Central Asian Populations Research Articles

Proposing new lipoprotein (a) cut off value for Kazakhstan: pilot study.

There is no consensus on the optimal concentration of lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) for the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD) and aortic valve stenosis. In various clinical guidelines and agreed documents, the threshold level of Lp (a) is 30 mg/dl or 50 mg/dl. We estimated the cut-off value of Lp (a) associated with the risk of developing various localizations of atherosclerosis for the Central Asia, including Kazakhstani population. This study was conducted at National Research Cardiac Surgery Center, Kazakhstan. 487 patients were included, of which 61.3% were men. The mean age of all participants was 57.3 ± 12.6 years. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to study the relationship between risk factors and plasma lipoprotein (a) levels. The threshold value of lipoprotein (a) was predicted using the Youden index. For Kazakhstani population the lipoprotein (a) cut offs for the risk of developing atherosclerotic CVD and aortic valve calcification was 21.1 mg/dl (p < 0.05). There was no relationship with the level of lipoprotein (a) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), which suggests that lipoprotein (a) is an independent risk factor for the development of ASCVD. This study offers new insights into the threshold value of lipoprotein (a) in Kazakhstan, highlighting its role as a risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases and aortic valve calcification. The findings suggest that the internationally recommended Lp(a) cutoffs may not be suitable for Central Asian populations, as the threshold in our study is significantly lower at 21.2 mg/dL. These results emphasize the need for further research with larger sample sizes to establish more region-specific cutoffs.

Genetic aspects of lactase deficiency in indigenous populations of Siberia.

The ability to metabolize lactose in adulthood is associated with the persistence of lactase enzyme activity. In European populations, lactase persistence is determined mainly by the presence of the rs4988235-T variant in the MCM6 gene, which increases the expression of the LCT gene, encoding lactase. The highest rates of lactase persistence are characteristic of Europeans, and the lowest rates are found in East Asian populations. Analysis of published data on the distribution of the hypolactasia-associated variant rs4988235-C in the populations of Central Asia and Siberia showed that the frequency of this variant increases in the northeastern direction. The frequency of this allele is 87 % in Central Asia, 90.6 % in Southern Siberia, and 92.9 % in Northeastern Siberia. Consequently, the ability of the population to metabolize lactose decreases in the same geographical direction. The analysis of paleogenomic data has shown that the higher frequency of the rs4988235-T allele in populations of Central Asia and Southern Siberia is associated with the eastward spread of ancient populations of the Eastern European steppes, starting from the Bronze Age. The results of polymorphism analysis of exons and adjacent introns of the MCM6 and LCT genes in indigenous populations of Siberia indicate the possibility that polymorphic variants may potentially be related to lactose metabolism exist in East Asian populations. In East Asian populations, including Siberian ethnic groups, a ~26.5 thousand nucleotide pairs long region of the MCM6 gene, including a combination of the rs4988285-A, rs2070069-G, rs3087353-T, and rs2070068-A alleles, was found. The rs4988285 and rs2070069 loci are located in the enhancer region that regulates the activity of the LCT gene. Analysis of paleogenomic sequences showed that the genomes of Denisovans and Neanderthals are characterized by the above combination of alleles of the MCM6 gene. Thus, the haplotype discovered appears to be archaic. It could have been inherited from a common ancestor of modern humans, Neanderthals, and Denisovans, or it could have been acquired by hybridization with Denisovans or Neanderthals. The data obtained indicate a possible functional significance of archaic variants of the MCM6 gene.

Ancient genomes revealed the complex human interactions of the ancient western Tibetans

The western Tibetan Plateau is the crossroad between the Tibetan Plateau, Central Asia, and South Asia, and it is a potential human migration pathway connecting these regions. However, the population history of the western Tibetan Plateau remains largely unexplored due to the lack of ancient genomes covering a long-time interval from this area. Here, we reported genome-wide data of 65 individuals dated to 3,500-300 years before present (BP) in the Ngari prefecture. The ancient western Tibetan Plateau populations share the majority of their genetic components with the southern Tibetan Plateau populations and have maintained genetic continuity since 3,500 BP while maintaining interactions with populations within and outside the Tibetan Plateau. Within the Tibetan Plateau, the ancient western Tibetan Plateau populations were influenced by the additional expansion from the south to the southwest plateau before 1,800 BP. Outside the Tibetan Plateau, the western Tibetan Plateau populations interacted with both South and Central Asian populations at least 2,000 years ago, and the South Asian-related genetic influence, despite being very limited, was from the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) migrants in Central Asia instead of the IVC populations from the Indus Valley. In light of the new genetic data, our study revealed the complex population interconnections across and within the Tibetan Plateau.

Insights into subspecies classification and conservation priorities of Central Asian lynx populations revealed by morphometric and genetic analyses

The Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) exhibits geographic variability and phylogenetic intraspecific relationships. Previous morphological studies have suggested the existence of multiple lynx subspecies, but recent genetic research has questioned this classification, particularly in Central Asia. In this study, we aimed to analyse the geographic and genetic variation in Central Asian lynx populations, particularly the Turkestan lynx and Altai lynx populations, using morphometric data and mtDNA sequences to contribute to their taxonomic classification. The comparative analysis of morphometric data revealed limited clinal variability between lynx samples from the Altai and Tien Shan regions. By examining mtDNA fragments (control region and cytochrome b) obtained from Kazakhstani lynx populations, two subspecies were identified: L. l. isabellinus (represented by a unique haplotype of the South clade, H46) and L. l. wrangeli (represented by haplotypes H36, H45, and H47 of the East clade). L. l. isabellinus was recognized only in Tien Shan Mountain, while Altai lynx was likely identical to L. l. wrangeli and found in northern Kazakhstan, Altai Mountain, Saur and Tarbagatai Mountains, and Tien Shan Mountain. The morphological and mtDNA evidence presented in this study, although limited in sample size and number of genetic markers, renders the differentiation of the two subspecies challenging. Further sampling and compilation of whole-genome sequencing data are necessary to confirm whether the proposed subspecies warrant taxonomic standing.

Origin of the Andronovans: A Statistical Approach

The origin of the Andronovo population is explored using a statistical rather than typological approach. Four questions are raised. Which Eastern European populations of the Middle Bronze and the transition to the Late Bronze Age had taken part in Andronovo origins? What was the contribution of the southern groups? What was the role of the autochthonous Siberian substratum? What was the population background of the dichotomy between two major Andronovo cultural traditions, Fedorovka and Alakul? To address these questions, measurements of 12 male Andronovo cranial samples (nine relating to Fedorovka and three to Alakul) and 85 male cranial samples from Eastern Europe, Siberia, Kazakhstan, Southwestern Central Asia, Southern Caucasus, and the Near East were subjected to canonical variate analysis, and minimum spanning trees were constructed. The results suggest that the most likely ancestors of Andronovans were Late Catacomb tribes of Northern Caucasus, people of Poltavka, Sintashta, and those associated with the Abashevo-Sintashta horizon. While no direct parallels with Southern Caucasian, Southwestern Central Asian or Near Eastern populations were found among Andronovo groups, some of them could have inherited the southern component from either the Abashevo or the Catacomb people. In the former case, one should postulate a gradient: Fatyanovo → Balanovo → Abashevo → Sintashta → Petrovka → Andronovo; in the latter case, the variation within Andronovo is directly derivable from that among the Catacomb populations. Andronovo groups displaying an autochthonous Siberian tendency demonstrate various degrees of “mutual assimilation” between immigrants and pre-Mongoloid natives. Differences between the Fedorovka and Alakul samples are significant but very small. A special role of Petrovka in the origin of Alakul is not supported by the analysis.

Changes in the ethnic structure of the population of Central Asia countries in the post-Soviet period

Central Asia is the only macro-region of the post-Soviet space where population growth has been observed over the past three decades, accompanied by a significant restructuring of the ethnic structure. The purpose of the study is to identify the most significant factors that influenced the change in the national composition of the population of the countries of Central Asia that occurred in the post-Soviet era, or more precisely, in the period between 1989 and 2021. The study is based on statistical, graphical and cartographic methods. The analysis showed that the most important factor influencing the change in the ethnic structure of the population of Central Asia in the post-Soviet period was the high natural increase in the titular peoples of the countries of the macroregion, which led to a more than doubling of their numbers in their republics. The second important factor in the ethnic restructuring of the Central Asian states was the reduction in the size of the non-titular population of the republics as a result of their migration outflow and natural decline. The opposite dynamics of the titular and non-titular populations of the Central Asian republics in the post-Soviet period led to a sharp increase in the share of titular peoples in their populations. Currently, in all countries of Central Asia, the share of titular peoples exceeds 70 %, and Tajikistan can already be considered a mononational state.

REGIONAL SECURITY: THE CURRENT SITUATION AND FUTURE TRENDS IN CENTRAL ASIA

In an interconnected world, the security of a nation is closely intertwined with the security of its neighboring regions. Regional security changes have the potential to significantly impact a nation's overall security. In the geopolitical and geo-economic scenario, the strategic position and possession of a state or region remains a challenging issue as evident from the evolving strategic scenario of 21st Century international politics. In this framework, the Central Asian region is considered to be of major strategic significance because of its geopolitical position. In addition, the region possesses some of the important energy resources, mainly oil and gas, and access to them is of strategic significance to all involved – regional as well as external players. This study aims to provide an overview of the current situation of Central Asian countries and their prospects in security. Geographically Central Asia, the central part of Asia, this region is directly bordered by influential players in international relations. Central Asia is bordered by the Caspian Sea in the west, China in the east, Afghanistan in the south, and Russia in the north. The region consists of former Soviet republics such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan.&#x0D; Central Asia has been an area of geopolitical interest due to its strategic location and abundant natural resources. To understand the current situation and future trends in regional security, it is essential to consider a few key factors. First of all, the Political Stability: Central Asia comprises Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. While these nations have made progress in political stability since gaining independence from the Soviet Union, challenges persist. Authoritarian governance, limited political pluralism, and ethnic tensions have occasionally affected stability in the region. Next, Terrorism and Extremism: Central Asia has faced the threat of terrorism and extremism, primarily from groups like the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), the Taliban, and now the Islamic State (IS). Also, it is Poverty, lack of economic opportunities, and political repression have contributed to the vulnerability of Central Asian populations to radicalization. The intricate balancing act of Central Asian states is examined through the concept of multi-vectors, a strategy used by these nations to diversify foreign alliances and resist domination by any single power.

Działalność Hunów w Europie jako przykład zderzenia cywilizacji

The result of the military, political and economic activity of the Huns in Europe was the depopulation of vast areas, massive ethnic changes, and the destruction of many previous political organisms. The question arises as to why they were so successful. They had knowledge and skills that were alien to the European civilization of that time but perfectly known among the nomadic population of Central Asia and China. Therefore, their activity can be seen as a confrontation of different cultural models. In this sense, it was a clash of civilizations – almost in a sense proposed by S. Huntington.

Жу-Юп Лидің «Әлем тарихындағы түркі халықтары» атты жаңа кітабы

The article is a review of the recently published book “The Turkic Peoples in World History” by Yoo-Yup Lee (Routledge, 2024, “Themes in World History” Series) which can be seen as an introduction to the history of the Turkic peoples and is addressed to both students and the general reader, as well as professionals, since the author’s approach to the topic is non-trivial, and the book contains many insights and interesting facts. Noting that Turkic peoples played an important role in the history of Eurasia as the creators of many empires (including the Mongol) and states, the author focuses on the history of separate Turkic peoples with a distinct identity and traces the transformation of these groups into the Turkic peoples of modern times. He emphasizes that in the pre-modern era, the Turkic peoples were not aware of their ethnolinguistic unity and did not call themselves Turks, having separate identities, and the process of expansion of the Turkic peoples (that is, their history) was accompanied by the Turkization of numerous non-Turkic-speaking groups and by processes of mixing and integration. Describing Turkic peoples based on their origins and identity, the author identifies four categories corresponding to the chapters of the book. These are the early Turkic peoples (Tiele, Türks and Uyghurs); peoples who appeared in the Eurasian steppe belt because of Turkic migrations (Qirghiz, Bulghars, Khazars, Qarakhanid Türks and Qipchaqs); the Oghuz Turkic peoples; the Turkic-Mongolian peoples (Chaghatay/Moghuls, Uzbeks, Qazaqs and Crimean Tatars). Specifically, the author calls the Qazaqs the direct descendants of the Jochid ulus, which was the result of amalgamation of Mongolian groups with non-Mongolian ones, and primarily with Turkic ones, in the Qipchaq steppe. The early Qazaqs and Shibanid Uzbeks had the same Chingizid-Mongol identity, but at the turn of the 16th century their paths diverged when the Qazaqs included the Moghul and Mangit nomads in their composition, and the Shibanid Uzbeks began to merge with the settled Iranian population of Central Asia. Genetically, modern Qazaqs (Kazakhs) are close to the Mongols. In general, the book shows the heterogeneous nature of the formation of most Turkic peoples of modernity and the Middle Ages

РЕЗУЛЬТАТЫ ПРОЕКТА МОДЕРНИЗАЦИИ ГИДРОМЕТЕОРОЛОГИЧЕСКОГО ОБСЛУЖИВАНИЯ В ЦЕНТРАЛЬНОЙ АЗИИ В 2012-2023 ГГ

Central Asia consists of five former Soviet republics: the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and the Republic of Tajikistan. The territory of Central Asia stretches from the Caspian Sea in the west to China in the east, and from central Siberia in the north to Afghanistan and Iran in the south. Despite having an area the size of Western Europe, Central Asia is home to only 57 million people. In 2008, the population of Central Asia accounted for 14% of the population of the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region, while the gross domestic product (GDP) amounted to only 5.0% of the GDP of the ECA region. The Central Asia Hydrometeorological Services Modernization Project (CA HMSMP) played a key role in enhancing cooperation, improving information sharing, and capacity building among the five National Hydrometeorological Services (NHMS) in Central Asia. The project has made significant progress in strengthening regional cooperation and institutional capacity of the four participating NHMSs. Through joint capacity building activities, including training of forecasters, NHMS specialists have established operational relationships for cooperation, mutual support, and recognition of regional and national benefits of data sharing. A high-level platform for the countries of the region (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan) was also established to work closely together, build consensus on promising improvements, and harmonize practical aspects of weather, climate, and hydrological information services to be managed at the regional level.

Candidate genes related to acute cerebral circulatory disorders in Preeclampsia in the Kazakh Population

BackgroundThe purpose of this study is to conduct a comparative analysis of the population frequencies of alleles and genotypes of polymorphic variants of coagulation and fibrinolysis genes SERPINE1 rs1799889, ITGA2 rs1126643, THBD rs1042580, FII rs1799963, FV rs6025, FVII rs6046, angiogenesis and endothelial dysfunction PGF rs12411, FLT1 rs4769612, KDR rs2071559, ACE rs4340, GWAS associated with the development of acute cerebral circulatory disorders in preeclampsia, in an ethnically homogeneous population of Kazakhs with previously studied populations of the world. MethodsThe genomic database was analysed based on the results of genotyping of 1800 conditionally healthy individuals of Kazakh nationality ∼2.5 million SNPs using OmniChip 2.5 M Illumina chips at the DECODE Iceland Genomic Center as part of the joint implementation of the project “Genetic Studies of Preeclampsia in Populations of Central Asia and Europe” (InterPregGen) within the 7th Framework Programme of the European Commission under Grant Agreement No. 282540. ResultThe study discovered a significantly higher population frequency of carrying the unfavorable rs1126643 allele of the ITGA2 gene polymorphism when compared with European populations. The population frequencies of carrying minor alleles of the SERPINE1 (rs179988) and KDR (rs2071559) genes in the Kazakh population were significantly lower when compared with the previously studied populations of Europe and Asia. An intermediate frequency of unfavorable minor alleles between European and Asian populations was found in Kazakhs for gene polymorphisms: FV rs6025, PGF rs12411, and ACE rs4340. The genomic analysis determined the choice of polymorphisms for their further replicative genotyping in patients with ACCD in PE in the Kazakh population. ConclusionThe obtained results will serve as a basis for the development of effective methods of early diagnosis and treatment of PE in pregnant women, carriers of unfavorable genotypes.

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Juniperus seravschanica Kom. Collected in Central Asia.

Juniperus seravschanica Kom. is a species that grows widely in the mountain ranges from Central Asia to Oman. It is an important tree for the formation of shrub-forest massifs in mountainous areas and for draining and fixing soils from middle to high altitudes. A comprehensive study of the species' genetic diversity and population structure is a basic approach to understanding the current status of J. seravschanica resources for the development of future conservation strategies. Samples from 15 populations of J. seravschanica were collected from the mountain ranges of Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. The genetic diversity and population structure of 15 Central Asian populations of J. seravschanica were assessed using 11 polymorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Genetic diversity parameters, including the number of alleles (na), the effective number of alleles (ne), Shannon's information index (I), the percentage of polymorphic loci (PPL), Nei's genetic diversity index (Nei), principal coordinate analysis (PCoA), etc., were evaluated. The analysis of 15 J. seravschanica populations based on 11 polymorphic SSRs detected 35 alleles. The average PIC value was 0.432, and the highest value (0.662) was found in the JT_40 marker. Nei's genetic diversity index for the J. seravschanica populations was 0.450, ranging from 0.407 (population 14) to 0.566 (population 4). The analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that 90.3% of total genetic variation is distributed within the population. Using the alleles of all the populations, the gene flow (Nm) was found to be 4.654. Population structure analysis revealed poor clustering in the studied populations and confirmed our AMOVA results. The output of this work can be efficiently used for the maintenance of the species across the Central Asian region.

Range-wide evolutionary relationships and historical demography of brown bears (Ursus arctos) revealed by whole-genome sequencing of isolated central Asian populations.

Phylogeographic studies uncover hidden pathways of divergence and inform conservation. Brown bears (Ursus arctos) have one of the broadest distributions of all land mammals, ranging from Eurasia to North America, and are an important model for evolutionary studies. Although several whole genomes were available for individuals from North America, Europe and Asia, limited whole-genome data were available from Central Asia, including the highly imperilled brown bears in the Gobi Desert. To fill this knowledge gap, we sequenced whole genomes from nine Asian brown bears from the Gobi Desert of Mongolia, Northern Mongolia and the Himalayas of Pakistan. We combined these data with published brown bear sequences from Europe, Asia and North America, as well as other bear species. Our goals were to determine the evolutionary relationships among brown bear populations worldwide, their genetic diversity and their historical demography. Our analyses revealed five major lineages of brown bears based on a filtered set of 684,081 single nucleotide polymorphisms. We found distinct evolutionary lineages of brown bears in the Gobi, Himalayas, northern Mongolia, Europe and North America. The lowest level of genetic diversity and the highest level of inbreeding were found in Pakistan, the Gobi Desert and Central Italy. Furthermore, the effective population size (Ne ) for all brown bears decreased over the last 70,000 years. Our results confirm the genetic distinctiveness and ancient lineage of brown bear subspecies in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia and the Himalayas of Pakistan and highlight their importance for conservation.

Genomic analysis of Leishmania turanica strains from different regions of Central Asia.

The evolution in Leishmania is governed by the opposite forces of clonality and sexual reproduction, with vicariance being an important factor. As such, Leishmania spp. populations may be monospecific or mixed. Leishmania turanica in Central Asia is a good model to compare these two types. In most areas, populations of L. turanica are mixed with L. gerbilli and L. major. Notably, co-infection with L. turanica in great gerbils helps L. major to withstand a break in the transmission cycle. Conversely, the populations of L. turanica in Mongolia are monospecific and geographically isolated. In this work, we compare genomes of several well-characterized strains of L. turanica originated from monospecific and mixed populations in Central Asia in order to shed light on genetic factors, which may drive evolution of these parasites in different settings. Our results illustrate that evolutionary differences between mixed and monospecific populations of L. turanica are not dramatic. On the level of large-scale genomic rearrangements, we confirmed that different genomic loci and different types of rearrangements may differentiate strains originated from mixed and monospecific populations, with genome translocations being the most prominent example. Our data suggests that L. turanica has a significantly higher level of chromosomal copy number variation between the strains compared to its sister species L. major with only one supernumerary chromosome. This suggests that L. turanica (in contrast to L. major) is in the active phase of evolutionary adaptation.

The Phenomenon of the “Golden Statue of a Man for Sacrifices to Heaven” in Xiongnu Culture

Purpose. The purpose of the work is to search for evidence of the “golden statue of a man for sacrifices to Heaven” existence in the material culture of the early Xiongnu for the subsequent interpretation of this phenomenon.Materials. To achieve this goal, the reports of Chinese historical records on the culture of the early Xiongnu, which contain references to the “golden statue of a person for sacrifices to Heaven” were analyzed. Information from the historical records was compared with archaeological materials of synchronous archaeological cultures with numerous gold items in the territory of Northern Eurasia. Basically, the comparison was made with the “golden culture” of the Sakas of Kazakhstan.Result. It has been established that the “golden statue of a person for sacrifices to Heaven” in the culture of the early Xiongnu did not imply a golden statue, similar to later statues of Buddha, but the tradition of the deceased rulers clothes decorating with gold implements in the process of the ritual exposure of the deceased body. This tradition is widely known from the materials of the Sakas culture of Kazakhstan as a rite of creating a “golden man”. It is suggested that this tradition was borrowed by the Xiongnu in the course of contacts with the Saka population of Kazakhstan in the 4th century BC and existed among the Xiongnu until the 2nd century BC. The contacts between the Xiongnu and the Scythian and Saka nomadic population of Central Asia are confirmed by the excavations materials from the Chikhertyn Zoo burial ground in Mongolia.Conclusion. As a result of the work carried out, it was possible to identify some material and spiritual culture features of the early Xiongnu (4th – 2nd centuries BC).

A Wooly Way? Fiber technologies and cultures 3,000-years-ago along the Inner Asian Mountain Corridor

Wool-focused economies yielded a pastoralist materiality that visibly shaped the lived experiences of Central Asian populations today. In this paper, we investigate the earlier application of fibers through a key mountain corridor for social interactions during Prehistory. We focus on the site of Chap 1 located in the highlands of the Tien Shan Mountains of Kyrgyzstan where researchers have found a complex agropastoral subsistence culture was established from at least ca. 3,000 BCE. The perishable materials that would have accompanied the early spread of cultural and technological traditions related to fiber-based crafts throughout this area are under-documented due to poor organic preservation. Hence, there has been little consideration of the role that textiles played in highland occupation and how woven fabrics might have facilitated settlement in the extreme climates of Central Asia. We address this ongoing problem through a multi-application survey of Chap’s unpublished textile evidence preserved as impressions in coarseware ceramics of its Final Bronze Age. We consider evidence that sheep wool formed a key cultural adaptation for surviving the extreme winters of Central Asia’s highland regions.

Global burden of primary liver cancer and its association with underlying aetiologies, sociodemographic status, and sex differences from 1990-2019: A DALY-based analysis of the Global Burden of Disease 2019 study.

Global distribution of dominant liver cancer aetiologies has significantly changed over the past decades. This study analyzed the updated temporal trends of liver cancer aetiologies and sociodemographic status in 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019. The Global Burden of Disease 2019 report was used for statistical analysis. In addition, we performed stratification analysis to five quintiles using sociodemographic index and 21 geographic regions. The crude numbers of liver cancer disease-adjusted life years (DALYs) and deaths significantly increased during the study period (DALYs; 11,278,630 in 1990 and 12,528,422 in 2019, deaths; 365,215 in 1990 and 484,577 in 2019). However, the Age-standardized DALY and mortality rates decreased. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains the leading cause of liver cancer DALYs and mortality, followed by hepatitis C virus (HCV), alcohol consumption, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis/non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NASH/NAFLD). Although Age-standardized DALY and mortality rates of liver cancer due to HBV and HCV have decreased, the rates due to alcohol consumption and NASH/NAFLD have increased. In 2019, the population of the East Asia region had the highest Age-standardized DALY and mortality rates, followed by high-income Asia-Pacific and Central Asia populations. Although East Asia and high-income Asia-Pacific regions showed a decrease during the study period, Age-standardized DALY rates increased in Central Asia. High-income North American and Australasian populations also showed a significant increase in Age-standardized DALY. Liver cancer remains an ongoing global threat. The burden of liver cancer associated with alcohol consumption and NASH/NAFLD is markedly increasing and projected to continuously increase.

Improving operation of inter-farm channels

The country's water supply depends mainly on the water resources of the Amudarya and Syrdarya. 80,7 % of the country's water resources are formed in the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan territory. The population of Central Asia is expected to increase by 40 % in the next 20 years. This, in turn, requires more economical use of water and land resources. At present, it is important to modernize irrigation systems, increase their efficiency, automate water distribution processes, and improve the distribution of water to consumers by accurate measurement of internal channels.

Ancient Components and Recent Expansion in the Eurasian Heartland: Insights into the Revised Phylogeny of Y-Chromosomes from Central Asia.

In the past two decades, studies of Y chromosomal single nucleotide polymorphisms (Y-SNPs) and short tandem repeats (Y-STRs) have shed light on the demographic history of Central Asia, the heartland of Eurasia. However, complex patterns of migration and admixture have complicated population genetic studies in Central Asia. Here, we sequenced and analyzed the Y-chromosomes of 187 male individuals from Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Uzbek, Karakalpak, Hazara, Karluk, Tajik, Uyghur, Dungan, and Turkmen populations. High diversity and admixture from peripheral areas of Eurasia were observed among the paternal gene pool of these populations. This general pattern can be largely attributed to the activities of ancient people in four periods, including the Neolithic farmers, Indo-Europeans, Turks, and Mongols. Most importantly, we detected the consistent expansion of many minor lineages over the past thousand years, which may correspond directly to the formation of modern populations in these regions. The newly discovered sub-lineages and variants provide a basis for further studies of the contributions of minor lineages to the formation of modern populations in Central Asia.

Strange neophites of islam: the transition of christians to islam in Russian Turkestan

The relevance of the study is determined by the fact that Russia was and remains a multinational and multi-confessional country, transitions from one religion to another are not too rare today, therefore it seems important to consider the reasons and motives that prompted people to change their faith. The article deals with the problem of Christians' conversion to Islam in general and in Russian Turkestan in particular. The study describes the characteristics of Islam-Christian relations in Russian Turkestan in the last third of the XIX – early XX century. Based on archival sources, the author gives examples of the religious change of Russian people in favor of Islam, reveals the reasons, writes about the attitude of the Turkestan administration, the Holy Synod and the diocesan authorities to them. The author notes that interreligious relations in tsarist Russia were generally tolerant, but unequal. The Russian Orthodox Church was considered the dominant denomination in the country. The State has firmly and consistently protected her interests in a legal manner. Therefore, the conversions of Orthodox Christians to Islam were extremely rare and secret, since renegades and their seducers were subject to punishment. However, the situation changed after the adoption of liberal religious legislation in the early XX century. Despite the prohibitions of Orthodox Christians to convert to Islam, the lack of punitive punishment for this prompted some to change their faith. Over time, the number of renegades from Orthodoxy who converted to Islam began to amount to many dozens in the region. Coupled with transitions to other confessions, the number of traitors to Orthodoxy was measured in hundreds. Russian Turkestan's conversions to Islam were a noticeable phenomenon in its socio-political life and they did not contribute to the growth of the prestige of the Russian Orthodox Church among the multinational population of Central Asia.