Greenland
Arctic Regions
Global Warming
Bowhead Whale
Arthrobacter rhombi sp. nov., isolated from Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides). (1/231)
Two strains of a hitherto undescribed Gram-positive coryneform bacterium isolated from Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) were characterized by phenotypic and molecular taxonomic methods. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing studies demonstrated that the unknown strains constitute a new line within the genus Arthrobacter. The nearest relatives of the bacterium from fish were members of the Arthrobacter nicotianael Arthrobacter sulfureus group. The unknown bacterium was readily distinguished from these species by phenotypic methods. Based on phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence, it is proposed that the unknown bacterium be classified as Arthrobacter rhombi sp. nov. The type strain of Arthrobacter rhombi is CCUG 38813T. (+info)Thymic cysts in harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) from the German North Sea, Baltic Sea, and waters of Greenland. (2/231)
Thymic cysts have not been previously reported in harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena). Two hundred forty stranded or "by-caught" harbor porpoises originating from the German North Sea and Baltic Sea and 14 animals from the waters of Greenland were necropsied. Thymuses of 78 porpoises of the North Sea and Baltic Sea were considered suitable for histopathologic examination based on the extent of postmortem autolysis. Immunohistochemistry using an anti-cytokeratin antibody was employed to demonstrate thymic epithelial structures in selected cases. Thymic macrocysts were rare and were only found in animals > or =7 years of age. Thymic microcysts, lined by a single cytokeratin-positive cell layer, were common in involuting thymuses, and the prevalence increased with advancing age. Thymic cysts might have arisen from degenerating Hassall's corpuscles or condensed epithelial reticulum. Thymuses were easily identified macroscopically in most adult healthy harbor porpoises, suggesting that physiological thymic involution proceeds slowly in this species. (+info)Analysis of FMR1 (CGG)n alleles and FRAXA microsatellite haplotypes in the population of Greenland: implications for the population of the New World from Asia. (3/231)
The fragile X syndrome is caused by the expansion of a polymorphic (CGG)n tract in the promoter region of the FMR1 gene. Apparently the incidence of fragile X syndrome is rare in the population of Greenland. In order to examine population-related factors involved in stability of the (CGG)n sequence, DNA samples obtained randomly from the Greenlandic population were analysed for size and AGG interspersion pattern of the FMR1 (CGG)n region and associated DXS548-FRAXAC1 haplotypes. In addition a large Greenland family with unstable transmission in the premutation range was analysed. The (CGG)n allele sizes in the Greenland population showed a narrow distribution similar to that reported for Asian populations. DNA sequencing of alleles with 36 CGG repeats revealed an AGG(CGG)6 insertion previously reported exclusively in Asian populations and a high frequency of alleles with a (CGG)10AGG(CGG)9AGG(CGG)9 or (CGG)9AGG(CGG)9AGG(CGG)6AGG(CGG)9 sequence pattern was found. Thus the data confirm the Asian origin of the Greenlandic (Eskimo) population and indicates that some (CGG)n alleles have remained stable for 15-30,000 years, since the population of the New World arrived from Asia via the Bering Strait. (+info)High incidence of propionic acidemia in greenland is due to a prevalent mutation, 1540insCCC, in the gene for the beta-subunit of propionyl CoA carboxylase. (4/231)
Propionyl CoA carboxylase (PCC) is a mitochondrial, biotin-dependent enzyme involved in the catabolism of amino acids, odd-chain fatty acids, and other metabolites. PCC consists of two subunits, alpha and beta, encoded by the PCCA and PCCB genes, respectively. Inherited PCC deficiency due to mutations in either gene results in propionic acidemia (PA), an autosomal recessive disease. Surprisingly, PA is highly prevalent among Inuits in Greenland. We have analyzed reverse transcriptase-PCR products of the beta-subunit mRNA, to characterize the responsible mutation(s). A 3-bp insertion, 1540insCCC, was found in homozygous form in three patients and in compound heterozygous form in one patient. The resulting PCC has no measurable activity, and the mutant beta-subunit appears to be very unstable. To test the hypothesis that a common mutation is responsible for PA in the Greenlandic Inuit population, 310 anonymous DNA samples of Inuit origin were screened for 1540insCCC. We found a carrier frequency of 5%, which is very high compared with those of most other autosomal recessive diseases. Analysis of alleles of a very closely linked marker, D3S2453, revealed a high degree of linkage disequilibrium between one specific allele and 1540insCCC, suggesting that this mutation may be a founder mutation. (+info)mtDNA variation among Greenland Eskimos: the edge of the Beringian expansion. (5/231)
The Eskimo-Aleut language phylum is distributed from coastal Siberia across Alaska and Canada to Greenland and is well distinguished from the neighboring Na Dene languages. Genetically, however, the distinction between Na Dene and Eskimo-Aleut speakers is less clear. In order to improve the genetic characterization of Eskimos in general and Greenlanders in particular, we have sequenced hypervariable segment I (HVS-I) of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region and typed relevant RFLP sites in the mtDNA of 82 Eskimos from Greenland. A comparison of our data with published sequences demonstrates major mtDNA types shared between Na Dene and Eskimo, indicating a common Beringian history within the Holocene. We further confirm the presence of an Eskimo-specific mtDNA subgroup characterized by nucleotide position 16265G within mtDNA group A2. This subgroup is found in all Eskimo groups analyzed so far and is estimated to have originated <3,000 years ago. A founder analysis of all Eskimo and Chukchi A2 types indicates that the Siberian and Greenland ancestral mtDNA pools separated around the time when the Neo-Eskimo culture emerged. The Greenland mtDNA types are a subset of the Alaskan mtDNA variation: they lack the groups D2 and D3 found in Siberia and Alaska and are exclusively A2 but at the same time lack the A2 root type. The data are in agreement with the view that the present Greenland Eskimos essentially descend from Alaskan Neo-Eskimos. European mtDNA types are absent in our Eskimo sample. (+info)Synchronous tropical South China Sea SST change and Greenland warming during deglaciation. (6/231)
The tropical ocean plays a major role in global climate. It is therefore crucial to establish the precise phase between tropical and high-latitude climate variability during past abrupt climate events in order to gain insight into the mechanisms of global climate change. Here we present alkenone sea surface temperature (SST) records from the tropical South China Sea that show an abrupt temperature increase of at least 1 degrees C at the end of the last glacial period. Within the recognized dating uncertainties, this SST increase is synchronous with the Bolling warming observed at 14.6 thousand years ago in the Greenland Ice Sheet Project 2 ice core. (+info)Fecal steroids of the coprolite of a Greenland Eskimo mummy, AD 1475: a clue to dietary sterol intake. (7/231)
BACKGROUND: Sterols in feces reflect sterols in the diet. In previous analyses of the fecal steroids in 1000-2000-y-old Native American coprolites found in the dry caves of Nevada, we showed that the sterol nucleus was stable. The coprolites provided useful dietary information. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we analyzed the fecal steroids of an Eskimo mummy buried and frozen >500 y ago in Greenland. We compared these analyses with our findings in the coprolites from Nevada and in present-day stool samples from Tarahumara Indians of Mexico and Americans consuming low- and high-cholesterol diets. DESIGN: The fecal material from the Eskimo mummy was subjected to saponification, extraction, and digitonin precipitation. The sterols and bile acids were further analyzed by thin-layer chromatography and gas-liquid chromatography. RESULTS: The fecal steroids of the Greenland Eskimo mummy were remarkably similar to those of present-day stool samples. However, unlike in the stool of modern humans, a portion of the neutral steroids in the coprolite had been converted to sterol epimers. Instead of deoxycholic acid, 3alpha,6beta,12alpha-trihydroxycholanic acid was one of the major fecal bile acids. The plant sterol output in the coprolite was only 0.4% of the output of Americans consuming 250-400 mg plant sterols/d. The ratio of bile acid to cholesterol in the coprolite was similar to that in stool from Tarahumara Indians consuming a low-cholesterol diet. CONCLUSION: The sterol nucleus is stable when frozen. The analysis of coprolite showed that the young Eskimo woman had consumed a diet very low in plant sterols and moderate to low in cholesterol content. (+info)Fatty acid composition of the plasma lipids in Greenland Eskimos. (8/231)
Gas-liquid chromatography analyses have been carried out to investigate the composition of esterified fatty acids in the plasma lipids in 130 Greenland Eskimos, compared with those of 32 Greenland Eskimos living in Denmark and of 31 Caucasian Danes in Denmark. While the Eskimos living in Denmark did not differ substantially from other persons living in Denmark and, from what is found in other studies in Western communities, the Greenland Eskimos showed a completely different pattern. They demonstrated a much higher proportion of palmitic, palmitoleic, and timnodonic acids, while they had a markedly lower concentration of linoleic acid. The total concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids was lower in Greenland Eskimos than in the other groups. These findings are discussed in the light of the generally accepted opinion of the beneficial effect on plasma lipid levels and on the morbidity of coronary atherosclerosis of a high dietary intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids. As plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels in Greenland Eskimos in a previous study were found markedly lower than those found in Western populations, and as coronary atherosclerosis seems to occur far less commonly among Eskimos in Greenland than among peoples in industrialized countries, it was found difficult to combine these observations with the results from the present study. If dietary differences are the main reason for the differences in plasma lipid concentrations, the results from the present study point more toward qualitative than toward quantitative differences in respect of fatty acid composition of the food. (+info)I'm sorry for any confusion, but "Greenland" is not a medical term. It is a geographical term referring to the world's largest island, located between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, and mostly covered in ice. If you have any medical questions or terms you would like defined, I'd be happy to help!
The Arctic region is not a medical term per se, but it is a geographical and environmental term that can have health-related implications. The Arctic is defined as the region surrounding the North Pole, encompassing the Arctic Ocean and parts of Canada, Greenland (Denmark), Russia, the United States (Alaska), Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland. It is characterized by its cold climate, permafrost, and unique ecosystems.
Exposure to the harsh Arctic environment can pose significant health risks, such as hypothermia, frostbite, and other cold-related injuries. Additionally, the Arctic region has been impacted by climate change, leading to changes in the distribution of wildlife, which can have implications for food security and infectious disease transmission.
Therefore, while not a medical term itself, understanding the Arctic regions and their unique environmental and health challenges is important in fields such as wilderness medicine, environmental health, and public health.
I believe there might be a misunderstanding in your question. "Inuit" is not a medical term, but rather a cultural and ethnic term referring to a group of people primarily living in the Arctic regions of Greenland, Canada, and Alaska. The Inuit people have their own languages, customs, and traditions, and are known for their ability to adapt to and thrive in one of the world's harshest environments.
If you're looking for a medical term related to the Inuit population, I would need more context to provide an accurate definition.
I am not aware of a medical definition for the term "Ice Cover." The term "ice" is used in a medical context to refer to a solid piece of frozen urine that can form in the urinary tract, but "cover" does not have a specific medical meaning in this context. If you are looking for information about frostbite or cold-related injuries, I would be happy to help with that. Frostbite is a medical condition caused by exposure to extreme cold, often resulting in damage or destruction of the skin and underlying tissues.
"Ice" is a slang term that is commonly used to refer to crystal methamphetamine, which is a powerful and highly addictive stimulant drug. It gets its name from its crystalline appearance. Medically, methamphetamine is used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obesity, but only under strict medical supervision due to its potential for abuse and serious side effects.
Crystal methamphetamine, on the other hand, is an illegal drug that is produced and sold on the black market. It can be smoked, injected, snorted or swallowed, and it produces a euphoric rush followed by a long-lasting high. Long-term use of crystal methamphetamine can lead to serious health consequences, including addiction, psychosis, dental problems (meth mouth), memory loss, aggression, and cardiovascular damage.
I'm sorry for any confusion, but "Global Warming" is not a medical term. It is a term used in the field of climate science and environmental studies. Global warming refers to the long-term increase in Earth's average temperature. As a result of human activities, especially the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, like carbon dioxide and methane, the planet is experiencing an overall rise in temperatures, leading to various consequences such as melting ice caps, rising sea levels, and changing weather patterns. While not a medical term, it is still a critical issue that can have significant impacts on human health, including increased heat-related illnesses and deaths, changes in disease patterns, and threats to food security.
The bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) is a large baleen whale species that belongs to the family Balaenidae. It is also known as the Greenland right whale or Arctic right whale. The name "bowhead" comes from its distinctive bow-shaped skull, which allows the whale to break through thick sea ice in order to breathe.
Bowhead whales are the largest species of baleen whale and can grow up to 60 feet long and weigh as much as 100 tons. They have a robust, rotund body shape with a broad, tapering tail stock and large, paddle-shaped flippers. The most notable feature of bowhead whales is their enormous, complex baleen plates, which can measure up to 16 feet long in adult individuals. These baleen plates are used to filter small prey such as krill and copepods from the water column.
Bowhead whales have a circumpolar distribution in the Arctic and sub-Arctic waters of the Northern Hemisphere, where they spend their entire lives. They are known for their longevity, with some individuals living up to 200 years or more. Bowhead whales are also notable for their vocalizations, which include a variety of low-frequency sounds such as moans, hums, and pulses that can be heard for miles underwater.
Historically, bowhead whales were heavily hunted by commercial whalers due to their large size, slow movement, and high blubber content. As a result, the global population of bowhead whales was significantly reduced, with some estimates suggesting that there were once over 30,000 individuals in the North Atlantic alone. Today, however, conservation efforts have helped to stabilize and even increase the populations of some bowhead whale subpopulations, particularly in the North Pacific and Canadian Arctic.
A "cold climate" is not a medical term, but rather a geographical and environmental term. However, it is often used in the context of discussing health and medical issues, as cold climates can have various effects on human health.
In general, a cold climate is defined as a region where the average temperature remains below 15°C (59°F) throughout the year or where winter temperatures are consistently below freezing. These climates can be found in high latitudes, such as in the Arctic and Antarctic regions, as well as in mountainous areas at higher altitudes.
Exposure to cold temperatures can have both positive and negative effects on human health. On the one hand, cold weather can help to reduce inflammation and may have some benefits for people with certain medical conditions, such as multiple sclerosis. However, exposure to extreme cold can also increase the risk of hypothermia, frostbite, and other cold-related injuries.
Additionally, cold climates can exacerbate respiratory problems, such as asthma and bronchitis, and may increase the risk of developing respiratory infections like the common cold or flu. People with heart conditions may also be at greater risk in cold weather, as their blood vessels constrict to conserve heat, which can increase blood pressure and put additional strain on the heart.
Overall, while cold climates are not inherently "medical" in nature, they can have significant impacts on human health and well-being, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the elderly, young children, and people with chronic medical conditions.
Ursidae is not a medical term, but rather a taxonomic category in biology. It refers to the family of mammals that includes bears. The order of these animals is Carnivora, and Ursidae is one of the eight families within this order.
The members of Ursidae are characterized by their large size, stocky bodies, strong limbs, and a plantigrade posture (walking on the entire sole of the foot). They have a keen sense of smell and most species have a diet that varies widely based on what's available in their environment.
While not directly related to medical terminology, understanding various biological classifications can be helpful in medical fields such as epidemiology or zoonotic diseases, where knowing about different animal families can provide insight into potential disease carriers or transmission patterns.