaire for Adolescents (QOLQA) was developed and evaluated in Japan and China. In total, 1114 Japanese and 613 Chinese junior high school students, aged 12–15 years, completed the questionnaire. Chinese students scored significantly higher than the Japanese students in overall QOL scores and in most domains. For both groups, subjects had highest score in the independence domain and lowest in psychological domain. In terms of overall QOL score, Chinese male students ranked first, followed by Chinese girls, Japanese boys, and Japanese girls. In the Japanese group, a continuing decrease of QOL scores with age was observed without exception, but no such tendency was present in their Chinese counterparts. No parallel relationship was observed between the higher level of economic development and better quality of life. The results also suggest that mental health promotion should be a priority in improving overall quality of life of adolescents both in Japan and China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers an Asian perspective on ecological risk management. The authors focused on the basic method and system of international environmental risk management, the ecosystem roles of forest vegetation and the development of risk evaluation technique for biotic communities services in developing countries in Asia. According to the authors, Asian viewpoints on the issue is immature compared to European and North American countries.

Asia differs substantially among and within its regions populated by diverse ethnic groups, which maintain their own respective cultures and dietary habits. To address the diversity in their gut microbiota, we characterized the bacterial community in fecal samples obtained from 303 school-age children living in urban or rural regions in five countries spanning temperate and tropical areas of Asia. The microbiota profiled for the 303 subjects were classified into two enterotype-like clusters, each driven by Prevotella (P-type) or Bifidobacterium/Bacteroides (BB-type), respectively. Majority in China, Japan and Taiwan harbored BB-type, whereas those from Indonesia and Khon Kaen in Thailand mainly harbored P-type. The P-type microbiota was characterized by a more conserved bacterial community sharing a greater number of type-specific phylotypes. Predictive metagenomics suggests higher and lower activity of carbohydrate digestion and bile acid biosynthesis, respectively, in P-type subjects, reflecting their high intake of diets rich in resistant starch. Random-forest analysis classified their fecal species community as mirroring location of resident country, suggesting eco-geographical factors shaping gut microbiota. In particular, children living in Japan harbored a less diversified microbiota with high abundance of Bifidobacterium and less number of potentially pathogenic bacteria, which may reflect their living environment and unique diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asia has a considerable risk of nitrogen deposition effects on ecosystems due to the high deposition amounts. Ammonia (NH 3) emissions, primarily from agricultural production, have increased in East Asia, and the increasing contribution of NH 3 deposition to the total nitrogen deposition is concerning. However, NH 3 deposition in this region is uncertain due to lacking flux measurements and the complex bidirectional nature of NH 3 atmosphere−surface exchange. To better understand the NH 3 deposition in this region, we investigated NH 3 fluxes over an agricultural field in Tokyo, Japan. Fluxes were determined using the relaxed eddy accumulation method incorporating the denuder/filter-pack sampling technique and continuously conducting daytime and nighttime measurements in soybean-growing (July 28–August 5, 2020) and fallow (March 4–March 10, 2021) periods. NH 3 fluxes were mostly downward in both periods, indicating that the agricultural field was a sink for NH 3 during the periods (mean flux = −0.091 μg m−2 s−1). The deposition velocities in the growing period were lower than in the fallow period possibly due to the smaller turbulence. The deposition velocities correlated positively with friction velocity, indicating that the turbulence is the dominant factor driving NH 3 deposition. We compared inferred fluxes using a compensation point model with the measured fluxes. The model did not reproduce the observation results when using default inputs, but showed a mean NH 3 emission of 0.054 μg m−2 s−1. Revised inputs considering on-site soil and foliage information improved the model's results; however, the inferred fluxes were still smaller than the measured fluxes (mean flux = −0.017 μg m−2 s−1). These results indicate that there were possibly other processes enhancing NH 3 deposition in the agricultural field. • We obtained NH 3 fluxes over agricultural field in soybean-growing and fallow periods. • We used the relaxed eddy accumulation method to measure the NH 3 fluxes. • Measured fluxes were mostly downward in both periods and larger than model values. • Correlation between V d and u* showed turbulence was main factor driving deposition. • Chemical reaction enhancing NH 3 deposition in agricultural fields possibly exist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eight regional Eulerian chemical transport models (CTMs) are compared with each other and with an extensive set of observations including ground-level concentrations from EANET, ozone soundings from JMA and vertical profiles from the TRACE-P experiment to evaluate the models’ abilities in simulating O3 and relevant species (SO2, NO, NO2, HNO3 and PAN) in the troposphere of East Asia and to look for similarities and differences among model performances. Statistical analysis is conducted to help estimate the consistency and discrepancy between model simulation and observation in terms of various species, seasons, locations, as well as altitude ranges. In general, all models show a good skill of simulating SO2 for both ground level and the lower troposphere, although two of the eight models systematically overpredict SO2 concentration. The model skills for O3 vary largely with region and season. For ground-level O3, model results are best correlated with observations in July 2001. Comparing with O3 soundings measured in the afternoon reveals the best consistency among models in March 2001 and the largest disparity in O3 magnitude in July 2001, although most models produce the best correlation in July as well. In terms of the statistics for the four flights of TRACE-P experiment, most models appear to be able to accurately capture the variability in the lower troposphere. The model performances for NO x are relatively poor, with lower correlation and with almost all models tending to underpredict NO x levels, due to larger uncertainties in either emission estimates or complex chemical mechanism represented. All models exhibit larger RMSE at altitudes <2km than 2–5.5km, mainly due to a consistent tendency of these models towards underprediction of the magnitude of intense plumes that often originate from near surface. Relatively lower correlation at altitudes 2–5.5km may be attributed to the models’ limitation in representing convection or potential chemical processes. Most of the key features in species distribution have been consistently reproduced by the participating models, such as the O3 enhancement in the western Pacific Ocean in March and in northeast Asia in July, respectively, although the absolute model values may differ considerably from each other. Large differences are found among models in the southern parts of the domain for all the four periods, including southern China and northern parts of some Southeast Asia countries where the behaviors of chemical components and the ability of these models are still not clearly known because of a lack of observational databases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Results from the Model Intercomparison Study Asia Phase II (MICS-Asia II) are presented. Nine different regional modeling groups simulated chemistry and transport of ozone (O3), secondary aerosol, acid deposition, and associated precursors, using common emissions and boundary conditions derived from a global model. Four-month-long periods, representing 2 years and three seasons (i.e., March, July, and December in 2001, and March in 2002), are analyzed. New observational data, obtained under the EANET (the Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia) monitoring program, were made available for this study, and these data provide a regional database to compare with model simulations. The analysis focused around seven subject areas: O3 and related precursors, aerosols, acid deposition, global inflow of pollutants and precursor to Asia, model sensitivities to aerosol parameterization, analysis of emission fields, and detailed analyses of individual models, each of which is presented in a companion paper in this issue of Atmospheric Environment. This overview discusses the major findings of the study, as well as information on common emissions, meteorological conditions, and observations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study quantifies the seasonality and geographic variability of global pollutant inflow to Asia. Asia is often looked to as a major source of intercontinental air pollution transport with rising emissions and efficient pollutant export processes. However, the degree to which foreign emissions have been imported to Asia has not been thoroughly examined. The Model Inter-Comparison Study for Asia (MICS-Asia) is an international collaboration to study air pollution transport and chemistry in Asia. Using the global atmospheric chemistry Model of Ozone and Related Tracers (MOZART v. 2.4), and comparing results with a suite of regional models participating in MICS-Asia, we find that imported O3 contributes significantly throughout Asia. The choice of upper boundary condition is found to be particularly important for O3, even for surface concentrations. Both North America and Europe contribute to ground-level O3 concentrations throughout the region, though the seasonality of these two sources varies. North American contributions peak at over 10% of monthly mean O3 during winter months in East Asia, compared to Europe''s spring- and autumn-maxima (5–8%). In comparison to observed data from the Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia (EANET), MOZART concentrations for O3 generally fall within the range of the MICS models, but MOZART is unable to capture the fine spatial variability of shorter-lived species as well as the regional models. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Benign convulsions associated with mild gastroenteritis (CwG) are a commonly observed disorder in Asia, especially in infants and seniors. Here, we describe a retrospective study about the clinical features of CwG in 62 children hospitalized at St. Mary’s Hospital (Kurume City, Japan) between January 1, 2000 and March 31, 2006, and further evaluate the efficacies of various anticonvulsant treatments for patients with CwG due to either rotavirus or norovirus. Causative diarrheal viruses were detected in 71% of the fecal specimens tested; 30 patients were positive for rotavirus, nine patients were positive for norovirus, two patients were positive for sapovirus, two patients were positive for adenovirus, and one patient was positive for coxackievirus A4. The age of onset for patients with norovirus-positive CwG (16.7±2.7 months) was significantly lower than that of patients with rotavirus-positive CwG (23.0±8.7 months). The duration of the seizures due to norovirus infection (11.8±12.0h) was significantly longer than that due to rotavirus infection (4.9±5.7h). There were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to the results of blood chemistry analysis, including the concentrations of serum electrolytes, blood glucose levels, and liver function tests. In this preliminary study, the duration of seizures in patients with CwG due to norovirus that was treated with carbamazepine was significantly shorter than the duration of seizures in the patients treated with another anticonvulsant (phenobarbital). Further randomized controlled studies are required to clarify the efficacies of the various anticonvulsants for patients with CwG. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Groups of people with no occupational exposure to Br-containing chemicals (29–54 year old, mostly women) in Japan, China and Korea, respectively, offered spot urine samples. Those in China and Korea offered 24 h duplicates of foods of the day. Urine samples were analyzed for Br by ECD–gas chromatography (ECD–GC) after derivatization to methyl bromide, and the Br-U was adjusted for a specific gravity of 1.016. Food intake data were based on national statistics and supplemented by the food duplicate data. Mean Br-U was 5.4 and 6.5 mg/l for Japanese men and women, respectively. Mean levels were in a range of 1.8–2.8 mg/l for four groups of Chinese, and 8–12 mg/l for the four groups of women in Korea. Br-U levels among Korean women were close levels reported for occupational exposure to 1- or 2-bromopropane, or methyl bromide. Regression analyses showed that Br-U levels were influenced by the intake of marine products (such as sea algae, sea fish and shellfish) and fruits, and inversely relate to intakes of cereals and potato. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The dry deposition process of nitrogen compounds still has considerable uncertainty due to the complex compound behavior in the atmosphere. To enhance understanding of the nitric acid (HNO 3) dry deposition process that largely contributes to the total nitrogen deposition, we associate this process with the equilibrium shift of ammonium nitrate (NH 4 NO 3) to HNO 3 and ammonia (NH 3) near the surface. We obtained the flux of HNO 3 and PM 2.5 components above a forest in suburban Tokyo using a relaxed eddy accumulation (REA) system incorporating the denuder/filter-pack sampling technique. We conducted continuous samplings on a weekly basis over a long-term period, from October 14, 2016 to October 3, 2018, including leafy and leafless conditions. The measured deposition velocities of fine NO 3 − particles were significantly (p < 0.05) larger than those of fine SO 4 2− particles and similar to those of HNO 3 , regardless of the leafy and leafless periods. The larger deposition velocities of fine NO 3 − particles caused by the equilibrium shift of NH 4 NO 3 were found to be similar to previous measurements at the same site. The measured deposition velocities of HNO 3 were low and included many emission cases compared to those of fine NO 3 − particles. The lower HNO 3 deposition velocities were associated with the equilibrium shift of NH 4 NO 3 to the gas phase, causing the suppressed deposition and apparent emission of HNO 3 , particularly during the leafless period. The emission of HNO 3 is possibly due to high HNO 3 concentration near the surface, which is attributed to a small removal of the leafless canopy. The turbulence enhanced both the upward and downward fluxes of HNO 3. These results will contribute to the better understanding for the dynamics of the nitrogen compounds in the atmosphere and the accurate assessment for the nitrogen deposition. • We conducted long-term flux measurements of HNO 3 and NH 4 NO 3 above a forest. • We applied the relaxed eddy accumulation method to measure the fluxes. • Fine nitrate V d was significantly larger than fine sulfate V d. • Suppressed deposition of HNO 3 were observed particularly in leafless period. • Apparent emission of HNO 3 is due to the volatilization of NH 4 NO 3 near the surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern humans originated in Africa before migrating across the world with founder effects and adaptations to new environments contributing to their present phenotypic diversity. Determining the genetic basis of differences between populations may provide clues about our evolutionary history and may have clinical implications. Herein, we develop a method to detect genes and biological processes in which populations most differ by calculating the genetic distance between modern populations and a hypothetical ancestral population. We apply our method to large-scale single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data from human populations of African, European and Asian origin. As expected, ancestral alleles were more conserved in the African populations and we found evidence of high divergence in genes previously suggested as targets of selection related to skin pigmentation, immune response, senses and dietary adaptations. Our genome-wide scan also reveals novel candidates for contributing to population-specific traits. These include genes related to neuronal development and behavior that may have been influenced by cultural processes. Moreover, in the African populations, we found a high divergence in genes related to UV protection and to the male reproductive system. Taken together, these results confirm and expand previous findings, providing new clues about the evolution and genetics of human phenotypic diversity., (© 2011 The Authors Annals of Human Genetics © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd/University College London.)