Dermatoglyphic traits in patients with cardiovascular disorders

Dermatoglyphic studies were carried out on 800 Japanese subjects. Digital dermal pattern types were classified into true whorls, double loops, ulnar loops, radial loops and arches. Both total and absolute ridge count were recorded. Subjects with hypertension, angina pectoris and myocardial infarction were compared with the remaining group of others who had not yet developed any of these disorders. Individuals with myocardial infarction had a significantly higher frequency of true whorls and a correspondingly lower frequency of ulnar loops than the control group. Total and absolute ridge counts were also significantly higher in myocardial infarction. Individuals with hypertension and angina pectoris were not significantly different in most dermatoglyphic traits from the controls. These observations suggest that antenatal factors may contribute to the etiology of myocardial infarction in man.     

Effect of prenatal exposure to anticonvulsant drugs on dermal ridge patterns of fingers

BACKGROUND: An altered frequency of specific dermal ridge patterns on fingertips, such as an increased number of arches, has been observed in children exposed in utero to anticonvulsants and other teratogens. Asymmetry of the distribution of dermal ridge patterns has been attributed to environmental exposures and genetic factors. METHODS: We evaluated all of the dermal ridge patterns of 66 children who had been exposed to either the anticonvulsant phenytoin alone or phenytoin and phenobarbital. We determined the frequency of each pattern, concordance between the fingers on the left and right hands, sex differences and total ridge counts in the drug-exposed children and compared them to the findings in 716 unexposed comparison children. The frequency of each pattern was established in comparison to the most common type of pattern (ulnar loop), which showed that there were alterations in the frequency of arches, radial loops and whorls on specific fingers. RESULTS: Eight (12.1%) of 66 children had three or more arch patterns, with all but one having been exposed to phenytoin and phenobarbital. Only one of these eight children was considered by the masked examiner to have fingernail hypoplasia. There was no evidence of asymmetry in the anticonvulsant-exposed children. There were minor differences in the distribution of total ridge count. CONCLUSIONS: Subtle differences in several dermal ridge patterns, not just arch patterns, were present in anticonvulsant-exposed children, primarily in those exposed to polytherapy: phenytoin and phenobarbital.     

Palmar dermatoglyphics of dyslexia

Palmar dermatoglyphic prints were taken of 261 dyslexics (173 males and 88 females) and compared against those of 707 controls (372 males and 335 females). Dyslexics of both sexes were found to exhibit greater complexity in terms of ridge count and pattern location than controls, particularly on the left hand. Specifically, both male and female dyslexics exhibited higher left a-b counts, wider atd angles on both palms, and higher frequencies of pattern in left interdigital area IV. Additionally, male dyslexics also had higher right a-b counts and greater frequency of pattern in the left hypothenar area. Dyslexics of both sexes were also found to have more distally located axial triradii, and investigation of bilateral asymmetry found dyslexics to exhibit more directional asymmetry than controls in the variable of a-b count, with the left value for both groups being greater than the right. It was concluded that the study evidenced strong support for the hypothesis that some causative factor relating to the development of dyslexia is operating during the time period in which dermatoglyphic features are formed. The relevance of these findings in terms of the Geschwind hypothesis and the possible importance of prenatal testosterone are discussed.     

Association between the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene insertion/deletion polymorphism and essential hypertension in young Pakistani patients

Several studies have demonstrated the importance of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) insertion (I)/deletion (D) polymorphisms in the pathogenesis of hypertension. This study sought to determine the association between the ACE I/D polymorphism and essential hypertension in young Pakistanis. The frequency of the ACE I/D polymorphism was established by a comparative cross-sectional survey of Pakistani patients suffering from essential hypertension and ethnically matched normotensive controls. Samples were collected from tertiary care hospitals in northern Pakistan. Hypertensive individuals were defined as those with a systolic blood pressure > 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure > 90 mmHg on three separate occasions, or those currently receiving one, or more, anti-hypertensive agents. DNA samples obtained from hypertensive (n = 211) and normotensive (n = 108) individuals were typed by PCR. The frequency of the ACE I/I genotype was significantly higher in hypertensive patients, aged 20-40 years, than in normotensive controls of the same age group (chi(2) = 4.0, P = 0.041). Whereas no overall significant differences were observed between the I/I, I/D and D/D ACE genotypes (One way ANOVA, F = 0.672; P = 0.413). The association between the ACE I/I genotype and essential hypertension in individuals aged 相似文献   

精神分裂症患者皮纹a-b嵴线数波动性不对称的研究

本文分析了精神分裂症患者134例(男性70例,女性64例)和正常对照人群331例(男性170例,女性161例)皮纹a-b嵴线数波动性不对称的分布特征。结果表明:⑴精神分裂症患者双手皮纹a-b嵴线数明显低于正常对照组(P<0.01),表现出明显增高。     

Dermatoglyphic studies in rheumatic heart disease

62 patients suffering from rheumatic heart disease were taken from Institute of Child Health, Niloufer Hospital, Hyderabad, for the present dermatoglyphic investigation. The finger, palm and toe prints were analysed to see if there was an association between rheumatic heart disease and any of the dermatoglyphic traits. The parameters which were significantly different from the controls are: (1) reduced frequency of arches on the finger tips in males and increased frequency of whorls in females; (2) increased frequency of patterns in the III interdigital area in males; (3) decreased d-t ridge count in females, and (4) higher incidence of multiple axial triradii in females.     

The effect of a pattern in palmar interdigital II on a-b ridge count in black and white Down syndrome cases and controls

An unconfirmed study by Fang (Ph.D. thesis, Univ. of London, 1950) in Britain showed that individuals with Down syndrome had lower total a-b ridge counts in palmar Interdigital area II (ID II) than a group of controls. This study compares 603 white Down syndrome cases and 93 black Down syndrome cases with 668 white and 402 black controls. Our results confirm those of Fang in that the Down syndrome cases in both racial groups had lower total a-b ridge counts than their respective controls. In addition, the black controls and Down syndrome cases had lower a-b ridge counts than their white counterparts. The mean a-b ridge count was significantly lower in individuals with a pattern in ID II compared to individuals without a pattern in ID II in both the Down syndrome and control groups. Some of the lower a-b ridge counts in the Down syndrome samples can be accounted for by the fact that there is an increased frequency of a pattern in ID II in Down syndrome cases. Both Down syndrome and normal individuals who had a pattern unilaterally had a lower than expected a-b ridge count on the contralateral hand that did not have a pattern. There was a tendency also for increased asymmetry in Down syndrome cases with a pattern in ID II.     

Quantitative dermatoglyphic asymmetry: a comparative study between schizophrenic patients and control groups of West Bengal, India

Quantitative Fluctuating (FA) and Directional asymmetry (DA) of dermatoglyphics on digito-palmar complex were analyzed in a group of 111 patients (males: 61, females: 50) with schizophrenia (SZ), and compared to an ethnically matched phenotypically healthy control (males: 60, females: 60) through MANOVA, ANOVA and canonical Discriminant analyses. With few exceptions, asymmetries are higher among patients, and this is more prominent in FA than DA. Statistically significant differences were observed between patient and control groups, especially in males. In both sexes, FA of combined dermatoglyphic traits (e.g. total finger ridge count, total palmar pattern ridge count) are found to be a strong discriminator between the two groups with a correct classification of over 83% probability.     

Cytokine polymorphisms and histologic expression in autopsy studies: contribution of TNF-alpha and TGF-beta 1 to the pathogenesis of autoimmune-associated congenital heart block

Although Abs to SSA/Ro-SSB/La are necessary for the development of congenital heart block (CHB), the low frequency suggests that fetal factors are contributory. Because CHB involves a cascade from inflammation to scarring, polymorphisms of the TNF-alpha promoter region and codons 10 and 25 of the TGF-beta gene were evaluated in 88 children (40 CHB, 17 rash, 31 unaffected siblings) and 74 mothers from the Research Registry for Neonatal Lupus (NL). Cytokine expression was assessed in autopsy material from two fetuses with CHB. Significantly increased frequency of the -308A (high-producer) allele of TNF-alpha was observed in all NL groups compared with controls. In contrast, the TGF-beta polymorphism Leu(10) (associated with increased fibrosis) was significantly higher in CHB children (genotypic frequency 60%, allelic frequency 78%) than unaffected offspring (genotypic frequency 29%, p = 0.016; allelic frequency 56%, p = 0.011) and controls, while there were no significant differences between controls and other NL groups. For the TGF-beta polymorphism, Arg(25), there were no significant differences between NL groups and controls. In fetal CHB hearts, protein expression of TGF-beta, but not TNF-alpha, was demonstrated in septal regions, extracellularly in the fibrous matrix, and intracellularly in macrophage infiltrates. Age-matched fetal hearts from voluntary terminations expressed neither cytokine. TNF-alpha may be one of several factors that amplify susceptibility; however, the genetic studies, backed by the histological data, more convincingly link TGF-beta to the pathogenesis of CHB. This profibrosing cytokine and its secretion/activation circuitry may provide a novel direction for evaluating fetal factors in the development of a robust animal model of CHB as well as therapeutic strategies in humans.     

Echocardiographic Findings in Patients With Normocalcemic Primary Hyperparathyroidism Compared With Findings in Hypercalcemic Primary Hyperparathyroid Patients and Control Subjects

ObjectiveThere are no data regarding echocardiographic parameters in patients with normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism (NCPHPT). We compared the echocardiographic findings in postmenopausal women with NCPHPT with those in patients with hypercalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and controls.MethodsSeventeen consecutive Caucasian postmenopausal women with NCPHPT were compared with 20 women with hypercalcemic PHPT and 20 controls. Obesity, diabetes, kidney failure, and previous cardiovascular diseases were considered exclusion criteria. Each patient underwent biochemical evaluation, bone mineral density scan, and echocardiographic measurements. Patients with parathyroid disorders underwent kidney ultrasound evaluation.ResultsPatients with PHPT had significantly higher mean total serum calcium, ionized calcium, 24-hour urinary calcium, and parathyroid hormone and lower mean phosphorus levels compared with those in the controls (all P < .05). The only differences between patients with NCPHPT and PHPT were significantly lower mean total serum calcium, ionized calcium, and 24-hour urinary calcium and higher phosphorus levels in patients with NCPHPT (all P < .05). The only biochemical difference between patients with NCPHPT and the controls was a higher level of mean parathyroid hormone in patients with NCPHPT. There were no differences in cardiovascular risk factors between patients with NCPHPT and PHPT and the controls. Hypertension was the most frequent cardiovascular risk factor, diagnosed in 65% of patients with PHPT. This high prevalence was not statistically significant compared with that observed in patients with NCPHPT (59%) and in the controls (30%). Echocardiography parameters were not different between patients with NCPHPT and PHPT and the controls when subdivided according to the presence of hypertension (ANOVA followed by Bonferroni correction).ConclusionIn a population with a low cardiovascular risk, we found no differences in cardiovascular risk factors and echocardiographic parameters between patients with NCPHPT and PHPT and the controls.     

Digital dermal patterns in breast cancer

Fingerprints of 570 breast cancer cases and the same number of matched controls were obtained from the population-based finger print file in Hawaii for studying the association between breast cancer and digital dermal patterns and ridge counts. The results showed that breast cancer patients had a significant excess of radial loops on the left hand. It was also found that the frequency of ulnar loops on the left hand was significantly elevated for premenopausal women with breast cancer, whereas an excess of radial loops on the left hand was observed for the postmenopausal women with breast cancer. No significant difference for the total and absolute ridge counts was found between breast cancer patients and controls.     

Nonlinear analysis of motor activity shows differences between schizophrenia and depression: a study using Fourier analysis and sample entropy

The purpose of this study has been to describe motor activity data obtained by using wrist-worn actigraphs in patients with schizophrenia and major depression by the use of linear and non-linear methods of analysis. Different time frames were investigated, i.e., activity counts measured every minute for up to five hours and activity counts made hourly for up to two weeks. The results show that motor activity was lower in the schizophrenic patients and in patients with major depression, compared to controls. Using one minute intervals the depressed patients had a higher standard deviation (SD) compared to both the schizophrenic patients and the controls. The ratio between the root mean square successive differences (RMSSD) and SD was higher in the schizophrenic patients compared to controls. The Fourier analysis of the activity counts measured every minute showed that the relation between variance in the low and the high frequency range was lower in the schizophrenic patients compared to the controls. The sample entropy was higher in the schizophrenic patients compared to controls in the time series from the activity counts made every minute. The main conclusions of the study are that schizophrenic and depressive patients have distinctly different profiles of motor activity and that the results differ according to period length analysed.     

Dermatoglyphics in hypertension: a review

Hypertension is a major contributor to the global burden of disease and mortality. A major medical advancement would be a better means to ascertain which persons are at higher risk for becoming hypertensive beforehand. To that end, there have been a number of studies showing that certain dermatoglyphic markers are associated with hypertension. This association could be explained if the risk toward developing hypertension later on in life is somehow connected with fetal development of dermatoglyphics. It would be highly valuable from a clinical standpoint if this conjecture could be substantiated since dermatoglyphic markers could then be used for screening out individuals who might be at an elevated risk of becoming hypertensive. The aim of this review was to search for and appraise available studies that pertain to the association between hypertension and dermatoglyphics.A systematic literature search conducted using articles from MEDLINE (PubMed), Trip, Cochran, Google scholar, and gray literature until December 2014. Of the 37 relevant publications, 17 were included in the review. The review performed according to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement.This review showed a fairly consistent finding of an increased frequency of whorl patterns along with a higher mean total ridge count in digital dermatoglyphic results in hypertensive samples compared to controls. However, it was imperative to discuss several limitations found in the studies that could make this association as yet unsettled.     

RT-qPCR assay on the vitamin D receptor gene in type 2 diabetes and hypertension patients in Turkey

RT-qPCR was used to analyze the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene TaqI polymorphism in 100 Turkish patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hypertension compared with 100 healthy subjects, to determine whether VDR could be considered as one of the susceptibility genes for T2DM and hypertension. Genotyping was done with PCR, followed by melting curve analysis with specific fluorescent hybridization probes. The results showed that distributions for TT, Tt and tt genotypes were 51, 46 and 3% in the patient group, and 35, 49 and 16% in the control group, respectively. The frequency of the T allele in patients was also significantly higher than that in controls. Based on the results, the relationship between the VDR gene TaqI polymorphism and T2DM patients in the Turkish population was compared. In terms of the genotype distributions and allele frequencies of the VDR gene TaqI polymorphism, there was no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) between the T2DM and hypertension patients and controls. Application of RT-qPCR method enabled us to assess the prevalence of the VDR gene TaqI polymorphism and its association with type 2 diabetes and hypertension.     

Dermatoglyphic studies of myocardial infarction patients

Dermatoglyphic traits were studied in a sample of 834 subjects selected from a cohort of some 8,000 living Japanese men, under a long-term study of heart disease in Hawaii. All of them were born between 1900 and 1919. Among them, 100 subjects had had positive diagnosis of myocardial infarction (MI). The present study included comparisons between the MI patients and the remaining group of all digital dermal pattern types and ridge counts by digit, by hand, and by individual. The MI patients had significantly higher frequency of true whorls, double loops and less ulnar loops and tented arches. Total and absolute ridge counts were significantly higher (less than 0.05) in all digits in favor of the MI patients. Similar trends were observed in analyses by digit and by hand. These observations suggest an antenatal origin of certain types of coronary disease.     

Plasma status of selected minerals in hypertensive men with and without insulin resistance

The altered plasma statuses of selected minerals (Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn) have been noted in a cluster of insulin resistance syndromes, including hypertension and diabetes mellitus. The differences in plasma values of these minerals in hypertensive men with and without insulin resistance, as evaluated by an insulin suppression test, were investigated. The results showed that the plasma values of determined minerals at fasting, 2 h after an oral glucose challenge, and after the insulin suppression test did not markedly differ between hypertensive subjects with and without insulin resistance. However, hypertensive subjects had significantly lower plasma Ca values at fasting and 2h after an oral glucose load, and higher fasting plasma Zn values, than normotensive controls. Hypertensive subjects also had higher steady-state plasma glucose values, higher Zn and lower Mg and Cu values after the insulin suppression test, when compared with controls. The present study suggests that altered plasma status of selected minerals in hypertension cannot be totally ascribed to the coexhibition of insulin resistance.     

No increase in sister-chromatid exchange frequency in lymphocytes of chromium platers

To detect mutagenic effects of hexavalent chromium (Cr) in vivo, sister-chromatid exchange (SCE) frequency was analyzed in lymphocytes of 24 Cr platers occupationally exposed to hexavalent Cr and 24 matched controls. There were no significant differences in SCE frequency between the two groups. Smokers, both Cr platers and controls, had a significantly higher SCE frequency than non-smokers.     

Dermatoglyphics in phenylketonuria

Dermatoglyphics of 100 phenylketonurics and 200 controls matched for ethnic origin and sex were compared. The present study of dermatoglyphics in phenylketonurics is consistent with results showing that single gene disorders have fewer and less striking anomalies of ridge development than diseases with gross chromosomal defects.Analysis revealed a decreased frequency of whorl patterns on the finger tips and a wider mean summed atd angle among affected females as compared to normal females. The males showed no significant differences. Limited as they were to one sex, the differences seem unlikely to be attributable to the effect of the phenylketonuric gene.This research was supported by the Minnesota Association for Retarded Children, The Graduate School of the University of Minnesota and United States Public Health Service Grant Number HD 01507-01.     

Contribution to the morphometry of limb bud structures in the normodactylous and polydactylous rat. I. Apical ectodermal ridge

The height of the apical ectodermal ridge on limb buds of the embryo laboratory rat was studied in the polydactyly-luxate syndrome and compared with the controls. The following findings were obtained: (a) On the 14th embryonal day, prior to the development of the anlage of mesenchymal condensates, the AER is higher in polydactylous animals as compared with the controls. (b) On the 15th, 16th and 17th embryonal day the height of the AER in the praeaxial region of the polydactylous limb bud largely predominates over the controls. A comparison of the height of the AER above digital rays and interdigital grooves of polydactylous and normodactylous animals does not thus exhibit any marked differences. This fact is attributed to the existence of more powerful induction processes of the underlying mesenchymal component where rudiments of supernumerary digital rays are formed.