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At least 595 records · Page 33Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Craniometric variation and homogeneity in prehistoric/protohistoric Rapa Nui (Easter Island) regional populations.

Discrete cranial morphological traits of prehistoric/protohistoric Rapa Nui (Easter Island) inhabitants have been examined and have illustrated distinct regional or tribal differences; however, craniometric traits have not been as extensively evaluated to determine if similar regional population differences exist. This study examines the range of variability of Rapa Nui craniometrics and utilizes population genetic techniques to evaluate the level of homogeneity/heterogeneity within the island populations. The data consist of 50 cranio-facial measurements of Rapanui (Easter Islanders) skeletal material from the Late Prehistoric (1680-1722) and Protohistoric (1722-1868) periods. The sample was divided into five tribal regions: North, Northeast, South, Southwest, and West. General linear models (GLM) statistical analyses revealed one variable significant for males and 10 for females across tribal regions, totaling 11 regionally significant variables. Discriminant function analyses utilizing crossvalidation provided classification error rates of 55.8% males and 59.0% for females when utilizing those eleven significant variables. Minimum F(ST) values for males (0.06378) and females (0.09409) were calculated from unbiased Mahalanobis D(2) values. These values indicate that males have greater between-group homogeneity than females. The determinant ratio for the Northeast tribal region was the only significant ratio, yet all but one of the regional determinant ratios displayed a pattern of greater male than female mobility. These results indicate that significant craniometric differences between the tribal regions did not exist in prehistoric/protohistoric Rapa Nui populations, supporting the findings of previous research which has documented the homogeneity of the craniometrics of those tribal populations. The calculated minimum F(ST) values indicate the existence of different levels of heterogeneity between the male and female Rapa Nui regional populations resulting from differential levels of migration and gene flow. This variation reflects the establishment in prehistoric times of extensive tribal marriage tumus, and the existence of lineage endogamy/restricted exogamy, not the widespread practice of strict tribal endogamy.

Anthropology, Physical↗
PubMed1998

Personal barriers to diabetes care: lessons from a multi-ethnic community in New Zealand.

The aim of this study was to identify and quantify barriers to diabetes care perceived by diabetic subjects from a multiethnic, urban community (mainly New Zealand Europeans, Maori, and Pacific Islanders). A qualitative survey including 57 diabetic subjects and health care providers from a diverse range of backgrounds was followed by a cross-sectional household survey. Barriers to care were quantified among 1862 (2.1%) diabetic residents of a total surveyed population of 90477. Thirty barriers to care categories were generated incorporating patient beliefs, internal and external physical barriers, educational, psycho-social and psychological barriers. In spite of major difference in culture, acculturation, and socio-economic status, the top 10 barriers were similar between the ethnic groups. The most important barriers were perceiving that the benefits of self-care were outweighed by the disadvantages (20% Europeans, 20% Maori, 29% Pacific Islanders, 16% others, p<0.001), lack of community-based services (13% Europeans, 27% Maori, 25% Pacific Islanders, 11% others, p<0.001) and the limited range of services available (15% Europeans, 22% Maori, 20% Pacific Islanders, 14% others, p<0.05). It is postulated that definition of these barriers, with subsequent, systematic action to reduce their impact, in both patients and populations could result in an improvement in diabetes outcomes.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed2000

Lactose digestion capacity in Tokelauans: a case for the role of gene flow and genetic drift in establishing the lactose absorption allele in a Polynesian population.

Throughout the Pacific, lactose absorption occurs at rates of 0-46%. Most authors explain the current rate of lactose absorption in the Pacific in terms of gene flow with Europeans. However, researchers have not been able to determine the exact historical circumstances of the introduction of the lactose absorption gene. The availability of genealogical material, historical information, and mal/absorption frequencies for Tokelau (a Polynesian population) presents a unique opportunity to examine the role of gene flow in establishing lactose absorption in Pacific isolates. In an earlier study, Cheer and Allen ([1997] Am. J. Hum. Biol. 93:1-34) determined lactose digestion capacities for 58 Tokelauans. In the current study, we constructed pedigrees for the same 58 individuals, using the Tokelau Island Migrant Study genealogies (Wessen et al. [1992]). Results indicated that 8 of 13 lactose-absorbing individuals have European ancestors, compared with only 4 of 35 lactose malabsorbers (Chi(2) = 15.75, P < 0.01). Six lactose-absorbing individuals have either American or Portuguese ancestors dating back to the mid-1800s. Historical data were used to establish the contribution of Portuguese and American genetic material to the Tokelau population following massive depopulation after the Peruvian slave raids of 1863. This study provides clear evidence for the role of a population bottleneck followed by gene flow and genetic drift in establishing lactose absorption in the Tokelau population. Furthermore, it is the first study of a Pacific population to directly link lactose absorption with gene flow.

Absorption↗
PubMed1991

Childhood cancer among the Polynesian population.

From June 1981 through June 1989, 95 Polynesian children were seen for initial care of malignancy at the Princess Mary Hospital for Children (PMHC). The incidence of malignancy in the Polynesian populations served, the histology of the malignancies, and the outcome of therapy were reviewed and compared with 185 non-Polynesian (non-P) patients seen during the same period. Incidence figures for Polynesians and non-P were similar, but histologic patterns differed, showing an increased occurrence of leukemia, particularly nonlymphoblastic leukemia, an increased occurrence of bone tumors, and a decreased incidence of central nervous system tumors for Polynesians. Survival for Polynesian children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia was worse than for non-P. Survival in all other disease categories was similar.

Child↗
PubMed1993

Trends in colorectal cancer incidence and histologic findings in Maori and Polynesian residents of New Zealand.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to combine an epidemiologic survey of colorectal cancer among Maori, Polynesian, and white inhabitants of New Zealand with a detailed analysis of tumor subsite and histopathology. METHODS: Data were obtained from the New Zealand National Cancer Registry and included all registrants from 1970 to 1984. Sections of histologic specimens of colorectal cancer of Maori and non-Maori were retrieved from three Auckland hospitals. RESULTS: The annual age-adjusted incidence rates of large intestinal cancer among male and female Maoris and male and female Polynesians were 40%, 40%, 39%, and 29%, respectively, of the total population incidence. Time-trend analysis showed the incidence of large intestinal cancer to be increasing among all racial groups. The relative proportion of rectal cancers was higher in male and female Maoris and female Polynesians than in the general population, whereas male Polynesians had a relatively high proportion of right colonic cancers. High-grade carcinoma and mucinous carcinoma occurred more frequently in young individuals regardless of race. Carcinomas were diagnosed at a more advanced stage in Maoris. CONCLUSION: Given the similar environmental characteristics of the three racial groups, the findings indicate the presence of powerful protective factors in Maoris and Polynesians. These could be constitutional or mediated by unrecognized dietary constituents.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2000

Epstein Barr virus genome in nasopharyngeal carcinomas from New Zealand.

BACKGROUND: The population in New Zealand is a heterogeneous mix of Caucasians (80%), Maori (9%), and Polynesians (10%). It is believed that the Polynesians are of Chinese descent and may harbor the same high incidence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). In addition, it is not known whether the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is as closely associated with the development of NPC in Polynesians as it is in those of Chinese origin. METHODS: This study reexamines the associative correlation between EBV and NPC with two methods of genetic detection, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and in-situ hybridization (ISH). In addition, geographic heterogeneity was analyzed to determine whether there are differences in the prevalence of EBV in NPCs among the ethnic mixed populations found in New Zealand. Nasopharyngeal biopsy specimens from 20 patients with NPC and 36 controls were obtained from Auckland. RESULTS: With PCR, EBNA-1, a genomic sequence of EBV in NPC samples was able to be detected with 76.5% sensitivity and 96.7% specificity. By use of ISH, EBV was detected in NPC tissue with 82.4% sensitivity and 100% specificity. CONCLUSION: There seems to be no geoanthropologic differences in terms of the association of EBV with NPC.

Asian People↗
PubMed1991

The single zeta globin gene rearrangement: hematologic phenotype and its frequent occurrence in Polynesian Niueans.

The single zeta globin gene rearrangement (-zeta/) is an unusual mutation associated with the alpha globin gene cluster on chromosome 16p13.3. It has been detected regularly among West Africans (gene frequency approximately 0.05) and sporadically among other populations. DNA samples from 186 Polynesian Niueans living in Auckland, New Zealand, were studied. Eighteen (gene frequency 0.05) were shown to have the -zeta/gene arrangement, which results from loss of the psi zeta 1 gene. Hematological phenotypes in six cord blood samples and 12 affected adults were normal. The high frequency for -zeta/in Niueans may represent another example of genetic drift and a founder effect in Polynesians or may reflect a different founding population.

Chromosomes, Human, Pair 16↗
PubMed2003

Cranial variation in the Marquesas Islands.

The Marquesas Islands have traditionally been divided into a northwestern and a southeastern group, a division which reflects language dialect differences. Additionally, archaeological studies have also suggested that differences in material culture existed between the northwestern and southeastern islands. This study examines Marquesan cranial discrete and metric traits to evaluate the level of intra-archipelago heterogeneity, and to determine if a northwest/southeast division is evident cranially. The data consist of 28 cranial discrete traits and 49 craniofacial measurements of prehistoric Marquesans. Male and female data are pooled for discrete trait and metric data, following a Z-score standardization technique adjustment. The data represent three island samples: Nuku Hiva (northwest), Fatuiva (southeast), and a combined Tahuata/Hiva 'Oa (southeast). Of the 28 discrete traits, 16 are utilized in a mean measure of divergence analysis that provides scores of 0.259 for Fatuiva-Tahuata/Hiva 'Oa, 1.850 for Nuku Hiva-Fatuiva, and 1.491 for Nuku Hiva-Tahuata/Hiva 'Oa. Of the 49 craniofacial measurements, 46 are utilized in RMET/NORM analyses, providing unbiased D(2) values of 0.0433 for Fatuiva-Tahuata/Hiva 'Oa, 0.1328 for Nuku Hiva-Fatuiva, and 0.0813 for Nuku Hiva-Tahuata/Hiva 'Oa. The islands of the southeastern group are closer to each other than either was to the island of the northwestern group. When a sample from 'Ua Huka is included in the craniometric analysis, the unbiased D(2) values of 0.0829, 0.1175, and 0.0431 are calculated for 'Ua Huka and Nuku Hiva, and Fatuiva and Tahuata/Hiva 'Oa pairings, respectively, indicating a close similarity of 'Ua Huka to the southeastern islands. Mean measure of divergence analysis of cranial discrete traits as well as RMET/NORM analyses of craniometric variables reveal that differences exist between the islands of the northwestern and southeastern Marquesas Islands. These results support previous research that documented linguistic and cultural differences between these regions of the archipelago. However, the results indicate that 'Ua Huka, an island traditionally included in the northwestern Marquesas Islands, has an affinity to the southeastern Marquesas Islands, possibly due to its pivotal position as a waypoint in the Marquesas Island interaction sphere.

Anthropology, Physical↗
PubMed2004

Assessing intrasample variation: analysis of Rapa Nui (Easter Island) museum cranial collections example.

Osteological studies both old and new have utilized various Polynesian cranial samples, individually or in combination, to assess the racial composition of prehistoric Polynesians as a group, with regards to other Pacific populations, or to represent the Polynesian peoples as a whole in various multivariate analyses of worldwide populations. However, few of these studies have assessed the degree of intrasample variation produced when data derived from skeletal samples from different Polynesian islands (populations) are pooled to represent "Polynesians" as a whole. A similar argument can be made when data derived from various museum skeletal samples of the same Polynesian population are pooled to produce a larger sample representing that particular Polynesian population (Murrill [1968] Cranial and postcranial skeletal remains from Easter Island; Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press; Stefan [2002] Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. [Suppl.] 34:147). This study examined Easter Island crania curated at various museums in North America, South America, and Europe to assess whether significant differences exist among the museum collections of Rapa Nui (Easter Island) skeletal material. A NORM statistical program (Schafer and Olsen [1997] NORM, version 1.01; University Park: Pennsylvania State University) for multiple imputation of incomplete multivariate datasets was utilized to estimate missing data. A variance comparison method, which utilizes variance/covariance matrices derived from "hypothesis" and "baseline/reference" samples (Key and Jantz [1990] Hum. Evol. 5:457-469; Key and Jantz [1990] Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 82:53-59) was used to compare the Rapa Nui museum samples. This method is designed to test whether variability in a "hypothesis" museum sample exceeds "normal within-group variability" represented by the "baseline/reference" sample. The method was applied to six Rapa Nui museum samples (AANMW, MNHN-KB, MNHN-NAE, NHM, MH, and AMNH). The results indicate that the museum "hypothesis," male and female samples, exhibited little intrasample variability from the "baseline/reference" sample (MAPSE), though the samples were collected at different times and by different individuals. These results show the ability of multiple imputation and variance comparison methodologies to predict missing variables while maintaining the inherent variance/covariance structure and to discriminate sample variation in artificially assembled samples.

Anthropology, Physical↗
PubMed1975

Population variation in asymmetry and diversity from finger to finger for digital ridge-count.

Population variation in ridge-count asymmetry and diversity from finger to finger has received scant attention in dermatoglyphic studies. Asymmetry, in particular, has generally been attributed to environmental effects operating during the formation of dermal ridges. Examination of samples from several groups of diverse racial background revealed the existence of considerable population variation with respect to finger ridge-count asymmetry and diversity from finger to finger. Patterning along population lines suggests a genetic rather than environmental basis for such variation. The genetic mechanisms responsible for ridge-counts may also mediate asymmetry and diversity, or the degree of developmental stabiltiy in different populations may itself be under genetic control.

Africa↗
PubMed1975

Dermatoglyphics of Easter Islanders analyzed by pattern type, admixture effect, and ridge count variation.

The adult Easter Island population was fingerprinted in 1965 as part of an overall study of their human biology. Major findings of the dermatoglyphic analysis are as follows. Digit and bimanuar percentages of patterns (arches, loops, and whorls) were similar to those observed in Europeans. However, in terms of total pattern type distributions, the Islanders had many more whorls and a correspondingly much higher Pattern Intensity Index than those found in European groups. This difference was even present, although in lesser magnitude, in Easter Islanders known to be admixed with Europeans. Corresponding to a high occurrence of whorls, Mean Total Ridge Count (TRC) was also notably high. An association between TRC as a measure of pattern size and incidence of patterns was clearly evident in several groups available for comparison.

Dermatoglyphics↗
PubMed1986

Easter Islander palmar dermatoglyphics: sexual dimorphism, bilateral asymmetry, and family polymorphism.

The palmar prints of 297 male and female Easter Islanders were analyzed according to the Penrose and Loesch topological classification system. While the frequencies of most pattern elements were not found to differ significantly between the sexes, the placement of the axial triradius was found to be highly significant (P less than 0.01). Both males and females were found to exhibit considerable bilateral asymmetry in the a-b count and in the atd angle, but there was no significant difference between the sexes in the amount of asymmetry expressed. Family data for a small subset of the sample (51 individuals) were subjected to further statistical analysis, from which significant results (P less than 0.05) were obtained both on chi-square tests for frequency of pattern elements and ANOVA tests for a-b counts, atd angle, and A-line exit. The implications of these results are considered from a developmental perspective. It is suggested that a particular pattern combination (termed a formula) could be used to represent a default value and that other formulae might then be considered as deviations from this default value. Such variation, theoretically at least, might be traced to genetic influences or to the embryological environment present during the time of dermatoglyphic formation.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Topological description of Easter Islander palmar dermatoglyphics.

A sample of 594 Easter Islander palms was analyzed according to the topological method. Some suggestions for clarification of the topological approach were made, including clearer definition of the palmar triradii and substitution of the term "profile" for "formula." The frequency of Easter Islander profiles was compared against British and Australian Aborigine samples (Loesch, 1974; 1983a,b) and found to be significantly different for two of the ten most common combinations. The individual pattern elements, pattern intensities, a-b count, A-line exit, and atd angle were described, with population comparisons made when they were available.

Adult↗