COVID-19 and Indian population: a comparative genetic analysis

Background Major risk factors of COVID-19 include older age, male gender, and comorbidities. In addition, host genetic makeup is also known to play a major role in COVID-19 susceptibility and severity. To assess the genetic predisposition of the Indian population to COVID-19, a comparative analysis of the frequencies of polymorphisms directly or potentially associated with COVID-19 susceptibility, severity, immune response, and fatal outcomes was done between the Indian population and other major populations (European, African, East Asian, South Asian, and American). Materials and methods Polymorphisms directly or potentially associated with COVID-19 susceptibility, severity, immune response, and mortality were mined from genetic association studies, comparative genetic studies, expression quantitative trait loci studies among others. Genotype data of these polymorphisms were either sourced from the GenomegaDB database of Mapmygenome India Ltd. (sample size = 3054; Indian origin) or were imputed. Polymorphisms with minor allele frequency >= 0.05 and that are in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in the Indian population were considered for allele frequency comparison between the Indian population and 1000 Genome population groups. Results Allele frequencies of 421 polymorphisms were found to be significantly different in the Indian population compared to European, African, East Asian, South Asian, and American populations. 128 polymorphisms were shortlisted based on linkage disequilibrium and were analyzed in detail. Apart from well-studied genes, like ACE2, TMPRSS2, ADAM17, and FURIN, variants from AHSG, IFITM3, PTPN2, CD209, CCL5, HEATR9, SELENBP9, AGO1, HLA-G, MX1, ICAM3, MUC5B, CRP, C1GALT1, and other genes were also found to be significantly different in Indian population. These variants might be implicated in COVID-19 susceptibility and progression. Conclusion Our comparative study unraveled multiple genetic variants whose allele frequencies were significantly different in the Indian population and might have a potential role in COVID-19 susceptibility, its severity, and fatal outcomes. This study can be very useful for selecting candidate genes/variants for future COVID-19 related genetic association studies.

DIASPORA IDENTITY: CASE STUDY OF NAIPAUL’S FICTION IN A FREE STATE

The literature produced at global level by dispersed community that has common ancestral homeland is known as the literature of Indian diaspora. Indian communities are spread all over the major countries of the world. The total population of Indian diaspora in the world is near about twenty million. People from India settle abroad and maintain a strong bond with motherland. The diaspora literature have certain important features, that separate their writing from the mainstream of contemporary writers. The Indian writer have brought diaspora literature at world wide recognition. Nobel laureate V.S. Naipaul was famous writer of Indian origin had he has great contribution in diaspora literature. KEYWORDS: Diaspora, Homeland, Dispersed, Indentured, Expatriate, Exile, Migration.

On the formation of the Roma (Gypsy) ethnos

The author attempts to consider the history and dynamics of the formation of the Roma (Gypsy) a result of different impacts between the local population and the publiceconomic institutions of those countries, where Roma (Gypsy) lived temporarily or permanently; how ethnic contacts were established; reasons, results and post-effects of the enemy conquests of the territories, where Gypsies settled for good causing mandatory and natural changes in the language, traditions and customs, as well as religion. The issue of the ethno-genesis of the Roma/Gypsy – the process of the formation of this given ethnic community on the basis of various ethnic components – does not lose its relevance. Discussing this topic, the author revises the issue of the Indian origin of the ancestors of modern Roma in the light of new achievements in the field of genetics and the obtained irrefutable evidence that allows to put forward as one of the hypothesis the ability of Roma/Gypsy for genetic resistance, which helped them to preserve their mentality, traditions and customs, the foundations of customary law, without losing their native language. The author also touches upon the issue of defining the type of Gypsy social structure and culture, which often arises in the cases when the Gypsies are seen as exclusively nomadic people. The author puts forward his hypothesis regarding the word ‘nomadic‘ used in relation to the Gypsies.

Analysis of Fingerprint Patterns among Central Indian Population- A Cross Sectional Study

Background: A person's identity means understanding positively who a given individual is. Human identification is a universal method focused predominantly on finger printing and based on scientific principles. Aims and objectives: To study of fingerprint patterns among Central Indian population. Material and Methods: This prospective study was carried out to determine the prevalence of the type of fingerprints in each finger and their gender distribution among 250 individuals of Central Indian origin comprising 125 males and 125 females. Results: The general distribution of fingerprint patterns in the present study is noted in the same order as defined in the literature. Largest loops (55.3%), moderate whorl (34.7%) and least arch (10.0%) respectively. It was found that loop (57.4 %) and arch (14.6 %) fingerprints were more prevalent in women than in men. In males (41.5 per cent), the Whorl fingerprint is more prevalent compared to females (28.0 per cent). Conclusion: The right hand shows typical fingerprints of the loop and whorl, and the arch fingerprint was more in the left hand.

The Adroitness of Andrographolide as a Natural Weapon Against Colorectal Cancer

The conventional carcinoma treatment generally encompasses the employment of radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery or use of cytotoxic drugs. However, recent advances in pharmacological research have divulged the importance of traditional treatments in cancer. The aim of the present review is to provide an overview of the importance of one such medicinal herb of Chinese and Indian origin: Andrographis paniculate on colorectal cancer with special emphasis on its principal bioactive component andrographolide (AGP) and its underlying mechanisms of action. AGP has long been known to possess medicinal properties. Studies led by numerous groups of researchers shed light on its molecular mechanism of action. AGP has been shown to act in a multi-faceted manner in context of colorectal cancer by targeting matrix metalloproteinase-9, Toll-like receptor or NFκB signaling pathways. In this review, we highlighted the recent studies that show that AGP can act as an effective immunomodulator by harnessing effective anti-tumor immune response. Recent studies strongly recommend further research on this compound and its analogues, especially under in-vivo condition to assess its actual potential as a prospective and efficient candidate against colorectal cancer. The current review deals with the roles of this phytomedicine in context of colorectal cancer and briefly describes its perspectives to emerge as an essential anti-cancer drug candidate. Finally, we also point out the drawbacks and difficulties in administration of AGP and indicate the use of nano-formulations of this phytomedicine for better therapeutic efficacy.

Applicability of Ancient Myths and Cultures used in the play Yayati

Girish Karnad was among the most prolific playwrights of modern India. He took birth in the reign of British India, witness the independence of our country, learnt from the motherland of English, came back to his motherland only to become English poet, but ended up writing plays only in his native language, using the core of Indian origin in his pen. He had the best farsightedness of life which he projected very sharply in his plays. Each of his plays are enriched with the diverse forms of Indian cultures and myths. Although, it has never been mentioned of him studying psychology in a professional manner but his plays has always has the capacity of comforting or at least focusing the flaws of mankind. The main objective of this research paper is to highlight the ancient myths and culture used in one of the Karnad's play Yayati, and its relevancy in the present scenario.

Growth Pattern and Use of Inter-pupillary Distance in the Detection of Ocular Hypertelorism and Hypotelorism in Indian Down Syndrome Children

Use of inter-pupillary distance (IPD) for objective evaluation of ocular hypertelorism and hypotelorism is recommended to corroborate diagnosis of syndromic conditions. In view of complete absence of serial data on growth of IPD, this study aims to unfold auxological dynamics of IPD in Down syndrome (DS) children of Indian origin. Inner canthal distance (ICD) and outer canthal distance (OCD) were measured on a total of 1,125 (male: 752, female: 373) DS children, aged 0 to 3 months to 10 years at 6 monthly age intervals using a “Digimatic Sliding Caliper” in the Growth Laboratory/Growth Clinic of the Institute. Using Feingold and Bossert (1974) formula, IPD at each age was calculated from ICD and OCD measured among male and female DS children. IPD, like OCD and ICD increased un-interruptedly among DS children. IPD grew rapidly up to 5 years thereafter, its rapidity became slower. Boys in general, possessed larger IPD than girls, however, gender differences became statistically significant up to first 4 years of life. Our study children possessed significantly smaller IPD as compared with their normal Indian counterparts. None of our DS children depicted ocular hypertelorism while hypotelorism, was noticed amongst 4.9% male and 16.8% female DS patients. Comparison with normative IPD data failed to establish existence of ocular hypertelorism in DS children (<10 years) of north-western Indian origin. Use of age and gender-specific data presented for IPD of DS children may be made for comparative purpose to ascertain inter-population variability.

PREVALENCE OF TORUS PALATINUS IN ADULT HUMAN CRANIA OF EAST INDIAN ORIGIN

Torus Palatinus or Palatine torus is a benign bony exostosis that exists on the hard palate along the mid-palatal or interpalatine suture. Although smaller tori are clinically asymptomatic, bigger ones may require surgical intervention.This study is an attempt to analyze the incidence of palatine tori in East Indian population and to assess any signicant sexual variation between male and female crania. In the present study, 96 skulls (60 male and 36 female) from different medical colleges of West Bengal were examined at Department of Anatomy, N.R.S. Medical College, Kolkata, West Bengal between 2017-2019 to observe the presence of torus on the hard palate. While 8.33% of the total sample showed the presence of palatine torus; no statistically signicant sex difference was noted in its prevalence in male and female skulls. Male skulls were documented with a 10% prevalence rate while female skulls were found to have a 5.55% prevalence of Torus Palatinus. This data is not only useful in comparing skulls of various races but also bears importance in dentistry and facio-maxillary operative interventions.

Multiplex Fragment analysis detects all COVID-19 variants of concern

Introduction/Objective The majority of tracking methods have employed whole genome sequencing, which can be very expensive and time consuming. An alternative method has been to use genotyping of specific mutations to identify variants. However, tracking SARS-CoV-2 variants by targeted methods has been a moving target. Most methods only multiplex four targets per reaction, but we have multiplexed 8 targets in a single tube using fragment analysis. Methods/Case Report Fluorescently labeled primers targeted a combination of insertion/ deletion mutations and single nucleotide mutations. The PCR amplified products, amplicons, were separated by capillary electrophoresis. Primers were designed to detect changes in size indicative of insertion or deletion mutations including: ORF1A:Del3675_3677, S:Del69_70, S:Del144, S:Del157_158, S:Del242_244, ORF8:Del119_120, and ORF8:ins28269-28273. Allele-specific primers were designed to detect both the wild-type and mutated versions of S:N501Y, S:E484K, and S:L452R. Residual nasopharyngeal and nasal specimens testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR or isothermal amplification (IDnow) methods were selected from May 1- June 24, 2021. Variant analysis was performed by multiplex targeted PCR and whole genome sequencing in parallel on the same specimens to determine positive percent agreement. Results (if a Case Study enter NA) Variant analysis was performed on 250 specimens detecting each of the major variants of concern Alpha (B.1.1.7, U.K. origin, n= 108), Beta (B.1.351, South Africa origin, n=3), Gamma (P.1, Brazil origin, n=12), Delta (B.1.617.2, Indian origin, n=17), and Iota (B.1.526, New York, n=5). Some specimens with low viral load were detected by only PCR (n=18), only WGS (n=41), or neither (n=20). Overall positive percent agreement was 95% (163/171). Conclusion This adjustable method robustly and accurately identifies COVID-19 VOCs utilizing a platform amenable to multiple targets (20-40 targets ranging from 100-500b.p. across four fluorescent channels) using equipment commonly found in routine molecular pathology laboratories. Future directions include adjusting targets to detect new variants.

Distribution and Association of ABO and Rh Blood Group Antigens with BMI Among Nepalese and Indian Students Studied in a Medical College of Nepal

Introduction: Blood group antigens and body mass index of human are gaining importance for many diseases. Some attempts were reported to find any relationship between BMI and Blood groups with some contradictions. The possible association between BMI and blood groups of Nepalese and Indian medical students is yet to be established. Methods: Blood groups, ABO and Rh systems and body mass index (BMI) of participants, medical students of Nepalese and Indian origin were determined and analyzed statistically. Results: The distribution frequencies of 10.56%, 17.08%, 3.06%, and 20.28% females and 9.03%, 16.39%, 3.61% and 20.0% males of both the countries were present in A, B, AB and O blood groups, respectively. Rh-negative participants were predominantly present in O blood group. The observed frequencies of participants with different BMI group were distributed as 56.11%, 24.72%, 10.69% and 8.47% in Normal, Overweight, Underweight and Obese groups, respectively. Underweight participants were prevalent in O group and in females. The difference between the distribution of Nepalese females and males with Normal BMI was found significant in A and O. A distribution pattern of B>O>A>AB was observed for Overweight group. The occurrence of Obese is few folds higher among Indian participants than Nepalese and prevalent in males. Obese participants were found more associated with B and O blood group. Conclusions: Participants with A were more prevalent among Nepalese in respect to Indian. Rh-negative participants were distributed as 1.67% and 5.0% in Nepalese and Indians, respectively and predominantly present in O (4.44%) and are more prevalent in Indian males. In Normal BMI Nepalese were significantly more as compared to Indians. In the Underweight group females were significantly more prevalent as compared to males and found maximally associated with O blood group and most of them are Nepalese. In Overweight group males were more than females. Participants with obesity were mostly present in B and O blood group and most of them are Indian.