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OBJECTIVE: Diabetes in Asia constitutes approximately half of the global burden. Although insulin resistance and incidence of type 2 diabetes differ substantially between ethnic groups within Asia, the reasons for these differences are poorly understood.We evaluated to what extent body fatness, adiponectin levels and inflammation mediate the relationship between ethnicity and insulin resistance in an Asian setting. DESIGN: Cross-sectional population-based study. SUBJECTS: In total, 4136 adult Chinese, Malays and Asian Indians residing in Singapore. MEASUREMENTS: Insulin resistance was assessed using homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) and systemic inflammation by C-reactive protein (CRP). Data were analyzed using path analysis. RESULTS: HOMA-IR was highest in Asian Indians, intermediate in Malays and lowest in Chinese (Po0.001). The difference in HOMA-IR between Malays and Chinese disappeared after adjusting for body mass index (BMI). For the comparison of Asian Indians with Chinese, the association between ethnicity and HOMA-IR was mediated by BMI (men: 32.9%; women: 48.5%), BMI-adjusted waist circumference (men: 6.1%; women: 3.5%), and CRP (men: 5.1%; women: 5.6%), and unidentified factors (men: 47.2%; women: 26.5%). Part of the mediating effects of body fatness was indirect through effects of body fatness on CRP and adiponectin concentrations. CONCLUSION: Mediators of ethnic differences in insulin resistance differed markedly depending on the ethnic groups compared. General adiposity explained the difference in insulin resistance between Chinese and Malays, whereas abdominal fat distribution, inflammation and unexplained factors contributed to excess insulin resistance in Asian Indians as compared with Chinese and Malays. These findings suggest that interventions targeting excess weight gain can reduce ethnic disparities in insulin resistance among Asian Indians, Chinese and Malays.

Immunoassay, based on a selective affinity of the biological antibody for its antigen, is one of the most usual analytical methods in food safety and environmental chemistry. However, it presents several drawbacks because of the nature of the antibody. Molecular imprinting technique, due to its high selectivity and stability, ease of preparation and low cost, has shown great potential in producing artificial antibodies in biomimetic immunoassays. This article focuses on the recent states, advantages, current problems and outlooks of molecularly imprinted radio, fluoro, enzyme-linked and chemiluminescent immunoassays, and biomimetic immunosensor, with special emphasis on the challenges in developing biomimetic enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (BELISAs). The biomimetic immunoassay method will provide an important new analysis platform in food safety, although the sensitivity and specificity is relatively low.Keywords: application, artificial antibody, biomimetic immunoassay, molecular imprinting Practical Application: As a new simple analysis method, the biomimetic immunoassay has attractive prospect, although some limitations were existed in real-sample assay. In this critical review, some promising solutions for overcoming its drawbacks were put forward, which may promote the more quick development and extensive application of this method in food safety.

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