Quantitative Dermatoglyphic Traits Research Articles

Three Patterns of Inheritance of Quantitative Dermatoglyphic Traits: Kosovo Albanian Twin Study.

Dermatoglyphs are epidermal ridge configurations on the fingers, palms and soles that are formed during fetal development, and therefore only the intrauterine environment can have any influence on their formation. This study aims at investigating the genetic and environmental contribution in determining quantitative dermatoglyphic traits in 32 monozygotic (MZ) and 35 dizygotic (DZ) same-sex twins from the Albanian population of Kosovo. All genetic analyses were run in the statistical program Mx. After assumptions testing, based on the pattern of MZ-DZ correlations, univariate models were fitted to the data in order to estimate additive genetic (A), common (C) and individual (E) environmental influences for all variables. The exception was the atd-angle for which a model with nonadditive genetic (D) influences was tested, since DZ correlations were less than half of MZ correlations. Goodness of fit of the full ACE or ADE model was compared to the saturated model. The fit of nested models (AE, CE, DE or E) was compared to the full models (ACE or ADE). Our results indicate that additive genetic component strongly contributes to individual differences in finger ridge counts (49-81%), and weakly (0-50%) on the formation of the palmar ridge counts between the palmar triradii a, b, c, and d. The specific pattern found for the atd-angle implies the impact of a nonadditive genetic component, possibly the effect of a major gene. Further, more powered studies are needed to confirm this pattern, especially for resolving the issue of the huge difference in MZ and DZ twin similarity for the atd-angle palmar trait.

Analysis of the Qualitative and Quantitative Dermatoglyphic Traits in Schizophrenia Patients

In a psychiatric diagnosis, Schizophrenia [schizein (“to split”) and phren-(“mind”)] is a mental illness. The neurodevelopment theory of the etiology of schizophrenia, suggest either genetically or epigenetically controlled faulty embryonic development of structures of ectoderm origin like brain and skin. This may disturb neurodevelopment that in turn may cause these subjects to be at increased risk for the development of schizophrenia and related disorders. Dermatoglyphics is used as a diagnostic aid in a number of diseases that have a strong hereditary basis. In the present work, we studied the frequencies of various types of skin ridges found on the digits, palms in schizophrenic patients. The present study aimed to evaluate the association of dermatoglyphic patterns with different blood groups and also to evaluate the role of dermatoglyphics in early detection of prone individuals and genetic predisposition of disease. Studies were conducted in 100 patients of schizophrenia and various dermatoglyphics parameters such as finger print pattern and exits of main lines were calculated. These parameters of study group were compared to controls. Qualitative analysis has shown statistically significant difference among two groups. It was observed that in blood group A the Arche pattern in both hands were pre-dominant when compared those of controls and the difference was highly significant (P< 0.05) while loop ulnar pattern was highly significant (P<0.001). Loop ulnar pattern was highly significant (P<0.001) in left hand of blood group AB. The main line index in the study group when compared to controls observed the difference.

Finger and palmar dermatoglyphics in Muzeina Bedouins from South Sinai: qualitative traits

Quantitative finger and palmar dermatoglyphics of 218 individuals (170 males and 48 females) belonging to the Muzeina Bedouins from South Sinai Peninsula. They are characterized with a high degree of consanguinity, a small isolate nomadic tribe. 22 quantitative dermatoglyphic traits (12 finger and 10 palms) were considered in the present study. Except PII (non-significant sex difference), the results of significant sex differences of finger ridge counts (TFRC), MLI are similar with the earlier studies in various populations. However, the results of palmar traits reveal homogeneity which also presents a common picture obtained in the earlier studies, perhaps due to the possible role of environmental (prenatal) factors in the realization of dermatoglyphics between finger and palm. The development of palmar dermatoglyphics has a relatively longer growth period compared with fingers (Cummins 1929). Thus, the palmar dermatoglyphic pattern of affinities corresponds better than fingers to the ethno-historic background of the populations (Reddy et al. 1988, Karmakar et al. 1989, 2002, 2008, 2010).

Finger and palmar dermatoglyphics in Muzeina Bedouin from South Sinai: A quantitative study

Quantitative finger and palmar dermatoglyphics of 218 individuals (170 males and 48 females) belonging to the Muzeina Bedouins from South Sinai Peninsula. They are characterized with a high degree of consanguinity, a small isolate nomadic tribe. 22 quantitative dermatoglyphic traits (12 finger and 10 palms) were considered in the present study. Except PII (non-significant sex difference), the results of significant sex differences of finger ridge counts (TFRC), MLI are similar with the earlier studies in various populations. However, the results of palmar traits reveal homogeneity which also presents a common picture obtained in the earlier studies, perhaps due to the possible role of environmental (prenatal) factors in the realization of dermatoglyphics between finger and palm. The development of palmar dermatoglyphics has a relatively longer growth period compared with fingers (Cummins 1929). Thus, the palmar dermatoglyphic pattern of affinities corresponds better than fingers to the ethno-historic background of the populations (Reddy et al. 1988, Karmakar et al. 1989, 2002, 2008, 2010).

Inheritance of 18 quantitative dermatoglyphic traits based on Factors in MZ and DZ twins

18 quantitative finger and palmar dermatoglyphic traits were analyzed with the aim of determining genetic effects and common familial environmental influences on a large (358 nuclear pedigrees) number of twins (MZ and DZ). Genetic analysis based on principal factors includes variance and bivariate variance decomposition analysis. Especially, Factor 1 (digital pattern size) is remarkable, due to its degree of universality. The results of genetic analysis revealed all three extracted factors have significant proportion of additive genetic variance (93.5% to 72.9%). The main results of bivariate variance decomposition analysis appears significant correlation in residual variance between digital pattern size factor (Factor 1) versus finger pattern intensity factor (Factor 4), and palmar main lines factor (Factor 2) verses a-b ridge count (Factor 3), but there was no significant correlation in the genetic variance of factors.

The Quantitative Dermatoglyphic Traits in Three Population Groups of Albanians from Kosovo

The quantitative dermatoglyphic traits from three population groups of Albanians from Kosovo have been analyzed. The first group consists of the population from the Dukagjini valley (106 males and ...

Genetic Determinants of 22 Quantitative Dermatoglyphic Traits in the Chuvashian Population of Russia: Complex Segregation Analysis

Background: Dermatoglyphics is widely used as a genetically determined trait in Anthropology. However, little is known about their pattern of inheritance due to lack of advanced statistical genetic model-fitting techniques despite the existence of advanced statistical packages. Objectives: The aim of the present study is to determine the mode of inheritance of dermatoglyphic traits through complex segregation analysis. Subjects and Methods: Finger and palmar prints of 325 individuals belonging to 104 families from the Chuvashian popu- lation of Russia were used for principal component analysis, familial correlation, and segregation analysis (package MAN-5). Results: The results suggest a common internal structure of three factors when compared with other populations. (b) Sig- nificant familial correlations (except spouse) indicate the involvement of familial components to the variation of dermato- glyphic traits. (c) Segregation analysis reveals the transmission of genetic effects in the families, which follows the Men- delian model and confirm major gene effect on factors 1 and 2, whereas there is no evidence of major gene effect or an environmental effect on factor 3. Conclusion: Major gene involvement with Mendelian expectation regarding finger dermatoglyphics is confirmed for all analyzed traits. However there is no evidence of significant support for major gene effect or environmental effect on pal- mar a-b ridge counts.

Fluctuating asymmetry in quantitative dermatoglyphic traits: twins and singletons

Fluctuating asymmetry for the digital quantitative value was analyzed in a sample of twins (mono and dizygotic) and singletons. The aim was to check if the influence of twinning on the development is expressed in a higher fluctuating asymmetry in twins than in singletons. The results have shown that significant differences exist among the three groups studied, and these differences are fundamentally expressed when the radial and ulnar counts are considered separately.

Qualitative and quantitative dermatoglyphic traits in patients with breast cancer: a prospective clinical study

BackgroundBreast cancer is one of the most extensively studied cancers and its genetic basis is well established. Dermatoglyphic traits are formed under genetic control early in development but may be affected by environmental factors during first trimester of pregnancy. They however do not change significantly thereafter, thus maintaining stability not greatly affected by age. These patterns may represent the genetic make up of an individual and therefore his/her predisposition to certain diseases. Patterns of dermatoglyphics have been studied in various congenital disorders like Down's syndrome and Kleinfelter syndrome. The prints can thus represent a non-invasive anatomical marker of breast cancer risk and thus facilitate early detection and treatment.MethodsThe study was conducted on 60 histo-pathologically confirmed breast cancer patients and their digital dermatoglyphic patterns were studied to assess their association with the type and onset of breast cancer. Simultaneously 60 age-matched controls were also selected that had no self or familial history of a diagnosed breast cancer and the observations were recorded. The differences of qualitative (dermatoglyphic patterns) data were tested for their significance using the chi-square test, and for quantitative (ridge counts and pattern intensity index) data using the t- test.ResultsIt was observed that six or more whorls in the finger print pattern were statistically significant among the cancer patients as compared to controls. It was also seen that whorls in the right ring finger and right little finger were found increased among the cases as compared to controls. The differences between mean pattern intensity index of cases and controls were found to be statistically significant.ConclusionThe dermatoglyphic patterns may be utilized effectively to study the genetic basis of breast cancer and may also serve as a screening tool in the high-risk population. In a developing country like India it might prove to be an anatomical, non-invasive, inexpensive and effective tool for screening and studying the patterns in the high-risk population.

Quantitative Dermatoglyphic Variation among Five Reddi Populations of Southern Andhra Pradesh

Bilateral finger and palm prints of 1000 Reddi males, 200 each of five endogamous groups namely Pokanati (PNR), Pedakanti (PKR), Panta (PTR), Akuthota(ATR) and Palle (PLR), were studied for eight quantitative dermatoglyphic traits. The finger pattern intensity index (FPII) ranging from 12.74 (PNR) to 13.79 (PTR) shows higher values for right hands of all populations. With regard to mean ridge counts (RCs and SRCs) no clear trend is observed. The mean TFRC (132.81) and AFRCs (177.59) are higher in the PTR and PKR respectively. Transversality of ridges on right palms was found to be more as indicated by their uniformly and significantly higher main line index (MLI) values. The bilateral differences for a-b ridge count are insignificant. The five Reddi groups do not show considerable variation in the mean atd angle, the bilaterality being significant with the exception of ATR. F-Values for all traits were calculated to understand the between and within population variations. The distance calculated according to Mahalanobis D 2 between PLR and PKR was found to be more (0.1148) compared to the rest of the pairs of populations. The minimal cluster is formed between PTR and ATR showing lesser within cluster variability.

Familial Correlations for Finger and Palmar Quantitative Dermatoglyphic Features Among the Khurkhul of Manipur

The present study examines the heretability of finger and palmar quantitative dermatoglyphic traits by calculating Karl Pearson's coefficient of correlationship 'r' and regression equation between the actual parents and children and unrelated pairings. The sample is made up of 50 couples and their 135 children (66 sons and 69 daughters) belonging to the Khurkhul community of Manipur. The traits included in the study are: total finger ridge count, absolute finger ridge count, pattern intensity index, palmar main line index, atd-angle and palmar a-b, b-c, c-d ridge counts. Highly significant correlation values higher than the theoretical value of 0.5 of parent-child were observed in the studied quantitative feature, except palmar b-c and c-d ridge counts. The estimated values of correlation coefficient 'r' found in parent (x)-child (y) correlationship for total finger ridge count (TFRC), absolute finger ridge count (AFRC) and finger pattern intensity index (PII) agree with the theoretical value of coefficient of correlation between mid-parent and the child i.e. 1/ √2 or 0.71. In all the studied quantitative dermatoglyphic features, randomly paired unrelated ones show very low correlation values when compared with those of the related parents and children's correlation values, except father-child correlation value of palmar b-c ridge count. Higher correlation coefficient values of 'r' were observed in finger than in palmar. This indicates that environmental factors exert greater effect on the palmar region in early prenatal life than do on the finger.

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.

Latent structure of dermatoglyphs in the population of Selška Valley

The historical records of Selška Valley reveal that the eastern part of this area was first settled by Slovene agrarian colonists, the western part by German colonists and the central part by Friulians. These were later followed by Slovene and Slovenized settlers, who penetrated the valley from north to south. Because of its reproductive isolation, the population of Selška Valley is highly suitable for the study of population structures. The quantitative traits of the digital and palmar dermatoglyphs are polygenetically determined characteristics, which, due to their selective inertness to changes, may provide an insight into microevolutionary processes. The purpose of our study was to identify the possible differences between the populations of villages in the valley and the mountain villages attributable to various migration flows through history. Altogether 340 finger and palm prints of 163 males and 177 females were collected in two groups of villages: (1) the lowland villages (Praprotno, Bukovica, Ševlje, Dolenja vas, Selca, Železniki and Zali log), and (2) the mountain villages (Podlonk, Prtovč, Spodnje Danje, Zgornja Sorica and Spodnja Sorica). The 18 dermatoglyphic variables were analyzed. A statistical analysis using standard methods was performed and the latent structure evaluated using factor analysis. The discriminant analysis and latent structure of the quantitative properties of dermatoglyphs suggest the presence of certain differences in gene pools of two studied populations (the group of villages in the valley and the group of mountain villages). It is highly probable that these differences can be attributed to low migration in the Selška Valley and to the ‘selective inertness’ of quantitative dermatoglyphic traits. In a previous study, no significant biological differences between the studied populations were found in qualitative dermatoglyphic traits. This indicates that Selška Valley and its village populations represent a specific isolate, and therefore expanded studies of this type could significantly contribute to a better understanding of the population concerned and isolates in general.

Relationship between genetic anomalies of different levels and deviation in dermatoglyphic traits

The present study is carried out to evaluate the effect of chromosomal morbidity (82% are 47XXY and in the remaining cases there is the extra X and/or Y) in the males with Klinefelter’s syndrome, based on dermatoglyphic traits and indices of diversity and asymmetry. The main objectives of the present study is to find dermatoglyphic traits and fluctuating asymmetry indices which could be “marker traits” and could indicate the degree of developmental instability of the organism. The sample of males with Klinefelter’s syndrome (N=171) was collected in the Institute of Human Genetics of Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan, Israel, by Professor Bat-Miriam Katznelson during 20 years, between 1968–1988. All patients were confirmed by chromosomal examination. The finger and palm prints were collected with the aid of pads manufactured by Lamedco Inc., Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S.A. Interpretation of the prints was according to Cummins and Midlo (1961) and Penrose (1968) and included identification of patterns, ridge counts and the measurements of distances sum of and angles in the palms. 79 dermatoglyphic variables for every patient: 28 continuous traits, 9 discrete traits, 11 indices of intra-individual diversity, 15 indices of directional asymmetry and 16 indices of fluctuating asymmetry were estimated. The problem of asymmetry, fluctuating and directional and of intraindividual diversity of quantitative dermatoglyphic traits is reviewed here as well as illustrated by data obtained on a sample of healthy control group of Jews from Israel. In this first part of our paper we will discuss the data on individual dermatoglyphic traits on digits and palms. The second part will be dedicated to multivariate analysis in order to compare between Klinefelter’s syndrome and control healthy individuals based on quantitative dermatoglyphic traits and indices of diversity and asymmetry.

Population structure in Sardinia on the basis of quantitative palmar dermatoglyphic traits

We describe the genetic structure of twenty Sardinian subpopulations using quantitative palmar dermatoglyphic traits (a-b, and A-d counts, atd angle value, coefficient of Turpin and Lejeune, main line index, mean of A-, B-, C, and D-line terminations) of 3777 subjects (2043 males and 1734 females). The twenty subdivisions represent sixteen historical-geographic areas of the island in which people speaks Sardinian language, Sassarese and Gallura areas in which people speaks two Italian dialects, and the two communities of Alghero (Catalan speaking) and Carloforte (Ligurian speaking). Analysis was carried out for both hands and both sexes combined and using R-matrix technique and the extension of the Harpending-Ward model to quantitative traits according to Relethford & Blangero (1990). Multivariate minimum Fst value (0.0127) is higher than that of most. Mediterranean populations and shows the importance of isolation and genetic drift as evolutive forces at the basis of microdifferentiation among the Sardinian subpopulations considered. However, when the four populations not speaking Sardinian language are removed from the analysis, the value of Fst decreases to 0.008. The regression of mean genetic variance on distances from the centroid (rii values) states the marked effect of the genetic drift for Nuorese and Barbagia di Ollolai subdivisions (placed in the inner and mountainous areas of Sardinia) and reveals considerable levels of admixture for Carloforte subdivision. The contemporary genetic structure of these groups reflects their historical, linguistic and geographic characteristics. On the whole, our analysis confirms the usefulness of quantitative dermatoglyphic traits in studying genetic population structure.

Dermatoglyphic analysis of different types of bronchopulmonary carcinoma

In this investigation of etiology of carcinoma the discriminant analysis and Mahalonobis D2 biological distance was carried out on the sample of a group of 30l patients with four different histological types of bronchopulmonary carcinoma and compared with 400 phenotypically healthy persons. Prints of dermatoglyphs were taken for l8 quantitative dermatoglyphic traits on fingers and palms. Discriminant analysis has shown palmar variables as primary discriminating variables between the patients suffering from different types of carcinoma and phenotypicalty healthy controls, and between the group of patients suffering from carcinoma. Discriminant classification is very high between patients suffer-ing from carcinoma and phenotypically healthy controls in mates and in females. Mahalanobis D2 biological distances show dif-ferences between the group of cancers and phenotypically healthy controls. This findings clearly show the genetical predisposition for the disease, but genetic interpretations do not exclude environmen-tat inlluences during the period of early intrauterine life in pa-tients suffering from carcinoma.

Relationship between genetic anomalies of different levels and deviations in dermatoglyphic traits. Part 2: Dermatoglyphic peculiarities of females with Turner's syndrome

The present study is carried out to evaluate the effect of chromosomal morbidity (45x/46xx or 45x/47xxx or 45x) in the females with Turner syndrome, based on dermatoglyphic traits and indices of diversity and asymmetry. The main objectives of the present study is to find dermatoglyphic traits and fluctuating asymmetry indices which could be "marker traits" and could indicate the degree of developmental instability of the organism. The sample of Turner females (N = 57) was collected in the Genetic Institute of Sheba Hospital, Tel Aviv, Israel, by Professor Bat-Miriam Katznelson during 20 years, between 1968-1988. All patients were checked by chromosomal examination and finger and palm prints were collected with the aid of pads manufactured by Lamedco Inc. Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S.A. Interpretation of the prints was according to Cummins & Midlo (1961) and Penrose (1968) and included identification of patterns, ridge counts and the measurements of distances and angles in the palms. 79 dermatoglyphic variables for every patient: 28 continuous traits, 9 discrete traits, 11 indices of intraindividual diversity, 15 indices of directional asymmetry and 16 indices of fluctuating asymmetry were estimated. The problem of asymmetry, fluctuating and directional and of intraindividual diversity of quantitative dermatoglyphic traits is here reviewed as well as illustrated by data obtained on a sample of healthy control group of Jews from Israel.

Dermatoglyphic a-b ridge count as a possible marker for developmental disturbance in schizophrenia: replication in two samples

The aim of this study was to conduct an epidemiological analysis of quantitative dermatoglyphic traits as a marker of prenatal disturbance during the second trimester of life in schizophrenic patients. TFRC (Total Finger Ridge Count) and TABRC (Total a-b Ridge Count) were studied in a sample of 38 schizophrenic patients and 69 healthy individuals. A significant decrease of the a-b ridge count was found in patients compared to controls, with a significant linear trend across the population distribution (OR linear trend = 1.6; 95% CI = 1.0–2.4), indicating that the effect was not confined to a subgroup of cases with values in the lowest range. This finding was replicated in a second, larger sample (OR linear trend = 1.3; 95% CI = 1.0–1.8). The suggestion that a-b ridge count is associated with genetic risk for schizophrenia needs to be investigated further. TFRC did not distinguish between patients and controls. The a-b ridge count may be a continuous risk factor for later schizophrenia, pointing towards a disturbance occurring during the second trimester of prenatal life, a period of critical CNS growth.

Dermatoglyphic analysis of La Liebana (Cantabria, Spain). 2. Finger ridge counts

The results of univariate and multivariate analyses of the quantitative finger dermatoglyphic traits (i.e. ridge counts) of a sample of 109 males and 88 females from La Liébana (Cantabria, Spain) are reported. Univariate results follow the trends usually found in previous studies, e.g., ranking of finger ridge counts, bilateral asymmetry or shape of the distributions of the frequencies. However, sexual dimorphism is nearly inexistent concerning finger ridge counts. This lack of dimorphism could be related to certain characteristics of the distribution of finger dermatoglyphic patterns previously reported by the same authors. The multivariate description has been carried out by means of principal component analysis (with varimax rotation to obtain the final solution) of the correlation matrices computed from the 10 maximal finger ridge counts. Although the results do not necessarily prove the concept of developmental fields ("field theory" and later modifications), some precepts of the theory are present: field polarization and field overlapping.

Isolation by distance in Middle Dalmatia—Yugoslavia

Parameters of Malécot's isolation-by-distance model are estimated for biological (anthropometric head and body dimensions, morphometric dimensions of metacarpal bones, quantitative and qualitative dermatoglyphic traits, and physiological/cardiorespiratory/variables) and linguistic distances and migrational kinship on the island of Korcula and the Peljesac peninsula in Middle Dalmatia, Croatia, Yugoslavia. Resulting parameters and the fit of the model are compared, for both regions, as well as with results of similar analysis in other parts of the world. The fit of the model is highly significant for migrational kinship and linguistic distances and less so for biological traits. Differences between these two populations, which live under basically similar ecological conditions, are explained by variation in biological and sociocultural history.