The Effects of Siblings and Twin Testosterone Transfer on Autistic Traits

Background: Having twin and non-twin siblings might influence autistic traits both prenatally and postnatally. The twin testosterone transfer hypothesis suggests that girls with a twin brother are exposed to higher levels of prenatal testosterone than girls with a twin sister. Prenatally, increased testosterone exposure could masculinize neural development and increase autistic traits. Postnatally, siblings may provide example behaviour, which could reduce autistic traits. Methods: We studied pre- and postnatal influences of twin and non-twin siblings on (mother and teacher-reported) autistic traits in 7,714 dizygotic twins. We examined the effect of gender of the proband child and of the siblings. We fitted regression models (for boys and girls separately) with as predictors sex of co-twin and having older and/or younger siblings. Results: Prenatally, girls’ (mother-reported) autistic traits were slightly lower for those with a twin brother than those with a twin sister, β = -.08, p = .001. This difference was not replicated in teacher-reported autistic traits, β = .01, p = .734. Boys’ (mother and teacher-reported) autistic traits were not related to the sex of their cotwin, p’s > .05. Postnatally, girls’ teacher-reported autistic traits were slightly higher if they had an older brother, β = .07, p = .013. Other than this small effect, girls’ autistic traits were not related to having siblings. Likewise, boys’ autistic traits were not related to having siblings. Conclusions: We do not find increased autistic traits in girls with a twin brother compared to a twin sister. This finding contributes to the body of literature that rejects the twin testosterone transfer hypothesis. In all, we find little evidence for pre- and postnatal sibling influences. Besides, our findings suggest that parent reports on autistic traits in twins might be slightly biased. Our findings align with ASD’s high heritability and absence of shared-environmental influences.

Twins Separated at Birth: Across a Country and Around the World/Twin Research: Memorial Tribute to Isaac Blickstein, MD; Infanticide and Sacrifice of Archaic-Aged Twins and Triplets; Prehistoric Twin Burials; Highlights from a Conference on Three Identical Strangers/Media Reports: An Atypical Twin Father; An Actor’s Twin Brother; Twin Link to Tulsa, Oklahoma Massacre; Superfetated Twins; Twin Comedians and Script Writers; Indian Twins’ Loss to COVID-19

Every reared-apart monozygotic (MZ) twin pair offers a fresh perspective on human developmental questions. This is true regardless of whether the co-twins were raised in the same country or across the globe. The members of two pairs of separated MZ female twins have recently come to attention. In one case the twins were raised by different families in Argentina; in the other case the twins were raised by different families in Sweden and Vietnam. The perceptions and perspectives of these twins are insightful. The twin research section that follows begins with a tribute to our late esteemed colleague, Dr Isaac Blickstein (1953−2020). Research concerning the infanticide and sacrifice of Archaic-aged twins and triplets and prehistoric twin burials is reviewed next. Highlights from a conference focused on the 2018 film Three Identical Strangers are also included in this portion. The final section of this article includes media reports of an atypical twin father, an actor’s twin brother, a twin link to the 1921 Tulsa, Oklahoma massacre, the birth of superfetated twins, twin comedians and script writers and Indian twins’ tragic loss to COVID-19.

ASSYRIAN PARALLELS TO THE NART EPOS OF THE OSSETIANS

Статья рассматривает параллели к нартовскому эпосу осетин в фольклоре современных ассирийцев – этнической группы родом из Месопотамии. Если современные ассирийцы являются потомками древнего населения Ассирии, то осетины – потомки скифов, которые в прошлом атаковали Ассирийскую империю. Фольклор ассирийцев испытал сильное иранское влияние. Их сказки содержат множество иранских мотивов, часть которых перекликается с нартовским эпосом. В частности, в ассирийских сказках присутствует волшебная яблоня, плоды которой похищают сверхъестественные силы. Ложась спать с женой своего брата-близнеца, герой сказки кладет свою саблю между ними. С помощью орла, птенцов которого он спас, герой ассирийских сказок обычно выбирается из подземного мира. В некоторых сказках он попадает во враждебный дом, переодетым в женское платье, под видом невесты, соблазняет там женщину. Он охотится на джейрана, серну или газель, которые оказываются девушками-колдуньями. Находит соответствие в нартовском эпосе и мотив огромной антропоморфной лягушки. В ассирийских сказках есть также волшебное зеркало и чудесный котел, в котором варятся змеи, лягушки и черепахи. Герой похищает этот котел. Фигурируют там и морские кони. Советы коня помогают герою привезти чудесное дерево из охраняемого сада. Три героя состязаются за находку, рассказывая случаи из жизни. История одного из них заключается в том, что он был превращен ведьмой в быка, но девушка-волшебница помогает ему расколдоваться и наказать ведьму. Встречаются и амазонские мотивы. Как и у осетин, в ассирийской сказке есть мотив руки, высовывающейся из морской пучины. С осетинскими преданиями сближается история о трех купленных советах. Мотив рождения ребенка, жеребенка и щенка в сочетании с мотивом женщины, которая неузнанной соблазняет своего мужа, дабы проучить его, особенно близки нартовскому эпосу. The article examines the parallels to the Nart epos of the Ossetians in the folklore of modern Assyrians, an ethnic group indigenous to Mesopotamia. If the modern Assyrians are the descendants of the ancient population of Assyria, then the Ossetians are the descendants of the Scythians who attacked the Assyrian Empire in the past. The folklore of the Assyrians underwent strong Iranian influence. Their tales contain many Iranian motives, some of which have something in common with the Nart epos. In particular, in Assyrian tales there is a magic apple tree, the fruits of which are stolen by supernatural forces. Going to bed with the wife of his twin brother, the hero of the fairy tale puts his sword between them. With the help of the eagle, whose nestlings he saved, the hero of Assyrian tales is usually got out of the underworld. In some tales, he enters in a hostile house dressed in a woman's dress, disguised as a bride, and seduces a woman there. He hunts gazelle, chamois or gazelle, which turn out to be witch girls. The motive of a huge anthropomorphic frog finds a correspondence in the Nart epos as well. In Assyrian tales, there is also a magic mirror and a wonderful cauldron in which snakes, frogs and turtles are boiled. The hero kidnaps this cauldron. There are also sea horses. The horse’s advice helps the hero to bring a wonderful tree from the protected garden. Three heroes compete for a find, telling stories from their life. The story of one of them is that he was turned into a bull by a witch, but a girl sorceress helps him to disenchant and punish the witch. There are also Amazon motives. Like among the Ossetians, in the Assyrian fairy tale there is a motive of a hand sticking out from the depths of the sea. The story of three purchased councils comes close to the Ossetian legends. The motive of the birth of a child, a foal, and a puppy, combined with the motive of a woman who, being unrecognized, seduces her husband in order to teach him a lesson, are especially close to the Nart saga.

Characterization of Mineral and Bone Metabolism Biomarkers in a Chinese Consanguineous Twin Family with Primary Hypertrophic Osteoarthropathy

Purpose. Primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (PHO) is a rare, autosomal, recessive genetic disease characterized by digital clubbing, periostosis, and pachydermia. The underlying cause for the pathogenesis of this disease is a defect in prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) degradation, caused by mutations in HPGD or SLCO2A1. In this study, we describe the clinical characteristics, SLCO2A1 mutations, and bone metabolic markers of a PHO pedigree from a Chinese consanguineous twin family. Methods. Whole blood and urine samples were collected from all the family members. All the exons and exon-intron boundaries of the HPGD and SLCO2A1 genes were amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequenced. The biomarkers of mineral and bone metabolism, including calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone (PTH), 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), bone Gla-protein (BGP), C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (β-CTX), and urinary calcium/creatinine ratio (Uca/Ucr) were detected. Results. A homozygous (nonsense) mutation in the SLCO2A1 gene (c.1807C >T/p.R603 ∗ ) was detected in the proband. Five heterozygous carriers were also identified among his relatives, including his twin brother. The serum BGP (225.5 ng/ml), β-CTX (4112 pg/ml), and Uca/Ucr (0.63) levels were significantly elevated, while the 25(OH)D (37.1 nmol/L) level was reduced in the proband. The proband’s twin brother displayed increased levels of β-CTX (901 pg/ml) and insufficiency of 25(OH)D (67.29 nmol/L), while the other heterozygous carriers only displayed 25(OH)D insufficiency. Conclusion. The patients with PHO displayed an active state of bone reconstruction. There may be a lack of vitamin D, accompanied by an increase in BGP and β-CTX levels. Heterozygous mutations of SLCO2A1 might lead to mild PHO.

The Edomites

The geographically southernmost entity among Israel’s neighbors, the Edomites, appear in the Hebrew Bible in a fascinatingly close role to Israel—literally as Israel’s twin brother (Gen 25–26). Most like its assessment of the Arameans, the biblical tradition acknowledges the familial bonds between Israel and Edom but at the same time blames Edom for various political infractions and disloyalty. The names of some Edomite kings are known from Assyrian administrative texts in the eighth century BCE, a period of Assyrian domination generally over the region. Not many Edomite written materials remain, and no royal inscriptions. However, a small number of native inscriptions attest to the prominence of the deity Qos as the primary Edomite deity, and excavations at key sites such as Qitmit and En Hatzeva within the last few decades have revealed artifacts that help us begin to understand Edomite religion and iconography.

KHAMYTS – A UNIQUE CHARACTER OF THE OSSETIAN NARTIAD

Нарт Хамыц – фигура рельефная, главенствующая в осетинской На- ртиаде, не лишенная подлинного достоинства и магической силы. Однако, соглас- но сюжету большинства сказаний («Нартовский ныхас», «Как Сырдон изготовил фандыр» и др.), Хамыц представлен посредственным, не совершавшим подвигов воином, в мужестве и ответственности уступавшим брату-близнецу Урузмагу. На- рты отзывались о нем нелестно: склонность к чревоугодию, жестокосердие, же- нолюбие. При этом он не оспаривал справедливость подобных оценок. Между тем неразумность и мстительность Хамыца, имевшие трагические последствия, обво- рачиваются для нартов добром. Так, он оставил склеп матери без присмотра, и на свет появились Сатáна, первый из земных коней Арфан и первый земной пес Силам. А истребление семьи Сырдона имело следствием изобретение музыкального инструмента – фандыра. Факт поражения «женской болезнью» роднит Хамыца со скифскими энареями и еще больше – с легендой о фее Маха из ирландской легенды об уладах. The Nart Khamyts is a prominent fi gure predominating in the Ossetian Nartiade, who is not devoid of genuine dignity and miraculous power. However, according to the plot of most legends (“The Narts’ nykhas”, “How Syrdon made the fandyr”, etc.), Khamyts is represented as a mediocre warrior, who has not performed any feats and is inferior to his twin-brother Uruzmag in terms of courage and responsibility. Narts spoke unfl attering things about him: a tendency to gluttony, hardheartedness, seduction of women, the owner of a wonderful «Arkiz tooth». However, he did not dispute the validity of such estimates. Meanwhile, the unreasonableness and vindictiveness of Khamyts, having tragic consequences, is turning good for the Narts. So, he left his mother’s crypt unattended, where in the meantime Satána, the fi rst of the earthly horses Arfan and the fi rst of the earthly dog Silam came into the world. And the extermination of Syrdon’s family resulted in the invention of the musical instrument fandyr. The fact that Khamyts was struck by the “female disease” makes him related to the Scythian enareas and even more to the legend of the fairy Mach from the Irish legend of the Ulaid.

1106 Twins with uncertain significant mutations, slightly different cardiomyopathies and different oucmes

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is defined as left ventricle (LV) dilatation and dysfunction in the absence of abnormal loading conditions or coronary artery disease enough to cause global systolic impairment. It is the leading cause of heart failure and sudden cardiac death, and even in the early stages of life 5,7/1.000.000 children are diagnosed each year. Lately, genetic screening has revealed that 30-50% of the cases have a familial origin, with a high genetic heterogeneity. We present the case of a 4-month-old boy (case A) referred to our Hospital with high suspicion of dilated cardiomyopathy. He had a twin brother, pregnancy went without complications, pre-birth ultrasound and blood tests were completely normal and a caesarean birth was planned at 37 weeks of pregnancy. He also has an older sibling with no medical history. Our patient was the first to be born and was admitted to the neonatal-ICU due to tachypnea, labored breathing and desaturation. In the physical exam a 5cm hepatomegaly was detected and on the X-Ray a cardiomegaly and enlarged mediastinum were confirmed. ECG showed no electrical abnormalities besides vague repolarization changes. A TTE was done, showing remarkable left cavities enlargement with severe left ventricle dysfunction and moderate mitral regurgitation, comprising the right filling and therefore the right cardiac output. These findings were confirmed by MRI, not detecting enhancement patterns compatible with myocarditis. A genetic test was performed in the index case detecting the presence of a mutation in the desmin gene (Des C.568 + 10c) and the myosin heavy chain 7 gene (Myh7p - glu883Ala) both associated either with dilated and noncompaction cardyomiopathies. Due to the elevated chances of a familiar-DCM his twin brother was admitted to study (case B), with no symptoms or clinical signs besides an isolated bronchitis episode. The clinical examination and EKG were normal, detecting in the TTE a slightly dilated left ventricle with non-compactation morphology in the LV lateral wall, but no left ventricle dysfunction. Also, a TTE was performed in their father with similar findings: mild LV dilatation with minor systolic disfunction and uncertain non-compactation morphology in the LVl apex. Abnormalities of specific genes are now known to be responsible for different types of congenital heart diseases with important implications in genetic counseling. We want to emphasize the different manifestation of a single mutation on different members of a family, even in this two twin-brothers that, under the same probable conditions during preganancy, had slightly different cardyomyopathies but very different severity, and probable mid to long term prognosis. Abstract 1106 Figure.

Sacrifice of God in Ancient Egypt: Myth and Ritual

Mythological beliefs about the first victim are archetypal for ancient cultures. According to ancient Egyptian mythology it is the god Osiris — the first mythical king of Egypt — who became the first victim having been killed by his twin brother Seth. Binary logic of the mythological consciousness based on the beliefs about conflicts and reconciliation of opposites has solved the problem of overcoming death through the sacrifice of Osiris. The image of Osiris based on the cult of ancestors, twin motive and sacrifice of bull. Osiris personified the spirit cosmogony of Ancient Egyptian culture.

Twins In Power. Jarosław Kaczyński and Lech Kaczyński as Leaders of Law and Justice

Rarely do twins play active and significant roles in politics. Yet in 2006 President of the Republic of Poland, Lech Kaczyński, designated his twin brother Jarosław to be prime minister. The aim of the current publication is to analyse the political activity of Lech and Jarosław Kaczyński in the context of the founding of PiS and its functioning. Their position inside the party is undisputed. Moreover, as there is no opposition inside the party and Jarosław Kaczyński achieves spectacular electoral results, his legitimisation as autonomous leader of the party is strengthened even further.