Berber Population Research Articles

AncestryGrapher toolkit: Python command-line pipelines to visualize global- and local- ancestry inferences from the RFMIX version 2 software.

Admixture is a fundamental process that has shaped levels and patterns of genetic variation in human populations. RFMIX version 2 (RFMIX2) utilizes a robust modeling approach to identify the genetic ancestries in admixed populations. However, this software does not have a built-in method to visually summarize the results of analyses. Here, we introduce the AncestryGrapher toolkit, which converts the numerical output of RFMIX2 into graphical representations of global and local ancestry (i.e. the per-individual ancestry components and the genetic ancestry along chromosomes, respectively). To demonstrate the utility of our methods, we applied the AncestryGrapher toolkit to visualize the global and local ancestry of individuals in the North African Mozabite Berber population from the Human Genome Diversity Panel. Our results showed that the Mozabite Berbers derived their ancestry from the Middle East, Europe, and sub-Saharan Africa (global ancestry). We also found that the population origin of ancestry varied considerably along chromosomes (local ancestry). For example, we observed variance in local ancestry in the genomic region on Chromosome 2 containing the regulatory sequence in the MCM6 gene associated with lactase persistence, a human trait tied to the cultural development of adult milk consumption. Overall, the AncestryGrapher toolkit facilitates the exploration, interpretation, and reporting of ancestry patterns in human populations. The AncestryGrapher toolkit is free and open source on https://github.com/alisi1989/RFmix2-Pipeline-to-plot.

Animal Consumption at Hospital de San Martín (Gran Canaria): First Zooarchaeological Analysis in the Modern Era of the Canary Islands (Fifteenth-Eighteenth Centuries CE)

AbstractThe Canary Islands were initially colonized around 200 CE by North African Berber populations who brought with them domestic plants and animals. These communities remained isolated until the arrival of Europeans in the Late Middle Ages which triggered the conquest of the archipelago. Its geostrategic location in the framework of Atlantic expansion facilitated the arrival of people, knowledge, goods, plants, and animals which served to shape the new Canarian society. This study explores the dietary practices of this period through the zooarchaeological analysis of the faunal remains recovered at the Hospital de San Martín (fifteenth to the eighteenth centuries), Las Palmas (Gran Canaria, Spain). Our results suggest that caprines were the main taxa consumed. This follows both the pre-colonial Indigenous tradition and, according to historical sources, the subsequent European period. The faunal assemblage recovered also reveals the first directly radiocarbon-dated cases in the Canary Islands of three hitherto unknown species: cattle, chicken, and rabbit. Moreover, the results evidence a progressive increase throughout the Modern Era of chicken and rabbit, and that translocating these new species to the archipelago during the European expansion led to a diversification of meat resources.

Molecular Docking, Tyrosinase, Collagenase, and Elastase Inhibition Activities of Argan By-Products

The argan tree (Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels) is one of the most important floristic resources in Morocco. This Moroccan endemic tree is known for its numerous therapeutic and medicinal uses. In addition to some medicinal and cosmetic uses, argan fruit pulp and press cake are traditionally used by the Berber population for heating and feeding livestock. Molecular docking is an in silico approach that predicts the interaction between a ligand and a protein. This approach is mainly used in chemistry and pharmacology of natural products as a prediction tool with the purpose of selecting plant extracts or fractions for in vitro tests. The aim of this research is to study the evaluation of potential tyrosinase, collagenase, and elastase inhibitory activities of argan fruit press-cake and pulp extracts. Extracts were evaluated for their total phenolic content (TPC), and the major polyphenols of both press-cake and pulp extracts were submitted to molecular docking in order to determine the mechanisms of action of these compounds. Obtained results revealed that fruit pulp had the strongest dermocosmetic activities, as well as the highest TPC, with values above 55 mg gallic-acid equivalent per gram of dry matter (mgeq AG/gDM). Moreover, those results were positively correlated with the docking findings, suggesting that the pulp lead compounds have higher affinity with tyrosinase, collagenase, and elastase action sites. The results here presented are very promising and open new perspectives for the exploitation of argan-tree by-products as cosmetic agents towards the development of new anti-aging products.

Combining RSPH9 founder mutation screening and next-generation sequencing analysis is efficient for primary ciliary dyskinesia diagnosis in Saudi patients

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous ciliopathy. Dysfunction of motile respiratory and nodal cilia results in sinopulmonary symptoms associated with laterality defects (LD) found in half of the patients. The molecular basis of the disease is insufficiently investigated in patients originating from the Arabian Peninsula. In a group of 16 unrelated Saudi patients clinically suspected of PCD and among whom only 5 (31%) had LD, we first screened by PCR-RFLP two founder mutations, RSPH9 c.804_806del and CCDC39 c.2190del previously identified in patients from the Arabian Peninsula and Tunisia, respectively. When negative, targeted panel or whole-exome sequencing was performed. Three patients were homozygous for the mutation in RSPH9, which encodes an axonemal protein that is absent from nodal cilia. None of the patients carried the CCDC39 founder mutation frequent in Tunisia. NGS analysis showed that nine patients had homozygous mutations in PCD genes. In total, sequential RFLP and NGS analysis solved 75% (12/16) of cases and identified ten distinct mutations, among which six are novel, in nine different genes. These results, which highlight the genetic heterogeneity of PCD in Saudi Arabia, show that the RSPH9 c.804_806del mutation is a prevalent mutation among Saudi patients, whereas the CCDC39 c.2190del ancestral allele is most likely related to the Berber population. This study shows that RSPH9 founder mutation first-line screening and NGS analysis is efficient for the genetic exploration of PCD in Saudi patients. The RSPH9 founder mutation accounts for the low rate of LD among Saudi patients.

Deep analysis of the LRTOMTc.242G>A variant in non-syndromic hearing loss North African patients and the Berber population: Implications for genetic diagnosis and genealogical studies.

Autosomal recessive non‐syndromic hearing loss (ARNSHL) is the most common inherited sensory impairment. It is particularly frequent in North African populations who have a high rate of consanguineous marriage. The c.242G>A homozygous variant in LRTOMT gene was previously established as pathogenic and is associated with NSHL in both humans and mice. The aim of this study is to determine the carrier frequency for the LRTOMT c.242G>A variant and also to estimate its age in addition to evaluating its diagnostic potential as a deafness biomarker among various populations and ethnicities in Northern African countries. A total of 179 Tunisian and 34 Libyan unrelated deafness patients were screened for this variant. The homozygous c.242G>A variant was found in 5.02% and 2.94% in Tunisian and Libyan families, respectively. Subsequent screening for this variant in 263 healthy controls of various ethnicities (136 Tunisian Berbers, 32 Andalusian and 95 Tunisian from undefined ethnic origin) revealed higher frequency for the heterozygous state among Tunisians of Berber origin only (19.11%). Genotyping 7 microsatellite markers nearby the variant location in ARNSHL patients who had the homozygous variant revealed the same haplotype suggesting a common founder origin for this variant. The age of this variant was estimated to be between 2025 and 3425 years (this corresponds to 3400 years when the variant rate was set at 10−3 or 2600 years when the variant rate is set at 10−2), spreading along with the Berber population who migrated to North Africa. In conclusion, the LRTOMT c.242G>A homozygous variant could be used as a useful deafness biomarker for North African ARNSHL patients meanwhile the heterozygous variant could be utilized in genealogical studies for tracing those of the Berber ethnic group.

Age at Onset of LRRK2 p.Gly2019Ser Is Related to Environmental and Lifestyle Factors.

The effect of environmental and lifestyle factors on patients with LRRK2 (leucine-rich repeat kinase 2) p.Gly2019Ser (LRRK2+ /PD+ ) compared to idiopathic PD (iPD) has yet to be thoroughly investigated. In a homogeneous Tunisian Arab Berber population, we recruited 200 idiopathic PD and 199 LRRK2 p.Gly2019Ser mutation carriers, of whom 142 had PD (LRRK2+ /PD+ ) and 57 were unaffected (LRRK2+ /PD- ). Case report form (CRF) questionnaires (motor and non-motor symptoms) including the Geoparkinson Questionnaire were used to assess environmental and lifestyle factors. In LRRK2+ /PD+ , tobacco use was significantly associated with a later median age at onset (AAO). The median AAO was 60 years (interquartile range = 52-67.25) for tobacco users, compared to 52 years (interquartile range = 45.25-61) for non-users (P = 0.0042 at adjusted α = 0.025). Additionally, we observed an independent but additive effect of black tea consumption and tobacco use. Our data suggest that tobacco and black tea have a protective effect on age at onset in LRRK2+ /PD+ . © 2020 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Equality and Gender at Work in Islam: The Case of the Berber Population of the High Atlas Mountains

This article investigates how religion-based social norms and values shape women’s access to employment in Muslim-majority countries. It develops a religiously sensitive conceptualization of the differential valence of genders based on respect, which serves to (re)produce inequality. Drawing on an ethnographic study of work practice in Berber communities in Morocco, aspects of respect are analyzed through an honor–shame continuum that serves to moralize and mediate gender relations. The findings show that respect and shame function as key inequality-(re)producing mechanisms. The dynamic interrelationship between respect and shame has implications for how we understand the ways in which gender inequality is institutionalized and (re)produced across different levels. Through these processes, gender-differentiated forms of respect become inscribed in organizational structures and practices, engendering persistent inequality.

PROBLEMS OF THE ARABIC LITERARY LANGUAGE IN MOROCCO AND THEIR SOLUTION AT ABDELMALIK AL-SAADI UNIVERSITY (TETUAN)

The article considers the language situation in modern Morocco, as well as the place of the Arabic literary language in the whole social and communicative system of Moroccan society, its problems and ways of their solution. The role of the Arabic language as an important factor in strengthening and preserving the unity of the Arab nation and its historical Arab-Muslim identity is enshrined in the Moroccan Constitution. However, the multiethnic composition of Moroccan society and the desire of the indigenous Berber population to strengthen the role of the Amazigh language in all spheres of life, the colonial past and still strong position of French and Spanish associated with it, as well as the active penetration of the English language – all these create certain difficulties for the Arabic literary language to be used in other spheres but assigned (religion, media, publishing industry, international contacts, education and a number of others). High-level educational institutions are called upon to solve the emerging problems and minimize the challenges faced by the Arabic literary language in Moroccan society. Among such institutions, Abdelmalik al-Saadi University in Tetuan occupies an important place. Its faculty of Literature and Humanities, the faculty of the Foundations of Religion and the Dialogue of Civilizations, as well as the King Fahd Graduate School of translation in Tangier, have developed unique Arabic language programs training specialists for scientific, cultural and social spheres of life and activities. These programs allow not only to master the Arabic literary language, but also to actively use it in the era of modern technology.

Shouting the Qur’an: exuberance and playfulness in the taḥzzabt – collective recitation – in Morocco

ABSTRACT Collective recitations of the Qur’an are a traditional cultural and religious expression in Morocco that are praised and promoted by religious authorities. Among tamazight-speaking (Berber) populations of southern Morocco, a singular expression of this tradition, the taḥzzabt, attracts controversy and criticism. Whereas conventional collective recitations of the Qur’an are relatively static, and smooth, the taḥzzabt is energetic and rough, as well as loud, rising towards a perfectly synchronised crescendo. The high volume of the taḥzzabt is, in fact, an exuberant, collective approach to declaiming the sacred text. Taḥzzabt recitations are driven by a spirit of competition, celebration, and playfulness, and above all a desire to demonstrate flawless memorisation of the Qur’an. This article describes and contextualises this vocal practice, illustrating both its complexity and its ambivalence as a religious phenomenon and exploring the correlation between its aesthetic qualities and the anthropological factors that underlie it.

Colonial al-Andalus: Spain and the Making of Modern Moroccan Culture Culture by Eric Calderwood

Reviewed by: Colonial al-Andalus: Spain and the Making of Modern Moroccan Culture Culture by Eric Calderwood Adolfo Campoy Calderwood, Eric. Colonial al-Andalus: Spain and the Making of Modern Moroccan Culture Culture. Belknap Press of Harvard UP, 2018. 400 pp. Colonial al-Andalus offers a well-documented and fascinating account of the interaction between Spanish colonialism and Moroccan nationalism. Calder-wood traces some of the key tropes of Moroccan nationalism to the Spanish Africanista discourse developed during the second half of the nineteenth century. The book focuses on the different political iterations of Al-Andalus and andalusí cultural identity by the Moroccan nationalists and the Spanish colonial authorities before, during, and after the Spanish Protectorate of Morocco. Calderwood's central thesis in this book, that Moroccan nationalism appropriated the central tenets of Spanish colonial discourse to articulate its own narrative of the cultural origins of the Moroccan nation, is both provocative and insightful. As he explains, Francoism emphasized the importance of the Andalusi past shared by both nations to justify Spain's suitability as the colonizer of Morocco. Moroccan nationalists, on the other hand, embraced the myth of the Andalusi origins of the Moroccan nation and proceeded to present themselves as the true representatives of this cultural tradition. The origin of Moroccan nationalism has been a point of contention for quite some time. Early post-independence historical accounts like Alal AlFassi's The Independence Movements in Arab North Africa (1970) and Abdullah Laroui's Origines culturelles et politiques du nationalism marocain (1977) privileged an idealized pre-colonial past as the origin of Moroccan nationalism and emphasized the contribution of the urban Arab elites to the movement. Edmund Burke highlighted the importance of the political role played by [End Page 575] rural Berber populations in his Prelude to Protectorate in Morocco: Precolonial Protest and Resistance, 1860–1912 (1976). Other accounts like John P. Halstead's Rebirth of a Nation (1967) and more recently Jonathan Wyrtzen's Making of Morocco (2015) have emphasized that Moroccan nationalism originated as a backlash against the Berber Dahir instituted in 1930 by the French colonial administration. According to this account, the effort to drive a wedge between the Arab and Berber populations that characterized this legislation backfired uniting all Moroccans in a shared nationalist movement. Finally, new accounts like Daniel Zisenwine's The Emergence of Nationalist Politics in Morocco (2010) argues that Moroccan nationalism is really a much later development that appears after World War II. As Edmund Burke acknowledges, "colonial and nationalist histories are deeply imbricated in one another" in that "both derive from post-Enlightenment thought" (11). I would hasten to add that postcolonial histories have equally been indebted to Post-Enlightenment thought in that they have, for the most part, ignored any elements that contributed to the articulation of Moroccan nationalist discourse other than definitions of the modern nation/state informed by the French Revolution. This teleological account of Moroccan nationalism has been criticized by, among others by Moroccan historian Muhammad El Mansour in his article "Moroccan Historiography since Independence" (1997) for its deliberate attempt to ignore the role played by nationalist leaders of the Spanish zone like Abdessalam Bennuna, Abd al-Khaliq al-Turris, or Muhammad Dawud. Calderwood's contribution provides a much-needed account of the extent to which Spanish narratives of shared cultural affinity with the Andalusi civilization, particularly as developed during the Francoist regime, influenced and became a corner stone of Moroccan nationalist discourse. As Calderwood explains, the crosspollination between Spanish colonialist ideologues and Moroccan nationalist was, of course, deeply informed by strategic calculations on both sides. Many of the early leaders of the nationalist movement initially presented themselves as reformers rather than advocates for independence trusting that with the arrival of the Spanish II Republic they would be able to increase their role the government of the Protectorate. The Spanish Civil War and the consolidation in power of General Francisco Franco marked the beginning of the radicalization of Moroccan nationalist discourse. The Francoist regime had chosen to undertake pro-Arab policies in order to counter French colonial policy of divide and conquer based on emphasizing ethnic differences between the Berber and the Arab population. Franco sought to...

Religion as Resistance: Negotiating Authority in Italian Libya

Religion as Resistance: Negotiating Authority in Italian Libya

Haemoglobin D-Ouled Rabah among the Mozabites: a relevant variant to trace the origin of Berber-speaking populations.

We have studied haemoglobin (Hb) variants and blood groups (ABO, RH, and Kell) in 598 children from the Berber population of the Mzab. Hb D-Ouled Rabah, considered as a private marker of the Kel Kummer Tuaregs, and Hb C were found at the same gene frequency (0.015). Haplotype analysis suggests a single origin to the Hb D mutation. Genetic distances calculated from the blood group data cluster Mozabites and Tuaregs with the other Berber-speaking groups, Arabic-speaking populations being more distant. But, we found no specific relationship between Mozabites and Kel Kummers. Tuaregs in general exhibit features that tend to differentiate them from other Berber-speaking groups. Hb D-Ouled Rabah may be specific of Berber-speaking populations.

Anti-ulcerogenic and proton pump (H+, K+ ATPase) inhibitory activity of Clematis flammula L. extract

Clematis flammula L. (CF) (Ranunculaceae) is widely used traditionally by native Berber populations in Algeria to treat gastrointestinal disorders. The present study was conducted to assess the gastroprotective properties and the underlying mechanisms of CF leaves ethanolic extract (CFEE) in four ulcer models in mice. After total phenol quantification, the gastro-protective effect of the CFEE was evaluated by macroscopic and microscopic analyses, investigation of antioxidant (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH) and pro-oxidant (malondialdehyde (MDA)) parameters. Furthermore, the impact of CFEE pre-treatment on mucus level, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and gastric proton pump (H+/K+-ATPase) activities was determined. Pro-kinetic properties were also assessed.Pharmacological investigation of CFEE showed a dose-dependent gastro-protective potential in different ulceration models, in close correlation with its high antioxidant activity (SOD, CAT and GSH). The most interesting underlying mechanisms were a remarkable reduction of MPO and proton pump activities (90 and 99% inhibition, respectively). Histological examination confirmed the preventive action of CFEE against offensive agents associated with increased mucus production and reduced gastric emptying and intestinal motility.Our findings provide a scientific basis for the ethno-pharmacological purpose of the studied plant.

Mitochondrial DNA structure of an isolated Tunisian Berber population and its relationship with Mediterranean populations

Background: Douiret is an isolated Berber population from South-Eastern Tunisia. The strong geographic and cultural isolation characterising this population might have contributed to remarkable endogamy and consanguinity, which were practiced for several centuries.Aim: The objective of this study is to evaluate the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genetic structure of Douiret and to compare it to other Mediterranean populations with a special focus on major haplogroup T.Subjects and methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples of 58 unrelated individuals collected from the different patrilineal lineages of the population. The hypervariable region 1 of the mtDNA was amplified and sequenced. For comparative analyses, additional HVS1 sequences (n = 4857) were compiled from previous studies.Results: The maternal background of the studied sample from Douiret was mainly of Eurasian origin (74%) followed by Sub-Saharan (17%) and North African (3%) lineages. Douiret harbours the highest frequency of haplogroup T in the Mediterranean region, assigned to the unique subclade T1a (38%). Phylogenetic analysis showed an outlier position of Douiret at the Mediterranean level.Conclusions: The genetic structure of Douiret highlights the presence of founders, most likely of Near/Middle Eastern origin, who conquered this area during the Middle/Late Upper Palaeolithic and Neolithic dispersals.

The Berber question and the self-identity problem of the North African indigenous population in the context of contemporary Algerian society

The Berber question in Algeria, which history goes back to the colonial period, now draws increasing attention to itself. The international media, illuminating the Berber question, inclines to conclusions about the real danger of a split in the society and the possible secession of some regions with high Berber population density. The article reviews the reasons for the occurrence of the ideas of Berber regionalism and autonomism. It also estimates the risks of such events for the integrity of contemporary Algerian society. The author analyzes the degree of disunity of modern Algerian society on the basis of the national-ethnic principle and comes to the conclusion that the Algerian society is sufficiently consolidated. The Berber identity today is built on the attitude to the general social and economic problems existing in remote regions. The author suggests that the Berber issue aggravation is connected with the desire of the Algerians to draw the authorities’ attention to the problem of marginalization of the country’s peripheral regions. The author concludes that the radical manifestations of Berberism, such as, in particular, Kabylian Autonomism and Separatism, are assessed as a threat to the integrity of the modern Algerian state not only by the Algerian authorities but also by the general public. At the same time, the Berber question in its broadest sense meets tolerance and sympathy in the Algerian society. In this article, we used the scientific literature in the Russian, European and Arabic languages, as well as Algerian media sources of recent years.

Evidence for prehistoric origins of the G2019S mutation in the North African Berber population.

The most common cause of the monogenic form of Parkinson’s disease known so far is the G2019S mutation of the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene. Its frequency varies greatly among ethnic groups and geographic regions ranging from less than 0.1% in Asia to 40% in North Africa. This mutation has three distinct haplotypes; haplotype 1 being the oldest and most common. Recent studies have dated haplotype 1 of the G2019S mutation to about 4000 years ago, but it remains controversial whether the mutation has a Near-Eastern or Moroccan-Berber ancestral origin. To decipher this evolutionary history, we genotyped 10 microsatellite markers spanning a region of 11.27 Mb in a total of 57 unrelated Moroccan PD patients carrying the G2019S mutation for which the Berber or Arab origin was established over 3 generations based on spoken language. We estimated the age of the most recent common ancestor for the 36 Arab-speaking and the 15 Berber-speaking G2019S carriers using the likelihood-based method with a mutation rate of 10−4. Data analysis suggests that the shortest haplotype originated in a patient of Berber ethnicity. The common founder was estimated to have lived 159 generations ago (95% CI 116–224) for Arab patients, and 200 generations ago (95% CI 123–348) for Berber patients. Then, 29 native North African males carrying the mutation were assessed for specific uniparental markers by sequencing the Y-chromosome (E-M81, E-M78, and M-267) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) hypervariable regions (HV1 and HV2) to examine paternal and maternal contributions, respectively. Results showed that the autochthonous genetic component reached 76% for mtDNA (Eurasian and north African haplogroups) and 59% for the Y-chromosome (E-M81 and E-M78), suggesting that the G2019S mutation may have arisen in an autochthonous DNA pool. Therefore, we conclude that LRRK2 G2019S mutation most likely originated in a Berber founder who lived at least 5000 years ago (95% CI 3075–8700).

Североафриканский фронтир и кочевники (IV-VII вв.) = Severoafrikanskiy frontir i kochevniki (IV-VII vv.)

This article deals with to the Berbers as a part of the frontier in Africa. Berbers for a fee under the Romans and Byzantinians agreed to carry the service on the border. Uprising Berber population when Roman power was due to abuse of the local Roman authorities. Byzantium faced already with the states of the Berbers, who have expanded their holdings due to their sedentary neighbors. Byzantines attracted Berbers in the service of offering them cash grants, as well as providing support against other Berbers. From Romans and Byzantines and Berbers took over the titulature and existence of sedentary settlements. During the Arab expansion of the semisedentary Berbers was a allies of the Byzantines. Their leader Kuseyla wanted to integrate into the Byzantine society. Berber nomads also raided the agricultural population of the provinces of Africa and Mauritania, without changing the normal lifestyle

The Orientalisation of North Africa: New hints from the study of autosomal STRs in an Arab population

Background: Recent genomic analyses suggest that the current North African gene pool was mainly influenced by population flow coming from the East that altered the genetic structure of autochthonous Berber populations. Such genetic flow has not been extensively addressed yet using North African populations of Middle-eastern origin as reference.Aim: To discern the Middle-eastern component in the genetic background of Tunisian Arabs and evaluate the extent of gene flow from the Middle East into North African autochthonous Berber populations.Subjects and methods: This study has examined 113 Tunisians of well-known Arabian origin from Kairouan region, using 15 autosomal Short Tandem Repeats (STRs) loci.Results: No deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were observed and all loci presented high levels of heterozygosity. Principal coordinate and STRUCTURE analyses were consistent in clustering together North African and Middle Eastern populations, likely reflecting the recent gene flow from the East dating back to the Arab conquest period. This demographic migration and the Arabisation process that submerged the original Berber language and customs seems to have be accompanied by substantial gene flow and genetic admixture.Conclusion: This study represents an additional step to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the complex demographic history of North African populations.

STR-based genetic structure of the Berber population of Bejaia (Northern Algeria) and its relationships to various ethnic groups

Patterns of genetic variation in human populations have been described for decades. However, North Africa has received little attention and Algeria, in particular, is poorly studied, Here we genotyped a Berber-speaking population from Algeria using 15 short tandem repeat (STR) loci D8S1179, D21S11, D7S820, CSF1PO, D3S1358, TH01, D13S317, D16S539, D2S1338, D19S433, vWA, TPOX, D18S51, D5S818 and FGA from the commercially available AmpF/STR Identifiler kit. Altogether 150 unrelated North Algerian individuals were sampled across 10 administrative regions or towns from the Bejaia Wilaya (administrative district). We found that all of the STR loci met Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium expectations, after Bonferroni correction and that the Berber-speaking population of Bejaia presented a high level of observed heterozygosity for the 15 STR system (>0.7). Genetic parameters of forensic interest such as combined power of discrimination (PD) and combined probability of exclusion (PE) showed values higher than 0.999, suggesting that this set of STRs can be used for forensic studies. Our results were also compared to those published for 42 other human populations analyzed with the same set. We found that the Bejaia sample clustered with several North African populations but that some geographically close populations, including the Berber-speaking Mozabite from Algeria were closer to Near-Eastern populations. While we were able to detect some genetic structure among samples, we found that it was not correlated to language (Berber-speaking versus Arab-speaking) or to geography (east versus west). In other words, no significant genetic differences were found between the Berber-speaking and the Arab-speaking populations of North Africa. The genetic closeness of European, North African and Near-Eastern populations suggest that North Africa should be integrated in models aiming at reconstructing the demographic history of Europe. Similarly, the genetic proximity with sub-Saharan Africa is a reminder of the links that connect all African regions.

Hematology Reference Intervals in Moroccan Population

Laboratory reference intervals are important for both clinical orientations and therapeutic decisions. In Morocco, no reference ranges are available for local population. The ranges commonly used in clinical laboratories and by physicians are those of Caucasian population. We have decided that it is relevant to undertake an epidemiological investigation on local adult healthy population, with the aim of establishing hematology reference intervals in Moroccan population. Blood samples were taken from healthy adult volunteers of the regional transfusion center and measured on a Sysmex XE-2100 analyzer. We have grouped our data samples with regard to gender and retained donors aged between 18 and 45 years old according to ICSH guidelines 1982. Leucocyte, erythrocyte, and platelet parameters were analyzed. For any sample flagged by the automate or thrombopenia with platelets < 100000/microL, a systematic smear was done and checked. A significant difference between male and female was found with regard to the values for leucocyte, erythrocyte, and platelet parameters as well as for hemoglobin and hematocrit. These data were compared to normal values reported for Arabic, Caucasian, and African population. As part of this study, we have given a descriptive approach of normal blood cell count and its peculiarities in North African Arabian and Berber population not explored until now. We have established similarities and differences between our population and other African, Arab, and Caucasian populations.