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Two hypervariable Y-specific markers, the YCAII and DYS19 STRs, and the more stable Y Alu Polymorphism (YAP) have been analysed in about 1400 individuals of 21 different populations, mainly from Europe but also from the Middle East, Africa and Asia. On the basis of the frequency distributions of these three Y-markers we compare, using different statistical analyses, their power in detecting population genetic structure and in distinguishing closely related groups. The pattern of populations' genetic affinities inferred from the three markers considered altogether suggests a strong genetic structure that, with a few exceptions, broadly corresponds to the linguistic relatedness and\or geographic location of the sampled populations.

As an alternative to the recently proposed screening for beta-thalassemias by isoelectric focusing (IEF) of denatured globin chains in urea-detergent gels [6], IEF of intact hemoglobins, obtained from umbilical cord blood in neonatal units, is reported here. For maximum separation, IEF should be performed in nonlinear pH gradients, in gels containing 0.2 M beta-alanine and 0.2 M 6-amino caproic acid, which flatten the pH gradient around pH 7, thus increasing the resolution between HbA and HbFac. The method can unambiguously detect homozygous and heterozygous beta-thalassemic conditions. A bimodal distribution of HbA at birth has been found: In heterozygous patients, HbA values of 9.02% (range 6.8-9.98%) have been found while in normal newborns HbA levels of 20.34% (range 11.02-30.6%) have been demonstrated.

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