Sources of marital conflict in five cultures

This analysis of previously collected data examined four fitness-relevant issues for their possible role in marital conflict. These were sex, finances, division of labor, and raising children, selected in light of their pertinence to sex differences in reproductive strategies. Over 2,000 couples in five diverse cultures were studied. Marital conflict was assessed by the Problems with Partner scale, which was previously shown to demonstrate measurement invariance across cultures and genders. All four issues were significantly related to perceived marital problems in almost all cases. Thus, conflict tended to arise around issues relevant to reproductive strategies. A few cultural idiosyncrasies emerged and are discussed. In all cultures, wives reported more problems than husbands. Another important issue was kindness. The results suggest that a key factor in marital success or failure may be kindness necessary to sustain this prolonged and intimate relationship of cooperation for raising one's offspring.

DESCRIPTION OF GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE IN DIFFERENT ETHNIC GROUPS, LIVING IN THE NORTH

INTRODUCTIOD: Over the past 15 years, the relative frequency of detection of erosive form of GERD has increased from 3,1 to 16%. Manifestations of GERD in different ethnic populations of Yakutia are not well understood.

AIM

Studying kliniko-endoscopic and the morfofunktsionalnykh of features of GERD in various ethnic groups living in conditions of Yakutia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included 168 patients with GERD of different ethnic origins. Yakuts, Evens and Evenks, were considered as indigenous people and newcomers were all persons of other nationalities, who arrived at different times from other regions of Russia. The average age was 41.75 ± 24.73 years.

RESULTS

Clinical manifestations of GERD in different ethnic groups living in Yakutia. Leukoplakia of the esophagus was detected in the indigenous population are four times more likely than newcomers. With GERD associated with thyroid disorders prevalent low level of contamination of Helicobacter pylori. Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with GERD in Yakutia was higher among immigrants than among the indigenous, with a high degree of contamination of Helicobacter pylori was detected more frequently in immigrants than among the indigenous. Pathological gastroesophageal reflux during the daily pH-metry of the esophagus was detected more frequently in patients visiting than among the indigenous.

CONCLUSIONS

The found features of a current of GERD can be further the basis for the individualized and differentiated approaches to treatment of this disease.

THE ROLE OF VIRAL HEPATITIS IN THE MECHANISM OF LIVER CANCER FORMATION AMONG THE FAR NORTH INDIGENOUS INHABITANTS

INTRODUCTION

Yakutia is a region of high prevalence of viral hepatitis B, C and D. The rating and ranking of risk factors for the formation of cirrhosis and primary liver cancer in patients with chronic viral hepatitis (CVH) B, C and D in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) (R S(Y)), it is a serious medical problem.

AIM

Studying of the main reasons for the progression of chronic viral hepatitis B, C and D to cirrhosis and liver cancer in the Far North.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Materials of official statistics of theTerritorial Rospotrebnadzor and official registration of the Ministry of Health of RS (Y); serological and molecular biological research methods to the studying of HCV genotype B, C, D.

RESULTS

On the basis of long-term morbidity of chronic viral hepatitis B, C and D and their outcomes in Yakutia defined a role in the progression to cirrhosis and primary liver cancer, ethnicity and genotype of HBV and HDV. Established fact of viral replication in cirrhosis and primary liver cancer under adverse social and environmental factors, genetically determined increased concentration of acetaldehyde due to impaired activity of alcohol dehydrogenases (ADH) and aldegiddegirogenases (AIDG) at the indigenous inhabitants of the republic proves the need for targeted therapy of complex events.

CONCLUSIONS

The regions of Yakutia are the most affected by the virus of hepatitis B, C and D with progressive course of the disease to cirrhosis and cirrhosis liver cancer, defined by genotype hepatitis B & D, in which significantly usually occurs primary liver cancer, also noted that the combined mixed-replicating virus hepatitis is a risk factor for primary liver cancer.

CLINICAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CHRONIC GASTRITIS WITH FUNCTIONAL DYSPEPSIA IN THE REPUBLIC OF SAKHA (YAKUTIA)

INTRODUCTION

Chronic gastritis with syndrome, functional dyspepsia (SFD) is one of the most pressing problems in medicine. Certain scientific and practical interest is the elucidation of the frequency and clinical manifestations of functional dyspepsia in patients hospitalized in the gastroenterology department YAGKB and frequency combinations of chronic gastritis (including H. pylori) with functional dyspepsia.

AIM

The aim of the study was to investigate the clinical and morphological features of the chronic gastritis with syndrome pattern of functional dyspepsia in native-born and people of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), and to assess the effectiveness of treatment, depending on the gastric acid and H. pylori.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study examined 105 patients with functional dyspepsia, including 41 patients with epigastric pain syndrome and 64 patients with postprandial distress syndrome. Considered groups of patients were homogeneous for age, gender, by ethnicity. Of the 105 patients included in the study, I group were 57 indigenous people (80% of them--Yakutia), 11 group--48 people visiting (Caucasians).

RESULTS

Clinical presentation and course of chronic gastritis with functional dyspepsia in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) have a number of distinctive features: epigastric pain syndrome occurs in 26.8% of patients and 73.2% of the indigenous population of the visitor, the intensity of pain in the root is much lower than that of visitors--12 and 85% respectively. Postprandial distress syndrome was diagnosed in 71.9% of patients and 28.1% of the indigenous newcomers. At endoscopy in all patients with functional dyspepsia diagnosed chronic gastritis. The native inhabitants of the most common mixed gastritis (54.5%), the newcomers--superficial gastritis (66.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

The found features of a current of functional dyspepsia can be further the basis for the individualized and differentiated approaches to treatment of this disease.

GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE IN ASSOCIATION WITH LIPID-METABOLIC INDICATORS AT THE YAKUTSK

AIM

To estimate interrelations of gastroesophageal reflux disease with lipid-metabolic indicators at the Yakutsk.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A one-stage investigation of 100 patients of the Yakut nationality with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is carried out. For estimating the association of GERD clinical symptoms with lipid-metabolic indicators a method of binary logistical regress with compulsory inclusion of predictors has been used.

RESULTS

According to results of the comparison most statistically significant distinctions of metabolic indicators are revealed at GERD esophageal (eructation) and extra-esophageal symptoms (night cough), dyspepsia (distention, epigastric heaviness), as well as snoring. Logistical regression analysis has confirmed interrelation of clinical symptoms with lipid-metabolic indicators, as waist circumference, a level of arterial pressure and blood lipid (triglycerides, lipoprotein cholesterol of low and high density).

CONCLUSIONS

Thus, the estimation of interrelation of GERD clinical symptoms with MS criteria at the Yakutsk has revealed the influence of MS components, especially abdominal adiposity, arterial hypertension and triglycerides on the development of dyspepsic symptoms (distention, epigastric heaviness), GERD esophageal (eructation) and extra-esophageal manifestations (night cough).

CHARACTERISTIC OF ACTUAL FOOD AT ELDERLY AND SENILE AGED POPULATION OF YAKUTIA

AIM

To conduct estimation of actual food among in digenous and arrived population of Yakutia of elderly and senile ages.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In the work results of epidemiological research with analysis of actual food of the population of Yakutia at the age of 60 years and over are presented. On the basis of a list of candidates with use of random selection a representative sample of men and women of Yakutsk at the age of 60 years and more has been generated. In total 775 foreheads were surveyed, the middle age has made 75.7 ± 9.4 years. For the analysis of actual food 575 people (244 men and 331 women) have been included. Among the surveyed there were 244 respondents of the in digenous population (the Yakuts) and 331 arrived respondents (the Russians, the Ukrainians, the Byelorussians, the Poles, the Germans, the Jews). The estimation of actual food is conducted by means of a frequency questionnaire.

RESULTS

High content of general fat, sated fat acids, polyunsaturated fat acids and refined sugar due to low consumption of general carbohydrates is revealed. At the analysis of food package of the indigenous population in comparison with the newly arrived some distinctions in consumption of following products are revealed: fresh, tinned and frozen vegetables, potatoes, eggs, horsemeat, venison, koumiss, fresh fruit and berries, oil and fats, bean, juice and drinks, sugar, chocolate and confectionery products.

CONCLUSIONS

daily food intake of the indigenous population of elderly and senile ages is notable for lower daily caloric content, greater general fat, SFA, less consumption of refined sugar on the background of significantly lower content of general carbohydrates, starch and food proteins. In diets at theYakuts there is considerably lower consumption of fresh and tinned vegetables, potatoes, eggs, fresh fruit and berries, bean, nuts, sugar, chocolate and confectionery products and higher consumption of meat products (horsemeat, venison), oil and fats.

CONTRIBUTION OF CEREBRAL VASCULAR ANOMALIES IN HEMORRHAGIC STROKE STRUCTURE IN DIFFERENT RACIAL GROUPS OF YAKUTIA

INTRODUCTION

Hemorrhagic stroke (HS) has higher incidence in Asian population compared to Caucasian. The reason for this phenomenon is not clearly understood.

AIM

To investigate the contribution of cerebral vascular anomalies in hemorrhagic stroke structurein different racial groups of Yakutia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study group included 1078 consecutively hospitalized patients with acute HS. A comparative analysis of demographic data and frequency of CVA, which were identified as a cause of HS, was carried out between the group of indigenous patients of Asian race and the group of Caucasian patients.

RESULTS

The proportion of hemorrhage due to rupture of cerebralarterial aneurysms (CAA) in the hospital HS structure was higher in Asians, compared to Caucasians (p = 0.001; OR = 1.7; 95% CL: 1.2-2.4). No difference in the arteriovenous malformations' (AVM) frequency was found between groups (p = 0.345), as well as in age and gender distribution (p = 0.052 and p = 0.759, respectively). The CAA frequency was higher among female patients compared to male in both racial groups (p < 0.0001; OR = 1.71; CI 95% 1.3-2.3).

CONCLUSIONS

In Yakutia, the proportion of hemorrhage due to rupture of cerebral arterial aneurysmsin hemorrhagic stroke structure is higher among indigenous ethnic group of Asian race, compared to Caucasians. No difference in the arteriovenous malformations' frequency was found between racial groups, as well as in age and gender distribution. The cerebral aneurisms' frequency was higher among female patients compared to male in both racial groups. Further studies of cerebral vascular anomalies and stroke risk factors using a population-based data in different racial groups are needed.

FEATURES OF CLINICAL-FUNCTIONAL MANIFESTATIONS OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE LUNG DISEASE IN COMBINATION WITH METABOLIC SYNDROME IN ETHNIC GROUPS OF THE YAKUTS AND THE RUSSIANS

AIM

Studying features of clinical-functional manifestations of chronic obstructive lung disease in the combination with metabolic syndrome in the Yakut ethnic group.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The basic group consisted of 39 patients of Yakut nationality with chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD) in the combination with metabolic syndrome (MS), middle age of them being 53.4 ± 1.17 years. The comparison group comprised 40 patients of Russian nationality with COLD and MS with middle age 53.1 ± 1.21 years. Features of clinical manifestations and respiratory functions are studied.

RESULTS

Cough and sputum were noted in dynamics for 3 years by 64.1% of Yakut patients and 85% of the Russians, p = 0.033; the intensity of cough was marked at 30% of patients of Russian nationality and 15.4% of patients of the Yakut nationality, p = 0.01 6. The morning sputum and daily sputum within 3 months a year at the Russians in comparison with the Yakuts was marked in 95 % vs 74,4 %, p = 0.011; 80.0% vs 56.4% p = 0.024, accordingly. According to Medical Research Council (mMRC) Dyspnea Scale (Mahler et al., 1985) dyspnea has been 2.2 ± 0.09 points atthe Yakuts vs 2.7 ± 0.09 points at Russian, p = 0.002. At patients of the Yakut nationality more often exacerbations were registered 2 times a year (53.8%), at patients of Russian nationality noted 3 times a year (55%). Respiratory function manifestations have been at patients of the Yakut nationality with COLD and MS, in comparison with similar Russian patients: forced expiratory volume for a first second (FEV,) - 64,0+2,30 % vs 56,8?2,69 %, p = 0,026; forced vital capacity of lungs (FVC) - 65,0?2,45 vs 65,0?3,70, p = 0.733; FEV1/FVCL ratio being 102.5 ± 2.81 vs 87.3 ± 3.30, p = 0.000, accordingly.

CONCLUSIONS

Regardless of ethnicity the phenotype "D" has higher prevalence rate of clinical phenotype COLD in the combination with metabolic syndrome, thus at the Russians the clinical COLD is characterized by severe clinical manifestations in comparison with theYakuts, and also in both ethnic groups expiratory dysfunctions in the form of decreasing FEV1, decreasing FVC and increases of ratio FEV1/FVC > 70% are marked.

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL FEATURES OF CHRONIC VIRUS HEPATITIS B AND C IN THE REPUBLIC SAKHA (YAKUTIA)

High disease burden of chronic virus hepatitis B and C of population in the Republic Sakha (Yakutia) is subject to referring it to endemic territories due to these infections. For a 15-year-old period the disease has been registered at higher rates in the Russian Federation.

THE ANALYSIS OF MAJOR RISK FACTORS OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES AMONG INHABITANTS OF THE NORTH REGION

Last years the problem of organism's adaptation to severe climate-environmental conditions of the Far North has been intensively developed. The Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) is the most northern republic of the Russian Federation. People have created a unique way of life, language, original culture on this cold part of the earth and have carried centuries later. This unique experience has been saved up throughout many centuries and generated in natural environment of habitation and passed from generation to generation. Last years the changes of living conditions of indigenous population, urbanization and globalisation, deterioration of ecological conditions exhausted reserve possibilities of organism. Among the indigenous population health change has menacing character, especially among the children's population. The analysis of major risk factors of the development of cardiovascular diseases among the indigenous population of the north has been carried out in this research.

[Genetic characterization of populations of the Volga-Ural region according to the variability of the Y-chromosome]

An analysis of genetic diversity in nine ethnic groups of the Volga-Ural region was carried out using 15 biallelic loci in the nonrecombining region of the Y-chromosome. The major Y-chromosome haplogroups in the region are R1a-M198, R1b-M269, and N-M231. It was found that Bashkirs show the greatest difference from other populations of the Volga-Ural region according both to F(st) and to the principal component analysis. In addition, analysis of the frequency distribution of Y-chromosome haplogroups was carried out in the Besermyan population, which was not studied previously from the Y-chromosome perspective. The results of this study revealed the predominance of haplogroup N-M231 (54.7%) in this ethnic group, which may indicate the prevalence of the Finno-Ugric component in the formation of the patrilineal component in the gene pool of the Besermyan ethnic group.

THE ROLE OF MEDICAL AND SOCIAL FACTORS IN PREDICTING DISABILITY TUBERCULOSIS

In persisting study are considered social, epydemiological and clinical features by sick tuberculosis lungs with for the first time installed by disability. On the grounds of got result are revealled main criteria of the forecasting to disability on tuberculosis lungs. Disability of pulmonary tuberculosis is an important medical and social problem and is dependent on the social and clinical factors. The study of disability reveals the main reasons for poor prognosis in tuberculosis, which leads to a more chronic course with frequent exacerbations and relapses. In Russia, the dynamics of disability for tuberculosis does not tend to decrease. Unfavorable epidemiological disability tuberculosis remains high in the structure of the primary disability in Yakutsk and Sakha (Yakutia) (2.8%, 2.5% - respectively).

POLISH STUDIES OF THE MEDICAL TRADITIONS OF THE AINU

Present knowledge of the history of Ainu culture is owed in significant part to Polish Far-East researchers Bronisław Piłsudski (1866-1918) and Wacław Sieroszewski (1858-1945). They were both exiled to Siberia for their patriotic activity at the time where Poles struggled for independence. Bronisław Piłsudski is known for using glass photographic plates and wax recording cylinders for recording the already disappearing culture of the Ainu people. It is thanks to his research that we are able today to trace back the names of over 100 plants that had therapeutic, and as believed by Ainu, also magical power. The plants with the highest therapeutic significance had common characteristics: strong effects, intensive scent and stings. Nowadays, the Ainu people constitute an ethnic minority in Japan (population of over 20 000) and are supported by the Center for Ainu and Indigenous Studies at the Hokkaido University in Sapporo.

GENDER FEATURES OF THE ANTHROPOMETRIC, CEPHALOMETRIC AND BIOIMPEDANCE PARAMETERS IN THE STUDENTS OF YAKUTIA

To establish the anthropo-ecological portrait of the current population of Yakutia, it is necessary to study the regularities of the variability of physical status in different gender groups and develop regional standards of the physical development of different age-sex groups of the population with regard to the peculiarities of the environment. The aim of this study is to do research on the gender features of anthropometric, cephalometric and bioimpedance parameters in the students of Yakut ethnicity. The measures of 228 Yakut girls and 168 Yakut youths born and permanently resident in Yakutia were analyzed. Anthropometric measurements were performed using the method of V.V. Bunak (1941), somatotyping--using the Rees-Eysenck index (1945). Head type was determined by the cephalic index, face type--by the upper facial index. Bioelectrical impedance analysis with the use of ABC--01 Medass analyzer was performed to estimate body composition. Adipose tissue mass (AM), skeletal muscle mass (SMM), lean mass (LM), active cell mass (ACM) and phase angle (PA) were determined. Obtained material was processed by the method of variation statistics with the use of SPSS 17.0 software package. Overall measures of the soma of the examined groups have gender features of body organization that are expressed in the significantly higher values of all measured parameters in the youths of Yakutia. In our study, the sexual dimorphism in the distribution of somatotypes by the Rees-Eysenck index has not been identified. The analysis of cephalometric measures has revealed reliably higher parameters of absolute head sizes in the youths. Gender differences in the distribution of head and face types have not been found in the examined ethno-age group. Significantly larger absolute amount of AM has been established in the girls. The measures of SMM, ACM and LM are reliably higher in the youths. The values of active and reactive tissue resistance are reliably higher in the girls. Gender features of the anthropometric, cephalometric and bioimpedance parameters of the students have been established. The conducted study presents the anthropo-ecological image of this age-sex group of the population of Yakutia.

BREADTH SPREADING OF VIRAL HEPATITIS MARKERS IN THE RISK GROUPS IN THE REPUBLIC OF SAKHA (YAKUTIA)

INTRODUCTION

Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) is a hyperendemic region of Russian Federation for spreading of parenteral viral hepatitis B, C and D. In risk groups of these diseases are firstly medical personnel, who contacting with infection carriers including latent infections family and members of families of chronic viral hepatitis carriers.

AIM

To reveal the breadth of spreading of viral hepatitis markers in the risk groups.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The level of HBV- and HC- infection were determined in medical staff of large multi specialty hospital and family members of people with viral hepatitis B and C. Epidemiological, clinical, serological and molecular biology methods of viral hepatitis diagnostics were applied in this study.

RESULTS

Results of this study showed that the staff at surgery and hematology departments and all nursing staff belong to the high-risk of HBV-infection groups. Therefore, they are a priority for active immunization. Attention is paid on the fact that infectivity of medical staff is not equally distributed in dependence on type of department and position of medical staff. Rate HBV-marker detecting in "family hearths" was dependent on degree of interrelationship with infection source. According received information, in families of patientwith chronic hepatitis B spreading of infection was higher (77.6%) then in families of patients with acute hepatitis B (39.7%). At primary examination of families an anti-HCV was detected in 9.3 ± 1.8% cases, i.e. the spreading of HCV was at low-activity.

CONCLUSIONS

Results of our study on spreading of hepatitis B and C in Yakutia showed the high rate of appearance of HCV and HBV markers in the risk groups.

REGIONAL TRENDS IN THE WORKING-AGE POPULATION MORTALITY RATE IN THE REPUBLIC OF SAKHA (YAKUTIA) IN 1990-2012

Regions of the Russian Federation differ in climatic-geographic, medical-demographic and social-economic situations. One of the regions with distinct peculiarities is the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). Ranking first by the territory (3,103.2 thousand sq x km), Yakutia is on the 81th place by the population density among regions of the Russian Federation (0.3 people per 1 km2).Yakutia is one of the most isolated and inaccessible regions of the world: 90% of the territory lacks all-the-year-round transportation. Regions of the republic, as well, differ significantly in the climatic conditions and the levels of social-economic development, which influences the population health indicators, including mortality. This survey aimed to study the trends of mortality in the working-age population in different groups of regions. To do this, basing on the statistical data, we compared the levels, trends and structure of mortality in 1990-2012. It was established that the different groups of regions show a significant variation in the working-age population mortality, depending on the social-economic conditions. Since 2000, the Arctic group of regions has demonstrated higher mortality in working-age men and women, especially of cardiovascular and digestive system diseases, and external causes. Lying beyond the Arctic Circle, these regions have severe conditions and a relatively low level of social-economic development. As for the rural regions, despite the relatively favourabe situation, they also show a high level of mortality of external causes. The industrial regions are characterized by higher social-economic development, better transport infrastructure, a satisfactory material base of medical institutions. They also have sufficient resources of health institutions, including the staff and modern equipment for treatment and diagnostics, as well as, which is critical, the full range of medical specialists. Thus, these regions demonstrate lower population mortality; however, there is still mortality of infectious diseases, neoplasms, and respiratory diseases.

THE PREVALENCE OF CHRONIC VIRAL HEPATITIS IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS IN YAKUTIA

Chronic hepatitis in children represents a serious health and social problem. Under the conditions of the high prevalence of viral hepatitis in Yakutia epidemiological process has a number of peculiarities. In children chronic hepatitis often occurs with minor clinical manifestations, which complicate diagnosis. The study of the epidemiological, clinical and laboratory data is an important task.The aim of the study was to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of chronic hepatitis in children and adolescents living in hyper-endemic region.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included 1568 patients'data, registered in the dispensary with a diagnosis of chronic hepatitis in the period from 2000 to 2012. Epidemiological history data of 304 patients with chronic hepatitis were analyzed. The data from official statistics were used for epidemiological analysis. Processing of clinical and laboratory studies was performed using the statistical package IBM SPSS STATISTICS 19.

RESULT

CH epidemiological features were identified, including the prevalence of HBV-infection in etiological structure, the high incidence of the disease among the indigenous population, a high risk of intra-familial infection with hepatitis B virus , high frequency of perinatal infection with hepatitis C virus. It was proposed to maximize screening tests for markers of viral hepatitis and to improve quality control of vaccination.

CONCLUSIONS

The epidemic process of viral hepatitis in children and adolescents in Yakutia is characterized by domination of HBV-infection in the structure of chronic hepatitis. The predominance of the indigenous nationalities among patients with chronic hepatitis B and the leading role of family contact in the routes structure of infection transmission indicates the importance of ethnic and social factors in contraction of the disease.

[The basic medical demographic indicators of population health of Russia up to 2013]

The actual medical demographic situation in Russia is characterized by positive trends of natality and mortality. At that, deepening of habitation differences in rate of lethal outcomes at the first year of life and gender differences in level of mortality at able-bodied age is established.

[Features of the Udmurt mitochondrial gene pool in relation to tribal structure]

We present novel data on mitochondrial DNA polymorphism in the Udmurt population, which represents a Finno-Ugric ethnos residing in the Volga-Ural region. Our analysis of the Udmurt mtDNA polymorphisms have shown that neighboring ethnoses had almost no effecton formation of the Udmurtian intraethnic diversity. These results strongly indicate that genetic differences in the Udmurtian population are determined by their tribal structure rather than their geographic location.

[Characteristics of migration in the population of Yevpatoria (Crimea)]

Indicators characterizing population migration were calculated according to the marriage records of Yevpatoria (Crimea) of 1960/1961, 1985, and 1994/1995. The marital migration coefficient m in those years was 0.80, 0.75, and 0.66, the endogamy index was 0.04, 0.08, and 0.15, and the rate of marriage contingency by birthplace was 0.15, 0.16, and 0.19, respectively. The highest values of the positive mating assortative index were recorded for people from the Caucasus, Central, Central Black Earth Oblast, and Northwest regions of Russia in 1960/1961 and for migrants from Moldavia, the republics of Central Asia and Caucasus, Western Siberia, and Ukraine in 1985. In 1994/1995, natives of Yevpatoria were also included in this group. The average distance of migration by year was 909, 1280, and 1314 km, and the marital distance was 960, 1397, and 1171 km. The "radius" of the Yevpatoria population, in accordance with the Maleco model in the years under study, was 98, 134, and 137 km. The distance isolation indicator b was decreasing and amounted to 0.00049, 0.00043, and 0.00038. Inthe migration flow in all of the periods, the majority of immigrants came from different regions of Ukraine outside Crimea (27-31%), followed by natives of various places in Crimea (21-24%.), Central (3.6-8.5%), and Central Black Earth (1.8-6.1%) regions of Russia, and the South Caucasus (4.0-5.7%). The proportion of Russians and Jews decreased in the migration flow, while the proportion of Ukrainians and representatives of non-Slavic nationalities increased.

Developing Culturally Targeted Diabetes Educational Materials for Older Russian-Speaking Immigrants

PURPOSE

Older adults who immigrate late in life face many challenges adapting to a new country. Immigrants bring their cultural beliefs and behaviors with them, which can influence their ability to make dietary changes required when they have type 2 diabetes. Culturally targeted patient education materials are needed to improve immigrants' health literacy and abilities to self-manage diabetes. Currently, there is a scarcity of diabetes patient education materials to meet the educational needs of the Russian-speaking immigrant group. The purpose of this article is to describe a project in which culturally targeted diabetes education materials for older Russian-speaking immigrants were designed and developed.

CONCLUSIONS

Culturally targeted patient education materials are essential if they are to be accepted and used by clients from different ethnic minority populations. The creation of culturally relevant materials requires a team effort and community stakeholder input. The availability of materials on the internet facilitates access and use by health care providers. Culturally targeted education materials are an important component in addressing health literacy in ethnic minority populations. Next steps require that these materials be evaluated to test their impact on diabetes self-management behaviors and clinical outcomes such as adherence, amount of physical activity, and blood glucose levels.

Nativity, language spoken at home, length of time in the United States, and race/ethnicity: associations with self-reported hypertension

BACKGROUND

Characterization of health conditions in recent immigrant subgroups, including foreign-born whites and Asians, is limited but important for identifying emerging health disparities. Hypertension, a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, has been shown to be associated with acculturation, but the acculturative experience varies for different racial/ethnic groups. Assessing the impact of race/ethnicity on the relationship between acculturation-related factors and hypertension is therefore of interest.

METHODS

Data from the 2005-2008 waves (n = 36,550) of the NYC Community Health Survey were combined to estimate self-reported hypertension prevalence by nativity, language spoken at home, and time spent in the United States. Multivariable analyses were used to assess (i) the independent associations of acculturation-related factors and hypertension and (ii) potential effect modification by race/ethnicity. Sensitivity analysis recalibrating self-reported hypertension using measured blood pressures from a prior NYC population-based survey was performed. Prevalence was also explored by country of origin.

RESULTS

Being foreign vs. US born was associated with higher self-reported hypertension in whites only. Speaking Russian vs. English at home was associated with a 2-fold adjusted odds of self-reported hypertension. Living in the United States for ≥10 years vs. less time was associated with higher self-reported hypertension prevalence in blacks and Hispanics. Hypertension prevalence in Hispanics was slightly lower when using a recalibrated definition, but other results did not change substantively.

CONCLUSIONS

Race/ethnicity modifies the relationship between acculturation-related factors and hypertension. Consideration of disease prevalence in origin countries is critical to understanding health patterns in immigrant populations. Validation of self-reported hypertension in Hispanic populations is indicated.

[South African tick bite fever in a group of Russian tourists]

The paper describes a clinical case of South African tick bite fever in a group of Russian tourists. The group of 5 people who had been ill with this disease after a tourist trip to the South African Republic (the Kruger National Park in the north-eastern province of Mpumalanga) were followed up. During their trip, all of them were bitten by different insects many times. The disease exhibited different clinical presentations; however, all the patients were noted to have a fever with slight intoxication and a maculopapular rash at different sites of the body; 3 had lymphadenopathy and one had a primary effect at the site of tick sticking. The diagnosis was verified by indirect immunofluorescence for the detection of high titers to Rickettsia conorii. The course of the disease was favorable in all the patients treated with antibiotics (doxycycline or ceftriaxone).

[Analysis of a GSTM1 gene deletion in the context of the GSTM genomic cluster diversity in three Russian populations]

A total of 16 to 60% of individuals in human populations are homozygous with respect to a deletion of the Glutathione-S-transferase M1 gene. In this study, we evaluated the relationship between the GSTM1 gene deletion and genetic diversity of the GSTM cluster, which includes this gene, in three Russian populations. The study was based on the comparison of the haplotype distribution in two groups of individuals subdivided accordingly to the presence of the deletion. The first group included individuals with completely deleted GSTM1 gene, and the second group comprised individuals having at least one functional variant of GSTM1 gene. The analysis of the haplotype frequencies in groups revealed no specificity in their distribution both within the populations and between them.

Orthographic learning and self-teaching in a bilingual and biliterate context

The aim of this study was to examine self-teaching in the context of English as a foreign language literacy acquisition. Three groups comprising 88 sixth-grade children participated. The first group consisted of Russian-Hebrew-speaking bilinguals who had acquired basic reading skills in Russian as their first language (L1) and literacy and who were literate in Hebrew as a second language. The second group consisted of Russian-Hebrew-speaking bilinguals who had not learned to read in their native Russian but had acquired Hebrew as their first literate language. The third group consisted of Hebrew-speaking monolingual children who were literate in Hebrew. This design facilitated examining the effect of biliteracy and bilingualism on basic English reading skills. We hypothesized that due to the proximity between the Russian and English orthographies as opposed to the Hebrew-English "distance," the Russian-Hebrew-speaking biliterate group who acquired basic reading and spelling skills in L1 Russian would have superior self-teaching in English as opposed to the two other groups. The standard two-session self-teaching paradigm was employed with naming (speed and accuracy) and orthographic choice as posttest measures of orthographic learning. Results showed that after 4 years of English instruction, all three groups showed evidence of self-teaching on naming speed and orthographic recognition. The Russian-Hebrew-speaking biliterate group, moreover, showed a partial advantage over the comparison groups for initial decoding of target pseudowords and clear-cut superiority for measures of later orthographic learning, thereby showing self-teaching while supporting the script dependence hypothesis.