[A STUDY OF UTERINE HEMODYNAMICS USING THREE-DIMENSIONAL POWER DOPPLER SONOGRAPHY IN PATIENTS WITH ADENOMYOSIS].

The goal of the work was the investigation of volumetric blood flow parameters in uterine body of women of different ages suffering from various forms of adenomyosis, in three-dimensional angio mode, in order to search for objective differential-diagnostic criteria of this pathology. The main study group included 46 women aged 18 to 45 who were diagnosed with II-III degree adenomyosis at ultrasound examination of pelvic organs according to the conventional procedure in a two-dimensional mode. The control group included 111 healthy women aged 18 to 45 years old. A study of hemodynamics of the uterine body of women of both groups was carried out in three-dimensional angiography mode using the energy mapping function and VOCAL (Virtual Organ Computer-Aided Analysis) option by calculating the vascularization index (VI), which characterizes the percentage ratio of blood vessels in a certain tissue volume, blood flow index (FI), characterizing the intensity of blood flow, showing the volume of blood cells moving in vessels at the examination time, and vascularization flow index (VFI), which is an indicator of organ perfusion. As a result, it has been established that volumetric blood flow parameters in women of the main group and the control group preserved statistically significant dynamics of changes depending on the menstrual cycle phases: their values were minimum at menstrual cycle early proliferative phase, reaching their maximum by the medium secretory phase due to corpus luteum maturation in the ovary, and decreasing by late secretory phase. No significant differences in VI, FI, VFI parameters of the uterine body in women with different types of adenomyosis were found. Significant differences have been established in uterine perfusion of women with adenomyosis in combination with uterine leiomyoma in the form of an increase in vascularization parameters compared with an isolated form of adenomyosis. However, despite this, they were all significantly lower than in the control group, and this applies to both isolated form of adenomyosis and adenomyosis in combination with leiomyoma. The obtained data confirm the characteristic hypovascularization of the myometrium of patients with adenomyosis and allow using the three-dimensional power Doppler sonography technique for the diagnostics of adenomyosis. The reduction of parameters VI, FI, VFI in assessment of uterine hemodynamics compared with the volumetric vascularization parameters of healthy women can be used as an objective differential-diagnostic criterion for this pathology. The obtained results of the study of volumetric blood flow parameters (VI, FI, VFI) of the uterus of women with isolated adenomyosis of various forms and adenomyosis in combination with uterine leiomyoma would allow, on the first part, to improve the accuracy of ultrasound diagnostics of adenomyosis based on a significant decrease in these parameters compared to those of healthy women. On the second part, they will significantly increase the level of differential diagnostics between the nodular form of adenomyosis and the uterine nodular leiomyoma based on the diagnostics of myometrial hypovascularization in adenomyosis. On the third part, a decrease in the values of the studied parameters compared to the normal values in women with uterine leiomyoma is indicative of a combination of leiomyoma with adenomyosis.

Sexual dimorphism in the Chuvashian population of Russia in two types of dermatoglyphic traits: principal component analysis.

With the aim of determining sexual dimorphism in the component structures among the Chuvashian population of Russia, finger and palmar dermatoglyphics of 547 individuals (293 males, 254 females) were analyzed. The sex differences in two categories of dermatoglyphic traits (22 quantitative traits and 38 asymmetry and diversity traits) are reflected differently and contradictory with other ethnic groups. However, a common feature of the factor 1 "digital pattern size factor" (finger ridge counts from the first category of traits) indicate its degree of universality when compared with other populations, which suggests that the variability of finger ridge counts is determined by the same genes that control the pattern types. The factors "intra-individual finger diversity factor", and "bi-lateral asymmetry factor" extracted from the second category of dermatoglyphic traits are also similar in both sexes. However, these components are hardly described in the literature. The nature of variation of these components (from two categories of dermatoglyphic traits) appears with a good similarity between sexes, which suggests their common biological validity of the underlying component structures of the finger and palmar dermatoglyphic characters.

Quantitative digital and palmar dermatoglyphics: sexual dimorphism in the Chuvashian population of Russia.

With the aim of determining sex dimorphism among the Chuvashian population of Russia, digital and palmar dermatoglyphics of 547 individuals (293 males, 254 females) were analyzed. The sex differences for PII, TRC, and AFRC are similar to Indian and Jewish populations. Correlation coefficients between individual finger ridge counts are a little lower than in Jews but are almost equal to Indian populations. The Mantel test of matrix correlation between sexes for 22 traits shows a very good similarity. However, sex differences of palmar traits display different levels when compared with other human populations. In light of this, our evidence indicates the possible role of environmental (prenatal) factors in the realization of dermatoglyphic sex differences. The development of palmar dermatoglyphics has had a relatively longer growth period compared with fingers [Cummins, H., 1929. The topographic history of the volar pads (walking pads, tast ballen) in the human embryo. Embryol. 20, 103-126]. The palmar dermatoglyphic pattern of affinities therefore corresponds better than fingers to the ethno historical background of the populations, ascertained by numerous studies.

Qualitative finger and palmar dermatoglyphics: sexual dimorphism in the Chuvashian population of Russia.

Qualitative finger and palmar dermatoglyphics of 547 individuals (293 males, 254 females) belonging to the Chuvashian population of Russia were studied to determine sexual dimorphism. The pattern types are not uniformly distributed on 10 fingers. Sex difference is homogeneous in all fingers whereas palmar patterns reflect the better sex variations for three palmar configurational areas (II, III, and IV). This is perhaps due to embryological development, having a relatively longer growth period compared with fingers (Cummins 1929). The present results of the Chuvashian population are not similar to the results of the five Indian populations of our previous study (Karmakar et al. 2002), perhaps due to a major ethnic difference.

Genetic determination of head-size-related anthropometric traits in an ethnically homogeneous sample of 373 Indian pedigrees of West Bengal.

The substantial involvement of genetic factors in the determination of head-size and head-shape traits has been firmly established. However, there has been a lack of agreement on a number of specific issues concerning the pattern of inheritance of craniofacial features. In this study we examined some of these issues in a large, ethnically homogeneous sample of Indian pedigrees. The data included 1,263 individuals belonging to 373 nuclear families. Eleven raw head-size traits and two synthetic phenotypes, interpreted as horizontal and vertical head-size components (HOC and VEC, respectively), were used in the analysis. To establish the pattern of inheritance of head traits, we carried out univariate and bivariate analyses. Maximum heritability estimates ranged from 0.41 to 0.83 for the studied head-size phenotypes. The portion of the total residual variance attributable to putative additive genetic factors was 68.3% and 70.3% for HOC and VEC, respectively, and common familial factor effects were found to be nonsignificant. The extent of genetic influences did not differ significantly with respect to sex or between HOC and VEC. The results of bivariate variance decomposition analysis strongly suggest the existence of common genetic factors simultaneously affecting HOC and VEC; 41.8% of the two traits' total residual variance was attributable to the effect of these common genetic factors.

Mode of inheritance of dermatoglyphic pattern intensity index on fingers in five Indian populations: a comparative study between individual trait and its factor.

Our previous study (Karmakar et al. 2005 Ann. Hum. Biol. 32:445-468) was on 500 pedigrees of five different populations, with factor 1 comprising quantitative finger dermatoglyphics (including pattern intensity index, PII) and factor 1 controlled by major genes. The present results of a complex segregation analysis of the individual trait PII of the same five populations were compared with previous results to ascertain the extent of variation between individual trait PII and its factor (factor 1) with respect to mode of inheritance. The comparative findings are very similar in five populations, irrespective of different ethnic groups. This result suggests that the variability of their biological relevance is influenced by the same genetic component, thus representing a similar mode of inheritance with major gene involvement in all populations.

Complex segregation analysis of quantitative dermatoglyphic traits in five Indian populations.

OBJECTIVE: Dermatoglyphics is widely used as a genetically determined trait in anthropogenetics although the genetic nature of its inheritance is still inconclusive, due to the lack of any established genetic model to resolve the existing inconsistencies in the literature. However, advanced statistical packages for complex segregation analyses are available and the aim of the present study is to determine the mode of dermatoglyphic trait inheritance in five different ethnic populations. METHODS: Five hundred families (2435 individuals) of two generations were used for principal component analysis, familial correlation and segregation analysis (package MAN-5). RESULTS: The similarity of three factors suggests a common internal structure. Significant familial correlation (except spouse) indicates the involvement of a familial component in the variation of dermatoglyphic traits. Segregation analyses suggest the transmission of a genetic effect in the families which follows the Mendelian model and confirms a major gene effect on factor 1 and factor 2 with two co-dominant alleles. There is no evidence of a major gene effect or environmental effect on factor 3 (a-b ridge counts). The nature of transmission and trait variance (H2) strongly supports the existence of a common nature of dermatoglyphic trait inheritance in populations, irrespective of ethnic and geographic area. CONCLUSION: Major gene involvement in finger dermatoglyphics according to Mendelian models is confirmed.

Search for linkage between hand osteoarthritis and 11q 12-13 chromosomal segment.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of the present study were: (1) to evaluate the extent and mode of inheritance of hand osteoarthritis by using a large sample of ethnically homogeneous pedigrees of Caucasian origin; (2) to examine whether the synthetic measure of osteoarthritis according to Kellgren and Lawrence (K-L) and the more specific measure, namely, the extent of osteophytes development, have a similar putative genetic determination and pattern of biological inheritance and (3) to test the hypothesis that hand osteoarthritis dependent phenotypes are linked to the 11q 12-13 chromosomal region. METHODS: The population of the present study comprised 1190 Chuvashians (Russian Federation) belonging to 295 nuclear families. Segregation analysis was carried out on a total sample. Sub-sample of 571 individuals was used to conduct Transmission/disequilibrium test (TDT) and model-based linkage analysis. RESULTS: Adjusted for age, sex and other covariates, both OA phenotypes showed significant familial aggregation. The model fitting analysis strongly supported the hypothesis of a major gene effect on study traits. The inferred major gene explained about 52% of the osteophyte score (OPS) and 49% of the K-L score variation adjusted for confounding variables. The series of model-based linkage analyses and TDTs provided inconclusive evidence on possible linkage of both phenotypes to the 11q 12-13 chromosomal region. CONCLUSIONS: We support the hypothesis of a major gene effect in heritability of hand osteoarthritis in both phenotypes. Despite the fact that some DNA markers showed statistically significant association to studied primary phenotypes, we find only weak evidence of linkage disequilibrium between hand osteoarthritis and the proximal part of the 11q 12-13 chromosomal segment (D11S1983 for K-L score and D11S1313 for OPS). The subject, however, a merit requires further investigation.

Multivariate analysis of sexual dimorphism in two types of dermatoglyphic traits in five endogamous populations of West Bengal, India.

Five different endogamous populations who encompass the main social rank in the caste hierarchy of West Bengal were analysed for this report. The present approach is to compare the pattern of sex differences/similarities exhibited by two different sets of dermatoglyphic traits. Cluster and discriminant analysis and Mantel test of matrix correlations were performed. The nature of variation between sexes within population groups and two types of variable sets has a good similarity in all five populations. These results strongly suggest that the two categories of dermatoglyphic variables provide similar possibilities to discriminate between the sexes in populations.

Quantitative genetic study of radiographic hand bone size and geometry.

Despite the obvious epidemiological significance of bone size (BS) and geometry (BG) traits as risk factors for osteoporotic fracture, very little is still known concerning the extent of their genetic determination. In the present paper we report the results of quantitative genetic analysis of a number of BG and BS indices, as well as of BMD measurements, obtained on a large pedigree-based sample (296 nuclear families, 1208 individuals) of plain hand radiographs. The families studied were all ethnically Caucasians (Chuvasha) living in small villages along the Volga River (Russia). The sample consisted of 636 men and 572 women, aged 18-91 years. To assess hand bone size we used the outcome of principal component analysis conducted on 48 measurements of metacarpal bones and proximal phalanges (PC-BS). Two BG indices, average metacarpal cortical index and breaking bending resistance index (BBRI), also measured on metacarpal and proximal phalanges were used. Again the outcome of the principal component PC-BBRI was examined in the genetic analysis. PC-BS measurements strongly correlated with body length (r = 0.75, P < 0.001) and weight (r = 0.39, P < 0.001), suggesting that they indeed reflected hand skeleton size. Familial correlations for all studied traits, adjusted for covariates (sex, age, etc.), were all highly significant statistically. For example, parent/offspring correlations ranged between 0.248 (P < 0.001) for phalangeal BMD and 0.385 (P < 0.001) for PC-BBRI. Maximum likelihood estimates of the variance component analysis confirmed these results, indicating that approximately 58 to 66% of the residual variance of the studied traits was attributable to genetic effects. Bivariate analysis clearly revealed that while genetic variation of the phalangeal BMD was independent of the genetic effects influencing hand BS and BG, the latter two were strongly interrelated. A substantial proportion of PC-BS and PC-BBRI variation was due to shared genetic (r(G) = 0.468 +/- 0.063) and environmental (r(E) = 0.704 +/- 0.052) factors.

Relationship between parameters of early growth in Israeli infants.

A sample of 1931 Israeli infants was measured for body weight (WT), length (HT) and head circumference (HC) for approximately 2 years. The Count model with 3 parameters was chosen as the best fitting and most parsimonious function to approximate growth of all 3 studied traits. In the model parameter a relates to birth indices, b--to velocity of growth, and c--to rapid early childhood growth, or acceleration. Assuming a difference in growth patterns in the periods of different length, the whole sample was divided into 3 groups: 1) infants with last measurement around the age of 12 months; 2) infants with last measurement around the age of 18 months, and 3) infants with last measurement around the age of 24 months. The individuals measured up to 12 months were presented in all three groups. 27 curve fitting parameters, corresponding to 3 different follow-up intervals for WT, HT and HC were computed for each individual. A high correlation was detected between the a parameters regardless of time interval for 3 measured traits. A negative correlation was found between b and c parameters within the same time interval. A consistent positive correlation was indicated between a and b parameters, especially for body length and head circumference. A principal component analysis extracted five independent factors explaining 88.1% of the total variance. Three first factors retained parameters b and c, describing growth rate and pattern of each trait separately, namely, F1 was responsible for head circumference, F2 was a body length factor, F3 was a body weight factor. F4 extracted all birth indices, observed (HC0, HT0 and WT0) and expected (parameters a). The composition of principal factors allowed us to assume that there might be a strong involvement of a pleiotropic genetic source in determination of birth size traits and an independent genetic source controlling the pattern of growth for each trait separately.

Dermatoglyphic sexual dimorphism: finger and palmar qualitative characteristics in five endogamous populations of West Bengal, India.

Five hundred families from five different endogamous populations encompassing the main social rank in the caste hierarchy of the same geographical area of West Bengal, India, were analyzed to present variation in qualitative pattern types on fingers and palms. Sex dimorphism, homogeneous in all populations, suggests common characteristics of dermatoglyphic patterns. The pattern types are not uniformly distributed on 10 fingers and palmar configurational areas. However, most of these observations are homogeneous in nature, in both sexes among 5 populations. But the two sets of results on fingers and palms are not exactly the same. Palmar dermatoglyphic relationship reflects the better caste affinities, perhaps due to embryological development, having relatively a longer growth period compared to fingers (Cummins 1929). The present findings indicate that the qualitative dermatoglyphic affinities conform to the known ethnohistorical background of these populations, which correspond also to the results of quantitative dermatoglyphics as well as serological and biochemical markers of these populations. These observations indicate that these population groups have a common genetic background and thus traditional grouping of Indian populations on the basis of caste hierarchy may not be a reflection of the genetic origin of the population. In dermatoglyphic affinities, both qualitative and quantitative traits therefore may be quite useful in tracing the ethnohistorical background of these populations.

Genetics of human body size and shape: body proportions and indices.

BACKGROUND: The study of the genetic component in morphological variables such as body height and weight, head and chest circumference, etc. has a rather long history. However, only a few studies investigated body proportions and configuration. AIM: The major aim of the present study was to evaluate the extent of the possible genetic effects on the inter-individual variation of a number of body configuration indices amenable to clear functional interpretation. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Two ethnically different pedigree samples were used in the study: (1) Turkmenians (805 individuals) from Central Asia, and (2) Chuvasha (732 individuals) from the Volga riverside, Russian Federation. To achieve the aim of the present study we proposed three new indices, which were subjected to a statistical-genetic analysis using modified version of "FISHER" software. The proposed indices were: (1) an integral index of torso volume (IND#1), an index reflecting a predisposition of body proportions to maintain a balance in a vertical position (IND#2), and an index of skeletal extremities volume (IND#3). Additionally, the first two principal factors (PF1 and PF2) obtained on 19 measurements of body length and breadth were subjected to genetic analysis. Variance decomposition analysis that simultaneously assess the contribution of gender, age, additive genetic effects and effects of environment shared by the nuclear family members, was applied to fit variation of the above three indices, and PF1 and PF2. RESULTS: The raw familial correlation of all study traits and in both samples showed: (1) all marital correlations did not differ significantly from zero; (2) parent-offspring and sibling correlations were all positive and statistically significant. The parameter estimates obtained in variance analyses showed that from 40% to 75% of inter-individual variation of the studied traits (adjusted for age and sex) were attributable to genetic effects. For PF1 and PF2 in both samples, and for IND#2 (in Chuvasha pedigrees), significant common sib environmental effects were also detectable. CONCLUSION: Genetic factors substantially influence inter-individual differences in body shape and configuration in two studied samples. However, further studies are needed to clarify the extent of pleiotropy and epigenetic effects on various facets of the human physique.

Evidence for a major gene for bone mineral density/content in human pedigrees identified via probands with extreme bone mineral density.

Bone mineral content (BMC) and/or bone mineral density (BMD, i.e. BMC scaled by bone size) are major determinants for osteoporosis, which is a serious health problem. The major determinant of variation in BMD/BMC is genetic. The few studies now available are inconsistent in the identification and/or even in the existence of major gene(s) for BMD/BMC. In 51 human pedigrees with 941 individuals (526 measured for phenotypes) identified via probands with extreme BMD values, we performed complex segregation analyses to test the existence of a genetic locus with a major effect on BMD/BMC variation. We analyzed BMD and BMC at the spine, hip and wrist jointly by employing, as the study phenotype, factor scores (FS) of the principle component that explains approximately 75% of the total BMD/BMC variation at the three sites. The results indicate that a major gene exists with a codominant effect that is responsible for approximately 16% of the FS variation when adjusted for significant effects of sex, body weight and age. A significant genotype-x-sex-x-age interaction was found, which may explain approximately 14% of the FS variation after adjusting for body weight. Testing of various models did not provide support for shared familial environmental effects but suggested the existence of residual polygenic effects, which may explain approximately 50% of the FS variation when adjusting for sex, body weight and age. This study indicates a promising aspect of studies to identify a major gene for BMD/BMC variation in our pedigrees identified via extreme probands.

Relationship between genetic anomalies of different levels and deviations in dermatoglyphic traits. Part 7: Dermatoglyphic peculiarities of females with cervical and endometrial carcinoma.

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of neoplastic diseases like carcinoma of the cervix and endometrial carcinoma, and was based on dermatoglyphic traits and their indices of intraindividual diversity (Div), fluctuating asymmetry (FIA) and directional asymmetry (DA). The results were compared with control groups of women and men, whose data have been detailed in our previous publications (Kobyliansky et al., 1999 a-d), and with analogous data of additional cancer groups available in the literature, like acute leukemia, bronchial cancer and breast cancer. The general aims of the study were as follows: (a) to obtain a dermatoglyphic characterization of discrete and quantitative traits and their Div, DA, FIA values in cancer patients, compared to healthy control groups, both female and male; (b) to test the hypothesis that in cancer patients there is an increased level of FIA as a result of an impaired developmental homeostasis; (c) to explore the possibility of using DT (dermatoglyphic traits) data of CW (women with cancer) to predict the probability of the appearance of cervical and endometrial carcinoma in apparently healthy females at a young age. The sample consisted of 94 Israeli-Jewish women of various groups, of which 54 had endometrial carcinoma and 40 had cervical carcinoma. The prints were collected in the Tel-Hashomer Hospital. The control group was a sample of 874 healthy subjects, half of them male and the other female, all from Jewish communities of European extractions (50%) as well as from Africa (50%). All controls were adults (over 18 years of age). Interpretation of prints was performed according to Cummins & Midlo (1961) and Penrose (1968) and included identification of patterns, ridge counts and the measurement of distances and angles in the palms, 79 DT for every individual were assessed. Significant differences were found for some of the studied traits between cancer patients and their healthy control groups. We encountered merely a low sexual dimorphism between the CW and the control males as compared to that between control males and females (with significant differences in 18% of the quantitative traits vs 64% in the control). The indices of diversity and asymmetry proved more suitable for discrimination, yielding the highest discrimination level between CW and control females. This finding suggested other data in the present study which points to a similarity between CW and control males.

Familial history, age and smoking are important risk factors for disc degeneration disease in Arabic pedigrees.

The present study used computed tomography imaging to evaluate the extent and pattern of the intergenerational transmission of spinal disc degeneration disease (DDD) in complex pedigrees. Contribution of a number of the potential covariates was also studied using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis, as well as two types of complex segregation analysis models. Among 161 individuals studied, DDD was diagnosed in 60 individuals. The number of protruded discs varied from 1 to 4, mostly in lumbar or lumbosacral regions. The average age at onset of the disease was similar for both women (36.0 years) and men (34.8 years). The proportion of the individuals affected by the DDD status of their parents ranged from 10% in families of two healthy parents to 55.5% of two affected parents (p < 0.01). The results of the logistic regression analyses and complex segregation analysis were qualitatively the same: DDD status of parents, age and smoking were the main risk factors for disc herniation in the Arabic families we examined. All analyses showed a predominating role of the family history as a risk factor for DDD in offsprings. It showed, for example, four times higher risk at age 50 for individuals with two affected parents vs. those who have two non-affected parents. However, the results of models-fitting genetic analysis, did not confirm a monogenic Mendelian pattern of inheritance.

Sexual dimorphism: asymmetry and diversity of 38 dermatoglyphic traits in five endogamous populations of West Bengal, India.

Five hundred families from five different endogamous populations encompass the main social rank in the caste hierarchy of West Bengal, India were analyzed for the present report. With the aim of comparing dermatoglyphic sexual dimorphism among the groups, analysis of variance and principal component analysis were performed, based on 38 dermatoglyphic variables. Sex dimorphism is homogeneous in nature in all populations, indicating common characteristics of dermatoglyphic variables within the same geographic area. But sex differences display different levels when compared with other racial groups. Therefore, sex differences are different in diverse populations. This would explain the existence of the possible role of environmental prenatal factors in the realization of the level of dermatoglyphic sex differences. Sex differences in asymmetry indices are less pronounced, which indicates that Indian populations are less asymmetric compared to Jewish populations. Fluctuating asymmetry, which is greater in females compared to males, support the hypothesis of Livshits and Kobyliansky--"increased heterozygosity is often associated with a decreased phenotypic variability including a diminished fluctuating asymmetry". A common feature of the principal component factor 1 "digital pattern size factor", in diverse populations indicates its degree of universality, and suggests that the variability of finger ridge counts is determined by the same genes which control the pattern types. The factors "finger ridge count diversity factor", "directional asymmetry factor", "fluctuating asymmetry factor", and "bilateral asymmetry factor" was perhaps described in the literature for the first time in Indian populations. The nature of variation of these components among these populations and between sexes, appears with a good similarity which suggests their biological validity of the underlying component structure. The overall homogeneity of sex dimorphism among 5 populations is well pronounced.

Relationship between genetic anomalies of different levels and deviations in dermatoglyphic traits. Part 4: Dermatoglyphic peculiarities of males and females with Down syndrome. Family study.

The present study was carried out in order to evaluate the effect of chromosomal morbidity (trisomy 21) in males and females with Down's Syndrome (DS) based on dermatoglyphic traits (DT) and their indices of diversity and asymmetry. The results were compared between parents and control groups of women and men whose data are detailed in our publication (Kobyliansky et al. 1999). The general aim of the study was to explore the possibility of using DT of the parents of DS patients to predict the likelihood of the disease appearing in the offspring. The samples were of DS patients (198 males and 140 females) and their parents (84 fathers and 153 mothers), all Israeli Jews. The prints were collected in the Genetic Institute of the Sheba Hospital, Ramat-Gan, Israel, and were validated by chromosomal examination. Interpretation of the prints was done according to Cummins & Midlo (1961) and Penrose (1968) and included identification of patterns, ridge counts and the measurements of distances and angles in the palm of the hands; 79 DT for every individual: 28 continuous traits, 9 discrete traits, 11 indices of intraindividual diversity (Div), 15 indices of directional asymmetry (DA) and 16 indices of fluctuating asymmetry (FA) were estimated. This study supports the hypothesis that the magnitude of FA in groups with low developmental stability (groups with chromosomal aberrations) or other birth defects, is elevated, compared with FA in healthy controls. The present study found proof of the existence of an additive genetic component in the FA of DT, while an increased FA was observed in parents of DS patients in comparison to control groups. The DT which are typical to DS patients were confirmed also in parents. The decrease in sexual dimorphism of the DT was found in DS patients and their parents in comparison with the control.

Relationship between genetic anomalies of different levels and deviations in dermatoglyphic traits. Part 6: Dermatoglyphic peculiarities of males and females with cleft lip (with or without cleft palate) and cleft palate--family study.

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of polygenic morbidity with respect to Cleft Palate and Cleft Lip with or without Cleft Palate (CL) in males and females based on dermatoglyphic traits (DT) and indices of intraindividual diversity (Div), fluctuating (FA) and directional (DA) asymmetry. The main objectives of the present study were as follows: a) to find DT and FA indices, which could be "marker" traits and could indicate the degree of developmental instability of the organism; b) to explore the possibility of using DT, FA, Div and DA indices of CL patients and their parents and to predict the likelihood of the disease appearing in the offsprings of apparently healthy individuals. The samples were of 106 CL patients (59 males and 47 females) and 156 of their parents (67 fathers and 89 mothers), all Israeli Jews. The prints were collected in the Beilinson (Petah-Tikva) and Rambam (Haifa) and Hadassah (Mount Scopus, Jerusalem) Hospitals, or in the abodes of the CL patients. The results were compared with the control group of healthy women and men whose data are detailed in our previous publication. Interpretation of the prints were done according to the methods and included identification of patterns, ridge counts and the measurements of distances and angles in the palms, 79 DT for every individual, 28 continuous traits, 9 discrete traits, 11 indices of Div, 15 DA indices and 16 FA indices. In CL groups increased FA indices values were found and a decreased sexual dimorphism in DT of the CL and parental groups as compared to the control--this both in terms of the number of significant differences, as well as in values of the traits (e.g. smaller differences between the male and female values). The above mentioned findings were partly confirmed also by the discriminant analysis. The values of DT parents were generally similar to those of the control. The best discrimination was obtained between the CL and control groups (70.44% between CL males and control males and 83.47% between CL females and control females). Over 50% of the DT variables were found to be suitable for including into the discriminant function.

Violent mortality patterns in immigrants in Israel (1990-95).

Since 1989, a large number of immigrants, mostly from the former Soviet Union, have arrived in Israel, increasing the local population (c. 5 million) by 700,000. The morbidity and mortality of this immigrant population have been the concern of many investigations. In the present study we examine the mortality pattern of a sample of 1,000 immigrants, whose deaths occurred during the years 1990-95 and were examined at the L. Greenberg (National) Institute of Forensic Medicine. The sample was divided into two subgroups, natural and unnatural, according to manner of death. Seventy-five per cent of the victims in the violent death subgroup were males with a mean age of 44.6 (SD 17.3) years, while the females of the same category were 52.7 years old on average (SD 19.9). The age distribution of the whole sample showed peaks in the 25-34-year-old group for males and the 35-44-year-old group for females. The most frequent causes of death were accident (44.1%), suicide (12.6%) and homicide (7%). In 5% of cases the cause of death could not be determined. The pattern of mortality from violent causes in the immigrant population differed from that of the country of origin in all parameters. The incidence of unnatural death in immigrants resembled the local pattern in Israel, and was significantly lower than that of their homeland.