Immunoglobulin allotypes in several North American Eskimo populations

Genetic data consisting of immunoglobulin testing (GM and KM) from 631 Eskimos from 5 populations are reported. These populations are Savoonga, Gambell (St. Lawrence Island), Wales, King Island, and Mckenzie Delta, Baffin Island. The GM and KM haplotypes are analyzed and compared to those occurring in Greenland, Canadian, Alaskan, and Siberian Eskimos and to other Siberian indigenous populations. These analyses suggest that during the peopling of the New World, four separate migrant groups crossed Beringia at various times.     

Distribution of Gm and Km allotypes among five populations in China

Serum samples from five populations in China [173 from Huhehote (Naimengu Zhizhiqu), 195 from the Beijing area, 131 from Hefei (Anhui Province), 155 from Hangzhou (Zhejiang Province), and 152 from Guangzhou (Guangdong Province)] were tested for G1m(1, 2, 3, and 17), G2m(23), G3m(5, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, and 26), and Km(1). The Gm pattern of the Chinese populations are characterized by the presence of four haplotypes, Gm1, 17;..;21, 26, Gm1, 2, 17;..;21, 26, Gm1, 17;..;10, 11, 13, 15, 16, and Gm1, 3;23;5, 10, 11, 13, 14, 26, which are characteristic of Mongoloid populations. Agreement was obtained in all Chinese samples between the observed and expected frequencies on the basis of the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium of phenotypes. Heterogeneity tests of the haplotypic distributions among the five populations showed no significant differences in the distributions of Gm phenotypes between Huhehote and Beijing nor between Hefei and Hangzhou, whereas highly significant differences were observed among the three districts: northern part (Huhehote and Beijing), central part (Hefei and Hangzhou), and southern part (Guangzhou). The data indicate a south to north genocline, ranging from Huhehote to Guangzhou in which Gm1, 17;..;21, 26 changes from 0.471 to 0.183, Gm1, 17;..;10, 11, 13, 15, 16 from 0.097 to 0.033, and Gm1, 3;23;5, 10, 11, 13, 14, 26 from 0.229 to 0.730. In contrast to the Gm system, no significant regional differences in the frequencies of the Km1 allele were observed among the five populations.     

Hypodontia: Prevalence amongst Jewish populations of different origin

The teeth of 10,371 male and 11,013 female Israel Jews were examined. Prevalence of all hypodontia was 4.60% with no significant difference between the sexes; 2.11% lacked upper lateral incisors, the females having a significantly higher prevalence than males. Second premolars were missing in 1.87% of the population, with no significant differences between the sexes. Missing lower incisors was diagnosed in 0.68% of the children, with a higher prevalence in males. Prevalence of missing lower incisors was similar in the Ashkenazi and in the non-Ashkenazi. The teeth most frequently missing in descending order were the upper lateral incisors and the lower second premolars.     

The Gm and Inv allotypes of some Ashkenazic Jews living in Northern U.S.A

Determination of the Gm haplotypes among the serum samples of 249 Ashkenazic Jews living in northern U.S.A. has confirmed the presence of Black African admixture and has established the presence of San (Bushman) admixture. A rough estimate indicates that the haplotypes from these sources contribute about 2% of the genome of the people sampled. The Inv allele frequency is very low (0.037 ± 0.009). This has been found in other Jewish populations and may be characteristic of Jews.     

Brief communication: immunoglobulin (Gm and Km) allotypes in two populations of Catalonia (Spain)

Serum samples from two populations of Catalonia, Spain, 208 from Olot (Gerona) and 209 from Tortosa (Tarragona), were typed for G1m (1, 2, 3, 17), G3m (5, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 26), and Km (1). The Gm patterns of the Catalonian populations are characterized by the presence of four haplotypes, Gm 1,17;21,26 Gm 1,2,17;21,26 Gm 1,3;5,10,11,13,14,26 and Gm 3;5,10,11,13,14,26. The homogeneity for haplotype Gm 1,17;21,26 among our data and other European populations suggests the existence of an isofrequency line which starts from the Mediterranean zone of Iberian Peninsula and continues through the northwestern part of Europe. From this line a decreasing cline towards the south can be observed. For the haplotype Gm 1,2;17,21,26, affinities are observed between Catalonian populations and other populations from central Europe. This confirms the existence of a gradient towards low values from NW to SE. The presence of the typical Mongoloid haplotype Gm 1,3;5,10,11,13,14,26 is discussed in this paper. No significant differences in the frequencies of the Km1 allele were observed among the European populations.     

Genetic variation of Hoplolaimus columbus populations in the United States using PCR-RFLP analysis of nuclear rDNA ITS regions

Hoplolaimus columbus is an important nematode pest which causes economic loss of crops including corn, cotton, and soybean in the Southeastern United States. DNA sequences of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region of ribosomal DNA from H. columbus were aligned and analyzed to characterize intraspecific genetic variation between eleven populations collected from Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, and South Carolina. In comparative sequence analysis with clones from either one or two individuals obtained from the eleven populations, we found variability existed among clones from an individual and that clonal diversity observed from within individuals was verified by PCR-RFLP. PCR-RFLP analysis with Rsa I and Msp I restriction enzymes yielded several fragments on 3.0% agarose gel that corresponded to different haplotypes in all populations and the sum of digested products exceeded the length of undigested PCR products, which revealed that ITS heterogeneity existed in a genome of H. columbus. This indicates that heterogeneity may play a role in the evolution of this parthenogenetic species.     

Immunoglobulin allotypes of Kenyan olive baboons: Troop frequencies,linkage disequilibria,and comparisons with other studies

Sera from a total of 564 olive baboons collected at six different localities in west central Kenya were examined for the presence of cross-reactive immunoglobulin allotypes with reagents used for human sera. Serum samples were tested for Km (1 and 3), Glm (1–3 and 17), andG3m (5, 6, 10, 11, 13–16, 21, 24, and 26). Polymorphism was found for Glm (1 and 17) and G3m (10, 13, and 15). These findings on antigen presence, absence, and polymorphism show broad similarities to, along with some differences from, previous studies of baboons. Our data support the view that there are variations in allotype frequencies between troops at single localities, as well as differences among geographically separated areas. Linkage disequilibria for Gm allotypes differ in strength and direction among the various local Kenya olive baboon populations.     

Immunoglobulin (GM and KM) allotypes and relation to population history in native peoples of British Columbia: Haida and Bella Coola

Differences in the frequencies of GM haplotypes among native peoples of the Americas support the hypothesis that there were three distinct waves of migration from northeast Asia into the Americas: Paleo-Indian, Na-Dene, and Inuit (Eskimo)-Aleut (Salzano and Steinberg: Am. J. Hum. Genet. 17:273-279, 1965; Sukernik and Osipova: Hum. Genet. 61:148-153, 1982; Williams et al.:Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 66:1-19, 1985; Szathmary: In R Kirk and E Szathmary (eds): Out of Asia: Peopling of the Americas and the Pacific. Canberra: The Journal of Pacific History, Canberra Australian National University, pp. 79-104, 1985). We studied GM allotypes in two linguistically unique populations of Canadian west coast native peoples, the Haida and the Bella Coola, and compared them to GM frequencies in populations that are supposed descendants of the three migrations, in order to investigate the possible genetic relationships of these British Columbia (BC) groups to other native populations. We also estimated the amount of European admixture from the frequency of the Caucasian haplotype, Gm3;5. Results showed that the frequencies in both BC populations of the three common native haplotypes (Gm1,17;21, Gm1,2,17;21, and Gm1,17;15,16), were intermediate between the frequencies in supposed descendants of Paleo-Indian and Na-Dene. These genetic findings are consistent with the controversial hypothesis of archeologist C. Borden (Science 203:963-971, 1979) that, following deglaciation about 13,000 years ago, British Columbia was repopulated by peoples from the north (?Na-Dene) and by culturally distinct peoples from the south (?Paleo-Indian). Caucasian admixture estimates suggested that the Haida and Bella Coola have also experienced moderate amounts (12-20%) of genetic input from European-originating peoples.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Immunoglobulin isoantigens (allotypes) in the mouse

Murine antisera raised against allogeneic lymphoid cells often contain antibodies to IgM allotypes. Rarely, allotypic antibodies to IgM have been found after immunization withB. pertussis anti-B. pertussis conjugates. Using both types of antibodies, we have defined a new constant-region locus for both secreted and membrane-bound chains. This locus,Ig-6, is closely linked to the previously described H-chain constant-region loci (Ig-1 throughIg-5) and is subject to allelic exclusion. We have identified three alleles and four antigenic specificities ofIg-6.Authors listed alphabetically     

Gm and Km immunoglobulin allotypes in Sicily

The aim of this study was to evaluate the intra- and inter-population variability of the Gm/Km system in the Madonie Mountains, one of the main geographical barriers in north-central Sicily. We analysed 392 samples: 145 from Alia, 128 from Valledolmo, 25 from Cerda and 94 from Palermo. Serum samples were tested for G1m (1,2,3,17), G2m (23), G3m (5,6,10,11,13,14,15,16,21,24,28) and Km (1) allotypes by the standard agglutination-inhibition method. We found the typical genetic patterns of populations in peripheral areas of the Mediterranean basin, with a high frequency of haplotypes Gm5*;3;23 and Gm5*;3;... The frequency of Gm21,28;1,17;... (about 16%) is rather high compared with other southern areas. Of great importance is the presence of the common African haplotype Gm 5*;1,17;..., ranging in frequency from 1.56% at Valledolmo to 5.5% at Alia. The presence of this haplotype suggests past contacts with peoples from North Africa. The introduction of African markers could be due to the Phoenician colonization at the end of the 2nd millennium b.c. or to the more recent Arab conquest (8th–9th centuries a.d.).     

Jewish identity and the meaning of community in contemporary Denmark

This article examines social, ritual and political structures in the Jewish Community of Copenhagen, Denmark. This community maintains great vitality despite profound fragmentation in its membership, as well as intensive interaction by its members with non-Jewish culture. It does so by providing flexible contexts for participation by its members, so that Jews with profoundly diverse understandings of group and self can engage with Jewish identity. The community does not foster a single model of ethnic identity, but rather provides a symbolic space within which individual members can construct their own understandings of self and group. Such symbolic spaces may become increasingly essential for ethnic groups in late modern societies, where it has become difficult to maintain the sorts of cultural consensus and separation that have historically grounded ethnic communities.     

Gm and Inv [Km] allotypes among Libyan and Ashkenazi Jews,and Armenians living in Israel

Summary Serum samples from Armenians, and from Libyan and Ashkenazi Jews living in Israel were tested for Gm (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 11, 13, 14, 17, 21, 24, 26) and for Inv(1) [Km(1)].The Gm data indicate that all three populations have Negroid and Mongoloid admixture. The minimum amount of admixture varies from 3.1% (Armenians) to 5.5% (Libyan Jews). This admixture had not been detected by the study of other polymorphisms, thus once again underlining the sensitivity of the Gm system. The haplotype frequencies among the Libyan Jews are markedly different from those among the Ashkenazi Jews. Surprisingly (coincidentally?) the haplotype frequencies among the Ashkenazi Jews and the Armenians are similar.The Libyan Jews have a significantly higher frequency of Inv ¹ than do the Ashkenazi Jews and among the latter, Inv ¹ is at least twice as frequent among Polish Jews as it is among Russian Jews.     

Immunoglobulin allotypes in symptomatic and asymptomatic pigeon breeders.

Comparison of immunoglobulin allotypes were studied in a group of patients with pigeon breeder's disease and in similarly exposed by asymptomatic individuals. The study revealed that the disease is not correlated with immunoglobulin allotypes. Furthermore, the phenotype Gm(a;g) was not associated with high levels of serum antibodies to pigeon antigens.     

Influenza exposure in United States feral swine populations

Swine play an important role in the disease ecology of influenza. Having cellular receptors in common with birds and humans, swine provide opportunities for mixed infections and potential for genetic reassortment between avian, human, and porcine influenza. Feral swine populations are rapidly expanding in both numbers and range and are increasingly coming into contact with waterfowl, humans, and agricultural operations. In this study, over 875 feral swine were sampled from six states across the United States for serologic evidence of exposure to influenza. In Oklahoma, Florida, and Missouri, USA, no seropositive feral swine were detected. Seropositive swine were detected in California, Mississippi, and Texas, USA. Antibody prevalences in these states were 1% in Mississippi, 5% in California, and 14.4% in Texas. All seropositive swine were exposed to H3N2 subtype, the predominant subtype currently circulating in domestic swine. The only exceptions were in San Saba County, Texas, where of the 15 seropositive samples, four were positive for H1N1 and seven for both H1N1 and H3N2. In Texas, there was large geographical and temporal variation in antibody prevalence and no obvious connection to domestic swine operations. No evidence of exposure to avian influenza in feral swine was uncovered. From these results it is apparent that influenza in feral swine poses a risk primarily to swine production operations. However, because feral swine share habitat with waterfowl, prey on and scavenge dead and dying birds, are highly mobile, and are increasingly coming into contact with humans, the potential for these animals to become infected with avian or human influenza in addition to swine influenza is a distinct possibility.     

Dietary boron intakes of selected populations in the United States

Knowledge of daily boron (B) intakes will assist researchers in establishing B requirements and elucidating the metabolic role of B in humans. B concentrations in commonly consumed foods were utilized to approximate the B intake of selected US populations. Triplicate food samples were digested at low temperatures with 16M HNO₃ and 30% H₂O₂, and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy (ICP). Milk and dairy products, juices, and beverages were the largest contributors to dietary B. Total B content of average daily diets ranged from 548 μg for toddlers (2 yr old) to 883 μg for mature males (60–65 yr old), excluding tap water contributions. Toddlers consumed 3.7 times more B than mature males when adjusted for body weight (body wt) and consumed the diet with the highest boron density (1.8 μg/kJ or 0.43 μg/kcal). Adolescent females consumed a diet with the lowest B density (1.12 μg/kJ or 0.26 μg/kcal). Food B concentrations applied to diet records (1020 μg/d) and ICP analysis of the corresponding food composites (1170 μg/d) were comparable (p < 0.05). Current estimations of B in US diets are consistent with reports in the literature stating that normal adult daily B intakes are approx 1 mg. Presented at the symposium “Second International Symposium on the Health Effects of Boron and Its Compounds” held in Irvine, CA, on October 23, 1997. This symposium was presented by the University of California, Irvine. The publication of the symposium was supported by U.S. Borax Inc. Guest editors for this symposium were B. Dwight Culver (University of California, Irvine, CA) and James R. Coughlin (Coughlin and Associates, Newport Coast, CA). US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Northern Plains Area is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, and all agency services are available without discrimination.