Genetic Relationships and Population Structure among Nigerian Ethnic Groups (Ibibio, Igbo, Hausa, Tiv and Yoruba) Based on Nine DNA Loci

Context Population-specific characteristics play a crucial role in shaping the behavior of human genotypes and phenotypes. Examining genetic relationships between populations provides insight into patterns of genetic change over time. Such comparisons help identify factors that may have influenced the evolution of specific traits, genotypes, and the overall genetic diversity of populations. Despite Nigeria’s ethnic diversity, the genetic diversity of these groups remains largely undefined. Short tandem repeat (STR) markers offer a powerful tool for characterizing such diversity. Aims To determine the genetic relationships between the Igbo, Ibibio, Yoruba, Tiv, and Hausa ethnic groups using nine autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) DNA markers. Settings and Design An observational study involving 250 consenting participants from five major Nigerian ethnic groups. Methods and Materials Participants of Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, Ibibio, and Tiv ethnic origin were randomly selected from their native communities across Nigeria. DNA Extraction: Performed on whole blood using commercial DNA extraction kits. STR Analysis: Nine autosomal STR loci were amplified using PCR and analyzed via electrophoresis. Allele Interpretation: Allele types and sizes were read, recorded, and scored for each individual across all loci. Statistical Analysis Allele frequencies, population pairwise genetic distances (FST and RST), analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), and principal component analysis (PCA) were computed using GenAlEx v6.502. Results Fixation index (FST) values ranged from 0.001 to 0.500 across the populations. AMOVA revealed that 99.98% of total genetic variation occurred within individuals, while only 0.10% occurred among populations. PCA identified four heterogeneous genetic clusters, with the first three axes accounting for 32.86% of genetic variation. Conclusions Genetic relationships among the Igbo, Ibibio, Yoruba, Tiv, and Hausa closely mirrored their linguistic classifications. This suggests that language may have influenced historical patterns of interaction, gene flow, and ultimately the genetic structure of these populations.

Objective To investigate the characteristics and causes of allelic drop-out at the autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) loci, and to explore the confirmation strategy of suspected mutations at the STR loci alleles in paternity. Methods From January to June 2017, nine family members from 3 families of three-banded patterns at Shenzhen Blood Center were selected as subjects. Subject inclusion criteria: subjects′ initial test results of the STR loci alleles did not conform to the Mendels laws of genetics, which were suspected allelic drop-out at STR loci. GlobalFiler™ Express kits from ABI, USA were initially used to detect genotype of 21 autosomal STR loci alleles from all blood spot samples. All blood spot samples suspected for having allelic drop-out were verified with the PowerPlex® 21 kits from Promega, USA. Supplemental experiment was used human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A/-B/-C/-DR/-DQB1 loci genotype test results with PCR-sequence-based typing (SBT) method, and then the haplotype of the subjects was deduced by the family analysis to complete the individual identification verification. This study met the requirements of World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki revised in 2013. Informed consent was obtained from every subject. Results ① In this study, the allelic drop-out in 6 subjects occurred in 3 STR loci of CSF1PO, D1S165 and TH01, respectively, and the number of mutation steps were different. These allelic drop-out could be either paternal or maternal. ② In family 1, the initial test result of CSF1PO locus was homozygous in both mother and child. The verification test result of CSF1PO locus was heterozygous, and allelic drop 10-locus were confirmed. ③ In family 2, the initial test result of D1S165 locus was homozygous in both child and father. The verification test result of D1S165 locus was heterozygous, and allelic drop-out 16-locus was confirmed. ④ In family 3, the initial test result of TH01 locus was homozygous in both the mother and child. The verification test result of TH01 locus was heterozygous, and allelic drop-out 9-locus was confirmed. ⑤ Twelve HLA-A/-B/-C/-DRB1/-DQB1 loci haplotypes were detected in the DNA samples of 9 subjects, and the HLA locus haplotypes were detected in accordance with Mendels laws of genetics. Conclusions For the suspected STR allelic mutations in STR composite amplification, a single test has the possibility of allelic drop-out risk. Different kits could be used to verify the authenticity of allele mutations, and more reliable results could be obtained. Key words: Loss of heterozygosity; Alleles; Tandem repeat sequences; HLA antigens; Paternity

In present study, the genetic polymorphisms of 22 autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) loci were analyzed in 496 unrelated Chinese Xinjiang Hui individuals. These autosomal STR loci were multiplex amplified and genotyped based on a novel STR panel. There were 246 observed alleles with the allele frequencies ranging from 0.0010 to 0.3609. All polymorphic information content values were higher than 0.7. The combined power of discrimination and the combined probability of exclusion were 0.999999999999999999999999999426766 and 0.999999999860491, respectively. Based on analysis of molecular variance method, genetic differentiation analysis between the Xinjiang Hui and other reported groups were conducted at these 22 loci. The results indicated that there were no significant differences in statistics between Hui group and Northern Han group (including Han groups from Hebei, Henan, Shaanxi provinces), and significant deviations with Southern Han group (including those from Guangdong, Guangxi provinces) at 7 loci, and Uygur group at 10 loci. To sum up, these 22 autosomal STR loci were high genetic polymorphic in Xinjiang Hui group.

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between board ethnicity and sustainability reporting of listed deposit money banks in Nigeria from the period 2013–2020. The study examined the impact board members’ interaction from major and minor ethnic groups have on the sustainability reporting of listed deposit money banks. Secondary data was collected from annual reports and account of listed deposit money banks from the Nigeria Stock Exchange website. Results from the panel least squares regression revealed that the proportion of directors from HAUSA ethnic group have a positive influence on sustainability reporting; while the proportion of directors from YORUBA ethnic group negatively affects sustainability reporting. Furthermore, on the example of major and minor ethnic groups, it was found that the presence of directors from HAUSA and YORUBA ethnic groups; and HAUSA, YORUBA, IGBO and MINOR ethnic groups have negative and significant impact on sustainability reporting of listed deposit money banks in Nigeria. The study concluded that banks should employ the services of directors from both major and minor ethnic groups to improve the extent of sustainability reporting. Also, financial institutions, specifically deposit money banks should increase the representation of directors from IGBO and MINOR ethnic groups.

Population genetic data of 22 autosomal STR loci for the Mong people in Vietnam.

Background: Short tandem repeat (STR) markers are extensively being used for human identification as well as paternity and forensic analysis of biological evidence. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the allelic frequencies and several forensic and paternity parameters of 15 autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) loci D3S1358, D16S5391, D7S820, D8S1179, D21S11, D18S51, D5S818, D13S317, FGA, THO1, TPOX, CSF1PO, vWA , D2S1338, and D19S433 in the Iranian population. Methods: Estimation of allelic frequencies and several forensic and paternity parameters of 15 STR loci were performed with the AmpFLSTR Identifilerr kit (Applied Biosystems) for 274 unrelated individuals living in Iran. Results: No deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was found in any loci studied in this population. Among the 15 STR loci analyzed in the Iranian sample, the most discriminating loci were D21S11, D2S1338, D19S433, D18S51 and FGA with the highest power of discrimination. The allelic distribution also was compared to 13 other populations including 3 Iranian population living in Syria, Dubai, the USA and in Fars province and 8 population from published studies of Azerbaijan, Bolu in Turkey, Morocco, Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, East Anatolia, and Pakistan. Conclusions: It was concluded that the population of present study had the least similarity with Azerbyjani (11 loci) and most similarity with the Iranian population in USA (15 loci).

The short tandem repeat (STR) loci used in human genetic studies are characterized by having relatively high mutation rates. In particular, to ensure an appropriate evaluation of genetic evidence in parentage and forensic analyses, it is essential to have accurate estimates of the mutation rates associated with the commonly used autosomal and sex chromosome STR loci. Differences in STR mutation rates between different ethnic groups should also be determined. Mutation data from two laboratories working with different ethnic groups were extracted from many meiotic transmissions ascertained for 15 autosomal STR loci currently used in forensic routine. Forty-five thousand and eighty-five trios were checked for the biological consistency of maternity and paternity through the analysis of a minimum of 15 loci. Mutations were scored as paternal, maternal, or ambiguous according to the most parsimonious explanation for the inconsistency, using always the least requiring hypothesis in terms of number of repeat differences. The main findings are: (a) the overall mutation rate across the 15 loci was 9.78 × 10(-4) per gamete per generation (95% CI = 9.30 × 10(-4)-1.03 × 10(-3)), and with just 48 (out of 1,587) exceptions, all of the mutations were single-step; (b) repeat gains were more frequent than losses; (c) longer alleles were found to be more mutable; and (d) the mutation rates differ at some loci between the two ethnic groups. Large worldwide meiotic transmission datasets are still needed to measure allele-specific mutation rates at the STR loci consensually used in forensic genetics.

In the present study, we investigated the genetic characteristics of 25 Y-chromosomal and 15 autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) loci in 305 unrelated Han Chinese male individuals from Liaoning Province using AmpFISTR® Yfiler® Plus and IdentifilerTM PCR amplification kits. Population comparison was performed between Liaoning Han population and different ethnic groups to better understand the genetic background of the Liaoning Han population. For Y-STR loci, the overall haplotype diversity was 0.9997 and the discrimination capacity was 0.9607. Gene diversity values ranged from 0.4525 (DYS391) to 0.9617 (DYS385). Rst and two multi-dimensional scaling plots showed that minor differences were observed when the Liaoning Han population was compared to the Jilin Han Chinese, Beijing Han Chinese, Liaoning Manchu, Liaoning Mongolian, Liaoning Xibe, Shandong Han Chinese, Jiangsu Han Chinese, Anhui Han Chinese, Guizhou Han Chinese and Liaoning Hui populations; by contrast, major differences were observed when the Shanxi Han Chinese, Yunnan Bai, Jiangxi Han Chinese, Guangdong Han Chinese, Liaoning Korean, Hunan Tujia, Guangxi Zhuang, Gansu Tibetan, Xishuangbanna Dai, South Korean, Japanese and Hunan Miao populations. For autosomal STR loci, DP ranged from 0.9621 (D2S1338) to 0.8177 (TPOX), with PE distributing from 0.7521 (D18S51) to 0.2988 (TH01). A population comparison was performed and no statistically significant differences were detected at any STR loci between Liaoning Han, China Dong, and Shaanxi Han populations. The results showed that the 25 Y-STR and 15 autosomal STR loci in the Liaoning Han population were valuable for forensic applications and human genetics, and Liaoning Han was an independent endogenous ethnicity with a unique subpopulation structure.

AimTo present the results obtained in the identification of human remains from World War II found in two mass graves in Ljubuški, Bosnia and Herzegovina.MethodsSamples from 10 skeletal remains were collected. Teeth and femoral fragments were collected from 9 skeletons and only a femoral fragment from 1 skeleton. DNA was isolated from bone and teeth samples using an optimized phenol/chloroform DNA extraction procedure. All samples required a pre-extraction decalcification with EDTA and additional post-extraction DNA purification using filter columns. Additionally, DNA from 12 reference samples (buccal swabs from potential living relatives) was extracted using the Qiagen DNA extraction method. QuantifilerTM Human DNA Quantification Kit was used for DNA quantification. PowerPlex ESI kit was used to simultaneously amplify 15 autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) loci, and PowerPlex Y23 was used to amplify 23 Y chromosomal STR loci. Matching probabilities were estimated using a standard statistical approach.ResultsA total of 10 samples were processed, 9 teeth and 1 femoral fragment. Nine of 10 samples were profiled using autosomal STR loci, which resulted in useful DNA profiles for 9 skeletal remains. A comparison of established victims' profiles against a reference sample database yielded 6 positive identifications.ConclusionDNA analysis may efficiently contribute to the identification of remains even seven decades after the end of the World War II. The significant percentage of positively identified remains (60%), even when the number of the examined possible living relatives was relatively small (only 12), proved the importance of cooperation with the members of the local community, who helped to identify the closest missing persons’ relatives and collect referent samples from them.

This study was carried out to assess the application value of 19 autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) loci of GoldenEye 20A kit, in which 13 combined DNA index system core STR loci and PentaE, PentaD, D2S1338, D19S433, D12S391, and D6S1043 of six STR loci could be used in forensic paternity testing in Chinese population. We amplified the genomic DNA from blood samples on FTA paper of 289 paternity testing cases by using the GoldenEye 20A kit. The amplified products were detected by capillary electrophoresis, and then the genotypes of 20 genetic markers including 19 STR loci as well as Amelogenin for sex determination were analyzed by GeneMapper v3.2 and GeneMarker HID Software. The results of genotypes were compared to the three commonly used commercial kits including AmpFℓSTR Identifiler, PowerPlex16, and AmpFℓSTR Sinofiler kits. Compared to the three other common commercial kits, the GoldenEye 20A kit had higher value of combined paternity index in certainty of paternity or non-exclusion paternity cases, and more numbers of STR loci were excluded in exclusionary paternity cases. Our data in this study showed that the GoldenEye 20A kit has a higher application value in forensic paternity testing and will be of help for kinship analysis.

To study genetic polymorphisms of 23 autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) loci among ethnic Han Chinese from southern China. The 23 autosomal STR loci among 331 unrelated healthy Han Chinese from southern China were genotyped with fluorescent multiplex amplification and capillary electrophoresis. Genetic parameters were subjected to statistical analysis. In total 265 alleles and 890 genotypes were detected for the 23 STR loci. The numbers of alleles were 5-22, allelic frequency was 0.0015-0.5483, heterozygosity was 0.5891-0.9124, power of discrimination was 0.7818-0.9831, polymorphic information content was 0.5425-0.9031, probability of exclusion for trio-paternity testing was 0.2780-0.8208, and probability of exclusion for duo-paternity testing was 0.193-0.693. The combined power of discrimination was over 0.999 999 999 999 99, the combined probability of exclusion for trio-paternity identification was 0.999 999 999 729 813, and the combined probability of exclusion for duo-paternity identification was 0.999 999 207 508 474, respectively. The 23 STR loci showed no significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg disequilibrium after Bonferroni correction (P> 0.05). The 23 autosomal STR loci were highly polymorphic among ethnic Han Chinese from southern China, which showed a high efficiency for paternity testing, personal identification and population genetics.

In the present study, we reported the allele frequencies for new 21 autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) loci, including D6S474, D12ATA63, D22S1045, D10S1248, D1S1677, D11S4463, D1S1627, D3S4529, D2S441, D6S1017, D4S2408, D19S433, D17S1301, D1GATA113, D18S853, D20S482, D14S1434, D9S1122, D2S1776, D10S1435 and D5S2500 loci. Forensic statistical parameters were estimated from a sample set of 120 unrelated healthy individuals from the Salar ethnic group in Xunhua Salar Autonomous County of Qinghai province, China. A total of 151 alleles were observed at 21 STR loci in the population, and their allele frequencies were in the range of 0.004-0.554. All STR loci showed a high degree of genetic polymorphisms, and the combined probability of exclusion, combined power of discrimination and combined probability of matching for all 21 STR loci were 0.9999993134, 0.99999999999999999991739 and 8.2607 × 10(-20), respectively. For all the 21 STR loci in the Salar ethnic group, the observed genotypic data showed no significant deviation from those expected under the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The allele frequency distributions for the 21 autosomal STR loci were compared between the Salar group and its neighboring populations and significant differences were detected among these populations at D1S1677, D2S441, D3S4529, D4S2408, D6S1017, D11S4463, D12ATA63, D14S14343, D18S853, D19S433 and D22S1045 loci.

To analyze genetic polymorphisms of 21 autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) loci from Quanzhou Han Chinese groups using a GlobalFiler kit, and to assess its value for forensic practice. For 402 unrelated Han individuals, allelic frequencies of 21 autosomal STR loci were determined by using the GlobalFiler kit. Genetic parameters of the 21 STR loci were calculated. No deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was observed for the 21 loci. Most of the loci were highly polymorphic. Observed heterozygosity has ranged from 0.637 to 0.945, power of discrimination has ranged from 0.801 to 0.991, polymorphism information content has ranged from 0.570 to 0.940, power of exclusion was between 0.337 to 0.888, and match probability was between 0.009 to 0.199. GlobalFiler kit has a high value for personal identification and paternity testing for Han Chinese from Quanzhou.


 
 
 
 Background: Fetal ultrasound-estimated cephalic index refers to the ratio of the fetal biparietal diameter (BPD) to the occipito-frontal diameter (OFD) by means of ultrasound estimation. The cephalic index is regarded as a useful anthropometric variable in medicine, forensic science and anthropology. There is limited data on the cephalic indices of Nigerian fetuses
 Objective: To check for variations of prenatal ultrasound-estimated cephalic indices between fetuses of Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa ancestry.
 Methodology: In a cross sectional study carried out in ultrasound diagnostic centres in Lagos, Enugu and Kano, all in Nigeria, fetal biparietal and occipitofrontal diameters were obtained from 200 fetuses each of Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa ethnic groups. The cephalic index was calculated for each group. The values were statistically analysed after deriving the relevant indices.
 Result: The fetal cephalic indices for Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa ethnic groups were observed to be 80 ± 3.4, 79.1 ± 5.1 and 78.4 ± 2.6 %, respectively.
 Conclusion: The results showed that fetuses of Igbo ancestry had a different cephalic index categorization from other ethnic groups. This knowledge will be useful to sonographers and researchers.
 
 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 Background: Fetal ultrasound-estimated cephalic index refers to the ratio of the fetal biparietal diameter (BPD) to the occipito-frontal diameter (OFD) by means of ultrasound estimation. The cephalic index is regarded as a useful anthropometric variable in medicine, forensic science and anthropology. There is limited data on the cephalic indices of Nigerian fetuses
 Objective: To check for variations of prenatal ultrasound-estimated cephalic indices between fetuses of Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa ancestry.
 Methodology: In a cross sectional study carried out in ultrasound diagnostic centres in Lagos, Enugu and Kano, all in Nigeria, fetal biparietal and occipitofrontal diameters were obtained from 200 fetuses each of Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa ethnic groups. The cephalic index was calculated for each group. The values were statistically analysed after deriving the relevant indices.
 Result: The fetal cephalic indices for Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa ethnic groups were observed to be 80 ± 3.4, 79.1 ± 5.1 and 78.4 ± 2.6 %, respectively.
 Conclusion: The results showed that fetuses of Igbo ancestry had a different cephalic index categorization from other ethnic groups. This knowledge will be useful to sonographers and researchers.