Load of hereditary diseases in the populations of the Adyg autonomic district

Comparative analysis of the loads of hereditary diseases in two ethnically different populations coexisting in the Adyg national district was performed. The modes of inheritance of diseases studied were tested by segregational analysis. The results obtained demonstrated that the load of autosomal-recessive diseases in the populations of the Adyg national district is higher than that in Russian population, while the load of autosomal-dominant diseases is similar in two populations. This difference in the level of the loads appear to be connected with genetic structure of the populations studied. Regressional analysis of relations between loads and the level of inbreeding in the Adyg population showed the explicit interrelation between the load of autosomal-dominant diseases and the Fst correlation coefficient being 0.89.     

Uncovering the features of population genetic structures by the descriptive method of "genetic landscape"]

It was found that using surnames as genetical markers in rural Russian populations gives adequate results under conditions of working on the area not extending over the territory of 2 or 3 adjacent regions. Schematic drawings of genetic landscapes in 4 regions of the Kirov district and in 2 regions of the Adyg district are presented. Analysis of anomalous features of equidistant lines has been performed.     

Marital and migration structure and inbreeding in the Adyg population]

Endogamy and gametic indices for both Russian and Adyg populations living in the Adyg autonomous region of Krasnodar district were determined on different levels of territorial units: village, rural, community (a group of villagers) and rural region. Inbreeding coefficient was estimated for Adyg population and its structure analysed: a random component contributes mostly to the inbreeding coefficient (Fst = 0.00991), non-random component of the inbreeding coefficient being Fis = 0.010009, which testifies to negative marital assortativity among Adygs. Local inbreeding "a" and decline in the inbreeding "phi" coefficient at a distance from 0 to 500 km were calculated using the Malecot's formula: the coefficient "a" was found to be 0.00397, which is in good accordance with the Fst.     

Genetic-demographic structure of the Adyg population]

The results of comparative analysis of series of genetical and demographical parameters in two ethnically distinct populations coexisting in Adyg autonomous region of the Krasnodar district are presented. The parameters of population structure in Russians and Adygs were determined, such as sex and age distribution, ethnical marital assortativity, vital statistics and selection pressure. The analysis revealed that the populations only differ in the level of ethnical marital assortment: the coefficient of assortativity H is 2.54 and 1.55 for Adygs and Russians, respectively.     

Capitation funding: population,age, and mortality adjustments for regional and district health authorities in England.

OBJECTIVE--To assess the effect of each of the components of the national capitation funding formula--population projections and age and mortality weighting--at regional and district level. DESIGN--Application of age-cost and mortality weights to the projected 1997 populations of regions and districts, based on the Department of Health public health common dataset. SETTING--Regional and district health authorities in England. RESULTS--The application of the age-cost and mortality weights to projected populations resulted in greater changes in the shares of weighted populations relative to the estimated 1991 population at district level (mean 0, range -17% to 28%) than at regional level (mean 0, range -9% to 6%). At district level mortality weights had less scope for influence (mean 0, range -9% to 14%) than population projections (mean 0, range -16% to 31%) or age weights (mean 0, range -20% to 30%). CONCLUSIONS--The adjustments to the 1991 population shares due to the application of the national capitation funding formula depend on the interaction of three elements: the projected population by age group, the age-cost weight, and the mortality weight. Since each is open to uncertainty, either in terms of measurement (projected population, particularly for births and the over 85s) or method (derivation of the age-cost and mortality weights), the formula should be implemented cautiously at district level. Ways should be considered of incorporating elements of uncertainty into the model. Further research is required on the elements and degree of uncertainty in each of these components, as well as on the relative health needs of different populations.     

Genogeographic analysis of a subdivided population. II. Geography of random inbreeding (from frequency of surnames in Adygs)

An important characteristic of the genetic structure of populations, random inbreeding (interpopulation variation), was evaluated on the basis of quasi-genetic markers (surnames). The following methodological issues are considered: estimation of random inbreeding using the coefficient of isonymy fr in a subdivided population; a comparison of inbreeding levels calculated on the basis of surname frequencies using fr and Wright's FST; a comparison of inbreeding estimates obtained on the basis of surnames and genetic markers; inbreeding variation in populations of the same hierarchical rank; and planning of genetic studies of a subdivided population. The population of Adygs (an indigenous ethnic group of Northern Caucasus) was examined as a model subdivided population. The population system of Adygs is hierarchical. Parameters of random inbreeding were examined at each level of the system "ethnic group==>tribe==>geographic group of auls==>aul." Frequencies of surnames were collected subtotally. Data on frequencies of 1340 surnames in 61 auls representing all Adyg tribes were analyzed. In total, 60,000 people were examined. The inbreeding estimates obtained on the basis of Wright's FST and the coefficient of isonymy fr virtually coincided: for Adygs in general, FST x 10(2) = 2.13 and fr x 10(2) = 2.09. At the same time, the inbreeding level exhibited marked differences among tribes: in Shapsugs, these differences were an order of magnitude higher than in Kabardins (fr x 10(2) = 2.53 and 0.25, respectively). The inbreeding estimates for auls differed by two orders of magnitudes: fr x 10(2) = 0.07 and fr x 10(2) = 7.88. An analysis of ten auls yielded fully coinciding inbreeding estimates based on quasi-genetic (fr x 10(2) = 0.60) and classical (FST x 10(2) = 0.69) gene markers. Computer maps of surname distributions in Adygs (1340 maps) were constructed for the first time ever. Based on these maps, the map of random inbreeding in the Adyg population was obtained.     

Sequence Polymorphism of the Mitochondrial DNA Control Region in Native and Invasive Populations of Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera,Coccinellidae)

Russian Journal of Genetics - The harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis forms stable natural populations in East Asia and southern Siberia and spreading invasive populations in Europe, Africa, North...     

Migration rates as inferred from the 2002 Russian census

Migration rates in the modern Russian population have been studied on the basis of the results of the 2002 census. The migration rate at the population level corresponding to a city or rural administrative district is m = 0.443. The migration rate for women (m(F) = 0.463) is 11% higher than for men (m(M) = 0.418); the migration rate for urban populations (m(U) = 0.459) is 15% higher than for rural populations (m(R) = 0.398). The geographic variation of migrations has been studied; the geographic distributions of the migration rates for rural, urban, male, and female populations are presented. Comparison of migrations in the rural population of Russia at two temporal cross-sections (1970 and 2002) has shown that the geographic structure of migrations has remained the same in many respects. The ecological factor has remained the main determinant of the migration geography, which is expressed in the relationship of the settled way of life with the forest-steppe and broad-leaved forest landscapes.     

Polymorphism of Y-chromosomal microsatellites in Russian population from Southern Federal district of the Russian Federation

Haplotype frequencies and allele distributions at 11 STR loci of the Y chromosome were evaluated in 180 unrelated individuals from Russian population of Southern Federal district of the Russian Federation (Rostov oblast, Krasnodar krai, and Stavropol krai). Among 153 Y-chromosomal haplotypes discovered, 62 were unique. In the sample of Russian population, the most frequent haplotype (frequency of 5.56%) was 16-11,14-13-30-25-11-11-13-14-11-10 (for the loci DYS19, DYS385a,b, DYS389I, DYS389II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, DYS437, DYS438, and DYS439, respectively). Despite the high diversity of Y-chromosomal haplotypes in the Russian populations from the south of Russia (the h value was 0.997, 0.995, and 0.994 in Rostov, Krasnodar, and Stavropol samples, respectively), analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed the absence of differentiation between the populations (Φ_ST = 0.1%, P = 0.36). Comparative differentiation analysis performed for 13 Russian populations from the European part of Russia pointed to low among-population differentiation in Y-chromosomal lineages (Φ_ST = 0.52%, P = 0.03).     

Biogeographic characteristics of Far Eastern wasps: A case study with eumenine wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae)

A total of 107 forms of 88 eumenine wasp species occurring in the Far East were used to produce a more comprehensive picture of the geographical pattern of wasps in the Far East. All forms occurring in the Far East were biogeographically classified into 22 types in four larger categories, and a summarized table and discussion are presented. The eumenine wasp fauna of the Far East was characterized as a mixture of a fair number of endemic elements, a moderate number of transpalearctic elements, and some Oriental elements. The endemism of the Far East reached 0.71 at the species/subspecies level when the calculation was based on true Palearctic elements occurring in Far Eastern Russia, the Korean peninsula and Japan proper. The relationship between the Far Eastern fauna and the Central/Western Palearctic faunas was also analyzed and discussed. The species occurring in each treated district was counted, and provides evidence for the importance of the Korean fauna in biodiversity evaluation/estimation of Far Eastern fauna. The similarity index between the Korean Peninsula and Japan proper, the Korean Peninsula and the Russian Far East, and the Russian Far East and Japan proper was calculated to explain possible factors for faunal formation in the Far East. The distributional pattern of each form treated in this study and its relatives is tabulated in Appendix I.     

The russian gene pool: the gene geography of Alu insertions (ACE, APOA1, B65, PV92, TPA25)

For the first time, an analysis of five Alu insertion loci (ACE, APOA1, B65, PV92, TPA25) has been carried out in 10 Russian populations (1088 individuals) covering the whole historical area of the Russian ethnos. Depending on the locus, Russian populations exhibit similarity to their Western (European populations) or Eastern (populations of the Ural region) neighbors. Considering the frequencies of the studied Alu-insertions, the Russian gene pool exhibits low variation: average interpopulation variation (d) was 0.007, whereas on classical markers, mtDNA and Y chromosome, heterogeneity of the Russian gene pool is essentially higher (0.013, 0.033, 0.142, respectively). Therefore, on the intra-ethnic level, this set of five Alu insertions has low variation. However, a clear pattern was obtained in inter-ethnic comparison of 13 East European ethnic groups, which formed three clusters in accordance with their historical and geographical position: East Slavic, Caucasian and South Ural clusters. The obtained data confirm the efficiency of using Alu insertions for studying genetic differentiation and gene pool history of East European populations.     

A Genome-Wide Analysis of Populations from European Russia Reveals a New Pole of Genetic Diversity in Northern Europe

Several studies examined the fine-scale structure of human genetic variation in Europe. However, the European sets analyzed represent mainly northern, western, central, and southern Europe. Here, we report an analysis of approximately 166,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms in populations from eastern (northeastern) Europe: four Russian populations from European Russia, and three populations from the northernmost Finno-Ugric ethnicities (Veps and two contrast groups of Komi people). These were compared with several reference European samples, including Finns, Estonians, Latvians, Poles, Czechs, Germans, and Italians. The results obtained demonstrated genetic heterogeneity of populations living in the region studied. Russians from the central part of European Russia (Tver, Murom, and Kursk) exhibited similarities with populations from central–eastern Europe, and were distant from Russian sample from the northern Russia (Mezen district, Archangelsk region). Komi samples, especially Izhemski Komi, were significantly different from all other populations studied. These can be considered as a second pole of genetic diversity in northern Europe (in addition to the pole, occupied by Finns), as they had a distinct ancestry component. Russians from Mezen and the Finnic-speaking Veps were positioned between the two poles, but differed from each other in the proportions of Komi and Finnic ancestries. In general, our data provides a more complete genetic map of Europe accounting for the diversity in its most eastern (northeastern) populations.     

Population genetic study of the Alatyr region of the Republic of Chuvashiia

Population genetic characteristics were estimated in the Alatyr' raion (administrative district) of the Republic of Chuvashia, which has long been populated by three ethnic groups. The ethnic assortativeness values in the town of Alatyr' and the rural area of the district were 1.17 and 1.21, respectively, for Russians; 1.14 and 4.82, respectively, for Chuvashes; and 1.33 and 2.45, respectively, for Mordovians. Wright's statistics were as follows: Fst = 0.00358, Fit = 0.00178, and Fis = 0.00134. The migration indices were 0.0264 for Alatyr' and 0.0178 for the district. The endogamy indices for the total and the Russian populations of Alatyr' were 0.47 and 0.53, respectively. The parameters of isolation by distance were a = 0.000189 and b = 0.00959 for the urban and a = 0.000318 and b = 0.00919 for the rural area. Schemes of the genetic landscape were constructed. The influence of the polyethnic composition on the genetic structure of the population is discussed.     

Cyclical parthenogenetic reproduction in the Russian wheat aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in the United States: sexual reproduction and its outcome on biotypic diversity

In 1986, the Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Kurdjumov) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), became an invasive species of United States. Nearly 20 yr later, new biotypes appeared that were capable of overcoming most sources of resistance and became a renewed threat to wheat, Triticum aestivum L., production. Cyclical (CP) and obligate (OP) parthenogenesis enables aphids to both adapt to changing environments and exploit host resources. We documented these forms of reproduction for Russian wheat aphid in wheat and wild grasses in the Central Great Plains and Rocky Mountain regions during falls 2004-2009. Colonies from sample sites also were held under unheated greenhouse conditions and observed for the presence of sexual morphs and eggs through the winter. Russian wheat aphid populations were mainly OP and attempted to overwinter as adults, regardless of region sampled. A few populations contained oviparae but no males (gynocyclic) and were not specific to any particular region. Observation of the Russian wheat aphid colonies under greenhouse conditions failed to produce males or eggs. In spring 2007, CP was confirmed in a small population of Russian wheat aphid that eclosed from eggs (fundatricies) on wild grasses and wheat near Dove Creek, CO, in the Colorado Plateau region where other aphid species undergo CP. Lineages from ninety-three fundatricies were screened against 16 resistant and susceptible cereal entries to determine their biotypic classification. A high degree of biotypic diversity (41.4%) was detected in this population. Although CP was a rare in Russian wheat aphid populations, genetic recombination during the sexual cycle creates new biotypes and can have significant effects on population genetics.     

Assessment of Extinction Risk and Reasons for Decline in Sturgeon

Sturgeon populations in the Danube River have been affected by a combination of hydropower development, over-harvesting, habitat degradation from agricultural and industrial practices and from urbanization. The effects of these changes have been monitored on six sturgeon species inhabiting the Danube River. Two of them are resident species, while the other four migrate to the river for spawning. Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser sturio) has completely disappeared from this region. Ship sturgeon (Acipenser nudiventris) is very rare in professional fishing catches. Beluga (Huso huso), Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii), stellate sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus) and sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) are endangered with different levels of extinction risk. Here, we model the time dependence of the beluga and Russian sturgeon catch in the Serbian part of the Danube River. Predicted extinction of Russian sturgeon was estimated to fall around the middle of the century, and for beluga approximately at middle of the millennium. Suggestions for sturgeon conservation measures on a national level and coordination of all relevant institutions in Serbia are also presented.     

Analysis of the Alu insertion polymorphism in urban and rural populations of Siberia]

Polymorphic Alu-repeat loci of human genome are commonly used as effective genetic markers in population and evolution studies. In this work, the data on genetic structure of two Russian populations from Siberia obtained via analysis of five polymorphic Alu repeats are presented. The urban population was characterized by a slightly higher level of genetic diversity compared to the rural population. The value of genetic differentiation coefficient for the populations studied was 0.57%, pointing to the absence of genetic subdivision within the urban and rural populations. Phylogenetic analysis of these populations, together with literature data, shows that, with respect to the markers examined, the gene pool structure of Russian population is similar to that of other Caucasoid populations.     

Spatial distribution of phytomass carbon in Indian forests

A spatial analysis of phytomass carbon (C) in Indian forests for the period (1988–94) at the district‐level is reported. District‐level forest phytomass C (1988, 1994) was computed by combining remote sensing‐based forest area inventories on 1:250 000 scale, field inventories of growing stock volume by the Forest Survey of India (FSI), and crown density‐based biomass expansion factors. The estimates of forest area inventory, forest phytomass C density, and forest phytomass C pools (1988–94) were linked to the district boundary coverage of India in ARC/INFO Geographic Information System (GIS). Of the total 386 districts examined, only 17 districts had more than 75% forest cover (as percent of their geographic area) in 1988. Estimated district‐level forest phytomass C densities ranged from 4.3 to 206.8 MgC ha^?1*. At the national level, forest phytomass C pool was estimated to be 3871.2 and 3874.3 TgC# in 1988 and 1994, respectively. Although the aggregated national estimates were similar, the district‐level change analysis indicated a decrease of 77.8 TgC and an increase of 81 TgC (1988–94). The highest decrease of 10.4 TgC was observed in Vishakapatnam district (Andhra Pradesh) while largest increase of 9.8 TgC in Bastar district (Madhya Pradesh) resulting from deforestation and afforestation activities, respectively. At the national level, the total forest cover decreased by ～0.6 Mha, however, the district‐level spatial analysis indicated an increase of 1.07 Mha, and decrease of 1.65 Mha forest cover during 1988–94 period. Although, this is the first district level phytomass C analysis of Indian forests, the aggregated results at state‐level were close to the earlier estimates. The spatial analysis identified the districts that have undergone significant changes in their forest phytomass C during the study period. This improved understanding of forest phytomass C pools is important to sustainable development and conservation of forests, mitigation strategies for C sequestration, and accurate estimation of contribution of land use changes to C emission in India.     

Direct and indirect racial discrimination of Roma people in Bulgaria,the Czech Republic and the Russian Federation

In this article, a methodological approach to the topic of the racial discrimination of Roma people in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and the Russian Federation draws on three models of modus vivendi between Roma people and the majority, including the concepts and forms of direct and indirect discrimination. The core methodology employed in this article is the legal and sociological analysis of various national and international statistics as well as practices of the courts, which are focused upon throughout. The fieldwork within this article deals with the various attitudes of Roma parents to the introduction of Roma assistants in primary schools in the Czech Republic and is enriched with in-depth interviews conducted with Roma teaching assistants. Data from original research in three Czech elementary schools are compared with forms of discrimination in Bulgaria and in the Russian Federation regarding their educational systems.     

Distribution of C subtypes and other Tf variants in populations of the USSR

Serum samples from seventeen Caucasoids and Mongoloid populations of the USSR were tested for transferrin (Tf) subtypes. According to Tf patterns, the Caucasoids groups had high TfC1 frequency, whereas Mongoloids are characterized by increased frequency of TfC2 suballele. The following gene frequencies were observed: TfC1 - 0.8515, TfC2 - 0.1166, TfC3 - 0.0129, TfD - 0.0129, TfB - 0.0065 for Russians of Yegoryevsk town; TfC1 - 0.8663, TfC2 - 0.0930, TfC3 - 0.0233 for West-Pamirian populations of Khuf, those being for Pastkhuf 0.8476, 0.1159 and 0.0244, respectively. Mongoloid populations demonstrate following frequencies of five genes described (in the order shown above): 0.7870, 0.1620, 0.0232, 0.0139 for Kirghizes of East Pamir; 0.7963, 0.1805, 0.0050, 0.0182 for Buriats of Suduntui; 0.7647, 0.1985, 0.0074, 0.0221, 0.0037 and 0.0037 (gene TfDX) for Buriats of Sakhiurta, the frequencies of these genes being 0.7647, 0.1985, 0.0074, 0.021, 0.0037 and 0.0037 for Aginsky national district, Chita Region. The total sample of Buriats of Gakhan cluster (Ust-Ordyn national district) and Olkhon island of Irkutsk Region demonstrates following frequencies of genes (in the same order): 0.7876, 0.1962, 0.0012, 0.0057, 0.0082 and 0.7679 and 0.2321, respectively. In addition, a rare anodal variant designated tentatively TfC12Like was found among Pamir populations. The results obtained are compared with those reported for world populations.     

Population genetics study of hemoglobinopathies in Uzbekistan. II. Population dynamics of hemoglobinopathies

It was shown that on comparing variability of selective neutral genetic marker systems with that of the beta-thalassemia system for the populations of different hierarchical level, the relative importance of selection and genetic drift could be evaluated. The genetic differentiation of the beta-thalassemia gene frequencies in elementary populations (villages) could be solely explained by genetic drift. On the other hand, the differentiation of district populations (the sizes of the populations being 10(6] for beta-thalassemia gene frequencies could be explained by selection forces. This is supported by the fact that the genetic distances and FST values are only significant for the beta-thalassemia gene and not for the neutral genetic systems, when the district populations are compared.