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At least 973 records · Page 54Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Nutrient intake in a partly westernized isolated Polynesian population: the Funafuti survey.

Dietary data were obtained from 110 adult Polynesians (indigenous Funafutians) during a diabetes epidemiologic survey in Tuvalu. Funafuti (the main island of Tuvalu) was chosen as representative of partly urbanized population that has seen progressive socioeconomic changes in the previous 30 yr. The distribution of calories in the Funafuti diet is almost identical to that reported in the urbanized Micronesian population of Nauru and in Caucasian populations. Prevalence of diabetes was found to be five times higher than that reported in caucasian populations. Similarly, the prevalence of hypertension was 11% (equal to Caucasian figures), whereas hypertension is virtually unknown in traditional-living populations. Prevalence of diabetes, and degree of obesity, is significantly greater in women than in men. It is possible that this Polynesian group may have a genetic susceptibility to diabetes, which may have been unmasked by change from a traditional to western life-style. Marked obesity is now a characteristic of many Polynesian and Micronesian populations, and must rank as a major causative factor for the diabetes and hypertension explosion.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Limitation of fasting plasma glucose for the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus.

We have analyzed data from 3370 OGTTs performed during epidemiologic studies in three different ethnic groups (Micronesian, Polynesian, and Melanesian) in various Pacific countries to examine the value of a single fasting plasma glucose greater than or equal to 140 mg/dl as a diagnostic test for diabetes (defined as 2-h plasma glucose greater than or equal to 200 mg/dl). A fasting plasma glucose greater than or equal to 140 mg/dl is a highly specific test for diabetes, specificity in the various populations ranging from 98.1% to 99.7%. On the other hand, the sensitivity of fasting plasma glucose was not high and varied greatly between the populations (46.2%-79.0%). The predictive value of fasting plasma glucose for the diagnosis of diabetes was lowest in populations with a low diabetes prevalence and improved in higher prevalence groups. These data indicate that a fasting plasma glucose greater than or equal to 140 mg/dl is not a good screening test, apart from populations with a high prevalence of diabetes mellitus, and the 2-h postload plasma glucose is preferable.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in a traditional-living Polynesian population: the Wallis Island survey.

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in the traditional-living population of Wallis Island was low and comparable with that found in other rural Polynesian societies. The diabetes prevalence was 1.9% in men and 3.5% in women; impaired glucose tolerance occurred in 5.0% of men and 8.4% of women. The prevalence of obesity was significantly greater in women than in men (37.4% versus 12%, respectively, were equal to or greater than 140% ideal weight). Subjects with diabetes tended to be more obese and less active than normal subjects, but these differences, although appreciable, were not usually statistically significant. The population engages in considerable physical activity, and this, along with the traditional diet, may be responsible for the relatively low diabetes prevalence.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Effects of larval density and predation by Toxorhynchites amboinensis on Aedes polynesiensis (Diptera: Culicidae) developing in coconuts.

Organisms manipulated as biological control agents of disease vectors should tolerate ranges of developmental conditions exploited by their target species. Furthermore, they should reduce numbers of host-seeking vector adults without providing fitness benefits to larval survivors developing among fewer competitors. We studied electrochemistry in rat-chewed coconuts, an important developmental habitat used by Aedes polynesiensis, a vector of lymphatic filariasis. We also studied the effects of larval density and predation by the mosquito Toxorhynchites amboinensis as predators of Ae. polynesiensis. The predators significantly reduced survival rates of Ae. polynesiensis and numbers of males and females developing in coconut husks. Adults from cohorts of Ae. polynesiensis exposed to predators emerged at the same time and were equal in size to adults emerging from predator-free cohorts. No differences were detected in the numbers or sizes of Ae. polynesiensis reaching adulthood among the densities tested. At least for this common natural habitat, Tx. amboinensis gave a good level of biological control of the vector Ae. polynesiensis.

Aedes↗
PubMed1993

Xylitol-induced changes of enamel microhardness paralleled by microradiographic observations.

The study, aimed to analyze the feasibility of a prospective field study, was carried out in Polynesian children with rampant untreated caries. Slabs of bovine enamel were inserted for 8-12 days in cavities and subsequently replaced by permanent fillings. Before use, the surface of the slab was polished, and one half predemineralized and tested for microhardness. The follow-up in 30 subjects involved 54 slabs, 30 from negative controls with no added sweets and 24 from subjects receiving 20 g/day of xylitol in candy. The microhardness of the slabs was reassessed, and the difference between measurements calculated and tested for significance. The differences between the groups were highly significant, the predemineralized halves showing pronounced rehardening at exposure to xylitol. Parallel microradiographic observations conformed with the above findings. The results indicate that the use of a noncariogenic sweetener might be of value in high caries risk subjects.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Psychological problems relating to the educated elite in some Pacific peoples.

The educated elite of many Pacific peoples are exposed both to traditional cultural influences on the one hand and to a Western mode of education and an urban life style on the other. Examples are given of the problems that arise among the Melanesians of Fiji, the Polynesians of Tonga, Western Samoa and the Cook Islands and the Aborigines of Australia from the existence of these two sets of values. Conflict areas include money, property ownership, health care, family boundaries and adoption. The content and form of the conflicts are shaped by the original culture but the basic cause in each case is differential rates of modernization among members of the same ethnic group.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Population genetics of the globin genes in Polynesians.

Globin gene mapping data enable Polynesians to be divided into three distinct groups: (i) Maoris, Cook Islanders, (ii) Tongans, Samoans, (iii) Niue Islanders. Unusual RFLPs detected by the restriction enzymes Apa I and Bgl II are found in Polynesians. A high frequency of alpha-thalassemia in this population is explained by genetic drift and a founder effect.

Gene Frequency↗
PubMed1974

Hyperendemic bancroftian filariasis in the Kingdom of Tonga: the application of the membrane filter concentration technique to an age-stratified blood survey.

A survey carried out in Tonga, an area of hyperendemic subperiodic Wuchereria bancrofti filariasis, compared the diagnostic efficiency of the membrane-filtration and stained blood film techniques. Membrane filter concentration of 1 ml blood revealed a microfilaria rate that was approximately the same for all age groups, from 5 to 9 years old to greater than 50 years old, about 70%. The microfilaria rate by examination of stained 60 mm-3 thick blood films was lower for all age groups. Membrane filter concentration detected 7.8 times as many infections as thick film diagnosis in the 5- to 20- and 21- to 50-year-old groups, and 1.6 times in the greater than 50-year-old group. Concentration revealed the prsence of microfilariae in the blood of 5 of 8 patients with gross elephantiasis, whereas microfilariae were found in the stained thick-film of only 1 of these individuals.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

Tuberculin and histoplasmin sensitivity in six solomon islands populations.

Skin testing with antigens from Histoplasma capsulatum, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (PPD-S), and atypical mycobacteria (PPD-B, PPD-G, PPD-Y, and PPD-platy) was carried out among six population groups in the Solomon Islands between 1968 and 1972. There was no positive reaction to histoplasmin among any of the groups, suggesting that histoplasmosis is not endemic in the Solomon Islands. There were significant numbers of tuberculin reactors among each group. Largest mean reactions to PPD-S were present among the Lau and Ulawa, in whom reactions to PPD-S were larger than those to any other antigen tested. Thus significant infection with M. tuberculosis appears to occur in these populations. This was corroborated by radiologic survey. Among the Lau, large reactions to PPD-G and PPD-Y were also elicited, raising the possibility of multiple infection. Among the Aita, Baegu, Nagovisi, and Ontong Java, PPD-G elicited the largest reactions. PPD-G produced the second largest reactions among the Lau and Ulawa. PPD-S elicited the largest or second largest reaction among 4 of the 6 groups. A notable exception was the Aita, in whom PPD-S elicited the smallest mean reaction. The Aita also had the lowest prevalence of radiologic findings consistent with tuberculosis. These observations suggest that M. tuberculosis has been introduced into the Solomon Islands from outside sources, a hypothesis which may explain the variability in prevalence of tuberculosis-like disease demonstrated by chest film among the six groups. Genetic differences may also play a role in this variability. The study also demonstrated a high prevalence of "baseline" sensitivity to the atypical mycobacteria among the Solomon Islanders. This sensitivity may confer some immunity to infection with M; tuberculosis, but this protection is far from complete.

Adolescent↗