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At least 487 records · Page 27Linked to original sources
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↗
PubMed1993

The adaptation of milk secretion to the constraints of fasting in bears, seals, and baleen whales.

Although lactation is accompanied by increased nutrient demands for milk synthesis, many species of bears, true seals, and baleen whales fast for much or all of lactation. Large body mass in these species confers the advantage of greater stores of fat and protein relative to rates of milk production. Given the constraints on substrate availability during fasting, the milks of fasting mammals are predicted to be low in carbohydrate, protein, and water and to be high in fat. The milks of bears, true seals, and baleen whales conform to this prediction. Mammals that lactate while fasting may lose up to 40% of initial BW. The production of milk entails the export of up to one-third of body fat and 15% of body protein in the dormant black bear and in several seal species, which greatly depletes maternal resources and may represent a physiological threshold, because higher protein and fat outputs have only been measured in species that start feeding. The low K:Na ratio of seal and whale milks and the low Ca:casein and inverse Ca:P ratios in seal milks are unusual and warrant further study.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1999

Effect of dietary seal and fish oils on triacylglycerol metabolism in rats.

Eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids were distributed mainly in the sn-1 and 3 positions of seal oil triacylglycerol and in the sn-2 position of fish oil triacylglycerol. Seal oil or fish oil-rich fats having constant polyunsaturated/monounsaturated/saturated fatty acids and n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) ratios were fed to rats for 3 wk. Control rats were fed on a fat containing linoleic acid as the sole PUFA. Seal oil more effectively lowered serum and liver triacylglycerol concentrations than fish oil. The activities of fatty acid synthase (FAS), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and hepatic triacylglycerol lipase (HTGL) were significantly lower in the seal oil group than in the control group, whereas the activity of HTGL was significantly lower and the hepatic peroxisomal beta-oxidation and activity of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) in adipose tissue were significantly higher in the fish oil group than in the control group. These observations suggest that the predominant hypotriacylglycerolemic effect of seal oil is caused by the suppression of fatty acid synthesis.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2001

Effect of dietary seal and fish oils on lipid metabolism in hamsters.

Eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids were distributed mainly in the sn-1 and 3 positions of seal oil triacylglycerols and in the sn-2 position of fish oil triacylglycerols. Seal oil-rich or fish oil-rich fats having constant polyunsaturated (PUFAs)/monounsaturated/saturated fatty acids and n-6/n-3 PUFAs ratios were fed to hamsters for 3 weeks. The control fat contained linoleic acid as the sole PUFA. The concentration of triacylglycerols in the liver was significantly lower in the fish oil group than in the control group. Phospholipid concentration in serum was lower and that in the liver was higher in the seal oil group compared with the fish oil group. The activities of fatty acid synthase (FAS), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), and the malic enzyme were significantly lower in both the fish and seal oil groups than in the control group. Dietary seal oil more effectively reduced arachidonic acid content in liver phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine and serum phosphatidylcholine than fish oil. These results showed that different intramolecular distribution of n-3 PUFAs influenced glycerolipid metabolism and arachidonic acid content in serum and liver phospholipids of hamsters.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Phocine distemper in a harp seal (Phoca groenlandica) from the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada.

The first case of phocine distemper in a seal from Canadian waters and the first case of clinical phocine distemper in a harp seal, Phoca groenlandica, is reported. A two-month-old female harp seal stranded on Prince Edward Island in May 1991. Significant clinical findings were lethargy and severe conjunctivitis. Pulmonary congestion was the main necropsy finding, and histological lesions included diffuse demyelinating nonsuppurative encephalitis and mild multifocal interstitial pneumonia. Acidophilic intracytoplasmic and intranuclear inclusions were present in cerebral neurons and astrocytes. Immunoperoxidase staining confirmed phocine distemper virus (PDV) antigen in the cytoplasm and nuclei of neurons, bronchiolar gland epithelium and transitional epithelium of the bladder. Infectivity titers of canine distemper virus (CDV) (Onderstpoort strain) and a morbillivirus isolated from a grey seal were significantly reduced by serum from the harp seal.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Herpesvirus infection in stranded Pacific harbor seals of coastal California.

Histopathological examination revealed multifocal acute to chronic adrenal necrosis in 74 of 162 (45%) Pacific harbor seal pups (Phoca vitulina richardsi) dying during rehabilitation following live stranding along the coast of central and northern California (USA). Necrotic adrenal cells contained amphophilic, smudgy intranuclear inclusion bodies that were stained positive for DNA. Fifty of these seals also had lesions typical of sepsis, bacterial omphalophlebitis, pneumonia or gastroenteritis. Twenty four seals had no lesions other than thymic atrophy and occasional multifocal hepatic necrosis. Prior to death, affected seals had a marked lymphopenia. Electron microscopy revealed unenveloped intranuclear hexagonal to round viral particles approximately 100 nm in diameter, and cytoplasmic enveloped virions approximately 160 nm in diameter. These were morphologically consistent with herpesvirus. Inoculation of phocine adrenal and kidney cell lines with an adrenal tissue homogenate from affected animals produced a cytopathic effect in 5 days. Electron microscopy of cell cultures showing this cytopathic effect revealed similar viral particles to those observed in affected adrenal glands. Cases with characteristic inclusion bodies were observed in 42 of 95 (44%) male and 32 of 67 (47%) female seals. Affected animals had been in rehabilitation 0 to 63 days and were below average birth weight for this species.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed2006

Serum haptoglobin concentrations in ringed seals (Pusa hispida) from Svalbard, Norway.

Haptoglobin (Hp) levels were measured in blood serum from 185 apparently healthy ringed seals (Pusa hispida) from Svalbard (age range, 1-30 yr) collected during the spring seasons of 2002 through 2004. The Hp concentration was 0.26 +/- 0.02 g/l (mean +/- SE; range, 0.0-1.5 g/l). Maturity status, body condition index (CI), interactions between CI and maturity status, and sex and maturity status all had significant influences on Hp levels. Mature males had significantly higher Hp concentrations compared with mature females (0.30 +/- 0.03 vs. 0.17 +/- 0.01 g/l, F(1,16) = 14.9, P<0.01). No differences were found between Hp levels in immature male and female seals (0.33 +/- 0.06 g/l). The Hp levels increased significantly in immature seals when the CI decreased. Despite the fact that mature males had a significantly lower CI than mature females, no direct correlation was found between Hp concentration and CI among adults. The elevated Hp values found in mature males might be related to injuries inflicted among males while fighting during the mating season or to high stress levels related to mating competition. The Hp concentrations of ringed seals measured in this study are useful baseline data for development of a diagnostic tool for future monitoring of the general health of this and other ringed seal populations.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1979

Organochlorine residues in harp seal (Phagophilus groenlandicus) tissues, Gulf of St. Lawrence, 1971, 1973.

Levels of p,p'-DDT, p,p'-TDE, p,p'-DDE, dieldrin, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and HCB were determined in certain tissues of 31 harp seals (P hagophilus groenlandicus) taken from the Gulf of St. Lawrence during 1971 and 1973. The seals ranged in age from less than two weeks to 18 years. Mean concentrations of PCBs and sigma DDT in the various tissues were about the same sigma DDT levels were 1.64--9.88 ppm in adult seal blubber and 1.08--3.73 ppm in seal pup blubber. Organochlorine levels in harp seal samples taken in 1973 were similar to those reported by other workers for samples collected in the Gulf of St. Lawrence during 1967-71.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1998

Subsurface crypts and interstitial cells in the ovary of the seal (Phoca vitulina vitulina): light and electron microscopic findings.

This morphological study on the ovary of the seal focuses on two structures of special interest: the subsurface crypts and the interstitial cells. Ovaries from 110 seals (from 1,5 months to 12 years) were used. Most of the seals of our study originated from German North Coast, a few from Island. The ovaries were examined by light microscopic as well as by transmission and scanning electron microscopic techniques. The seal's ovary conforms to the basic structure of the ovary of other mammalian species. However, the surface epithelium cell layer lowers itself into an epithelium lined - broadly branching system of subsurface crypts. The size and extent of these crypts and the proliferation of the epithelium appear to be mainly related to the reproductive activity. The ultrastructure of crypt epithelium cells indicates a remarkable metabolic activity. In juvenile ovaries cell buds proliferate from the crypt epithelium and grow as plug-like strands into the cortical stroma. These cells show ultrastructural changes during their proliferation and appear to transform into steroid producing interstitial cells. In the adult seal the interstitial cells are completely differentiated established and, according to their origin, can be divided into epithelial and fibroblastic interstitial cells. It is suggested that a major function of the crypts is the formation of the ovarian blastema with particular reference to ovarian interstitial cells. The intensive proliferation of interstitial cells is in agreement with the extraordinary high level of 350 pmol estrogen/l blood serum.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

[Comparative morphology of the cerebellum of the seal (Pinnipedia, Mammalia)].

The work describes the anatomical structure of the cerebellum of the caspian seal (Pusa caspica Gmelin) and Greenland seal (Pagophoca groenlandica Erxleben). The shape of the cerebellum, the disposition of the main lobes and convolutions are characterized. The schemes of three projections of the cerebellum of both species are presented. The figures of the cerebellum size, its absolute and relative weight and the surface of the cerebellum and its portions in seals have been obtained. The well-developmed flocculo-nodular portions and paraflocculuses and relatively poorly developed lobulus paramedianus are pointed to be one of the characteristic features of the structure of the seal cerebellum. An attempt is made to explain great dimensions of the flocculo-nodullar portion and paraflocculuses by specific features of the seal locomotion in water.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450 enzyme activity in relation to in vitro metabolism/inhibition of polychlorinated biphenyls and testosterone in Baltic grey seal (Halichoerus grypus).

Among other factors, cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme activity determines polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) bioaccumulation, biotransformation, and toxicity in exposed species. We measured the oxidative metabolism in vitro of 12 PCB congeners, representing structural groups based on the number and position of the chlorine atoms, by the hepatic microsomes of one Baltic grey seal (Halichoerus grypus). Microsomal metabolism was observed for several PCBs with vicinal H atoms exclusively in the ortho and meta positions and without any ortho-Cl substituents (CB-15 [4,4'-Cl2] and CB-77 [3,3',4,4'-Cl4]), vicinal meta and para-H atoms (CB-52 [2,2',5,5'-Cl4], and -101 [2,2',4,5,5'-Cl5]) or with both characteristics in combination with either only one ortho-Cl (CB-26 [2,3',5-Cl3], CB-31 [2,4',5-Cl3]) or two ortho-Cl substituents (CB-44 [2,2',3,5'-Cl4]). To allocate PCB biotransformation to specific CYPs, the inhibitive effect of compounds with known CYP-specific inhibition properties was assessed on in vitro PCB metabolism and on regio- and stereospecific testosterone hydroxylase activities. Metabolic inhibition was considered relevant at concentrations < or = 1.0 microM because these inhibitors became decreasingly selective at higher concentrations. At < 1.0 microM, ellipticine (CYPIAI/2 inhibitor) selectively inhibited CB-15, -26, -31, and -77 metabolism, with no significant inhibition of CB-44, -52, and -101 metabolism. Inhibition of CB-52 and -101 metabolism by chloramphenicol (CYP2B inhibitor) started at 1.0 microM and maximized at about 100% at 10 microM. Ketoconazole (CYP3A inhibitor) appeared to selectively inhibit CB-26, -31, and -44 metabolism relative to CB-15, -77, and -52 at concentrations < or = 1.0 microM. Major testosterone metabolites formed in vitro were 2beta-(CYP3A), 6beta- (CYP3A, CYPIA), and 16beta- (CYP2B) hydroxytestosterone and androstenedione (CYP2B, CYP2C11). The CYP forms indicated are associated with the specific metabolism of testosterone in laboratory animals. Inhibition of 2beta- and 6beta-hydroxytestosterone formation at ellipticine and ketoconazole concentrations < or = 1.0 microM suggested that both inhibitors were good substrates of CYP3A-like enzymes in grey seal. Chloramphenicol (model for CYP2B) is apparently not a good inhibitor of CYPI A and CYP3A activities in grey seal because the chemical did not inhibit any metabolic route of testosterone at concentrations from 0.1 to 10 microM. Our findings demonstrated that at least CYP1A- and CYP3A-like enzymes in the liver of grey seals are capable of metabolizing PCBs with ortho-meta and/or meta-para vicinal hydrogens. A CYP2B form might also be involved, but this could not be proven by the results of our experiments. Defining the profiles of CYP enzymes that are responsible for PCB biotransformation is necessary to fully understand the bioaccumulation, toxicokinetics, and risk of PCB exposure in seals and other free-ranging marine mammals.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

[Molecular-genetic comparison of morbilliviruses which caused epizooty in Baikal (Phoca siberica) and Caspian (Phoca caspica) seals].

The nucleotide sequences were determined for a phosphoprotein gene fragment of canine distemper virus (CDV) by using the RT-PCR method with the subsequent sequencing of amplicons from total RNA isolated from 2 samples of Caspian seals, 15 samples of Baikal seals and from samples of dog's and sea-lion's brains. The above materials were phylogenetically analyzed. The heterogeneity of the virus circulating in the Baikal-seal population was demonstrated. Morbillivirus, that caused epizooty in Caspian seals, was shown to be a CDV variant, whose phosphoprotein gene structure was not different, within the analyzed stretch, from the corresponding gene of the most widespread variant of the Baikal seal virus. The data obtained suggest that morbillivirus could be transmitted by birds during their seasonal migrations.

Animal Diseases↗
PubMed2004

[Seal finger--a problem among hunters once again].

Seal finger is an infectious disease unknown to most physicians. It occurs after contact with seals, and the symptoms include acute pain, swelling, and, in some cases, there is joint involvement. The etiologic agent of Seal finger is now believed to be Mycoplasma, and treatment with high dose tetracycline has been successful for over 50 years. Seals are after years of protection once again hunted in Sweden, and the first case of Seal finger has already occurred.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Notes on the anatomy of the heart in the Harp seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus Erxleben, 1777).

The heart of the Harp seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus) is described based on the dissection of six specimens of both sexes ranging in body weight from 23.2 to 46.4 kg. The heart is characterized, as in other seals, by a transverse broadness and a flatness of the ventricles along with an apex formed by both ventricles. Heart parameters are used for comparisons with those of other seals and land mammals. The heart width index (heart height/heart circumference) averages 33.4 compared to 28.7 for the Weddell seal and 39.0 for the felids. The right ventricle of the Harp seal heart is relatively long and very broad with a mean length index (TS/heart height) of 68.8 and a mean width index (TP/heart height) of 54.8. These functional heart parameters are discussed and physiological adaptations are suggested.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

Measurement of the acoustic reflex without a pressure seal.

Obtaining a hermetic seal in the external auditory canal is often a major obstacle in impedance audiometry. In the present study, the acoustic reflex threshold was determined for three groups of subjects, first with and then without a pressure-tight seal. It was found that for subjects with normal hearing or sensorineural hearing loss and normal tympanograms, 96% of the measurements obtained without a pressure seal were within 5 dB of those obtained with a seal. Among the subjects who exhibited negative middle ear pressure, the acoustic reflex could be measured consistently at the point of maximum compliance, while no response was observed without a pressure seal.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Novel vascular sealing device for closure of percutaneous vascular access sites.

To investigate the hemostatic capabilities of a novel vascular sealing device consisting of a balloon catheter and procoagulant, vascular sheaths were placed percutaneously in the femoral arteries of dogs. The sealing device was evaluated using the balloon catheter alone in six femoral arteries and with the addition of a procoagulant, in 21 femoral arteries. The balloon catheter alone was successfully deployed in six of six femoral arteries achieving immediate hemostasis. In a second study in which the procoagulant was delivered following balloon placement, the sealing device was successfully deployed and hemostasis was achieved in 20 of 21 attempts (95%) despite removal of the balloon catheter. In a subset of fully anticoagulated animals, hemostasis was achieved in the sealing device-treated arteries at 6.5+/-3.4 minutes, but in none of the controls (P < 0.001). This novel vascular sealing device successfully achieves rapid hemostasis in normal and anticoagulated dogs following percutaneous vascular procedures.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Interventional therapy of vascular complications caused by the hemostatic puncture closure device angio-seal.

The hemostatic puncture closure device Angio-Seal is a quick, safe, and easy-to-use system, allowing rapid sealing of the vascular access site following coronary angiography and interventional procedures. It is advantageous for patients in whom early mobilization is desired and may therefore decrease hospital costs. Despite the documented low complication rate, there are some specific problems. Reporting on five cases, we describe problems in diagnosis and possible interventional therapy of Angio-Seal-associated complications such as stenosis, occlusion, or peripheral embolism. Our experience led to the concept of precise diagnosis in any patient with leg symptoms and early interventional treatment with the aim of complete removal of the intra-arterial parts of the Angio-Seal device. Any delay in diagnosis and treatment increases the risk of additional thrombotic occlusion. Spontaneous dissolution of the Angio-Seal sponge limits interventional possibilities of complete removal. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Intervent. 49:142-147, 2000.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Closure of the femoral vein puncture site after transcatheter procedures using Angio-Seal.

The use of anchor-based, collagen-derived vascular sealing devices in femoral vein punctures during right and left heart catheterizations or coronary interventions necessitating venous access for temporary pacemaker or hemodynamic monitoring has not been studied. We hypothesized that using these devices in the femoral vein would be practical and reliable. One hundred and ten consecutive patients undergoing right and left heart catheterization (56 patients, 51%) or coronary intervention (54 patients, 49%) were included in this study. Forty-five of the interventions received IIb/IIIa inhibitors in combination with heparin, enoxaparin, aspirin, and clopidogrel. The Angio-Seal device was successfully deployed in the femoral vein in all patients, whereas 93 (85%) received arterial Angio-Seal, 8 received Perclose, and 9 (8%) had manual pressure or a Fem-Stop applied to control arterial bleeding after deployment. We conclude that in patients undergoing transcatheter procedures requiring venous access, the use of an 8 Fr Angio-Seal to seal the femoral vein is safe and feasible.

Adult↗