Yao Ethnic Group Research Articles

Molecular epidemiological survey of haemoglobinopathies in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of southern China

Accurate and up-to-date data on the frequency of haemoglobinopathies among the populations of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, where haemoglobinopathies are most endemic in China, are required. In our study, a total of 5789 samples obtained from members of the Han, Zhang, and Yao ethnic groups in six geographical areas of Guangxi Province were analysed systematically in terms of both haematological and molecular parameters. The results presented that the total heterozygote frequency of thalassaemias and other haemoglobinopathies was 24.51%, of which 17.55% was due to alpha-thalassaemia, 6.43% to beta-thalassaemia, 0.38% to structural haemoglobin variants, and 0.16% to delta-thalassaemia. The mutational spectrum among the local population for each type of disorder was described, including the first report on the true prevalence of three silent alpha thalassemia defects, -alpha(3.7)/(4.78%), -alpha(4.2)/(1.61%) and Hb Westmead (alpha(WS)alpha/) (1.57%) and of delta-thalassemia resulting from five novel and two rare mutations never before identified in Chinese individuals. Comparison of the frequencies of alpha-globin mutations among the ethnic groups showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the Han (15.71%) and Zhuang (20.12%), and between the Han (15.71%) and Yao (20.84%) ethnic groups. In addition, we have performed the first extensive study of haematological parameters of the Hb Westmead mutation using a group of Chinese subjects with compound heterozygosity for this variant and an alpha-thalassaemia deletion. The knowledge gained in this study will enable us to estimate the health burden in this high-risk population and to elucidate the various genetic alterations that underlie haemoglobinopathies.

Identities, Livelihoods and Transnational Migration: Muslim Malawians in Durban, South Africa

ABSTRACT Transnational approaches have led to perspectives of migrations as emblematic of globalisation, alternative modernities, and a celebration of multicultural identities and politics. Yet many of these analyses often miss the importance of religion and the religious identity of migrants. This article discusses Malawian migrants, mostly from the Yao ethnic group in the Mangochi district. As transnational migrants they have configured their identities, including their religious identity, in various ways in order to pursue their livelihoods in the places and spaces between South Africa and Malawi. The paper analyses the identities of these migrants through a series of case studies that focus specifically on religious identity as a material resource in the livelihood survival of migrants.

Allele frequencies of mitochondrial D-loop (CA) n repeat polymorphism in six Chinese ethnic groups

Allele frequencies of mitochondrial D-loop (CA) n repeat was carried out in six Chinese ethnic groups: Han ethnic group in Beijing, Uygur ethnic group in Kashi of Xinjiang province, Li ethnic group in Hainan province, Yao ethnic group in Junan of Guangxi province, Tibet ethnic group in Lasa of Xizang province and Yi ethnic group in Honghe of Yunnan province. A total of 542 individuals were typed. Comparative analyses between our population data and other populations gathered from the literature were performed.