MicroRNAs are involved in post-transcriptional down-regulation of gene expression. Variations in miRNA genes can severely affect downstream-regulated genes and their pathways. However, population-specific burden of CNVs on miRNA genes and the complexities created towards the phenotype is not known. From a total of 44109 CNVs investigated from 1715 individuals across 12 populations using high-throughput arrays, 4007 miRNA-CNVs (∼9%) consisting 6542 (∼5%) miRNA genes with a total of 333 (∼5%) singleton miRNA genes were identified. We found miRNA-CNVs across the genomes of individuals showing multiple hits in many targets, co-regulated under the same pathway. This study proposes four mechanisms unraveling the many complexities in miRNA genes, targets and co-regulated miRNA genes towards establishment of phenotypic diversity.

The rhomboid fossa of clavicle was studied globally by forensic experts and anthropologists to determine the age and sex. This study was done on samples of human clavicles from North Karnataka of South India to determine the sexual dimorphism which is of anthropological, forensic and clinical importance. In this study mid shaft circumference, morphology of rhomboid fossa of clavicle was analysed. The incidences of rhomboid fossa of depressed and elevated types are seen more in males and smooth and flat types are seen mainly in female clavicles. This study also showed relative degree of sexual dimorphism in the mid shaft circumference of male and female clavicles. Since morphology of rhomboid fossa and mid shaft circumference of clavicles are significantly associated with sex, these results can be correlated with further molecular studies. These results may be used as indicators to determine sex in anthropology and forensic science to aid identification of isolated bone specimens.