Entwined African and Asian genetic roots of medieval peoples of the Swahili coast.

The urban peoples of the Swahili coast traded across eastern Africa and the Indian Ocean and were among the first practitioners of Islam among sub-Saharan people1,2. The extent to which these early interactions between Africans and non-Africans were accompanied by genetic exchange remains unknown. Here we report ancient DNA data for 80 individuals from 6 medieval and early modern (AD 1250-1800) coastal towns and an inland town after AD 1650. More than half of the DNA of many of the individuals from coastal towns originates from primarily female ancestors from Africa, with a large proportion-and occasionally more than half-of the DNA coming from Asian ancestors. The Asian ancestry includes components associated with Persia and India, with 80-90% of the Asian DNA originating from Persian men. Peoples of African and Asian origins began to mix by about AD 1000, coinciding with the large-scale adoption of Islam. Before about AD 1500, the Southwest Asian ancestry was mainly Persian-related, consistent with the narrative of the Kilwa Chronicle, the oldest history told by people of the Swahili coast3. After this time, the sources of DNA became increasingly Arabian, consistent with evidence of growing interactions with southern Arabia4. Subsequent interactions with Asian and African people further changed the ancestry of present-day people of the Swahili coast in relation to the medieval individuals whose DNA we sequenced.

Self-Protection, Routine Activities, and Victimization: Studying Arab Americans in Metro-Detroit.

Despite continued publicity after 9/11, knowledge on Arab Americans' experience with criminal victimization remains limited and narrowly focused. Based on face-to-face interview data collected from a random sample of residents in the Detroit metropolitan area, this study compared the prevalence and covariates of property and violent crime victimization between Arab and non-Arab Americans. The main finding was promising as Arab and non-Arab American respondents reported similar victimization risks across six crime types. Less encouraging was that Arab Americans were significantly less likely than their counterparts to use self-protective measures, which were found to have a significant risk-reduction effect regarding property crime victimization. In addition, there was a significant, negative correlation between the likelihood of moving in the next 5 years and risk of victimization. Finally, regularly carrying a large amount of cash was associated with a higher risk of violent victimization for non-Arab Americans, but not Arab Americans. Implications for future research and policy are provided.

Comprehensive view of the population history of Arabia as inferred by mtDNA variation.

OBJECTIVES: Genetic and archaeological research supports the theory that Arabia was the first region traversed by modern humans as they left Africa and dispersed throughout Eurasia. However, the role of Arabia from the initial migration out of Africa until more recent times is still unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have generated 379 new hypervariable segment 1 (HVS-1) sequences from a range of geographic locations throughout Yemen. We compare these data to published HVS-1 sequences representing Arabia and neighboring regions to build a unique dataset of 186 populations and 14,290 sequences. RESULTS: We identify 4,563 haplotypes unevenly distributed across Arabia and neighboring regions. Arabia contains higher proportions of shared haplotypes than the regions with which it shares these haplotypes, suggesting high levels of migration through the region. Populations in Arabia show higher levels of population expansion than those in East Africa, but lower levels than the Near East, Middle East or India. Arabian populations also show very high levels of genetic variation that overlaps with variation from most other regions. CONCLUSION: We take a population genetics approach to provide a comprehensive view of the relationships of Arabian and neighboring populations. We show that Arabian populations share closest links to the Near East and North Africa, but have a more ancient origin with slower demographic growth and/or lower migration rates. Our conclusions are supported by phylogenetic studies but also suggest that recent migrations have erased signals of earlier events.

From (b)edouin to (a)borigine: the myth of the desert noble savage.

This article examines the myth of the supposed superiority of the desert noble savage over civilized man. With the Bedouin of Arabia and the Aborigines of Australia as its two prime examples, the article argues that two versions of this myth can be traced: one in which the desert noble savage is valorized due to his valour, physical prowess and martial skill (Bedouin); and another, later version, where the desert noble savage is valorized as a pacifist, an ecologist and a mythmaker/storyteller (Aborigines). The article concludes by examining the way in which this turn from one type of desert noble savage to another reflects the manner in which western modernity has shifted its values from Cartesian dualities and Enlightenment rationalism to that of networks, potentialities, ecology and myth.

Tobacco control priorities for Arabic speakers: key findings from a baseline telephone survey of Arabic speakers residing in Sydney's south-west.

ISSUE ADDRESSED: The Arabic-speaking population is a priority for tobacco control in Sydney's south-west. Current smoking prevalence and smokers' preferences for evidence-based cessation therapies are reported for this population. METHODS: A telephone survey of Arabic speakers conducted in Sydney's south-west between August and November 2004 included: utilisation of tobacco products, tobacco and health knowledge, quit attempts and likelihood to use evidence-based cessation strategies. RESULTS: A 70% response rate was achieved (n=1,102). Twenty-six per cent of respondents (95% CI 23.5-28.7) self-reported being current smokers. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that poor knowledge of the harms of smoking (AOR=7.50, 95% CI 3.20-17.59), being male (AOR=2.63, 95% CI 1.89-3.65), being aged between 40 and 59 (AOR=1.44, 95% CI 1.06-1.96) and non-tertiary educated (AOR=1.44, 95% CI 1.06-1.97) were independent predictors of self-reported smoking. Smokers' preferences for evidence-based cessation strategies included: vouchers for discounted nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) (58.8%, 95% CI 52.9-64.6), standard self-help booklet (56.6%, 95% CI 50.7-62.4) and tailored self-help written materials (mailed) (54.0%, 95% CI 48.1- 59.9). More than one-third of all current cigarette smokers (39.4%, n=108, 95% CI 33.6-45.2) indicated they had made a quit attempt in the past 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Well-designed trials of efficacy for preferred evidence-based strategies, particularly among middle-aged male Arabic-speaking smokers, appear warranted prior to policy development and implementation.

Behçet's disease in Lebanon: clinical profile, severity and two-decade comparison.

The aim of this study is to describe the clinical features of Lebanese patients with Behçet's disease (BD) followed up at a tertiary care center in Lebanon. A retrospective review of medical records of 90 patients who fulfilled the International Study Group (ISG) criteria for diagnosis was performed. The clinical characteristics and severity score were compared with those reported from other populations of Arab and of Turkish origin using the same diagnostic criteria, and a comparison over two decades for the Lebanese population was made. The male-to-female ratio was 2.9:1, the mean age at onset, 25.4 years, and mean age at diagnosis, 29.2 years. One hundred percent of the patients had mouth ulceration; 72.2%, genital ulceration; 59.1%, arthritis; 55.7%, papulopustular skin lesion; 53.9%, ocular disease; 36.8%, vascular disease; 29.5%, erythema nodosum; and 23.0%, neurologic disease. The characteristics of our patient population are similar to that reported from other countries in the region. However, we found a higher prevalence of vascular and neurologic disease.

Beliefs about health and diabetes in men of different ethnic origin.

AIM: This paper reports the findings of a study exploring the health and illness beliefs of men with diabetes, who were from different cultural backgrounds and living in Sweden. BACKGROUND: No studies have been reported that have focused on the beliefs about health and illness in men with diabetes mellitus of different ethnic origin. Beliefs may affect self-care and care-seeking behaviour. METHOD: An explorative study design and purposive sampling procedure was used. Focus-group interviews were held with 35 men with diabetes and aged between 39 and 78 years. Fourteen participants were born in Arabic countries, 10 in former Yugoslavia and 11 in Sweden. FINDINGS: Important factors for health were the ability to be occupied/employed and economically independent and, especially among Arabs and former Yugoslavians, sexual functioning. Swedes focused on heredity, lifestyle and management of diabetes, while non-Swedes claimed the influence of supernatural factors and emotional stress related to the role of being an immigrant and migratory experiences as factors related to development of diabetes and having a negative influence on health. Swedes and Arabs described health as "freedom from disease" in contrast to many former Yugoslavians who described health as "wealth and the most important thing in life". Knowledge about diabetes was limited among the men studied, but Arabs showed an active information-seeking behaviour compared with Swedes and former Yugoslavians. Non-Swedish respondents, particularly Arabs, had sought help from health care professionals to a greater extent than Swedes, who were more likely to use self-care measures. CONCLUSION: Being occupied/employed and having knowledge about the body and management of diabetes are important for positive health development. There are dissimilarities in beliefs about health and diabetes that influence self-care behaviour and health care seeking. Men's cultural backgrounds and spiritual beliefs need to be considered in diabetes care.

Retinol concentration in maternal and cord serum: its relation to birth weight in healthy mother-infant pairs.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin A is an essential micronutrient for the development and growth of the fetus. The objective of this study was to identify a possible association between low serum retinol and birth weight in healthy mother-infant pairs in Southern Israel. A secondary objective was to examine ethnic differences in maternal and cord serum retinol. METHODS: Serum retinol was measured at delivery from pairs of healthy mothers and healthy mature newborns. RESULTS: Of the 313 mother-infant pairs studied, 56% were Jews and 44% Bedouins. The proportion of infants with birth weight of 2500-2999 g was greater among mothers with lower serum retinol (<0.7 micromol/l) compared to mothers with normal serum retinol (> or =0.7 micromol/l) (p<0.001). Cord retinol <0.7 micromol/l was more frequent in infants with birth weight 2500-2990 g compared to infants with birth weight > or =3000 g (p=0.006). Using a split model and stepwise multiple regression analysis, infant's birth weight was significantly influenced by cord retinol concentration in infants born to mothers with low serum retinol; gestational age and cord retinol alone explained 27% of the variability of birth weight in this group. A higher proportion of Bedouin than Jewish infants had serum retinol <0.7 and <0.35 micromol/l (both p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Low cord and maternal serum retinol may reflect poor vitamin A status of the newborn and the mother, which in turn may affect fetal growth.

HHV-6 DNAaemia in patients with multiple sclerosis in Kuwait.

OBJECTIVE: To study the presence of active human herpesvirus type-6 (HHV-6) infection indicated by the presence of HHV-6 DNA in serum (DNAaemia) in patients suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS) in Kuwait. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sera from 24 patients with MS (18 relapsing-remitting, six secondary progressive disease), control sera from 13 patients suffering from other neurological diseases and sera from 20 healthy volunteers were examined for the presence of HHV-6 DNA by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. RESULTS: None of the MS patients, nor patient controls were positive for HHV-6 DNAaemia while, one of the normal healthy controls was positive for HHV-6 DNAaemia. CONCLUSION: HHV-6 DNAaemia, indicating active HHV-6 infection could not be demonstrated in a sample of Kuwaiti patients suffering from active clinically definite MS. There is no evidence to incriminate this virus in the pathogenesis of MS in Kuwait.

Occurrence of cattle Sarcocystis species in raw kibbe from Arabian food establishments in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, and experimental transmission to humans.

Fifty samples of raw kibbe from 25 Arabian restaurants in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, were examined for the presence of bovine Sarcocystis species, using light and electron microscopy, and for infectivity to humans. Sarcocysts were found in all 50 samples. Based on cyst wall structure, S. hominis (94%), S. hirsuta (70%), and S. cruzi (92%) were identified (mostly as mixed infections). Different raw kibbe samples, positive for S. hominis in fresh preparations, were offered as a meal for 7 human volunteers. Six volunteers (85.7%), 2 of whom developed diarrhea, excreted sporocysts in feces. The prepatent period lasted 10-14 (12 +/- 1.8) days and the patent period lasted 5-12 (8.8 +/- 1.1) days.

Managing the multicultural laboratory, Part I: Tools for understanding cultural differences.

This article will help laboratory managers better manage their culturally diverse employees by explaining what is meant by "culture" and by presenting a research-based model for assessing the different values, attitudes, and behaviors exhibited by those of different cultural backgrounds. The useful cross-cultural data presented come from an exciting research analysis compiled by Dutch social psychologist and management consultant, Dr. Geert Hofstede. This multi-national corporate study compared the cultures of more than 40 nationalities using four different cultural characteristics. As members of an empirically based profession, laboratory professionals should welcome some hard data about a soft subject. This model will enable laboratory managers to understand their own cultural biases and will interpret some of the attitudes and behaviors of those with different national or ethnic backgrounds. By understanding the elementary principles of culture and by replacing outdated stereotypes with educated generalizations, clinical laboratory managers can take a vital step toward becoming effective multi-cultural managers.