Fertility and mortality differentials among the population groups of the Himalayas.

The present investigation on fertility and mortality differential among Kinnaura of the Himalayan highland is based on data collected from 160 post-menopausal women belonging to the middle and high altitude region of Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh (Indian Himalayas). Selection potential based on differential fertility and mortality was computed for middle-and high-altitude women. Irrespective of the methodology, the total index of selection was found to be highest among middle-altitude women (0.386) as compared with high-altitude (0.370) women, whereas for the total population it is estimated to be 0.384. It was found that the Kinnaura of the Himalayan highland showing moderate index of total selection and relative contribution of the mortality component (Im) to the index of total selection is higher than the corresponding fertility component (If). The analysis of embryonic and post-natal mortality components shows that the post-natal mortality components are higher in comparison with the embryonic mortality components among highlanders and needs special intervention and health care. The present findings are compared with other Indian tribes as well as non-tribes of the Himalayan region and other parts of the country. It reveals that this index among Kinnaura is moderate than the other population groups; among the Himalayan population, the highest was reported for Galong (It = 1.07) of Arunachal, whereas the lowest was reported from Ahom (It = 0.218) of Manipur. The correlation and regression analysis between total index of selection (It) and fertility (If) and mortality (Im) components for pooled data of populations of the Indian Himalayan states show that If and Im account for 21.6 and 29.1% variability, respectively. In Crow's total index of selection (It) along with strong association, which is significant at the 1% level, this indicates that mortality plays a greater role in natural selection in comparison with fertility among populations of the Indian Himalayas.

According to the obstetric history of Yevpatoria residents of postreproductive age, the parameters of the dif- ferential fertility as components of the natural selection (index Crow) in Slavic (Russian and Ukrainian) and non-Slavic individuals have been calculated. It is shown that, in the studied population, in one generation, the index of total selection decreased from 0.3 to 0.32 by reducing the value Im. For Slavic females, the average number of pregnancies is 5.26, while the number of offspring is 1.75, and the index of total selection equals 0.31. For non-Slavic women, these ratings were 4.84, 2.09, and 0.46. In non-Slavic women, natural reproductive losses occur more frequently than in Slavic women, which may be associated with inbreeding, the level of which is usually higher in members of the Muslim faith. The average number of adverse pregnancy outcomes in the non-Slavic families is 0.759, while for Slavic families, it is 0.503. Reproductive problems were observed in 36.4% of Slavic families and 44.8% of non-Slavic families. The index of total selection in non-Slavs (0.46) is 1.5 times higher than in Slavs (0.31). The difference is due to the selection component, coupled with differential fertility (0.36 and 0.23, respectively). Interethnic differences in the rate of natural increase can change the ethnic and denominational composition of the city, leading to an increase in the Muslim component.

Background: Coastal populations have always been exposed to socio-cultural and natural vulnerability. The correlates between these coastal populations and their selection potentials have not been previously described.Aim: To describe selection potentials, their trend and extent among coastal and non-coastal populations of the Indian continent.Subjects and methods: Data on fertility and mortality differentials among five coastal populations were collected from 448 women of Orissa and Goa. Selection potential was computed. In addition, 48 studies among 100 different populations of India were reviewed for similar parameters, for comparison.Results: Total index of selection (It) varied from 0.221–0.417 in the population of Orissa; whereas the population of Goa showed a moderate index of selection. Regression analysis showed that among the coastal population the contribution of index of mortality (Im) is higher (92.5%) in total selection index (It) as compared to non-coastal populations (56.4%). After 1991, there was a radical shift in the role of mortality in the entire region. Simultaneously, the selection intensity (It) has gradually declined.Conclusion: There is a significant difference in the extent and process of natural selection among coastal and non-coastal populations. Mortality is playing a greater role in the total selection intensity of coastal populations, although the trend is declining in the entire region and reversal in the roles of Im and index of fertility (If) is witnessed.

High altitude is known to have a significant impact on human physiology and health, therefore, understanding its relationship with quality of life is an important research area. This study compared the quality of life (QOL) in older adults living in high and low altitude areas, and examined the independent correlates of QOL in those living in a high altitude area. Older adults living in three public nursing homes in Xining (high altitude area) and one public nursing home in Guangzhou (low altitude area) were recruited. The WHOQOL-BREF was used to measure the QOL. 644 older adults (male: 39.1%) were included, with 207 living in high altitude and 437 living in low altitude areas. After controlling for the covariates, older adults living in the high altitude area had higher QOL in terms of physical (P = 0.035) and social domains (P = 0.002), but had lower QOL in psychological (P = 0.009) domain compared to their counterparts living in the low altitude area. For older adults living in the high altitude area, smoking status was associated with higher social QOL (P = 0.021), good financial status was associated with higher physical QOL (P = 0.035), and fair or good health status was associated with higher physical (p < 0.001) and psychological QOL (P = 0.046), while more severe depressive symptoms were associated with lower QOL. Appropriate interventions and support to improve depressive symptoms and both financial and health status should be developed for older adults living in high altitude areas to improve their QOL.

Selection potential based on differential fertility and mortality has been computed for six tribal groups inhabiting different geo-climatic conditions, namely: Sahariya, Mina and Bhil of the State of Rajasthan, north-western India, and Munda, Santal and Lodha of the State of West Bengal, eastern India. Irrespective of the methodology, the total index of selection was found to be highest among Lodhas (0.668), followed by Sahariyas (0.524), Santals (0.462), Bhils (0.386), Mundas (0.353) and Minas (0.334). Incidentally, Lodha and Sahariya are two of the seventy-four notified primitive tribal groups of India, and these two study populations show the highest index of total selection, mainly because of a higher embryonic and postnatal mortality. The relative contribution of the fertility component to the index of total selection is higher than the corresponding mortality component in all tribal groups. The analysis of postnatal mortality components indicates that childhood mortality constitutes the bulk of postnatal mortality, suggesting that children under 5 years need better health care in these tribal groups.

Unique skin microbial communities have been shaped by the harsh climatic conditions in high-altitude areas, such as intense ultraviolet radiation and low oxygen concentration. However, it is unknown whether high altitude contributes to shaping common microbiota inhabiting the skin across different mammals. The skin microbial communities of humans and horses living in high-altitude (Tibetan) and low-altitude areas were analyzed using full-length 16S rRNA sequencing technology. Alpha diversity differed between high- and low-altitude groups (p < 0.01). Skin microbial community composition also differed between high- and low-altitude areas (p < 0.05). Some of the common taxa present in the skin of humans and horses in high-altitude areas were identified as extreme microorganisms capable of adapting to the harsh high-altitude environment. Five bacterial taxa, including the genera Sphingomonas, Brevundimonas, and Kocuria, as well as the species Acinetobacter guillouiae and Arboricoccus pini, were significantly enriched (p < 0.01) on the skin of both humans and horses in high-altitude areas. Meanwhile, some taxa enriched on the skin surface at the same altitude showed preferences for mammalian species. Acinetobacter johnsonii, Anaerococcus nagyae, and Anaerococcus octavius were significantly enriched (p < 0.05) in the skin of humans at both high and low altitudes, whereas Acinetobacter pseudolwoffii and Armatimonas rosea, Archangium gephyra and Acinetobacter lwoffii were significantly enriched (p < 0.05) in the skin of horses at both high and low altitudes. In the network analyses, a positive correlation (p < 0.01) was shown between the skin taxa enriched in high-altitude areas and each other, while a negative correlation (p < 0.01) was found between the skin microorganisms enriched in high-altitude areas and those enriched in low-altitude areas. Overall, our findings indicate that high-altitude extreme environments drive convergent evolution of skin microbiota across mammals, reflecting the joint effects of environmental selection and host-related filtering on community assembly. This cross-species comparison provides a framework for understanding skin microbiome responses to extreme environments in plateau mammals.

BackgroundCognitive impairment is a major health concern in older adults. Few studies have examined the association between environmental factors and cognitive impairment, especially in high altitude areas. In this study, the prevalence of cognitive impairment in older adults living in high altitude was compared with those living in low altitude areas.MethodsThis was a comparative study conducted at Qinghai (high altitude group), and Guangzhou (low altitude group), China. Cognition, depressive symptoms and quality of life (QOL) were assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and WHO Quality of Life brief version–WHOQOL-BREF, respectively.ResultsAltogether, 644 older adults (207 in Qinghai and 437 in Guangzhou) completed the assessment. The prevalence rate of cognitive impairment was 94.7% (95% CI: 91.6–97.7%) in older adults living in the high altitude area, while the corresponding figure was 89.2% (95% CI: 86.3–92.1%) in the low altitude area. After controlling for covariates, the high altitude group appeared more likely to have cognitive impairment (OR = 2.92, 95% CI: 1.23–6.91, P = 0.015) compared with the low altitude group. Within the high altitude group sample, multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed that older age (aged 74 and above) was significantly associated with higher risk of severe cognitive impairment (OR = 3.58, 95%CI: 1.44–8.93, P = 0.006), while higher education level (secondary school and above) was associated with decreased risk of moderate cognitive impairment (OR = 0.43, 95%CI: 0.22–0.85, P = 0.006). Within the high altitude group, QOL did not differ significantly between normal/mild, moderate and severe cognitive impairment subgroups across physical [F(1, 207) = 1.83, P = 0.163], psychological [F(1, 207) = 1.50, P = 0.225], social [F(1,207) = 2.22, P = 0.111] and environmental domains [F(1,207) = 0.49, P = 0.614].ConclusionThis study found that cognitive impairment was more common among older adults living in the high altitude area. Regular screening and appropriate interventions should be provided to older adults in need.

Natural selection is one of the major evolutionary factors that brings about changes in the gene frequencies in a population through the action of differential fertility and mortality. Selection potential based on the differential fertility and mortality data have been computed for the major Scheduled Tribes of Rajasthan using the methodology of Crow (1958) and Johnston and Kensinger (1971). It has been observed that irrespective of methodology the index of total selection was the highest among Sahariyas while it was the lowest among Mina tribal group. The relative contribution of fertility to the index of total selection has been found exceeding that of mortality among Mina. The reverse appeared true among Kathodis Damors and Garasias. (authors)

Solanum torvum has antioksidan. This study aimed to analyse cytotoxic activity and selectivity index of Solanum torvum on T47D breast cancer cells invitro. Identification of Solanum torvum fruit chemical compounds with LCMS containing Clorogenic acid, 4-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 3-O-feruloyquinic acid, 5-O-feruloylquinic acid, 3-O-feruloylquinic acid, 3,4 - O dicaffeoylquinic acid, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 3-O-feruloylquinic acid, 5-O-feruloylquinic acid, putative dicaffeoylquinic lactone. Cytotoxic assays showed that the Solanum torvum Without Fermentation were IC 50 (IGT) 1111.62μg/ mL, IC 50 (MGT)1889.20μg/mL, IC 50 (EGT) 1171.90μg/mL, IC 50 (FEGT) 305.98 μg/mL. Cytotoxic assays showed that the treatment of fermentation was IC 50 (IBT) 1760.36 μg/mL, IC 50 (MBT) 1631.06 μg/mL, IC 50 (EBT) of 1111.58 μg/mL, IC 50 (FEBT) 39.17μg/mL, IC 50 (FHBT) 85.58 μg/mL. Index of selectivity (IS) Solanum torvum (without fermentation) were IS (IGT) 5.23, IS (MGT) 0.61, IS (EGT) 1.06, IS (FEGT) 1.45. Index of selectivity of Solanum torvum (fermentation treatment) were IS (IBT) 2.41, IS (MBT) 0.78, IS (EBT) 0.18, IS (FEBT) 4.64, IS (FHBT) 1.67. The best results are treatment of ethyl acetate fraction of Solanum torvum (FEBT) has IC 50 was 39.17 μg/mL and Index selectivity was 4.64, declared safe/not toxic to normal cells, thus potentially developed as T47D breast anticancer cells.

Solanum torvum has antioksidan. This study aimed to analyse cytotoxic activity and selectivity index of Solanum torvum on T47D breast cancer cells invitro. Identification of Solanum torvum fruit chemical compounds with LCMS containing Clorogenic acid, 4-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 3-O-feruloyquinic acid, 5-O-feruloylquinic acid, 3-O-feruloylquinic acid, 3,4-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 3-O-feruloylquinic acid, 5-O-feruloylquinic acid, putative dicaffeoylquinic lactone. Cytotoxic assays showed that the Solanum torvum Without Fermentation were IC 50 (IGT) 1111.62 μg/ mL, IC 50 (MGT) 1889.20 μg/mL, IC 50 (EGT) 1171.90 μg/mL, IC 50 (FEGT) 305.98 μg/mL. Cytotoxic assays showed thatthe treatment of fermentation was IC 50 (IBT) 1760.36 μg/mL, IC 50 (MBT) 1631.06 μg/mL, IC 50 (EBT) of 1111.58 μg/mL, IC 50 (FEBT) 39.17μg/mL, IC 50 (FHBT) 85.58 μg/mL. Index of selectivity (IS) Solanum torvum (without fermentation) were IS (IGT) 5.23, IS (MGT) 0.61, IS (EGT) 1.06, IS (FEGT) 1.45. Index of selectivity of Solanum torvum (fermentation treatment) were IS (IBT) 2.41, IS (MBT) 0.78, IS (EBT) 0.18, IS (FEBT) 4.64, IS (FHBT) 1.67. The best results are treatment of ethyl acetate fraction of Solanum torvum(FEBT) has IC 50 was 39.17 μg/mL and Index selectivity was 4.64, declared safe/not toxic to normal cells, thus potentially developed as T47D breast anticancer cells.

Many physiological and anthropological studies have investigated the unique Andean and Himalayan populations that have resided for many hundreds of generations at high altitude (HA). A nonscientific survey of the extant literature reveals a relatively liberal tradition of inferring genetic (evolutionary) adaptation to HA in these groups, often based on limited evidence and/or based on study designs insufficient to fully address the issue. In order to provide some perspective, I review relevant methodological issues that should be considered before evolutionary inference is made. On the whole, this paper takes a conservative stance and cautions against evolutionary inference based on the serious limitations of currently applied research approaches.

This study aims to evaluate the anthropogenic pressure in the St. Lawrence River by assessing the relationships between composition and chemical contamination of sediments and macroinvertebrate community structure using a selection of indices and metrics. The aims of this study are to (i) determine the composition of macroinvertebrate community in sediments across a gradient of disturbance, (ii) select relevant macroinvertebrate indices and metrics for the assessment of sediment quality, (iii) investigate whether responses of selected indices and metrics differ across habitats and/or sediment quality classes, and finally, (iv) determine the thresholds for critical contaminants related to significant changes in the most relevant indices and metrics. Organic and inorganic contaminants as well as other sediment variables (sediment grain size, total organic carbon, nutrients, etc.) and macroinvertebrate assemblages were determined in 59 sites along the river. Fourteen macroinvertebrate indices and metrics, on the 264 initially selected, were shown to be the most effective to be used in bioassessment for the St. Lawrence River. However, the variation in macroinvertebrate indices and metrics remains strongly explained by habitat characteristics, such as sediment grain size or the level of nutrients. There is also an influence of metals and, to a lesser extent, organic contaminants such as petroleum hydrocarbons. The 14 selected indices and metrics are promising bioassessment tools that are easy to use and interpret in an environmental assessment of sediment quality in the St. Lawrence River.

The aim of the study is to develop an effective selective index adapted to the conditions of the country, taking into account the national priorities of consumption of livestock products. Selection indices, which are widely used in de-veloped countries with high scientific and production potential in the field of animal husbandry, have been ana-lyzed. They can be divided into three groups. The first group includes five countries where a simplified version of the calculation of selective indices is used. The second group includes nine countries, which are rather complex for on-line analysis of the selection indices. The third group included countries in the breeding work of which com-bined breeding indices are used. The rating of the most valuable bulls of the Federal state unitary enterprise «Mos-kovskoye» on breeding work made with application of the most widespread selection indexes is given. Selection indices, with the similarity of the methods of their calculation, need some adjustment to be used in our country. A selection index is developed and presented under the name UI (combined index). The developed index UI in 83% of cases coincides with the index ASI (Australia), in the remaining 17% of cases the difference does not exceed 0.5 rank. With the index PIN (England) differences are more significant, in 34% of cases there is a complete coinci-dence of estimates, in 50% – the differences are only 1 rank and only in one case the discrepancy is significant enough. The index of INET (the most frequently used by breeders in Europe) coincides with the evaluation of breeding value of animals in 100% of cases. The new index is supposed to be used in the work with dairy breeds.

The aim and tasks of the study included to evaluate and identify soft spring wheat varieties by selection indices. Material and methods. The researches were conducted during 2014-2015 under conditions of research field of the V.M. Remeslo Myronivka Institute of Wheat of NAAS of Ukraine at the laboratory of spring wheat breeding. 33 varieties of soft spring wheat were evaluated by selection indices: Finn-Scandinavian (FSI) and Mexican (MI) index, index of perceptiveness (IP), linear ear density (LED) and ear density(ED). Results and discussions. Evaluation of soft spring wheat varieties by selective indices allows increasing the efficiency of selections using additional information about the secondary marker traits. Middle straw varieties had the optimal balance between elements of productivity and stem length and were characterized the highest values of the indices. It is important in breeding to use indices including traits that reliably correlate with indicators of crop capacity. FSI (r = 0.77±0.06) and LED (r = 0.74±0.06) were revealed to be the most effective indices in our work, as they were characterized with strong correlation with crop capacity. The rest indices we studied: IP (r = 0.66±0.07), ED (r = 0.52±0.07), MI (r = 0.51±0.07) had middle and moderate correlation with crop capacity, since they were also important. That shows in their favour as informative indicators being suitable to use in breeding practice. Conclusions. Soft spring wheat varieties were identified by complex of selection indices: Venera, Struna myronivs`ka, Aranka, Alliance, Etiud, Krasa Polissia, Simkoda myronivs`ka, Katiusha (UKR), PHRSV-03 (USA), Leguan (CZE), Jasna, Koksa (POL). They are recommended as a sourse material in breeding process for productivity. Correlations between crop capacity and selective indices were analyzed and it was established that the strength of connection between them was various and ranged from moderate to strong.

BACKGROUND:Numerous literature on the migration of Mishings point out to the fact that the Mishing and the Minyong are two culturally and linguistically cognate tribes that co-existed in the same ecology in the hills of Arunachal Pradesh. The Mishing tribe after migration, now inhabits flood-prone areas of Brahmaputra valley of Assam.AIM:The study aims to measure the adaptation process of these two cognate tribes inhabiting two different ecologies at present: Hills and plains by calculating the index of selection intensity by Crow’s and Johnston and Kensinger’s formulae.MATERIALS AND METHODS:The reproductive histories of 77 Mishing mothers of completed fertility inhabiting a flood affected village of Assam and 74 Minyong mothers inhabiting a hilly village of Arunachal Pradesh are selected.RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:The Minyongs show higher average fertility than the Mishings. The proportion of embryonic death is higher, and child death is lower among the Mishings (0.1661; 0.1623) than the Minyongs (0.1319; 0.2238). The index of selection due to mortality component is contributing more toward the total index of selection in both the tribes.CONCLUSION:The contribution of mortality component is sizeable to the total selection like many other tribes of North-East India. Higher proportion of embryonic deaths among the Mishings infers that the causes are mostly biological whereas, the higher proportion of child deaths among the Minyongs infers that the causes are mostly socio-cultural.