Comparative dermatoglyphic study of fingerprint patterns in patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls

Purpose : The aim of this study was to compare the fingerprint patterns in patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls.Material and methods : The study included 136 patients with schizophrenia (72 males, 64 females) and 113 mentally healthy subjects (52 males, 61 females) of Bulgarian origin. Fingerprints were obtained using an ink method and were read with light (6D) magnification in accordance with the methods given by Cummins, Midlo. The data were analyzed with SPSS 17.0.Results : Our results showed a higher mean score of whorls and lower mean score of loops and arches for both hands in schizophrenia males compared with their same-sex controls. Schizophrenia females had a higher mean score of arches and whorls, but lower mean score of loops for both hands, compared with the healthy females. The differences were statistically significant for the loops and whorls of the left hands in males, and for the loops of the left hands and those of both hands in females. Conclusion : Within the context of neurodevelopmental hypothesis of mental disorders dermatoglyphic traits may become reliable biological markers of the timing of prenatal damage and the pathogenetic mechanisms behind it

Application of odontometric dimensions of molars in sex assessment in Bulgarians

Introduction: Sex estimation is an important step in developing a biological profile. Teeth are one of the most durable physical elements in the human body and thus can be used very successfully for this purpose. The aim of the present study was to determine sex differences in odontometric dimensions of maxillary and mandibular molars in Bulgarians. Materials and methods: The study included 232 healthy subjects (121 males, 111 females) of Bulgarian origin in the age group of 20–40 years, with fully erupted, periodontal disease free, caries free, non-worn teeth. Vestibulolingual, mesiodistal and cervicoincisal (coronal height) dimensions of maxillary and mandibular molars were measured by Dentistry Sliding Vernier Caliper, Ridge Mapping Caliper Type A and Type B and analyzed with SPSS 23.0. The level of statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results: Cervicoincisal dimensions in both maxillary and mandibular molars, except for the maxillary left second molars, were significantly higher in males compared to females. Similar statistically significant differences were found in mesiodistal dimensions in first molars from both jaws. Vestibulolingual dimensions in both maxillary and mandibular first molars and mandibular second molars were significantly higher in males compared to females as well. Conclusions: The results of our measurements exhibited statistically significant sex differences in both maxillary and mandibular molars in people of Bulgarian origin. In accordance with similar odontometric studies, molars may successfully differentiate both sexes and thus determine the need for further investigations in this field

Ultrasound fusion imaging system in neurology practice

The ultrasound fusion imaging (UFI) system is a new promising imaging modality that combines live ultrasound investigations with preregistered CT, MRI, or PET images. In this study, we want to present our initial experience with the new method that combines the transcranial color-coded sonography (TCCS) in different insonation planes and the 3T-weighted MRI cerebral images. The study validates the diagnostic capabilities of the system to detect different normal cerebral structures in healthy volunteers. In the present paper, we also discuss the advantages of US fusion imaging technology and its clinical applications in Neurology