Dermatoglyphics is the branch of science that deals with the study of ridge patterns on fingertips, palm, soles, and toes. These patterns can serve as a noninvasive, cost-effective tool that can be used for the prediction of bronchial asthma. Objective: The present study was undertaken to study ‘atd,’ ‘adt,’ and ‘dat’ angles in bronchial asthma patients in comparison with controls. Materials & methods: palm prints were taken from 250 clinically diagnosed asthma patients from our hospital. Those prints were compared with 250 controls amongst the medical students and staff from the same hospital. Palmar prints were taken by standard ink method. From the palm print, the angles were measured and compared. Result: angles taken were analyzed between the patients, and the control group of individuals showed the statistical difference. Conclusion: we conclude that there is a genetic influence on the dermatoglyphic pattern, which can serve as a non-invasive, anatomical marker, and a predictor tool to determine the individuals with bronchial asthma.

There are many theories about concealed ovulation, breast development from puberty, and body hair loss in human evolution. We propose a novel theory on the association between concealed ovulation and breast development and body hair loss in human evolution. Concealed ovulation may have caused breast development from puberty and body hair loss in humans.

Teachers constitute an important fraction of Nigerian workforce whose sedentary nature of work lead them to intake of calorie dense food and more sitting during the day. Overweight and obesity seem to be responsible for the occurrence of diseases among the workers. The study therefore determined the factors influencing overweight among teachers in Nigeria. 360 teachers ranging from head teachers, classroom teachers and school heads were recruited for this study. Demographic and socioeconomic data were collected using a structured questionnaire. 165 (46%) were male while 195 (54%) were female with average age of 40.9 ± 8.8 years and average body mass index (BMI) of 26.7 ± 5.9 kg/m2. BMI and blood pressure measurements were taken using standard techniques. BMI was classified using the National Institutes of Health criteria, 2000. Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient at 0.05 level of significance was used to test the relationship between variables. Based on BMI, the prevalence of overweight and generalized obesity among teachers in South South Nigeria Training Colleges, were 31.7% and 25.5%, respectively. Overweight and obesity are more common among female teachers than their male counterparts. Using the waist circumference, approximately 60% of the teachers had central obesity, while 57.2% are either overweight or obese. The high prevalence of overweight and obesity seen among teachers calls for the introduction of therapeutic lifestyle modification in this group of workers which can be achieved through appropriate health education and interventional measures.