Mohammad Afzal

Antigenotoxic effect of apigenin against anti-cancerous drugs

Mitomycin C and cyclophosphamide are well known anti-tumor drugs. Their genotoxic effects are well established in various test systems. The genotoxic effects in non-tumor cell are of special significance due to the possibility that they may induce secondary tumors in cancer patients. Apigenin is a well known anti-oxidant and possess number of properties that are beneficial in some way to humans. With this view, the present study deals with the effect of apigenin against the genotoxic doses of mitomycin C and cyclophosphamide using chromosomal aberrations, sister chromatid exchanges and cell cycle kinetics as a parameters. The treatment of apigenin results in a significant, dose dependent decrease in the genotoxic damage, induced by mitomycin C and cyclophosphamide. It is concluded that the apigenin is potent in reducing the genotoxic damage, induced by anti-cancerous drugs, thereby reducing the chances of developing secondary tumors during the therapy.

Gene Diversity in Some Muslim Populations of North India

North Indian Muslim populations have historical, linguistic, and socioreligious significance to the Indian subcontinent. Although sociocultural and political dimensions of their demography are well documented, no detailed genetic structure of the populations is available. We have undertaken a survey of the gene frequencies of the ABO, Rh, PTC taste ability, sickling, and G6PD systems for different endogamous groups: Sheikh, Syed, Pathan, Ansari, Saifi, and Hindu Bania. All the groups at most loci showed statistically nonsignificant differences, except for ABO and PTC traits, for which interpopulational differences were seen. Heterozygosity ranged from 0.048 to 0.617 among the Sheikh, 0.149 to 0.599 among the Pathan, 0.105 to 0.585 among the Ansari, 0.25 to 0.869 among the Syed, 0.107 to 0.565 among the Saifi, and 0.100 to 0.492 among the Hindu Bania. The average DST and GST values for the five marker loci were 0.0625±0.098 and 0.1072 ± 0.041, respectively. A dendrogram was constructed using the UPGMA clustering method. Our results revealed that the Pathan and the Sheikh form one cluster, the Syed and the Hindu Bania form another cluster, and the two clusters join together (the so-called higher caste); also, the Saifi and the Ansari form a separate cluster (lower caste). The results of the genetic distance analysis are useful for understanding the pattern of genetic relationships between different endogamous groups of Muslims.

Reproductive Fitness and Selection Intensity Among Muslims of North India

Abstract North Indian Muslim populations occupy a position of historical, linguistic, and socio-religious significance in the Indian sub-continent, having a prehistoric and medieval intermixture of various ethnic groups. While the political dimensions of the demographic transition is still relevant, a genetic study of these populations can throw light on their origin, migration and selection forces operative in the region. We have reported incidence of marriage, reproductive fitness, reproductive wastage and selection intensity among women of high rank Muslims (Ashraf) and low rank Muslims (Ajlaf) by retrospective method. Significant effect of consanguinity and maternal age are also seen on fertility, mortality sterility and secondary sex ratio of the offspring. MAVA revealed significant F ratio on fertility, mortality and secondary sex ratio.

Effects of inbreeding on marriage payment in North India

This study examines the relationships between consanguineous marriages and marriage payment, using data from two Muslim qaums living in urban and rural areas in Aligarh District, Uttar Pradesh, North India. Qaum and locality were found to have no significant association with the dowry system. Marriage payment is less common in consanguineous than in non-consanguineous marriages. However, the association between marriage payment and the type of marriage is significant at p < 0.001. The dowry system is more prevalent among the higher socioeconomic groups, while the bride-wealth system is more common among the lower socioeconomic groups.

Risk Factor for Diabetes in Different Populations of Manipur

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is among the most common non-communicable chronic diseases in developed and developing countries around the world.The present study was conducted to find out associated risk factors, awareness of basic knowledge regarding risk factors, treatment and complications of diabetes among different populations of Manipur. Methods Individuals of both sexes belonging to three different populations were randomly selected and screened for diabetes from different districts of Manipur, which is a small hilly state, situated in the north eastern extreme corner of India sharing an international boundary with Myanmar (Burma). DM was defined according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommendations as FBS>126 mg/dl ororal glucose tolerance test OGTT2>200 mg/dl. Results Majority of the present studied diabetic individuals were males i.e., 65.31%. About 30.27% had family history of diabetes. The prevalence of diabetes is more in meat eaters. Muslims shows highest percentage of overweight diabetic individuals i.e. 36.2%. Only 42.18% of diabetic individuals had basic knowledge regarding risk factors, treatment and complications of diabetes. Conclusion Large scale epidemiological studies for other populations need to be undertaken to ascertain the causes of rising DM epidemic, initiative for reducing or if possible, some serious efforts must be taken by the Government, health planners to promote physical activity, changing societal perceptions of health and improving knowledge about their associated risk factors by discussing it with the general public.

Ethical Concerns Related to Medical Genetics

Abstract A great biochemist Erwin Chargaff, who discovered the parity theory of the DNA bases, once made a critical remark on the newly developed discipline of bioethics: “A fashion is going around the world, the fashion of bioethics. All the powers have entered into a holy hypocritical alliance with this fashion”. With this remark, a parody of the first two sentences of Karl Marx’s Communist Manifesto, Chargaff intended to point out the weakness of bioethics. Despite his skeptical views of bioethics, there are experts who discuss activities of biotechnology and grant the approval to the result of its research, including the bioethicists from genetic engineering companies like Monsanto and Movartis. Present article is an attempt to look into some relevant issues of genetics and ethics that defy our solution, especially with reference to the third world societies.

Effects of Inbreeding on Mortality: A North Indian Study

Consanguineous marriages are common among the Muslims of India and the frequency of sub-types of consanguineous marriages differ significantly. Two Muslim castes (Quraishi and Ansui) with low socio...