Overcoming memory T-cell responses for induction of delayed tolerance in nonhuman primates.

The presence of alloreactive memory T cells is a major barrier for induction of tolerance in primates. In theory, delaying conditioning for tolerance induction until after organ transplantation could further decrease the efficacy of the regimen, since preexisting alloreactive memory T cells might be stimulated by the transplanted organ. Here, we show that such "delayed tolerance" can be induced in nonhuman primates through the mixed chimerism approach, if specific modifications to overcome/avoid donor-specific memory T-cell responses are provided. These modifications include adequate depletion of CD8+ memory T cells and timing of donor bone marrow administration to minimize levels of proinflammatory cytokines. Using this modified approach, mixed chimerism was induced successfully in 11 of 13 recipients of previously placed renal allografts and long-term survival without immunosuppression could be achieved in at least 6 of these 11 animals.

Genetic diversity among the Newars of Nepal.

Genetic diversity among the Newars of Nepal has been studied using Wright's FST and the ratio of observed variance to theoretical variance following Lewontin and Krakauer's 1973 method, based on six genetic characteristics. The gene differentiation among the Newars is only 1.7%. These observations are further corroborated by the results obtained through genetic distance analysis. The average heterozygosity per locus is high (ranging from 35 to 42%) for all the groups. About 95% of total gene diversity exists within the Newar groups, the intergroup components being only about 5%.

Anthropological studies among Pangwalas and Gaddis of Himachal Pradesh, North India.

The present paper is based on the Research Project entitled "Impact of Technological and Economic Development Programme on Bio-Cultural Heritage of Gaddis and Pangwalas Population Groups of Himachal Pradesh". The project was framed after UNESCO/MAB Project Nos. 6 and 12 under UNESCO Programme on Man Biosphere (MAB) and supported by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. The population groups under investigation are: 1. Transhumant Gaddis of Bharmour Sub-Tehsil, Chamba District; 2. Settled Gaddis of Kangra District; and 3. Pangwalas of Pangi Tehsil, Chamba District, Himachal Pradesh. The carrying capacity has been calculated for Pangi and Bharmour Sub-Tehsil and it has been observed that in both the places the size of population is beyond the capacity of the land. The pattern of body growth and respiratory functions among Transhumant Gaddis of Bharmour Sub-Tehsil, Chamba District and Settled Gaddis of Kangra District have been studied. Statistically non-significant differences in most of the biological variables have been observed among these groups.

Fertility and mortality differentials among the different population groups of Sikkim, India.

PIP: Differential mortality and fertility trends among the Buddhist and Hindu populations of the Indian state of Sikkim are analyzed using data from a sample of 281 mothers who had completed their reproductive cycles. The relative importance of the fertility and mortality components in the natural selection process among the populations studied is discussed.^ieng

Y-chromosome length heteromorphisms in Delhi infants.

One hundred and seventy normal male infants from Delhi were studied using the CBG technique to estimate Y-chromosome length heteromorphisms. The median class in Y/F [Y/F = total length of the Y chromosome/average total length of the F group chromosomes (19 and 20)] distribution was 0.75-0.79. The Y/F index in infants varied from 0.60 to 1.16 with a mean of 0.81 and a standard deviation of 0.09. A high incidence for very small (53.5 percent) and small (41.2 percent) categories of Y-chromosome length heteromorphisms was observed. Data were compared with other available reports; also possible mechanisms of the Y-chromosome length heteromorphisms and their role in ethnic/racial variation as well as in developmental disturbances are discussed. It is suggested there may be a need to redefine the long and short Y chromosome in a given population while studying different clinical disorders.

Blood groups in relation to carcinoma of cervix uteri.

Data are presented on AB0 and RhD blood groups in 186 patients suffering from carcinoma of cervix uteri and 274 controls from Delhi, India. A strong association is observed between carcinoma patients and blood group A, and a slightly weaker association with blood group B. There is no significant association with RhD blood group. The available data in other populations confirm the association with AB0 blood group.

The relationship between total ridge-count, absolute ridge-count and pattern intensity index revisited.

Although several exhaustive studies are available for qualitative finger dermatoglyphics, our knowledge on quantitative aspects of finger dermatoglyphics is far from complete. In this paper, we have tried to explore the relationship between total ridge-count (TRC) and pattern intensity index (PII), and between absolute ridge-count (ARC) and PII in 1809 Koli males--a scheduled tribe of district Panchmahals, Gujarat. It has been observed that the linear regression between ARC and PII accounts for a larger part of variation than between TRC and PII. These results further strengthen the observations made by Basu and Namboodiri and Malhotra et al. that the relationship between ARC and PII might be different in different population groups.

Chromosomal heteromorphisms in Delhi infants. III. Qualitative analysis of C-band inversion heteromorphisms of chromosomes 1, 9, and 16.

Qualitative analysis of C-band heteromorphisms was carried out in 200 infants (100 males and 100 females) in Delhi, India. Partial inversions minor and half inversions were observed as modal levels for chromosomes 1 and 9 in both sexes. No chromosome 16 with a C-band inversion was observed in the present investigation. A significantly higher incidence of percent inversions for chromosomes 1 and 9 was observed in males than in females. The frequency of heterozygous inversion level combinations for chromosome pairs 1 and 9 were remarkably higher than homozygous combinations both in males and females. Our results are compared with the other reported studies, and the possible role of these heteromorphisms in ethnic/racial variation and in developmental disturbances are discussed.

Human chromosomal heteromorphisms in Delhi newborns. IV. Inter-relationship between C-band size and inversion heteromorphisms.

The inter-relationship of C-band size and inversion heteromorphisms was studied in 200 Delhi normal newborns (100 males and 100 females). A significant correlation between size and inversion heteromorphisms in males (r = 0.97) and females (r = 0.98) was observed. The results suggested that the larger the size of the C-band regions so the higher was the incidence of inversion.

Human chromosomal heteromorphisms in Delhi newborns. II. Analysis of C-band size heteromorphisms in chromosomes 1, 9 and 16.

Quantitative analysis of C-band size heteromorphisms in chromosomes 1,9 and 16 was carried out in 200 Delhi newborns (100 males and 100 females). The percent size heteromorphisms for chromosomes 1,9 and 16 showed nonsignificant differences between the sexes. Homozygous size level combinations showed higher incidence than the heterozygous combinations for all the three chromosome pairs studied in both sexes. Our results are compared with other reported studies and the possible role of these heteromorphisms in ethnic/racial variation and in developmental disturbances is discussed.

Genetic markers and malaria. Observations in Gujarat, India.

189 healthy controls and 175 patients suffering from malaria vivax have been investigated with regard to associations between this disease and 22 genetic polymorphisms of the blood (ABO, MN, Ss, Rh, Kell, P, Lutheran, Kidd, Duffy, Diego, Xg; ABH-Secretor; Hp, Gc, Gm, Km; aP, AK, PGM1, 6-PGD, EsD; Hb variants) Significant associations could be demonstrated only for P and Hp systems, though in accordance with other investigations it cannot be excluded that the ABO system plays also a role in this connection.

Transferrin subtypes in four Northwest Indian tribal populations and some remarks on the anthropological value of this new polymorphism.

Serum samples from four tribal Populations--Chaudhuri, Kotwalia, Vasava, Gamit-living in Gujarat (Northwest India) were tested for transferrin subtypes. The results are compared with those reported for other Indian populations. Reviewing all the hitherto published Tf subtype data some interesting racial differences in the distribution of gene frequencies emerge. A possible geographical distribution pattern of the variants is explored.

Transferrin subtypes in six Indian population samples.

Transferrin subtypings have been performed on three population samples originating from Himachal Pradesh, North India (Pangwala, Gaddi-Bharmour valley, Gaddi-Kangra district) and on three samples from Andhra Pradesh, South India (Koya, Konda Kammara, Lambadi). Among these six populations, marked differences in the distribution of Tf phenotype and allele frequencies are present. All Indian samples differ clearly from the hitherto reported TfC1 and TfC2 allele frequencies. In one of our Indian samples, the Pangwala, the most likely existence of a new Tf subtype variant (Tf Pangwala) could be demonstrated.

Geographic and ethnic distribution of genetic markers in India. 2. Inv, Gm, Gc, ADA, AK, ap, PGM1, 6-PGD and EsD polymorphisms.

In the literature widely scattered Indian data on the gene frequencies of Inv, Gm, Gc, ADA, AK, ap, PGM1, 6-PGD and EsD polymorphisms have been compiled. The geographic and ethnic impacts of these data are discussed.--Additionally the results of blood group (A1A2BO, MN), serum protein group (Hp, Gc, Tf, Gm, Inv) and enzyme group (AK, aP, PGM1, 6-PGD, EsD) typings on a sample of 101 Jains, a population group in the area around Delhi, are presented here.

Geographic and ethnic distribution of genetic markers in India. 1. Haptoglobin and transferrin polymorphisms.

In the literature widely scattered Indian data on the gene frequencies of two polymorphic serum protein systems--haptoglobin (Hp) and transferrin (Tf)--have been compiled. In addition, the results of Hp and Tf typings on 111 individuals belonging to the caste groups of Brahmans (32), Rajputs (66), and Scheduled Caste (13) of Kausani of the Almora District, Uttar Pradesh (India) are presented.

Genetic studies of Pangwalas, Transhumant and Settled Gaddis. 4. Colour blindness, mid-phalangeal hair, ear lobe attachment and behavioural traits.

Frequency distributions of colour blindness, midphalangeal hair, ear lobe attachment, hand clasping, arm folding, leg folding and handedness are reported for different population groups from Himachal Pradesh, North India, namely Pangwalas, Transhumant Gaddis (Brahmans, Rajputs and Scheduled Castes) and Settled Gaddis (Brahmans, Rajputs and Schedules Castes). An attempt has been made to compare the results of the present study within and between these groups as well as with the results of other reports from different population groups of India and Asia.

Genetic studies in four tribal populations of the Surat District, Gujarat (India).

Four tribal populations (Chaudhuri, Vasava, Kotwalia and Gamit) of the Surat District in Gujarat (India) have been investigated for the distribution of 22 polymorphic systems of the blood. The main results of this study are as follows: The allele frequencies show considerable heterogeneity among these populations. From the genetic structure analysis it is seen that only a small fraction of the total gene diversity accounts for genetic differences among them, and the major portion of it is due to genetic variation within them. Analysis of genetic distance according to Nei (1972) reveals that the Vasava and Kotwalia show a rather close genetic relationship, while the Chaudhuri and Gamit differ from both the Vasava and Kotwalia.

Biology of the people of Sikkim, India. 2. Colour blindness, ear lobe attachment, mid-phalangeal hair and behavioural traits.

14 population groups of Sikkim (India)--Lepchas (2), Bhutias (2), Sherpas, Tamangs, Gurungs, Mangars, Rais, Limboos/Subbas, Pradhans (Newars), Brahmans, Chhetris, Scheduled Castes--have been studied in regard of the intra- and intergroup variability of colour blindness, ear lobe attachment, mid-phalangeal hair and behavioural traits (tongue folding, hand clapsing, arm folding, leg folding, handedness). Some of these variables show a considerable distribution heterogeneity, which is discussed considering history and marriage patterns of these populations. As most of them are highly endogamous one can assume that this heterogeneity is caused by locally acting factors such as drift and/or founder effects, which could be preserved due to as good as lacking gene flow among the populations under study. Beyond that the Sikkim data are compared briefly with those reported for other Indian and Asiatic populations.

Effect of natural background radiation on dermatoglyphic traits.

Long term exposure to natural background radiation could cause gross abnormalities in individuals and at the population level. Studies conducted on the coastal Kerala population which is known to be receiving fifteen times the normal permissible dose of radiation support this. This study aims at understanding the deviations, if any, in the normal human variation as a result of such high natural radiation. A detailed quantitative and qualitative dermatoglyphic study was done on two communities i.e. Hindus and Christians, living separately in the radiation area. The significant differences were observed between control and exposed groups with regard to d-t ridge count, distances c-t and angle atd. The susceptibility of the axial triradius to environmental distrubances is discussed.

Beta 2-glycoprotein I--a Bi-Allelic polymorphism.

Population samples from Hungary and India have been typed for beta 2-glycoprotein I concentrations. Whereas the Hungarian sample is in fairly good accord with the genetic model set up by Cleve2-beta 2-glycoprotein I concentrations are controlled by two autosomal codominant alleles BgN and BgD-the Indian samples do not fit this model. Thus the Indian data favour the assumption of a more complex genetic mechanism controlling the serum concentration of this protein.