SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “ALASKA”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 379 records · Page 21Linked to original sources

PubMed1998

Seasonal variation of the amino acid, L-tryptophan, in interior Alaska.

The seasonal pattern of L-tryptophan was studied in a Fairbanks, Alaska, population that was unadapted to the extreme light variations of the North. Previously, this population was shown to exhibit seasonal behavior effects such as increases in fatigue and sleep duration, as well as endocrine effects such as increases in melatonin levels and phase shifting. Caloric and macronutrient intake have been reported to vary seasonally in humans, thereby potentially influencing the plasma levels of L-tryptophan, which is a precursor of serotonin and melatonin. Plasma levels of L-tryptophan from volunteers, whose average duration of stay in Alaska was eight months, were determined by automated amino acid analysis. Prominent results included finding increased levels in the winter at several different diurnal time points. These findings support hypotheses which relate underlying physiological adaptations to the North to the increased incidence of behavioral disorders such as depression and alcoholism.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Development and implementation of a breast and cervical cancer screening program in urban and rural Alaska.

Early detection of breast and cervical cancers represents the single best strategy to effect the reduction of associated morbidity and mortality. The State of Alaska identified a need to establish a service delivery system which would assure the availability of breast and cervical cancer screening services for women who are low income, under- and uninsured, and from racial/ethnic minorities. In March 1995 the Alaska Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (AK-BCCEDP) began funding breast and cervical cancer screening services through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. The purpose of AK-BCCEDP is to establish a comprehensive service delivery strategy which includes screening, tracking, referral, follow-up, public education, quality assurance, surveillance, coalition building/partnering, and evaluation. During the first year of services (March 1, 1995, to February 29, 1996) 651 women were screened for breast and cervical cancer. Higher than expected numbers of breast cancer were detected. Of the 651 women screened, four were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and three were diagnosed with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Urban encroachment on the wilderness: moose-vehicle collisions in Anchorage, Alaska, 1991-1995.

BACKGROUND: Moose have successfully adapted to urban sprawl in Anchorage, Alaska, using greenbelt areas for shelter, forage, and protection. However, the proximity of moose to people poses unique hazards: a collision with a moose may cause significant injury and vehicle damage. METHODS: Moose-vehicle collisions were identified using Municipality of Anchorage records. Completeness of reporting was assessed from Alaska Department of Fish and Game records. RESULTS: The moose-vehicle collision rate increased significantly from 38 to 49.2/100,000/yr during the study period (p = .005, x2 = 7.795). Of 519 reported moose-auto collisions, 120 (23%) resulted in injury to 158 people, with no human fatalities. Most collisions (291 or 56%) occurred between 1800 and 0200 hours; 411 (79%) occurred after dark; 154 (30%) occurred during December and January; and slick road conditions were identified in 280 (54%) incidents. Incidents occurred primarily near greenbelt areas. CONCLUSIONS: Moose-vehicle collisions often occur at night, on unlighted, slick road surfaces. Moose-vehicle collisions may be prevented by: reducing speed limits around green-belt areas, brighter vehicle headlights, placement of street lights in known moose areas, underpasses for wildlife at known crossings, and snow removal to reduce berm height in known moose areas.

Accidents, Traffic↗

PubMed1998

Twenty years of trace metal analyses of marine mammals in Alaska: evaluation and summation.

The compilation of existing data on contaminants in the marine food chain is essential in addressing concerns regarding the magnitude of potential human exposures and in the evaluation of subsistence food safety. This paper presents a summary of studies on trace metals in tissues of Alaska marine mammals from the 1970s to the present, along with derived mean tissue trace metal concentrations. The derived mean can serve as a norm against which future monitoring results may be compared, and may be used to estimate human exposure to trace metals through the consumption of marine mammals. Additionally, the variation among studies in the reported mean tissue concentrations has been described through a derived standard deviation. Sufficient analytical and methodological details were available to derive means and standard deviations for tissues in bearded seal, bowhead whale, beluga whale, fur seal, harbor seal, Pacific walrus, and ringed seal. A high concordance between trace metal values reported in tissues (i.e., liver, kidney, muscle) was observed despite significant differences in reported sampling and analytical methodologies. Consistent with other reviews of trace metal concentrations in marine species, the standard deviation of tissue metal concentrations was generally < or = 100% of the reported mean. Significant gaps in available information remain, particularly for muscle tissues and for methylmercury, despite the considerable efforts to monitor marine mammal species in Alaska.

Alaska↗

PubMed1998

A comparison of demographic characteristics of selected year 2000 health objectives for the United States, using behavioral risk factor surveillance system data for Alaska.

PURPOSE: The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) is a nationally developed and state-administered telephone survey which monitors the health behaviors and practices of adults aged 18 and older. One use of the survey is to monitor progress towards some of the Year 2000 Health Objectives for the United States. METHOD: Alaska has been conducting BRFSS monthly since January 1991, collecting approximately 128 interviews each month, for a yearly yield of approximately 1,530. Survey design allows for the aggregation of data over several years to accumulate sufficient sample size to look at health behaviors in subgroups of interest. We look at progress towards Year 2000 objectives for Alaska by various demographic characteristics: age, gender, education, employment, and geographic region. RESULTS: Survey data such as BRFSS can be used to monitor health behaviors and practices in a population in a cost-efficient and systematic manner.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Preliminary experience with an orthopedic teleradiology service at the Alaska Native Medical Center.

The orthopedic service at the Alaska Native Medical Center (ANMC) in Anchorage provides comprehensive orthopedic care to 103,000 Native or "First Nation" peoples in the state of Alaska. From its base at ANMC, a 140-bed general hospital, the service provides outpatient services, inpatient services including surgery, and telephone consultation services to 10 regional medical centers, 15 subregional clinics, and 20 village health centers distributed over a wide geographical area. These outlying centers are staffed by 108 full- and part-time primary care physicians, 74 primary care advanced practice nurses or physicians assistants, and 456 Community Health Aides. In providing telephone consultation service, the current version of "radio clinic," a frequent challenge arises in interpretation of verbal descriptions of x-ray findings. Our primary care clinicians, while highly trained, cannot be expected to interpret x-rays at the same level as a specialist. Discrepancies occur in communicating radiographic detail. This can result in either delayed or unnecessary transfer of patients, inappropriate travel to regional medical centers or home villages, or simply suboptimal medical care. Fortunately, computer technology has evolved to a point at which quality x-ray images can be transmitted relatively inexpensively. This paper will describe our preliminary experience with such a system.

Academic Medical Centers↗

PubMed1999

Hepatocellular carcinoma not related to hepatitis B virus infection among Alaska natives.

Chronic infection with hepatitis B or C viruses is a common underlying condition in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. We studied serum and liver tissue from a cohort of Alaska natives with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) for evidence of hepatitis B, C and G viral infection using conventional serological tests as well as the sensitive polymerase chain reaction. Evidence of HBV infection was found in 25 and possible HCV infection in two cases. Among the remaining 11 patients, four had a history of recent or remote alcoholism while seven had no recognizable risk factors for HCC. Only one was seropositive for HGV RNA and that was an individual with a history of alcoholism. Non-tumorous liver tissue was available for study in six of these seven cases. Histological features of chronic hepatitis were present in five. Thus, at least five of 38 (13%) Alaska natives with HCC appeared to have chronic hepatitis not related to HBV or HCV infection, suggesting the possibility of some form of previously unrecognized chronic liver disease predisposing to HCC.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Controlled flight into terrain accidents among commuter and air taxi operators in Alaska.

BACKGROUND: Between 1990 and 1998, aviation accidents in Alaska caused 100 occupational pilot deaths (equivalent to 430/100,000 pilots/ year, approximately 86 times the overall U.S. worker fatality rate). Although Alaskan geography and climate increase aviation risks, many accidents were attributed to pilot error. While most accidents occurred during takeoff/landing, most fatalities resulted from Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT). The purpose of this study was to examine risk factors for CFIT. METHODS: Using National Transportation Safety Board airplane accident data we identified CFIT from flight phase and event description fields, and calculated odds ratios for CFIT/non-CFIT accidents for visual conditions, aircraft features, and pilot experience. RESULTS: Between 1991 and 1998, 351 single aircraft commuter and air taxi accidents occurred in Alaska; 59 (17%) were CFIT. Of 140 total fatalities, 82 (59%) occurred in 30 CFIT accidents. There was a twelve-fold risk for death in CFIT vs. non-CFIT accidents (OR = 12.42, 95% CI = 8.19-18.88). Accidents while flying Visual Flight Rules (VFR) into poor visibility were more likely CFIT than non-CFIT (Odds ratio = 46.06, Confidence Interval = 19.32-112.46), and caused 37% of all deaths. Additionally, flights in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) were 47 times more likely to be CFIT than non-CFIT. No risk for CFIT was shown for flight hours, number of engines, passenger presence, or pilot age. All CFIT were attributed to pilot error, often for continuing VFR into poor visibility. CONCLUSION: CFIT caused most aviation deaths. Further research into human factors contributing to CFIT is needed. Implementation of global-positioning, ground-proximity/avoidance technology, might reduce CFIT incidence.

Accidents, Aviation↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Incidence of hip fracture in Alaska Inuit people: 1979-89 and 1996-99.

Review of records of the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage, Alaska show that the incidence of hip fracture in Inuit women over 64 years of age was higher than the incidence in white US women in 1979-89 and had increased farther by 1996-99. The hip fracture incidence of Inuit men was higher than US men in 1996-99.

Age Distribution↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Warfarin usage in Alaska: a quality improvement study.

This study represents a snapshot view of a possible area for quality improvement work. We realize that a variety of events may have contributed to the deaths that occurred in our study cohort. In addition, the small number of cases reviewed precludes the formulation of conclusive statements regarding warfarin use in Alaska. Nevertheless, we are reporting the results in the hope of raising awareness in the Alaska medical community about the use of warfarin in treating atrial fibrillation and the benefits this therapy may have for the elderly patient.

Alaska↗

PubMed2002

Fetal alcohol syndrome--Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, and New York, 1995-1997.

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is caused by maternal alcohol use during pregnancy and is one of the leading causes of preventable birth defects and developmental disabilities in the United States. FAS is diagnosed on the basis of a combination of growth deficiency (pre- or postnatal), central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction, facial dysmorphology, and maternal alcohol use during pregnancy. Estimates of the prevalence of FAS vary from 0.2 to 1.0 per 1,000 live-born infants. This variation is due, in part, to the small size of the populations studied, varying case definitions, and different surveillance methods. In addition, differences have been noted among racial/ethnic populations. To monitor the occurrence of FAS, CDC collaborated with five states (Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, New York, and Wisconsin*) to develop the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Surveillance Network (FASSNet). This report summarizes the results of an analysis of FASSNet data on children born during 1995-1997, which indicate that FAS rates in Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, and New York ranged from 0.3 to 1.5 per 1,000 live-born infants and were highest for black and American Indian/Alaska Native populations. This study demonstrates that FASSNet is a useful tool that enables health care professionals to monitor the occurrence of FAS and to evaluate the impact of prevention, education, and intervention efforts.

Alaska↗

PubMed2003

Outbreak of botulism type E associated with eating a beached whale--Western Alaska, July 2002.

Botulism is a neuroparalytic illness caused by toxins produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, an obligate anaerobe found commonly in the environment. Intoxication with toxin type E is associated exclusively with eating animal foods of marine (salt or fresh water) origin. Persons who eat raw or fermented marine fish and mammals are at high risk for botulism from type E toxin. On July 17, 2002, the Alaska Division of Public Health investigated a cluster of suspected botulism cases among residents of a fishing village in Alaska. This report summarizes the findings of the outbreak investigation, which linked disease to eating raw muktuk (skin and a pink blubber layer) from a beached whale (Figure). To avoid delays in treatment, health-care providers evaluating patients suspected of having botulism should base treatment decisions on clinical findings. Public health authorities should be notified immediately about any suspected botulism case.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

Occupational safety and health training in Alaska.

We have eleven years of experience delivering a wide variety of worker education programs in cross-cultural settings to reduce the levels of occupational fatalities and injuries in Alaska. We published an instructional manual and informational poster for workers, on Alaska's "Right-To-Know" law regarding chemical and physical hazards. The "Job Hazard Recognition Program" curriculum for high school students has received national acclaim for being proactive in dealing with worker safety education before the student becomes a member of the work force. Adult educational programs and materials have been designed to include less lecture and formal presentation, and more practical "hands on" and on-the-job experience for specific trades and hazards. New industry specific manuals deal with hazardous waste reduction as a method to reduce harm to the employee. Difficulty in getting instructors and training equipment to rural locations is dealt with by becoming creative in scheduling classes, using locally available equipment, and finding regional contacts who support the overall program. Alternative approaches to funding sources include building on regional long-term plans and establishing complementary program objectives.

Accident Prevention↗

PubMed2003

Relationship of mammographic parenchymal patterns to breast cancer risk factors and smoking in Alaska Native women.

The purpose is to determine breast cancer risk factors and correlates of mammographic parenchymal patterns among Alaska Native women. A retrospective review was performed of mammograms and mammogram records among 528 sequential screening mammogram examinations performed in Anchorage, Alaska. Mammogram density was classified by American College of Radiology (Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System) density patterns 1-4 (fat-->dense) and by percent density. Clinical data, including risk factors, ethnic group (Indian, Aleut, or Eskimo), and smoking status were obtained. Results were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses. Of 528 women, 164 were Indian, 155 were Aleut, and 209 were Eskimo. Mean age at first birth was lower and parity higher compared with published data in white women. Breast cancer risk factors were similar across ethnic groups. In multivariate analysis, patient age, parity, hormone replacement therapy, hysterectomy, and history of biopsy were associated, and smoking was not associated with density scores. Aleut and Indian women were less likely to have high-density mammograms than were Eskimo women (P = 0.0448). No significant differences were found between ethnic group for conventional breast cancer risk factors. Mammogram density was associated with age at screening, parity, hormone replacement therapy, hysterectomy, history of biopsy, and ethnicity but not smoking status. Eskimo women had higher mammogram density than Aleuts or Indians.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

ECG acquisition using telemedicine in Alaska.

The Alaska Federal Health Care Access Network includes a telecommunications network supporting telemedicine carts and store-and-forward telemedicine software throughout Alaska. Electrocardiograms are being acquired at remote locations and being interpreted at regional and tertiary care facilities as part of routine and acute care. This promising new technology is just beginning to have an impact on cardiovascular patient care.

Alaska↗

PubMed1992

Pneumococcal endocarditis in Alaska natives. A population-based experience, 1978 through 1990.

BACKGROUND: Streptococcus pneumoniae is an uncommon cause of infective endocarditis (IE). We studied the presentation, microbiologic characteristics, and outcome of nine cases of S pneumoniae IE during a 12 1/2-year period in a population of 75,000 indigenous Alaska Natives (ANs), who have documented high rates of invasive pneumococcal disease. METHODS: Fifty-six cases of IE occurred in ANs statewide during 1978 through 1990. Medical records of all nine confirmed cases of S pneumoniae IE were reviewed. Incidence rates for S pneumoniae IE and all IE were calculated. RESULTS: Alaska Natives experience S pneumoniae IE as a fulminant illness, with acute aortic valve insufficiency (100%) frequently requiring emergent valve replacement, S pneumoniae meningitis (56%), and death (33%). No patient with S pneumoniae IE had known preexisting heart disease, and the most common underlying disease was alcoholism (56%). Pneumonia was diagnosed and embolic complications were suspected in 33%. All five S pneumoniae isolates examined were penicillin sensitive and were of serotypes included in the pneumococcal vaccine. Pneumococcal IE accounted for 15.8% of all IE diagnosed in ANs. Age- and sex-adjusted incidence rates for IE of all causes and S pneumoniae IE were 8.5 and 1.5 per 10(5) persons per year, respectively. During 1986 through 1988, 4.3% of AN adults diagnosed with S pneumoniae bacteremia developed S pneumoniae IE. CONCLUSIONS: Pneumococcal endocarditis in all but one AN case required emergent valve replacement and had a 33% mortality. The annual incidence rate of S pneumoniae IE in this population was five to 37 times higher than contemporary rates elsewhere. Increased efforts to prevent pneumococcal disease in ANs appear warranted. Clinicians everywhere should anticipate the possible development of S pneumoniae IE in adult patients with pneumococcal sepsis, especially with meningitis, even with previous vaccination and prompt adequate antimicrobial therapy.

Age Factors↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Comparison of BMI and body fat determinations in rural Alaska women: results of the WIC Healthy Mom Survey, Summer 2001.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluate two field methods to assess body composition of rural Alaska women. Excess body fat has been correlated with chronic diseases. METHODS: This exploratory study used an orally administered survey of a self-selected sample from five rural Alaskan villages. Electrical impedance technique was used to determine percent of body fat. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated based on clinically obtained height and weight and compared to historical data by geographical regions. Self-reported health data and fingerstick screenings were used to assess health status. RESULTS: The body mass index tool assessed more women at excessive weight than did the percent body fat assessment tool. Fingerstick screenings for glucose, cholesterol, and hemoglobin were generally found to be in normal ranges. CONCLUSIONS: Percent of body fat may be more accurate to determine weight status for many Alaska Native women. Historical body mass indices may indicate periods of prolonged limited food supplies for a geographic region.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed2004

Alaska air carrier operator and pilot safety practices and attitudes: a statewide survey.

INTRODUCTION: Aviation crashes are a leading cause of occupational fatalities in Alaska, with Alaskan pilots having nearly 100 times the fatality rate of U.S. workers overall. A survey was designed to study pilot and company practices and attitudes in order to develop intervention strategies that would reduce aviation fatalities. METHODS: Two surveys were administered: one of air carrier operators and one of active commercial pilots. Surveys from 153 air taxi and public-use operators were received at a 79% response rate. RESULTS: There are almost 2000 pilots employed in Alaska during peak season by air taxi operators and public agencies. Surveyed operators and pilots generally agreed that improved weather information and regional hazards training would be effective ways to prevent crashes. Operators were more in favor of operator financial incentives (p < 0.05) and better pre-employment hiring checks on pilots (p < 0.05) compared with pilots' survey responses. There were 48% of pilots of large operators and 73% of pilots of small operators who considered their jobs to be at least as safe as other jobs. CONCLUSIONS: The results of operator-pilot comparisons suggest that financial pressures on operators may influence their views on what measures would be effective in preventing crashes, and that Alaskan pilots underestimate their occupational fatality risk.

Accidents, Aviation↗