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Length variation in the human mtDNA intergenic region between the cytochrome oxidase II (COII) and tRNA lysine (tRNA(lys)) genes has been widely studied in world populations. Specifically, Austronesian populations of the Pacific and Austro-Asiatic populations of southeast Asia most frequently carry the 9-bp deletion in that region implying their shared common ancestry in haplogroup B. Furthermore, multiple independent origins of the 9-bp deletion at the background of other mtDNA haplogroups has been shown in populations of Africa, Europe, Australia, and India. We have analyzed 3293 Indian individuals belonging to 58 populations, representing different caste, tribal, and religious groups, for the length variation in the 9-bp motif. The 9-bp deletion (one copy) and insertion (three copies) alleles were observed in 2.51% (2.15% deletion and 0.36% insertion) of the individuals. The maximum frequency of the deletion (45.8%) was observed in the Nicobarese in association with the haplogroup B5a D-loop motif that is common throughout southeast Asia. The low polymorphism in the D-loop sequence of the Nicobarese B5a samples suggests their recent origin and a founder effect, probably involving migration from southeast Asia. Interestingly, none of the 302 (except one Munda sample, which has 9-bp insertion) from Mundari-speaking Austro-Asiatic populations from the Indian mainland showed the length polymorphism of the 9-bp motif, pointing either to their independent origin from the Mon-Khmeric-speaking Nicobarese or to an extensive admixture with neighboring Indo-European-speaking populations. Consistent with previous reports, the Indo-European and Dravidic populations of India showed low frequency of the 9-bp deletion/insertion. More than 18 independent origins of the deletion or insertion mutation could be inferred in the phylogenetic analysis of the D-loop sequences.

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Salt Overly Sensitive (SOS) pathway comprising SOS1, SOS2 and SOS3 genes has been recognized as the key mechanism controlling ion homeostasis under salinity stress. SOS2 component of this pathway encodes a serine/threonine protein kinase that together with SOS3 activates downstream Na(+)/H(+) antiporter SOS1, reestablishing cellular ion homeostasis under salinity stress. In the present study, we have found that the transcript levels of BjSOS2 are induced in response to various abiotic stresses. We have isolated a 713 bp promoter region of SOS2 gene from Brassica juncea to study the regulation of BjSOS2 under various abiotic stress conditions and further, to examine utility of the cloned upstream region in genetic engineering experiments. For this purpose, 713 bp BjSOS2 promoter:β-glucuronidase (GUS) fusion construct, along with its two subsequent 5' deletion derivatives, D1 (443 bp) and D2 (209 bp), were stably transformed into B. juncea. Functional analysis of transgenic lines revealed significant increase in promoter activity under salinity, desiccation as well as abscisic acid (ABA) treatment which was consistent with increased transcript levels of GUS gene. BjSOS2 promoter possesses strong multi-stress inducible nature, suggesting its involvement in various aspects of stress signaling. Considering the fact that the simultaneous presence of multiple abiotic stress conditions under field conditions is a challenging threat to crop productivity, future studies may utilize the BjSOS2 promoter to drive stress-inducible expression of genes involved in imparting tolerance to multiple stresses.

Context:Compliance for non-pharmaceutical interventions for containment of Influenza A H1N1 is determined by community understanding and accurate information by appropriate risk commu-nication strategy.Aims:To assess the baseline awareness of public regarding Influenza A H1N1 and its existing risk communication strategy; and to assess public expressed willingness to comply with containment measures.Materials and Methods:Sample of 300 subjects (>18 years) coming to primary health centre (PHC) in Delhi was interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. The data was collected from 1st July to 1st Sept 2009 by systematic random sampling.Statistical Analysis Used:Chi-square test and binary logistic regression.Results:Only 66 (22%) individuals had complete knowledge about the spread, symptoms, risk groups, and method of prevention for Influenza A H1N1 infection. Knowledge was significantly higher among males and literates. Only 45 (15%) individuals thought that information given by government on H1N1 is complete and understandable.Conclusions:Majority of the respondents were willing to comply with containment measures, if implied by government. It was significantly high among literates.

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Letters to the Editor high usage of topical traditional herbal medications in Sarawak. These agents were the culprit in 71.2% (n = 42) of cases. Eczematous changes were seen in 55.9% (n = 33) of drug-related dermatoses. Psoriasiform changes were seen in 18.6%, (n = 11), vasculitic in 13.6% (n = 8), lichenoid in 5.1% (n = 3), erythema multiforme in 5.1% (n = 3) and fixed drug eruption in 1.7% (n = 1). Other studies found morbilliform rash constituting majority of cases clinicopathologically. [2,3] This is in marked contrast with the current study where eczematous changes were the commonest drug-related dermatoses because maculopapular morbilliform rashes due to drugs are not biopsied in Sarawak.Another interesting finding was the high proportion of cutaneous lymphoma. Cutaneous lymphoma was seen as the third most common malignancy constituting 11.1% (n = 3) of the 27 cases of cutaneous malignancies. It ranked behind basal cell carcinoma with 51.9% (n = 14) and squamous cell carcinoma with 33.3% (n = 9). Malignant melanoma was seen in only 3.7% (n = 1) of cases. The malignant melanoma was of acral lentiginous type. In neighboring Singapore, Koh et al. noted that basal cell carcinoma make up 55.6% of the 4765 skin cancer cases seen from 1968 to 1997 followed by squamous cell carcinoma with 29.5% and malignant melanoma with 5.9%. [4] Although the frequencies of basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma were almost similar, this study showed that cutaneous lymphoma was more common in Sarawak compared to malignant melanoma. However, due to the small number of cases, this finding cannot be conclusively confirmed.In conclusion, a high clinicopathologic correlation was noted in Sarawak and the pattern of drug-related dermatoses and cutaneous malignancies seen here differ from other studies.