Single nucleotide polymorphism in genome-wide association of human population: a tool for broad spectrum service

Genome-wide patterns of variation across individuals provide most powerful source of data for uncovering the history of migration, expansion, and adaptation of the human population. The arrival of new technologies that type more than millions of the single nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs] in a single experiment has made SNP in genome-wide association [GWA] assay a prudent venture. SNPs represent the most widespread type of sequence variation in genomes, and known as valuable genetic markers for revealing the evolutionary history and common genetic polymorphisms that explain the heritable risk for common diseases. Characterizing the nature of gene variation in human populations and assembling an extensive catalog of SNPs in candidate genes in association with particular diseases are the major goals of human genetics. In this article we explore the recent discovery of SNP-GWA to revolutionize not only the process of genetic variation and disease detection but also the convention of preventative and curative medicine for future prospects

Prevalence and gene frequencies of A[1]A[2]BO and Rh[D] blood group alleles among some Muslim populations of North India

Research on ABO group system has been of immense interest, due to its medical importance in different diseases. Till date only a few studies have been done on the prevalence and gene frequencies of A[1]A[2]BO and Rh[D] blood groups among the Muslim populations of Uttar Pradesh, North India. The data generated in the present work may be useful for health planners while making efforts to face the future health challenges in the region. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and gene frequencies of A[1]A[2]BO and Rh[D] blood groups among six Muslim populations of Aligarh district, Uttar Pradesh, North India. Blood samples from a total of 724 healthy, unrelated individuals were drawn at random from the six different endogamous groups of Muslim populations of Uttar Pradesh, North India. A[1]A[2]BO and Rh blood grouping were carried out by standard slide agglutination method and allele frequencies were determined. In total 724 samples analyzed, the most frequent blood group was found to be group O 29.97%[n = 217], followed by A[1] 26.52%[n = 192], B 20.03% [n = 145], A[1]B 19.34% [n = 140], A[2] 2.90% [n = 21] and A[2]B 1.24% [n = 9]. The overall phenotypic frequencies of A[1]A[2] BO blood groups were O > A[1]>B > A[1]B > A[2]>A2B. The calculated allelic frequencies were 0.5619, 0.2214, 0.1973 and 0.0259 for group 1[degree], [1]b, Ial and I[a2], respectively. The Chi-square differences for A[1]BO blood groups among different Muslim populations were found to be significant [X[2] = 41.22, df = 25, p < 0.02]. Out of total 724 samples, 613 [84.67%] samples were Rh + ve and 111 [15.33%] were Rh-ve

Prevalence of red-green color vision defects among Muslim males and females of Manipur, India

Color blindness is a common X-linked genetic disorder. However, most of color blinds remain undetected due to absence of proper screening. Our study was to determine the prevalence of red-green color vision defects among Manipuri Muslim males and females. The study could help in decreasing birth of children with this disorder as Muslims commonly perform consanguineous marriage among themselves. Unrelated individuals of both sexes [Male-1352, Female-1302] belonging to six different populations were randomly selected and screened for red-green color vision defects using the Ishihara [pseudo-isochromatic plates] test from the area of Imphal East and Imphal west districts of Manipur, which is a small hilly state, situated in the north eastern extreme corner of India sharing an international boundary with Myanmar [Burma]. About 8.73% of males and 1.69% of females were found to be color blind. Among six different populations studied the males of Meitei population shows the highest frequency i.e. 14.93% while Naga population shows the least frequency of 3.75%. Among females, Meitei population again shows the highest frequency of 2.5% and least frequency is shown by Mughal and Naga populations 0.00% as not a single female color blind was found. Present study shows higher prevalence rate of color blindness as compared to other reported rates of India. Deuteranomaly cases occur in higher percentage than other types of color blindness. The higher prevalence rate observed in Muslims may be due to the hidden effect of consanguineous marriages

Inflammation and acute phase response.

Inflammation caused by infection takes place by the cooperative cascade of cytokines and leukocytes. Tumor necrosis factor, interlukin-1, and interlukin-6 play important roles as proinflammatory cytokines to mediate local inflammation and activate other inflammatory cells e.g. neutrophils, monocytes, and macrophages. At least 15 different low molecular weight cytokine are secreted by activated leukocytes and are responsible for triggering acute phase response in the form of fever, leukocytosis, increased secretion of adreno corticotropic hormones, and production of acute phase proteins. Acute phase proteins are produced in liver under the influence of cytokines, which through blood stream passes to the site of inflammation and kill the pathogens by opsonization and activating complement pathways. The changes in the concentrations of positive acute-phase proteins and negative acute-phase proteins are due to the changes in their production by liver. Three of the best known acute phase proteins are C-reactive protein, serum anyloid A, and haptoglobin. Some disease states are casually related to acute phase proteins. C-reactive protein mediated compliment activation has a key role in some forms of tissue alteration such as cardiac infarction. Elevated S amyloid A levels are seen in chronic arthritis and tuberculosis. Other acute phase proteins show more moderate rise, usually less than fivefold.