Specific selection of recommendations for estimating body height from skeletal findings, comparability of estimated results and general problems in estimating body height during life

Problems in estimating stature from skeletal remains are not enough analysed in anthropology. Certainly, a great number of statements exists but the problems of recommendability and comparability of these statements must studied more complete. Reasons for these ommisions must be searched in the neglect of the fact that physical constitutions differed in historical and geographical respects. Therefore in this paper, some basic problems in estimating stature are represented, some aids for better comparability and recommendability are given.     

Methodological approach for estimating the functional state of the body by the degree of fatigue

The functional state of firefighter (rescuers) from operational units of the Ministry of the Russian Federation for Affairs of Civil Defense, Emergencies and Disaster Relief (persons of an extreme profession, men from health groups I–II, 20–45 years old; n= 136) has been monitored under the conditions of a 24-h workday (WD) in the framework of an integrated study. It has been shown that the signs of acute fatigue appear in individual systems, while general fatigue is formed in the body as a whole. A methodological approach has been developed for estimating their functional state by rating the “general fatigue of the body,” including six methodically different techniques.     

New model for estimating the relationship between surface area and volume in the human body using skeletal remains

A new model for estimating human body surface area and body volume/mass from standard skeletal metrics is presented. This model is then tested against both 1) “independently estimated” body surface areas and “independently estimated” body volume/mass (both derived from anthropometric data) and 2) the cylindrical model of Ruff. The model is found to be more accurate in estimating both body surface area and body volume/mass than the cylindrical model, but it is more accurate in estimating body surface area than it is for estimating body volume/mass (as reflected by the standard error of the estimate when “independently estimated” surface area or volume/mass is regressed on estimates derived from the present model). Two practical applications of the model are tested. In the first test, the relative contribution of the limbs versus the trunk to the body's volume and surface area is compared between “heat-adapted” and “cold-adapted” populations. As expected, the “cold-adapted” group has significantly more of its body surface area and volume in its trunk than does the “heat-adapted” group. In the second test, we evaluate the effect of variation in bi-iliac breadth, elongated or foreshortened limbs, and differences in crural index on the body's surface area to volume ratio (SA:V). Results indicate that the effects of bi-iliac breadth on SA:V are substantial, while those of limb lengths and (especially) the crural index are minor, which suggests that factors other than surface area relative to volume are driving morphological variation and ecogeographical patterning in limb prorportions. Am J Phys Anthropol 156:614–624, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

A new BIA equation estimating the body composition of young children

Bioelectric impedance analyses (BIA) provides a valid and reliable measure of body composition in field, clinical, and research settings if standard protocol procedures are followed, and population-specific equations are available and utilized. The objective of this study was to create and cross-validate a new BIA body composition equation with representative healthy weight (HW), overweight (OW), and obese (OB) young children. Participants were 436 children who were 5-11 years of age. Dual-energy absorptiometry fat-free mass (FFM) was used as the criterion measure and a single frequency tetra-polar BIA device was used to create the new BIA equation. The new BIA equation explained 95.2% of the variance in FFM with no statistical shrinkage upon cross-validation. The use of this equation may help to identify effective intervention strategies to prevent or combat childhood obesity, and may assist in additional conditions or treatments where information concerning body composition measures would provide greater accuracy and sensitivity measures for preventing or combating disease.     

Variations in body height within the course of a working day

Variation of body height during the day has been analyzed considering the influence of various occupations (standing, sitting, mixed) on the posture. In addition to this the following variables have been recorded on the 302 individuals under study: Sex, age, working time, time of getting up in the morning, kind of occupation, physique, sporting activities in the leisure-time, presence of defects of the spinal column, possibility of changes of the carriage at the working place and extensibility of the spinal column. The statistical analysis showed that with the exception of pathological alterations of the spinal column all these variables are influencing the variation of body height during the day. It could also be shown that the extensibility of the spinal column does not vary during the day. The author is discussing also ergonomical rules concerning the organization of working places for standing and sitting occupations. Finally some recommendations for the future organization of such places are given.     

Methods for estimating missing human skeletal element osteometric dimensions employed in the revised fully technique for estimating stature

One of the greatest limitations to the application of the revised Fully anatomical stature estimation method is the inability to measure some of the skeletal elements required in its calculation. These element dimensions cannot be obtained due to taphonomic factors, incomplete excavation, or disease processes, and result in missing data. This study examines methods of imputing these missing dimensions using observable Fully measurements from the skeleton and the accuracy of incorporating these missing element estimations into anatomical stature reconstruction. These are further assessed against stature estimations obtained from mathematical regression formulae for the lower limb bones (femur and tibia). Two thousand seven hundred and seventeen North and South American indigenous skeletons were measured, and subsets of these with observable Fully dimensions were used to simulate missing elements and create estimation methods and equations. Comparisons were made directly between anatomically reconstructed statures and mathematically derived statures, as well as with anatomically derived statures with imputed missing dimensions. These analyses demonstrate that, while mathematical stature estimations are more accurate, anatomical statures incorporating missing dimensions are not appreciably less accurate and are more precise. The anatomical stature estimation method using imputed missing dimensions is supported. Missing element estimation, however, is limited to the vertebral column (only when lumbar vertebrae are present) and to talocalcaneal height (only when femora and tibiae are present). Crania, entire vertebral columns, and femoral or tibial lengths cannot be reliably estimated. Further discussion of the applicability of these methods is discussed.     

Alternative experimental approaches for interpreting skeletal findings in safety studies

Standard evaluations for characterizing selective developmental toxicity are traditionally undertaken in vivo. These studies incur significant cost in animal use, labor and compound, ultimately limiting the selection of compounds that can be evaluated in vivo. Such limitations hinder the ability to address questions regarding whether teratogenic outcome was caused by intended pharmacology or attributed to off-target effects associated with the structure of the small molecule. Ascertaining a better understanding of the published literature can enhance interpretation of existing in vivo datasets and hypotheses regarding critical windows of sensitivity and underlying mechanisms of teratogenicity. Thoughtful execution of investigative in vivo and in vitro studies can test and further define the underlying mechanism of teratogenicity. Skeletal variations and malformations are frequently encountered in in vivo studies and can be difficult to interpret in context of defining hazard assessment and mechanisms of abnormal development. This commentary reviews how investigative approaches can be integrated to better understand teratogenic mechanism as it pertains compounds that produce skeletal abnormalities. Approaches are discussed in context of how they could be used to study a compound that has been found to produce fused and wavy ribs in rat fetuses. An investigative approach is described that utilizes three strategies: 1) maximizing the data available from in vivo studies; 2) performing critical window studies in vivo; and 3) performing mechanism of action evaluations using gene expression studies and developmental model systems.     

Inter-generational educational advancement and body height

This study investigates the association between body height and inter-generational social advancement through education. Questionnaire data were collected from 2800 students (1023 men and 1777 women) from the universities of Wroclaw, Poland. The questions referred to three generations: the students and their parents and grandparents. Information was collected on the age, body height and weight of the students and their parents, and on the parents' and grandparents' education. The lowest body heights were typically found for individuals from families with the lowest educational levels, whereas the greatest body heights were found for those brought up in families with a high educational status or in families who had upgraded their status. The size of the change in the educational level of parents is only associated with fathers' and female students' body height. Individuals who had advanced from a middle educational level or who came from families with this type of advancement were found to be significantly taller, on average, than those upgrading their educational level from the lowest position. The results show that, for men, educational advancement during the course of their lives or in the earlier generation is more favourable to achieving higher stature, whereas for women, the multi-generational tradition of a high educational status is of greater significance.     

Accuracy of near-infrared interactance instruments and population-specific equations for estimating body composition in young wrestlers

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the accuracy of near-infrared interactance (NIR) instruments and population-specific NIR equations for estimating percent body fat (% fat) in young wrestlers. Forty-four white male youth wrestlers (mean age +/- SD = 11.0 +/- 2.1 years) volunteered for this study. Thirteen NIR % fat estimates were cross-validated against the criterion % fat from underwater weighing. The results of this study indicated that the total error (TE) values associated with the NIR instrument generated % fat estimates as well as % fat estimates from population-specific NIR equations developed for high school wrestlers or adult men were too large (TE = 5.7-27.3% fat) to be used with young wrestlers. Based on the present findings, it is recommended that new NIR equations be developed and validated specifically for use in young male athletes.     

Comparison of two hydrodensitometric methods for estimating percent body fat.

This study compared the two following hydrodensitometric methods for estimating percent body fat (%BF): 1) estimation of residual volume (RV) by helium dilution before and after measurement of immersed mass at RV, and 2) determination of immersed mass at a comfortable level of expiration (approximately functional residual capacity) with measurement of the associated gas volume by oxygen dilution. Twelve men [27.9 +/- 7.5 (SD) yr; 79.32 +/- 12.79 kg; 180.5 +/- 9.9 cm] were tested for %BF via both methods on each of two separate visits within 3 days by using a counterbalanced design. The two helium dilution measurements yielded a technical error of measurement of 0.2% BF and an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.999. Corresponding values for the oxygen dilution method were 0.4% BF and 0.999, respectively. There was no difference (P = 0.80) between the helium dilution (16.9 +/- 9.3% BF) and oxygen dilution (16.9 +/- 9.4% BF) methods, and the individual differences ranged from -0.7 to 0.6% BF. The interclass correlation coefficient between the two methods was 0.999 with a SE of estimate of 0.4% BF. Whereas both methods were precise and reliable and yielded similar results, the oxygen dilution technique was more expedient and was preferred by the subjects because they were not required to exhale to RV.     

A reliable body condition scoring technique for estimating condition in African buffalo

Evaluating animal body condition is a necessary component of many ecological studies. Although many methods for assessing animal body condition have been developed, relatively few can be used for estimating condition on live animals. Noninvasive body condition scoring techniques have been developed for assessing condition in livestock and more recently such techniques have been applied to wild ungulates. In this study, we examined the reliability of a body condition scoring technique for assessing condition in African buffalo (Syncerus caffer caffer). We compared a body condition score (BCS) based on visual assessment and manual palpation of an animal’s body to two standard metrics of condition widely used in mammals: kidney fat index (KFI) and haematocrit (HCT). Across all buffalo, BCS was significantly and positively correlated with both KFI and HCT. For HCT, this pattern was observed among adults, juveniles, males and females; and in the wet season but not in the dry season. For KFI, BCS was significantly and positively correlated with KFI among adults, juveniles and males, but not in females. Overall, our results suggest that the BCS technique can serve as a useful method for estimating body condition in buffalo.     

Antenatal screening by measurement of symphysis-fundus height.

A study was undertaken to assess the value of symphysis-fundus measurement as a screening procedure for intrauterine growth retardation. The reproducibility of this measurement was investigated in two groups of six patients, each measured six times by six different observers. The intraobserver coefficient of variation was 4.6% and the interobserver coefficient of variation 6.4%. There was no evidence that experience aided consistency. A chart of symphysis-fundus measurements derived from Cardiff data was found to be similar to others previously published, and one measurement below the 10th centile identified 64% of pregnancies in which the eventual birth weight was below the 10th centile for gestational age. Symphysis-fundus measurement is a useful screening test; one chart could be used for any Caucasian population and should be incorporated into the maternity services "co-operation card."     

Analyzing paired diagnostic studies by estimating the expected benefit

When the efficacy of a new medical drug is compared against that of an established competitor in a randomized controlled trial, the difference in patient‐relevant outcomes, such as mortality, is usually measured directly. In diagnostic research, however, the impact of diagnostic procedures is of an indirect nature as test results do influence downstream clinical decisions, but test performance (as characterized by sensitivity, specificity, and the predictive values of a procedure) is, at best, only a surrogate endpoint for patient outcome and does not necessarily translate into it. Not many randomized controlled trials have been conducted so far in diagnostic research, and, hence, we need alternative approaches to close the gap between test characteristics and patient outcomes. Several informal approaches have been suggested in order to close this gap, and decision modeling has been advocated as a means of obtaining formal approaches. Recently, the expected benefit has been proposed as a quantity that allows a simple formal approach, and we take up this suggestion in this paper. We regard the expected benefit as an estimation problem and consider two approaches to statistical inference. Moreover, using data from a previously published study, we illustrate the possible insights to be gained from the application of formal inference techniques to determine the expected benefit.     

Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in buildings: relationship between body height and crevice size allowing entry

Although the introduced lady beetle Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coc-cinellidae) is an important predator of aphids in a variety of crop systems during the growing season, it is often a pest in fall and winter when it enters buildings seeking overwintering sites. One of the primary recommendations for managing this annual influx is to prevent beetle entry by caulking or otherwise filling potential entry points in buildings. The goal of this study was to determine how small a gap the beetles are able to enter in choice and no-choice studies by experimentally exploiting their behavioral tendency to seek dark shelters at cool temperatures. Within the size range of adults collected in central North Carolina in 2003 (1.99-3.29 mm body height), no beetles entered a 2-mm access during no-choice experiments. Most (83%) entered a 3-mm gap; those failing to cross the 3-mm threshold were significantly larger than those that traversed it. In choice experiments, 98.2% of beetles entered shelters. As in the previous study, no beetles entered shelters with 2-mm gaps. Significantly fewer were found in shelters with 3-mm entrances than in those with 4- or 5-mm access; beetles that entered 3-mm gaps were significantly smaller than the remainder of the test population. Although no H. axyridis crossed a 2-mm threshold in either experiment, a gap of this size may nonetheless allow admission if it has flexible borders (e.g., foam weather stripping); beetles were observed attempting forced entry into too-small crevices.     

A method for estimating age of Danish medieval sub-adults based on long bone length

The preferred method for aging archaeological sub-adult skeletons is by dental examination. In cases where no dental records are available, age estimation may be performed according to epiphyseal union, skeletal elements or diaphyseal lengths. Currently no data have been produced specifically for aging archaeological Danish sub-adults from the medieval period based on diaphyseal lengths. The problem with using data on Danish samples, which have been derived from a different population, is the possibility of skewing age estimates. In this study 58 Danish archaeological sub-adults were examined, aged from approximately six years to twenty-one years. The samples were aged according to two dental methods: Haavikko and Ubelaker. Regression formulae were constructed for aging according to their diaphyseal lengths both for individual long bones and combinations of upper and lower long bones. This study indicated that with the regression formulae developed, estimation of age can be done with reasonable results on Danish sub-adults. The Danish data were then compared to data from a different archaeological sample and a modern sample. It showed that the modern data indicated a consistently lower age compared to this sample which increased until reaching a maximum of nearly five years and six months. When comparing the archaeological data to this study, the growth profile crossed over at 12.5 years with a maximum age difference before the cross point of two years and three months lower for the archaeological data. After the cross point there was a maximum difference of three years and four months higher for the archaeological data. This study has shown the importance of using data for age estimation for archaeological material which has been developed specifically for that population. In addition it has presented a possible solution for Danish sub-adult material when dental material is not available.     

Measured versus self-reported body height

Students (105 males and 298 females) of the Faculty of Natural Sciences of University of Wrocław of 19–28 years of age were examined. The questionnaire and body height measurements were conducted in February and March of the year 2000. The measured as well as self — reported body height were analyzed depending on socio — economic variables such as the students' parents' education, the students' place of residence and their families' financial status, until the students' 14 year of age. The analysis of the mean self — reported and measured body height values demonstrated insignificant differences for men and the significant ones for women. Tall women declare greater than actual body height and only tall men appeared to be insignificantly taller than their questionnaire answers suggested. The analysis of the mean differences with regard to the size and kind of the place of residence didn't show significant differences. Similarly, neither the educational level nor the financial status constitute a differentiating factor with regard to the analyzed characteristics.     

Cytologic findings in carotid body tumors

OBJECTIVE: To describe the cytologic findings in 13 cases of carotid body tumors (CBTs) and discuss the differential diagnoses. STUDY DESIGN: Cytologic smears were obtained from 13 cases of carotid body tumors by fine needle aspiration. All tumors were clinically suspected and later confirmed by arteriography or color Doppler ultrasonography. The cytomorphologic findings are described. RESULTS: The smears revealed hypercellularity, a bloody background, isolated and clusters of round to oval cells with indistinct cytoplasm, reticular chromatin, no prominent nucleoli, giant bare nuclei, anisocytosis, acinar structures and plasmacytoid cells. These findings suggested metastatic tumors. CONCLUSION: The cytologic diagnosis of CBTs is very difficult. The aspiration findings can be easily mistaken for those of metastatic tumors. However, when used with clinical and color Doppler findings, fine needle aspiration plays an important role in the preoperative diagnosis and management of CBTs.     

Determinants of variation in adult body height

Final body height is achieved as the result of a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The aim of this article is to review past studies on body height that have followed different scientific traditions. In modern Western societies, about 20% of variation in body height is due to environmental variation. In poorer environments, this proportion is probably larger, with lower heritability of body height as well as larger socioeconomic body height differences. The role of childhood environment is seen in the increase in body height during the 20th century simultaneously with the increase in the standard of living. The most important non-genetic factors affecting growth and adult body height are nutrition and diseases. Short stature is associated with poorer education and lower social position in adulthood. This is mainly due to family background, but other environmental factors in childhood also contribute to this association. Body height is a good indicator of childhood living conditions, not only in developing countries but also in modern Western societies. Future studies combining different scientific traditions in auxology are needed to create a more holistic view of body height.