Morphological traits in peoples of Mongolian nationality of the Hulunbuir league,Inner Mongolia,China

A sample of 947 Mongolians of Bargud, Elute and Buriat was investigated on 9 indexes (hair form, forehead hair-ledge point, eyefold of the upper eyelid, Mongoloid fold, ear lobe type, nasal profile, nostril type, front teeth type, and chin projection) in the Hulunbuir league, Inner Mongolia in September 1997. The results are as follows: 1. Most of the Mongolians in Hulunbuir league are characterised by straight hair, forehead hair-ledge point absence, eyefold eyelid, Mongoloid fold appearance, shovel-shaped front teeth, straight nose, wide nostril, free ear lobe, non-projecting chin. 2. The frequencies of the forehead hair-ledge point appearance, shovel-shaped front teeth appearance and projecting chin showed significant differences between the three groups. 3. The incidence of ear lobe type, nasal profile and front teeth type showed obvious sexual differences. 4. Correlations did not occur between most of the nine traits.     

贵州苗族5项遗传性状分析

调查贵州苗族111例(男54例,女57例)耳垂、发旋、双手嵌合、酒窝和惯用手5项遗传性状的基因频率。在贵州苗族群体中耳垂的隐性基因频率高于显性基因频率;发旋在两性中分布存在极显著差异(P0.05);贵州苗族5项遗传性状的基因频率与国内其他地区汉族和少数民族存在差异,贵州苗族具有独特遗传性状特征。     

Frequencies of attached and free ear lobes in Lagos (Nigeria)

A sample of 1,600 unrelated individuals in Lagos (Nigeria) were examined for attached or free ear lobes. Pedigree data were obtained for 11 families by questionnaire. The corrected proportion of attached among the progeny of free X free was 0.27 compared to an expected value of 0.25. The observed frequencies of the three types of marriages were not significantly different from the expected values derived from the frequencies of the traits in the population. Males and females in the population were equally affected by the traits. Thus, the population frequency of attached is 25.37%, a value within the range for Caucasoids but lower than for Mongoloids.     

Inhibitory effect of porphyran, prepared from dried "Nori", on contact hypersensitivity in mice

Porphyran is a major component of the red algae, Porphyra tenera and P. yezoensis, which are processed into a sheet type of dried food, "Nori". Porphyran has been reported to activate murine macrophages by in vitro and i.p. injection studies. The contact hypersensitivity (CHS) reaction in mice is commonly used as a model to evaluate the anti-allergic activity of food and food components. We therefore studied the effect of porphyran on the CHS reaction in Balb/c mice to evaluate anti-allergic activity of porphyran. We found that an oral administration of porphyran (2% in drinking water) suppressed the CHS reaction (ear edema) induced by 2,4,6-trinitrochlorobenzene. We also found that porphyran suppressed the serum level of IgE and the production of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in the challenged ear lobe. We conclude from these results that the CHS reaction was suppressed by oral porphyran due to the decreased serum level of IgE and the production of IFN-gamma in the challenged ear lobe.     

Genetic studies of Pangwalas, Transhumant and Settled Gaddis. 4. Colour blindness, mid-phalangeal hair, ear lobe attachment and behavioural traits

Frequency distributions of colour blindness, midphalangeal hair, ear lobe attachment, hand clasping, arm folding, leg folding and handedness are reported for different population groups from Himachal Pradesh, North India, namely Pangwalas, Transhumant Gaddis (Brahmans, Rajputs and Scheduled Castes) and Settled Gaddis (Brahmans, Rajputs and Schedules Castes). An attempt has been made to compare the results of the present study within and between these groups as well as with the results of other reports from different population groups of India and Asia.     

Observations of external ear—An Indian study

Somatoscopy of the external ear provides a general idea of the shape of an ear, form of the helix, presence (or absence) of Darwin's tubercle and of the attachment of an ear lobe to a cheek, etc. It is of great importance not only to physical anthropologists but also to plastic surgeons, physicians and forensic scientists. There is no detailed somatoscopic study of the ear morphology concerning the entire Indian subcontinent. Hence, in the present study an attempt has been made to report the frequency of various somatoscopic features of various parts of the auricle of adult males and females who live in the central region of India.In both sexes oval-shaped ears and normally rolled helix were most common. The preauricular region was found to be clear with very few cases of the occurrence of pits and sinuses. Free lobules were more frequent among females than males but it was vice versa for Darwin's tubercle. The position of the ear's upper edge was most commonly located at the eyebrow tail while its lower edge was located at an upper lip level in both sexes. Hypoplastic lobules were noted in one-fifth of males but were very rare among females. Very few cases of lop ear, preauricular appendage and preauricular pit were observed.Some of these somatoscopic features act as soft biometric traits that improve the performance of the primary biometric system of personal identification. Somatoscopy of external ear acts as an aid to surgeons while reconstructing deformed ears and also helps physicians in detecting anomalies, for example, Edward's, cleft lip/cleft palate syndromes.     

Effects of forced migrations on spatial and temporal changes in genetic structure of two local populations in Bosnia

Ten qualitative traits were observed in two isolated human populations in Bosnia for prewar and postwar periods. Due to recent war in Bosnia and Herzegovina two million citizens was forced to migrate. Dramatic migration effects occurred in the investigated populations. Population characteristics found were geographic isolation, high levels of marital distance “zero”, patrilocality and propagation isolation. Relative recessive allele frequencies of ten qualitative traits were calculated. Average heterozigosity, genetic differentiation, total heterozigosity, within populations heterozigosity, genetic distance and relative measures based on results of genetic distance analysis were observed. The total number of observed individuals was 1875. We have observed 1209 individuals in prewar period (Bijela population 731 and Memici population 478) and 666 individuals in the postwar period (Bijela population 248 and Memici population 478). Results ofFst andGst analysis showed changed degree of genetic differentiation across observed loci. Significant changes in differentiation were recorded for crooked little finger and PTC tasting. Modest changes of gene differentiation were recorded for ear lobe type and thumb proximal extensibility. Genetic distance analisis between Bijela and Memici has lower value after then before the war, but genetic distance between Bijela-prewar and Bijela-postwar has higher value, as well as Memici-prewar and Memici-postwar genetic distance. Genetic distance between Bijela-prewar and Memiciprewar, as well as Bijela-postwar and Memici-postwar showed similarity. Constructed dendrogram based on results of genetic distance analyses indicated two clusters groups (1. Bijela-prewar, Memici-prewar; 2. Bijela-postwar, Memici-postwar). Changed genetic differentiation and results of genetic distance analyses indicated possibility of significant impact of forced migration in genetic structure of observed populations.     

Population genetics of the population of the northern European RSFSR. III. Demographic and genetic characteristics of two rural communities of the Pinezhskii District of the Arkhangel'sk Region]

The paper deals with the distribution of genetic markers (systems ABO, Rh, Hp, PTC) and a number of phenotyping traits (folding of arms, hand clasping, tongue rolling, right- and left-handedness, the type of ear lobe, the types of dermatoglyphics patterns) in the inhabitants of 5 villages in the Pinezhsky district of the Arkhangelsky region of the RSFSR. The data presented in this work were obtained in the course of examination of over 900 persons. Among the systems analysed there was a statistically significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg's equlibrium. It took place in two the least villages. In one case--for ABO blood groups, in another--for Hp system. There are an interesting fact of the excess of heterozygotes 2-1 and some excess of the group 0. Statistically significant differences between villages were shown for four genetic systems. Data on migrations, distribution of gene frequencies and estimated genetic and phenotype distances between villages of the same village community and between two communities suggest, that each village community can be considered as separate subdivided population. Considering the uniformity of the environmental pressure in the region examined, the heterogeneity of the population studied is apparently associated with a random genetic drift.     

Incidence of earlobe ptosis and pseudoptosis in patients seeking facial rejuvenation surgery and effects of aging

The authors have previously described a classification system for earlobe ptosis and have established a criterion for earlobe pseudoptosis. Earlobe heights were characterized based on anatomic landmarks, including the intertragal notch, the otobasion inferius (the most caudal anterior attachment of the earlobe to the cheek skin), and the subaurale (the most caudal extension of the earlobe free margin). The classification system was derived from earlobe height preferences as determined by a survey of North American Caucasians, and it identified the ideal free caudal lobule height range to measure 1 to 5 mm from otobasion inferius to subaurale (grade I ptosis). Also, earlobe pseudoptosis was defined by the attached cephalic lobule height measuring an intertragal notch to otobasion inferius distance greater than 15 mm. In this study, the preoperative earlobe height measurements of 44 patients seeking facial rejuvenation were evaluated. The average attached cephalic segment (intertragal notch to otobasion inferius distance) of patient earlobes measured 11.10 +/- 0.46 mm, and the average free caudal segment (otobasion inferius to subaurale distance) of patient earlobes measured 7.15 +/- 0.49 mm. Assessment of patient groups based on single-decade age differences demonstrated an increase in the free caudal segment (otobasion inferius to subaurale distance) with increasing age (p = 0.003). Assessment of patient groups based on single-decade age differences demonstrated no increase in the attached cephalic segment (intertragal notch to otobasion inferius distances) with increasing age (p = 0.281). When evaluating for the ideal otobasion inferius to subaurale distance, only 22.2 percent of earlobes demonstrated an ideal free caudal earlobe height (grade I ptosis). Moreover, pseudoptosis was detected in 12.3 percent of earlobes. Finally, a majority of earlobes demonstrated intrapatient variability, with only 16.2 percent of patients demonstrating identical attached cephalic segment (intertragal notch to otobasion inferius distances) and 37.8 percent demonstrating identical free caudal segment (otobasion inferius to subaurale distances) when compared with their contralateral ear. Plastic surgeons should be aware that a significant number of patients (77.8 percent of earlobes) may not possess an ideal free caudal segment and that 12.3 percent of earlobes may present with pseudoptosis. Therefore, earlobe height assessment should be an essential aspect of evaluation in patients desiring facial rejuvenation surgery. Evaluation of both ears should be performed independently due to intrapatient earlobe height variations. Finally, patients should be counseled with regard to the ideal earlobe parameters and aging patterns (stable attached cephalic segment versus increasing free caudal segment). With the natural progression of both facial rhytides and caudal segment earlobe ptosis (increasing free lobule segment) with increasing age, independent and accurate assessment of earlobe height is indicated so that the aging ear may be addressed concurrently with the aging face.     

Biology of the people of Sikkim, India. 2. Colour blindness, ear lobe attachment, mid-phalangeal hair and behavioural traits

14 population groups of Sikkim (India)--Lepchas (2), Bhutias (2), Sherpas, Tamangs, Gurungs, Mangars, Rais, Limboos/Subbas, Pradhans (Newars), Brahmans, Chhetris, Scheduled Castes--have been studied in regard of the intra- and intergroup variability of colour blindness, ear lobe attachment, mid-phalangeal hair and behavioural traits (tongue folding, hand clapsing, arm folding, leg folding, handedness). Some of these variables show a considerable distribution heterogeneity, which is discussed considering history and marriage patterns of these populations. As most of them are highly endogamous one can assume that this heterogeneity is caused by locally acting factors such as drift and/or founder effects, which could be preserved due to as good as lacking gene flow among the populations under study. Beyond that the Sikkim data are compared briefly with those reported for other Indian and Asiatic populations.     

Hairy pinnae in Kerala

The study of hairs on the different parts of the pinna of adult males among the endogamous groups of Kerala province, India, revealed age trends, differences among the groups, and high correlations between the frequency of hairs in certain regions of the ear. The greatest incidence of hypertrichosis was found in the lower helix, followed by the tragus, middle helix, lobe, and top of helix. A gradual increase in the frequency of the trait with age occurred in the antitragus and tragus, and a decrease with age in the lower and middle helix. As hair at the top of the helix remains constant in frequency with age and is present in all populations studied, it is a useful anthropological marker.     

玉米株高和穗位高的遗传基础与分子机制*

株高和穗位高是玉米重要育种性状,直接影响植株的养分利用效率及抗倒伏性,进而影响玉米产量。玉米株高和穗位高属于典型数量性状,目前通过数量性状位点(quantitative trait loci mapping,QTL)定位和全基因组关联分析(genome-wide association study, GWAS)等方法已挖掘到较多相关遗传位点,通过QTL精细定位及利用突变体克隆了一些调控株高和穗位高关键基因。但是由于各研究组所利用的群体类型和大小、标记类型和密度以及统计方法不同,所鉴定QTL差异较大,单个研究难以揭示玉米株高和穗位高遗传结构。早期QTL定位的结果多以遗传距离来展示,不同时期GWAS研究所使用参考基因组版本不同,这进一步增加了借鉴和利用前人研究结果的难度。首次将目前已鉴定株高和穗位高遗传定位信息统一锚定至玉米自交系B73参考基因组V4版本,构建了株高和穗位高性状定位的一致性图谱,并鉴定出可被多个独立研究定位的热点区间。进一步对已克隆玉米株高和穗位高调控基因进行总结与分类,揭示株高和穗位高性状调控机制,对深度解析株高和穗位高遗传结构、指导基因克隆和利用分子标记辅助选择优化玉米株高和穗位高性状均具有重要意义。     

Differences between lactate concentration of samples from ear lobe and the finger tip

Blood lactate concentrations in capillary samples obtained from the ear lobe or from the finger tip are used indistinctly, since they are considered equivalents. The aim of the study reported in this paper was to verify whether that assumption is valid due to the practical implications which any possible differences between these two sampling sites would have in the planning and assessing of an athletic training program. Twenty six healthy male athletes competing in different sports at the national level (9 rowers, 7 cyclists and 10 runners) were studied during the performance of a graded exercise test up to the point of exhaustion, on specific ergometers. In each group, capillary blood samples were obtained simultaneously from both the ear lobe and the finger tip at three different times during the test: 1) in resting conditions; 2) when exercising at a submaximal work load and 3) seven minutes after the point of exhaustion. Significant differences were found between the blood lactate concentrations of samples obtained from the ear lobe and from the finger tip (p < 0.001). The method error of repeated measurements for lactate concentrations from paired samples obtained in resting conditions was 27%, when exercising at a submaximal work load, 16% and at maximal work load, 3%. Capillary blood samples collected from the finger tip consistently showed higher values in lactate concentration than those obtained, at the same time, from the ear lobe.     

Surgical design and algorithm for correction of earlobe ptosis and pseudoptosis deformity

A previously described classification system for earlobe ptosis and criterion for earlobe pseudoptosis deformity was based on height measurements of the two earlobe components: the free caudal segment and the attached cephalic segment. The "ideal" ear lobule free caudal segment was found to be between 1 and 5 mm (grade I ptosis), and the "ideal" attached cephalic segment was 15 mm or less. Earlobe pseudoptosis was defined by an attached cephalic segment measuring greater than 15 mm. Previous studies revealed an association between the elongated free caudal segment and increasing patient age and between the elongated attached cephalic segment and rhytidectomy. Sixteen fresh cadaver earlobes were used to design surgical patterns that would differentially reduce the free caudal segment, the attached cephalic segment, or both. A horizontal, medially based triangular excision pattern was designed. Triangular excisions limited to the attached cephalic segment resulted in 98 +/- 5 percent reduction of excision height from the attached cephalic segment but also resulted in an unexpected 32 +/- 2 percent augmentation of the excision height in the free caudal segment. Triangular excisions limited to the free caudal segment resulted in 88 +/- 4 percent reduction of the excision height from the free caudal segment and negligible reduction of 4 +/- 4 percent of excision height in the cephalic attached segment. An algorithm for correction of earlobe ptosis and pseudoptosis was subsequently derived and implemented in a clinical case. The authors propose that surgical treatment of patients with pseudoptosis be dependent on the ptosis grade. If the ptosis is grade I (1 to 5 mm), then excision of only the attached cephalic segment is recommended. If the ptosis is grade II or higher (more than 5 mm), then a combined attached cephalic and free caudal segment excision is recommended. In cases of isolated ptosis grade II or higher without pseudoptosis, then excision location of only the free caudal segment is recommended. The above simple algorithm and surgical designs will enable plastic surgeons to differentially correct earlobe ptosis and pseudoptosis.     

Genetic disorders of N-acetylneuraminic acid metabolism: sialurias and sialidoses

Sialuria and sialidosis represent the two known types of genetic errors of sialic acid metabolism. Sialuria type I (or "massive Sialuria") remains a very rare disease, characterized by the daily excretion of 10 g of N-acetylneuraminic acid. Although the primary defect has not been established, the absence of a feedback inhibition of the anabolic reactions is probably involved in the massive production of free sialic acid. Sialuria type II (Salla disease) and type III are lysosomal storage diseases and the patients have shown to have a 10 to 15 fold increase in the amount of free sialic acid in urine. These sialurias probably involve a defect in translocation of sialic acid from lysosomes to the site of biosynthesis. The sialidase deficiency has been found to be responsible of a number of storage diseases previously unclassified or described as "lipomucopolysaccharidosis" or "mucolipidosis I". The sialidase deficiency, or Sialidosis, is characterized by and increased urinary excretion of sialyloligosaccharides and storage of sialylated compounds. A third type of genetic error, the combined beta-galactosidase-sialidase deficiency, is due to the genetic deficiency of a 32 KD "protective protein" which is part of the complex formed between multimeric beta-galactosidase and sialidase.     

γ-Glutamyl and d- or l-peptide linkages in mycobacillin, a cyclic peptide antibiotic

Mycobacillin lacks amino groups but contains two free alpha-carboxyl groups, indicating the presence of two side-chain peptide linkages. The five aspartic acid residues of mycobacillin are all in alpha-peptide linkage whereas the two glutamic acid residues are in gamma-linkage. Mycobacillin does not react with hydroxylamine to give hydroxamate, indicating the absence of anhydride, lactone and ester linkages. This is also confirmed by i.r. spectroscopy and titration of the molecule. Of the 15 peptides obtained from partial hydrolysates of mycobacillin, 12 contain aspartic acid. Results obtained by treatment of hydrolysates of aspartic acid-containing peptides with d-amino acid oxidase and l-glutamate decarboxylase (containing l-aspartate decarboxylase activity) indicate that residue 5 is l-aspartic acid and residues 2, 8, 11 and 13 are d-aspartic acid. The d- or l-peptide sequence and nature of peptide linkages in mycobacillin are proposed on the basis of these findings and the amino acid sequence reported earlier.     

A screen for genetic defects of the zebrafish ear

To advance the understanding of genetic mechanisms involved in the patterning and the differentiation of the vertebrate auditory system, we screened for mutations affecting ear development in the zebrafish larva. Fifteen recessive mutant alleles have been isolated and analyzed. The phenotypes of these mutants involve abnormalities in ear morphology, otolith formation, or both processes in parallel. Among morphological defects, we found mutations affecting early patterning of the otic vesicle, the morphogenesis of semicircular canals, and the expansion of the ear lumen. The two most severe mutant phenotypes involve the absence of anterior and posterior cristae, as well as a severely misshapen morphology of the ear. In the category of otolith mutants, we found defects in otolith formation, growth, and shape. As it proved to be the case in past screening efforts of this type, these mutant lines represent an asset in the studies of molecular mechanisms that regulate vertebrate ear development.     

Ultrastructure and distribution of identified neurosecretory terminals in the sinus gland of the terrestrial isopod Oniscus asellus

An ultrastructural study of the sinus gland of the terrestrial isopod, Oniscus asellus, reveals that this structure consists of two regions: the bulb, which is attached by a narrow stalk to the optic lobe, and the lateral extension, which extends from the bulb along the optic tract to the compound eye. The bulb has a distal region containing only neurosecretory terminals, and a proximal region containing terminals, glial cells, and axons that give rise to the distally located terminals. In total, the sinus gland contains five types of terminals which can be distinguished by their location and the appearance of their neurosecretory granules. Three terminal types are located in the bulb and two in the lateral extension. The size of the terminals in the bulb varies among the three types, but the number of terminals is approximately the same for each type. Conversely, the two terminal types in the lateral extension are similar in size, but differ in number. Axons of two terminal types in the bulb can be traced to the central region of the protocerebrum; axons of one terminal type in the bulb and of terminals in the lateral extension can be traced to the optic lobe.     

A study of nine anthroposcopic traits among the three tribes of the Bastar District in Madhya Pradesh, India

Nine anthroposcopic traits, namely palmar and plantar digital formulae, hand-clasping, armfolding, handedness, tongue rolling and folding, ear lobe attachment and legfolding have been studied in the three tribal populations--Murias, Bisonhorn Marias and Halbas--from the Bastar District in Madhya Pradesh (Central India). An attempt has been made to compare the results of the present study with other population groups of Central India.     

240份玉米自交系纹枯病抗性鉴定与评价

在人工接种条件下,连续3年对240份玉米自交系纹枯病抗性进行鉴定和评价,分析了玉米纹枯病抗性与主要农艺性状的相关性。结果表明,玉米纹枯病抗性资源较为缺乏,240份自交系中无免疫或高抗的材料,有中抗自交系4份、感病自交系18份、高感自交系218份。旅大红骨、Reid、PA和塘四平头类群自交系中未发现玉米纹枯病抗源,PB类群和Lancaster类群自交系纹枯病抗性相对较好,今后应主要从这两类种质中寻找玉米纹枯病抗源。玉米纹枯病病情指数与株高、穗位高、穗位高/株高、穗下节间数和穗下平均节间长均呈极显著负相关,这些表型可以作为非接种条件下筛选抗玉米纹枯病种质的参考指标。