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PubMed1992

Lipoprotein profile of a Greenland Inuit population. Influence of anthropometric variables, Apo E and A4 polymorphism, and lifestyle.

Previously it has been reported that Greenland Inuit (Eskimos) from the Uummannaq district display low levels of plasma cholesterol and triglycerides and relatively high levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) when compared with healthy Danish control subjects (Lancet 1971;1:1143-1146). Here we present data obtained in 1989 that show the following. In a group of 133 healthy adult Greenland Inuit from Nanortalik, the levels of plasma cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (6.39 and 4.39 mmol/l, respectively) were slightly higher than "normal" values found in western societies, whereas the HDL cholesterol level was markedly higher (1.64 mmol/l). Compared with most Caucasian populations, the Inuit population we studied exhibits a high apolipoprotein (APO)E*4 allele frequency (0.229), whereas the APOE*2 allele frequency was extremely low (0.015). In contrast to Caucasian populations, in the Inuit population the apoE polymorphism showed only a minor influence on the plasma lipid and (apo)lipoprotein levels, as evaluated by multiple regression analysis, with the exception of apoE levels. This absence of an effect could be explained by the low very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) plus intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL) cholesterol levels. The contributions of eicosapentaenoic acid and linoleic acid to the total amount of fatty acids in plasma cholesterol esters differed markedly from those reported in 1971 for another Greenland Inuit population (3.2% versus 15.8% and 49.5% versus 20.4%, respectively), thereby resembling values now found in the average western population. Even in those Inuit who reported exclusive consumption of the traditional Inuit diet (13% of the population), the fatty acid composition of the plasma cholesterol esters closely resembled the values measured in western populations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed1969

The discrimination of phenotypes for rate of disappearance of isonicotinoyl hydrazide from serum.

Expression of the rate of inactivation of isonicotinoyl hydrazide (INH) as a first-order constant gave better discrimination of slow and rapid inactivators than did the level of INH at the end of 6 hr. The most probable division point between the two classes was at k = 0.130. Rate of inactivation by obligatory heterozygotes was determined. Such heterozygotes could not be adequately differentiated from homozygous rapid inactivators. The gene frequency for slow inactivation was 0.46 +/-0.04 in Alaskan Eskimos and 0.62+/-0.06 in Athabaskan Indians.

Alaska↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Natural history of otitis media in the American native.

Otitis media is the leading reportable disease among the Indian and Eskimo population. In addition, its prevalence is more frequent in American natives than in Caucasians or Negroes. An attempt herewith is made to delineate the factors that account for the high prevalence of otitis media in the acute and chronic form. Secondly, the characteristic morbid complications of otitis media in this population are evaluated.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

The effect of national lifestyles.

Epidemiological surveys show that migraine is global, although not so far reported in Eskimos. Where studied, countries show the usual age variations, but adult national prevalence figures range between 2 and 35%, indicating that data-gathering methods need scrutiny. National and religious lifestyles affect eating at different times, in varying quantities and types of food; the drinking of alcohol and non-alcoholic fluids, as well as climate may also affect migraine. More questions than answers are raised to stimulate thinking, observations, and further research. Knowledge can derive from seeking and studying differences, contradictions, and questioning current beliefs. Can national lifestyles influence migraine and what can we learn from such variations?

Alcohol Drinking↗

PubMed1980

Acculturation and mental disorder in the Inuit.

The phenomenon of acculturation stress is described with particular reference to the subsequent development of the transitional role conflict. The adolescent and young adult male Eskimo is especially susceptible to the anxiety generated by the process of acculturation and it is the interaction of this external stress with the bio-psychosocial characteristics of the individual within his ecological group, that may lead to an increased incidence of mental disorder. The clinical picture that develops will depend on the complex interaction of this psychosocial stressor and the level of ego development and its accompanying defence and coping strategies. We see how the development of manifest psychopathology in two young Inuit males was intimately associated with the stresses of acculturation acting upon personalities characterized by a low self-esteem and negative self-image, feelings of emasculation and a state of anomie. Coping and defensive strategies exhibited both similarities (drugs, alcohol, withdrawal, actin out) and differences (psychosis versus dissociation). The value of modified supportive therapy with continuity of care aimed at increasing self-esteem through sublimation, identification, reduction of dependency and encouragement of growth and autonomy is described, as are measures aimed at primary prevention.

Acculturation↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Fish oil: effectiveness as a dietary supplement in the prevention of heart disease.

The low incidence of reported heart attacks and cardiovascular-related deaths in Greenland Eskimos and the Japanese has generated interest in the possible protective effect of their diet, which is made up primarily of fish and related marine foods. This paper reviews the current evidence for reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease with fish-oil supplementation, and discusses related clinical data to support the mechanisms proposed. Included is evidence that fish oil can lower certain serum lipid levels, prolong bleeding time, and reduce systolic blood pressure when consumed in moderately large doses. Information on safety and side effects is also presented, such as a possible increase in serum cholesterol levels and annoying side effects that may severely limit widespread use of this food supplement. Presently it remains unanswered whether fish oil should be recommended as a dietary supplement for the prevention and/or treatment of hypercholesterolemia and associated coronary artery disease. Further research is required to demonstrate a clear reduction in cardiovascular mortality before a uniform recommendation can be made.

Blood Pressure↗

PubMed2004

Models of hydrodynamic flow in the bowhead whale filter feeding apparatus.

Anatomical and behavioral analyses suggest that the filtration mechanism of bowhead and right whales (Balaenidae) is driven by hydrodynamic as well as ram hydraulic pressures. Complementary models were devised to investigate biomechanical aspects of water flow in the buccal cavity of the bowhead whale Balaena mysticetus during continuous filter feeding. A mathematical model was created to test and quantify water flow predictions with steady state hydromechanical equations; a physical model of the bowhead mouth (approximately 1/15 scale) was constructed to visualize flow processes. Both models rely on morphometric data obtained from whales harvested by Inupiat Eskimos for subsistence purposes along with information on foraging ecology (locomotor velocity, gape, etc.). Results indicate that unique features of balaenid oral construction and function (e.g. subrostral gap, orolabial sulcus, curvature of baleen, extensive mandibular rotation and lingual mobility) not only permit steady, unidirectional flow of water through the mouth, but also establish Bernoulli and Venturi effects during feeding. These hydrodynamic conditions allow balaenids to improve filtering efficiency and avoid creation of an anterior compressive wave (by increasing flow velocity and thereby reducing pressure) so that they may capture elusive prey even at slow swimming speeds.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated at the Finsen Institute, Copenhagen 1965-1985: survival and some prognostic factors.

Clinical data from 218 patients consecutively treated for nasopharyngeal carcinoma at the Finsen Institute in Copenhagen during the period 1965 through 1985 have been analyzed for factors of prognostic importance. Of the 218 patients, 47 were Greenland Inuit eskimos and 169 were white Danish. The 5-year crude survival for the entire group of patients was 30%. The two groups of patients differed with respect to the importance of different prognostic factors. Keratinizing tumors were only present in the Danish population. These patients had a highly significant worse outcome than the rest of the Danish (P less than 0.00001). Age, stage, and T classification were important prognostic factors in the Danish population, but not in the Inuit population.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

Inuit exposure to organochlorines through the aquatic food chain in arctic québec.

Inuit people (Eskimos) are likely exposed to persistent organochlorine compounds because their traditional diet includes fatty tissues of the arctic marine biota. Here we present the results of organochlorine compound analysis in milk fat samples from arctic Québec Inuit women and in fat tissues from various animal species inhabiting that region. The total concentration of polychlorinated biphenyl congeners in Inuit milk fat was similar to that of the beluga, while the profile of the 10 congeners resembled that of the polar bear. Mean concentrations of various organochlorines in milk-fat samples from Inuit women were between 2 and 10 times greater than those found in samples previously collected from southern Québec women. The Inuit mothers exhibit the greatest body burden known to occur from exposure to organochlorine residues present in the environment by virtue of their location at the highest trophic level of the arctic food web.

Arctic Regions↗

PubMed2002

Evidence for the cardioprotective effects of omega-3 Fatty acids.

OBJECTIVE: To review available literature regarding the cardiovascular effects of marine-derived Omega-3 fatty acids and evaluate the benefit of these fatty acids in the prevention of coronary heart disease. DATA SOURCES: Biomedical literature accessed through a MEDLINE search (1966-April 2002). Search terms included fish oil, omega-3 fatty acid, sudden death, hypertriglyceridemia, myocardial infarction, and mortality. DATA SYNTHESIS: Following an early 1970's observational investigation that Omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the occurrence of myocardial infarction-related deaths in Greenland Eskimos, additional trials have been conducted that support this finding. Epidemiologic and clinical trial data suggest that Omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of cardiovascular-related death by 29-52%. In addition, the risk of sudden cardiac death was found to be reduced by 45-81%. Possible mechanisms for these beneficial effects include antiarrhythmic properties, improved endothelial function, antiinflammatory action, and reductions in serum triglyceride concentrations. Omega-3 Fatty acids are fairly well tolerated; potential adverse effects include bloating and gastrointestinal distress, "fishy taste" in the mouth, hyperglycemia, increased risk of bleeding, and a slight increase in low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol. CONCLUSIONS: Omega-3 Fatty acids may be beneficial and should be considered in patients with documented coronary heart disease. They may be particularly beneficial for patients with risk factors for sudden cardiac death.

Cardiotonic Agents↗

PubMed2004

Intra- and intercontinental molecular variability of an Alu insertion in the 3' untranslated region of the LDLR gene.

One-hundred three individuals from two Mongolian, two Siberian, and ten native American populations were studied in relation to a 340-bp sequence from an Alu insertion located in the 3' untranslated region of the LDLR gene. Seven haplotypes have been determined, and haplotype B1 was the most common, accounting for about half the sequences found. In general, diversity values are quite high, about 2.5 times higher than those found in other autosomal Alu sequences. Almost all (93%) of the variability occurs at the intrapopulation level, but the greatest among-group differentiation (6-8%) was found when we grouped in a single population all Native Americans plus Siberian Eskimos and Chukchi and compared them with Mongolians. This result is compatible with earlier mtDNA and Y-chromosome suggestions of a single origin for the first colonizers of the American continent. With this nuclear locus it was not possible to broadly distinguish between Central and South American natives. No evidence of selection or marked demographic changes was obtained with these data.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

PubMed1992

Reflections on dream material from Arctic Native people.

This article presents several theoretical and methodological perspectives from which psychoanalytic understanding of the dreams of people in a foreign culture might be obtained. The dreams of two Inuit (Eskimos) are examined as they reflect the cosmologies, narrative styles, and individual psychologies of each dreamer. Caveats are noted regarding notions of universal symbolism, typical cultural character, and facile interpretations of dreams.

Arctic Regions↗

PubMed1982

Alaskan villagers' views on problem drinking: "those who forget".

Statewide statistics suggest that problems relating to alcohol abuse represent a major public health problem for Native Alaskans but very little is known about alcohol use on a community level, due to deficient reporting mechanisms and a lack of relevant research. The research reported here was designed to begin to fill this stated need. Alcohol use patterns, the extent of drinking, and associated problems as perceived by residents of two Alaskan Eskimo villages are documented. The structure and effects of alcohol programs in the villages, which represent local attempts to manage alcohol, are also examined. The research demonstrates that it cannot be assumed that all Native Alaskan communities have the same scale of drinking and consequent problems. Differential response to alcohol programs, which have essentially the same structure, is demonstrated and related to the recent development of contrasting levels of community organization in the two villages, which share a common cultural tradition. The utility of a comparative case study approach in examining alcohol problems in Native American communities and the need for expanded research for informed alcohol program planning and implementation are emphasized.

Alaska↗

PubMed2002

Focal epithelial hyperplasia: report of six cases from Ghana, West Africa.

Focal epithelial hyperplasia is a proliferative growth of the oral mucosa with distinct clinical and histopathological features. Although focal epithelial hyperplasia is frequently reported in children of American Indian and Eskimo descent, it is rarely seen in Africans. This report presents six new cases of focal epithelial hyperplasia observed in African children. The age of the patients ranged from 4 to 12 years, and all except one were females. Clinical variants, the papillary and the papular types were noted in the same patient. There was spontaneous regression of focal epithelial hyperplasia in four patients during the study period. However, the lesions still persist in two patients three years after the initial presentation.

Child↗

PubMed2004

The psoriasis genetics as a model of complex disease.

Psoriasis [OMIM*177900] is a common, chronic and papulosquamous inflammatory skin disease affecting approximately 2% of Caucasian. However, this disorder is rare among Japanese, Eskimos, West Africans and North American blacks and very uncommon in North American and South American natives. The causes for these variations are likely to be both genetic and environmental. Population-based studies and twin studies indicate that psoriasis is a heritable disease with a polygenic mode of inheritance with variable penetrance. Independent genome-wide scans have suggested the involvement of a large number of chromosomal regions (loci), and many candidate genes have been proposed. We discuss genetic approaches to the disease, results and interpretations of relevant studies, as well as future perspectives. Understanding the genetic basis of psoriasis will represent a major advance in our understanding of the disease and will reveal novel disease-specific biologic pathways.

Genetic Linkage↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The relationship between language and disease concepts.

The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, well-known in anthropological linguistics, postulates that language may not only describe the world we inhabit but also mould the way we experience it. This paper argues that an individual's language may similarly determine his conception of disease. Possible relationships between linguistic features and disease concepts are cited for the Eskimo, the Navaho, and the Chines, and it is suggested that, in European languages, the extensive use of spatial metaphors to express abstract concepts may encourage a more rigid categorization of disease and inhibit the ability to conceive of multiple factors in disease causation. The use of nouns rather than verbs to express the idea of illness could lead to a static view of disease and tends to separate illnesses as distinct entities rather than defining them as aspects of bodily functioning. The bipolar structure of Indo-European languages, setting subject against predicate and noun against verb, may play a part in the persistence of the mind-body dichotomy and restrict the holistic perception of man with nature. These linguistic features, in leading to a conception of disease as a rigidly defined, unchanging, unicausal thing, may encourage an over-use of surgery and lead to difficulty in perceiving social and psychological factors in disease.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

PubMed1993

Diabetes prevalence, incidence, and complications among Alaska Natives, 1987.

OBJECTIVE: To provide descriptive epidemiological data on diabetes mellitus among Alaska Natives, including incidence, updated prevalence, and incidence rates of ESRD, LEA, MI, and stroke in the diabetic population. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In IHS and tribal contract hospitals and clinics throughout Alaska, Alaskan Indians, Eskimos, and Aleuts living in Alaska with documented diabetes mellitus were studied from 1986 to 1987. RESULTS: The number of diabetic patients increased from 610 to 708, and the prevalence changed from 15.7 to 17.4/1000 (not a statistically significant increase). Incidence rates per 10,000 diabetic person-yr for complications were 38 for ESRD, 69 for LEA, 92 for MI, and 92 for stroke. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus increased during the period of observation, but not to a statistically significant degree. Incidence rates for diabetes are lower than for the U.S. general population, but complications rates are as high as those in other diabetic populations.

Alaska↗

PubMed1994

Lower prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes associated with daily seal oil or salmon consumption among Alaska Natives.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association of seal oil and salmon consumption with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) among Alaska Natives. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Screening was performed on 666 Yup'ik Eskimos and Athabaskan Indians > or = 40 years old in 15 villages. Self-administered questionnaires were used to obtain partial food frequency data. A case was defined as IGT or NIDDM, either newly discovered or known. Newly discovered cases (11 patients with NIDDM and 17 with IGT) were determined by random blood glucose testing followed by a 2-h 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) for those with values > or = 6.72 mmol/l or for subjects with unconfirmed histories of glucose intolerance. Known cases included 26 patients with NIDDM and 1 with IGT. Control subjects had random blood glucoses < 6.72 or normal OGTT results. RESULTS: Compared with less-than-daily consumption, both daily seal oil (odds ratio [OR] 0.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.1-0.8) and daily salmon consumption (OR 0.5, CI 0.2-1.1) were associated with a lower prevalence of glucose intolerance, controlling for age, ethnicity, body mass index, and sex. The effects were similar when limited to newly discovered cases: OR 0.3, CI 0.1-1.3 for seal oil and OR 0.4, CI 0.1-1.3 for salmon. Consumption of seal oil at least five times per week was required to reduce risk. CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of seal oil and salmon, high in omega-3 fatty acids, appears to lower the risk of glucose intolerance and is a potentially modifiable risk factor for NIDDM in Alaska Natives.

Adult↗