Serum protein polymorphisms in four populations of Afghanistan.

Gene frequencies of the serum proteins third component of complement (C3) transferrin (Tf), haptoglobin (Hp), group specific component (Gc), serum cholinesterase (E1), alpha1-antitrypsin (Pi), beta2-glycoprotein I (Bg), and ceruloplasmin (Cp) in the Tajiks, Pushtoons, Hazaras, and Usbeks in Afghanistan were reported. Rare variants were observed in the C3, Tf, and Pi systems.     

Rice production in Afghanistan

Rice, Afghanistan’s third most important crop, is produced in every province. Although about thirteen varieties occur in the country, for marketing purposes two main classes are recognized. These two, “Loke” and “Mai-een”, are differentiated on the basis of grain size, color, consistency, and distribution.     

Consanguineous marriages in Afghanistan

The present cross-sectional study was done in order to illustrate the prevalence and types of consanguineous marriages among Afghanistan populations. Data on types of marriages were collected using a simple questionnaire. The total number of couples in the study was 7140 from the following provinces: Badakhshan, Baghlan, Balkh, Bamyan, Kabul, Kunduz, Samangan and Takhar. Consanguineous marriages were classified by the degree of relationship between couples: double first cousins, first cousins, first cousins once removed, second cousins and beyond second cousins. The coefficient of inbreeding (F) was calculated for each couple and the mean coefficient of inbreeding (α) estimated for each population. The proportion of consanguineous marriages in the country was 46.2%, ranging from 38.2% in Kabul province to 51.2% in Bamyan province. The equivalent mean inbreeding coefficient (α) was 0.0277, and ranged from 0.0221 to 0.0293 in these two regions. There were significant differences between provinces for frequencies of different types of marriages (p<0.001). First cousin marriages (27.8%) were the most common type of consanguineous marriages, followed by double first cousin (6.9%), second cousin (5.8%), beyond second cousin (3.9%) and first cousin once removed (1.8%). There were significant differences between ethnic groups for the types of marriages (χ2=177.6, df=25, p<0.001). Tajiks (Soni) and Turkmens (also Pashtuns) showed the lowest (α=0.0250) and highest (α=0.0297) mean inbreeding coefficients, respectively, among the ethnic groups in Afghanistan. The study shows that Afghanistan's populations, like other Islamic populations, have a high level of consanguinity.     

Klima und pelanzenverbreitung in Afghanistan

Summary Author spent three years in Afghanistan. According to his views he gives in fig. 1 a sketch of the regionisation according to vegetation, climate, and agronomy (dry farming). Tables bring records on climate according to Stenz, supplemented in parts. Except province 5 all Afghanistan belongs to the irano-turanian region. The sclerophyllous woods of eastern Afghanistan do not belong to the mediterranean region, they are different floristically and climatically. Short characterizations of the vegetation of the different provinces are given.

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Manuskript eingegangen am 8.XI.1953.     

Auger injuries in children.

A 6-year review of auger injuries in Manitoba children revealed that 23 children sustained major injuries resulting in amputation of 17 limbs. Auger injuries are the main cause of traumatic amputation in children in Manitoba. Improved safety education for the entire farm family as well as better design of safety shields would decrease this carnage.     

Drain-cover injuries in children.

This report highlights unnecessary injuries to the hands, forearms, and feet of small children, caused by falling drain-cover gratings, colloquially known as "shores". It is suggested that a simple locking device, similar to that employed on manhole covers, would eliminate this type of injury.