Since the last decades, scientists have tried to answer where human beings originated and how spread all over the world. In this way, ancient human remains can play a fundamental role to answer these questions. Tappeh Hesar is a prehistoric site located in the Damghan city (northeastern Iran). This place history dates back to more than 4 000 years. Due to the city’s key position in trade and communications, it has always been an attractive site for archaeologists. In this study ancient DNA was extracted from one human skeletal remains by considering all precautions. All mitochondrial hypervariable segments (HVS-I, HVS-II and HVSIII) were analyzed using sequencing. After comparison HVS sequences with revised Cambridge Reference Sequence (rCRS), the consensus sequences showed three transitions in HVS-II. Haplogroup H32 was determined for this sample. Haplogroup H is a Eurasian haplogroup which likely originated in Southwest Asia ∼25–30 thousand years ago (kya) and entered Europe ∼23–28 kya. Nearly half of Europeans have this haplogroup and there is a considerable frequency of haplogroup H in Middle East. Evidences indicate long-term presence of this haplogroup at western Asia.

Background: Both 7,12-dimethylbenz (a) anthracene and carbon tetrachloride are xenobiotics that are implicated in various toxicological effects including carcinogenesis. Punica granatum constituents have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. This study is conducted to assess the preventive effects of pomegranate (Punica granatum) juice, seeds extract, husk extract and their mixture on 7,12-Dimethylbenz (A) Anthracene (DMBA) and Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl4 )-induced perturbed kidney and heart function and integrity.

Methods: Fifty male albino rats received single oral dose of DMBA (50 mg/kg b.w.) followed by consecutive oral doses of CCl4 (3 mg/kg b.w. /week) beginning from the third week for thirteen weeks and ten animals kept as normal control. Pomegranate (Punica granatum) juice (10 ml/kg b.w.), seeds extract (400 mg/kg b.w. /day), husk extract (400 mg/kg b.w. /day) and their mixture (10 ml/kg b.w. /day) were orally administered to DMBA/CCl4 treated rats beginning from the 1st day of the experiment.

Results: The obtained data revealed a significant elevation in serum urea, uric acid, creatinine and K levels and decrease in Na concentration in DMBA/CCl4-administered animals. In addition, there are an elevation of lipid peroxidation (MDA) and Nitric Oxide (NO) in kidney tissue homogenate and depletion in antioxidant namely GSH, GPx, GST, SOD and Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC). Furthermore, the activity of serum enzymes related to heart functions as CK, CK-MB, LDH and AST were increased in DMBA/CCl4-administered animals. These data reflect a cardiorenal toxicity which was confirmed by histopathological perturbations in the kidney and heart tissues. These deleterious changes of DMBA/CCl4 were significantly improved by treatment with Punica granatum juice and fruit extracts.

Conclusion: Based on the obtained result, it can be concluded that pomegranate has antioxidant properties and synergistic effects of its bioactive compounds in juice and extract mixture may prevent DMBA/CCl4-induced heart and kidney impaired function and integrity.

The study shows the importance of currently available molecular diagnostic tests for detection, monitoring treatment and genotyping of the HCV, their clinical applications, and how these tests shed light on the natural history of HCV and the necessity of knowing the genotype for the treatment. To determine the distribution pattern of HCV genotypes in Hyderabad, South India and its time trend over last 6 years. The present study was undertaken in the Department of Molecular biology and Cytogenetics department, Apollo hospitals, Hyderabad from January 2010 to June 2016. The study was done on 300 patients. Real time PCR followed by nucleotide sequencing using automated nucleotide sequencer was used in HCV genotyping to understand the distribution pattern of HCV genotypes in Telangana. Among the 300 patients screened, 222(74%) were males, and 78(26%) are females. Among Genotype 1, 64(21.3%) were 1a, 53(17.6%) are 1b, 22(7.3%) are 1c. Genotype 2 in 19(6.3%). Among genotype 3, 31(10.3%) are Genotype 3a, 28(9.3%) are genotype 3b, 9(3%) are genotype 3h, 14 (4.6%) are genotype 3k. Among genotype 4, 33 are genotype 4a (11%), 24(8%) are genotype 4d, 4(1.3%) are genotype 5a. There were no reports of Genotype 6 in our study. A genotype test and quantitative HCV RNA test should be performed on all patients prior to therapy to best assess probability of response and to aid in selection of appropriate therapeutic regimen. Knowing the predominant genotypes is important to plan future prevention and treatment strategies as the treatment of different genotypes and prognosis differs considerably.