East Populations Research Articles

Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Seroprevalence Among Different National Populations of Middle East and North African Men.

There are limited data on herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) seroprevalence in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). We examined country- and age-specific HSV-2 seroprevalence among select MENA populations residing in Qatar. Sera were collected from male blood donors attending Hamad Medical Corporation between June 2013 and June 2016. Specimens were screened for anti-HSV-2 IgG antibodies following a 2-test algorithm: HerpeSelect 2 ELISA was used to identify HSV-2-positive specimens, and Euroline-WB was used to confirm positive and equivocal specimens for final HSV-2 status. Trends and associations with HSV-2 seropositivity were assessed. Of the 2077 tested sera, 61 were found and confirmed positive. The proportion of those confirmed positive increased steadily with HerpeSelect 2 ELISA index value, ranging from 16.3% for index values of 1.101 to 1.999 to 92.9% for index values of 4 or greater. Nationality-specific seroprevalence was 6.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.1%-8.8%) in Qataris, 5.3% (95% CI, 2.5%-11.1%) in Iranians, 4.2% (95% CI, 1.8%-9.5%) in Lebanese, 3.1% (95% CI, 1.2%-7.7%) in Sudanese, 3.0% (95% CI, 1.4%-6.4%) in Palestinians, 2.2% (95% CI, 1.1%-4.3%) in Egyptians, 2.0% (95% CI, 1.0%-5.0%) in Syrians, 1.0% (95% CI, 0.3%-3.6%) in Jordanians, 0.7% (95% CI, 0.1%-3.7%) in Yemenis, and 0.5% (95% CI, 0.1%-2.8%) in Pakistanis. There was evidence for higher seroprevalence in older age groups. The seroprevalence of HSV-2 was in the range of few percentage points. There were no major differences in seroprevalence by nationality. These findings add to our understanding of HSV-2 epidemiology in MENA and indicate unmet needs for sexual health and control of sexually transmitted infections.

Prinerigone vagansnew to Poland (Araneae: Linyphiidae), with comments on taxonomy and distribution

The first record of the hygrophilous linyphiid spider Prinerigone vagans (Audouin, 1826) for Poland, collected on a bank of the River Olza near the Czech Border, is presented together with a discussion of known habitats of the species. A review of the taxonomic literature revealed that some characters of the male palp are highly variable within the distribution and even single populations of P. vagans. Future investigations should clarify the status of populations in Europe, the Near and Middle East as well as North Africa including Macaronesia.

Financial Inclusion, Financial Literacy and Economically Vulnerable Populations in the Middle East and North Africa

Research finds many large disparities still in financial inclusion around the world. One region that is often overlooked is the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), which appears to be lagging all other developing regions when it comes to financial inclusion. We use data from the 2014 World Bank Global Findex and supplement it with indicators of financial literacy and other macroeconomic characteristics to investigate the factors that shape financial inclusion in the MENA region. We focus on those groups that have been traditionally vulnerable – women, youth, the less educated, and the poor – and in the case of MENA, the Syrian refugees. Financial inclusion is measured comprehensively in terms of both savings and borrowing behaviors. The findings show that economically vulnerable populations are significantly less likely to be financially included both in terms of savings and borrowing. Moreover, the gaps in financial inclusion are particularly large for women and youth as compared to other regions. Further, households living in MENA countries with higher levels of financial literacy are more likely to be engaged in positive savings behaviors and less likely to be borrowing, especially from informal sources. Financial literacy, however, does not relate to all individuals in the MENA region equally, especially among those populations most vulnerable. Other macro characteristics associated with a country’s financial and technological infrastructure, economic development, political stability and legal rights also matter, but perhaps not as much as a country’s level of financial literacy. The findings have important implications for public and private stakeholders who are working to design policies aimed at improving access to financial services in the MENA region, especially via financial literacy. Vulnerable groups in the MENA region likely require more targeted interventions that address their specific barriers to financial inclusion, as well as more targeted financial literacy initiatives that are tailored to meet their specific needs. Efforts such as these are particularly important for a region suffering from political, economic, and social conflict that makes financial inclusion an even more urgent, yet challenging, goal.

Monarch butterflies do not place all of their eggs in one basket: oviposition on nine Midwestern milkweed species

AbstractOver the past two decades, the population of monarch butterflies east of the Rocky Mountains has experienced a significant decline in overwintering numbers. Habitat restoration that includes planting milkweeds is essential to boost monarch numbers within the breeding range. Milkweeds are the only host plants for larval monarch butterflies, but female oviposition preference for different milkweed species, especially those with overlapping ranges, is not well documented. We examined the relative inclination to lay eggs on nine milkweed species native to Iowa (no choice), and oviposition preference (choice) among the four most commonly occurring Iowa species (Asclepias incarnata, Asclepias syriaca, Asclepias tuberosa, and Asclepias verticillata). In both experiments, eggs were counted daily for four days. The milkweeds tested were Asclepias exaltata (poke milkweed), Asclepias hirtella (tall green milkweed), A. incarnata (swamp milkweed), Asclepias speciosa (showy milkweed), Asclepias sullivantii (prairie milkweed), A. syriaca (common milkweed), A. tuberosa (butterfly milkweed), A. verticillata (whorled milkweed), and Cynanchum laeve (honeyvine milkweed). When females were given only a single species on which to lay eggs, there were significant differences among milkweed species in the average number of eggs laid; A. incarnata had the highest average egg count. When females were given a choice among A. incarnata, A. syriaca, A. tuberosa, and A. verticillata, there were also differences among milkweed species in the number of eggs laid; again, A. incarnata had the highest average number of eggs laid. Additionally, females laid more total eggs when four plants of different milkweed species were available than when there were four plants of a single milkweed species. Our results show that monarch butterflies will lay eggs on all nine milkweeds, but that there are clear preferences for some milkweed species over others.

Comparison of stress, burnout and its association among postgraduate orthodontic and undergraduate students in India

Aim and Objectives: Stress and burnout are the wave of the present decade and dentists and dental specialists are found repeatedly on top of the charts of the more stressed occupation; however, the prevalence among orthodontic postgraduates in India has not been well researched. The present study aimed to investigate the stress and burnout levels of postgraduate students of orthodontics in India. Materials and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate stress and burnout in postgraduate students of orthodontics in India. A stratified randomized sampling method, with stratification as North, East, West, South, and central population was employed. A questionnaire format formulated by the International Stress Management Association, including Maslach burnout inventory was filled by each of these individuals. Results: A total of 284 individuals showed significance for stress and personal accomplishment (PA) (P

Year of the Sword: The Assyrian Christian Genocide

Year of the Sword: The Assyrian Christian Genocide

The Sung Home: Narrative, Morality, and the Kurdish Nation

The Sung Home: Narrative, Morality, and the Kurdish Nation

Origin of Azeris (Iran) according to HLA genes

Azeris from Iran North West provinces (Tabriz city) have been studied for HLA alleles. A total of 8.902 HLA-bearing chromosomes (Chr 6) have been used for comparing their relatedness with other Middle East, Caucasus, Mediterranean and Central Asia populations. Mediterranean, Central Asian and Caucasus extended HLA haplotypes were found, i.e.: A*24:02-B*35:01-DBR1*11:01-DBQ1*03:01 and A*01:02-B*08:01-DRB1*03:01-DQB1*02:01. Genetic distances, Neighbour Joining and Correspondence analyses also showed that Azeris were close to Kurds, who have shown a closer Mediterranean/Caucasus HLA profile, and Gorgan (Turkmen) who have shown a closer Central Asia profile, as expected. It is shown that three different Iranian populations according to Language, History and Geography: Gorgans, Kurds and Azeris are genetically close. In fact, old Azeri language (Adari) was an Iranian language and not a Turkic one, which they nowadays speak. Also, present study does not support “Aryan” invasion from the East in accordance with many other previous studies. Finally, our results are useful for establishing Preventive Medicine programs in Transplantation and HLA and Pharmacogenomics/Disease linkage. Keywords : HLA, Pharmacogenomics, Disease, Transplantation, Iran, Irak, Georgia, Turkey, Azerbajan, Azeris, Gorgan, Kurds, Yazd, Baloch, Aryan, Dene Caucasian, Zoroastro,Persia.

Y-Chromosome haplotypes reveal relationships between populations of the Arabian Peninsula, North Africa and South Asia

Background: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is positioned at the crossroads of human migration out of Africa and through to Asia and Europe.Aim: To compare the degree of genetic diversity of the Arabian UAE population with populations in other countries from the Middle East, South Asia and North Africa.Subjects and methods: Twenty-seven Y-STR were analysed in 217 individuals. Y-STR haplotypes from this study were compared to population data stored in YHRD, using MDS and AMOVA.Results: Two hundred and twelve haplotypes were observed in the 217 individuals studied. Although the reduction in Y-STR loci from 27 to 17 resulted in a decrease in discriminatory power, comparisons of populations were possible. The UAE population clustered closer with other populations of the Middle East. The South Asian and North African populations were separated by Middle Eastern populations in between both clusters.Conclusion: This is the first study to report the diversity of a population of the Arabian Peninsula using 27 Y-STR. MDS plots show that Middle Eastern populations are positioned in the centre, with African, Asian and European populations around the Arab population cluster. The findings of this study are consistent with this region being at the epicentre of human migration between continents.

The Clinical and Pathological Features of Colorectal Cancer in Tabuk Region, Saudi Arabia: Trends in the Young and Elderly Patients

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is common in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and worldwide. Tabuk region, in the Northwest part of Saudi Arabia, is one of the regions with the highest incidence of the disease in the Kingdom. Objective: This study aims to compare the clinicopathological features of CRC between the young and elderly patients in Tabuk region. Methods: This is a retrospective, hospital-based, descriptive study conducted at the three main referral hospitals in Tabuk region over 5-year period between 2010 and 2014. All patients diagnosed with CRC proved with histopathology were retrieved and categorized into two groups; group one (less than 40 years of age) and group two (equal to or older than 40 years of age). The clinical and pathological features of the disease were compared between the two groups. Results: The study involved 72 patients 94.4% of whom were Saudi and 5.6% were from the South East population. Group one comprised 10 patients (13.9%) while group two were 62 (86.1%). The male to female ratio was 1.5 for group one and 1.7 for group two. Adenocarcinoma was the predominant histological type in both groups (98.6%). Lefts-sided tumours were more common in both groups (74.2 and 70%) however; a greater proportion of the patients in group 1 had more right-sided tumours (30%) than their elderly counterparts (25.8%). Advanced tumour presentation (Duke`s C+D) was more common in group 1 (90%) than in group 2 (83.8%). However, differences between the two groups was not statistically significant. Conclusion: CRC is less common among the young population in Tabuk region than other parts of Saudi Arabia and some regional countries. Demographic and genetic studies are advocated in the area to provide further explanation of these results.

Genetic epidemiology of familial Mediterranean fever through integrative analysis of whole genome and exome sequences from Middle East and North Africa.

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), an autosomal recessive and rare autoinflammatory disease is caused by genetic mutations in the MEFV gene and is highly prevalent in the Mediterranean basin. Although the carrier frequency of specific disease variants in the MEFV gene has been reported from isolated studies, a comprehensive view of variants in the Mediterranean region has not been possible due to paucity of data. The recent availability of whole-genome and whole-exome datasets prompted us to study the genetic epidemiology of MEFV variants in the region. We assembled data from 5 datasets encompassing whole-genome and whole-exome datasets for 2115 individuals from multiple subpopulations in the region and also created a compendium for MEFV genetic variants, which were further systematically annotated as per the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines. Our analysis points to significant differences in allele frequencies in the subpopulations, and the carrier frequency for MEFV genetic variants in the population to be about 8%. The MEFV gene appears to be under natural selection from our analysis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the most comprehensive study and analysis of population epidemiology of MEFV gene variants in the Middle East and North African populations.

Impact of genetic ancestry on chronological age prediction using DNA methylation analysis

Several forensic age predictors based on DNA methylation have been developed, reporting a considerable number of CpG loci highly correlated with chronological age. Most of the published age prediction models so far were based on European samples, and therefore there is a need to explore additional worldwide populations. We performed a comprehensive analysis of methylation profiles from buccal mucosa samples of three independent population groups from Middle East, West Africa and Central Europe. For each population approx. 50 samples with an equal distribution of donor ages were collected. Using bisulfite pyrosequencing we analyzed the age dependent methylation changes at five CpG sites in the genes of ASPA, ITGA2B, PDE4C and ELOVL2 and predicted the donor ages using two previously reported age prediction models. Our results display significantly lower dispersions of methylations and thus errors of predicted ages in the Middle East population compared to the Central Europe and West African populations. Interestingly, the overall methylation variation was highly similar between the three populations at all investigated CpGs.

Typing of two Middle Eastern populations with the Precision ID Ancestry Panel

Ancestry informative markers have a great potential for ancestry inference in forensic genetic casework. However, applying ancestry inference in casework requires sufficient allele frequency data on as many populations as possible to allow the determination of biogeographical origin. Therefore, Turkish and Iranian individuals were SNP typed with Massively Parallel Sequencing with the Precision ID Ancestry Panel (Thermo Fisher Scientific) to assess whether it was possible to differentiate geographically proximate populations in the Middle East using this kit. Analyses showed that it were not possible to separate the two populations and neither was it possible to separate them from European and South-Central Asian populations. The two Middle Eastern populations were highly admixed with components from both Europe and South-Central Asia. Thus, it is important to identify genetic markers that are characteristic of the various Middle Eastern populations.

§3. 中東地域の人口・労働移動 : 産油国の外国人労働者の問題を中心にして( 海外諸地域の人口移動,第34回大会報告要旨,学会報告)

§3. 中東地域の人口・労働移動 : 産油国の外国人労働者の問題を中心にして( 海外諸地域の人口移動,第34回大会報告要旨,学会報告)

Estimating seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus type 1 among different Middle East and North African male populations residing in Qatar.

HSV‐1 epidemiology in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) remains poorly understood. Our study aimed to measure HSV‐1 antibody prevalence (seroprevalence) and its age‐distribution among select MENA populations residing in Qatar. Sera were collected from male blood donors attending Hamad Medical Corporation 2013‐2015. A total of 2,077 sera were tested for anti‐HSV‐1 antibodies using HerpeSelect® 1 ELISA IgG kits (Focus Diagnostics, Cypress, CA). Robust Poisson regression was conducted to estimate adjusted infection prevalence ratios. Country‐specific HSV‐1 seroprevalence was estimated for 10 national populations: 97.5% among Egyptians, 92.6% among Yemenis, 90.7% among Sudanese, 88.5% among Syrians, 86.5% among Jordanians, 82.3% among Qataris, 81.4% among Iranians, 81.4% among Lebanese, 80.5% among Palestinians, and 77.0% among Pakistanis. Age‐specific HSV‐1 seroprevalence was estimated for Egypt, the Fertile Crescent (Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, and Syria), and Qatar. Seroprevalence increased with age among Fertile Crescent and Qatari nationals. Seroprevalence increased from 70.0% among those aged ≤ 24 years up to 98.0% among those aged ≥55 years among Fertile Crescent nationals. Seroprevalence was consistently above 90% for all ages among Egyptians. HSV‐1 seroprevalence is high in MENA, though with some variation across countries. The seroprevalence appears to have declined among current young age cohorts compared to its levels a few decades ago.

Performance of Early Instar Monarch Butterflies (Danaus plexippusL.) on Nine Milkweed Species Native to Iowa

Over the past two decades, the population of monarch butterflies east of the Rocky Mountains has experienced a significant decline. Habitat restoration that includes milkweed plants is crucial to boost population numbers in the breeding range. Monarch butterfly larvae use milkweeds as their only host plant, but larval performance on different milkweed species is not well documented. We examined early instar survival and growth on nine milkweed species native to Iowa. These included Asclepias exaltata (poke milkweed), A. hirtella (tall green milkweed), A. incarnata (swamp milkweed), A. speciosa (showy milkweed), A. sullivantii (prairie milkweed), A. syriaca (common milkweed), A. tuberosa (butterfly milkweed), A. verticillata (whorled milkweed), and Cynanchum laeve (honey vine milkweed). In laboratory and greenhouse experiments, larval survival on all nine milkweed species did not differ. Larvae that fed on C. laeve plants were an instar behind larvae that fed on any other species, while larvae that fed on A. verticillata weighed more than larvae that fed on any other species. Our results show that early instar larvae can survive on all nine milkweed species.

Deep divergence among mitochondrial lineages in African jackals

Recently, molecular analyses revealed that African and Eurasian golden jackals are distinct species. This finding suggests re‐investigation of the phylogenetic relationships and taxonomy of other African members of the Canidae. Here, we provide a study on the phylogenetic relationship between populations of African jackals Lupulella mesomelas and L. adusta inferred from 962 bp of the mitochondrial cytochrome b (cytb) gene. As expected from its disjunct distribution, with one population in eastern Africa and the other one in southern Africa, we found two mitochondrial lineages within L. mesomelas, which diverged about 2.5 million years ago (Ma). In contrast, in L. adusta with its more continuous distribution in sub‐Saharan Africa, we found only a shallower genetic diversification, with the exception of the West African population, which diverged around 1.4 Ma from the Central and East African populations. Both divergence ages are older than, for example the 1.1–0.9 million years between the grey wolf Canis lupus and the African golden wolf C. lupaster. One taxonomic implication of our findings might be that the two L. mesomelas populations warrant species status. However, genome‐wide data with adequate geographical sampling are needed to substantiate our results.

Genome-wide association study identifies novel type II diabetes risk loci in Jordan subpopulations.

The prevalence of Type II Diabetes (T2D) has been increasing and has become a disease of significant public health burden in Jordan. None of the previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have specifically investigated the Middle East populations. The Circassian and Chechen communities in Jordan represent unique populations that are genetically distinct from the Arab population and other populations in the Caucasus. Prevalence of T2D is very high in both the Circassian and Chechen communities in Jordan despite low obesity prevalence. We conducted GWAS on T2D in these two populations and further performed meta-analysis of the results. We identified a novel T2D locus at chr20p12.2 at genome-wide significance (rs6134031, P = 1.12 × 10−8) and we replicated the results in the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium (WTCCC) dataset. Another locus at chr12q24.31 is associated with T2D at suggestive significance level (top SNP rs4758690, P = 4.20 × 10−5) and it is a robust eQTL for the gene, MLXIP (P = 1.10 × 10−14), and is significantly associated with methylation level in MLXIP, the functions of which involves cellular glucose response. Therefore, in this first GWAS of T2D in Jordan subpopulations, we identified novel and unique susceptibility loci which may help inform the genetic underpinnings of T2D in other populations.

Significant genetic differentiation of Gobiopterus lacustris, a newly recorded transparent goby in China

In our recent survey, the transparent small Lacustrine goby, Gobiopterus lacustris had reported as the endemic species of Luzon, Philippines, was identified as an abundant species in mangroves of Leizhou Peninsula, China. Here, high diversity and significant differentiation of five sites of samples representing the west and east populations were revealed by mitochondrial DNA sequences. Five haplotypes of 56 cytochrome oxidase subunit I (Cox1) with the lengths of 623 base pairs (bp) have the high pairwise identity (>98.8%). Moreover, a total of 31 haplotypes for 129 partial D-loop regions were clustered into two clades corresponding to the east and west sampling sites. The strong population structure was confirmed (ΦST = 0.43017, p < .0001) with high haplotype diversity (h = 0.880 ± 0.017) and low nucleotide diversity (p=.00484). Moreover, both the mismatch distribution analysis and neutral test of D-loop revealed that the west group might experience a recent demographic expansion. Lastly, the isolation-with-migration analysis supported the expansion and indicated that the east–west split happened at approximately 7.1 kyr ago. Given the distribution and diversity, G. lacustris could be a good model for the study of the sea-level fluctuations and coast evolution of the South China Sea.

Genetic diversity and population structure of Striga hermonthica populations from Kenya and Nigeria

SummaryStriga hermonthica is a parasitic weed that poses a serious threat to the production of economically important cereals in sub‐Saharan Africa. The existence of genetic diversity within and between S. hermonthica populations presents a challenge to the successful development and deployment of effective control technologies against this parasitic weed. Understanding the extent of diversity between S. hermonthica populations will facilitate the design and deployment of effective control technologies against the parasite. In the present study, S. hermonthica plants collected from different locations and host crops in Kenya and Nigeria were genotyped using single nucleotide polymorphisms. Statistically significant genetic differentiation (FST = 0.15, P = 0.001) was uncovered between populations collected from the two countries. Also, the populations collected in Nigeria formed three distinct subgroups. Unique loci undergoing selection were observed between the Kenyan and Nigerian populations and among the three subgroups found in Nigeria. Striga hermonthica populations parasitising rice in Kenya appeared to be genetically distinct from those parasitising maize and sorghum. The presence of distinct populations in East and West Africa and in different regions in Nigeria highlights the importance of developing and testing Striga control technologies in multiple locations, including locations representing the geographic regions in Nigeria where genetically distinct subpopulations of the parasite were found. Efforts should also be made to develop relevant control technologies for areas infested with ‘rice‐specific’ Striga spp. populations in Kenya.