Chinese Minority Populations Research Articles

Genetic polymorphisms and phylogenetic characteristics of Tibeto-Burman-speaking Lahu population from southwest China based on 41 Y-STR loci

Background Male sex-linked Y-chromosome short tandem repeats (Y-STRs) have been widely used in forensic cases and population genetics research. At present, the forensic-related Y-STR data in the Chinese Lahu population are still poorly understood. Aim To enrich the available Y-STR data of this Chinese minority population and investigate its phylogenetic relationships with other reported populations. Subjects and methods The genetic polymorphisms of 41 Y-STR loci were analysed in 299 unrelated healthy Lahu male individuals from Southwest China. Phylogenetic analyses were performed by multidimensional scaling analysis and neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree construction. Results A total of 379 alleles were observed at the 41 Y-STR loci. The allele frequencies ranged from 0.0033 to 0.9666. The genetic diversity values ranged from 0.0653 to 0.9072. A total of 254 different haplotypes of the 41 Y-STR loci were observed in 299 individuals. The values of haplotype diversity, haplotype match probability, and discrimination capacity were 0.9987, 0.0047, and 0.8495, respectively. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that the Tibeto-Burman-speaking Lahu population showed a close genetic relationship with the Yunnan Yi population. Conclusions The haplotype data of the present study can enrich the forensic databases of this Chinese minority population and will be useful for population genetics and forensic DNA application.

Evaluation of anthropometric indices as a predictor of diabetes in Dong and Miao ethnicities in China: A cross-sectional analysis of China Multi-Ethnic Cohort Study.

BackgroundAlthough it is known that obesity is inseparable from diabetes, many anthropometric indices are used for determining obesity. At the same time, research on the predictive indices of diabetes in Chinese minority populations is lacking. Therefore, this study determines the relationship between different anthropometric indices and diabetes, and identifies the best index and best cut-off values for predicting diabetes.MethodIn total, 11,035 Dong and Miao ethnic participants (age: 30–79 years) from the China Multi-Ethnic Cohort study were included. The logistic regression model was used to examine the relationship between the different anthropometric indices and diabetes risk. The receiver operating characteristic curve and the area under the curve (AUC) were used to identify the best predictor of diabetes.ResultsIn multivariate adjusted logistic regression models, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), a body shape index (ABSI), body roundness index (BRI), and visceral adiposity index (VAI) were positively correlated with diabetes risk. Among Chinese Dong men and women and Miao men, WHR had the largest AUC (0.654/0.719/0.651). Among Miao women, VAI had the largest AUC(0.701). The best cut-off values of WHR for Dong men and women and Miao men were 0.94, 0.92, and 0.91, respectively. The best cut-off value of VAI for Miao women was 2.20.ConclusionObesity indicators better predict diabetes in women than men. WHR may be the best predictor of diabetes risk in both sex of Dong ethnicity and Miao men, and VAI may be the best predictor of diabetes risk in Miao women.

Genetic polymorphisms of 16 X-STR loci in the Hani population from Southwest China

X chromosomal short tandem repeats (X-STRs) have the characteristics of both autosomal and uniparental genetic markers and have been shown to be particularly useful in forensic casework. However, relevant research or reports have not focused on X-STRs in the Hani population. To investigate the genetic variation and forensic efficiency of 16 X-STR loci in the Hani ethnic minority, we calculated the allele frequencies and forensic parameters of 451 (116 males and 335 females) unrelated healthy Hani individuals from Yunnan Province, Southwest China. All these loci are highly polymorphic in Hani individuals in Yunnan Province except DXS6800. The combined power of discrimination in males (PDM) and power of discrimination in females (PDF) were found to be 0.999 999 998 433 993 and 0.999 999 999 999 998, respectively. Furthermore, a population genetic structure investigation between the Yunnan Hani population and another 18 populations was performed using a principal component analysis, multidimensional scaling plot and neighbouring-joining phylogenetic tree and the findings illustrated that neighbouring populations and different nationalities in the same area appeared to have a closer evolutionary relationship. This study provides the first batch of X chromosome genetic polymorphism data of the Hani population in Yunnan Province, Southwest China and enriches the reference database of the Chinese minority population. Key points This is the first study of X-STR in the Hani population. We calculated the allele frequencies and forensic parameters of 451 unrelated healthy Hani individuals from Yunnan Province, Southwest China. All these loci are highly polymorphic in Hani individuals in Yunnan Province except DXS6800. The genetic relationship between the Hani and the other 18 nationalities was analyzed. This study provides the first batch of X chromosome genetic polymorphism data of the Hani population in Yunnan Province, Southwest China and enriches the reference database of the Chinese minority population.

Relationship between the duration of smoking and blood pressure in Han and ethnic minority populations: a cross-sectional study in China

BackgroundEvidence for correlation between the cigarette use and blood pressure change remains ambiguous. This study modelled relationship between the duration of smoking and systolic blood pressure in a large national multi-ethnic cross-sectional survey in China.MethodsParticipants were selected through a multi-stage probability sampling procedure from 2012 to 2017. Former or current smokers were included in this study, whose smoking behaviour, blood pressure, and other demographic information were collected and measured through a face-to-face interview. Linear and non-linear relationships between the duration of smoking and systolic blood pressure were analysed and differences of the association between Han and minority populations were specially checked.ResultsA total of 8801 participants were enrolled in this study. Prevalence of hypertension was 41.3 and 77.8% were current smokers. For every additional year of smoking duration, systolic blood pressure raised by 0.325 mmHg (95% CI 0.296 to 0.354 mmHg, P < 0.001). The Chinese minority populations may suffer more from the elevated blood pressure in long-term smoking than Han populations (0.283 mmHg (95% CI 0.252 to 0.314 mmHg, P < 0.001) versus 0.450 mmHg (95% CI 0.380 to 0.520 mmHg, P < 0.001) raise in systolic blood pressure with each additional year of smoking in minority and Han populations).ConclusionsSmoking is associated with raised systolic blood pressure in Chinese population. This association is notedly stronger in Chinese minority populations.

Genetic polymorphism investigation of 16 X-STR loci in the Bai ethnic minority in Yunnan Province, Southwest China.

To investigate the genetic variation and forensic efficiency of 16 X-chromosomal short tandem repeat (X-STR) loci (DX6795, DXS9902, DXS8378, HPRTB, GATA165B12, DXS7132, DXS7424, DXS6807, DXS6803, GATA172D05, DXS6800, DXS10134, GATA31E08, DXS10159, DXS6789, and DXS6810) in the Bai minority, we calculated allele frequencies, forensic parameters, and haplotype frequencies in 424 (202 males and 222 females) unrelated, healthy Bai individuals from Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan Province, China. We observed a total of 132 alleles; 5-19 alleles were detected in each locus, and the corresponding allele frequencies ranged from 0.0016 to 0.7589. All of the loci detected were highly polymorphic in the Bai population in Yunnan Province, except DXS6800. The values for the combined power of discrimination in females (PDf) and males (PDm) were 0.999999999999996 and 0.999999997487061, respectively. According to a phylogenetic tree, neighboring populations and different nationalities in the same area appeared to have relatively close evolutionary relationships. This study provides and complements X-chromosome genetic polymorphism data for the Bai people in Yunnan Province, Southwest China, and enriches the available reference materials for this Chinese minority population.

Back Cover: Forensic ancestry analysis in two Chinese minority populations using massively parallel sequencing of 165 ancestry‐informative SNPs

Back Cover: Forensic ancestry analysis in two Chinese minority populations using massively parallel sequencing of 165 ancestry‐informative SNPs

Forensic ancestry analysis in two Chinese minority populations using massively parallel sequencing of 165 ancestry‐informative SNPs

Ancestry inference based on SNPs with marked allele frequency differences in diverse populations (called ancestry-informative SNP (AISNP)) is rapidly developed with the technology advancements of massively parallel sequencing. Despite the decade of exploration and broad public interest in the peopling of East-Asians, the genetic landscape of Chinese Silk Road populations based on the AISNPs is still little known. In this work, 206 unrelated individuals from Chinese Uyghur and Hui populations were firstly genotyped by 165 AISNPs (The Precision ID Ancestry Panel) using the Ion Torrent Personal Genome Machine system. The ethnic origin of two investigated populations and population structures and genetic relationships were subsequently investigated. The 165 AISNPs panel not only can differentiate Uyghur and Hui populations but also has potential applications in individual identification. Comprehensive population comparisons and admixture estimates demonstrated a predominantly higher European-related ancestry (36.30%) in Uyghurs than Huis (3.66%). Overall, the Precision ID Ancestry Panel can provide good resolution at the intercontinental level, but has limitations on the genetic homogeneous populations, such as the Hui and Han. Additional population-specific AISNPs remain necessary to get better-scale resolution within geographically proximate populations in East Asia.

The distribution of Chinese minority populations and its change based on the study of the Hu Huanyong line

The “Hu Line” and its demographic implications have attracted world-wide attention since the line was developed 80 years. Using GIS, this paper conducts a statistical analysis and systematic investigation on the stability and spatial of China’s minority population growth on both sides of “Hu Line” by constructing the spatial database of China’s census data from 1953 to 2010 and initiating a new method for identifying the spatial patterns of population growth. Major findings are as follows: (1) Spatial distribution of the minority population in China is not balanced, showing a significant spatial clustering; (2) The minority population is widely distributed across China, spreading to East China and all over the country; (3) The distribution pattern of China’s minority population is characterized by extraordinary stability, with the ratio of south-east half to north-west half standing roughly at 75:25 from 1953 to 2010. We can thus say that the “Hu Line” is also a mutant line of China’s minority population.

\u03b2-globin gene cluster haplotypes in ethnic minority populations of southwest China

The genetic diversity and relationships among ethnic minority populations of southwest China were investigated using seven polymorphic restriction enzyme sites in the β-globin gene cluster. The haplotypes of 1392 chromosomes from ten ethnic populations living in southwest China were determined. Linkage equilibrium and recombination hotspot were found between the 5′ sites and 3′ sites of the β-globin gene cluster. 5′ haplotypes 2 (+−−−), 6 (−++−+), 9 (−++++) and 3′ haplotype FW3 (−+) were the predominant haplotypes. Notably, haplotype 9 frequency was significantly high in the southwest populations, indicating their difference with other Chinese. The interpopulation differentiation of southwest Chinese minority populations is less than those in populations of northern China and other continents. Phylogenetic analysis shows that populations sharing same ethnic origin or language clustered to each other, indicating current β-globin cluster diversity in the Chinese populations reflects their ethnic origin and linguistic affiliations to a great extent. This study characterizes β-globin gene cluster haplotypes in southwest Chinese minorities for the first time, and reveals the genetic variability and affinity of these populations using β-globin cluster haplotype frequencies. The results suggest that ethnic origin plays an important role in shaping variations of the β-globin gene cluster in the southwestern ethnic populations of China.

A study of HLA-B*15:02 in 9 different Chinese ethnics: Implications for carbamazepine related SJS/TEN.

HLA-B*15:02 is a known biomarker for carbamazepine (CBZ)-induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN) in some ethnic populations. The US FDA recommends B*15:02 screening for Asian and other populations with a high prevalence of B*15:02 prior to treatment with CBZ to prevent drug-related SJS/TEN. A total of 1607 blood samples were collected from volunteer blood donors who were ethnic minorities living in the Yunnan province of southwestern China, including 153 Yi, 193 Naxi, 167 Miao, 156 Lisu, 166 Derung, 211 Bai, 184 Hani, 198 Dai, and 179 Zhuang. The genetic diversity of the HLA-B*15:02 genes in the ethnic minority samples was examined using sequence based typing at high resolution. The allele frequencies of HLA-B*15:02 in the Yi, Naxi, Miao, Lisu, Derung, Bai, Hani, Dai, and Zhuang populations were 4.25%, 4.4%, 5.09%, 5.77%, 6.33%, 7.82%, 8.15%, 9.6%, and 15.36%, respectively. The frequencies of HLA-B*15:02 carriers in the Yi, Naxi, Miao, Lisu, Derung, Bai, Hani, Dai, and Zhuang populations were 8.5%, 8.8%, 9.58%, 10.9%, 12.65%, 15.64%, 16.3%, 18.69%, and 28.49%, respectively. The HLA-B*15:02 allele frequencies indicated that the prevalence of B*15:02 was different among the different ethnic populations. Because the number of carriers of B*15:02 was high in some ethnic populations, larger studies are required to confirm these findings. The Zhuang population had the highest frequency of B*15:02 in this study. More attention should be paid to CBZ-induced SJS/TEN in Chinese minority populations.

Genetic architectures of ADME genes in five Eurasian admixed populations and implications for drug safety and efficacy

BackgroundDrug absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) contribute to the high heterogeneity of drug responses in humans. However, the same standard for drug dosage has been applied to all populations...

Recent Spread of a Y-Chromosomal Lineage in Northern China and Mongolia

We have identified a Y-chromosomal lineage that is unusually frequent in northeastern China and Mongolia, in which a haplotype cluster defined by 15 Y short tandem repeats was carried by approximately 3.3% of the males sampled from East Asia. The most recent common ancestor of this lineage lived 590 +/- 340 years ago (mean +/- SD), and it was detected in Mongolians and six Chinese minority populations. We suggest that the lineage was spread by Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) nobility, who were a privileged elite sharing patrilineal descent from Giocangga (died 1582), the grandfather of Manchu leader Nurhaci, and whose documented members formed approximately 0.4% of the minority population by the end of the dynasty.

Gene frequencies of alcohol dehydrogenase2 (ADH2) and aldehyde dehydrogenase2 (ALDH2) in five Chinese minorities.

The gene frequencies of ADH2(2) and ALDH2(2) were lower in Tibetan and Mongolian populations than in Vietnamese, Han Chinese, and three Chinese minority populations.

The growth of Chinese minority populations.

This is a review of recent demographic trends among the 55 recognized minority ethnic groups in China, which have a total population of 91.2 million. Reasons for the rapid growth among many of these populations since the 1960s are analyzed. They include "the significant improvement of public health in the 1950s and 1960s, the leniency in the implementation of the birth control policies in minority communities, the relatively high birth and fertility rates in these communities, and the reaffirmation of racial identity in the 1980s."