Population genetics of 30 insertion/deletion polymorphisms in the Bahraini population

This paper evaluates the forensic utility of 30 insertion-deletion polymorphism (indel) markers in a sample from the Bahraini population using the Qiagen Investigator DIPplex Kit. Allele frequencies and forensic stats of the 30 indels were investigated in 293 unrelated individuals from different governorates of the Kingdom of Bahrain. None of the markers showed significant deviation from Hardy Weinberg equilibrium except for HLD88 locus and no linkage disequilibrium were detected between all possible pair of the indel loci, assuming that these markers are independent and their allele frequencies can be used to calculate the match probabilities in the Bahraini population. The high power of discrimination (CPD = 0.9999999999998110) and the low combined match probability (CPM = 1.89 × 10−13) indicate that these markers are informative and can be successfully used for human identification in terms of forensics and paternity. Genetic distances and relatedness were displayed through multidimensional plotting and phylogenetic tree using various populations in the region. Our study showed that the Bahraini population was clustered with neighboring countries such as Kuwait and Emirates which indicates that these closely geographical regions share similar allele frequencies and are more genetically related than other reference population studied.

Political Reform and Its Impact on Representing the Bahraini Political Associations in the Elections of the House of Representatives (2018-2002)

This study aimed at identifying the political reform and its impact on representing the political associations in the elections of the Bahraini House of representatives (2002-2018). The study used the analytical descriptive approach in order to describe the political reform that took place in Bahrain, describe the elections of the Bahraini House of representatives and analyze the amount of representing the political associations in the Bahraini House of representatives. The study results showed that the role of political reform that took place in Bahrain resulted in positive outcomes during the issuance of the most important law for the political associations, law No. (26) for the year 2005, which was later amended by issuing the law No. (34) for the year 2014. The results also revealed that the amount of representing the Bahraini political associations in the elections of 2002 was high; however, after those elections, the Bahraini political associations began gaining less seats in the elections of 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018. The study recommended that the Bahraini political associations should promote themselves under the regulations of law that organizes its work in order to communicate its vision and plans to all the categories of the Bahraini population. The study also recommended the necessity of attracting all the age categories in the Bahraini community to become members in the Bahraini political associations, particularly those whose ages range between (20-30) years old.

Population genetic analysis of 12 X-STRs in a Bahraini population sample (Allele and haplotype frequencies of 12 X-STRs in Bahraini population)

To date, there are very limited genetic studies conducted on the Kingdom of Bahrain and this is one of the first studies conducted to evaluate the 12 X-STRs included in the Investigator X-12 QS kit. Bahrain is a small archipelago located in the Arabian Gulf. X-STRs are very informative in population genetics studies, human identification and complex kinship analysis. One hundred and fifty-six (156) buccal swabs were collected using cotton from non-relatives’ Bahraini males from four different regions of Bahrain. DNA was processed using QIAsymphony SP instrument following quantification with Investigator Quantiplex HYres Kit in the 7500 Real-Time PCR System and detected in ABI 3500xl Genetic Analyzer. Analysis was done using different statistical softwares to obtain allele frequencies and haplotype frequencies-based upon the available four clusters of Linkage Groups (LGs)- and the forensic parameters.. Results indicated the diversity of the Bahraini population in terms of high Power of Discrimination (PD) and Probability of Match (PM) values obtained. The combined values of each forensic parameter such as cPDM, Mean exclusion chance (CMEC) Krüger, CMEC Kishida, and CMEC Desmarais as well as CMEC Desmarais Duo, were 0.9999983, 9999979, 0.9999939, 0.9999996 and 0.9999514 respectively based on the allele and haplotype frequencies. No shared profiles were observed. Number of non-standard alleles and null samples were obtained with more profoundly in locus DXS10148. We have conducted phylogenetic tree as well as multidimensional scale to analyze the Interpopulation diversity between Bahraini population and nine other populations and found out they reflect the geographical and social background of the region. Overall, the results confirm the importance of X-STRs in discriminating between individuals among Bahraini population and in establishing DNA databases for forensic and kinship studies.

Population genetic data of the 21 autosomal STRs included in GlobalFilerTM kit of a population sample from the Kingdom of Bahrain

IntroductionBahrain’s population consists mainly of Arabs, Baharna and Persians leading Bahrain to become ethnically diverse. The exploration of the ethnic origin and genetic structure within the Bahraini population is fundamental mainly in the field of population genetics and forensic science.AimThe purpose of the study was to investigate and conduct genetic studies in the population of Bahrain to assist in the interpretation of DNA-based forensic evidence and in the construction of appropriate databases.Materials and Methods24 short-tandem repeats in the GlobalFiler™ PCR Amplification kit including 21 autosomal STR loci and three gender determination loci were amplified to characterize different genetic and forensic population parameters in a cohort of 543 Bahraini unrelated healthy men. Samples were collected during the year 2017.ResultsThe genotyping of the 21 autosomal STRs showed that most loci were in Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium (HWE) except for three markers; D3S1358, D19S433 and D5S818 which showed deviation from HWE. We also found out no significant deviations from LD between pairwise STR loci in Bahraini population except when plotting for D3S1358-CSF1PO, CSF1PO-SE33, D19S433-D12S391, FGA-D2S1338, FGA-SE33, FGA-D7S820 and D7S820-SE33. The SE33 locus was the most polymorphic for the studied population and THO1 locus was the less polymorphic. The Allele 8 in TPOX scored the highest allele frequency of 0.496. The SE33 locus showed the highest power of discrimination (PD) in Bahraini population, whereas TPOX showed the lowest PD value. The 21 autosomal STRs showed a value of combined match probability (CMP) equal to 4.5633E-27, and a combined power of discrimination (CPD) of 99.99999999%. Off-ladders and tri-allelic variants were observed in various samples at D12S391, SE33 and D22S1045 loci.ConclusionOur study indicated that the twenty-one autosomal STRs are highly polymorphic in the Bahraini population and can be used as a powerful tool in forensics and population genetic analyses including paternity testing and familial DNA searching.Author SummaryKingdom of Bahrain is a country of 33 islands located in the Arabian Peninsula. The location of Bahrain had affected the diversity of its population, which is mainly divided into four main ethnic groups: Arabs, Baharna and Persians. Genetic studies on Bahraini population are very limited and little has been done to characterize population structure within Kingdom of Bahrain. Here, we used 21 autosomal STRs included in the GlobalFiler™ Amplification Kit to amplify DNA from 543 non-related males from Bahraini population. We conducted statistical analysis using two main different software such as STRAF and GenAlEx. Different forensic and population parameters were obtained to characterize Bahraini population. Some of the significant results obtained were the following: most of the loci were in Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium, the most polymorphic and informative marker was SE33. Allele 8 in TPOX presented the highest allele frequency for the studied population. We also found out some of the rare variants which were recorded in STRbase website. Bahraini population was correspondingly compared to the genetic structure of the region. Our study indicated the usefulness of the 21 autosomal STRs in the GlobalFiler ™ in establishing databases, analyzing paternity and reviewing DNA-based evidences.

Overweight As a Risk Factor for Prostatic Enlargement in Bahraini Population: A Retrospective Study

Background and objectives: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and overweight (BMI: > 25– 30 kg/m2) are both highly prevalent amongst Bahraini males. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between BPH and overweight. Methods: The study included 141 male patients who visited the Urology outpatient clinics between 1st April 2018 and 31st May 2018. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated and diagnosis of prostate enlargement was recorded along with prostate volume (ml) and prostate specific antigen (PSA). The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 23. Pearson correlation coefficient “r” and regression analysis were performed for prostate volume and PSA in relation to BMI. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Among 141 male patients, 67 (47.5%) were overweight and had prostate enlargement, 50 (35.4%) were overweight with normal prostate, 10 (7.1%) were normal weight with prostate enlargement, and 14 (10.0%) had normal weight with normal prostate. The odds ratio was calculated as 1.876. This signifies that an overweight male is at 1.876 times higher risk of developing prostate enlargement compared to a male with normal weight. Overweight had a statistically significant positive linear correlation with incremental increases in prostate volume (r = 0.4; B = 0.85; P = 0.012). Conclusion: There is evidence to support the hypothesis that overweight BMI is associated with a higher risk of development of prostate enlargement. The higher the BMI, the larger the prostate volume; however, the same association was not observed with PSA.