Growth pattern of the Kamars--a primitive tribe of Chhattisgarh,India

A cross sectional study of the physical growth status was made on 655 Kamar children (341 boys and 314 girls), aged 5 to 18 years, in the Raipur district of Chhattisgarh. The study aimed to find out the growth pattern of the Kamar children, which is considered to be a primitive tribe of Chhattisgarh, India and was compared with another Indian tribe and the official data for all India (ICMR). Anthropometric measurements included height, weight, sitting height, biacromial diameter, biilliocrystal diameter, upper arm circumference, calf circumference and measurements of the triceps and subscapular skinfolds. All anthropometric measurements except skinfold thickness exhibit uniform increase with age in both sexes. However, when height and weight of the Kamar boys and girls were compared with the data for other tribes and for all India, the Kamar children (both boys and girls) indicated lower weight and height and the difference showed to be significant, for almost all ages. Kamar boys showed higher anthropometric values than girls in almost all measurements except in biilliocrystal diameter and in measured skinfolds. Poor socio-economic status of this primitive tribe may be one of the reasons for this poor growth pattern. However, in-depth study is necessary in order to arrive at any basic conclusions and to recommend any policy and interventions.     

Age-sex and diurnal variation of blood pressure in different nutritional states among the adult Telegas of Kharagpur in West Bengal, India

An anthropological investigation among the endogamous Telega population (106 adult individuals including 51 males and 55 females) in the district of Paschim Medinipur of West Bengal, India shows wide range of age-sex as well as diurnal variation of mean blood pressure (MBP) with reference to different nutritional status. Distribution of MBP shows distinct bias for sexes separately on different occasions and in association with age and other physiological conditions like menopause in females. Records of increase of blood pressure from morning to evening also indicate clear diurnal change in both male as well as in the female samples with some variations when compared between the two sexes. Results also help us to understand and to record the variation of blood pressure as a physiometric trait in the population under study. Data indicate that nearly 30% of males and more than 30% of females are living at the level of undernutrition. Nutritional status is measured by anthropometric measurements, e.g. height, weight, mid arm circumference (MUAC) and further calculation of body mass index (BMI). Distribution of MBP at different BMI and MUAC levels and Pearson correlation and regression analysis--all suggest that age, BMI and MUAC have significant impacts on BMI with some sex-related variations.     

Biological Affinities Between Migrant and Parental Populations in Punjab, India

In the present study, we have examined biological affinities between parental population, migrants from Pakistan after 1947 and non-Punjabi migrants from other states of India in Punjab. About 500 adult individuals of both sexes from 300 families among three groups were measured for 16 anthropometric and physiometric variables. Analysis of both univariate and multivariate suggests an overall significant migration effect in almost all variables especially anthropometric measurements between both sexes. The higher discrimination has been found in migrants from other states of India with reference to anthropometric traits as compared to other two populations. This is because of more genetic heterogeneity as would be expected from many states and many ethnicities of migrants. It was also found that the other two populations are more or less qualitatively similar, which reflects common ethnohistorical or geographic affiliations. However, overall, women showed a greater migration effect than men.     

Genetic studies among the sedentes and migrant Oraons of eastern India

A total of 334 Oraons of both sexes from two localities in eastern India were tested for 11 polymorphic and six monomorphic blood genetic markers. The sample comprised 130 sedentes from the Gumla district in Bihar and 204 migrants to the Jalpaiguri district of North Bengal. At the hemoglobin locus one example of HbAS was observed in the Gumla sample, while two cases of HbAS were found in the Jalpaiguri group. The Oraons are a distinct tribe and are characterized by a very low frequency of Hp1, TFC2, and a high frequency of TfD1 and GcIF at the serum protein loci. In the red cell enzyme systems the Oraons have a higher frequency of pa at the acid phosphatase locus and GLO1 at the Glyoxalase I locus. Absence of red cell lactate dehydrogenase and very low HbS and GdB- is also characteristic of the Oraons. A probable new nondeficient slow variant of Gd has been observed in polymorphic frequency in the Oraons of Gumla. There was an excess of homozygotes at the Gc locus. No significant difference in the gene frequency between the two groups of Oraons was observed at any of the loci. Genetic distance estimates using the gene frequency data indicate that the Oraons of the two localities are genetically homogeneous and form one cluster with the Bhils. They are nearer to the Irula and Kurumba tribes of the Nilgiris rather than the other Dravidian tribes, Tamils, or Nayars.     

Age-specific differences in blood pressure among inbred and non-inbred north Indian children

Genetic and inbreeding influences on systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and mean arterial blood pressure (MBP) were examined among 3015 children (1527 males and 1488 females) from the Aligarh district, Uttar Pradesh in north India. The subjects included offspring of first cousins, first cousins once removed, second cousins and unrelated spouses from the same population. The measurements of the inbred children were compared with those of their non-inbred relatives in at least 80% of the cases (matched controls). Two unique findings emerge from this study. First a consistent increase in mean values of SBP, DBP and MBP with increasing inbreeding coefficients have been observed among all age groups, including both the sexes. The results suggest that the hypothesis for a recessive gene or genes could be held responsible for higher BP. Secondly, the effects of inbreeding on mean blood pressure among children and adults may not necessarily be in the same direction. It can be said, therefore, that studies on inbreeding effects using matched controls may provide more direct information regarding the genetics of blood pressure, which has been considerably underestimated in earlier studies.     

Inbreeding effects on metrical phenotypes among North Indian Children

This study aimed to examine the effects of inbreeding on 12 quantitative phenotypes like body weight, height, sitting height, head circumference, head length, head breadth, chest circumference, verbal, performance and full scale intelligence quotients, systolic and diastolic blood pressures among North Indian Children. The sample consisted of 3,253 subjects (1,683 males and 1,570 females) including offspring of first cousins, first cousins once removed, second cousins, (inbred part of samples) and unrelated spouses (non-inbred part of samples) ranging in age from 6 to 14 years from the Aligarh district, Uttar Pradesh in North India. Samples were selected purposively to estimate the average inbreeding coefficients based on 3 ancestral generations and using Wright's path method. The average inbreeding coefficient of the present inbred part of sample is 0.04609. The mean ages of males and females were almost equal for both inbred and non-inbred individuals. A significant reduction of means (p < 0.05) or inbreeding depression has been observed in inbred series for all anthropometric and psychometric traits for both the sexes. A significant elevation of mean with inbreeding is observed for systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The average inbreeding depression per 10% inbreeding appeared very high in verbal IQ (> or =23), performance IQ (> or =40), full scale IQ (> or =28), systolic blood pressure (> or =10) and diastolic blood pressure (> or =12) among both sexes. On the whole, relatively greater amount of inbreeding effects are apparent among all measures of intelligence quotient and blood pressures compared to the anthropometric traits. The results of the present work have thrown light on the nature and mechanism of genetic effects of inbreeding on certain quantitative traits in human.     

Factors affecting the work productivity of Oraon agricultural laborers of Jalpaiguri district, West Bengal

In developing countries like India, where the incidence of protein-calorie malnutrition is high and mechanization is at a minimum, human labor provides much of the power for physical activity. This study presents anthropometric measurements, somatotypes, food intakes, energy expenditures, and work outputs of Oraon agricultural laborers of the Jalpaiguri district, West Bengal, in an attempt to identify the factors that predict high work productivity. Specifically, this study investigates 1) the relationship between morphological variation (anthropometric measurements and somatotype) and work productivity, 2) the nature and extent of the relationship between nutritional status and work productivity, and 3) the best predictor variables of work output. Classification of groups on the basis of median values of work output show that in the aggregate, the high productive groups are significantly younger than low-productive groups in both sexes. Before age-adjustment, the high productive groups show higher mean values of a few body dimensions, though these differ by sex, and both males and females exhibit a normal range of blood pressure and pulse rate values. Mean values of grip strength and back strength are higher in high-output men and women. Mean values of both food intake and energy expenditure are also higher among men in high-output groups, with only food intake higher in high-output women. However, after eliminating the effects of age, the differences between low-productive groups and high-productive groups in most of the variables are not significant. Productivity predictors in males consist of age, food intake and chest girth (inhalation). Females, on the other hand, show age and grip strength (left) as work output predictors.     

Demographic study of one sedentary and two migrant populations of eastern India

Demographic data were collected from 185 sedentary Oraon of Gumla district of Bihar, 255 migrant Oraon, and 242 migrant Tamang households, covering a total population of 1009, 1414, and 1537 individuals, respectively. Both migrant groups were tea garden laborers working in the Birpara, Lankapara, and Tulsipara tea gardens in the Jalpaiguri district, West Bengal, India. The present study reveals that the migrant Oraon possess significantly higher fertility and (infant) mortality than the sedentary Oraons even though they are a genetically similar group. The study also reveals that the two migrant groups differ with respect to both fertility and mortality even though they inhabit similar physical and sociocultural environments.     

A study on blood pressures between the Tibet born and India born Tibetans who are permanently residing in Northern India

Both systolic and diastolic blood pressures are generally believed to vary in relation to various factors like sex, age, body build, altitude, socio-economic condition, chronic diseases, etc. but the evidences are not always unequivocal. This paper aims to study the effect of intergenerational change, age, sex, and body mass index on blood pressures and to see the effects of migration on blood pressures among the two generations of the Tibetan immigrants in Northern India. Findings from research on 1st and 2nd generation adult Tibetans indicate that there are no significant differences in blood pressures between two generations in both the sexes which may have contributed to their food habits.     

Growth and nutritional status of the Bharia--a primitive tribe of Madhya Pradesh

This study is an attempt to understand the physical growth and nutritional status of Bharia, a primitive tribe of Central India. A cross sectional study was conducted on 551 children (283 boys and 268 girls) aged 4 to 18 years. Body weight, height, sitting height, head circumference, upper arm circumference, chest circumference, biceps, triceps, sub scapular and calf skin fold thickness were measured. Body Mass Index was calculated as weight/height2 to calculate chronic energy deficiency. All anthropometric measurements except skin fold measurement exhibit uniform increase with age in both the sexes. Age-specific Body Mass Index (BMI) indicated substantial changes and falls during pre-school age and rise in adolescence. The BMI according to the Indian standard was normal, but when the data was compared with the International standard malnutrition in both sexes was noticed in childhood. Boys remained undernourished after adolescence, while girls reached the normal growth patterns.     

The Medicinal Flora of Sambalpur District, Orissa, India

This paper describes an analysis of the plants of Sambalpur district of Orissa, India which have been used medicinally by local people. The families having medicinal values are analysed using Moerman's method of regression analysis. There were 136 plant families recorded from the study area. The analysis of families showed that the Euphorbiaceae family being used most ethnomedicinally by the local people in Sambalpur district of Orissa, whereas Poaceae is used least one. This type of study determines the degree of importance of plant families in the medicinal flora of the region.     

Nutritional assessment by mid-upper arm circumference of santal adults of Purulia, West Bengal, India

The present community based cross-sectional study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of undernutrition using mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) among adult (> 18 years) Santals of Purulia District, West Bengal, India. It was undertaken at 10 villages of the district. A total of 520 (217 males and 303 females) subjects were measured. Commonly used indicator i.e., MUAC and BMI, were used to evaluate the nutritional status of the subjects. More women (64.7%) then men (54.4%) based on MUAC and women (59.4%) then men (34.6%) based on BMI were undernourished. Significant sex difference both in MUAC (t=2.378, p<0.05) and BMI (t=4.971, p<0.001) were observed. Significant age group difference for MUAC was observed (F=8.93***, df=3) for men and (F=9.52***, df=3) for women. For BMI, these values were F=10.10*** (df=3) F=6.17*** (df=3) respectively. In conclusion, we found that adult Santals of both sexes were under critical nutritional stress, women and the oldest among them were the most.     

The blood vasculature of the gastrointestinal tract in chinook, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha (Walbaum), and coho, O. kisutch (Walbaum), salmon

The venous and arterial vasculature of the chinook and coho salmon gastrointestinal tract were examined using corrosion casts and India ink injection techniques. Observations derived from 28 individuals of various sizes and of both sexes were used to construct simplified venous and arterial plans. Examination of the blood vasculature revealed the presence of a variety of anastomoses hitherto undescribed in teleosts.     

The Medicinal Flora of Sambalpur District,Orissa,India

This paper describes an analysis of the plants of Sambalpur district of Orissa,India which have been used medicinally by local people. The families having medicinal values are analysed using Moerman's method of regression analysis. There were 136 plant families recorded from the study area. The analysis of families showed that the Euphorbiaceae family being used most ethnomedicinally by the local people in Sambalpur district of Orissa,whereas Poaceae is used least one. This type of study determines the degree of importance of plant families in the medicinal flora of the region.     

Social behaviour of the slender Loris (Loris tardigradus lydekkerianus)

The social behaviour of the nocturnal prosimian Loris tardigradus lydekkerianus in its natural habitat was studied for 21 months in a scrub jungle in Dindigul, southern India. A total of 22834 scans were collected during 2656 hours of observation on identified and unidentified lorises. Social interactions were observed between individuals of all age-sex classes, both during the night and at dawn, when the animals met to sleep together. The majority of aggressive encounters between individuals occurred in territorial and mating contexts. Individuals also communicated with each other through chemical and vocal signals. Adults and sub-adults of both sexes were observed to immigrate into the study area, leading to social interactions with resident individuals.     

Life‐history traits of gaur Bos gaurus: a first analysis

In this first detailed analysis of gaur Bos gaurus life‐history traits, data were collected from a 20‐month field study in South India and from captive gaur populations. Mean age of females at first parturition was 3 years; females remained fertile beyond the age of 15 years. Adult females were three times more abundant than adult males in the wild; survival of females was greater than males beyond three years of age. Life span of both sexes has not exceeded 24 years in captivity. Gaur life‐history traits are similar to those of other similar‐sized Bovini species.     

Sexual and site differences in calcium consumption by the Malabar Giant Squirrel Ratufa indica

Summary The calcium ingestion of Malabar Giant Squirrels Ratufa indica (Sciuridae) was examined at two sites, Magod and Bhimashankar, in western India. In females at Magod a positive correlation was found between rates of calcium ingestion from food resources and the contribution of those resources to the daily diet. This relationship was true for all females at Magod irre-spective of their reproductive condition. This relationship was neither significant for males at the same site nor for both sexes at Bhimashankar. A differential requirement for calcium between the sexes and the occurrence of higher rates of calcium ingestion or the probable presence of more easily digestible calcium at Bhimashankar are postulated to explain the observed phenomenon. Mature leaves and bark appear to be reliable sources of calcium at these sites.     

Factors influencing back strength and the changes due to age of the oraon agricultural labourers of jalpaiguri district, west bengal

Muscle strength is a major component of successful performance in almost every activity of daily living and it is critical to health and well-being. Anthropometric, blood pressure and strength measurements were taken from Oraon agricultural labourers of Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal. The data were analyzed to find out the differences between high and low back strength groups of both sexes in different traits of the parameters mentioned above. Secondly, identifying the peak age of muscle strength in both sex and the declining ages. Thirdly, the influencing factors which, affect the back strength. The results show that high back strength groups have higher mean values of most of the anthropometric traits compared to low back strength groups and the differences are significant in case of males, but females show significant differences in few traits. Blood pressures are relatively low in high back strength groups compared to low back strength groups in both sexes. The peak age for higher back strength seems to be within the age of 24 years for males and 20 years for females. The predictive variables for males were found to be grip strength and subscapular skinfold thickness, but females show grip strength, BMI, biceps girth, bicondylar diameter of humerus. The differences in influencing factors between males and females have been sorted out from sociocultural practice of the population.