Harsurinder Kaur

Some Biochemical Polymorphisms in Members of the Gaddi Tribe of Himachal Pradesh

This study was carried out among members of the Gaddi tribe of Himachal Pradesh in north India. The genetic traits reported here include ABO blood groups, haptoglobin, transferrin, albumin, Gc, Australia antigen and antigen Dd. The frequencies of genes p, q and r for the ABO system were 0.212, 0.290 and 0.428. The Hp1 allele frequency (0.331) was markedly higher and that of Gc1 (0.700) somewhat lower than in most north Indian populations. The incidence of Australia antigen was 1.25%. There were no antigen Dd reactors.

Segregation distortions for the ABO system in pairs of sibs.

The influence of maternal phenotype was observed In 471 consecutive sib pairs to explore the segregation distortions for the ABO system. The ABO typing was done using the standard technique of haemagglutination reaction and the sib pairs were named according to their phenotypes. Thus A-B is the pair where first sib was A and the consecutive one was B. The statistical computations involved calculations of ABO gene frequencies, and application of chi-square and Z test for proportions to study the segregation distortions in sibs. A significant excess of B gene in the first sib and reduction of O in the second sib was observed when the Z test was applied to study the covariance, whereas no significant distortions were observed with simple Chi-square test.Heterozygote AO mothers segregated insignificantly in favour of A allele whereas BO mothers segregated significantly in favour of B allele in the first as well as in the second sib indicating that selection is favouring the B gene in our population.

AIDS Awareness Among the School Children of Bahawalpuria Community of Patiala (Punjab)

Abstract The present survey was an attempt to check the level of AIDS awareness among the students, belonging to Bahawalpuria community, studying at the schools located in Tripuri township, a suburb of Patiala. The sample comprised of 250 students ranging in age from 13-18 years. A questionnaire prepared especially for this purpose dealing with different aspects of AIDS was prepared and the students were asked to fill it independently. It was observed that a very low percentage of the students were aware of the full form of AIDS/ HIV however, 82.8 per cent students mentioned virus as the causative agent. Certain myths and misconceptions prevailed regarding HIV transmission. Majority of the students were aware that there is no cure but a few had some misconceptions. Only 34 per cent students were aware of all the precautions to be taken to avoid AIDS.

Anthropology Significance of Alloalbuminaemia

Abstract The occurrence of point mutations at the same site in the albu min molecule in widely different population groups prompted the researchers to trace the origin and affinities of the variants concer ned and draw conclusion about their anthropological significance.

Aids Awareness Among University Students

Abstract The present survey was an attempt to check the level of awareness regarding AIDS among the students of Punjabi University at Patiala. The sample comprised of 300 students ranging in age betwe en 20-25 yrs. The students were asked to fill the questionnaire provided. It was heartening to observe that almost everybody had heard about AIDS and no differences were observed on the basis of sex, faculty, education of the par ents or family background. Most of the students gave correct answer when ask ed about the causative agent but only twenty percent of the students were able to give the full form of HIV. However, even in such a highly educated group myths and misconceptions prevailed about the routes of transmission of virus. Regarding the transmission of HIV from the affected mothers to their babies only 8.69 percent of the people were aware that it could be transmitted both prenatally, postnatally as also through mothers’ milk . Majority of the stu dents were aware that the disease was incurable and prevention was the only cure

Hepatitis-B Virus (HBV) Awareness among Students at Punjabi University Campus, Patilala

Abstract In the present paper an attempt has been made to study the public awareness about the infection of HBV. The study was conducted among the students of Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab. It was observed that about sixty-four percent of the subjects were aware of hepatitis B virus, its possible route of transmission, the preventive measures to be taken and the vaccination and considered it to be their duty to inform others.

Female Foeticide to Restrict the Family Size

Abstract The present study designed to assess the effect of frmale foclicide on sex ration, was carried out in a small village Bhani Mian Khan in district Gurdaspur, Punjab. A total of 124 couples (82.12 per cent) in the present study admitted that they had opned for termination of pregnancy after determination of the sex of the foetus i.e. female foclicide. Our results revealed that this practise is going on unabaled irrespective of the educational status of the parents and despire the ban imposed by the Government on such tests.

Study of Some Morphological Physiological and Serological Parameters in Twins

The present study was conducted on 18 pairs of twins. The similarity method was used for zygosity determination. Eight pairs were found to be nonozygotic and the rest dizygotic.Intra-pair differences regarding various morphological and physiological parameters were observed in these twins. MZ twin pairs showed very small differences for morphological parameters than DZ, confirming that MZ twins have similar genetic makeup. Physiological parameters however showed comparatively larger intra pair differences as they depend more on emotional state of the individual. The mean maternal age was found to be 28 years in our sample. The twinning tendency was found to be inherited in 50 percent of the cases with paternal transmission being more common (38.8 percent) than maternal.None of the mothers admitted the intake of fertility drugs. No heritable diseases were detected though in a few cases one of the pair was reported to be more prone to some allergic or infectious conditions.