The Contribution of Genetic Diversity to Subdivide Populations Living in the Silk Road of China

There are several indigenous ethnic populations along the silk road in the Northwest of China that display clear differences in culture and social customs, perhaps as a result of geographic isolation and different linguistic traditions. However, extensive trade and other interactions probably facilitated the admixture of different gene pools between these populations over the last two millennia. To further explore the evolutionary relationships of the 13 ethnic populations residing in Northwest China and to reveal the features of population admixture, the 9 most-commonly employed CODIS loci (D3S1358, TH01, D5S818, D13S317, D7S820, CSF1PO, vWA, TPOX, FGA) were selected for genotyping and further analysis. Phylogenetic tree and principal component analysis revealed clear pattern of population differentiation between 4 populations living in Sinkiang Uighur Autonomous Region and other 9 populations dwelled in the upper regions of Silk Road. R matrix regression showed high-level gene flow and population admixture dose exist among these ethic populations in the Northwest region of China. Furthermore, the Mantel test suggests that larger percent of genetic variance (21.58% versus 2.3%) can be explained by geographic isolation than linguistic barriers, which matched with the contribution of geographic factors to other world populations.     

Abnormal hemoglobins among Kurdish population of Western Iran: hematological and molecular features

The type and frequency of structural hemoglobin variants and their hematological and molecular characteristics were identified using PCR-RFLP and sequencing techniques in 66 individuals from 33 unrelated families who referred to the two clinics of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences from 2005 to 2006. We detected 28 subjects carrier for Hb D-Punjab (42.4%), 21 individuals carrier of Hb Q-Iran (31.8%), 12 subjects heterozygous for Hb Setif (18.2%), four cases with sickle cell disease (6.1%), and one case with Hb C (1.5%). All β^S genes (4 genes) were linked to the Benin haplotype with negative Taq I site 5′ to γ^A gene. All β^D-Punjab genes (29 genes) were in linkage disequilibrium with haplotype I. The only β^C chromosome was linked to haplotype II. Both β⁰-thalassemia chromosomes with CD15 (G → A) mutation had haplotype background I. Three β⁺-thalassemia chromosomes with IVSI.110 (G → A) mutation were associated with haplotype I [+ − − − − + +]. In turn, the three β-thalassemia chromosomes with IVS II.1 G → A mutation were associated with atypical haplotype [− + + + + + −]. Hematological indices of carriers of Hb D-Punjab, Hb Q-Iran and Hb Setif were lower than those reported for normal individuals. For the first time, we have reported the haplotype background of β^S gene among Kurdish population of Iran. Our results revealed that Hb D-Punjab is the most prevalent β-globin chain structural variant in this area and that is followed in frequency by an α-chain variant, Hb Q-Iran. The result of present study is useful for clinical management and the establishment of screening programmes in Western Iran.     

Abnormal hemoglobins and various genetic aspects of mestization of the population of the central regions of Cuba

The distribution of the abnormal haemoglobins was estimated in 3763 blood samples of subjects from central part of Cuba. A high incidence of HbS carriers is shown. Some considerations on the presence of the S haemoglobin and gene flow intensity in the europeoid and negro groups in the central part of Cuba are represented.     

Abnormal hemoglobins, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency and hereditary ovalocytosis in the Dayaks of Sarawak.

A survey of abnormal hemoglobins, G6PD deficiency and hereditary ovalocytosis was carried out among the Dayaks of Sarawak. The only abnormal hemoglobin found was Hb Co Sp, which occurred in 0.35% of the Land Dayaks and 0.83% of the Sea Dayaks. G6PD deficiency occurred in 5.3% of the male Land Dayaks and 5.0% of the male Sea Dayaks; no electrophoretic variant of G6PD was found in any of the 285 Land Dayaks and 240 Sea Dayaks examined. Hereditary ovalocytosis was found in 12.7% of the Land Dayaks and 9.0% of the Sea Dayaks.     

中国丝绸之路经济带沿线省份生态足迹时空差异及公平性分析

评价区域自然资源的公平分配程度是权衡社会经济系统与生态系统可持续发展之间关系的基础。在测算2005—2016年我国丝绸之路经济带沿线省份生态足迹的基础上,分析生态承载力、生态压力指数及足迹深度、足迹广度的时空差异特征,采用基尼系数、经济贡献系数与生态承载系数构建生态足迹的公平性评价模型。结果表明,沿线省份人均生态足迹增长趋势存在较大差异,新疆、宁夏、青海等省份增长较为显著,甘肃、陕西、广西、云南、重庆、四川等省份增长相对较小。结果显示,西北省份较西南省份生态足迹增长较快,但人均生态承载力未发生显著变化。沿线省份生态压力指数均呈缓慢上升的趋势,但差异性正逐步扩大。足迹深度呈缓慢增长的趋势,均大于1,足迹广度变化平缓。经济贡献基尼系数和生态承载基尼系数分别置于[0.15,0.23]和[0.23,0.30]区间,均低于"0.4的警戒线"。其中,陕西、四川和重庆属于"高经济贡献、低生态承载贡献"的省份,青海、云南和甘肃属于"低经济贡献、高生态承载贡献"的省份,新疆、广西和宁夏属于"低经济贡献、低生态承载贡献"的省份。为此,提出对不同经济贡献与生态承载贡献的省份制定适宜的生态建设与环境保护政策,加强空间管控能力,推动重点开发区的区域一体化和合作协同发展,促进省际间产业协作,利用双(多)边合作机制,提高区域自然资源的配置水平。     

A human health risk assessment of heavy metals in agricultural soils of Yanqi Basin,Silk Road Economic Belt,China

A total of 195 farmland soil samples were collected in Yanqi Basin, Xinjiang, northwest China, and the concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn were analyzed for their concentrations and pollution levels using the Nemerow comprehensive index. The health risk assessment model introduced by USEPA was utilized to evaluate the human health risks of heavy metals. Results indicated that the average concentrations of these seven metals were lower than the allowed soil environmental quality standards of China, while the average concentrations of Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn exceeded the background values of irrigation soils in Xinjiang. The average contamination factor (CF) for Pb indicated the heavy pollution, whereas the CF for Cd, Zn, Ni, Cu and Cr indicated the moderate pollution. The average PLI of heavy metals indicated the low pollution. The non-carcinogenic hazard index were below the threshold values, and the total carcinogenic risks due to As and Cr were within the acceptable range for both children and adults. As and Pb were the main non-carcinogenic factors, while As was the main carcinogenic factor in the study area. Special attentions should be paid to these priority control metals in order to target the lowest threats to human health.     

Gene admixture in ethnic populations in upper part of Silk Road revealed by mtDNA polymorphism

To evaluate the gene admixture on the current genetic landscape in Gansu Corridor (GC) in China, the upper part of the ancient Silk Road which connects the Eastern and Central Asia, we examined mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) polymorphisms of five ethnic populations in this study. Using PCR-RFLP and sequencing, we analyzed mtDNA haplotypes in 242 unrelated samples in three ethnic populations from the GC region and two ethnic populations from the adjacent Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China. We analyzed the data in comparison with the previously reported data from Eastern, Central and Western Asia and Europe. We found that both European-specific haplogroups and Eastern Asian-specific haplogroups exist in the Gansu Corridor populations, while a modest matrilineal gene flow from Europeans to this region was revealed. The Gansu Corridor populations are genetically located between Eastern Asians and Central Asians, both of who contributed significantly to the maternal lineages of the GC populations. This study made the landscape of the gene flow and admixture along the Silk Road from Europe, through Central Asia, to the upper part of the Silk Road more complete.     

Gene admixture in ethnic populations in upper part of Silk Road revealed by mtDNA polymorphism

To evaluate the gene admixture on the current genetic landscape in Gansu Corridor (GC) in China, the upper part of the ancient Silk Road which connects the Eastern and Central Asia, we examined mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) polymorphisms of five ethnic populations in this study. Using PCR-RFLP and sequencing, we analyzed mtDNA haplotypes in 242 unrelated samples in three ethnic populations from the GC region and two ethnic populations from the adjacent Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China. We analyzed the data in comparison with the previously reported data from Eastern, Central and Western Asia and Europe. We found that both European-specific haplogroups and Eastern Asian-specific haplogroups exist in the Gansu Corridor populations, while a modest matrilineal gene flow from Europeans to this region was revealed. The Gansu Corridor populations are genetically located between Eastern Asians and Central Asians, both of who contributed significantly to the maternal lineages of the GC populations. This study made the landscape of the gene flow and admixture along the Silk Road from Europe, through Central Asia, to the upper part of the Silk Road more complete.     

Hemoglobins Austin and Waco: two hemoglobins with substitutions in the alpha 1 beta 2 contact region.

Hemoglobins (Hbs) Austin and Waco were detected by their electrophoretic migration on cellulose acetate (pH 8.4) and citrate agar (pH 6.2). By these methods, both variants migrated between Hbs A and F. Globin chain analysis at pH 8.6 indicated that the mutant β chain of Hb Austin was faster moving than the β^A chain; however, the mutant chain of Hb Waco was indistinguishable from the β^A chain by this technique. The two variants were isolated by ion-exchange column chromatography. Sequence studies demonstrated a substitution of serine (Hb Austin) and lysine (Hb Waco) for arginine at position 40 in the β chain. These mutations involve an amino acid residue in the α₁β₂ contact region, which, before this report, had been considered invariant in all hemoglobin sequences. Hb Austin was found to exist as dimers when oxygenated and as tetramers when deoxygenated. The equilibrium constant (K_d) for the tetramer to dimer transition was approximately 300 × 10^?6m, as calculated from sedimentation velocity studies. This variant also had high oxygen affinity, a much reduced heme-heme interaction, and a normal Bohr effect. The functional properties of Hb Waco were similar to those of Hb A.     

丝绸之路经济带核心区城镇化与生态环境耦合关系研究进展

新疆是丝绸之路经济带核心区,作为中巴经济走廊和中亚通道的重要窗口,其新型城镇化建设和生态环境面临新的矛盾和问题,如何协调核心区城镇化和生态系统的耦合关系是可持续发展生态学关注的主要科学问题。综合国内外研究现状,综述了丝绸之路经济带核心区城镇化、生态环境的特征及城镇化与生态环境各因子间的关系,现有研究发现核心区城镇化水平高于城镇化质量,其发展协调度趋于上升且空间分异明显,生态环境本底差、敏感性高且其承载力低;双系统间的耦合模式为磨合、拮抗型,协调度由失调转向协调。目前对核心区城镇化和生态环境耦合规律有了一定认识,但尚需深入。今后研究的重点包括建立城镇化和生态系统耦合关系数据库、注重城镇化和生态环境系统耦合作用研究、开展城镇化和生态环境系统各因子阈值研究、加强城镇化和生态环境问题的预警研究等。