Common-pool resources and population genomics in Iceland,Estonia, and Tonga

This paper addresses the application of the ethical concept of trust and the legal and political concept of public trust to population genomics projects in Iceland, Estonia, and Tonga. Focusing on trust and public trust, the paper explores analogies between the genomics projects and the treatment of other common-pool resources, making use of the notion of trust as an ethical demand, derived from the works of Emmanuel Levinas and Knud Eljer Løgstrup. The paper discusses the degree to which the ethical demands for trust and public trust have been established and maintained in the three national population genomics projects.     

Austronesian genetic signature in East African Madagascar and Polynesia

The dispersal of the Austronesian language family from Southeast Asia represents the last major diaspora leading to the peopling of Oceania to the East and the Indian Ocean to the West. Several theories have been proposed to explain the current locations, and the linguistic and cultural diversity of Austronesian populations. However, the existing data do not support unequivocally any given migrational scenario. In the current study, the genetic profile of 15 autosomal STR loci is reported for the first time for two populations from opposite poles of the Austronesian range, Madagascar at the West and Tonga to the East. These collections are also compared to geographically targeted reference populations of Austronesian descent in order to investigate their current relationships and potential source population(s) within Southeast Asia. Our results indicate that while Madagascar derives 66.3% of its genetic makeup from Africa, a clear connection between the East African island and Southeast Asia can be discerned. The data suggest that although geographic location has influenced the phylogenetic relationships between Austronesian populations, a genetic connection that binds them beyond geographical divides is apparent.     

半夏泻心汤加味治疗急性胃肠炎96例的效果分析

目的：探讨在急性胃肠炎患者应用半夏泻心汤加味的治疗效果,给临床治疗提供理论依据。方法：选取2013年10月－2015年10月医院收治96例急性胃肠炎患者作为研究对象,按照患者入院的先后顺序将患者平均分成两组,观察者和对照组均48例,对照组应用左氧氟沙星注射液进行治疗,观察者应用半夏泻心汤加味治疗,分析比较两组患者的治疗效果、治疗后患者的生活质量评分以及治疗过程中的不良反应发生情况。结果：观察者的有效率明显高于对照组,组间差异明显,具有统计学意义（P＜0．05）;观察组患者的不良反应发生率为2．08％,对照组的不良反应发生率为16．67％,观察者的不良反应发生率明显低于对照组,组间差异明显,具有统计学意义（P＜0．05）;经过治疗后,观察者的生活质量评分明显高于对照组,组间差异明显,具有统计学意义（P＜0．05）。结论：半夏泻心汤加味治疗急性胃肠炎疗效明显,不良反应小,值得临床推广使用。     

Low-cost, simultaneous, single-sequence genotyping of the HLA-A, HLA-B and HLA-C loci

New automated DNA sequencing technology has enabled the development of an assay for genotyping the three major HLA class 1 loci from a single sequence of each gene containing exon 3, intron 2 and exon 2. The assay allows 31 subjects (with 3 negative controls) to be genotyped at all three loci simultaneously, using a 96-well plate format. Genotypes were assigned by comparing each sequence to a database of 307 HLA-A, 563 HLA-B and 166 HLA-C alleles. Unequivocal, 4-digit allele assignments were made for 40 of 130 HLA-A genes, 82 of 130 HLA-B genes and 97 of 130 HLA-C genes from 21 European, 20 Tongan and 24 Niuean subjects. Ambiguity in interpretation of the sequence contributed to 66 of the 170 equivocal allele assignments, and 105 equivocal assignments were due to polymorphisms outside exons 2 and 3. All known alternative interpretations of ambiguous genotypes were identified, and seven HLA-B and two HLA-C ambiguities were resolved by reading the out-of-phase exon 2 sequence that followed an indel in intron 2. The genotypes of a subgroup of 27 heterozygous subjects, whose genotypes contained all of the alleles identified in this study, were confirmed with commercial, generic PCR-SSP typing. In European subjects, the repertoire of HLA-B/HLA-C haplotypes was almost identical to previously published data. We identified five new HLA-B/HLA-C haplotypes in the Polynesian subjects, and the remaining haplotypes were of Asian origin. In summary, we are describing a low-cost, sequencing assay for the three major HLA class I loci that provides a level of resolution that is comparable with a commercial PCR-SSP assay.     

The impact of socio-cultural context on young people's condom use: evidence from two Pacific Island countries

Young people are a key group for HIV prevention in the Pacific region where levels of STIs are high and condom use is low. During 2008, 62 in-depth interviews were conducted with people aged between 18 and 25 years in Tonga and Vanuatu. The research was aimed at understanding factors impacting on young peoples’ condom use in two Pacific Island nations. The data show a marked disjuncture between attitudes and practice with regard to condoms. This paper discusses factors underpinning that inconsistency and directs attention to the effect of social and cultural influences on young people's condom use. The authors conclude that individual-level approaches to improving rates of condom use will be inadequate unless they are informed by an understanding of the role of identity, culture and tradition in young peoples’ decisions around condom use. The findings also underline the need for country-specific approaches to condom promotion efforts in the Pacific.     

参附汤加味在充血性心衰治疗中的应用体会

目的中西药联合治疗提高充血性心力衰竭的临床疗效。方法将充血性心力衰竭患者随机分为治疗组和对照组。2组常规给予血管扩张剂、强心利尿剂,转换酶抑制剂,配合吸氧对症治疗,治疗组同时给予参附汤加味,观察治疗结果。结果治疗组和对照组患者临床症状均有不同程度好转,治疗前后对比,治疗组较对照组心胸比率有明显缩小,其他检查指标较对照组有明显改善。结论参附汤加味与西药联合应用治疗充血性心力衰竭,疗效优于单纯西药治疗,且降低了西药的用药量及毒副作用,相对安全。     

Eye disease and care at hospital clinics in Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga

PURPOSE: To obtain eye disease and care data to assist with service planning in Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. METHODS: A hospital-based rapid assessment including interviews and examination of clinical records. RESULTS: An overview of equipment, staff and services was attained. Visual impairment was associated with increasing age but not gender of clinic attendees. Cataract was the most common cause of low vision and blindness. A substantial proportion of visually significant cataract, particularly that causing low vision but not blindness, was not offered treatment. The vision outcome of cataract surgery in Fiji was less successful than elsewhere. Only Samoa achieved the World Health Organization suggested outcomes. Refractive error was a significant cause of low vision, but poorly treated. Diabetic retinopathy was a substantial contributor to visual impairment at all locations except the Cook Islands, but not all was treated with laser. Trauma/corneal opacity was an important cause of blindness in Cook Islands and Tonga. Pterygium-induced low vision and glaucoma blindness were diagnosed most frequently in Samoa. DISCUSSION: This methodology enabled quick and cost-efficient collection of data about hospital eye services, the conditions diagnosed and treated, and the outcome of treatment. It could easily be repeated by local clinicians to measure the impact of service planning and implementation. In the four countries audited, the management of, and intervention outcomes for, cataract, refractive error, diabetic retinopathy and trauma need attention.     

阳和汤加味外用治疗脑卒中后肢体肿胀的疗效观察

目的 观察阳和汤加味外用治疗脑卒中后肢体肿胀的疗效.方法 对中风后肢体肿胀患者30例.给予阳和汤加味外用治疗,2次/d;并配合肢体功能训练.结果 显效16例,有效11例,总有效率达90%.结论 阳和汤加味外用治疗配合功能训练对脑卒中后肢体疼痛患者有较好的疗效.     

A descriptive study of kava use among Tongan men in Macarthur, Sydney South West

OBJECTIVE: To describe the pattern of kava use among Tongan men in Macarthur. Methods: A kava use survey of Tongan men was conducted between May and October 2006. RESULTS: Seventy-three Tongan men aged over 18 completed the survey, 90% drank kava regularly at least twice a week with 20 or more cups per session. During the kava sessions the men also reported smoking (26%), drinking alcohol (15%) and consuming foods with high fat or sugar content (29%). Feelings of euphoria were reported during session with alcohol-like hang-over effects the next day. Socialisation was the main reason given for drinking kava. CONCLUSIONS: Kava is consumed regularly and in large quantities by Tongan men in Macarthur. They also consume fatty or sugary foods during the sessions and the smoking rate is high. IMPLICATIONS: There is a need to reduce smoking and promote the consumption of healthier foods during kava sessions.