Dermatoglyphs in Patients with Beta-Thalassemia Major and Their Thalassemia Carrier Parents

Dermatoglyphs are cutaneous ridges on the fingers, palms, and soles, formed during early intrauterine life. During this period, and only then, genetic and environmental factors can influence their formation. Beta-thalassemia major is an genetic disease. The aim of the present work was to analyze dermatoglyphs traits in subjects with beta-thalassemia major and their thalassemia carrier parents. The sample included 59 patients with beta-thalassemia major (39 males, 20 females). We also analyzed a total of 61 thalassemia carrier parents. There were 38 mothers and 23 fathers in the study. The control group comprised 120 healthy subjects (64 men, 56 women). All ten fingers and right hand palm prints of all participants were taken and statistically analyzed. The results of analyses showed that the frequency of loops on the fifth finger of left hand was significantly higher in female patients than that of carriers and controls (p<0.05). It was also significantly higher in female patients than that male patients (p=0.03). The increase in mean c-d ridge count was noticed in female patients only (p=0.04) compared to carriers and controls. In addition to that there was also differences according to the mean c-d ridge count between female and male patients (p=0.01). Our study showed that dermatoglyphs were helpful for the diagnosis of beta-thalassemia major. However, it does not help to detect thalassemia carriers. This study is the comprehensive dermatoglyphic research on thalassemia, and its dermatoglyphic data will be useful for future research in genetics and medicine

Replacement decisions with maintenance under uncertainty: An imbedded optimal control model

How should a manager make replacement decisions for a chain of machines over time if each is maintained by an optimal control model addressing uncertainty of machine breakdowns? A network representation of the problem involves arcs with interdependent costs. A solution algorithm is presented and replacement considerations under technological change are incorporated into a well-known optimal control model for maintenance under uncertainty (that of Kamien and Schwartz 1971). The method is illustrated by an example

The reliability and validity of subjective notational analysis in comparison to global positioning system tracking to assess athlete movement patterns

Subjective notational analysis can be used to track players and analyse movement patterns during match-play of team sports such as futsal. The purpose of this study was to establish the validity and reliability of the Event Recorder for subjective notational analysis. A course was ·designed, replicating ten minutes of futsal match-play movement patterns, where ten participants undertook the course. The course allowed a comparison of data derived from subjective notational analysis, to the known distances of the course, and to GPS data. The study analysed six locomotor activity categories, focusing on total distance covered, total duration of activities and total frequency of activities. The values between the known measurements and the Event Recorder were similar, whereas the majority of significant differences were found between the Event Recorder and GPS values. The reliability of subjective notational analysis was established with all ten participants being analysed on two occasions, as well as analysing five random futsal players twice during match-play. Subjective notational analysis is a valid and reliable method of tracking player movements, and may be a preferred and more effective method than GPS, particularly for indoor sports such as futsal, and field sports where short distances and changes in direction are observed

Reasons, Coherence, and Group Rationality

Philosophy and Phenomenological Research, EarlyView

The Relationship Between Belief and Credence

Sometimes epistemologists theorize about belief, a tripartite attitude on which one can believe, withhold belief, or disbelieve a proposition. In other cases, epistemologists theorize about credence, a fine-grained attitude that represents one’s subjective probability or confidence level toward a proposition. How do these two attitudes relate to each other? This article explores the relationship between belief and credence in two categories: descriptive and normative. It then explains the broader significance of the belief-credence connection and concludes with general lessons from the debate thus far

High-resolution radiation hybrid mapping in wheat: an essential tool for the construction of the wheat physical maps

ArtigoO poema épico da época moderna nasce na literatura portuguesa como oceânico logo a partir da sua gestação. Este estudo enquadra a sua génese num contexto europeu.Università di Roma, La Sapienz

Serum organochlorines and urinary porphyrin pattern in a population highly exposed to hexachlorobenzene

BACKGROUND: Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is caused by hexachlorobenzene (HCB) in several species of laboratory mammals, but the human evidence is contradictory. In a study among adults of a population highly exposed to HCB (Flix, Catalonia, Spain), the prevalence of PCT was not increased. We aimed at analysing the association of individual urinary porphyrins with the serum concentrations of HCB and other organochlorine compounds in this highly exposed population. METHODS: A cross-sectional study on total porphyrins was carried out in 1994 on 604 inhabitants of the general population of Flix, older than 14 years. Of them, 241 subjects (comprising a random sample and the subgroup with the highest exposure) were included for the present study. The porphyrin profile was determined by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Serum concentrations of HCB, as well as common organochlorine compounds, were determined by gas chromatography coupled to electron capture detection. RESULTS: Coproporphyrin I (CPI) and coproporphyrin III (CPIII) were the major porphyrins excreted, while uroporphyrins I and III were only detected in 2% and 36% of the subjects respectively, and heptaporphyrins I and III in 1% and 6%, respectively. CPI and CPIII decreased with increasing HCB concentrations (p < 0.05). This negative association was not explained by age, alcohol, smoking, or other organochlorine compounds. No association was found between uroporphyrin I and III excretion, nor heptaporphyrin excretion, and HCB. CPIII increased with smoking (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: HCB exposure in this highly exposed population did not increase urinary concentrations of individual porphyrins

Bioactive plasma coatings on orthodontic brackets: In Vitro metal ion release and cytotoxicity

The metal ion release characteristics and biocompatibility of meta-based materials are key factors that influence their use in orthodontics. Although stainless steel-based alloys have gained much interest and use due to their mechanical properties and cost, they are prone to localised attack after prolonged exposure to the hostile oral environment. Metal ions may induce cellular toxicity at high dosages. To circumvent these issues, orthodontic brackets were coated with a functional nanothin layer of plasma polymer and further immobilised with enantiomers of tryptophan. Analysis of the physicochemical properties confirmed the presence of functional coatings on the surface of the brackets. The quantification of metal ion release using mass spectrometry proved that plasma functionalisation could minimise metal ion release from orthodontic brackets. Furthermore, the biocompatibility of the brackets has been improved after functionalisation. These findings demonstrate that plasma polymer facilitated surface functionalisation of orthodontic brackets is a promising approach to reducing metal toxicity without impacting their bulk properties.Lasni Samalka Kumarasinghe, Neethu Ninan, Panthihage Ruvini Lakshika Dabare, Alex Cavallaro, Esma J. Dogramacı, Giampiero Rossi-Fedele ... et al