Genetic Ancestry, Social Classification, and Racial Inequalities in Blood Pressure in Southeastern Puerto Rico

The role of race in human genetics and biomedical research is among the most contested issues in science. Much debate centers on the relative importance of genetic versus sociocultural factors in explaining racial inequalities in health. However, few studies integrate genetic and sociocultural data to test competing explanations directly.We draw on ethnographic, epidemiologic, and genetic data collected in Southeastern Puerto Rico to isolate two distinct variables for which race is often used as a proxy: genetic ancestry versus social classification. We show that color, an aspect of social classification based on the culturally defined meaning of race in Puerto Rico, better predicts blood pressure than does a genetic-based estimate of continental ancestry. We also find that incorporating sociocultural variables reveals a new and significant association between a candidate gene polymorphism for hypertension (alpha(2C) adrenergic receptor deletion) and blood pressure.This study addresses the recognized need to measure both genetic and sociocultural factors in research on racial inequalities in health. Our preliminary results provide the most direct evidence to date that previously reported associations between genetic ancestry and health may be attributable to sociocultural factors related to race and racism, rather than to functional genetic differences between racially defined groups. Our results also imply that including sociocultural variables in future research may improve our ability to detect significant allele-phenotype associations. Thus, measuring sociocultural factors related to race may both empower future genetic association studies and help to clarify the biological consequences of social inequalities

A comparative analysis of medicinal and aromatic plants used in the traditional medicine of Iğdir (Turkey), Nakhchivan (Azerbaijan), and Tabriz (Iran)

A total of 341 naturally distributed taxa belonging to 65 families are used in the traditional medicine in Iğdır (Turkey), Nakhchivan (Azerbaijan), and Tabriz (Iran). Local people in three different regions generally use herbal remedies for digestive, respiratory, urogenital systems, as well as dermal, neurological and psyschological diseases. On the basis of localities three highly prevelant usesin Iğdır are colds (32 taxa), stomach disorders (28 taxa), and cough (24 taxa); in Nakhchivan rheumatism (24 taxa), gastrointestinal disorders (24 taxa), and anthelmintic (20 taxa), and in Tabriz diuretic (24 taxa), fever (22 taxa), and cough (20 taxa). Our findings reveal that in these three areas belonging to three neighbouring countries 4 taxa are widely distributed and used almost forthe same applications; Glycyrrhiza glabra (for digestive and respiratory systems), Malus sylvestris ssp. orientalis (for respiratory system), Rosa canina (for digestive and urinogenital systems), and Urtica dioica (for digestive system). The studied areas show several resemblances from cultural and other aspects. © 2018, Pakistan Botanical Society. All Rights Reserved

A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS USED IN THE TRADITIONAL MEDICINE OF IGDIR (TURKEY), NAKHCHIVAN (AZERBAIJAN), AND TABRIZ (IRAN)

WOS: 000429180900040A total of 341 naturally distributed taxa belonging to 65 families are used in the traditional medicine in Igdir (Turkey), Nakhchivan (Azerbaijan), and Tabriz (Iran). Local people in three different regions generally use herbal remedies for digestive, respiratory, urogenital systems, as well as dermal, neurological and psyschological diseases. On the basis of localities three highly prevelant usesin Igdir are colds (32 taxa), stomach disorders (28 taxa), and cough (24 taxa); in Nakhchivan rheumatism (24 taxa), gastrointestinal disorders (24 taxa), and anthelmintic (20 taxa), and in Tabriz diuretic (24 taxa), fever (22 taxa), and cough (20 taxa). Our findings reveal that in these three areas belonging to three neighbouring countries 4 taxa are widely distributed and used almost forthe same applications; Glycyrrhiza glabra (for digestive and respiratory systems), Malus sylvestris ssp. orientalis (for respiratory system), Rosa canina (for digestive and urinogenital systems), and Urtica dioica (for digestive system). The studied areas show several resemblances from cultural and other aspects