People with Adermatoglyphia, dubbed “immigration delay disease” go through life sans fingerprints; they are born without them. A recent investigation by a group of Israeli and Swiss scientists has revealed a deeply rooted genetic basis for this rare condition. On studying one of the four families reported to present this abnormality, they identified a mutation in the gene SMARCAD1. The proteins of this gene are known to be active during physiological development of the human body.
Fingerprints are manifested from uniquely arranged ridges on the outermost layer of the skin (the epidermis) of fingers, toes, palms and soles called epidermal ridges or dermatoglyphs. There ridges are fully formed by the 24th week after fertilisation and do not undergo any further changes throughout life.
The new study attempted to point out the gene defect in case of the affected family and further “exert a loss-of-function effect” on the development of these ridges. After sequencing and mapping parts of their genome, the findings implicate a mutation in the skin-specific version of the gene SMARCAD1. Dormant expression of this mutation, scientists believe, is also associated with fewer sweat glands.
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Ex-Playboy CEO hubby settles suit
New York: The husband of former Playboy Enterprises chief executive Christie Hefner, accused of using inside information in trading Playboy stock, has agreed to pay almost $170,000 to settle the case.
The Securities and Exchange Commission says William A. Marovitz made trades in the magazine publisher’s shares between 2004 and 2009 based on nonpublic information and despite instructions from his wife not to do so. The agency said the five trades helped him either make profits or avoid losses of $100,952.
The civil case, filed on Wednesday in Illinois, says Marovitz bought and sold Playboy shares based on information from his wife about the company’s earnings, stock offerings, and a potential acquisition. Without admitting or denying the allegations, Marovitz agreed to pay $168,352 to settle the case. The settlement is subject to court approval. —AP