High impact information on Micronesia

• Both studies included subjects of 8-29 years of age (n = 320 in Nauru, n = 318 in Tuvalu) and on these subjects glucose tolerance status, body mass index and fasting and 2-h (post 75 g glucose load) plasma insulin concentrations were determined [1].
• However, longitudinal data for the high prevalence population of Nauru demonstrated that at least in a stabilizing epidemic, changes in the prevalence of IGT and NIDDM may not be easily predictable [2].
• Along with the Pima Indians, the Micronesian population of Nauru have the highest diabetes prevalence yet reported--40% of people aged 20 yr and over [3].
• Y-chromosome and mitochondrial DNA studies on the population structure of the Christmas Island community [4].
• Osmoregulation in the terrestrial Christmas Island red crab Gecarcoidea natalis (Brachyura: Gecarcinidae): modulation of branchial chloride uptake from the urine [5].

Biological context of Micronesia

• CONCLUSIONS: These studies suggest that vitamin A deficiency is a public health problem in the Republic of Kiribati and Solomon Islands [6].
• Comparative analysis of the 240-nucleotide sequences of E/NS1 gene junction region between the genome of DEN-1 and DEN-2 isolates of the corresponding reference Nauru and PR 159S1 strains, respectively, showed some nucleotide differences, mainly silent mutations in the third codon position [7].

Associations of Micronesia with chemical compounds

• This study aimed to compare plasma insulin concentrations across the age-range from childhood to old age in the populations of Nauru and Tuvalu, and to assess their relationship to the incidence of impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes in young Nauruans [1].
• This finding provides further support for evidence from Nauru, Guam, and the Marshall Islands that Micronesians are particularly susceptible to NIDDM [8].
• (2E,9E)-pyronaamidine 9-(N-methylimine), a new imidazole alkaloid from the northern Mariana islands sponge Leucetta sp. cf. chagosensis [9].
• Obyanamide (1) was isolated from a variety of the marine cyanobacterium Lyngbya confervoides collected in Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Gross structure elucidation of this novel cyclic depsipeptide relied on extensive application of 2D NMR techniques [10].
• A clinical and cytological study of vitamin A deficiency in Kiribati [11].

Gene context of Micronesia

• Non-insulin-dependent diabetes (NIDDM) in a newly independent Pacific nation: the Republic of Kiribati [8].
• Only 3 of 49 (6.12%) of sera from Kiribati and 1 of 14 (4.76%) of sera from Vanuatu positive in the initial ELISA were reactive in the confirmatory assays [12].
• Apolipoprotein D gene polymorphism: a new genetic marker for type 2 diabetic subjects in Nauru and south India [13].
• Among the D1 viruses investigated, the Mochizuki virus which was isolated in 1943 in Japan was shown to be close to Philippine 836-1 strain isolated in 1984 and Nauru Island strain isolated in 1974 at the respective places, in contrast with Thai AHF 82-80 strain isolated in 1980 and Caribbean CV1636/77 strain isolated in 1977 [14].

Analytical, diagnostic and therapeutic context of Micronesia

• The proportion of reactive sera which were also reactive in the second screening ELISA varied between populations (55.1% in Kiribati, 85.1% in Vanuatu, and 39.2% from Zaire) [12].
• A diabetes prevalence study in 1975 on an isolated urbanized Central Pacific island (Nauru) showed rates comparable to the American Pima Indians--the highest yet recorded in the world literature [15].

References