Polynesia
Pacific Islands
Samoa
Melanesia
Radioactive Fallout
Thorium
Morinda
Fiji
Variation in oral susceptibility to dengue type 2 virus of populations of Aedes aegypti from the islands of Tahiti and Moorea, French Polynesia. (1/181)
Twenty three samples of Aedes aegypti populations from the islands of Tahiti and Moorea (French Polynesia) were tested for their oral susceptibility to dengue type 2 virus. The high infection rates obtained suggest that the artificial feeding protocol used was more efficient than those previously described. Statistical analysis of the results allowed us to define two distinct geographic areas on Tahiti with respect to the susceptibility of Ae. aegypti: the east coast, with homogeneous infection rates, and the west coast, with heterogeneous infection rates. No geographic differences could be demonstrated on Moorea. The possible mechanisms of this phenomenon are discussed in connection with recent findings on the variability of susceptibility of Ae. aegypti to insecticides. (+info)The molecular genetics of European ancestry. (2/181)
In an earlier paper we proposed, on the basis of mitochondrial control region variation, that the bulk of modern European mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA) diversity had its roots in the European Upper Palaeolithic. Refining the mtDNA phylogeny and enlarging the sample size both within Europe and the Middle East still support this interpretation and indicate three separate phases of colonization: (i) the Early Upper Palaeolithic about 50,000 BP; (ii) the Late Upper Palaeolithic 11,000-14,000 BP; and (iii) the Neolithic from 8500 BP. (+info)Breast cancer in Maori and non-Maori women. (3/181)
BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is more common in Maori than in non-Maori women under the age of 40 years and is equally common in older women, despite Maori being generally of lower socioeconomic status and having had a higher fertility rate than non-Maori. METHODS: Data from a nationwide population-based case-control study of breast cancer in New Zealand women aged 25-54 years were used to compare the age-adjusted distribution of reproductive and other risk factors for breast cancer in self-identified Maori and non-Maori women from the control group. Separate analyses also were carried out for women aged 25-39 years and for those aged 40-54 years. The risk of breast cancer according to the proportion of Maori ancestry was estimated using multiple logistic regression simultaneously adjusting for several risk factors. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between self-identified Maori and non-Maori women in the age-adjusted frequencies for education level, socioeconomic status, age at first full-term pregnancy, parity, and duration of breastfeeding; the profile in all instances suggesting a lower risk of breast cancer for Maori than for non-Maori. There were no significant differences with respect to age at menarche, surgery for benign breast disease or a family history of breast cancer. Significantly more Maori than non-Maori were in the highest quartile of recent body mass index. Women self-identified as Maori has an approximately twofold higher risk of breast cancer than non-Maori women. CONCLUSIONS: Maori have high rates of breast cancer despite having a more favourable profile than non-Maori for most identified risk factors. (+info)Hepatitis B carriage explains the excess rate of hepatocellular carcinoma for Maori, Pacific Island and Asian people compared to Europeans in New Zealand. (4/181)
BACKGROUND: The aim of this research was to determine the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carrier prevalence among cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and the population attributable risk of HBsAg carriage for HCC, by ethnicity in New Zealand. METHODS: The hospital notes of HCC cases registered with the New Zealand Cancer Registry, for the years 1987-1994 inclusive, were viewed to determine the HBsAg status. Results The HBsAg status was determined for 193 cases of HCC. The HBsAg carrier prevalence for non-Europeans with HCC was markedly higher than that for Europeans, being 76.7% for Maori, 80.0% for Pacific Island people, and 88.5% for Asians, compared to 6.0% for Europeans. In addition to the effect of ethnicity, HCC cases aged <60 years were more likely to be HBsAg carriers than those aged > or = 60 years. The estimated population attributable risk of HBsAg for HCC, within each ethnic group, was only marginally less than the HBsAg prevalence due to the high relative risk of HBsAg carriage for HCC. The standardized incidence rate ratios of HCC for Maori, Pacific Island people and Asians compared to Europeans were 9.6, 20.4, and 22.3, respectively. Hepatocellular carcinoma attributable to HBsAg carriage explained 79%, 83%, and 92% of the excess standardized rate of HCC, compared to Europeans, for Maori, Pacific Island people, and Asians, respectively. Conclusions The HBsAg carrier prevalence in non-European cases of HCC in New Zealand is between 75% and 90%. HBsAg carriage explains the majority of the excess rate of HCC in non-Europeans compared to Europeans in New Zealand. (+info)Identification and phylogenetic characterization of a human T-cell leukaemia virus type I isolate from a native inhabitant (Rapa Nui) of Easter Island. (5/181)
Human T-cell leukaemia virus type I (HTLV-I) is endemic in Melanesia, one of the three ethnogeographic regions of the Pacific; in the other two regions, Polynesia and Micronesia, the incidence of the virus is relatively low. In an effort to gain new insights into the prevalence of HTLV-I in the Pacific region, we did a seroepidemiological survey on Easter Island, which is located on the eastern edge of Polynesia. Of 138 subjects surveyed, including 108 Rapa Nui (the native inhabitants of this island), we identified one HTLV-I-seropositive Rapa Nui. The new HTLV-I isolate derived from this carrier (E-12) was phylogenetically analysed to ascertain the origin and past dissemination of HTLV-I in the island. The analysis demonstrated that isolate E-12 belongs to subgroup A of the Cosmopolitan group, and that it differs from HTLV-Is found in Melanesia, which are highly divergent variants. In subgroup A, E-12 grouped with South American HTLV-Is including those from Amerindians. This result suggests that this isolate originated in South America rather than in Melanesia. (+info)Identification of Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum in a 200-year-old skeletal specimen. (6/181)
Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum, the causative agent of venereal syphilis, was detected in a 200-year-old skeletal specimen from Easter Island. An initial diagnosis of treponemal infection was confirmed by extensive purification of immunoglobulin that reacted strongly with T. pallidum antigen. Extracted DNA exhibited a single-base polymorphism that distinguished T.p. subsp. pallidum from 4 other human and nonhuman treponemes. Extensive precautions against contamination of the subject matter with modern treponemal DNA were employed, including analysis of archaeological and modern specimens in 2 geographically separate laboratories. Molecular determination of historical disease states by using skeletal material can significantly enhance our understanding of the pathology and spread of infectious diseases. (+info)Dengue: an evaluation of dengue severity in French Polynesia based on an analysis of 403 laboratory-confirmed cases. (7/181)
We conducted a retrospective study of 403 laboratory-confirmed dengue cases hospitalized in Tahiti between August 1989 and March 1997. According to standard WHO criteria, 337 of these cases were dengue fever (DF) and 64 were dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF). Of the 10 fatal cases, 6 were DF and 4 were DHF. As an alternative, we used a correspondence analysis procedure to define dengue severity based on basic clinical and biological criteria for which we assigned a severity score, and then selected the 50 most severe cases from this analysis. Of the latter, 17 patients had been classified as DF and 33 as DHF by the WHO criteria. From this analysis, haemorrhages and decreased platelets counts associated with hepatic disorders are the main criteria associated with the severe dengue cases. Thus in our study population, the WHO classification does not account for the overall severity of dengue; hepatic failure should be considered as a specific severe form of dengue since plasma leakage, which is the pathophysiological hallmark of DHF, is only one of the pathogenic mechanisms leading to severity. (+info)Short report: microsatellite sequences as markers for population genetic studies of the mosquito Aedes aegypti, the vector of dengue viruses. (8/181)
We report the isolation of microsatellites from an enriched library of genomic repeated sequences, using a biotin-labeled oligonucleotide bound to streptavidin-coated magnetic particles. Four microsatellites were obtained from a partial library of 120 recombinant clones. This more efficient and rapid method to obtain these specific repeated sequences is preferred to the conventional isolation procedure based on the construction of a genomic library. Microsatellite markers would be promising molecular tools for the study of genetic variability of mosquito populations. Analyses of genetic structure and gene flow would provide information on the distance, direction and rate of dispersal of genes in Aedes aegypti populations. Knowledge on gene dispersal patterns is required to develop vector control strategies. (+info)I'm sorry for any confusion, but "Polynesia" is not a medical term. It is a geographical region in the Pacific Ocean, consisting of numerous island countries and territories. If you have any questions related to medical terminology or health, I would be happy to try and help answer those for you.
I'm sorry for any confusion, but "Pacific Islands" is a geographic term referring to the islands located in the Pacific Ocean, and it is not a medical term. It includes thousands of islands spread across the Pacific Ocean, which are categorized into three main groups: Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.
If you have any medical terms you'd like defined, please let me know!
I'm sorry for any confusion, but "Samoa" is not a medical term. It refers to a country located in the Pacific Ocean, consisting of two main islands, Savai'i and Upolu, along with several smaller islands. If you have any questions related to medical terminology or health-related topics, I would be happy to help!
I'm sorry for any confusion, but "Melanesia" is not a medical term. It is a geographical region in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, consisting of an island group including New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and the Fiji islands. The term "Melanesia" comes from the Greek words "melas," meaning black, and "nesos," meaning island, referring to the dark skin of the inhabitants. It's primarily used in anthropological, geographical, and cultural contexts.
Anthropology is the scientific study of humans, human behavior, and societies in the past and present. It includes the study of language, culture, biology, and archaeology. In a medical context, anthropologists may study how cultural factors influence health and illness, health care practices and beliefs, and the impact of medical systems on individuals and communities. This field is known as medical anthropology.
Radioactive fallout refers to the radioactive material that falls to the Earth's surface following a nuclear explosion. It includes any solid, liquid or gaseous particles that contain radioactive isotopes produced by the explosion. These isotopes can have half-lives ranging from days to millions of years and can contaminate large areas, making them dangerous to human health and the environment.
The fallout can be local, affecting the area immediately surrounding the explosion, or it can be global, affecting regions far from the explosion site due to wind currents and atmospheric circulation patterns. Exposure to radioactive fallout can result in radiation sickness, genetic mutations, and an increased risk of cancer.
I believe you may have made a typo in your question. "Archaeology" is the scientific study of past human cultures and societies through the recovery, examination, and analysis of material remains such as artifacts, buildings, biofacts (e.g., bones, shells), and cultural landscapes. It is not typically associated with medical definitions. If you intended to ask for a different term related to medicine or healthcare, please let me know so I can provide the correct information.
For more information about archaeology, you may be interested in visiting the World Archaeological Congress () or the Society for American Archaeology () websites to learn more about this fascinating field of study.
Thorium is not a medical term, but it is a chemical element with symbol Th and atomic number 90. It's a naturally occurring, slightly radioactive metal that is found in small amounts in soil, rocks, and water. While thorium has no direct medical applications or definitions, it is worth noting that it has been studied for its potential use in nuclear medicine due to its alpha-emitting properties. However, the use of thorium in medical applications remains highly experimental and not widely adopted.
"Morinda" is a botanical term that refers to a genus of tropical shrubs and trees in the family Rubiaceae, which includes several species with medicinal properties. One of the most well-known species is Morinda citrifolia, also known as noni, which has been used in traditional medicine for various health purposes.
The fruit, leaves, bark, and roots of Morinda plants have been used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of conditions such as infections, inflammation, fever, skin disorders, and digestive problems. Some studies suggest that Morinda extracts may have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and immune-boosting properties, but more research is needed to confirm these effects and establish recommended dosages and safety guidelines.
It's important to note that while Morinda has a long history of use in traditional medicine, it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Before taking any herbal supplements, including Morinda, it's always best to consult with a healthcare provider to ensure safety and effectiveness.
I'm sorry for any confusion, but "Fiji" is not a medical term. It is a country in the South Pacific Ocean, officially known as the Republic of Fiji, consisting of more than 300 islands. If you have any questions about medical terms or concepts, I would be happy to help with those!
I'm not a medical professional, but the term "History, Ancient" is not a medical term per se. However, in a broader context, it could refer to the study of ancient medical practices, theories, and beliefs that existed in civilizations prior to the Middle Ages or Classical Antiquity. This might include the examination of ancient texts, artifacts, and archaeological evidence to understand how illnesses were treated and viewed in these historical periods. It forms an essential part of the evolution of medical knowledge and practices over time.