[Search for biochemical factors implicated in the pathogenesis of alcoholism in different ethnic populations]. / Poisk biokhimicheskikh faktorov, uchastvuiushchikh v patogeneze alkogolizma v razlichnykh étnicheskikh populiatsiiakh.

A Chukotka indigenous population (the Chukchis, Eskimos) craving alcohol was examined. Changes in the levels of endogenous ethanol (EE) and its relation to calcium homeostasis, hypophyseal-adrenocortical hormones (stress) in the body are regarded as a possible role in alcohol motivation and ethanol dependence. The frequency and pattern of alcohol consumption, high alcoholism incidence rates in the family history may consider the Arctic Mongoloids as a group at high risk for alcoholism. Manifestations, such as lost control over the dose used, alcoholic amnesia, occasional use of alcohol poisoning doses with high rates of alcohol dependence, withdrawal syndrome, were noted in more than half the examines. The reproduction accuracy of correlations between the baseline signs was maximizing by factorial analysis. Four major factors (63.3% of complete variability) were singled out, two aspects were found in the system of metabolism and biochemical variabilities: 1) the secretion of cortisol, testosterone and the activity of 2-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (HBDH) contributes to the increase of EE concentrations with the simultaneous decrease in the blood levels of ionized calcium (Ca++) and uric acid (UA). On the contrary, higher Ca++ and UA concentrations directly or indirectly inhibit hormones and the functional activity of the adrenal cortex, testes and lower the levels of EE, some enzymes, and total protein, 2) Calcitonin (CT) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) seem to be factors favouring the activation of insulin that enhances the membranous transport not only of glucose, but some other saccharides together with EE. The findings suggests that there is an intricate impact of balance ratios in the scheme wherein Ca++ is likely to act as a link between the stimulus and secretion of hypophyseal, adrenal, thyroid, parathyroid hormones, on the one hand, and EE concentrations. A relationship of pleiads reflects a common process of the integration of neurohumoral mechanisms and the regulation of calcium metabolism. The findings serve as a basis for further studies of different links of the pathogenetic mechanisms responsible for the development of alcoholism in terms of ethnic features.

[Rationale for alcohol consumption and mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase genotype in the native male population of Chukotka]. / Osobennosti potrebleniia alkogolia i genotip mitokhondrialnoi aldegidrogenazy u korennykh muzhchin Chukotki.

To study the alcohol consumption pattern and mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) genotype, a random sample consisting of 170 native males (Chukchee and the Eskimo), residents of 4 Chukotka settlements, was studied. According to interviews, most residents (68%) consumed alcohol once or twice a month; however during an alcohol uptake episode they consumed very high (intoxicating) doses exceeding 150 g of pure alcohol. The rates of control loss, alcohol amnesia and withdrawal syndrome were more than 50%. Twelve per cent reported inconsistent facial flushing after drinking and positive ethanol-patch test was found only in 2% of cases. Direct genotyping, using specific oligonucleotide probes, showed no atypical oriental type ALDH2. The normal genotype (ALDH2-1) was present in all the examinees from Chukotka natives (n = 87). These results explain the ability of Chukotka natives to consume high amounts of alcohol per occasion and they are in disagreement with the hypothesis that the drinking pattern among the natives is explained by specific features of alcohol-metabolising enzymes.

[Various results of the study of medico-biological aspects of alcoholism in Siberia and Far East]. / Nekotorye itogi izucheniia mediko-biologicheskikh aspektov alkogolizma v Sibiri i na Dal'nem Vostoke.

To study the dynamic changes in alcohol abuse, a new methodological approach has been developed which implies staged realization. Stage one was aimed at the search for integral clinical-dynamic characteristics as well as social and psychological properties to make identification of the clinical phenotype reliable. Stage II--at introduction of integral constitution-morphology indicators representative of the disease predisposition-stability. The analysis of medicosocial characteristics for the last 8 years has been performed at Stage III. Calcium homeostasis and related hormones and enzymes were evaluated at Stage IV. The data obtained permitted identification of a complex of structural manifestations underlying alcohol embryopathy of the brain.

[Helminthiases among the population of northwestern Siberia. 1. Opisthorchiasis and mixed invasion in the native inhabitants of the Ob River basin and their clinical course]. / Gel'mintozy u naseleniia severa Zapadnoi Sibiri. Soobshchenie 1. Opistorkhoz i mikstinvazii u korennykh zhitelei Priob'ia i ikh klinicheskoe techenie.

The use of multifactor statistic analysis for screening population of the northern part of the Ob river basin for helminthiasis allowed the authors to reveal a significant feedback between manifested opisthorchiasis and other types of this disease course in both sexes. The main component analysis indicates that the tentatively control group of males is presented by adolescents (14-17 years old) who are likely to be infected with Opisthorchis without evidence of its clinical manifestations. The correlation analysis demonstrated also a direct relationship between the age and manifest opisthorchiasis, as well as double mixed invasion of males (r-0.15 and 0.26, p less than 0.05 and 0.01, respectively). The first three main components explain about 55% variance in the correlation matrix of initial parameters and allow to reveal the variance source, taking into account, along with differentiation of 4 groups of opisthorchiasis patients, also the age- and sex-dependent combination of opisthorchiasis with other helminthic invasions.

[Multifaceted analysis of the interactions of morphophysiologic signs and ischemic ECG changes (a population study)]. / Mnogomernyi analiz vzaimosviazei morfofiziologicheskikh priznakov i ishemicheskikh izmenenii EKG (populiatsionnoe issledovanie).

Relationships between serum lipid and lipoprotein levels, arterial blood pressure, body weight and age, on the one hand, and coronary heart disease (CHD), on the other, were investigated by means of the main constituents analysis in a Northern Khant population. The pattern of relationship between the parameters in question was similar, by the first main constituent, in males and females, and suggested their age-dependence, unrelated to CHD. The second constituent, as a sum total of the effects of another factor, showed an unbalance between body weight and blood lipids, which was correlated with CHD in males and remained indifferent with respect to CHD in females.

[Complex medico-genetic study of the population of western Siberia. III. Distribution of phenotypes and gene frequencies in the northern Khanty population]. / Kompleksnoe mediko-geneticheskoe izuchenie naseleniia Zapadnoi Sibiri. Soobshchenie III. Raspredelenie fenotipov i gennykh chastot v populiatsii severnykh khantov.

Distribution of phenotypes and gene frequencies for 5 polymorphic loci as well as frequencies of incidence of some anthroposcopic parameters in five subpopulations of the North Khanty population is presented. A comparative analysis was performed for the traits studied among the people of Finno-Ugric group and of North Asia. Wahlund's variance values point to significant subdivision of the population in question. Disruption of the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for haptoglobin locus was observed in two subpopulations. Estimates of inbreeding coefficients obtained by different ways (from gene frequencies, genealogy and isonymy) are compared.

Sole dermatoglyphics in the Forest Nentsy, Nganasans, and Chukchi: dermatoglyphic distances.

Sole dermatoglyphics of the aborigines of Northwestern Siberia, Taimir, and Kamchatka are presented in this paper. The distance coefficients based on various combinations of dermatoglyphic traits depending on their heritability were estimated. These were compared with the overall dermatoglyphic distance coefficients as well as with the genetic (dermatoglyphic) distance coefficients based on six blood groups (ABO, MNSs, P, Fy, Jk, Kp). Genetic interpretation of the distances was attempted in connection with analysis of differences or similarities between these populations.

[Genetic structure of an isolated group of the indigenous population of northern Siberia--Nganasans (Tavgiitsi) of Taymyr. I. History, erythrocyte and serum blood systems, isoenzymes]. / Geneticheskaia struktura obosoblennoi gruppy korennogo naseleniia Severnoi Sibiri--nganasan (tavgiitsev) Taimyra. Soobshchenie I. Istoriia formirovaniia, éritrotsitarnye i syvorotochnye sistemy krovi, izofermenty.

Nganasans is a small samodyen-speaking ethnic group originated from several clans of reindeer hunters. Pedigree studies revealed no consanguineous matings of uncle-niece, aunt-nephew, first cousins type among 120 families studied. Rather rarely mating between second cousins could be observed. The reviewed traditional kindship system based on bilateral exogamy is an explanation. Data on 12 blood systems and 6 red cell enzymes distribution in two main localities almost totally studied have been presented. No A2, r, K, MS alleles were observed. Hgh frequencies of Ns, R2, Fya, Jka, Gm1 have been found. Diegoa was seen in only one family. Polymorphism on PGM1, 6-PGD, AK and AP, monomorphism on LDH and MDH has been observed.