Populations Of Indian Subcontinent Research Articles

#5010 INCIDENCE AND CLINICAL PRESENTATION OF ANCA ASSOCIATED VASCULITIS AMONGST INDO-ASIAN PATIENTS IN LANCASHIRE, UK

Abstract Background and Aims ANCA associated vasculitis (AAV) is a rare autoimmune condition that is predominately seen in white Caucasian populations [1]. Across the UK, Europe and the USA, the prevalence of AAV is between 4.6 -18.4 per 100,000. Studies have shown significant geographical differences in the presentation and phenotype of AAV. PR3 positivity and granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is more common in Northern European countries at higher latitudes. In contrast MPO positivity is seen more frequently in Japanese, Chinese and Southern European populations [1]. Comparatively, few studies have looked at the incidence, phenotype and outcomes in ethnic minority patients in particular Indo-Asian populations. Method We completed a retrospective cohort study of patients with AAV from a central referral centre in Lancashire, UK between December 2010 and December 2022. Patients with a diagnosis of AAV according to the Chapel Hill consensus conference and who belonged to the following ethic groups; ‘Indian, British Indian, Pakistani, British Pakistani, Asian or Asian British’, were included. Using data from the 2021 census, available from the Office of National Statistics, denominator populations were obtained [2]. Patients ethnic group were determined by self-reported ethnicity records on hospital e-health records or via GP summary care records. Ethical approval was obtained (IRAS 257174). Results Using 2021 census data, the total population of Lancashire (Fig. 1), aged >18 years old was 1,149,826. Of this population, the majority identified as white (1,059,000) and the second most common ethnic group was Asian / Asian British (74,523). Black/ African/ Caribbean/ Black British made up <1% of the population and mixed / multiple ethnic groups and other ethnic groups made up just over 1%. Eighteen Indo-Asian patients with newly diagnosed AAV were identified. The mean age was 46 ±16.7 yrs, which is younger than our cohort of white patients who had a mean age of 65.1 ± 14.6 yrs. There was an equal gender split, the majority were PR3 positive (n = 12, 67%) and 6 patients had MPO positive AAV. Nine patients had renal involvement, with only 2 having renal limited disease and 1 requiring dialysis at presentation. Over half of the patients (n = 11, 61%) had ENT involvement. The crude incidence of AAV in Indo-Asian patients in Lancashire was 20.1 per million person years (95% CI 10.7, 28.5). This is higher than that reported in other areas of the UK [3]. When compared to age and gender matched white patients, white patients had more renal involvement (89.5% V's 50%, P = 0.01) and more renal limited disease (31.6% V's 11.1% P = 0.13). Pulmonary involvement was similar between the ethnic groups whereas ENT involvement was more prevalent in Indo-Asian patients (61.1% V's 26.3%, P = 0.03). Conclusion Our findings demonstrate that whilst the crude incidence of AAV is lower in Indo-Asian populations compared to white Caucasians, there is a significantly high incidence rate in the Lancashire area, which is greater than in other areas of the UK. Pearce et al. reported an incidence of 10.6 per million person years in Nottingham which was almost half that seen in our cohort [3]. Our Indo-Asian patients were on average younger and had less renal involvement compared to our cohort white patients. This contrasts some studies which report Indo-Asian populations to have more PR3 positivity and higher rates or renal involvement [1]. This may reflect an under diagnosis of extra renal disease and non-renal phenotypes in Indian subcontinent populations. There remains a gap in our understanding as to the genetic role in the pathogenesis and clinical phenotype of AAV disease. Further research is needed to determine if the differences seen between ethnic minorities are due to genetic or environmental factors.

A community-based study on electrocardiographic abnormalities of adult population from South India - Findings from a cross sectional survey

BackgroundThere are no data on electrocardiographic (ECG) findings from general population of Indian subcontinent. We analyzed ECG abnormalities of in adults as part of a community survey of prevalence of coronary artery disease and risk factors from South India. Methods and resultsIn this cross-sectional study of men and women between the ages 20 to 79 years, ECGs recorded digitally were analyzed using the Minnesota code. Electrocardiograms were analyzed for abnormalities in 4630 participants (women 59.6%). The overall prevalence of ECG abnormalities (39.9%) was higher in men (47.24% vs. 34.9% p <0.0001). QRS axis deviation, first degree AV block, fascicular blocks, incomplete right bundle branch block, sinus bradycardia and ST elevation in the anterior chest leads were markedly higher in men. Sinus tachycardia and low voltage QRS occurred more often in women. The overall prevalence of atrial fibrillation was 0.32% which was markedly lower than the western data. Brugada and early repolarisation patterns occurred in 1.06% and 1.56% respectively, equal in both age groups, but markedly higher in men. Brugada pattern occurred more often than in the west, but much less than the Far East population. Early repolarisation pattern was similar to rest of Asian population, but significantly less than the Caucasian population ConclusionIn this community-based study, prevalence of major electrocardiographic abnormalities was high. Overall, men had significantly higher ECG abnormalities.

A Validation of Emotional Contagion Scale on the Indian Youth

The Emotional Contagion Scale (ECS) developed by Dr. Elaine Hatfield, is a self-report measure used to investigate the individual’s susceptibility to catch another person’s emotions and experience the same. The catching of emotions could be conscious or unconscious. The study aims to validate the Emotional Contagion scale on the Indian subcontinent population for future use and application. The original American scale consisted of 15 items to be responded to by selecting the suitable option from given five, was given to an Indian sample of 498 individuals. To check the validity, Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was performed. Gender differences were assessed and it was observed that men were high on catching and experiencing the emotions of others as compared to women. The Indian sample on ECS shows moderate to high reliability and high content validity. It thus concludes that the Emotional Contagion scale is valid for future use on the Indian Population.

HISTORY AND BACKGROUND OF MADRASSAH EDUCATION IN PAKISTAN

Pakistan has been traditional and modern education systems since its inception. The traditional education system or traditional Islamic schools which are called Madaris (Madrassahs) have been growing rapidly since 1980s during the Soviet intervention into Afghanistan and Imam Khumeni Revolution in Iran. The madaris have been influenced by the wave of Islamic fundamentalism from Iran and Afghanistan. After the Taliban Government in Afghanistan in late 1990s, the Deoband Madaris in Pakistan came gradually under the sway of the anti-West Taliban Movement. In 2000, there are more than 50,000 Madrassahs in Pakistan but only 4,350 were registered. The history of Madrassahs education in Pakistan has been originated by the advent of Islam and Arabic culture to India with conquering of Sindh by Muhammad bin Qasim in 712 A.D. After the formation of Muslim rule at Delhi in 1208 A.D., a quarter of Indian-subcontinent population had converted to Islam over the next five centuries and Madrassahs were established in India. Those madaris had been providing education among Muslims of India from 1208 A. D. to 1757 A. D. till the British power in India. The Madrassahs in Pakistan are alleged to be nurseries to produce religious extremists. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the history and the changing pattern of Madrassahs Education in Pakistan. The paper is also examining the socio-political framework of Pakistan under which the Madrassahs are working.

Sex estimation based on the analysis of enamel peptides: False assignments due to AMELY deletion

Recently, proteomic analysis of sex-specific amelogenin peptides in tooth enamel has been proposed as a promising new method for the assignment of sex to human skeletal remains in archaeological and forensic settings. The method was initially based on the surface acid etching of tooth enamel and subsequent identification of a marker peptide that could be attributed to sex-chromosome specific amelogenins via mass spectrometry. The previous three years have brought forth several technical improvements that increased sensitivity of the method, notably development of new enamel protein extraction techniques, advanced bioinformatic data processing for the detection of multiple sex-specific amelogenin peptides and statistical framework for the estimation of both male and female sexes. This focus article shows that the proteomic method, even after these technical improvements, has the same limitation as the PCR-based amelogenin sex tests do, which directly use amelogenin alleles as markers for the sex chromosomes. The fact is that tooth enamel in some phenotypically normal males lacks Y amelogenin-specific peptides as a result of the Y amelogenin allele (AMELY) deletion. The prevalence of AMELY negative males is generally lower than 1% but may approach 10% in Indian subcontinent populations. Genetic studies indicate that the alteration might be several thousand years old. Using a proteomic approach to sex estimation, these individuals would be falsely identified as females with a potentially significant impact on forensic investigations or archaeological work. Therefore, this possibility should be taken into consideration even in populations with a low frequency of AMELY deletion and regardless of the female sex probability predicted by the existing statistical model. Unfortunately, no proteomics-based control measures exist because the genes for non-amelogenin proteins (ameloblastin, enamelin, and tuftelin) are located on autosomal chromosomes.

Determination of path attenuation and site characteristics of the North-west Himalayan region and adjoining regions within the Indian Territory using Generalized inversion method

North-west Himalayas and its adjoining regions have been experiencing deadly earthqaukes from time to time and are home for a large portion of population of Indian subcontinent. Knowledge of regional path attenuation and site parameters are prerequisite while attempting seismic hazard studies towards minimizing damages during future earthqaukes for a region. Present work focuses on the determination of path attenuation and site characteristics of earthqaukes recording stations, located in the north-west Himalayas and its adjoining regions, within India. It is done using two- step generalized inversion technique. In the first step of inversion, non-parametric attenuation curves are developed by constraining attenuation to be a smooth decaying function with hypocentral distance. Qs = (105 ± 11)f (0.94 ± 0.08) as S wave quality factor is obtained indicating that the region is seismically active having high degree of heterogeneities in the crustal medium. In the second step of generalized inversion, site amplification curve, at each recording station, is computed as the ratio of site spectral amplitude of horizontal and vertical components. In addition, based on Horizontal to vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) method, predominant frequency of each recording station is calculated. Values of predominant frequencies based on HVSR and generalized inversion are found matching for each of the recording station. Based on obtained predominant frequency, site class of 101 recording stations, which at present are absent, are determined in this work. Determined path attenuation as well as site parameters can be collectively used for developing regional ground motion models and subsequently for seismic hazard studies for the selected region.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder among the Flood Affected Population in Indian Subcontinent.

Globally, frequent flooding causes higher magnitude of disaster among the developing and developed nations. Particularly, the Indian subcontinent is considered as highly vulnerable area for natural disaster and is affected most because of limited resources and coping strategies for post-disaster rehabilitation. Apart from the great impact on human health, floods have considerable impact on mental health. The most frequently diagnosed psychological illness in flood affected population is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In India, the incidence of PTSD in major natural disasters varies considerably depending upon the magnitude of event, with the highest rates reported of around 70%. Studies conducted during initial few months post-disaster, showed a higher occurrence of psychiatric manifestations. On the other hand, some reports suggested contrary results under similar circumstances. Notably, extreme age (children and elderly), female gender, socioeconomic status, pre-existing mental health issues and financial crisis post-disaster are the potential predisposing factors influencing the vulnerability of PTSD. In Indian context, the variability in the magnitude of psychiatric illness is mainly attributed to the ethnic diversity (vulnerable population), severity and type of flood event and social support. Still there is more to explore regarding the long-term sequelae of catastrophic floods on physical and mental trauma on disaster-affected populations.

Physiologic specialization and shift in Puccinia triticina pathotypes on wheat in Indian subcontinent during 2013–2016

Brown (leaf) rust of wheat (Puccinia triticina) was widely prevalent in all the wheat growing areas of India and neighbouring countries during 2013–16. To have an effective rust management strategy, monitoring of virulence patterns of P. triticina on wheat were undertaken. Brown rust samples were analyzed from the wheat growing areas in India, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal using standard differential Indian System and named as per the binomial system of nomenclature. A new pathotype 77-12 was also identified during this period. Thirty seven pathotypes of P. triticina were identified in 1427 samples. Five predominant pathotypes 121R63-1(77-5 = THTTM), 121R60-1(77-9 = MHTKL), 21R55 (104-2 = PHTTL), 21R63 (104-3 = PHTTL) and 77-11(125R28 = MGTTL) accounted for 75.1% of the population. All of the prevalent pathotypes are virulent to Lr1, Lr3, Lr10, Lr11,Lr12 Lr13, Lr14a, Lr16, Lr17, Lr23, Lr26. Virulences for Lr9 and Lr19 though recorded from India long back, however, were not observed during present surveys whereas virulence on Lr28 was identified in 0.4% samples only. The proportion of pathotype 121R60-1 (77-9 = MHTKL) has increased during these years and was recorded in 23.7% samples against 12% in the previous report. Brown rust of wheat was not observed on Lr9, Lr24, Lr25, Lr32, Lr39 and Lr45 in the field population of Indian subcontinent during 2013–16. Diversity of pathotypes detected during this period could, to some extent, be related to cultivation of different varieties but was also appeared to be affected by different weather patterns in different agro-ecological areas.

Medicinal plants for the treatment of snakebites among the rural populations of Indian subcontinent: An indication from the traditional use To pharmacological confirmation

Snakebite is one of the important medical problems that affect the public health due to their high morbimortality. Most of the snake venoms produce intense lethal effects, which could lead to impermanent or permanent disability or in often death to the victims. The accessible specific treatment was using the antivenom serum separated from envenomed animals, whose efficiency is reduced against these lethal actions but it has a serious side effects. In this circumstance, this review aimed to provide an updated overview of herbal plants used popularly as antiophidic agents and discuss the main species with pharmacological studies supporting the uses, with prominence on plants inhibiting the lethal effects of snake envenomation amongst the rural tribal peoples of India. There are several reports of the accepted use of herbal plants against snakebites worldwide. In recent years, many studies have been published to giving pharmacological confirmation of benefits of several vegetal species against local effects induced by a broad range of snake venoms, including inhibitory potential against hyaluronidase, phospholipase, proteolytic, hemorrhagic, myotoxic, and edematogenic activities. In India, a variety of herbal plants are used to cure against the snakebites and other poisonous bites, used either in alone or in combination with other herbal agents. The present study was designed to formulate an attempt to bring together information on medicinal plants that are grown and used for snakebite treatment in India. From a variety of literature sources, data have been compiled with prominence on the plants, family, parts used, etc., depending on the availability of information.

Mutation Spectrum of GNE Myopathy in the Indian Sub-Continent.

GNE myopathy is an adult onset recessive genetic disorder that affects distal muscles sparing the quadriceps. GNE gene mutations have been identified in GNE myopathy patients all over the world. Homozygosity is a common feature in GNE myopathy patients worldwide. The major objective of this study was to investigate the mutation spectrum of GNE myopathy in India in relation to the population diversity in the country. We have collated GNE mutation data of Indian GNE myopathy patients from published literature and from recently identified patients. We also used data of people of Indian subcontinent from 1000 genomes database, South Asian Genome database and Strand Life Science database to determine frequency of GNE mutations in the general population. A total of 67 GNE myopathy patients were studied, of whom 21% were homozygous for GNE variants, while the rest were compound heterozygous. Thirty-five different mutations in the GNE gene were recorded, of which 5 have not been reported earlier. The most frequent mutation was p.Val727Met (65%) found mainly in the heterozygous form. Another mutation, p.Ile618Thr was also common (16%) but was found mainly in patients from Rajasthan, while p.Val727Met was more widely distributed. The latter was also seen at a high frequency in general population of Indian subcontinent in all the databases. It was also present in Thailand but was absent in general population elsewhere in the world. p.Val727Met is likely to be a founder mutation of Indian subcontinent.

Hyperlipoproteinemia(a) and Hyperhomocysteinemia in an Young Female with Cerebrovascular Accident

: Background: Hyperhomocysteinemia is a recognized cause of cerebrovascular accident in young, in the Indian subcontinent population. But high lipoprotein(a) is not so much common and though associated with atherogenesis, no positive correlation is established till now between these. Case report: A patient presented with sudden onset of left sided hemiplegia without any recognized risk factor of atherosclerosis but a past history of miscarriage attended the Emergency in a tertiary care hospital. Her blood parameter shows Homocysteine level 19.51μmol/L and lipoprotein(a) level 580 mg/L. Computed tomography (CT) scan showed infraction in the right basal ganglion which was confirmed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) later on. Conclusion: It is a unique type of case report as Hyperlipoproteinemia(a) is not a recognized cause of cerebrovascular accident (CVA). More study require to establish the correlation between hyperlipoproteinemia(a) & hyperhomocysteinemia and cerebrovascular accident.Key words: Cerebrovascular Accident, Hyperhomocystienemia, Hyperlipoprotienemia(a)

Whole Gene Sequencing Based Screening Approach to Detect β-Thalassemia Mutations

About 200 causative mutations are characterized in the β-globin gene. Beta thalassemia diagnosis is very complicated due to the genetic diversity of HBB gene across different geographical regions of the world. In the present study, we have analyzed 138 clinical specimens among them 66 were from 21 unrelated families (trio samples which had DNA from father, mother and chorionic villus sample/amniotic fluid sample) and 72 individual specimens using newly developed sequencing and PCR based assay. We observed 11 different HBB gene mutations in 138 samples, which were also cited by literature as the most prevalent mutations in Indian subcontinent population. The most common mutation observed in our study was HBB.C.92+5 G>C (GC+CC genotype was observed to be 44.93%). Few interesting case studies like co-inheritance of sickle cell anemia and β- thalassemia traits, compound heterozygosity of beta thalassemia major mutation in the case of twin pregnancy were also focused briefly. Commercially available molecular diagnostic kits of HBB gene can detect and identify targeted mutations but will not detect novel and non-targeted mutations of beta thalassemia in parental blood and fetal samples. Hence, a screening technique involving complete sequencing of HBB gene (β-globin gene) is required along with gap PCR approach to provide complete diagnosis of beta thalassemia disease.

Language as a Symbol of Identity and a Tool of Politics and Power in Pakistan and Bangladesh

Abstract This study aims to demonstrate the roles that domestic and foreign languages have played and play as signs of national or religious identity and social prestige and as tools of political and economic power in multilingual Pakistan and Bangladesh. Before the countries gained independence from the British Empire in 1947 and before the formation of the Indian Union and Pakistan (which was divided into Pakistan and Bangladesh in 1971), the role of an official language, remote to the majority of population in Indian subcontinent, had been gradually played by Sanskrit, Persian, and English. After gaining independence, the new countries decided to replace English as the official language with domestic languages. Their efforts encountered many problems and resulted in various solutions. Urdu became the state language in Pakistan, which caused resistance in local ethnolinguistic groups because the language had been imported by refugees from India. This resistance was the strongest in East Pakistan, where a strong national and language awareness eventually contributed to the formation of an independent Bangladesh with Bengali as the state language. Despite struggle for the dominance of domestic languages, English has preserved its prestigious position both in Pakistan and Bangladesh, as a symbol of higher social position, a language of education and science, and a tool of economic and political power.

Population Stratification and Underrepresentation of Indian Subcontinent Genetic Diversity in the 1000 Genomes Project Dataset.

Genomic variation in Indian populations is of great interest due to the diversity of ancestral components, social stratification, endogamy and complex admixture patterns. With an expanding population of 1.2 billion, India is also a treasure trove to catalogue innocuous as well as clinically relevant rare mutations. Recent studies have revealed four dominant ancestries in populations from mainland India: Ancestral North-Indian (ANI), Ancestral South-Indian (ASI), Ancestral Tibeto–Burman (ATB) and Ancestral Austro-Asiatic (AAA). The 1000 Genomes Project (KGP) Phase-3 data include about 500 genomes from five linguistically defined Indian-Subcontinent (IS) populations (Punjabi, Gujrati, Bengali, Telugu and Tamil) some of whom are recent migrants to USA or UK. Comparative analyses show that despite the distinct geographic origins of the KGP-IS populations, the ANI component is predominantly represented in this dataset. Previous studies demonstrated population substructure in the HapMap Gujrati population, and we found evidence for additional substructure in the Punjabi and Telugu populations. These substructured populations have characteristic/significant differences in heterozygosity and inbreeding coefficients. Moreover, we demonstrate that the substructure is better explained by factors like differences in proportion of ancestral components, and endogamy driven social structure rather than invoking a novel ancestral component to explain it. Therefore, using language and/or geography as a proxy for an ethnic unit is inadequate for many of the IS populations. This highlights the necessity for more nuanced sampling strategies or corrective statistical approaches, particularly for biomedical and population genetics research in India.

PCR-RFLP based genotyping of Indian isolates of Toxoplasma gondii.

Toxoplasma gondii is an apicomplexan parasite capable of infecting a wide variety of warm-blooded animals, including birds and humans and is zoonotically important too. Felidae serve its definitive hosts and most infections are inoccous while in various intermediate hosts (e.g. sheep), it is responsible for abortion, still births. Humans which are immune compromised are also susceptible to toxoplasmosis. Most of the epidemiological studies have revealed it to be belonging to three clonal types with exceptions in South Africa having atypical isolates. Current genotyping was carried out at 11 genetic loci (SAG1, 5'-SAG2, 3'-SAG2, alt. SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358 and PK1) using multiplex-nested polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (Mn-PCR-RFLP). SAG1, alt SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, C22-8, C29-2, L358 and PK1 could differentiate our strain/isolates as type I (T. gondii RH) and type III (T. gondii isolates from Chennai and Izatnagar). 5'SAG2 and 3'SAG2 in combination confirmed these as above mentioned genotypes. Further, the T. gondii RH was assigned Toxo DB#10 and local isolates of T. gondii were assigned Toxo DB#2. The present study is the first report on existence of Type III T. gondii lineage from animal population of Indian subcontinent based on PCR-RFLP.

Evolutionary genomics of epidemic visceral leishmaniasis in the Indian subcontinent.

Leishmania donovani causes visceral leishmaniasis (VL), the second most deadly vector-borne parasitic disease. A recent epidemic in the Indian subcontinent (ISC) caused up to 80% of global VL and over 30,000 deaths per year. Resistance against antimonial drugs has probably been a contributing factor in the persistence of this epidemic. Here we use whole genome sequences from 204 clinical isolates to track the evolution and epidemiology of L. donovani from the ISC. We identify independent radiations that have emerged since a bottleneck coincident with 1960s DDT spraying campaigns. A genetically distinct population frequently resistant to antimonials has a two base-pair insertion in the aquaglyceroporin gene LdAQP1 that prevents the transport of trivalent antimonials. We find evidence of genetic exchange between ISC populations, and show that the mutation in LdAQP1 has spread by recombination. Our results reveal the complexity of L. donovani evolution in the ISC in response to drug treatment.

English

Physical growth and development studies were carried out among the populations of both tribal and non-tribal in eastern India by different scholars in different milieu and environmental factors from the eighties and onwards. Since then, the inhabitants of those areas have been doing agriculture, fishing, etc as prime occupation, but after a few decades in the same region, demographic and socio-economic changes took place under the influences of worldwide globalization of industrialization. These are evident in the increase of budget allocation of the respective governments. At the same time, people living in the regions who are under the influence of industrialization have received improved life style being marked with over nutrition; while people in the regions that do not have the impact of socio-economic improvement still struggle with under-nutrition. This co-existing situation of under- and over nutrition among the populations of Indian subcontinent is aptly described as double burden of malnutrition by Shukla et al. In this paper, growth based on anthropometric measurements of height and weight statistically treated in terms of height-for-age-, weight-for-age and BMI-for-age-z score is analyzed by lms formula with reference to WHO. The nutritional status of 3 to 10 years plus children of &nbsp;Mishing (a scheduled tribe) and Kaibarta (a caste population of Assam, India) is studied. The children of 3-10 years plus of Mishing and Kaibarta populations were observed to be shorter than those of the children of CDC2000, Indian, and IndUp; but are taller than their ICMR counterpart. In the present study, the proportions of stunting, underweight, and thinness categories among the boys of both populations were observed to be higher than those of girls; this indicates suffering from chronic under-nutrition due to prolonged deprivation of required nutrients and illness. &nbsp; Key words: Mishing Tribe, Kaibarta caste, height, weight, BMI, Assam, India, stunting, wasting, thinness. &nbsp

PTSD in post-road traffic accident patients requiring hospitalization in Indian subcontinent: A review on magnitude of the problem and management guidelines.

Traumatic events after a road traffic accident (RTA) can be physical and/or psychological. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the major psychological conditions which affect accident victims. Psychological issues may not be addressed in the emergency department(ED) immediately. There have been reports about a mismatch between the timely referrals from ED to occupational or primary care services for these issues. If left untreated, there may be adverse effects on quality of life (QOL) and work productivity. Hospital expenses, loss of income, and loss of work could create a never ending cycle for financial difficulties and burden in trauma victims. The aim of our review is to address the magnitude of PTSD in post-RTA hospitalized patients in Indian subcontinent population. We also attempted to emphasis on few management guidelines. A comprehensive search was conducted on major databases with Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) term ‘PTSD or post-traumatic stress’ and Emergency department and vehicle or road or highway or automobile or car or truck or trauma and India. Out of 120 studies, a total of six studies met our inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Our interpretation of the problem is that; hospital expenditure due to trauma, time away from work during hospitalization, and reduction in work performance, are three major hits that can lead RTA victims to financial crisis. Proposed management guidelines are; establish a coordinated triage, implementing a screening tool in the ED, and provide psychological counseling.

Mitochondrial DNA history of Sri Lankan ethnic people: their relations within the island and with the Indian subcontinental populations

Located only a short distance off the southernmost shore of the Greater Indian subcontinent, the island of Sri Lanka has long been inhabited by various ethnic populations. Mainly comprising the Vedda, Sinhalese (Up- and Low-country) and Tamil (Sri Lankan and Indian); their history of settlements on the island and the biological relationships among them have remained obscure. It has been hypothesized that the Vedda was probably the earliest inhabitants of the area, followed by Sinhalese and Tamil from the Indian mainland. This study, in which 271 individuals, representing the Sri Lankan ethnic populations mentioned, were typed for their mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) hypervariable segment 1 (HVS-1) and part of hypervariable segment 2 (HVS-2), provides implications for their settlement history on the island. From the phylogenetic, principal coordinate and analysis of molecular variance results, the Vedda occupied a position separated from all other ethnic people of the island, who formed relatively close affiliations among themselves, suggesting a separate origin of the former. The haplotypes and analysis of molecular variance revealed that Vedda people's mitochondrial sequences are more related to the Sinhalese and Sri Lankan Tamils' than the Indian Tamils' sequences. MtDNA haplogroup analysis revealed that several West Eurasian haplogroups as well as Indian-specific mtDNA clades were found amongst the Sri Lankan populations. Through a comparison with the mtDNA HVS-1 and part of HVS-2 of Indian database, both Tamils and Sinhalese clusters were affiliated with Indian subcontinent populations than Vedda people who are believed to be the native population of the island of Sri Lanka.

Haptoglobin polymorphism among the tribal groups of southern Gujarat.

BACKGROUND:Gujarat is located at the western most point of the Indian subcontinent. Valsad and Surat districts are part of the ‘tribal belt’of Gujarat and constitute 29.1% of total tribal population of Gujarat. These tribal populations are a rich source of gaining insights in the patterns of genetic diversity and genetico-environmental disorders against the back drop of their ecological, historical and ethnographic aspects.AIM:The objectives were to find out a) the genetic diversity among the tribes of Gujarat with reference to haptoglobin (Hp) locus b) the relationship between Hp polymorphism and sickle cell anemia/trait.MATERIALS AND METHODS:431 individuals belonging to eight tribal groups were studied for Hp polymorphism using polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis (PAGE). Hb*S was screened by dithionate tube turbididy (DTT) test and confirmed using cellulose acetate membrane electrophoresis (CAME).STATISTICAL ANALYSIS:Allele frequency was calculated by direct gene counting method. Average heterozygosity and gene diversity were computed using software DISPAN. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) was estimated using software ARLEQUIN version 3.1.RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS:Pattern of allele frequency distribution showed preponderance of Hp2 allele in all the eight tribal groups, which is in accordance with its frequency in different populations of Indian subcontinent. Total average heterozygosity (HT) was found to be low (0.160) but the level of genetic differentiation (GST) was found to be moderately high (5.6%). AMOVA analysis indicated least among group variance between west and south Indian populations (-0.04%) indicating the affinities of the tribes of Gujarat with that of Dravidian speaking groups. Analysis of Hp phenotypes among sickle cell anemia/ trait individuals revealed a high frequency of Hp 0-0 phenotype (92.7%) among SS individuals as opposed to only 9.7% among AS individuals, reaffirming the selective advantage of HbAS state in relation to hemolytic disorders.