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PubMed1995

HLA class II and HLA-B27 oligotyping in two Siberian native population groups.

It was the purpose of this study to better define the frequency of HLA-B27 subtypes and HLA class II alleles among indigenous populations from the eastern tip of the Chukotka Peninsula of Siberia, Russia, which have higher frequencies of HLA-B27 (40%) and spondyloarthropathies (2%) than Caucasian populations and test the hypothesis that these populations are more closely related to Orientals. Siberian Eskimos and Chukchi residing in four coastal villages on the Chukotka Peninsula inhabited by Siberian Eskimos and Chukchi people were examined using oligotyping of the polymerase-chain reaction-amplified second and third exons of the HLA-B27 gene. HLA-class II alleles (DRB1, DQA1 and DQB1) were similarly determined. Of 88 HLA-B27 positive individuals from these villages, all had HLA-B*2705, including the four patients with Reiter's syndrome and the five ankylosing spondylitis, except one Eskimo control who had HLA-B*2702. None had HLA-B*2704, a frequent subtype in Orientals. HLA-class II typing in 70 Siberian Eskimos and 71 Siberian coastal Chukchi revealed HLA-DRB1*0401, DRB1*0802, *0901 and *1402 to account for nearly all the DRB1 alleles found in this population, similar to what has been described in Eskimos in Alaska, but different from Chinese or native Americans in the U.S. The overwhelming majority of the individuals examined had HLA-DQB1*0301, similar to what has been observed in Native Americans. The Siberian Eskimos differed from the coastal Chukchi only in the occurrence of HLA-DRB1*0701, DQA1*0201, DQB1*0201 alleles, which occurred only in the former group. These data suggest that the Chukotka population is genetically more closely related to Caucasians and native Americans and less to other Oriental populations.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1999

Rheumatic diseases in North America's indigenous peoples.

OBJECTIVES: There are at least 3 million North American Indians and Eskimos in North America. The epidemiology of rheumatic diseases in Native North Americans differs from that described for the remainder of the North American population. An enhanced understanding of rheumatic diseases in these indigenous people may provide valuable clues to the cause of these disorders and improve rheumatologic care. METHODS: The world literature was searched for all reports of rheumatic diseases in North American Indians and Eskimos. The reports were reviewed and the findings summarized by disease process. RESULTS: Many Native American groups have high prevalence rates of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus, connective tissue diseases, and spondyloarthropathies. There appears to be a correlation between the pattern of rheumatic diseases in Native North Americans and the patterns of migration and ancestry. In general, Amerind Indians have increased rates of RA and connective tissue disease, while Na-Dene Indians and Eskimos have high rates of spondyloarthropathies. The RA seen in Native Americans is generally severe, seropositive, with an early age of onset, and frequent extraarticular manifestations. Many Native American groups have very high frequencies of the RA shared epitope. The majority of Native American and Eskimo groups also have high frequencies of HLA-B27, and some of the world's highest prevalence rates of spondyloarthropathies are described in these groups. Although some groups show a marked tendency to develop either Reiter's syndrome or ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic and enteropathic arthritis are rare. CONCLUSIONS: The excess rheumatic disease seen in this population is most likely genetic in origin. Because of the combination of high rates of rheumatic disease and relative genetic homogeneity, Native North Americans represent a singular opportunity to study genetic contributions to rheumatic disease. For clinicians, the index of suspicion for rheumatic diseases in North American Indians and Eskimos should be high, and the severe disease and sometimes atypical presentations kept in mind.

Humans↗

PubMed1977

An anthropological perspective on the evolution and lateralization of the brain.

The purpose of this paper is to review the anthropological evidence relating to the cultural determinants of the right-hand first postaulted by Hertz in his classic study. Also a genetic/cultural conformity model of handedness is presented that postulates that the incidence of handedness in a society is held to result both from the genetic expression of handedness interacting with cultural pressures towards conformity. The evolutionary basis for the hemispheric functional organization into cognitive and perceptual hemispheric functions is discussed in terms of "right-handed dominant homozygotes, DD," "heterozygotes, DR," mixed-handers, and "left-handed recessive homozygotes, RR." The cross-cultural distribution of handedness provides support for this model since the more conforming agriculturalists as measured by the Asch Test have a significantly lower incidence of left-handedness (0.59%, 1.5% and 3.4%), while the more permissively socialized Eskimo and Arunta hunters, who are seen to be more independent on the Asch Test, have 11.3% and 10.5% left-handers, respectively. Also, due to the greater pressures for females to conform in agricultural societies, the incidence of female left-handedness in agricultural societies is 0% out of 330 female Ss, with 3.8%, 0.79%, and 2.5% in agricultural males, as contrasted with the Eskimo hunters who have 12.5% left-handed males and 10.3% left-handed females, showing no significant sex difference. A further Hong Kong-English study also supports the genetic/cultural conformity model with a significantly lower incidence of Hong Kong Chinese left-handers (RR: male = 2.7%, and female = 4.2%). The next section, concerned with the neonatal sex-hormone differentiation and lateralization processes, provides a neuropsychologic theory relating to spatial and linguistic skills that is relevant to the following section, which deals with relationships between laterality and cognitive style. The results are also presented for the Alaskan Eskimo in relation to hand, eye, auditory dominance and cognitive style. The analysis of Eskimo fixed-versus mixed-laterality data also confirms, as predicted, that both within and across a modality (e.g., right hand/right eye/right ear) fixed right-dominance Eskimo Ss are more field-independent than mixed-dominance Ss, while the fixed left-dominance Ss are the most field-dependent and have lower spatial skills. The discussion section reviews the papers relating to the genetic/conformity model of handedness, as well as laterality and cognitive style. The evolutionary adaptive significance of sex differences in gonadal differentiation and lateralization of the brain on spatial and linguistic skills are also reviewed. The conclusions are concerned with the implications for biosocial theory and the rapidly changing incidence of left-handedness due to accompanying changes in cultural pressures both within and across cultures.

Adult↗

PubMed1984

Milk production and consumption and growth of young of wild mice after ten generations in a cold environment.

Three classes of wild house mice, Mus musculus, were studied: (a) mice of the tenth generation in captivity in an environment kept at 23 degrees C (controls); (b) a similar stock kept at 3 degrees C (Eskimo); (c) offspring of controls transferred at mating to 3 degrees C (immigrants). For analysis of chemical composition, samples of milk were drawn from lactating females after they had been injected with oxytocin. For estimates of milk yield, lactating females were injected with tritiated water, and yield was calculated from the tritium content of young aged 10 days, over a 24 h period. The milk of Eskimo females had a much higher proportion of both fat and protein than had milk of other classes. The milk of immigrant females had more fat but less protein than that of controls. Eskimo females were heavier than immigrant females; control females were the lightest. Eskimo young at 10 days were heavier than those of the other classes. Their body fat was much higher; but their fat-free body weight was also above that of the others. Young of both classes in the cold drank more milk than the controls, and the Eskimo more than the immigrant young. Maternal body weight, milk intake by the young and body weight of the young were intercorrelated, but milk intake was the principal determinant of the body weight of the young. There was no evidence of differences in the growth potential of the young of different classes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed2003

Impact of processing on nutritional quality of marine food items.

During the last two decades it has been established that Greenland Eskimos living on their traditional diet, have a lower incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) than when living in Denmark on a western diet. These findings have been attributed to their diet, particularly the high amounts n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. The Eskimo diet consists mainly of meat and blubber of seal and whale and relatively small amounts of fish. Another aspect of the Eskimo diet, still not fully explored, is that the Eskimos consume the bulk of their food raw or dried, seldom boiled or exposed to excessive heat. The main task of modern processes is to make edible and stable products. Removal of molecules that cause off-flavours or taste to improve sensory attributes may, for instance, destroy potent antioxidants. Modern meal preparing techniques may also lower the content of biologically active components. The objective of our experiments has been, by mimicking in part the traditional Eskimo diet, to explore the beneficial effects of raw food items on parameters related to development of CHD. Reduced tendency of developing arteriosclerosis has been related to the lower reactivity of platelets and less production of proinflammatory products, e.g. cytokines, prostaglandins and leukotrienes. In our study, healthy volunteers ingested raw or heat processed marine materials (smoked versus heat processed salmon muscle, cold pressed versus refined marine oils).

Animals↗

PubMed1982

Antithrombin III and dietary intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Immunoreactive antithrombin III and antithrombin III activity was found to be significantly higher in 81 Greenland Eskimos than in 50 Caucasian Danes. Sixteen Eskimos who had emigrated to Denmark had significantly lower immunoreactive antithrombin III levels than the Greenland Eskimos, though higher than the Danes. The immunoreactive antithrombin III increased significantly while the increase in antithrombin III activity was insignificant in 20 male Caucasian Danes upon 3 weeks supplementation of the diet with 10 ml daily of a cod liver oil concentrate. The high antithrombin III level in the Eskimos may at least partly be a consequence of a high dietary intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids. It may also play a role for the low incidence of thrombosis apparently found in Greenland Eskimos.

Adult↗

PubMed1976

Within and between race distances in population studies based on discrete traits of the human skull.

A battery of 24 discrete cranial traits has been tested for its power to discriminate within- and between-race distances for the two principal North American indigenous populations: Indian (7 samples, N = 366) and Eskimo (7 samples, N = 451). One of the Indian samples, Dakota Sioux, has been split according to tribal subdivisions, the intra-tribal mean distance providing a parameter of very close relationship. In addition, two Negro samples provide a parameter of relationship phylogenetically remote from the Amerinds. Separate male-female analysis of the three largest samples indicates that distances for pooled samples are not seriously affected by the sex component. Within-race distances (C. A. B. Smith's Measure of Divergence, MD), are smaller than between-race at the .00001 level of significance (Mann-Whitney U test) for both Indian-Eskimo and Amerind-Negro comparisons. The features most powerful for Indian-Eskimo and Amerind-Negro comparisons. The features most powerful for Indian-Eskimo discrimination are revealed by their percent contribution to the mean of 49 MD's. The African heritage of American Blacks is reflected in a characteristic Negro pattern of trait frequencies different from the Amerind. This battery of features yields valid taxonomical information useful in conjunction with other physical data to reconstruct affinities of extinct populations.

Black People↗

PubMed1980

Mandibular torus morphology.

The morphology of the mandibular torus was examined, and comparisons were made between a Medieval Norse skeletal population from Greenland and a 14th to 17th century Greenland Eskimo skeletal series. Three parameters were analyzed: degree of development (on a 4-point scale), position and length, and surface morphology according to the number of knobs, or lobuli. It was found that the Eskimos have a high frequency of weakly developed tori and no cases of the extreme development, while over 20% of the Norsemen had tori in the "extreme" category. The Norse torus was generally found to be longer than that of the Eskimos, and both groups exhibited a slight asymmetry between the sides, the torus on the left side tending to be longer and more forward in position than the right. A great difference was found in surface morphology. The Norse torus is in general very irregular, while the Eskimo torus is rather smooth. These differences are believed to be genetically determined.

Greenland↗

PubMed1986

A population study of the jugular foramen bridging of the human cranium.

The author previously proposed a simple standard for diagnosing the jugular foramen bridging in man. The incidence of this bridging trait was investigated according to that standard in nine cranial series of East Indians, Micronesians, Japanese, Ainu, Mongols, Aleuts, Alaskan Eskimos, Canadian Eskimos, and Ontario Iroquois. No sex difference in incidence of the trait was recognized. Side difference in trait incidence was also slight but was statistically significant in the combined series of all the population samples examined. The bridging trait occurred more frequently on the right side than on the left side. Occurrences of the bridging trait were definitely associated between sides. Incidence of the trait was less in East Indians, Ontario Iroquois, and Micronesians, but greater in Alaskan Eskimos and Canadian Eskimos, the incidences in Japanese, Ainu, Aleuts, and Mongols being intermediate. The differences in trait incidence among the nine population samples were considered to reflect the differences in genetic compositions of these specific populations.

Alaska↗

PubMed1982

Complement-fixing antibody to Epstein-Barr virus soluble antigen in populations at high and low risk for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Greenland Eskimos comprise an ethnic group with one of the highest recorded incidence rates for nasopharyngeal carcinoma in the world. Sera from 625 Eskimos and 73 Danes (Caucasians) living in Greenland, as well as from 62 Danes living in Denmark, were tested for complement-fixing antibody to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) soluble antigen and, from this study group, 129 donors were matched by age and sex for a study comparing antibody to viral capsid antigen, early antigen, and soluble antigen. Both Eskimos and Danes living in Greenland had significantly higher titers of EBV antibodies than Danes living in Denmark, suggesting that environment was more important than genetics or socio-economic factors in determining the antibody response to EBV. Age and sex were also factors, higher titers occurring in females and young Eskimos.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

HLA antigens, alleles and haplotypes among the Yup'ik Alaska natives: report of the ASHI Minority Workshops, Part II.

As part of the American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics coordinated studies among minority populations, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles were defined for 460 volunteer Yup'ik Eskimos from the Yukon Kuskokwim delta region of southwestern Alaska. The study group included 252 adults with no other first-degree relatives and 48 informative nuclear families. Full Yupik ancestry through both maternal and paternal grandparents was claimed by 81.1% of participants. HLA-A, -B, -Cw, -DRB1, and -DQB1 alleles were determined by SBT, SSOP, reverse SSOP, and/or RSCA according to the protocols of five participating laboratories. Polymorphism was limited with 3-6 alleles comprising > 80% of the alleles observed at each locus. Homozygosity was high, particularly at the HLA-A and -DQB1 loci, with 36.6% and 44% of individuals having a single allele defined at these respective loci. HLA-A, -B, and -DRB1 alleles were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, whereas HLA-Cw and -DQB1 alleles gave significant deviation (p = 0.002; 0.005). Significant linkage disequilibrium (p < or = 0.00001) was observed in all pairwise evaluations. A new Cw*0806 allele was observed in high linkage disequilibrium with B*4801(Delta = 0.099; Delta(rel) = 1.0). Three extended haplotypes were found to have frequencies > 5%, the most prevalent being A*2402; B*4801; DRB1*0401; DQB1*0301 (0.0933). Comparison of available class I data indicate that the Yup'ik share several common alleles with other Native American populations, including: A*2402, *0206, *6801; B*1501, *2705, *3501, *4002, *4801, *5101; and Cw*0202, *0304, *0401. Comparisons of class II data also confirm a close relationship of the Yup'ik to two other Eskimo populations, Siberian and East Greenland Eskimos. DRB1*0401 and *1101, which occur in high frequency among these Eskimo populations, but not in other Native Americans, were also prevalent among the Yup'ik, with respective frequencies of 0.232 and 0.107.

Alaska↗

PubMed2002

Analysis of mitochondrial DNA diversity in the aleuts of the commander islands and its implications for the genetic history of beringia.

The Aleuts are aboriginal inhabitants of the Aleutian archipelago, including Bering and Copper (Medny) Islands of the Commanders, and seem to be the survivors of the inhabitants of the southern belt of the Bering Land Bridge that connected Chukotka/Kamchatka and Alaska during the end of the Ice Age. Thirty mtDNA samples collected in the Commanders, as well as seven mtDNA samples from Sireniki Eskimos in Chukotka who belong to the Beringian-specific subhaplogroup D2, were studied through complete sequencing. This analysis has provided evidence that all 37 of these mtDNAs are closely related, since they share the founding haplotype for subhaplogroup D2. We also demonstrated that, unlike the Eskimos and Na-Dene, the Aleuts of the Commanders were founded by a single lineage of haplogroup D2, which had acquired the novel transversion mutation 8910A. The phylogeny of haplogroup D complete sequences showed that (1) the D2 root sequence type originated among the latest inhabitants of Beringia and (2) the Aleut 8910A sublineage of D2 is a part of larger radiation of rooted D2, which gave rise to D2a (Na-Dene), D2b (Aleut), and D2c (Eskimo) sublineages. The geographic specificity and remarkable intrinsic diversity of D2 lineages support the refugial hypothesis, which assumes that the founding population of Eskimo-Aleut originated in Beringan/southwestern Alaskan refugia during the early postglacial period, rather than having reached the shores of Alaska as the result of recent wave of migration from interior Siberia.

DNA, Mitochondrial↗

PubMed1989

Wild mice in the cold: some findings on adaptation.

The house mouse, Mus domesticus, can thrive in natural environments much below its optimum temperature. Thermogenesis is then above that at more usual temperatures. In addition, body weight, and the weights of brown adipose tissue and the kidneys, may be higher than usual. In free populations of house mice cold lowers fertility and may prevent breeding. Other possible limiting factors on breeding are food supply, shelter for nesting and social interactions. In captivity, wild-type house mice exposed to severe cold (around 0 degrees C) at first adapt ontogenetically by shivering and reduced activity. But raised thermogenesis is soon achieved without shivering; nest-building improves; and readiness to explore may be enhanced. Endocrine changes probably include, at least initially, a rise in adrenal cortical activity and in catecholamine secretion. Some females become barren, but many remain fertile. The maturity of fertile females is, however, delayed and intervals between births are lengthened; nestling mortality rises. A limiting factor during lactation may be the capacity of the gut. Similar adaptive changes are observed during winter in some species of small mammals that do not hibernate. But neither the house mouse nor other species present a single, universal pattern of cold-adaptation. Wild-type mice bred for about 10 generations in a warm laboratory environment (20-23 degrees C) change little over generations. In cold they become progressively heavier and fatter at all ages; they mature earlier, and nestling mortality declines. The milk of such 'Eskimo' females is more concentrated than that of controls. If 'Eskimo' mice are returned to a warm environment, they are more fertile, and rear heavier young, than controls that remained in the warm. Despite the heavier young, litter size is not reduced: it may be increased, probably as a result of a higher ovulation rate. Parental effects have been analyzed by cross-fostering and hybridizing. Survival, growth and fertility are all favourably influenced by the intra-uterine and nest environments provided by 'Eskimo' females. 'Eskimo' males are also better fathers. Hence after ten generations the phenotype of cold-adapted house mice shows the combined effects of (a) an ontogenetic response to cold, (b) a superior parental environment and (c) a change genotype. The secular changes in the cold that lead to this phenotype give the appearance of evolution in miniature; but it is equally possible that they represent a genetical versatility that allows rapid, reversible shifts in response to environmental demands.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed2003

Mitochondrial DNA variation and the origins of the Aleuts.

The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation in 179 Aleuts from five different islands (Atka, Unalaska, Umnak, St. Paul, and St. George) and Anchorage was analyzed to better understand the origins of Aleuts and their role in the peopling of the Americas. Mitochondrial DNA samples were characterized using polymerase chain reaction amplification, restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, and direct sequencing of the first hypervariable segment (HVS-I) of the control region. This study showed that Aleut mtDNAs belonged to two of the four haplogroups (A and D) common among Native Americans. Haplogroup D occurred at a very high frequency in Aleuts, and this, along with their unique HVS-I sequences, distinguished them from Eskimos, Athapaskan Indians, and other northern Amerindian populations. While sharing several control region sequences (CIR11, CHU14, CIR60, and CIR61) with other circumarctic populations, Aleuts lacked haplogroup A mtDNAs having the 16265G mutation that are specific to Eskimo populations. R-matrix and median network analyses indicated that Aleuts were closest genetically to Chukotkan (Chukchi and Siberian Eskimos) rather than to Native American or Kamchatkan populations (Koryaks and Itel'men). Dating of the Beringian branch of haplogroup A (16192T) suggested that populations ancestral to the Aleuts, Eskimos, and Athapaskan Indians emerged approximately 13,120 years ago, while Aleut-specific A and D sublineages were dated at 6539 +/- 3511 and 6035 +/- 2885 years, respectively. Our findings support the archaeologically based hypothesis that ancestral Aleuts crossed the Bering Land Bridge or Beringian platform and entered the Aleutian Islands from the east, rather than island hopping from Kamchatka into the western Aleutians. Furthermore, the Aleut migration most likely represents a separate event from those responsible for peopling the remainder of the Americas, meaning that the New World was colonized through multiple migrations.

Alaska↗

PubMed2003

Childhood cancer among Alaska Natives.

OBJECTIVE: The primary purpose of this study was to examine the occurrence of cancer in Alaska Native (AN) children (under age 20). Although several studies have compared differences in cancer incidence between white and black children, few have examined cancer among Alaska Natives/American Indians. We know of no published article describing cancer incidence in AN children. We compared our findings with those of American Indian children of New Mexico and of Alaska white children. Data on mortality, survival, and prevalence are also included. Alaska Native is the term used collectively for the inhabitants whose ancestors occupied the area before European contact of what is now the state of Alaska. Alaska Natives include Eskimo, Indian, and Aleut groups. Although the 3 major groups differ in culture, language, and probably genetics, there are similarities in numerous social and economic indicators. The Northern Eskimo of Alaska (Inupiat) are related to Canadian and Greenland Inuit. Indians in Alaska include Athabaskan (in the interior of the state), who share commonalities with Canadian Athabaskan as well as with Navajo and Apache in the southwestern United States. Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian groups reside primarily in the southeast panhandle of the state. The panhandle Indian groups are similar to those of British Columbia. METHODS: Data on cancer incidence are from the Alaska Native Tumor Registry, 1969-1996. We studied children under age 20 to make our results comparable to national data as presented in the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Pediatric Monograph. Population data for AN are based on census data and Indian Health Service intercensal estimates. Data for US whites and New Mexico Indians are from the National Cancer Institute's SEER program. Calculations were made using SEERStat software. Data for Alaska whites are for the years 1996-2000. (The Alaska Cancer Registry has collected data for all Alaskans only since 1996). Odds ratios (ORs) of rates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. RESULTS: The rate among all AN children (both sexes) for all cancers combined is similar to that of US whites (OR: 1.0; 95% CI: 0.8-1.1). Examination of childhood cancer rates by ethnicity, however, reveal that rates are significantly lower for Indian (OR: 0.6; 95% CI: 0.4-0.8) but not significantly different for Eskimo or Aleut children. For most International Classification of Childhood Cancers groups, incidence rates for AN children are also similar to those of US whites. However, AN children are at significantly higher risk for hepatic tumors (OR: 13.1; 95% CI: 7.9-20.5), particularly hepatocellular carcinoma (OR: 43.8; 95% CI:24.4-75.1) and retinoblastoma (OR: 2.8; 95% CI: 1.3-5.3). By ethnic group, rates for hepatocellular carcinoma are significantly high only for Eskimo. Rates for all AN children are lower for neuroblastoma (OR: 0.1; 95% CI: 0.1-0.6) and lymphoma (OR: 0.5; 95% CI: 0.3-0.9), particularly Hodgkin's disease (OR: 0.2; 95% CI: 0.0-0.5). On the basis of 5 years of data, rates for Alaska white children do not seem to differ from those of US white children. Because of our findings of differences between AN and US whites, we reviewed data of other relevant populations, specifically American Indian data from the New Mexico SEER registry. Using SEER data and SEER software, we calculated rates for New Mexican American Indians (NMAI) and compared them with US white rates. Rates for all cancers combined among NMAI are significantly lower than for US white (OR: 0.8). However, similar to AN children, the rate among NMAI for retinoblastoma is higher compared with US whites (OR: 2.5; 95% CI:1.4-4.5). Similar to AN, NMAI also seem to be at low risk for neuroblastoma (OR: 0.2; 95% CI: 0.1-0.7), lymphoma as a group (OR: 0.1; 95% CI: 0.0-0.3), and, specifically, Hodgkin's disease (OR: 0.1; 95% CI: 0.0-0.4). Rates among NMAI children are low for central nervous system tumors (OR: 0.5; 95% CI: 0.3-0.7). The average annual age-adjusted cancer mortality rate among AN children is lower but not significantly lower than that of US white children (28.6 vs 37.3 per million). CONCLUSIONS: Comparison of AN rates for all cancers combined are similar to those of US and Alaska white children but seem higher than those of NMAI. Differences between AN and US whites exist for select International Classification of Childhood Cancers groups. The most striking rate differences are found in hepatic tumors, largely because of elevated rates of hepatitis B-associated hepatocellular carcinoma. All children in our study with hepatocellular carcinoma were hepatitis B antigen positive. A statewide hepatitis B virus immunization program was begun in late 1982. Although 16 children who were born before 1983 developed hepatocellular carcinoma, no children who were born in the 20 years since hepatitis B immunization was instituted among infants have received a diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma, a significant difference. Comparing AN and US white childhood cancer rates after removing hepatocellular carcinoma cases from both populations results in an OR of 0.8 (95% CI: 0.7-1.0). Thus, if no increase in other childhood cancers occurs in the coming generations, then rates for childhood cancer may soon be significantly lower than those in US white children. Rates are low for all lymphomas, largely because of very low rates of Hodgkin's disease. Rates are also low for neuroblastoma. It is reassuring that rates for AN children are not in excess and do not seem to be increasing. There is concern among the population regarding environmental exposure, including ionizing radiation. Our data do not show excess childhood leukemia or thyroid cancers, malignancies for which radiation is known to increase risk.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1983

Variability of a dental morphological trait.

A study of morphologic variability was made for maxillary incisor lingual fossa depth. The problem of variability is discussed, and new methods for the statistical treatment of variability are presented. Possibly, the best procedure to express biologic variability is to present SDs, CVs, Xs, ranges, RCs, and the logarithmic graphic method of the relationship between CV and X. No sex differences in variability could be demonstrated. Maxillary centrals and laterals in the Eskimo were found to have relatively equal variability. This is seen in connection with the great functional demand on Eskimo incisors, giving less reduction of the laterals, a possible simultaneous commencement of calcification for I1sup and I2sup, and possible genetic drift. Comparison of variability for six populations shows no racial differences in variability. Variability is not found to increase with inbreeding. Population comparisons do not confirm little reduction in the Eskimo to be associated with high variability. Genetic drift might be the explanation of the homogeneity of maxillary incisor lingual fossa depth in East Greenland Eskimos.

Female↗

PubMed1984

Infectious mononucleosis in Greenland: a disease of the non-indigenous population.

Greenland Eskimos have one of the highest incidences of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in the world. Asian and African areas endemic for NPC show early infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and few cases of infectious mononucleosis (IM). Among 40 000 Eskimos and 10 000 Caucasians in Greenland there were 82 reported cases of IM from 1963 to 1980. Incidence rates from 1975 to 1980, age adjusted to the "world" population distribution, were 12.0 and 5.2/100 000/yr for males and females, respectively. Comparable Danish data revealed incidence rates of 97.4 and 105.1. From 1970 to 1981 Greenland hospital records verified 16 cases, of which only 2 were in Eskimos. The IM incidence in Eskimos is extremely low, and Danes living in Greenland have a comparatively much higher incidence.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Type 1 diabetes-related autoantibodies are rare in Alaska native populations.

OBJECTIVES: When clinical data were initially gathered from the Alaskan Eskimos in the 1950's, diabetes mellitus was noted to be quite rare. The prevalence of diabetes has increased significantly since that time, with rates of 10% reported recently in some Alaska native populations. Our goal was to understand the pathogenesis of diabetes among these groups, with the hypothesis that Alaskan Eskimos were predominantly affected by type 2 diabetes, not by latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA). STUDY DESIGN: Population based case control study METHODS: We tested sera from subjects in two Eskimo villages for the presence of type 1 diabetes-related autoantibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD65Ab) and tyrosine phosphatase-like islet antigen-2 (IA-2Ab). RESULTS: Among subjects from one Inupiat village (#1) and one SiberianYup'ik village (#2), there were 21 subjects with diabetes mellitus (DM), 17 with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and 226 healthy controls with normal glucose tolerance (NGT). In village 1, GAD65 antibodies were not present in either diabetic subjects or those with IGT. One of the healthy controls (1%; 1/97) was positive for GAD65Ab. Similarly, no subjects from this village with DM or IGT had positive IA-2Ab titers, and one healthy control (1%; 1/97) was positive for IA-2Ab. In village 2, no DM subject was GAD65Ab positive. One (10%; 1/10) of the IGT subjects and two (1.6%;2/129) of the healthy controls were positive for GAD65Ab. In this village, two of the DM subjects (12%;2/17), one of the IGT subjects (10%; 1/10), and one of the healthy controls (0.8%;1/129) were IA-2Ab positive. No individual was positive for both GAD65Ab and IA-2Ab. CONCLUSION: Alaskan Inupiat and Siberian Yup'ik Eskimos appear to be predominantly affected by type 2 diabetes, not LADA.

Adult↗