Ridge Skin Research Articles

Dermatoglyphics in patients with eczema, psoriasis and alopecia areata.

The study of patterns of fingerprints is important in anthropology and medical genetics, chiefly because of their diagnostic usefulness. In the present work, we studied the frequencies of various types of skin ridges of the first phalanx in patients with eczema, psoriasis and alopecia areata. In a double-blind case-control study, we determined the frequencies of fingerprints in 551 patients (240 cases with eczema, 164 cases with psoriasis and 147 cases with alopecia areata) as well as in general population of Hamadan City (control group: 188 males and 529 females). We compared the frequencies between various fingers, hands and sexes in all three case groups as well as between case groups and control group. The frequencies of various types of fingerprints are presented in some tables. The results showed that frequencies are not statistically different according to types of fingers, hands (left or right) and sexes as well. But they are significantly different in various case groups and between case groups and control group. We can conclude that frequencies of various patterns of skin ridges differ in eczema, psoriasis and alopecia areata from normal population.

Demonstration of characteristic skin surface contours of extramammary Paget's disease and parapsoriasis en plaque by image analysis of negative impression replicas

The surface contours of lesional skin of certain skin diseases, such as parapsoriasis en plaque (PEP) and extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD), in which there is a massive infiltration by non-epidermal cells, looks somewhat different from that of the adjacent normal skin, needless to state that they are apparently different from that of ordinary chronic inflammatory dermatoses where we found acanthotic epidermis accompanied by hyperkeratosis. We attempted to objectively characterize these unique skin surface changes qualitatively and quantitatively using non-invasive methods. Negative impression replicas were taken from the lesional skin of patients with EMPD or PEP as well as from the adjacent uninvolved skin. The findings were confirmed histologically. The replicas were examined by using computerized image analysis. Several parameters were analyzed that correlate with the changes in the anisotropy of the skin furrows (VC1), average skin roughness (KSD), average length of skin furrows (LEN), and number of skin furrows (NUM). There were significant decreases in KSD and NUM in EMPD, indicating a smoother skin surface in the lesional skin than in the adjacent normal skin. In contrast, the PEP lesion had an increase in VC1 and LEN and a decrease in NUM, which suggests larger skin ridges in the lesional skin than in the uninvolved skin. Thus the unique skin surface of the cutaneous disorders accompanied by epidermal invasion by non-epidermal cells, such as EMPD and PEP, was characterized both qualitatively and quantitatively using computerized image analysis of negative impression replicas.

Abnormal skin wrinkling in the less affected side in hemiparkinsonism – a possible test for sympathetic dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease

Some patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) suffer from autonomic dysfunction, even in the early stage of the disease. We examined the skin wrinkling response following immersion of the hands in warm water in 18 patients with hemiparkinsonism. This test evaluates the function of the sympathetic autonomic system. Mean age of the patients was 61 ± 10 and mean disease duration 5.5 ± 3.5 years. Both hands of each patient were immersed in warm water for 30 minutes and the number of skin ridges of the fingertip of each finger was counted. The results of each hand were compared to those of nine healthy controls. The mean number of the ridges of the less affected hand was significantly decreased as compared to the affected hand and controls (6.1 ± 6.8 vs 13.1 ± 6.8 and 15.3 ± 8.5, respectively; P < 0.01). These results suggest that autonomic dysfunction is prevalent in the less affected side of patients with PD and can be simply tested by the skin response test.

Transfer of biological traces in cases of hanging and ligature strangulation

In hanging and ligature strangulation, the noose mostly causes a mark or groove which is formed partly by compression of the skin and partly by abrasion with loss of the upper epidermal layers. The horny scales abraded from the neck may be transferred to the strangulation device or to the interposed textiles where they are sometimes visible at stereomicroscopic examination or even to the naked eye as silver–grey particles. The morphologic features of the epidermal transfer due to hanging and ligature strangulation is demonstrated by 14 case examples. The biological traces may be sufficient for comparative DNA typing by means of PCR-based methods. In 9 out of the 14 cases, genomic DNA typing was successful. Analysis of mtDNA succeeded in another two cases, although genomic DNA could not be detected. Beside the accumulation of solid epidermic particles the paper describes deposition of serous and fatty tissue fluid at the ligature (mainly adjacent to skin ridges).

SA1 and RA receptive fields, response variability, and population responses mapped with a probe array.

Twenty-four slowly adapting type 1 (SA1) and 26 rapidly adapting (RA) cutaneous mechanoreceptive afferents in the rhesus monkey were studied with an array of independently controlled, punctate probes that covered an entire fingerpad. Each afferent had a receptive field (RF) on a single fingerpad and was studied at 73 skin sites (50 mm2). The entire array was lowered to 1.6 mm below the point of initial skin contact (the background indentation) before delivering single-probe indentations. SA1 and RA responses differed in several ways. 1) SA1 RF boundaries were affected much less by indentation depth than were RA boundaries, and the SA1 RF areas were much more uniform in size. The mean SA1 RF area grew from 5.1 to 8.8 mm2 as the indentation depth increased from 50 to 500 microm; the mean RA RF area grew from 5.5 to 22.4 mm2 over the same intensity range. 2) SA1 RFs were more elongated than RA RFs. Elongated RFs were oriented in all directions relative to the skin ridges and the finger axis. 3) SA1 impulse rates were linear functions of indentation depth at all probe locations in the RF; RA responses tended toward saturation beginning at 100 microm indentation depth when the probe was over the HS. Similarities between SA1 and RA responses were that 1) both were extremely repeatable with SDs < 1 impulse per trial and 2) both had population responses (number of impulses) that were nearly linear functions of indentation depth. However, SA1s represented increasing indentation depth by increasing impulse rates in a small, relatively constant group of afferents, whereas the RAs represented increasing indentation depth predominantly by the recruitment of new afferents at a distance.

Specialized keratin expression pattern in human ridged skin as an adaptation to high physical stress.

We have analysed the expression of keratins in the epidermis of normal human palm and sole skin (ridged skin) using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. The epidermis of human ridged skin expresses a more complex pattern of keratins than thin skin, which is probably due to the greater stress that ridged skin has to withstand. In addition to keratin K9, we document specific expression patterns of keratins K6, K16 and K17 which are suggestive of regional adaptations of this epidermis to a high cell turnover rate. In particular, the sequestered location of nests of K17-positive cells at the bottom of the deep primary epidermal ridges supports the notion of functional heterogeneity of basal cells and suggests that the K17-positive sites may include stem cells. Expression of K6 and K16 in some basal and most suprabasal keratinocytes is compatible with a constitutively high proliferative activity of normal ridged epidermis, but may also reflect different physical properties of the suprabasal cells, in contrast with regions expressing K9. The distinct labelling patterns observed in primary and secondary epidermal ridges as well as epidermal layers above dermal papillae suggest the existence of local microenvironmental niches leading to differences in keratinocyte differentiation.

Halophryne hutchinsi: A New Toadfish (Batrachoididae) from the Philippine Islands and Pulau Waigeo, Indonesia

Halophyrne hutchinsi is described based on 17 specimens. This species had been confused with H. diemensis, a species only known from Pulau Waigeo, Indonesia, south through New Guinea to Australia. Halophyrne hutchinsi differs from the other three species of Halophryne by the following characters: from H. ocellatus, H. queenslandiae, and H. diemensis, in having 19-21 (vs 22 or more) pectoral-fin rays; 14-15 anal-fin rays (vs 16 or more); and 17-19 dorsal-fin rays (vs 19 or more, usually 20 or more). It further differs from H. diemensis in having 25-27 vertebrae (vs 27-28); 22-25 lower lateral-line pores (vs 33-37); no parallel skin ridges on the head; and not having a large area of exposed bone on the dorsocranium.

A comparison of the gross morphology and micro‐anatomy of the foot pads in two fossorial and two climbing rodents (Mammalia)

AbstractThe foot pads of five rodents were studied by means of gross morphology and histology. The secretory portions of the glands are placed caudad to the openings of the ducts in species that mostly walk on the ground. This way the secretions are pressed out during walking by rolling on the foot pads craniad. In climbing species, the secretory portions are placed underneath the openings of the ducts and lead to secretion delivery during climbing by grasping. With their small and flat pads with few glands, digging species have a rather smooth and dry volar aspect to work in a shovel‐like way. In contrast, climbing species have large and soft foot pads with a lot of glands. The thickness of the cornified layer is positively correlated with the density of glands and increases strikingly from digging to climbing species. Although scent production is possible for these glands, this points to a function of the secretions in connection with the cornified layer. In climbing species, the secretions of glands can moisten the skin and thereby heighten the friction between volar and climbing surface to prevent the animal from slipping. The density of glands per unit of surface is doubled in the ridged skin of Muscardinus avellanarius in comparison with the coned skin in Micromys minutus. While M. minutus mainly climbs by grasping stalks of reed and can tighten the grip by increasing the grasping force, M. avellanarius often climbs by pressing the volar aspect on to the bark, whereby friction is increased by the moistened skin.

A comparison of the gross morphology and micro-anatomy of the foot pads in two fossorial and two climbing rodents (Mammalia)

The foot pads of five rodents were studied by means of gross morphology and histology. The secretory portions of the glands are placed caudad to the openings of the ducts in species that mostly walk on the ground. This way the secretions are pressed out during walking by rolling on the foot pads craniad. In climbing species, the secretory portions are placed underneath the openings of the ducts and lead to secretion delivery during climbing by grasping. With their small and flat pads with few glands, digging species have a rather smooth and dry volar aspect to work in a shovel-like way. In contrast, climbing species have large and soft foot pads with a lot of glands. The thickness of the cornified layer is positively correlated with the density of glands and increases strikingly from digging to climbing species. Although scent production is possible for these glands, this points to a function of the secretions in connection with the cornified layer. In climbing species, the secretions of glands can moisten the skin and thereby heighten the friction between volar and climbing surface to prevent the animal from slipping. The density of glands per unit of surface is doubled in the ridged skin of Muscardinus avellanarius in comparison with the coned skin in Micromys minutus. While M. minutus mainly climbs by grasping stalks of reed and can tighten the grip by increasing the grasping force, M. avellanarius often climbs by pressing the volar aspect on to the bark, whereby friction is increased by the moistened skin.

Development of an Artificial Skin Ridge for Pattern Recognition

This paper describes a sensing technique which utilizes artificial neural networks and a distributed sensor. The concept resembles the manner in which humans use their fingertips to touch objects, and subsequently use their brains to classify and recognize images detected. There are three major components of the designed sensor: a compliant skin is made of rubber with wedge-shaped ridge, an energy transducer which is a piezoelectric polyvinyledene fluoride film, and neural networks which are used to characterize signals through a learning process. The backpropagation is used as a learning rule, thus, learning required a set of input patterns each paired with a desired output pattern. The objective for the networks is to learn and memorize, after proper training, in order to reproduce desired outputs. Experimental results show that the sensor with artificial neural nets is very effective at recognizing Braille characters including SIX, SEVEN, EIGHT, UP, DOWN, LEFT, and RIGHT.

Dermatoglyphics in offspring of women given gamma globulin prophylaxis during pregnancy.

The fingertip dermatoglyphic patterns were studied in 93 infants whose mothers had been given gamma globulin (GG) prophylaxis against hepatitis on known gestational dates. The prevalence of infants with whorl patterns on 0-3 fingertips and that of infants with ulnar loops on 9 or 10 fingertips were significantly higher (P < 0.02 and P = 0.01, respectively) in offspring of women given prophylaxis during the first 162 days of pregnancy than in those whose mothers received GG at a later stage of gestation. These findings were particularly prominent in infants who had been exposed to > or = 5 ml of GG in the first 162 days of gestation. In light of these observations, and of previously noted dermatoglyphic changes in offspring of women who had gestational prophylaxis against rubella, it appears that exogenous GG can influence the prenatal development of fingertip skin ridge patterns, and that this influence is responsive to the gestational timing and dosage of GG administered.

Morphology of the keratin filament network in palm and sole skin: evidence for site-dependent features based on stereological analysis.

Ridged or glabrous skin of palms and soles has a specialized function and can be preferentially involved in various disorders of keratinization. To better define the morphological features of ridged skin, we carried out a qualitative and quantitative (stereological) analysis of normal epidermis from the palm and sole of four subjects. Skin from the upper arm was examined for control purposes. The study focused on the appearance and arrangement of the keratin filament network in relation to epidermal differentiation. Whereas palm and sole epidermis was essentially similar both qualitatively and quantitatively, it differed markedly from the epidermis from the arm. The volume density of keratin filaments was significantly higher (P < 0.03) in all subcorneal layers of the palm and sole compared with the arm. The volume density of the keratin filaments increased markedly from the basal to the upper spinous layer of ridged skin and they formed denser aggregates in the upper spinous and granular layers, providing an extensive matrix for the deposition of keratohyalin. The presence of dense keratin aggregates appeared to be a distinct ultrastructural feature of human ridged skin. Such keratin aggregates have not been described in normal skin from other sites, but showed some resemblance to the keratin clumps seen in non-ridged skin of patients with the Dowling-Meara form of epidermolysis bullosa simplex.

Dermatoglyphics in Darier's disease.

Darier's disease is an acantholytic dyskeratotic genodermatosis with autosomal dominant inheritance. A predictive diagnostic marker for this disorder would be beneficial because of the relatively late onset and the large number of sporadic cases of the disease. The dermatoglyphic features of patients with Darier's disease were examined to determine whether they have a common pattern. Ink prints of fingers and palms obtained from 11 patients of both sexes with sporadic and familial Darier's disease were analyzed and compared with those of normal subjects. No significant quantitative or qualitative differences were found between the dermatoglyphic features of our patients and those of a healthy population, except for punctate interruptions of the skin ridges that indicate pitting, a well-known manifestation of Darier's disease. These results refute the conclusions of a previous publication claiming that there is a common characteristic dermatoglyphic feature in patients with this dermatosis.

AUTOMATED FINGERPRINT ANALYSIS OFFERS FAST VERIFICATION

Widespread interest is being shown in a biometric system based on the well‐established approach of fingerprint identification, but avoiding both the heavy data demand and the doubtful social acceptability associated with an actual fingerprint record. The technique extracts certain key features from a fingerprint or other friction ridge skin pattern and compresses them into only 918 data bits — small enough to be written into tracks one and three of an ISO standard magnetic stripe card. It is not possible to reconstruct a fingerprint from the data.

Keratohyalin granules are heterogeneous in ridged and non-ridged human skin: evidence from anti-filaggrin immunogold labelling of normal skin and skin of autosomal dominant ichthyosis vulgaris patients

Recent biochemical and morphological investigations have provided evidence for a heterogeneous composition of keratohyalin in human skin. A major component is filaggrin. In interfollicular epidermis the heterogeneity of keratohyalin is not directly visible, whereas in normal ridged skin bicomponent keratohyalin is revealed by electron microscopy. Skin biopsies of ridged and non-ridged skin of normal individuals and patients with autosomal dominant ichthyosis vulgaris (ADI)--characterized by defective keratohyalin synthesis and lack of filaggrin--were investigated by routine transmission electron microscopy and immunogold postembedding techniques using a commercial monoclonal anti-filaggrin antibody. In normal interfollicular epidermis filaggrin labelling was demonstrated on keratohyalin granules and in the lowermost cornified cells, whereas in ADI patients crumbly keratohyalin granules were present that did not show specific labelling for filaggrin. In normal ridged skin only the major (more electron-dense) component reacted with anti-filaggrin, whereas the attached (less electron-dense) component did not react. Ridged skin of ADI patients contained globular keratohyalin that did not react with anti-filaggrin, thus corresponding to the attached keratohyalin component in normal ridged skin. Our results provide a visible counterpart to the recent biochemical investigations of keratohyalin protein heterogeneity and contribute to the understanding of terminal differentiation in human skin and of the defective keratohyalin synthesis in ADI.

Culicoides obsoletus (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) as a Causal Agent of Culicoides Hypersensitivity (Sweet Itch) in British Columbia

Six horses severely affected by a seasonal dermatitis similar in both histopathology and epidemiology to Culicoides hypersensitivity (CH) and six unaffected or normal horses were inoculated intradermally with an extract of Culicoides obsoletus (Meigen), the most common Culicoides in southwestern British Columbia. Affected horses developed large welts within 20 min after injection, representing an immediate (type I) reaction; welts were largest 24 h or more after challenge, indicating in addition a delayed (type IV) reaction. This reaction was discernible for greater than 3 wk in some of the affected horses. Normal horses developed small welts which peaked 2-4 h after challenge. Affected horses were irritated by the injections and developed characteristically ridged skin at the injection sites, similar to that seen in natural lesions, whereas the normal horses showed neither discomfort nor clinical signs. C. obsoletus is one of the most numerous Culicoides species biting horses, feeds on parts of the body where lesions are found, and is, we believe, responsible for dermatitis in the Pacific Northwest. The skin test was repeated 2 yr later in three of the affected horses. In two, the reactions were similar to those in the first test, but in the third horse, the reaction was greatly reduced after the second test. This paralleled a decrease in the severity of its natural clinical signs. Thus, a skin test may be useful in the diagnosis of Culicoides hypersensitivity.

Controversies: Merkel cell carcinoma of the ear

All the consultants agree that, given this patient's history, a common skin tumor like squamous cell or basal cell carcinoma is unlikely. Melanoma or Merkel cell carcinoma belong in the differential. Interestingly, the consultants all suggest a biopsy of the lesion prior to other testing, and because this tumor is so accessible, a biopsy should not interfere with further testing or treatment. Drs. Weymuller and Marks would then proceed with a CT scan; Dr. Ridge favors an MRI scan. While a chest-ray is in order to rule out metastases, Dr. Weymuller also suggests immunocytochemistry. All the experts agree that the primary tumor should be excised. Dr. Weymuller would perform a total parotidectomy with facial nerve preservation, while Drs. Marks and Ridge suggest a superficial parotidectomy with facial nerve preservation. Drs. Weymuller and Ridge would also perform a modified radical neck dissection. In the absence of cervical disease, Dr. Marks would treat the neck primarily with radiotherapy. Only Dr. Weymuller favors immediate reconstruction and would use a lower trapezius island flap or a large rotational flap. Drs. Marks and Ridge prefer primary closure or skin graft. Drs. Weymuller and Ridge would treat this patient with combined therapy, giving radiotherapy to the primary area and the neck postoperatively at a dose of 55-60 Gy. However, Dr. Marks would treat the primary site postoperatively and the neck primarily with radiotherapy. He would treat the primary site with 59.40 Gy and the neck with 50.40 Gy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Hereditary palmoplantar keratosis of the Gamborg Nielsen type

A new kind of diffuse palmoplantar keratoderma with autosomal recessive inheritance and without associated symptoms was described in Norrbotten, Sweden by Gamborg Nielsen in 1985. Clinically, it ranges between the less severe dominant Unna-Thost type and the more severe recessive Meleda type, as it is milder than the latter. Skin biopsies of five patients from three different families with this new palmoplantar keratoderma, as well as five obligatory heterozygotes from one family, were investigated ultrastructurally in order to characterize this new entity and to differentiate it from the Meleda type. Several features are common to both autosomal recessive palmoplantar keratoses. They show a broadened granular layer, a transit region consisting of cells with a marginal envelope, and considerable hyperkeratosis. Morphologically, this transformation delay is less pronounced in the Gamborg Nielsen type than in the classical Meleda type. As is typical for ridged skin, both types of palmoplantar keratoses possess composite keratohyaline granules. In contrast to the normal appearance of keratohyaline granules in the Meleda type, the Gamborg Nielsen type also shows qualitative deviations of keratohyaline granules with different degrees of spongiosity and electron density and sometimes with a granular border. It seems that abnormal keratohyaline proteins are synthesized that behave differently. The sudden transformation of a granular into a horny cell is physiologically regulated by different enzymes. A delay in this process may be caused by a mutation that reduces or alters the enzymes concerned. We assume the palmoplantar keratoderma of the Gamborg Nielsen type to be a variant of the heterogeneous group of the Meleda type of palmoplantar keratoderma with autosomal recessive inheritance.

Bicomponent keratohyalin in normal human ridged skin

Up to now, bicomponent keratohyalin has only been described for rat epithelium and human intraepidermal sweat ducts and fetal nail organ cells. In normal human interductal epidermis, the keratohyalin appears homogeneous, osmiophilic and stellate in shape. Under pathological conditions, bicomponent keratohyalin has been observed in different palmoplantar keratoses and has therefore been thought to be associated with abnormal keratosis. We studied the keratinization process in normal human plantar epidermis, in which keratohyalin was found to exhibit several morphological differences as compared to that seen in non-ridged skin. The most striking feature was seen in upper granular cells, where the keratohyalin granules consisted of two components of differing electron density. The electron-dense component formed the main part of the composite granule and was found in the cytoplasm of lower and upper granular cells. The less-electron-dense component was attached to the main component and appeared in the cytoplasm of upper granular cells, forming the convex contact zone. No intranuclear osmiophilic inclusions were present. The respective electron densities of the two keratohyalin components of ridged skin were obviously different to that of the bicomponent keratohyalin granules seen in the epidermal sweat-duct cells of the same specimen. These findings indicate the presence of at least two different types of keratohyalin proteins in normal human ridged skin. They can be distinguished at the electron-microscope level and differ from the keratohyalin of human non-ridged skin as well as from bicomponent keratohyalin granules derived from human epidermal sweat-duct cells or from rat epithelium.

Touch Organs in the Hairy and Glabrous Skin of Some Mammals (an Ultrastructural Comparison)

Touch organs of the skin in mammals consist of a mechanical transducting component and a sensory component. In the hairy skin, examples of these mechanical transducting components can be seen in the epithelium of hair follicles, and in the hairless skin in the epidermal papillae of the cone skin or the epidermal ridges of the ridges skin. In hairy skin all sinus and guards hairs and most of the vellus hairs are touch organs. The sinus and guard hairs are equiped with Merkel endings, free nerve endings, palisades of lanceolate nerve endings and pilo-Ruffini complexes. The total number of nerve endings varies in guard hairs between 50-200 and between 500-2000 in sinus hairs depending on the size of the follicle. The skin surrounding the body orifices, glabrous skin of the tip of the nose and skin of the finger tips is rich in touch organs. Touch organs of the cone skin known as Eimer organs consist of free nerve endings and of Merkel endings innervating the epidermal cone. Below these cones, the papillary layer shows small lamellated corpuscles and also free nerve endings. In the ridge skin epithelial ridges and crypts, the corresponding dermal papillae, their blood vessels and nervous elements together form the touch organs. In the basal layer of the glandular ridge up to 10 Merkel nerve endings are visible. In young individuals the connective tissue papilla of each crypt shows one Meissner corpuscle and several free nerve endings.