bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Agriculture and Rural Economic Growth
Authors: Deller Steven C. , Gould Brian W. , Jones Bruce
Published: July 2016

The role of farm dependency and size on rural economic growth is examined with data from 2,240 nonmetropolitan U.S. counties for the period 1990–1995. A simple neoclassical model of regional economic growth is set forth with a central question relating to the role of agriculture on rural economic convergence. Traditional neoclassical theory predicts that poor rural areas should grow proportionally faster than rich areas. As interpreted in the academic literature and popular press, a preponderance of small family farms should enhance growth. Results suggest that a higher level of local dependence on production agriculture could lower growth rates.
Investigation of Factors Influencing the Technical Efficiency of Agricultural Producers Participating in Farm Credit Programs: The Case of Greece
Authors: Rezitis Anthony N. , Tsiboukas Kostas , Tsoukalas Stauros
Published: July 2016

This study investigates a number of factors influencing technical efficiency of Greek farms participating in the 1994 European Union (EU) farm credit program. Technical efficiency measures are obtained within the framework of a parametric stochastic frontier. Factors showing a positive effect on technical efficiency are value of liabilities, number of hours of mechanical operation, large land size, and rental land, whereas those showing a negative effect are value of EU product subsidies, value of off-farm family income, and hired labor. The value of investments incurred by farms because of their participation in the 1994 farm credit program does not show any significant effect on technical efficiency. The predicted levels of technical efficiency indicate that the average technical efficiency of farms 3 years after participating in the 1994 farm credit program is lower than the average technical efficiency of the same farms the year before participating in the program. Thus, the program has failed to increase the efficiency of farms.
Risk Management Education: An Examination of Crop Producers' Participation in Recent Programs and of Their Desire for Additional Training
Authors: Knight Thomas O. , Coble Keith H. , Patrick George F. , Baquet Alan E.
Published: July 2016

Risk management education has been a focus of U.S. farm policy since 1996. In support of significant ongoing United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) educational efforts, this study examines agricultural producers' educational needs and interests. Data obtained through a survey of crop producers are used in probit models examining interest in additional training in five areas including forward contracting, futures and options, crop yield insurance, crop revenue insurance, and financial management. The study results should be useful in determining appropriate risk management education program content and in identifying and tailoring to specific target audiences.
Monitoring Inefficiency in Public Education
Authors: Saito Yoshie , McIntosh Christopher S.
Published: July 2016

The efficiency of public education is examined using a cost indirect output distance function. Efficiency estimates are obtained using data envelopment analysis applied to data from Georgia public schools. Georgia school districts utilize educational budgets with reasonable efficiency, achieving an overall efficiency of 98% with a range of 93%–100%. If all school districts were 100% efficient, outputs could be expanded 2%. This could be achieved by increasing funding $75.46 million state-wide in total for each of the 3 years. From the consumers' (voters') point of view, this result suggests that inefficiency costs Georgia, on average, a total of $226.38 million from 1994 to 1996.
Expanding the National Flood Insurance Program to Cover Coastal Erosion Damage
Authors: Keeler Andrew , Kriesel Warren , Landry Craig
Published: July 2016

This paper uses the results of a nationwide survey of coastal property owners to estimate the demand for insurance against erosion damage. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) does not technically cover such damage, although in practice there is considerable uncertainty about this point. The ability to insure against such losses has implications for the choice of beach management strategies and for NFIP management. We find significant demand for insurance at prices in the range of current flood insurance premiums, although median willingness to pay appears to be less than the cost of providing such insurance.
Analyzing Producer Preferences for Counter-Cyclical Government Payments
Authors: Miller J. Corey , Barnett Barry J. , Coble Keith H.
Published: July 2016

A dynamic-stochastic model is developed to evaluate preferences among alternative countercyclical payment programs for representative farms producing corn or soybeans in Iowa and cotton or soybeans in Mississippi. Countercyclical payment programs are found to not necessarily be preferred to fixed payment programs.
Modeling Economic Growth with Unpredictable Shocks: A State-Level Application for 1960-90
Authors: Goetz Stephan J. , Ready Richard C.
Published: July 2016

A Barro-type economic growth model is estimated for the 50 states in the U.S. using data for three decades beginning in 1960. Frontier estimation techniques are used to test for the presence of state-specific shocks to economic growth that are independent of the usual, normally-distributed random errors. We find that large, positive shocks to growth occurred during the period 1960-90. Our results indicate that the error term structure assumed under OLS may not be appropriate for modeling economic growth.
Structural Shifts in the Treatment of Intergovernmental Aid: The Case of Rural Roads
Authors: Deller Steven C. , Walzer Norman
Published: July 2016

The effects of structural shifts in the treatment of intergovernmental aid during the 1980s are tested using a sample of 1,929 rural counties with local road responsibilities. A dynamic model is used to test the hypothesis that local public officials treated intergovernmental aid differently after the Reagan/Bush policy of Fiscal Federalism was implemented. Empirical findings from the dynamic model are that Federal aid was much more stimulative at the end of the decade than in earlier years but the effects of state aid remained the same throughout the 1980s. These differences are attributed to a perception that Federal aid is less certain and more transitory than permanent.
Fluid Milk Purchase Patterns in the South: Effects of Use of Nutrition Information and Household Characteristics
Authors: Jensen Kim
Published: July 2016

This study measures the impacts of use of nutrition information and household socioeconomic characteristics on market participation and amount purchased of whole-fat and low-fat milks in the South. Data are from the 1987-88 Nationwide Food Consumption Survey. The results showed that use of nutrition information had little effect on purchase levels, but did affect market participation. Results suggest promotion of milk purchases on the basis of nutritional benefits through health professionals and product packaging are useful tools for the dairy industry to attract market participation.
Economics of Cogongrass Control in Slash Pine Forests
Authors: Alavalapati Janaki R.R. , Jose Shibu , Stainback George A. , Matta Jagannadha R. , Carter Douglas R.
Published: July 2016

Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica), an invasive weed, is a threat to slash pine forests. Using a dynamic optimization model, we estimated the impact of cogongrass on the profitability of slash pine forestry under four scenarios: no threat of cogongrass infestation; infestation is uncertain, and no control measures are taken; infestation is uncertain, but control measures are undertaken by one landowner but not the neighbors; and infestation is uncertain, and control measures are undertaken by everyone. Results indicate that annual net returns per acre under each scenario, respectively, are $25.30, $16.97, $13.89, and $17.38. Results suggest fostering a cooperative behavior among landowners is desirable.
Report on a Pair of Male Monozygotic Twins Concordant for Schizophrenia
Authors: Lynch Henry T. , Cohen Louis , Kaplan Arnold R. , Lynch Jane
Published: July 2016

A pair of MZ twins with diagnoses of chronic simple schizophrenia has been studied from the genetic, social, medical, and psychiatric standpoint by members of the several professions. Clinical psychologists studied the patients independently and on the basis of psychometric and projective tests found a remarkable similarity in personality profiles. An in-depth family study failed to reveal any evidence of psychiatric disease in other relatives. Consanguinity was absent. The family unit is typical of that described frequently for a schizophrenogenic household, i.e., dominant mother, passive father. Genetic etiologies are discussed in context with occurrence of schizophrenia in MZ twins in this particular family setting.
Oculo-Aurigulo-Vertebral Dysplasia (Goldenhar's Syndrome) Concordant In Identical Twins
Authors: Terhaar Ben
Published: July 2016

The first case of MZ twins concordant for oculo-auriculo-vertebral dysplasia is reported. In the light of the data from the literature concerning the etiology of the syndrome, this observation does not allow an absolute conclusion but points towards the possible existence of a genetic form of this syndrome.
Determination of Sex Chromatin —A New Concept
Authors: Zaidi Syed Shane Raza
Published: July 2016

Instead of the random activation and/or inactivation of the X-chromosome in sex determination, as suggested by the Lyon's hypothesis, a proposal is made here that crossingover between the sister- and/or nonsisterstrands at the sticky or nonsticky loci, at heterochromatinizing regions and at the inactivating centers of the centromère, be responsible for the heterochromatinization and/or heteropyknotization of the X-chromosome. (This proposal will be called the Mustafa hypothesis.)

Such would be the basis for the activation and/or inactivation of the X-chromatid(s), which would then replicate into a normal or a heterochromatic X-chromosome respectively. The heterochromatic X-chromosome may be transformed into a heteropyknotized mass of sex chromatin (Barr body). Translocation of the Y-chromosome and of some of the autosomes could also result in the same effect. Hence, the number of heterochromatinized X-chromosomes, and/or of heteropyknotized masses (Barr bodies), in each daughter-cell is directly proportional to half the number of chromatids involved in crossingover and/or translocation in the mother-cell.
The Ergon/Chronon System in Schizophrenia A Twin Study
Authors: Braconi L.
Published: July 2016

Ten (eight MM and two FF) MZ twin pairs, with one or both schizophrenic members, have been examined. The disease was concordant in four pairs, discordant in one pair, and partly concordant in five pairs.

The time of onset was simultaneous in five pairs, but showed differences of three years in two pairs, and of one-two years in two more pairs. Concordance in the time of onset was not related to severity of the disease.
Genetics, Medicine and Public Health From the Geography of Diseases to the Phenotypic Spectrum of Malformation Syndromes
Authors: Freire-Maia Newton
Published: July 2016

The following problems are briefly mentioned and discussed in this paper: (i) the role of genetics in public health, both in developed and in developing countries; (2) genetic aspects of the differential geographical distribution of diseases; (3) clinical and etiological aspects of malformation syndromes; (4) nosological complexity and phenotypic spectrum of these syndromes, with special reference to ectodermal dysplasias; (5) some problems of modern human communities.
A Family with a Balanced C/C Translocation Carrier and an Unbalanced 47, XY, (Cq−) + Son
Authors: Guanti G. , Battaglia E. , Petrinelli P. , Riggillo N.
Published: July 2016

An account is given of a family identified by a newborn malformed male. The chromosome anomalies described are interpreted as indicating that the father has a balanced translocation with a reciprocal exchange between no. 9 and no. 12. The supernumerary chromosome resembling a group F element, which is found in the propositus, is in fact one of the two rearranged chromosomes present in the father. The propositus therefore is trisomic for part of no. 9 and no. 12. His brother has a normal karyotype. Possible meiotic situations leading to the formation of the observed karyotypes are discussed.
Inbreeding Load in Whites and Negroes: A Reappraisal
Authors: Freire-Maia Ademar
Published: July 2016

A reanalysis is made of the data obtained in two surveys in Brazil, regarding the inbreeding load of Whites and Negroes. It is shown that the differences detected are probably spurious, and mainly due to environmental factors. The “total” inbreeding load estimated for the pooled sample showed nonsignificant difference between Whites and Nonwhites.
Pharmacogenetics and the Detoxicant Powers of the Organism
Authors: Gedda Luigi
Published: July 2016

Pharmacogenetics represents a field of connection and cooperation between pharmacology and genetics, which will promote knowledge in both fields. It concerns the plusvariant action of drugs in those families in which they produce toxic reactions, as well as the minusvariant action in particularly resistant families, so that drugs become useless at normal doses. These phenomena stress both the mechanism of action of such drugs and the existence of hereditary metabolic defects. Some typical cases are reported, with special concern to twin observations. It is finally suggested that pharmacogenetics may concern three specific branches: (a) regulation, (b) substitution and (c) repair.
Problems and Pitfalls in Blood Grouping Tests for Disputed Parentage: III. Chances of Proving Non-Paternity by Blood Grouping Tests when the Putative Father is Dead
Authors: Wiener Alexander S.
Published: July 2016

General formulae for the chances of excluding paternity by blood grouping tests have been derived for the case where the falsely accused man is dead, but both his parents are available for testing. With the aid of the formulae, the chances of excluding paternity are shown to be about 31.1%, when tests are carried out for the A-B-O blood groups and subgroups, the M-N types, the Rh-Hr types and the Kell factor. These combined chances are about half the chances of exclusion when the putative father is alive and can be tested, so that it is very much worth while to carry out blood grouping tests in cases of this nature.
Twin Births in Belgium (1960-1961): A statistical study
Authors: Susanne Charles , Corbisier Jean V.
Published: July 2016

The present paper deals with an analysis of the statistics concerning twin births in a sample of the Belgian population in 1960 and 1961. The frequency of twin births is of 0.01198 (± 0.00043), the frequency of a DZ birth among twins is 0.65081. Mothers of twins generally are older than mothers with children resulting from single gestation, the age difference concerning, as could be demonstrated, the distribution of DZ twins with the exclusion of MZ twins: whereas the frequencies of the total amount of twin births and of the total amount of DZ births increase with the mother's age, being highest in the 35-39 age class, the frequency of MZ births seems to be independent of the mother's age. The frequency of twin births also increases with the order of birth or gestation. Given that the mother's age and the order of birth are correlated, the influence of one of the two factors involved upon the frequency of twin births could be determined by keeping the other factor constant; the data from Mac Arthur (1953) were used to that effect.

Finally, a bibliographic survey revealed that whereas the frequency of DZ births is very variable, that of MZ births is more constant.
Chromosomal Evidence of Donor Cells Proliferation following Bone Marrow Transplantation
Authors: Schwanitz G. , Hartwich G. , Becker J.
Published: July 2016

After an intense cytostatic treatment of the patient F.N., whose bone marrow was completely infiltrated with lympho-sarcocytes, a bone marrow transplantation was made. The donor was the patient's sister. The difference in sex chromosomes made it possible to observe the fate of the transferred cells. Immediately after the treatment, till 6½ months later, cells with feminine caryotype were traceable in the patient's peripheral blood (up to 2%). This proves the proliferation of donor cells in the acceptor.
Taste Sensitivity to PTC in 2000 Families
Authors: Gaffuri G.
Published: July 2016

Taste sensitivity to PTC has been studied on a number of families from the same population, half of which showed in their members evident biological, pathological or degenerative variants. The percentage of non-tasters is of 22% in the healthy sample and of 26% in the loaded one, but this difference does not appear to be statistically significant. The biological loads considered should therefore not influence PTC sensitivity thresholds and taste perception.
The Gc Serum System and ABH Antigen Secretion —A Mother-Child Study
Authors: Nerell Hans
Published: July 2016

The ability to secrete ABH antigen in the saliva has been determined in 160 men and 87 mothers with 45 boys and 42 girls. Mother-child studies on the secretor-nonsecretor distribution and Gc serum types showed a good agreement between observed and expected numbers in the different classes.
Heritable Heteromorphism of the N. 16 Chromosome Pair in Man
Authors: Guanti G. , Balacco-Gabrieli C. , Battaglia E.
Published: July 2016

A family is described with heteromorphism of N. 16 chromosome pair. The abnormal submetacentric chromosome was found in a total of 8 family members. Seven out of these carriers show a variable degree of myopia.
G-6-PD Deficiency Gene Dynamics in a Brazilian Population
Authors: Lewgoy F. , Salzano F. M.
Published: July 2016

Studies on the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity of erythrocytes from 416 males and 820 females are reported. The total number of deficient males (intermediate + complete) varied from 3.9% among the whites (102 persons) to 15.1% among Dark Mulattoes (99 individuals); the incidence in the Negroid sample in general (316 persons) was 12.4%. The data obtained among the women were utilized to study problems of penetrance of the G-6-PDD genes. Results obtained in both sexes were employed to verify, unsuccessfully, possible selection differentials through age analysis and the comparison of the gene incidences of people affected with minor ailments and controls. Problems of gene flow analysis in populations like this one in which the “Negro” and “White” forms of the deficiency are present were stressed.
Hereditary Influences on the Hematic Level of Adenosinetriphosphate: A Twin Study
Authors: Gedda L. , Casa D. , Brenci G.
Published: July 2016

Dosage of the hematic level of ATP has been afforded in 20 (7 MZ and 13 DZ) twin pairs aged 4-6 years. The intrapair correlation coefficient has been calculated and resulted to be significantly higher in MZ than DZ twin pairs. The hereditary “quantum” in the determination of the hematic level of ATP was also estimated and resulted to be of about two thirds.
Chronon and the Problem of Anticipation (On two family cases of diabetes)
Authors: Gedda L. , Casa D. , Brenci G.
Published: July 2016

The Authors analyze the phenomenon whereby, in progressing from generation to generation, a hereditary disease may appear at an earlier, equal or later age (anticipation, repetitionorposticipation, respectively). They believe that this represents the phenotypic effect of a temporal dimension of the gene, the “chronon”, which may reveal stability, plus-variance or minus-variance according to the standard genetic models. This interpretation provides an explanation of two family cases of diabetes mellitus, respectively exhibitinganticipationandposticipation, andrepetition.
Taste Thresholds in Twins and Siblings
Authors: Kaplan A. R. , Fischer R. , Karras A. , Griffin F. , Powell W. , Marsters R. W. , Glanville E. V.
Published: July 2016

Monozygotic twin (MZ), dizygotic twin (DZ), and sibling (SIB) pairs were taste-tested for hydrochloric acid, 1-quinine sulfate, and 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP). The numbers of pairs involved were 75 MZ, 70 DZ, and 78 SIB, for the latter two compounds; 26, 45, and 45, respectively, for the acid.

There was a significant difference in intrapair variance, between the MZ and the same-sex DZ pairs, in thresholds for bitter-tasting 6-n-propylthiouracil (p < .001). The difference in intrapair threshold variance was not significant for bitter-tasting quinine (p > .05) or for sour-tasting hydrochloric acid (p > .10).

The male MZ pairs had a significantly lower intrapair threshold variance than the male DZ or male SIB pairs for hydrochloric acid (p < .01), but the female pairs manifested no such difference. The intrapair variance in hydrochloric acid threshold was significantly less for the nine male MZ pairs than for the 17 female MZ pairs (p < .02).

Repeated taste tests on the same subjects reproduced results similar within a single threshold range in a high proportion for each compound: for hydrochloric acid, 72.9% (N = 44); for quinine, 76.9% (N = 221); and for PROP, 76% (N = 225).

Correlations between thresholds for the different substances were positive and significant (N = 308): between PROP and quinine, r = + 0.44 ± .05 (p < .01); between quinine and hydrochloric acid, r = + 0.35 ± .05 (p < .01); between PROP and hydrochloric acid, r = + 0.17 ± .06 (p < .05).
Concepts and problems of medical genetics
Authors: Gedda Luigi
Published: July 2016

The concepts and problems of Medical Genetics are considered in the light of modern advances in Biochemistry, the classic aspects of the gene, cistron, muton and recon, having been completed by the concepts of Operon and chronon, with respect to the traffic of structural genes and to the temporal dimension of the hereditary unit, respectively.

The impact of these various aspects of the gene is considered with respect to ontogenetic processes, heredity of diseases and heredity of disposition to-diseases. Ageing is also considered as a disease, due to the extinction of the genes, and therefore apt to be treated with a substitutive therapy.
Cleidocranial dysostosis in a family with twins
Authors: Spital J. , Schellong G. , Scholz W. , Mai H. , Verschuer O. Frh. v.
Published: July 2016

A family is reported in which 5 individuals out of 2 generations were found to suffer from dysostosis cleidocranialis. In that kindred twins occurred twice, one twin pair being DZ and suffering from the disease, the other pair MZ and healthy. The number of affected family members is in agreement with the autosomal dominance of the trait as indicated by numerous earlier observations. The characteristics found were: reduced growth, macrocephalus with late fontanel occlusion, protrusive frontal bone, hypertelorism, dysplasia of the clavicles and the pelvis, retarded development of hand skeleton. There was a certain variability in the expression of the traits in both DZ twin sisters, particularly concerning the malformation of clavicles and pelvis. Their children showed rather uniform alterations concerning head and hand skeleton, clavicles and pelvis.

Blood group tests performed did not reveal linked inheritance of the pathological trait and any of the used serological markers.
The Genetic Disease, Hypoascorbemia:A Fresh Approach to an Ancient Disease and Some of its Medical Implications
Authors: Stone Irwin
Published: July 2016

It has been recently shown that the human requirement for exogenous ascorbic acid and the disease, scurvy, are the result of a typical genetic disease syndrome caused by a defect on the gene controlling the synthesis of the enzyme protein, L-gulonolactone oxidase. The lack of this active enzyme in the human liver prevents Man from producing his own ascorbic acid; a synthesis which is regularly carried out by nearly all other mammals. This genetic disease has been named, Hypoascorbemia. This new concept of the genetic etiology of scurvy gives a much broader outlook and opens perspectives which were lacking in the previous fifty year old nutritional or trace “vitamin C” hypothesis. “Correction” of this genetic defect in Man is now possible since the availability of ascorbic acid in large quantities. By “correction” is meant the long-term administration of ascorbic acid in the large amounts the human liver would be synthesizing had this genetic defect not occurred. The mammals have long used the increased liver biosynthesis of ascorbic acid, under stress, to maintain homeostasis. The genetic defect prevents Humans from utilizing this important mammalian biochemical protective mechanism. Supplying exogenous ascorbic acid at the proper high dosage for full “correction” is merely duplicating a normal mammalian reaction. The medical implications of the full “correction” of this genetic disease are discussed and speculations on the effects of “correction” in the rheumatoid diseases, cardiovascular conditions, strokes, cancer and the aging process are extrapolated from the meager data already in the medical literature. This paper is mainly a plea for more thought along the medical possibilities opened by this new concept and for more clinical tests based on the rationales derived from the genetic disease viewpoint.
Macular Dystrophy in Deafmutism
Authors: François J. , Haustrate-Gosset F. , Donck D.
Published: July 2016

Most of the cases of Amalric's pigmentary macular dystrophy associated with deafmutism seem to be due to a rubella or to another viral infection of the mother during pregnancy. This association can sometimes probably also be due to an infectious disease of the early childhood. Heredity seems to be a rather exceptional factor.
Cardiological Findings in Twins, with Special Reference to their Zygosity and Peristasis
Authors: Preis A. , Šrubařová M.
Published: July 2016

37 DZ and 12 MZ twin pairs underwent a clinical and ECG heart examination. As to their zygosity, it is suggested that a concurrent similar clinical finding, very similar ECG and a mean intrapair difference of corresponding unipolar chest lead waves d ≤ 1.5 definitely support monozygosity.

Paired analysis of the ECG curves shows that the difference between MZ and DZ twins is best characterized by Tv1-6 and, to a certain extent, by Rv1-6. The same applies — in partial agreement with Mathers et al. — for PQ and QTc intervals.

Considering the intrapair differences in both MZ and DZ twins, it was found that they tend to increase in the course of one cardiac cycle, thus indicating a gradual prevalence of peristatic factors.
On the syndrome caused by a deletion of the short arm of a 4-5 chromosome
Authors: Ricci N. , Ventimiglia B. , Dallapiccola B. , Franceschini F. , Preto G.
Published: July 2016

During routine karyotypic analysis of patients with mental deficiency and congenital malformations, a partial deletion of the short arm of a B (4-5) chromosome was observed in two children (a male, 23 months old, and a female, 4 months old).

Clinical pictures and chromosomal abnormalities were found to be consistent with the findings in the « cri du chat » syndrome.
Hereditary malformations of the spinal cord. A contribution to the study of familial congenital axial schinosynostosis
Authors: Santori F. S. , Fredella D.
Published: July 2016

A sibship is described three sibs of which being carriers respectively of occipital meningocele, craniorachischisis and Klippel-Feil Syndrome. The last two sibs presented malformations of the heart and the digestive and genitourinary apparatuses. Genetic and anatomo-pathologic considerations.
Albright's Hereditary Poly-Osteochondrodystrophy — (Pseudo-pseudo-hypoparathyroidism with diabetes hypertension, arteritis and polyarthrosis)
Authors: Goeminne Luc
Published: July 2016

A large kindred (4 generations) with pseudo-pseudo-hypoparathyroidism (PPHP) and the clinical, biological and anthropometric features of this syndrome are extensively described.

The association of PPHP with diabetes, hypertension, hypothyroidism, polyarthrosis and peripheral arteritis is very probably significant.

Gonadal dysgenesis with brachymetacarpy must clearly be distinguished from PPHP.

The transmission of PPHP is probably not sex-linked dominant but autosomal dominant with an incomplete penetrance of about 50%, a varying expressivity and weak familial specificity. Partial sex limiting or sex predominance may occur, instead of true sex-linkage in this condition.
Morbilità e Mortalità nella Prole di 300 Coppie di Coniugi Consanguinei nel Comune di Firenze
Authors: Bigozzi U. , Conti C. , Guazzelli R. , Montali E. , Salti F.
Published: July 2016

A family investigation has been carried out on 301 consanguineous and the same number of nonconsanguineous couples, who married in Florence in the years 1939 through 1958. The sample turned out to be homogeneous as regards age of the couple, year of marriage, period of cohabitation, social level, and methods of survey.

The average rate of consanguinity in Florence in the above years was of 0.458 × 10−3, with a decrease from 0.595 to 0.327 × 10−3 between the first and the second decade.

While the number of pregnancies is not significantly different in the two groups, abortions are more frequent among blood relatives. As a result, the number of stillbirths being not significantly different, the birth rate is higher among the controls. Infant mortality is more than double in blood relatives. As regards morbidity, hereditary defects or anomalies show an average increase of 2.6 times in the offspring of blood relatives: the increase being higher for serious hereditary defects (3.44) than for lighter ones (1.98). The finding of slight delays in mental development was 4.8 times more frequent in the offspring of blood relatives.

By applying Morton-Crow-Muller's formula, it was possible to calculate the A and B values, and to find out, in the observed population, the presence of 2.2-2.4 pathological gene equivalents per gamete as to early mortality (abortions + stillbirths + infant mortality); 1.6-1.7 gene equivalents as to hereditary defects in general; and 0.82-0.85 gene equivalents as to slight delays in mental development.
Chromosomal and Dermatoglyphic Changes in Twins
Authors: Yarema W. A. , Borgaonkar D. S.
Published: July 2016

A review of 15 chromosomally abnormal twin pairs indicates that finger and hallucal patterns of the affected twin are more similar to other patients than to the normal cotwin.

Correlation coefficients of TFRC and atd angle differences tend to remain similar in spite of the presence of chromosome abnormality in the cotwin. This supports the use of dermatoglyphic analysis as a means for diagnosing twin zygosity. Correlation coefficients of intrapair TFRC and atd angle differences in 25 control MZ twin pairs shows good agreement in zygosity determinations, when compared to results obtained by blood group and clinical observation studies.

In a series of 155 female and 142 male MZ twin pairs, TFRC and atd angle differences plotted on a graph against the frequency of occurrence illustrate that the range of variation is greater among females. Further study of a large series of twin pairs, however, is necessary to determine whether this is an effect of lyonization or the alteration of the polygenic complex of dermal configuration by the X chromosome.
Studies on Twins IV. Twinning in Madhya Pradesh
Authors: Goswami H. K.
Published: July 2016

The high rate of twinning in rural areas is suggested to be due to higher coefficient of inbreeding, better physical conditions of mothers on the countryside and higher mean birth order. Family data indicate the frequent role of maternal genotype in DZ twinning.
ABO — Rh Interaction A study of Jive cases
Authors: Chattopadhyay Prasanta Kumar
Published: July 2016

Five families with cases of erythroblastosis foetalis have been studied for the ABO, Rh, MN, and Kell-Cellano blood group systems. In all of them, the father and mother were found to be compatibly mated, and so were the children with their mother, in all systems, except Rh.

Most children were of CDe/cde type, and all mothers cde/cde. The influence of other systems (MN and Kell-Cellano) on Rh incompatibility remains to be investigated. They might play a role in counteracting the effect of Rh incompatibility.

The antibody titre in the mother's blood has clearly appeared to decline gradually, with an increasing time gap between successive pregnancies.

Whether the possibility of having a normal full term pregnancy, resulting in the birth of a healthy child, increases, if the time gap between two successive pregnancies is larger, remains to be investigated.
Chronological Aspects of Gene Action: A Twin Study
Authors: Gedda L. , Brenci G.
Published: July 2016

The AA. have studied the characteristical steps of the first and permanent dentition on 408 twin pairs (156 MZ and 252 DZ). These phenomena appear to be significantly genetically controlled. According to the AA., the hereditary units might possess a characteristic potential time span, which is a function of an energetic genetically conditioned charge. This parameter of the hereditary unit is called Chronon.
A contribution to the study of the inheritance of epibulbar dermodis
Authors: Proto F. , Scullica L.
Published: July 2016

Three familial cases of epibulbar dermoids, associated with lid ptosis, antimongoloid aspect of the palpebral fissure and nasal lobuloschisis are reported.

The hereditary character of this malformation is interpreted in terms of polimery.
On a case of a Turner Syndrome with a rare chromosomal finding (partial mosaic)
Authors: Zara C. , Mannini A. , Magrini U.
Published: July 2016

Clinical and chromosomal studies of a case of gonadal dysgenesis. The patient presented primary amenorrhea, rudimentary uterus, ipoplastic tubes and gonadad streak. No Barr bodies or drumsticks were found, and the chromosome analysis revealed a mosaic of the type XO/X + centric fragment. The pertinent literature is reviewed, and attention is drawn to the possible existence of a secretion of the steroid type in the Leydig-like cells present in the gonadal streak.
Gonadal Dysgenesis With a Familial Character
Authors: Serban A. M. D. , Ionescu B. , Ciovîrnache M. , Damian A. , Maximilian C.
Published: July 2016

The Authors report on a case of congenital anorchidism, confirmed by laparatomy, with negative sexual chromatin and an XY karyotype. One of his two sisters, with primary amenorrhea, presented marked hypoplasia of the genital tract, positive sexual chromatin and in 3% of the cells with 2 chromatine corpuscles, XO/XX/XXX karyotype. The presence in the same family of two cases of gonadal dysgenesis appears to have occurred by mere chance.
A case of trisomy 18 – clinical syndrome with chromosomal mosaic
Authors: de Toni E. , Massimo L. , Vianello M. G. , Dagna-Bricarelli F.
Published: July 2016

A case of a female newborn, followed up to the 9th month of life, presenting a clinical picture of multiple malformations, typical of trisomy-18, is reported by the AA.: microcephaly, low set of ears, micrognaty, ogival palate, superabunding skin in the neck, simian crease, typical hands attitude, luxation of the right hip, severe neurological symptomatology with the characteristic rigidity and, finally, an extremely severe mental defect.

Growth has always been very poor; death occurred at the 9th month of life.

Chromosome research, done with two cultures of capillary blood, revealed the presence of two lines of normal and trisomy-18 cells in similar percentage.

The literature concerning the subject is examined and discussed.
Virus et Hérédité. Importance de leurs rapports dans le domaine ophtalmologique avec regard au Trachome du point de vue génétique
Authors: Bietti G. B. , Gedda L. , Vozza R. , Brenci G.
Published: July 2016

Heredity in viroses has to be considered (i) from the standpoint of the specific virus which, like any living organism, presents heredity, variability and mutation, and (ii) from the standpoint of the human host, where the receptive conditions may be genetically controlled.

The heredity of disposition to poliomyelitis is also witnessed by the results of Gedda's twin clinical method as well as by the proportionality between the consanguinity ratio and the ratio of concordance of the infection in the family.

The heredity of disposition to trachoma has been studied in 775 families from Eritrea, the disease having been examined in parents and children. Statistic and genealogic analysis shows the existence of a disposition. The mating of an affected father to a nonaffected mother does not alter the frequency of the affection in the children, as compared to the case of the children of both nonaffected parents. On the other hand the affected father makes the frequency of the affection significantly rise in the children when mated to an affected mother. Such a behaviour is explained through a more frequent disposition in the children of parents both affected by one and the same disposition.

The study of the sample through the dimensions of the sibship, showing a constant nonaffected-affected ratio, independently from the above dimensions, also leads to assuming the existence of a disposition. This sharply contrasts with the epidemiologic concept of a higher risk, the higher the number of sibs.
Studio Genetico sulla Ipertensione Essenziale e sui suoi Rapporti con la Cefalea Vascolare
Authors: Malfanti P. L. , Bigozzi U. , Massi A. , Conti C.
Published: July 2016

A genetic study on a sample of patients suffering from essential hypertension has confirmed the inheritance of this disease. In single individuals and in families, especially in young female subjects, the same hereditary load often leads to the appearance of a vascular headache. In some family groups, the vascular headache seems to occur more frequently than in others. This fact suggests the hypothesis of a possible existence of factors able to favour the appearance of this trouble. After considering the data collected from the study of three generations of relatives of the hypertensive propositi, it seems possible to state that the hereditary load usually develops into vascular headache in young age, and hypertension in old age, while headache tends to disappear. This pattern, usually frequent, is not quite constant, and, in the same families, it is possible to find subjects affected with hypertension only, and others (also in old age) with headache only. Therefore, it is possible to think that the abovementioned diseases are pleiotropically determined by the same genetic factors, occurring in different ways, according to age, sex and other genotypic factors. The statistical analysis of the collected data suggests that such disease be inherited as a dominant monomeric autosomal trait, with a higher penetrance in old than in young people. Headache seems to prefer female subjects, while hypertension does not show any sex-preference.
Human Monozygotic and Plurizygotic Multiple Births: Heredity and Hormone Action
Authors: Gedda L. , Brenci G.
Published: July 2016

The Authors take once more into consideration the problem of the hereditary nature of twinning on the basis of their own studies and of recent findings on human twinning induced by human menopausal gonadotropin (HMG).

Personal studies concern 3,221 cases of twinning drawn from the special files (“Gemelloteca”) of the Mendel Institute. On the basis of this material the Authors state that the occurrence of the cases of twinning in the paternal and maternal ascendancies of the twin index cases is significantly more frequent than would be expected in proportion to the frequency of twinning events in the Italian population.

This finding is in agreement with the hypothesis of the hereditary nature of the twinning phenomenon.

The same material is used to compare the frequency of twinning in the paternal and maternal families of twins. The observed frequency in the maternal families is significantly higher than in paternal families in which the frequency approximates population values. This finding leads the Authors to formulate the hypothesis that the twinning trait is limited to the female sex and is presently manifested by the occurrence of twins in the next generation. Thus studies on the frequency of twinning as a hereditary phenomenon should be based on the families of the mothers of twins.

Original studies also concern the 1,105 triplet sets born in Italy in the years 1952-1961. A study of the experimental and theoretical distribution of sex combinations in this triplet material allowed the Authors to prove that the experimental distribution differs from the theoretical one, based on the hypothesis of independence of the two types of zygosity (MZ and DZ). The absence of independence is considered a proof of the hereditary singleness of twinning.

The Authors further take into consideration cases of twinning induced in sterile women by administration of human menopausal gonadotropin (HMG): they observe that cases reported to date seem to be limited to dizygotic or plurizygotic twinning. These findings lead the Authors to believe that in this case hypophyseal FSH, responsible for ovulation, fails to find the usual pathway leading to standard uniparous pregnancy in the human species; the mechanism involved in such pathway is the object of some hypotheses of a hormonal nature. The Authors also believe that FSH stimulates not only the follicle but also follicular gametogenesis and even perhaps the division of the fertilized egg resulting in MZ twinning.
Phocomelia and Trisomy E
Authors: Zellweger Hans , Huff Dale S. , Abbo Gisela
Published: July 2016

A case of trisomy E with phocomelia of one arm is presented and the hitherto reported cases of trisomy E with phocomelia are listed. The different causes of phocomelia are discussed. Similarities and dissimilarities of the clinical picture of conditions associated with phocomelia are presented.
Le Aptoglobine in Antropologia. Contributo alla loro Conoscenza in Italia
Authors: Spedini Gabriella
Published: July 2016

Present status of genetic and anthropological knowledge concerning haptoglobins, and report on the results of a survey carried-out on 141 subjects from Campania: Hp 1-1, 15 (10.6%); Hp 2-2, 60 (42.6%); Hp 2-1, 66 (46.8%); gene Hp1, 34.1%, gene Hp2, 69.1%.

Furthermore, a geographical peculiarity of haptoglobins is stressed, i.e. a rise in the frequency of the Hp2 gene from Westward to Eastward.
The Iron-Binding Capacity of Thalassemic Individuals
Authors: Hampe O. G. , Rocha F. J. da
Published: July 2016

A description is made of a Caucasian family of Lithuanian and Italian ancestry living in Pôrto Alegre, Brazil, in which there is segregation of the gene which conditions the type of thalassemia which does not raise the fraction A2. The information obtained involves four generations in a total of thirty four individuals, eight of which were examined. Tests about the concentration of serum iron and the iron-binding capacity of thalassemic individuals resulted normal.
Hemophilia B in a Pair of Monozygotic Negro Twins
Authors: Roisenberg Israel
Published: July 2016

A detailed description is given of the study performed in a pair of monozygotic Negro twins both suffering from hemophilia B; the bibliography is also reviewed about the occurrence of hemophilia in twins. The zygosity determination was performed utilizing anthropometric measurements, observation data, finger and palmar prints, seven systems of blood groups and five other genetic systems. The twins present a great similarity in the hemorrhagic symptoms, coagulation tests and Christmas factor level, but morphologic and physical differences due to the disease. These differences are explained by the diversity in the medical-hospital care which both received.
Malformazioni congenite multiple associate ad una doppia Anomalia cromosomica: Triplo-X e Trisomia 17-18
Authors: Ricci N. , Castoldi G. L. , Borgatti L. , Alberti R.
Published: July 2016

A female baby, showing the characteristic malformation pattern of the 17-18 trisomy syndrome, was found to have two extra chromosomes in groups 6-X-12 and 17-18, respectively: the presence of double drum-sticks and of double Barr bodies leads to interprete the karyologic finding as a triple-X + 17-18 trisomy. Autopsy showed an interventricular septal defect and an abnormal histological structure of the ovaries.
Incidenza dei Fattori M, N, S, s e P in un Campione di Popolazione romana
Authors: De Bartolo M.
Published: July 2016

M, N, S and P factors have been studied in a selected sample of the Rome population. A comparison of the findings with the sofar available data shows that the distribution of the examined factors is not influenced by the variations of the geographic position in Italy. The frequency of the « s » factor also appears to be greatly higher than that of « S ».
Runting in the Offspring of Mice inoculated with homologous or heterologous Bone Marrow
Authors: Cardinali Giuseppe , Cardinali Giuliana , Enein Mostafa Aboul
Published: July 2016

Runts were observed in the offspring of mice which were injected, when newborn, with foreign bone marrow cells. The incidence of runting in the litters obtained from crosses betweeninjected femalesandinjected maleswas higher than in the litters obtained from crosses betweeninjected femalesandnormal males.
Agénésie Sacrococcygienne et Syndrome de Bonnevie-Ullrich Étude Génétique et Chromosomique
Authors: Emerit I. , de Grouchy J. , Corone P. , Vernant P. , Laval-Jeantet M.
Published: July 2016

A child, aged 11, with female phenotype, associating a sacrococcygeal agenesis to Bonnevie-Ullrich's syndrome, without gonadal dysgenesis, is described. The patient's caryotype is a normal female one (44 A, XX). No similar cases could be found in the literature.

This association of two syndromes of undetermined origin is probably fortuitous. A genetic study of 65 pedigrees from the literature did not reveal a mendelian type of inheritance. The possibility of external factors having occurred during embryonic life is discussed.
Aspetti genetici dell'omosessualità
Authors: Gedda L.
Published: July 2016

The Autor gives a genetic interpretation of homosexuality. A first division may be done between homosexuality cum materia and sine materia. For instance we speak of homosexuality cum materia in the case of such adrenogenital syndromes in which an augmented secretion of androgens may orientate the females towards the male direction, including psychological inversion. As for homosexuality sine materia, the Author reports the twin data by Kallman demonstrating, by means of a new statistical analysis, the presence of hereditary factors. According to the Author such cases could be microforms of inherited endocrine diseases originated by an enzyme affection, or equivalents of inherited psychiatric diseases.
From anaclitic Depression to “Toughness” in an infant male Twin
Authors: Call Justin D.
Published: July 2016

The present report is of an infant male twin (Don) who developed a depressive illness with onset at 8½ months of age. At 22 months of age, Don's depressive expression and attitude gave way to an expression of toughness which was rewarded by the mother's increased attention to him when he would show his « though look ». Such a transformation of affect in Don is understood as partly adaptational (object capturing), partly defensive (denial of object loss), and partly characterological (counter-phobic attitudes developed). The twin sister, Donna, toward whom the mother was much closer, was spared such an illness. The presence of depression in Don and the lack of it in Donna is understood on the basis of interrelated experiential and constitutional (genetic and maturational) factors in development.

The study is reported in order to illustrate the use of twins in the exploration of differences, both constitutional and environmental, which surround development in boys and girls, while the parents's stage of development remains constant.