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At least 883 records · Page 49Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

Increased incidence of bleeding intracranial aneurysms in Greenlandic Eskimos.

In the six-year period 1976-1981 the incidence of bleeding of intracranial saccular aneurysms in Greenlandic Eskimos was compared retrospectively to that in Caucasian Danes. The study comprises only patients admitted to a Neurosurgical Department. Criteria for admission and diagnosis were similar in the two populations. Incidence rates for all ages were 9.3 and 3.1 per 100,000 population per year among Eskimos and Caucasian Danes, respectively. Weighting differences between the two populations regarding population size, age distribution and number of patients, the relative risk for Eskimos compared with Caucasian Danes was 4.4 (95% confidence limits 2.9-6.5). In an attempt to account for this finding, the possibility of different connective tissue properties in the two populations is briefly discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Differences in intracortical bone remodeling in three aboriginal American populations: possible dietary factors.

Cross sections of intracortical bone revealed differences among three early American populations--Eskimo, Arikara, and Pueblo--in the frequency of a form of remodeling called, here, type II. This remodeling appears to occur exclusively within the walls of haversian canals of well-mineralized osteons. The populations are known to have differed in their nutrition. The Eskimo, with a high-protein diet, exhibited the most frequent type II remodeling, whereas the Pueblo, with a low-protein diet, showed the least. Type II remodeling probably reflects the physiological state of the group. Variation in frequency of classic intracortical bone remodeling was not apparent.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Cultural barriers to mental health care delivery in Alaska.

Geographically diverse providers from all mental health disciplines attended a recent conference in Anchorage and discussed cultural barriers to the delivery of mental health care in Alaska. Based on their knowledge, experience, and perceptions, this article describes barriers contributed by the mental health care delivery system as well as those contributed by the American Indian and Alaska Native cultures. American Indians and Alaska Natives are experiencing deculturation, outmigration, alienation, distrust, and despair. The difficulties at the interface between Alaskan mental health care providers and consumers indigenous to Alaska have implications for administrative and clinical endeavors in culturally diverse settings elsewhere. Progress in this area will require special administrative skills.

Alaska↗
PubMed1989

Eskimo plasma constituents, dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid inhibit the release of atherogenic mitogens.

Studies in man and laboratory animals suggest that omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acid constituents of fish oils have antiatherosclerotic properties. We have studied the effects of several such polyunsaturated fatty acids for ability to modify the in vitro release of mitogens from human platelets. Such mitogens may produce the fibro-proliferative component of atherosclerotic plaques. Both 5,8,11,14,17-eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5 omega 3) and 4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 omega 3), major constituents of fish oils, inhibited adenosine diphosphate-induced aggregation of platelets and the accompanying release of mitogens. These effects are dose dependent. Linolenic acid (18:3 omega 3), the biosynthetic precursor of eicosapentaenoic acid, also inhibited platelet aggregation and mitogen release. Eicosapentaenoic acid also inhibited mitogen release from human monocyte-derived macrophages, which, in vivo, are an additional source of mitogens during atherogenesis. Potent inhibition of human platelet aggregation and mitogen release was also seen with dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (8,11,14-eicosatrienoic acid 20:3 omega 6), whose levels are reportedly elevated in Eskimos subsisting on marine diets. We conclude that diets that elevate plasma and/or tissue levels of eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid and dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid precursor gamma-linolenic acid (18:3 omega 6) may exert antiatherosclerotic effects by inhibiting the release of mitogens from platelets and other cells.

8,11,14-Eicosatrienoic Acid↗
PubMed2005

Breast cancer survival of American Indian/Alaska Native women, 1973-1996.

OBJECTIVE: To assess breast cancer mortality rates among American Indian/Alaska Native women compared with non-Hispanic White women in the five years after diagnosis. METHODS: Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results data from 1973-1996 were used to compare survival in the two races, controlling for age, marital status, stage, and therapy. RESULTS: The adjusted relative hazard of death was 58% higher for American Indian/Alaska Native women than for non-Hispanic White women (HR = 1.58, 95% Cl 1.26-2.00). The survival disparity persisted even when limited to women who received definitive therapy, i.e. mastectomy with axillary node dissection or breast-conserving surgery with axillary node dissection and radiation treatment (HR = 1.88, 95% Cl 1.40-2.52). CONCLUSIONS: American Indian/Alaska Native women were at greater risk for breast cancer mortality than non-Hispanic White women, even when restricted to women who received definitive breast cancer therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Global climate change and reindeer: effects of winter weather on the autumn weight and growth of calves.

Reindeer/caribou (Rangifer tarandus), which constitute a biological resource of vital importance for the physical and cultural survival of Arctic residents, and inhabit extremely seasonal environments, have received little attention in the global change debate. We investigated how body weight and growth rate of reindeer calves were affected by large-scale climatic variability [measured by the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) winter index] and density in one population in central Norway. Body weights of calves in summer and early winter, as well as their growth rate (summer to early winter), were significantly influenced by density and the NAO index when cohorts were in utero. Males were heavier and had higher absolute growth than females, but there was no evidence that preweaning condition of male and female calves were influenced differently by the NAO winter index. Increasing NAO index had a negative effect on calves' body weight and growth rate. Increasing density significantly reduced body weight and growth rate of calves, and accentuated the effect of the NAO winter index. Winters with a higher NAO index are thus severe for reindeer calves in this area and their effects are associated with nutritional stress experienced by the dams during pregnancy or immediately after calving. Moreover, increased density may enhance intra-specific competition and limits food available at the individual level within cohorts. We conclude that if the current pattern of global warming continues, with greater change occurring in northern latitudes and during winter as is predicted, reduced body weight of reindeer calves may be a consequence in areas where winters with a high NAO index are severe. This will likely have an effect on the livelihood of many northern indigenous peoples, both economically and culturally.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2001

n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and coronary thrombosis.

Studies of Greenland Eskimos showed that a very high intake of marine n-3 fatty acids markedly inhibited platelet reactivity and suggested that intake of these fatty acids might prevent coronary thrombosis. Later studies with lower, more practical doses of n-3 fatty acids also have shown a platelet inhibitory effect of n-3 fatty acids, albeit fairly marginal. Furthermore, n-3 fatty acids have little effect on measures of blood coagulability and may slightly decrease fibrinolysis. In animal models, n-3 fatty acids often have been shown to inhibit thrombosis, but again the doses have tended to be very high. Finally, there has been little effect of (low-dose) n-3 fatty acids in clinical trials in humans on the incidence of myocardial infarction. Overall, there is little evidence for a major antithrombotic effect of practical doses of n-3 fatty acids on coronary thrombosis. This does not exclude a beneficial effect of n-3 fatty acids on coronary heart disease as suggested from clinical trials, but the major effect may be antiarrhythmic rather than antithrombotic.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Response to hepatitis B vaccine in Alaska natives with chronic alcoholism compared with non-alcoholic control subjects.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to determine if (1) alcoholics have a higher prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) serologic markers than do non-alcoholic controls and (2) if they respond to hepatitis B vaccination in a manner similar to that of non-alcoholic controls. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was designed as a case-control study, and 129 Alaska Natives were recruited. Alcoholics were recruited from inpatient wards, outpatient clinics, a soup kitchen serving the homeless, and several alcohol rehabilitation centers; control subjects were recruited primarily from among Alaska Native Hospital employees. A standardized questionnaire, the Alcohol Dependency Scale (ADS), was administered to all participants. Each participant was screened for hepatitis B serologic markers, had liver function studies performed, and was examined for evidence of liver disease. Participants seronegative for HBV markers received three doses of hepatitis B vaccine. Linear regression analysis was performed to compare the amount of alcohol intake and variables associated with liver disease with the response to hepatitis B vaccination and antibody levels achieved. Using an ADS score of greater than 13, 64 participants were classified as chronic alcoholics, and 60 were classified as controls. RESULTS: HBV seropositivity was found in 22 alcoholics (34.4%) and seven controls (11.7%). After adjusting for age and sex, this difference was significant (chi 2 MH = 6.57, df = 1; p = 0.012). Abnormal levels of liver transaminase occurred significantly more often in alcoholic participants than in control subjects (chi 2 MH = 4.91, df = 1; p = 0.026). Of 95 seronegative persons, 72 received three doses of hepatitis B plasma-derived vaccine. Alcoholic subjects and control subjects did not differ significantly in their response to vaccination. Only four alcoholics and two controls did not develop antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) after hepatitis B vaccination, and two alcoholics and three controls had anti-HBs levels less than 10 SRU by radioimmunoassay. Mean anti-HBs levels measured in milli-international units (mIU) for the 62 responders showed a decrease in the anti-HBs level with increasing age (p less than 0.001). There was no difference in the mean anti-HBs log10 mIU between alcoholics and controls younger than 45 years of age, but in persons greater than 45 years of age, alcoholics had a lower mean anti-HBs log10 mIU level than did controls; this difference, however, was not significant (p greater than 0.10). CONCLUSION: Chronic alcoholics have a higher prevalence of HBV seromarkers than do age-matched controls. Seronegative alcoholics, especially those under age 45, respond well to hepatitis B vaccination, and such vaccination should be considered in all chronic alcoholic persons.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Immunogenicity of the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in Alaska Native chronic alcoholics compared with nonalcoholic Native and non-Native controls.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate the immunogenicity of the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in Alaska Native chronic alcoholics and compare these responses with those in age- and sex-matched nonalcoholic, Native and non-Native control subjects. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Native alcoholic patients were recruited from the inpatient medical service and outpatient clinics. Healthy age- and sex-matched Alaska Native and non-Native nonalcoholics were recruited from hospital employees. At the initial visit, a standardized questionnaire, the Alcohol Dependency Scale, was administered to all participants. Participants were examined for liver diseases; blood was drawn for liver function tests and prevaccination pneumococcal antibody levels. Charts of all Native participants were reviewed for alcohol-related diseases. Participants received one dose of the 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine at the time of the initial visit and returned 20 to 55 days after immunization for liver function tests and pneumococcal antibody level measurement. Serotype-specific pneumococcal antibody levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the proportion of persons whose serotype-specific antibody level doubled following vaccination. A model including adjustments for age, sex, and initial antibody level was used to examine the effect of alcohol status and ethnicity on response to the vaccine. Eighty-five persons completed the study. Of these, 41 were chronic alcoholics and 44 were nonalcoholic. Of these, 21 were Alaska Natives and 23 were non-Natives. RESULTS: Before vaccination, the geometric mean titers (GMTs) were similar in all 3 groups but were slightly higher in Native alcoholic participants for 11 of 12 serotypes tested. For 11 or more serotypes tested, 46% of alcoholics and 27% of nonalcoholics had total antibody levels at or above 500 nanograms of antibody nitrogen per milliliter (p = 0.11). After vaccination, the GMTs were higher in nonalcoholic than in alcoholic participants for serotypes 3, 7F, and 19F (p < 0.05). When Natives and non-Natives were compared, non-Natives had higher antibody levels than Native participants for 10 of 12 serotypes. After vaccination, 83% of alcoholics and 91% of nonalcoholics had pneumococcal antibody levels of more than 500 nanograms of antibody nitrogen per milliliter for at least 11 serotypes. When responses consisting of a twofold or greater increase in antibody level were compared, a greater proportion of nonalcoholics than alcoholics responded to serotypes 3, 4, 7F, 8, and 19F. This difference was significant for types 3 and 19F only (p < 0.05). In alcoholics there was a direct correlation between pneumococcal antibody level and age both before and after vaccination. This was significant before vaccination for serotypes 4, 6B, 18C, and 23F, and after vaccination for these types and for types 1 and 19F. In nonalcoholics there was a correlation between age and antibody response, following vaccination, for serotype 9N and 18C. Alcoholic males had antibody levels higher than that in females for most serotypes, but significantly so only for serotype 12F before vaccination, and for type 14 after vaccination. There were no sex differences seen among nonalcoholics, and no differences in response to vaccine could be detected in patients with or without liver dysfunction. CONCLUSION: In this study of Alaska Natives with chronic alcoholism, Native and non-Native participants responded adequately to immunization with the 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine, although significant differences in some serotypes were evident.

Adult↗