Morphometric dimensions of metacarpal bones in the population structure analysis (island of Krk, Croatia)

The population structure analysis by means of the osteometric dimensions of metacarpal bones in the population groups of the northern Adriatic island of Krk, Croatia was performed. The sample consisted of randomly sampled adult islanders (94 males and 79 females) aged from 18 to 85 years from six villages of the island of Krk. "Biological distances" were estimated by the Mahalanobis D2 analysis for bone length (L), total diaphysis width (T) and medullary canal width (M) dimensions of the second left metacarpal bone. Analysis of the osteometric dimensions of metacarpal bones as a measure of biological distance between population groups of the island of Krk indicated bio-cultural and socio-cultural events, rather than geographical distances, to be the primary determinants of anthropogenetic structure of today's population groups of the island.     

Pulmonary function in persons who are professionally exposed to formaldehyde fumes

The present study examines long-term effects of occupational exposure to formaldehyde fumes on lung function. Forced spirometry and diffusing lung capacity were measured in 16 health-service professionals (8 medical doctors and 8 laboratory technicians) working at the pathoanatomic laboratory for at least 4 years with daily exposure 8 +/- 1 hours. Control group employed 16 males, which were matched by age and stature to members of the exposed group. Only non-smokers were included in the study. Spirometric parameters in study participants exposed to formaldehyde fumes compared to control group were not significantly different indicating absence of restrictive and/or obstructive deterioration of lung function in exposed group. The only parameter differing in two groups was blood volume of pulmonary capillaries (Vc') which was significantly larger in a group exposed to formaldehyde fumes. The possibility that the hyperemic lung reaction is the consequence of the exposure to formaldehyde fumes should be further explored.     

掌骨X线测量推断身高的研究

随机选取在校健康大学生186人(男90人, 女96人, 年龄18—27岁), 拍摄双手后前位372侧X线片, 测量身高和掌骨的长与宽。通过掌骨和身高的测量, 分析掌骨各参数与身高的关系, 为人类学和法医学的身高推断积累研究资料。掌骨长与身高的相关性明显高于掌骨宽, 其中男性第2掌骨长与身高相关性最高, 其线性回归方程为Ym=1097.320+9.337X; 女性第3掌骨长与身高的相关性最高, 其线性回归方程为Yf=1016.752+9.878X。男性第2掌骨长和女性第3掌骨长与身高的相关性最高, 可分别作为推断身高的依据。     

Osteological and dental markers of health in the transition from the Late Antique to the Early Medieval period in Croatia

The purpose of this study is to analyze health at the transition from the Late Antique (LA) to the Early Medieval (EM) period in Croatia. Results of the analyses of skeletal remains are compared with historical and archaeological data to test the hypothesis that the transition was catastrophic. An additional objective is to determine whether the transition was a uniform process, or differentially affected the past inhabitants of Croatia because of various local considerations. To accomplish this, four markers of health: cribra orbitalia, linear enamel hypoplasia, nonspecific periostitis, and trauma were compared in 981 skeletons: 477 from nine urban LA sites, and 504 from six rural EM sites. Data were collected by sex and age for individual, and for co-occurrences of various features. Because continental and Adriatic Croatia has different ecological features, data were specifically tabulated for the two regions. Comparisons between the continental and Adriatic regions of the LA series showed no significant differences in the frequencies of the analyzed markers of stress. Comparisons between the LA and EM series showed similar frequencies in continental Croatia--suggesting no significant discontinuity of living conditions, and a significant increase of cribra orbitalia, periostitis, and trauma frequencies during the EM period in Adriatic Croatia. The deterioration of living conditions primarily affected subadults and males. These data suggest that the transition from the LA to the EM period in Croatia was not a uniform process, but differentially affected population biology most likely because of local cultural, socio-economical or political considerations.     

Cancer incidence in eastern Adriatic isolates, Croatia: examples from the islands of Krk, Cres, Losinj, Rab and Pag

As an extension of previous research this study investigates the incidence of cancer in five genetic isolate island populations of the Eastern Adriatic, Croatia. Thorough anthropological research over the past three decades has established some of those populations as outstanding examples of genetic isolates. A previous study which found higher cancer incidence in 5 Eastern Adriatic islands than in a control population supported a hypothesis that among the founders of these populations there were genetic variants (especially with recessive inheritance) responsible for genetic susceptibility to certain types of cancer. This study sought to investigate cancer incidence in 5 further island populations. All cancer cases in five island populations (Krk, Cres, Losinj, Rab and Pag) over the 20-year period (1971 to 1990) was extracted from the data of the Croatian Cancer Registry. The mainland populations of Istrian and Primorsko-Goranska County, characterized by similar environmental factors but an outbred genetic structure, represented a control population. After standardization by by sex and age, cancer incidence was higher in the island populations than in the control population in both sexes. The cancer sites primarily responsible for the excess incidence were prostate, stomach and pancreatic cancer in males, and ovarian, breast, stomach, bowel, and brain cancer in females. The reasons for the increased cancer incidence are uncertain and may be due to different environmental exposure between the two populations. However, it is possible that genetic isolation and inbreeding are important factors. Further investigations of cancer in these isolate populations are warranted to explore these findings further.     

Isolation by distance and correlation analysis of distance measures in the study of population structure: example from the Island of Hvar

Assessment of the population structure on the island of Hvar is based on the analysis of Malécot's isolation by distance model. We have tested the fit of the model by regression analysis of different measures of similarity (genetic kinship) and distance [Hamming's HSM distance for linguistic data; Mahalanobis's D2 distances for anthropometric head and body dimensions, radiogrammetric dimensions of metacarpal bones, physiological (cardiorespiratory) traits, and quantitative dermatoglyphic properties of the digitopalmar complex; and Edwards's E2 for frequencies of erythrocyte antigens]. Good fit of the model for linguistic and anthropometric data, which was demonstrated in previous studies on other eastern Adriatic populations, is confirmed. We compared parameters of the model with those already published for various populations in the eastern Adriatic and other parts of the world. We also evaluated the pattern of correlations between different measures of geographic, biological, and sociocultural distances through principal components analysis and interpreted the results within the context of microevolutionary theory and the population's ethnohistorical background.     

Bone mass in Guamanian patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and parkinsonism-dementia

Bone mass, as assessed by measurements of total subperiosteal diameter and medullary width of the second metacarpal bone on hand-wrist radiographs, was evaluated for 31 Guamanian patients (15 males, 16 females) with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), 67 patients (39 males, 28 females) with parkinsonism-dementia (PD), and 66 (34 males, 32 females) nonaffected Guamanian controls. Comparisons between the two disease groups and between each disease group and the nonaffected controls were made taking into account the sex, age, and disability status of each participant. At all ages, ALS patients of both sexes had significantly lower percent cortical areas (PCA) than did nonaffected controls. The ALS males also had significantly lower PCA than PD males, although no significant differences were observed between female ALS and PD patients. The PD patients of either sex had a lower PCA when compared to controls, but the differences were not statistically significant. The observed differences in PCA were due solely to increased medullary width, suggesting that the diminished cortical bone thickness resulted from greater bone resorption rather than differential bone growth. Longitudinal studies support the cross-sectional findings of accelerated bone loss among ALS patients. It is not possible to determine from the present data whether the observed differences in PCA of the second metacarpal of the ALS patients are due to atrophy of the first interosseous muscle, to a generalized resorption process inherently associated with the development and progression of ALS, or to factors not accounted for by the present analysis.     

Second metacarpal midshaft geometry in an historic cemetery sample

Study of bone mass at the second metacarpal midshaft has contributed to our understanding of skeletal growth and aging within and between populations and has relied extensively on noninvasive techniques and in particular radiogrammetric data. This study reports age, sex, and side variation in size and shape data acquired from direct measurement of cross-sections obtained from a large (n = 356), homogeneous skeletal sample. Correlation analysis and three-way ANOVA of size-adjusted data confirm general impressions of patterned variation in this element: males have absolutely but not necessarily relatively larger bones than females; the right side is larger than the left, though a larger than expected proportion (approximately 25%) of left metacarpals exhibits greater values than the right; and bone mass but not strength (in males) declines with age. Contrary to the widely accepted assumption of circularity for this location, direct measurement of cross-sectional geometry confirms previous biplanar radiogrammetric conclusions regarding the noncircularity of the second metacarpal midshaft and identifies a significant difference between males and females, with the latter having a more cylindrical diaphysis. Deviation of the axes of maximum and minimum bending strength associated with noncircularity suggests a distribution of bone mass to resist bending moments perpendicular to the distal palmar arch, though this conclusion awaits more robust study of the functional anatomy of the metacarpal diaphysis. Am J Phys Anthropol 106:157–167, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Study on long bones: variation in angular traits with sex, age, and laterality

The biological problems considered in this study are sexual dimorphism in angular osteometric traits, changes in these traits with aging and their bilateral asymmetry in the same individual. The sample comprises the right and left long bones of 200 skeletons (100 males and 100 females) of Sardinian adults (Frasetto collection) for whom the sex and age at death are known. As concerns the sexual dimorphism, some angular traits of upper limb (joint axis angle of the ulna in particular) and the lower limb (condylo-diaphyseal angle of the femur and retroversion angle of the tibia) are significantly different between males and females. Torsion angles of long bones (especially the femur) were found to change with age. In sides comparison revealed a clear right-left asymmetry in our sample. The asymmetry, sexual dimorphism and changes with age are discussed in relation to varying stresses of different living activities. Our data indicate that the angular traits of long bones could be very informative in biomechanical interpretations of human activities based on skeletal remains.     

Isolation by distance in Middle Dalmatia-Yugoslavia

Parameters of Malécot's isolation-by-distance model are estimated for biological (anthropometric head and body dimensions, morphometric dimensions of metacarpal bones, quantitative and qualitative dermatoglyphic traits, and physiological/cardiorespiratory/variables) and linguistic distances and migrational kinship on the island of Korcula and the Peljesac peninsula in Middle Dalmatia, Croatia, Yugoslavia. Resulting parameters and the fit of the model are compared, for both regions, as well as with results of similar analysis in other parts of the world. The fit of the model is highly significant for migrational kinship and linguistic distances and less so for biological traits. Differences between these two populations, which live under basically similar ecological conditions, are explained by variation in biological and sociocultural history.     

The ovulation rate in anoestrous female goats managed under grazing conditions and exposed to the male effect is increased by nutritional supplementation

This experiment was conducted to determine if feed supplementation before exposure of anoestrous does to males increases ovulation rate. Does (n=50) grazing natural vegetation were divided into two groups (n=25). One group received no feed supplementation, while the other was supplemented daily, with a mixture of 950 g of alfalfa hay, 290 g of rolled corn and 140 g of soy bean per animal for 7 days before exposure to bucks. On April 7, all females were exposed to four adult sexually active bucks (two per group) for 15 days. The ovulation rate at the ovulation detected within 5 days of exposure to males, assessed by transrectal ultrasonography, was greater (P<0.05) in supplemented (1.6+/-0.2) than in non-supplemented females (1.0+/-0.2). In contrast, ovulation rate at the subsequent ovulation, detected between days 6 and 15 of contact with males, was not different (P>0.05) between supplemented (1.3+/-0.1) and non-supplemented females (1.3+/-0.2). Feed supplementation 7 days before exposure to sexually active bucks of females managed under grazing conditions increased their ovulation rate at the first male-induced ovulation but the stimulatory effect of supplementation did not persist and was not observed at the subsequent ovulation.     

Ultraviolet sun radiation and incidence of age-related macular degeneration on Croatian Island Rab

This epidemiological study is completed on island Rab, located in North Adriatic Sea. For this study it is important that Adriatic Sea has one of the highest solar radiations in geographical area of Europe. The aim of this epidemiological study is to estimate correlation between incidence of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and exposure of sunlight in two different populations on island Rab. In the first group of population of island Rab, agriculturists and fishermen (n = 1300), incidence of AMD was in 18%, but in urban population only 2.5%. It is very interesting that correlation exists between incidence of AMD and exfoliation syndrome. In the group of chronic exposure to sunlight (agriculturists and fishermen) exfoliation syndrome exists in 28%, but in urban population it has never been seen. The age in both populations was 45-65 years. We can conclude that there is a very significant correlation between chronic exposure to sunlight and appearance of AMD.     

Lead concentrations in cortical and trabecular bones in deceased smelter workers

The aim of the study was to compare bone lead concentrations in cortical and trabecular bones in long-term exposed primary copper and lead smelter workers, and to relate the measured concentrations to the previous lead exposure of the workers. Lead concentrations in seven bones (trabecular: sternum, vertebrae, iliac crest, rib; cortical: femur, left forefinger, and temporal bone) were determined by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry in 32 male, long-term exposed copper and lead smelter workers, and compared with levels in 10 male occupationally unexposed reference persons. A time-integrated blood lead index (cumulative blood lead index, CBLI) was calculated for each worker. The lead levels in the seven studied bones were all significantly higher in active and retired lead workers as compared with the reference group (p相似文献   

Skeletal growth and aging parameters due to heredity at different stages of ontogeny

Two hundred and twenty twins of Ukrainian ethnic group have been examined (89 monozygotic (MZ) and 131 dizygotic (DZ) pairs) during peripubertal (42 MZ and 69 DZ) and mature (47 MZ and 69 DZ) age periods. Of them: 94 are male pairs (31 MZ and 62 DZ) and 126 female (58 MZ and 68 DZ) pairs. The program including 16 anthropometric, 48 osteometric and 8 osteoscopic signs has been performed according to the recommendations suggested by D. G. Rokhlin (1936), V. V. Bunak (1941) and B. A. Nikityuk (1968). The hereditary influence on the longitudinal anthropometric signs decreases in mature age with a simultaneous increase of these influences on weight parameters and transversal dimensions of the trunk. Transition from the peripubertal to the mature age is characterised by a decrease of genetic effects on highly-hereditable osteometric signs and an increasing effect of heredity on the skeletal ageing signs. The degree of hereditarily-dependent skeletal ageing is higher in the I mature than in the II mature age, and in the female it is higher than in the male group.     

Prenatal exposure to phenytoin and its effect on postnatal growth and craniofacial proportion in the rat

Neonatal rats exposed prenatally to phenytoin (PHT) have been reported to have craniofacial abnormalities and growth retardation [Lorente et al.: Teratology 24:169-180, 1981]. This study reports on the persistence of these effects in the adult rat. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were intubated on gestational days 9, 11, and 13 with 1,000 mg/kg PHT suspended in 1% carboxymethylcellulose (CMC). Six male and six female exposed offspring (PHT) and an equal number of control animals (CMC) were weighed through postnatal day 135, at which point they were killed and the skeletons were prepared for analysis. The PHT-exposed animals had reduced weights at all time points with the males more severely affected. A normal adolescent growth spurt was not observed in the exposed group. Absent or rudimentary lacrimal bones and nasolacrimal canals were note in all PHT-exposed rats. This contributed to the recessed positioning of the eyes that was grossly apparent. In addition, shorter and broader frontal bones in the PHT animals led to the appearance of hypertelorism. Ratios of craniofacial dimensions obtained by direct measurement of the skulls showed that the PHT offspring were significantly different in proportion from their control counterparts. The PHT skulls were smaller for body size with reduced facial height and broader midfacial regions. A unique craniofacial pattern was observed in the experimental offspring. Normal sexual dimorphism in craniofacial pattern was not expressed in the PHT group. These studies suggest that prenatal phenytoin exposure in the rat may interfere with the full expression of normal dimorphism based on gender and confirms the toxic effect of this drug on postnatal growth, adult body proportion, and craniofacial geometry.     

Study of lead accumulation in bones of Wistar rats by X-ray fluorescence analysis: aging effect

The accumulation of lead in several bones of Wistar rats with time was determined and compared for the different types of bones. Two groups were studied: a control group (n = 20), not exposed to lead and a contaminated group (n = 30), exposed to lead from birth, first indirectly through mother's milk, and then directly through a diet containing lead acetate in drinking water (0.2%). Rats age ranged from 1 to 11 months, with approximately 1 month intervals and each of the collections had 3 contaminated rats and 2 control rats. Iliac, femur, tibia-fibula and skull have been analysed by Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Technique (EDXRF). Samples of formaldehyde used to preserve the bone tissues were also analysed by Electrothermal Atomic Absorption (ETAAS), showing that there was no significant loss of lead from the tissue to the preservative. The bones mean lead concentration of exposed rats range from 100 to 300 μg g(-1) while control rats never exceeded 10 μg g(-1). Mean bone lead concentrations were compared and the concentrations were higher in iliac, femur and tibia-fibula and after that skull. However, of all the concentrations in the different collections, only those in the skull were statistically significantly different (p < 0.05) from the other types of bones. Analysis of a radar chart also allowed us to say that these differences tend to diminish with age. The Spearman correlation test applied to mean lead concentrations showed strong and very strong positive correlations between all different types of bones. This test also showed that mean lead concentrations in bones are negatively correlated with the age of the animals. This correlation is strong in iliac and femur and very strong in tibia-fibula and skull. It was also shown that the decrease of lead accumulation with age is made by three plateaus of accumulation, which coincide, in all analysed bones, between 2nd-3rd and 9th-10th months.     

Inbreeding and susceptibility to osteoporosis in Croatian island isolates

The aim of this study was to investigate a recessive genetic component in susceptibility to osteoporosis (OP) by comparing its prevalence in isolated villages of three Croatian islands: Brac, Hvar and Korcula with different levels of inbreeding. A random sample of 20-30% adults from 14 villages was obtained, including a total of 1,389 examinees. The average inbreeding coefficient (F) of examinees from each village population was estimated using Wright's path method (based on genealogical information). The morphometry of the metacarpal bones was performed on hand-wrist radiographs of both hands in all examinees. OP was defined as values of cortical index smaller than 2 standard deviations based on distribution of values in examinees of the same sex under 45 years of age. Mean values of cortical index (CI) and prevalence of OP (both standardized by age and weighted for the sample size) in each village were correlated to the mean inbreeding coefficient (F). The coefficient of correlation (r) between F values and CI was -0.28 in males (p = 0.08) and -0.42 in females (p = 0.005), and between F and OP prevalence 0.32 in males (p < 0.001) and 0.43 in females (p < 0.001). These results indicate a trend of increased susceptibility to osteoporosis with increasing level of inbreeding in isolated communities of Croatian islands.     

太行山猕猴掌骨性别判别分析

为了了解成年太行山猕猴5根掌骨的性差大小。本文对太行山猕猴掌骨标本40例(雄:10, 雌:30)进行观察并选择掌骨的9项形态变量进行测量。数据用SPSS19.0软件进行多变量判别分析。结果表明: 5根掌骨长度等变量在性别之间有明显差异。用全模型法5根掌骨的性别正确判别率范围为94.1%~100.0%, 用逐步判别法掌骨性别正确判别率范围为93.8%~97.5%。有关掌骨的9个形态变量, 长度变量首先被挑选出来, 说明在性别判别中起重要作用。分别用左右侧掌骨的判别函数来判别性别时侧别差异不明显。结论: 用每根掌骨的形态变量建立判别函数可以有效地区分性别, 对非人灵长类掌骨标本的性别鉴定有一定的理论意义和应用价值。     

Features of the structure of the metacarpal bones of athletes in different specialties

Metacarpal bones have been examined in hand X-ray photos of 125 sportsmen at the age of 17-18 years who go in for swimming (dynamic loading on the hand) and competitive gymnastics (static loading on the hand). Under the effect of systematic trainings, which are connected with an increased loading on the hand, a number of morphological changes take place in the metacarpal bones. A prolonged loading of the dynamic character delays the synostosis process in the distal parts of the forearm bones and contributes to lengthening the I, III and IV and to widening the I-V metacarpal bones. As demonstrate decreasing indices of compactness in the swimmers, the widening diaphisis of the metacarpal bones occurs at the expense of dilatation of the medullary cavity. The static loadings result in a greater delay of the synostosis processes in the upper extremity parts mentioned, in a greater width of the I-III, V metacarpal bones in boy-gymnasts. The increased index of compactness demonstrates that the widening diaphysis of the metacarpal bones takes place at the expense of thickening of the compact substance and narrowing of the medullary cavity.     

Brief communication: Prenatal and early postnatal stress exposure influences long bone length in adult rat offspring

Stress during the prenatal and early postnatal periods (perinatal stress, PS) is known to impact offspring cognitive, behavioral, and physical development, but effects on skeletal growth are not clear. Our objective was to analyze effects of variable, mild, daily PS exposure on adult offspring long bone length. Twelve pregnant rat dams were randomly assigned to receive variable stress from gestational days 14–21 (Prenatal group), postpartum days 2–9 (Postnatal), both periods (Pre–Post), or no stress (Control). Differences in adult offspring tibia and femur length were analyzed among treatment groups. Mean tibia length differed among groups for males (P = 0.016) and females (P = 0.009), and differences for femur length approached significance for males (P = 0.051). Long bone length was shorter among PS‐exposed offspring, especially those exposed to postnatal stress (Postnatal and Pre–Post groups). Results persisted when controlling for nose–tail length. These differences might reflect early stunting that is maintained in adulthood, or delayed growth among PS‐exposed offspring. This study suggests that PS results in shorter long bones in adulthood, independently of effects on overall body size. Stunting and growth retardation are major global health burdens. Our study adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that PS is a risk factor for poor linear growth. Am J Phys Anthropol 149:307–311, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.