Molecular identification of human externally visible characteristic （EVC）, which is also called forensic DNA phenotyping （FDP）, can serve as a "molecular witness" when the routine investigations can not determine the identity of a criminal and the DNA database find no match after comparison. FDP could assist in investigation of cases by inferring the externally visible phenotypic characteristics from DNA obtained from the biological materials left at crime scenes, or unknown corpses. In the last few years, studies on the selection of EVC related molecular markers have been reported frequently and some of the EVCs could already be inferred with a certain accuracy, such as hair color and iris color. Further fundamental research on molecular genetics of human external phenotypic characteristics, as well as the continuous innovation on molecular biological technology would promote the rapid development of DNA molecular identification of human phenotypic characteristics.
DNA/genetics* ; Databases, Nucleic Acid ; Eye Color/genetics* ; Forensic Anthropology/trends* ; Forensic Genetics/trends* ; Hair Color/genetics* ; Humans ; Phenotype ; Physical Appearance, Body/genetics* ; Skin Pigmentation/genetics*

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study. PURPOSE: To compare Patients' and parents’ perceptions of physical attributes (PAs) of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients and to report any correlations between their perceptions and Scoliosis Research Society-22r (SRS-22r) scores. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Few studies have looked into the differences between Patients' and parents’ perceptions of their appearance. METHODS: AIS patient–parent pairs (n=170) were recruited. The Patients' and parents’ perceptions of six PAs were evaluated: waist asymmetry (WA), rib hump (RH), shoulder asymmetry (SA), neck tilt, breast asymmetry (BrA), and chest prominence. These PAs were ranked, and an aggregate PA (Agg-PA) score was derived from a score assigned to the attribute (6 for the most important PA and 1 for the least important). The patients also completed the SRS-22r questionnaire. RESULTS: Ninety-nine patients (58.2%) and 71 patients (41.8%) had thoracic and lumbar major curves, respectively. WA was ranked first by 54 patients (31.8%) and 50 parents (29.4%), whereas RH was ranked first by 50 patients (29.4%) and 38 parents (22.4%). The overall Agg-PA scores were similar for patients and parents (p>0.05). However, for thoracic major curves (TMCs) >40°, a significant difference was noted between the Agg-PA scores of patients and parents for SA (3.5±1.6 vs. 4.2±1.6, p=0.041) and BrA (3.0±1.6 vs. 2.2±1.3, p=0.006). For TMCs <40°, a significant difference was found between the Agg-PA scores of patients and parents for WA (3.7±1.6 vs. 4.4±1.5, p=0.050). BrA was negatively correlated with total SRS-22r score. CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences between patients and parents in their ranking of the most important PAs. For TMCs >40°, there were significant differences in the Agg-PA for SA and BrA. Pa¬tients were more concerned about BrA and parents were more concerned about SA. Patients' perception of the six PAs had weak correlation with SRS-22r scores.
Adolescent ; Awards and Prizes ; Body, Physical Appearance ; Breast ; Humans ; Neck ; Parents ; Prospective Studies ; Ribs ; Scoliosis ; Shoulder ; Thorax

Forensic DNA phenotyping （FDP） analysis uses DNA from biological samples left in crime scenes to predict individual phenotypic traits, such as geographical origin of ethnic group, height, weight, skin color, hair color and shape, iris color, male baldness, facial morphology, age, etc., thereby providing clues for case investigations. Among these traits, features of facial morphology are relatively more complicated. This paper makes an overall analysis of the measurement and collection of facial morphology, research on facial morphology related genes, forensic application and establishment of facial morphology depiction model, ethical issues, etc., then summarizes the latest research progress on features of facial morphology.
DNA/genetics* ; Face ; Forensic Genetics/methods* ; Humans ; Male ; Phenotype ; Physical Appearance, Body/genetics*

BACKGROUND: Previous research has related obesity to body dissatisfaction and low self-esteem. This study aimed to evaluate this relation between obesity and distress about appearance. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study using data from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey for 288,390 participants assessed from 2009 to 2012. The participants were categorized according to body mass index; obese, overweight, healthy weight, and underweight. The relation between obesity and distress was analyzed using simple and multiple logistic regression with complex sampling adjusted for age, sex, region of residence, economic level, parental education level, alcohol consumption, and smoking habits as confounders. RESULTS: The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) was higher for participants with obesity (AOR for healthy weight = 1.15 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.08–1.22]; AOR for overweight = 1.85 [95% CI, 1.72–1.98]; AOR for obese = 2.45 [95% CI, 2.27–2.64]; reference = underweight, P < 0.001). In males, healthy weight was associated with an AOR below 1 (AOR for healthy weight = 0.92 [95% CI, 0.85–0.99]; AOR for overweight = 1.26 [95% CI, 1.14–1.38]; AOR for obese = 1.66 [95% CI, 1.50–1.84], P < 0.001). In females, higher AORs were associated with obesity (AOR for healthy weight = 1.44 [95% CI, 1.33–1.57]; AOR for overweight = 2.71 [95% CI, 2.45–2.99]; AOR for obese = 3.71 [95% CI, 3.32–4.14], P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Obesity is related to distress about appearance, and the relation is stronger in girls than in boys.
Adolescent* ; Alcohol Drinking ; Beauty ; Body Mass Index ; Body, Physical Appearance ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Education ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Obesity* ; Odds Ratio ; Overweight ; Parents ; Risk-Taking ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Stress, Psychological ; Thinness

INTRODUCTIONScalp soft tissue defects are common and result from a variety of causes. Reconstructive methods should maximise cosmetic outcomes by maintaining hair-bearing tissue and aesthetic hairlines. This article outlines an algorithm based on a diverse clinical case series to optimise scalp soft tissue coverage.

MATERIALS AND METHODSA retrospective analysis of scalp soft tissue reconstruction cases performed at the Singapore General Hospital between January 2004 and December 2013 was conducted.

RESULTSForty-one patients were included in this study. The majority of defects <100 cm² were reconstructed with local flaps and were subdivided by location. Methods included rotation, transposition and free flaps. The most common type of reconstruction performed for defects ≥100 cm² was free flap reconstruction. Multistage reconstruction using tissue expanders aided in optimising cosmetic outcomes. There were no major complications or flap failures.

CONCLUSIONBy analysing our experience with scalp soft tissue reconstruction, we have developed an algorithm based on defect size and location, achieving excellent closure and aesthetic outcome while minimising complications and repeat procedures.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Algorithms ; Esthetics ; Female ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Physical Appearance, Body ; Postoperative Complications ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Scalp ; surgery ; Singapore ; Skin Neoplasms ; surgery ; Skull ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps ; Tissue Expansion Devices ; Treatment Outcome

No abstract available.
Iron* ; Skin Pigmentation*

No abstract available.
Cataract* ; Chlorpromazine* ; Skin Pigmentation* ; Skin*

Eccrine poromas mainly involve the non-hairy surfaces of the skin, however, have also been found on hair bearing areas. Pigmentation in the tumor cells is rare but has been mentioned in a few papers. The following case documents an example of a pigmented eccrine poroma which occurred in an unusual location; the posterior scalp.
Hair ; Pigmentation ; Poroma* ; Scalp* ; Skin

BACKGROUND: Skin types vary, making it difficult to identify them at a glance. To effectively understand skin type, analysis based on a questionnaire could be helpful. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify the accuracy and effectiveness of the Baumann skin type questionnaire (BSTQ) compared with an interview with a dermatologic specialist. In addition, we aimed to identify differences in skin type proportions according to age and develop a modified BSTQ. METHODS: Subjects included 202 women (19~64 years of age) who visited the dermatologic clinic of our hospital. They completed both the BSTQ and an interview with a dermatologic specialist. A modified BSTQ was developed by removing similar and racial questions and adjusting grading scores. RESULTS: The agreement between skin type proportions analyzed by the BSTQ and an interview was not reasonable (κ=0.428, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.363~0.493). There was a correlation between the proportion of dryness and age (R2=0.029, p<0.05). However, other skin type proportions (sensitivity, pigmentation, and wrinkles) were not significantly correlated with age. The modified BSTQ showed substantial agreement with the BSTQ in skin type proportions (κ=0.691, 95% CI: 0.641~0.740). CONCLUSION: We identified the skin types of Korean women of various ages using the BSTQ and an interview. Furthermore, the modified BSTQ might be helpful for accurately recognizing skin types.
Female ; Humans ; Pigmentation ; Skin* ; Specialization

Almost always patients with multiple neurofibromatosis show cafe-au-lait macules on their skin. At times the skin macules are seen even before the appearance of the neurofibromata in childhood. The author experienced one case of neurofibromatosis in a 12-year-old boy who has no cafe-au-lait macules. Besides the clinical peculiarity of having no skin pigmentation, the histopathology of the case showed well-formed double-palisading structure, which is not common among the micro-scopical findings of neurofibromata.
Child ; Humans ; Male ; Neurofibromatoses* ; Skin ; Skin Pigmentation