Evaluation of African oil palm germplasm for drought tolerance

A field experiment was conducted at ARS Campus, Gangavati, University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot to evaluate the oil palm genotypes for drought tolerance under medium black soils of Tungabhadra Command area of Karnataka. Nine oil palm genotypes were collected from Zambia and Tanzania for drought tolerance studies under rainfed conditions. The genotype ZS-3 recorded significantly higher fresh fruit bunch (FFB) yield 7.0 t ha-1 over Z-6, ZS-8, ZS-8, ZS-9, TS-5 and TS-7. Number of bunches were significantly higher in the genotypes ZS-3 (4.4) followed by ZS-1 (4.1) and ZS-9 (4.0). Bunch weight was significantly higher in the genotype ZS-3 (11.2 kg bunch-1) followed by ZS-5 (10.8 kg bunch-1) and ZS-6 (9.4 kg bunch-1). The number of fruits per bunch was significantly higher in the genotype ZS-8 (3031) over all other genotypes. The number of male inflorescence was lower with the genotype ZS-5 and TS-5 (7.8 and 8.0 respectively). The number of female inflorescence was higher with the genotypes ZS-3 and TS-5 (7.0 and 7.0, respectively). Per cent sex ratio was higher with the genotype TS-5 and ZS-5 (46.2 and 44.8, respectively). The genotype ZS-1 and ZS-5 recorded higher annual leaf production of 21.4 and 20.3, respectively. The genotype ZS-1 recorded significantly lower number of leaf scorched per palm of 2.2 over other genotypes but it was on par with genotype ZS-3 (3.6). The data on various physiological and biochemical parameters revealed that the genotype ZS-1 and ZS-3 recorded higher relative water content, lower electrolyte leaching and significantly lower peroxidase activity indicating relatively more stress tolerant than other tested genotypes

Lack of Association of Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 Gene Haplotypes with Bone Mineral Density, Bone Loss, or Risk of Fractures in Men

Introduction. The association of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) with BMD and risk of fracture was suggested by a recent linkage study, but subsequent studies have been contradictory. We report the results of a study of the relationship between BMP2 genotypes and BMD, annual change in BMD, and risk of fracture in male subjects. Materials and Methods. We tested three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across the BMP2 gene, including Ser37Ala SNP, in 342 Caucasian Englishmen, comprising 224 control and 118 osteoporotic subjects. Results. BMP2 SNP1 (Ser37Ala) genotypes were found to have similar low frequency in control subjects and men with osteoporosis. The major informative polymorphism, BMP2 SNP3 (Arg190Ser), showed no statistically significant association with weight, height, BMD, change in BMD at hip or lumbar spine, and risk of fracture. Conclusion. There were no genotypic or haplotypic effects of the BMP2 candidate gene on BMD, change in BMD, or fracture risk identified in this cohort

Paraoxonase 1 GENE polymorphisms contribute to coronary artery disease risk

Polymorphisms in paraoxonase 1 (PON1) coding for PON1 enzyme have been studied as genetic markers of coronary artery disease (CAD). PON1 Q192R and PON1 L55M polymorphisms have been analyzed extensively, but data on association and role of these polymorphisms in the etiology of CAD are conflicting. In this study, we tested the genetic association between PON1 Q192R and PON1 L55M polymorphisms and CAD among north Indians. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred eighty-five angiographically proven patients with coronary artery disease and 200 sex-matched and ethnically matched controls were genotyped for 2 PON1 polymorphisms by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique. Genotype/ allele frequencies were compared in patients and controls using the chi-square test. RESULTS: At PON1-192 locus, there were significant differences between patients and controls (P< 0.05), leading to significant odds ratios for RR genotype (OR= 1.92, CI: 1.19-3.10) and *R allele (OR= 1.30, CI: 1.00-1.70). These odds ratios were higher in the sub-sample of smokers (2.84 and 1.45, respectively). Binary logistic regression analysis also confirmed that *R allele carriers (QR and RR) have a higher risk of CAD (OR= 3.54, CI: 1.67-5.53). PON1-55 locus did not show significant differences between patients and controls, but LL genotype and *L allele were significant risk factors in the nonsmoker group. RL haplotype was also significantly associated with CAD risk (OR= 1.44, CI: 1.08-1.93). CONCLUSIONS: PON1-192R allele and RR genotype are significantly associated with CAD patients from the north Indian population (Uttar Pradesh). This association was stronger in smokers, supporting the conclusion that an interaction between PON1 activity and smoking augments CAD risk. Further studies with larger sample size are warranted to confirm these associations in different Indian populations

Most of the extant mtDNA boundaries in South and Southwest Asia were likely shaped during the initial settlement of Eurasia by anatomically modern humans

BACKGROUND:Recent advances in the understanding of the maternal and paternal heritage of south and southwest Asian populations have highlighted their role in the colonization of Eurasia by anatomically modern humans. Further understanding requires a deeper insight into the topology of the branches of the Indian mtDNA phylogenetic tree, which should be contextualized within the phylogeography of the neighboring regional mtDNA variation. Accordingly, we have analyzed mtDNA control and coding region variation in 796 Indian (including both tribal and caste populations from different parts of India) and 436 Iranian mtDNAs. The results were integrated and analyzed together with published data from South, Southeast Asia and West Eurasia.RESULTS:Four new Indian-specific haplogroup M sub-clades were defined. These, in combination with two previously described haplogroups, encompass approximately one third of the haplogroup M mtDNAs in India. Their phylogeography and spread among different linguistic phyla and social strata was investigated in detail. Furthermore, the analysis of the Iranian mtDNA pool revealed patterns of limited reciprocal gene flow between Iran and the Indian sub-continent and allowed the identification of different assemblies of shared mtDNA sub-clades.CONCLUSIONS:Since the initial peopling of South and West Asia by anatomically modern humans, when this region may well have provided the initial settlers who colonized much of the rest of Eurasia, the gene flow in and out of India of the maternally transmitted mtDNA has been surprisingly limited. Specifically, our analysis of the mtDNA haplogroups, which are shared between Indian and Iranian populations and exhibit coalescence ages corresponding to around the early Upper Paleolithic, indicates that they are present in India largely as Indian-specific sub-lineages. In contrast, other ancient Indian-specific variants of M and R are very rare outside the sub-continent.This item is part of the UA Faculty Publications collection. For more information this item or other items in the UA Campus Repository, contact the University of Arizona Libraries at [email protected]

True Interindividual Variability Exists in Postprandial Appetite Responses in Healthy Men But Is Not Moderated by the FTO Genotype

Background: After meal ingestion, a series of coordinated hormone responses occur concomitantly with changes in perceived appetite. It is not known whether interindividual variability in appetite exists in response to a meal. Objectives: The aim of this study was to 1) assess the reproducibility of appetite responses to a meal; 2) quantify individual differences in responses; and 3) explore any moderating influence of the fat mass and obesity associated (FTO) gene. Methods: Using a replicated crossover design, 18 healthy men (mean ± SD age: 28.5 ± 9.8 y; BMI: 27.0 ± 5.0 kg/m2) recruited according to FTO genotype (9 AA, 9 TT) completed 2 identical control and 2 identical standardized meal conditions (5025 kJ) in randomized sequences. Perceived appetite and plasma acylated ghrelin, total peptide YY (PYY), insulin, and glucose concentrations were measured before and after interventions as primary outcomes. Interindividual differences were explored using Pearson’s product-moment correlations between the first and second replicates of the control-adjusted meal response. Within-participant covariate-adjusted linear mixed models were used to quantify participant-by-condition and genotype-by-condition interactions. Results: The meal suppressed acylated ghrelin and appetite perceptions [standardized effect size (ES): 0.18–4.26] and elevated total PYY, insulin, and glucose (ES: 1.96–21.60). For all variables, SD of change scores was greater in the meal than in the control conditions. Moderate-to-large positive correlations were observed between the 2 replicates of controladjusted meal responses for all variables (r = 0.44–0.86, P ≤ 0.070). Participant-by-condition interactions were present for all variables (P ≤ 0.056). FTO genotype-by-condition interactions were nonsignificant (P ≥ 0.19) and treatment effect differences between genotype groups were small (ES ≤ 0.27) for all appetite parameters. Conclusions: Reproducibility of postprandial appetite responses is generally good. True interindividual variability is present beyond any random within-subject variation in healthy men but we detected no moderation by the FTO genotype. These findings highlight the importance of exploring individual differences in appetite for the prevention and treatment of obesit

A Microsatellite Guided Insight into the Genetic Status of Adi, an Isolated Hunting-Gathering Tribe of Northeast India

Tibeto-Burman populations of India provide an insight into the peopling of India and aid in understanding their genetic relationship with populations of East, South and Southeast Asia. The study investigates the genetic status of one such Tibeto-Burman group, Adi of Arunachal Pradesh based on 15 autosomal microsatellite markers. Further the study examines, based on 9 common microsatellite loci, the genetic relationship of Adi with 16 other Tibeto-Burman speakers of India and 28 neighboring populations of East and Southeast Asia. Overall, the results support the recent formation of the Adi sub-tribes from a putative ancestral group and reveal that geographic contiguity is a major influencing factor of the genetic affinity among the Tibeto-Burman populations of India

Unity in diversity: an overview of the genomic anthropology of India

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Annals of Human Biology on 16th Jun 2014, available online: http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/03014460.2014.922615Context: India is considered a treasure for geneticists and evolutionary biologists due to its vast human diversity, consisting of more than 4500 anthropologically well-defined populations (castes, tribes and religious groups). Each population differs in terms of endogamy, language, culture, physical features, geographic and climatic position and genetic architecture. These factors contributed to India-specific genetic variations which may be responsible for various common diseases in India and its migratory populations. As a result, interpretations of the origins and affinities of Indian populations as well as health and disease conditions require complex and sophisticated genetic analysis. Evidence of ancient human dispersals and settlements is preserved in the genome of Indian inhabitants and this has been extensively analysed in conventional and genomic analyses. Objective and methods: Using genomic analyses of STRs and Alu on a set of populations, this study estimates the level and extent of genetic variation and its implications. Results: The results show that Indian populations have a higher level of unique genetic diversity which is structured by many social processes and geographical attributes of the country. Conclusion: This overview highlights the need to study the anthropological structure and evolutionary history of Indian populations while designing genomic and epigenomic investigations. © 2014 Informa UK Ltd

Genetic Variation of Apolipoproteins in North Indians

Genetic variation at three apolipoprotein loci (APOA4, APOH, and APOE) has been examined in nine endogamous populations of Punjab, North India. The overall pattern of allele frequency variation at different loci is compatible with that of European populations, but observed microvariation differentiates the populations according to their position in the Indian caste structure. The most common allele at the APOA4 locus was APOA4*1 with a narrow frequency range (89%–92%). APOH*2 allele frequency was highest in these populations (0.852–0.914). APOE*E4 allele frequency was relatively low (6%–10%) in the North Indian populations compared to its frequency in many European populations. The anthropological usage of these polymorphisms was evaluated using multivariate analyses. Genetic distance analysis and principal correspondence analysis showed that the North Indian populations are closest to Europeans, followed by Chinese and African populations. Overall, this study highlights the usefulness of apolipoproteins as genetic markers for clinical, population, and anthropological studies

A study of morpho-behavioural and genetic traits among Dhimars of Mandla, Madhya Pradesh, India

Summary. — 75 adult males of Dhimar community of Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh (India) were studied for the P.T.C., Colour Vision Defect, Handedness, Tounge Gymnastics, and Mid Phalangeal Hair. Dhimars is an endogamous fishermen and palanquin bearing community and this study aims to investigate polymorphisms of somes genetic and morpho-behavioural traits among Dhimars and evaluate their affinities with other populations.ÉTUDE DE CARACTÈRES MORPHOLOGIQUES ET GÉNÉTIQUES CHEZ LES DHIMARS DE MANDLA, MADHYA PRADESH, INDE. Résumé. — Le test à la P.T.C., les défauts de vision des couleurs, la latéralité, les mouvements de la langue, la pilosité inter-phalangienne ont été observés chez 75 hommes adultes de la communauté Dhimars du district de Mandla dans le Madhya Pradesh (Inde). Il s'agit d'un groupe endogame de pécheurs, porteurs de palanquin. Le polymorphisme de ces traits est étudié chez les Dhimars et l'affinité de ces populations avec d'autres populations est évaluée.Mastana Sarabjit S., Garg Rajeev. A study of morpho-behavioural and genetic traits among Dhimars of Mandla, Madhya Pradesh, India. In: Bulletins et Mémoires de la Société d'anthropologie de Paris, Nouvelle Série. Tome 2 fascicule 2, 1990. pp. 145-149