Health-related motivational and behavioral processes associated with DNA methylation of the TNF gene

Objective: Epigenetics has been described as one of the most exciting areas of contemporary biology, and research has begun to explore whether epigenetic modifications are influenced by psychological processes. The present research explored the associations of health-related motivation and behavior with the DNA methylation of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) gene. Method: Participants (N = 88) completed questionnaires examining engagement with health-related behavior (i.e., physical activity, diet, and smoking) and health-related motivation from the perspective of self-determination theory. They also provided a capillary blood sample for DNA extraction and analysis of four CpG sites via bisulfite conversion within Exon 1 of TNF. Results: Health-related autonomous motivation was weakly but positively associated with TNF methylation (β = .18, ρ = .08). Indirect effects were identified in a subsequent step; autonomous motivation was positively associated with fruit consumption (β = .29, ρ = .004), negatively associated with smoking (β = .22, ρ = .03), but not associated with physical activity (β = .10, ρ = .34). Moreover, TNF methylation was positively associated with lifetime physical activity (β = .18, ρ = .08) and negatively associated with smoking (β = .23, ρ = .03). Direct effects of autonomous motivation on DNA methylation did not persist when these indirect effects were included (β = .09, ρ = .43). Conclusions: Results support the idea that autonomous motivation is associated with DNA methylation, albeit indirectly through tobacco consumption

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