ORCID Profile
0000-0003-1941-2286
Current Organisation
University of Adelaide
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Publisher: F1000 Research Ltd
Date: 27-01-2021
DOI: 10.12688/F1000RESEARCH.6718.3
Abstract: This review explores the incessant evolutionary interaction and co-development between immune system evolution and somatic evolution, to put it into context with the short, over 60-year, detailed human study of this extraordinary protective system. Over millions of years, the evolutionary development of the immune system in most species has been continuously shaped by environmental interactions between microbes, and aberrant somatic cells, including malignant cells. Not only has evolution occurred in somatic cells to adapt to environmental pressures for survival purposes, but the immune system and its function has been successively shaped by those same evolving somatic cells and microorganisms through continuous adaptive symbiotic processes of progressive simultaneous immunological and somatic change to provide what we observe today. Indeed, the immune system as an environmental influence has also shaped somatic and microbial evolution. Although the immune system is tuned to primarily controlling microbiological challenges for combatting infection, it can also remove damaged and aberrant cells, including cancer cells to induce long-term cures. Our knowledge of how this occurs is just emerging. Here we consider the connections between immunity, infection and cancer, by searching back in time hundreds of millions of years to when multi-cellular organisms first began. We are gradually appreciating that the immune system has evolved into a truly brilliant and efficient protective mechanism, the importance of which we are just beginning to now comprehend. Understanding these aspects will likely lead to more effective cancer and other therapies.
Publisher: F1000 Research Ltd
Date: 06-11-2020
DOI: 10.12688/F1000RESEARCH.6718.2
Abstract: This review explores the incessant evolutionary interaction and co-development between immune system evolution and somatic evolution, to put it into context with the short, over 60-year, detailed human study of this extraordinary protective system. Over millions of years, the evolutionary development of the immune system in most species has been continuously shaped by environmental interactions between microbes, and aberrant somatic cells, including malignant cells. Not only has evolution occurred in somatic cells to adapt to environmental pressures for survival purposes, but the immune system and its function has been successively shaped by those same evolving somatic cells and microorganisms through continuous adaptive symbiotic processes of progressive simultaneous immunological and somatic change to provide what we observe today. Indeed, the immune system as an environmental influence has also shaped somatic and microbial evolution. Although the immune system is tuned to primarily controlling microbiological challenges for combatting infection, it can also remove damaged and aberrant cells, including cancer cells to induce long-term cures. Our knowledge of how this occurs is just emerging. Here we consider the connections between immunity, infection and cancer, by searching back in time hundreds of millions of years to when multi-cellular organisms first began. We are gradually appreciating that the immune system has evolved into a truly brilliant and efficient protective mechanism, the importance of which we are just beginning to now comprehend. Understanding these aspects will likely lead to more effective cancer and other therapies.
Publisher: Uniwersytet Lodzki (University of Lodz)
Date: 30-01-2014
Abstract: Obesity is considered a major epidemic of the 21st century. In developed countries, about 1/3 of adults are obese and another 1/3 overweight according to the oversimplified measure – the Body Mass Index. More precise indicators of adiposity: waist circumference, skinfolds, underwater weighing and absorptiometry indicate similar levels of fatness. Obesity per se does not necessarily lead to pathological states, nor to premature mortality. Recent results of large s le studies indicate that more than 1/3 of people classified as obese by fatness indices are physiologically normal. Others, however, suffer from a number of pathological conditions, common among them being the metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. The classical explanation for increasing obesity is the positive energy balance – too much food intake and too little exercise. It seems, however, that this explanation is too simplistic. In societies, and in families, exposed to overeating and lazy lifestyles, about 1/3 of in iduals have normal body mass and low levels of fatness, while others become obese. There is, therefore, in idual variation in propensity for obesity. We have identified two specific variables differentiating fatness. People who have large lean trunk frames – large volumes of abdominal cavities and thus large gastrointestinal tracts – put on more subcutaneous fat than those with smaller trunk frames (Henneberg and Ulijaszek 2010). This may be a result of larger volumes of food required for antral extension to release ghrelin, or larger surface area of small intestines for food absorption. The second variable is concentrations of Alanine Transaminase, an enzyme responsible for conversion of an amino acid to a carbon skeleton that can be used in fat synthesis. Our study of 46000 young Swiss males (Henneberg, Rühli, Gruber and Woitek 2011) found consistent correlation between levels of Alanine Transaminase and body weight in groups of normal body mass in iduals, overweight in iduals and moderately obese in iduals. Coupling this finding with the fact that among vegetarians, even those living in North America with overabundance of food and low levels of exercise, obesity and overweight are much less common than among non-vegetarians, we have now hypothesized that the increased obesity of modern affluent societies is a result of consumption of animal protein when energy needs are already covered by carbohydrates and fat consumed concurrently. Until the advent of agriculture, humans relied on consumption of a variety of terrestrial and aquatic animals supplemented by relatively small amounts of plant foods. In this situation our bodies became adapted to use proteins as a source of energy, and became efficient at storing occasional surpluses of amino acids by their deamination and conversion to fats. In the modern diets carbohydrates are abundant and provide, together with fats, energy required by human bodies, proteins after deamination are efficiently converted to fats. When new types of crops are introduced to mass production of cheap foods our bodies may not be able to react correctly to all their contents and some of the ingredients may cause additional fatness. An ex le of widespread recent introduction of industrially processed soybean products that correlates with prevalence of obesity across countries of the world is discussed.
Publisher: F1000 Research Ltd
Date: 12-08-2015
DOI: 10.12688/F1000RESEARCH.6718.1
Abstract: This review explores the evolutionary interaction and co-development between immune system and somatic evolution. Over immense durations, continuous interactions between microbes, aberrant somatic cells, including malignant cells, and the immune system have successively shaped the evolutionary development of the immune system, somatic cells and microorganisms through continuous adaptive symbiotic processes of progressive immunological and somatic change providing what we observe today. The immune system is powerful enough to remove cancer and induce long-term cures. Our knowledge of how this occurs is just emerging. It is less clear why the immune system would detect cancer cells, when it is usually focused on combatting infection. Here we show the connections between immunity, infection and cancer, by searching back in time hundreds of millions of years and more to when multi-cellular organisms first began, and the immune system eventually evolved into the truly brilliant and efficient protective mechanism, the importance of which we are just beginning to now understand. What we do know is that comprehending these points will likely lead to more effective cancer therapies.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2011
DOI: 10.1016/J.MEHY.2011.06.031
Abstract: In the 21st century human life has been profoundly changed by developments in sanitation, medical interventions and public health measures. Practically every person born into a developed nation population has a chance to survive throughout entire reproductive life and well beyond. Human body has evolved in the past adaptations to hunting-gathering, and later, agricultural ways of life. In the new situation of practically non-existent premature mortality and technologically developed complex societies medical practice will devote less attention to "saving lives"--preventing premature deaths--and more to enhancing capacities of our biological organisms and providing for maintenance of the bodies beyond their biological limits established by evolution. The role of advances in nanotechnology, information technology, neuroscience and biotechnology is discussed in the context of mind and body enhancements.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 17-01-2017
DOI: 10.1002/AJHB.22967
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the potential association between month of birth and body height among women in northern and southern hemispheres. Body heights of adult women of European origin born between 1935 and 1981 who lived in Poland (N = 3,933) and in Australia (N = 1,118) were examined in relation to month of birth by analysis of variance. No association between month of birth and body height was observed in either Polish or Australian women. For Polish women, a clear, statistically significant secular trend in body height was confirmed for the analyzed period (P < .0001). No such trend occurred among the Australian women. Results do not confirm a significant association between month of birth and adult body height in women. It is, however, important to see a difference in secular trends, which was large in Polish women and nonexistent in Australian females.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 03-1996
DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1096-8644(199603)99:3<473::AID-AJPA8>3.0.CO;2-X
Abstract: Amantadine, which is known for its antiviral activity, is presently used as therapy for Parkinson's disease. Adverse effects, such as cardiac arrhythmias, have been described in patients after ingestion of amantadine. Here, we present a patient who suffered a cardiac arrest following ingestion of a low dose of amantadine. A 71-year-old man was admitted to the emergency department for a witnessed cardiac arrest. He had developed an upper respiratory tract infection the preceding week and was prescribed 100 mg of amantadine. Within half an hour of taking the first dose, the patient collapsed. He was found to be in asystole by emergency medical services, and advanced cardiac life support protocols were initiated, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation and intubation for airway protection. However, he sustained multiple recurrences of cardiac arrest, and despite all resuscitation efforts, the patient expired.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 09-02-2023
DOI: 10.20944/PREPRINTS202302.0167.V1
Abstract: The aims of this study are to determine the oral health status of a rare s le of 19th-century migrant settlers to South Australia, how oral conditions may have influenced their general health, and how the oral health of this group compares with contemporaneous s les in Australia, New Zealand, and Britain. Dentitions of 18 adults and 22 subadults were investigated using non-destructive methods (micro-CT, macroscopic, radiographic). Extensive carious lesions were identified in 17 adults and 4 subadults, from this group 1 subadult and 16 adults had antemortem tooth loss. Sixteen adults showed evidence of periodontal disease. Enamel hypoplastic (EH) defects were identified in 14 adults and 9 subadults. Many in iduals with dental defects also had skeletal signs of co-morbidities. South Australian in iduals had the same percentage of carious lesions as the British s le (53%), more than other historic Australian s les, but less than a contemporary New Zealand s le. Over 50% of in iduals from all the historic cemeteries had EH defects suggesting systemic health insults during dental development were common during the 19th century. The overall oral health of the South Australian settlers was poor but, in some categories, (tooth wear, periapical abscess, periodontal disease), better than the other historic s les.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2018
DOI: 10.1016/J.FORSCIINT.2018.04.032
Abstract: Firearm injuries are common in the world today, in both military and civilian settings. Research into the effects different ammunition has on the human body has been conducted using tissue simulants such as Ballistics Ordnance Gelatine. Previous research has found that with low velocity projectiles, the tissue simulants only represent a selected few organs, as the human body and its organs/tissues are not homogeneous. The aim of this research was to determine which ballistic simulants best represent the abdomen and thorax, for the purposes of anatomical modelling. A mounted firearm was used to fire specially made ammunition containing a sabot and steel spherical projectile at medium (∼500m/s) and high (∼900m/s) velocities. Test specimens of 50mm cube porcine tissues (lung, liver, kidney and heart) and ballistics simulants (20% and 10% Ballistics Gelatine and Clear Gel) were shot at and the energy loss determined using Doppler radar, optical infra-red sighting screens and high speed video. This study determined that the conclusions drawn from studies in these tissue simulants may not be an accurate representation of what occurs in human tissues and that different impact velocities produce differing results. New simulants are required to better represent the energy loss of a projectile through the organs of the abdomen and thorax and the results of this study may guide this development. Further experiments will be required to determine different concentrations of gelatine and their accuracy at representing the heterogeneous nature organs of the human body.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2004
DOI: 10.1016/J.JCHB.2004.03.001
Abstract: Fossil hominin taxonomy is still debated, chiefly due to the fragmentary nature of fossils and the use of qualitative (subjective) morphological traits. A quantitative analysis of a complete database of hominin cranial capacities (CC, n = 207) and body weight estimates (Wt, n = 285), covering a period from 5.1 ma (millions of years) to 10 ka (thousands of years) shows no discontinuities through time or geographic latitude. Distributions of residuals of CC and Wt around regressions on date and latitude are continuous and do not differ significantly from normal. Thus, with respect to these characteristics, all hominins appear to be a single gradually evolving lineage.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2019
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 1998
DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1520-6300(1998)10:1<73::AID-AJHB9>3.0.CO;2-D
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2016
DOI: 10.1016/J.CMET.2016.05.002
Abstract: Diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT) has often been argued to be a physiological defense against obesity, but no empirical proof of its effectiveness in limiting human body weight gain is available. We here propose an immune explanation of DIT-i.e., that it results from the coevolution of host and gut microbiota (especially Firmicutes) that ferment ingested food and proliferate, causing periodic, vagally mediated increases in thermogenesis aimed at curtailing their expansion. Because of this evolutionary adaptive significance related to the immune system, DIT is not effective as an "adaptation" to maintain a certain body mass. Were DIT an effective adaptation to prevent obesity, the current obesity epidemic might not have occurred.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 2001
DOI: 10.1002/AJHB.1098
Abstract: Growth of children and physical status of adults in two Aboriginal communities, Gerard and Raukkan, South Australia, were assessed. Height, weight, biepicondylar breadth of humerus, the triceps and subscapular skinfolds, and arm circumferences were measured on 110 children and 77 adults annually between 1996 and 2000. Data were transformed to z scores, using American reference data. In all groups height z scores are negative. In all but Raukkan boys, the z scores are significantly smaller than the reference. Body weight z scores lie above the reference, with the only exceptions being Gerard children. Still, in all cases BMI lies above the reference, being significantly greater than the reference, except in Gerard girls. z scores for the triceps skinfold are not consistently positive, but those for the subscapular skinfold are positive in all groups, indicating centralized fat accumulation. In both boys and girls, Raukkan men and Gerard women, biepicondylar breadth of the humerus is below the reference. Increased BMI and trunk fatness suggest that members of these communities are not only receiving adequate nutrition, but that in many cases there is also a caloric surplus, sometimes leading to obesity. Inadequate skeletal growth indicated by short stature and small biepicondylar breadths, on the other hand, suggests that the environment is less than optimal for growth. Factors such as disease load, psychosocial pressures, or specific nutrient shortages may be involved.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 24-04-2013
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 27-06-2022
DOI: 10.1101/2022.06.23.22276834
Abstract: Background Archaeological investigations of human skeletal material require non-destructive techniques. Large Volume Micro-Computed Tomography (LV Micro-CT) scanning systems allow acquisition of data from complete skulls. This study aims to determine 1) whether LV Micro-CT scanning can as a single technique provide adequate data for the analysis of the dentoalveolar complex, 2) how its outputs of dental and alveolar bone analyses compare to those of macroscopic and radiographic methods, and 3) how it compares with Small Volume Micro-Computed Tomography (SV Micro-CT), for analysis of in idual teeth? Material and Methods: Five archaeological human skulls were investigated. These represented both sexes and a broad age range. Large Volume Micro-CT, Macroscopic and Radiographic methods and SV Micro-CT scanning were used. Statistical analysis of intra and inter-operator reproducibility using five observers was undertaken. Results: Large Volume Micro-CT as a stand-alone technique provided results across the full range of dentoalveolar complex categories measured. By combining traditional techniques similar results were obtained. There were high levels of reproducibility for intra-operator scoring and good inter-operator agreement from 4 operators with 1 operator whose results were outliers. Discussion: The LV Micro-CT was the only technique to singularly provide a full range of measurements. A combination of the other techniques covered a similar range of categories, but the use of multiple methods was more time consuming. For some specific measurements, SV Micro-CT provided more detailed information. Conclusion: This first study confirms the value of LV Micro-CT scanning for the analysis of the dentoalveolar complex of archaeological s les. Findings demonstrate the advantage of LV Micro-CT, which provided a comprehensive range of data as a stand-alone technique rather than combing modalities to achieve the same result. The SV Micro-CT provided higher resolution analysis for loose in idual teeth due to the small size of the specimens but could not study the alveolar bone.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2015
DOI: 10.1016/J.FORSCIINT.2015.09.003
Abstract: In the forensic sciences it is inferred that human in iduals are unique and thus can be reliably identified. The concept of in idual uniqueness is claimed to be unprovable because another in idual of same characteristics may exist if population size were infinite. It is proposed to replace "unique" with "singular" defined as a situation when only one in idual in a specific population has a particular set of characteristics. The likelihood that in a population there will be no duplicate in idual with exactly the same set of characteristics can be calculated from datasets of relevant characteristics. To explore singularity, the ANSUR database which contains anthropometric measurements of 3982 in iduals was used. Eight facial metric traits were used to search for duplicates. With the addition of each trait, the chances of finding a duplicate were reduced until singularity was achieved. Singularity was consistently achieved at a combination of the maximum of seven traits. The larger the traits in dimension, the faster singularity was achieved. By exploring how singularity is achieved in subs les of 200, 500, etc. it has been determined that about one trait needs to be added when the size of the target population increases by 1000 in iduals. With the combination of four facial dimensions, it is possible to achieve a probability of finding a duplicate of the order of 10(-7), while, the combination of 8 traits reduces probability to the order of 10(-14), that is less than one in a trillion.
Publisher: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Date: 12-12-2017
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2021
DOI: 10.1016/J.SCIJUS.2021.03.006
Abstract: Identification of incinerated human remains may rely on genetic analysis of burned bone which can prove far more challenging than fresh tissues. Severe thermal insult results in the destruction or denaturation of DNA in soft tissues, however genetic material may be preserved in the skeletal tissues. Considerations for DNA retrieval from these s les include low levels of exogenous DNA, the dense, mineralised nature of bone, and the presence of contamination, and qPCR inhibitors. This review collates current knowledge in three areas relating to optimising DNA recovery from burned bone: 1) impact of burning on bone and subsequent effects on s le collection, 2) difficulties of preparing burned s les for DNA extraction, and 3) protocols for bone decalcification and DNA extraction. Bone decalcification and various DNA extraction protocols have been tested and optimised for ancient bone, suggesting that prolonged EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) demineralisation followed by solid-phased silica-based extraction techniques provide the greatest DNA yield. However, there is significantly less literature exploring the optimal protocol for incinerated bones. Although burned bone, like ancient and diagenetic bone, can be considered "low-copy", the taphonomic processes occurring are likely different. As techniques developed for ancient s les are tailored to deal with bone that has been altered in a particular way, it is important to understand if burned bone undergoes similar or different changes. Currently the effects of burning on bone and the DNA within it is not fully understood. Future research should focus on increasing our understanding of the effects of heat on bone and on comparing the outcome of various DNA extraction protocols for these tissues.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 23-02-2017
DOI: 10.1007/S00414-017-1561-2
Abstract: The use and distribution of child pornography is an increasing problem. Forensic anthropologists are often asked to estimate a child's age from a photograph. Previous studies have attempted to estimate the age of children from photographs using ratios of the face. Here, we propose to include body measurement ratios into age estimates. A total of 1603 boys and 1833 girls aged 5-16 years were measured over a 10-year period. They are 'Cape Coloured' children from South Africa. Their age was regressed on ratios derived from anthropometric measurements of the head as well as the body. Multiple regression equations including four ratios for each sex (head height to shoulder and hip width, knee width, leg length and trunk length) have a standard error of 1.6-1.7 years. The error is of the same order as variation of differences between biological and chronological ages of the children. Thus, the error cannot be minimised any further as it is a direct reflection of a naturally occurring phenomenon.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 05-05-2003
DOI: 10.1002/AJPA.10300
Abstract: Many prediction guidelines exist in facial approximation for determining the soft-tissue features of the face, and the reliability of each is generally unknown. This study examines four published and commonly used soft-tissue prediction guidelines for estimating nose projection, two of which also estimate the position of the pronasale. The methods tested are those described by: 1) Gerasimov ([1971] The Face Finder London: Hutchinson & Co.), using the distal third of the nasal bones and the nasal spine 2) Krogman ([1962] The Human Skeleton in Forensic Medicine Springfield: Charles C. Thomas), using the average soft-tissue depth at midphiltrum, plus three times the length of the nasal spine (and a variation of this technique: plus three times the distance of the tip of the nasal spine from the nasal aperture) 3) Prokopec and Ubelaker ([2002] Forensic Sci Commun 4:1-4), using the reflected profile line of the nasal aperture and 4) George ([1987] J Forensic Sci 32:1305-1330), using a variation of the Goode method. Four identical hard-tissue tracings were made of 59 adult lateral head cephlograms (29 males, mean age 24, SD 10 years 30 females, mean age 23, SD 5 years) on separate sheets of tracing paper. One soft-tissue tracing was also made for each radiograph. All tracings were marked with three identical reference points. Soft-tissue tracings were isolated from one of us (C.N.S.), who attempted under blind conditions to predict pronasale position and nose projection on the hard-tissue tracings, using the soft-tissue prediction guides above. Actual soft-tissue tracings were then compared to each of the predicted tracings, and differences in projection ronasale position were measured. Results indicate that for nose projection, methods 3 and 4 performed well, while methods 1 and 2 performed poorly. Features which are most related to nose projection ronasale are described in this paper, as are regression equations generated from these variables that predict pronasale/nose projection better than the traditional methods mentioned above. The results of this study are significant because they: 1) indicate that the popular facial approximation methods used to build the nose are inaccurate and produce incorrect nose anatomy and 2) indicate that the new pronasale prediction methods developed here appear to have less error than traditional methods.
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 30-09-2014
Publisher: Schweizerbart
Date: 06-2014
DOI: 10.1127/0003-5548/2014/0381
Abstract: Closed circuit television (CCTV) systems are being widely used in crime surveillance. The images produced are of poor quality often face details are not visible, however expert witnesses in the field of biological anthropology use morphological descriptions of body shapes in an attempt to identify persons of interest. These methods can be applied to in idual images when other cues such as gait, are not present. Criminals commonly disguise their faces, but body shape characteristics can be used to distinguish a person of interest from others. Garments may distort the body shape appearance, thus this study was undertaken to investigate the effects of garments on the description of body shape from CCTV images. Twelve adult males representing a wide body shape range of Sheldonian somatotypes were photographed in identical garments comprising of tight fitting black shirt, horizontally striped shirt, padded leather jacket and in naked torso. These photographs were assessed by 51 males and females aged 18-50 years, with varying levels of education, and different experience in use of CCTV images for identification of people, to identify the 12 participants. The effect of assessors was not significant. They correctly distinguished 88.6% of in iduals wearing the same wear, but could not match the same in iduals wearing different wear above the random expectations. However, they matched somatotypes above random expectation. Type of clothing produced little bias in somatotype matching ectomorphic component of in iduals wearing black shirts and padded jackets was overestimated and underestimated, respectively. In conclusion, type of the wear had little effect in the description of in iduals from CCTV images using the body shapes.
Publisher: Future Medicine Ltd
Date: 03-2012
DOI: 10.2217/PME.11.99
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 26-02-2021
Abstract: Flip through scientific textbooks illustrating ideas about human evolution or visit any number of museums of natural history and you will notice an abundance of reconstructions attempting to depict the appearance of ancient hominins. Spend some time comparing reconstructions of the same specimen and notice an obvious fact: hominin reconstructions vary in appearance considerably. In this review, we summarize existing methods of reconstruction to analyze this variability. It is argued that variability between hominin reconstructions is likely the result of unreliable reconstruction methods and misinterpretation of available evidence. We also discuss the risk of disseminating erroneous ideas about human evolution through the use of unscientific reconstructions in museums and publications. The role an artist plays is also analyzed and criticized given how the aforementioned reconstructions have become readily accepted to line the halls of even the most trusted institutions. In conclusion, improved reconstruction methods hold promise for the prediction of hominin soft tissues, as well as for disseminating current scientific understandings of human evolution in the future.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 18-04-2016
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 21-03-2018
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 12-1996
DOI: 10.1038/384401A0
Abstract: The spiny lobster
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2012
DOI: 10.1016/J.JCHB.2012.04.001
Abstract: Little research has focussed on methods to anatomically sequence ribs. Correct anatomical sequencing of ribs assists in determining the location and distribution of regional trauma, age estimation, number of puncture wounds, number of in iduals, and personal identification. The aim of the current study is to develop a method for placing fragmented and incomplete rib sets into correct anatomical position. Ribs 2-10 were used from eleven cadavers of an Australian population. Seven variables were measured from anatomical locations on the rib. General descriptive statistics were calculated for each variable along with an analysis of variance (ANOVA) and ANOVA with Bonferroni statistics. Considerable overlap was observed between ribs for univariate methods. Bivariate and multivariate methods were then applied. Results of the ANOVA with post hoc Bonferroni statistics show that ratios of various dimensions of a single rib could be used to sequence it within adjacent ribs. Using multiple regression formulae, the most accurate estimation of the anatomical rib number occurs when the entire rib is found in isolation. This however, is not always possible. Even when only the head and neck of the rib are preserved, a modified multivariate regression formula assigned 91.95% of ribs into correct anatomical position or as an adjacent rib. Using multivariate methods it is possible to sequence a single human rib with a high level of accuracy and they are superior to univariate methods. Left and right ribs were found to be highly symmetrical. Some rib dimensions were greater in males than in females, but overall the level of sexual dimorphism was low.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 1995
Abstract: The age of the onset of menstruation has been determined for the urban middle-class Cape Coloured population. From 1987 to 1992 data were collected from 857 girls aged 8 to 20 years attending primary and secondary schools in Cape Town. The schools were specifically selected for the highest socioeconomic status (SES) of pupils' parents. Three-quarters of parents fell into the higher three categories of the 5-category SES standard. Girls were interviewed with respect to their menarcheal status and those who were postmenarcheal were also asked to report when they had started to menstruate. The probit analysis of the status quo data yielded average of 12.61 years and a standard deviation (s) of 1.25 years. The retrospective method was applied only to recall data of 258 girls falling into fully postmenearcheal categories (16-20 years). It yielded an average of 12.75 (s = 1.32), insignificantly different from that obtained from the probit analysis. The menarcheal age of higher SES Cape Coloured girls is significantly lower than that of white girls in Cape Town (13.30 years) and much lower than that of any group of black South African girls. It falls close to the lower limit of the range reported worldwide. Body heights, weights, and Body Mass Index indicate good growth status of girls studied.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 02-06-2016
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2020
Publisher: Schweizerbart
Date: 12-2009
DOI: 10.1127/0003-5548/2009/0032
Abstract: Evolving brains produce minds. Minds operate on imaginary entities. Thus they can create what does not exist in the physical world. Spirits can be deified. Perception of spiritual entities is emotional--organic. Spirituality is a part of culture while culture is an adaptive mechanism of human groups as it allows for technology and social organization to support survival and reproduction. Humans are not rational, they are emotional. Most of explanations of the world, offered by various cultures, involve an element of "fiat", a will of a higher spiritual being, or a reference to some ideal. From this the rules of behaviour are deduced. These rules are necessary to maintain social peace and allow a complex unit consisting of in iduals of both sexes and all ages to function in a way ensuring their reproductive success and thus survival. There is thus a direct biological benefit of complex ideological superstructure of culture. This complex superstructure most often takes a form of religion in which logic is mixed with appeals to emotions based on images of spiritual beings. God is a consequence of natural evolution. Whether a deity is a cause of this evolution is difficult to discover, but existence of a deity cannot be questioned.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 09-05-2002
DOI: 10.1002/AJPA.10073
Abstract: The average thickness of soft tissues on parts of the face is known, but its variation has not been related to cranial morphology. To investigate this relationship, measurements of facial soft-tissue depths and craniometric dimensions were taken on adult, white Australian cadavers (17 male and 23 female). Significant correlations between many soft-tissue depths and craniometric dimensions were found, suggesting a relationship between the amount of soft tissue present on the face and the size of the underlying bony skeleton. Soft-tissue depths were highly positively correlated with each other craniometric dimensions were correlated but to a lesser extent. Males had thicker soft tissues and larger craniometric dimensions than females considerable overlap of ranges was also noted. Multiple regression analysis was used to produce equations predicting the soft-tissue depth at specified areas of the face from craniometric dimensions. A subs le of nine cadavers was examined for the effects of tissue embalming. Embalming caused significant initial increases in facial soft-tissue depths. Cadavers embalmed for less than 6 months had soft-tissue depths significantly greater than for fully embalmed cadavers. The evidence that facial soft-tissue thicknesses vary with craniofacial dimensions has implications for forensic identification, facial aesthetic surgery, and approximation of the facial features of extinct in iduals.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 12-2001
DOI: 10.1046/J.1469-7580.2001.19960717.X
Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the risk and to analyse the significance of laceration of the sural and superficial fibular nerves during the surgical approach to the lateral malleolus. The sural and the superficial fibular nerves, and their branches were dissected under x 3 magnifying lenses in 68 embalmed leg-ankle-foot specimens. The specimens were measured, drawn and photographed. In 35% of specimens the superficial fibular nerve branched before piercing the crural fascia, and in all these specimens the medial dorsal cutaneous nerve of the foot was located in the anterior compartment while the intermediate dorsal cutaneous nerve of the foot was located in the lateral compartment. In 35% of specimens the intermediate dorsal cutaneous nerve of the foot was absent or did not innervate any toe. The deep part of the superficial fibular nerve was in contact with the intermuscular septum. Its superficial part was parallel with the lateral malleolus when the nerve pierced the fascia more proximally and oblique to the lateral malleolus when the nerve pierced the fascia distally. In one case the intermediate dorsal cutaneous nerve of the foot was in danger of laceration during a subcutaneous incision to the lateral malleolus. In 7 cases (10%) the sural nerve overlapped or was tangent to the tip of the malleolus. Malleolar nerve branches were identified in 76% of the cases (in 28% from both sources). The sural nerve supplies the lateral 5 dorsal digital nerves in 40% of cases. Our study indicates that during the approach to the lateral malleolus there is a high risk of laceration of malleolar branches from both the sural and the superficial fibular nerves. There is less risk of damage to the main trunk of these nerves, but the 10% chance of laceration of sural nerve at the tip of the malleolus is significant. As the sural nerve supplies the superficial innervation to the lateral half of the foot and toes in 40% of cases, the risk of its laceration is even more important than indicated by the common anatomical teaching.
Publisher: SMW Supporting Association
Date: 11-12-2020
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 2005
DOI: 10.1002/AJHB.20403
Abstract: The impact of aging on the morphology of the osseous spine is still debated. Clinical studies usually record combined aging effects, as well as age-related degenerative changes. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of (degeneration-independent) aging on the morphology of the osseous human spine during adulthood. Various osseous dimensions of human spinal landmarks at all major vertebral levels have been assessed in macroscopically normal Swiss skeletons (N = 71), with historically known sex and age at death, as well as in larger Central European skeletal s les (N = 277) with anthropologically determined in idual age and sex. All measurements were correlated with in idual age (or age group) by linear regression and analyzed separately for each sex. Only few osseous spinal dimensions, and only in men, correlate significantly with in idual age. Generally, the significant dimensions show an increase in size during adulthood. Similar tendencies, but with significant alterations of spinal measurements in women as well, can be found in the larger s les with anthropologically determined sex and age group. Increase of certain spinal dimensions found in this study may be a reflection of an increase in the robustness of in iduals with age. Because of the absence of a significant secular alteration of stature within the well-recorded s le, we exclude secular change in body dimensions as a major bias.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2006
DOI: 10.1016/J.FORSCIINT.2004.11.020
Abstract: The skeletal remains of one in idual found near Adelaide in 1994, although not known at the time, were the first evidence of what was to be a serial killing reported to have resulted in the highest casualty list to date in Australia (12 victims). Since the usual methods of identification could not be used or were unsuccessful on these remains, facial approximations were produced and advertised over the 4-year period following their discovery, in an attempt to help to identify them. However, no identification was made. In 1999, the remains were reported to be identified by radiographic comparison. Approximately 3 months before this identification was made, another facial approximation was produced by the first author (CNS), but this face was never advertised in the media. Although rarely reported in the literature, this paper provides an ex le where facial approximation methods were not successful in a forensic scenario. The paper also reports on empirical tests of the facial approximation created by the first author to determine if this facial approximation might have been useful had it been advertised. The results provide further evidence that high resemblance of a facial approximation to the target in idual does not indicate recognizability, as the facial approximation was poorly recognized even though it bore good resemblance to the target in idual. The usefulness of facial approximation techniques is discussed within the context of this case and more broadly. Methods used to assess the accuracy of facial approximations are also discussed and further evaluated.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2017
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 11-09-2018
DOI: 10.1111/ANS.14802
Abstract: The acute surgical unit (ASU) model has been associated with improved outcomes for emergency general surgical patients. Few Australasian studies have investigated patients with cholecystitis and none from South Australia. A retrospective cohort study compared patients admitted to our institution with acute cholecystitis during the 2 years before (traditional period) and after (ASU period) introduction of an ASU on 1 August 2012. Primary outcomes were length of stay, rates of definitive surgery on index admission, time to definitive surgery and proportion of cases performed in-hours. Secondary outcomes were time from emergency department referral to admission, time from radiologically confirmed diagnosis to theatre start, rates of conversion to open cholecystectomy, complications and cholelithiasis-related representations while awaiting definitive procedure. A total of 319 patients met the inclusion criteria 172 and 147 pre- and post-ASU introduction, respectively. Compared with the traditional period, ASU patients had shorter length of stay (3.80 versus 2.83 days, P < 0.0001), higher rates of surgery on index admission (70.9% versus 95.3%, P < 0.0001), shorter time to definitive surgery (28.1 versus 22.1 days, P < 0.001), lower rates of conversion to open cholecystectomy (18.0% versus 7.1%, P = 0.007) and fewer complications (24.4% versus 6.1%, P < 0.0001). Other outcomes were not significantly different. Introduction of an ASU was associated with superior outcomes amongst patients admitted with acute cholecystitis. These findings extend the literature in support of the current model of care.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 10-06-2022
Abstract: There exists a negative allometry between vertebrate brain size and body size. It has been well studied among placental mammals but less is known regarding marsupials. Consequently, this study explores brain/body ontogenetic growth in marsupials and compares it with placental mammals. Pouch young s les of 43 koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus), 28 possums (Trichosurus vulpecula), and 36 tammar wallabies (Macropus eugenii) preserved in a solution of 10% buffered formalin, as well as fresh juveniles and adults of 43 koalas and 40 possums, were studied. Their brain size/body size allometry was compared to that among humans, rhesus monkeys, dogs, cats, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, wild pigs, and mice. Two patterns of allometric curves were found: a logarithmic one (marsupials, rabbits, wild pigs, and guinea pigs) and a logistic one (the rest of mammals).
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 2004
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2018
Publisher: Uniwersytet Lodzki (University of Lodz)
Date: 15-07-2014
Abstract: Many theories have been advanced to explain human hairlessness, however, there is no consensus. This study of 76 males observed that skin reflectance measuring skin colouration and melanin pigmentation correlated with hair size and follicle density. In iduals with a greater concentration of melanin within the superficial layer of the skin had a lower follicle density and smaller sizes of hairs. In contrast, in iduals with a lower melanin concentration and lighter skin colour had a full range of hairiness. This leads to the suggestion that over the course of human evolution, high concentrations of melanin in consistently exposed to ultraviolet radiation areas developed first and that hair loss was a consequence of competition in the skin between melanin production and hair growth. Darker pigmented skin and lower follicle density are significantly correlated (R2=0.283 p .05). In iduals with darker skin had a mean of 4.91 follicles per cm2 whereas those with lighter skin reflectance had 11.20 follicles per cm2. This suggests that increased concentrations of melanin in the basal layer of the epidermis may limit hairiness by negatively influencing the skin’s ability to produce hair.
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 31-08-2023
DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.29.555238
Abstract: The obesity epidemic represents potentially the largest phenotypic change in Homo sapiens since the origin of the species. Despite obesity's high heritability, a change in the gene pool has not generally been presumed as a potential cause of the obesity epidemic. Here we advance the hypothesis that a rapid change in the obesogenic gene pool has occurred second to the introduction of modern obstetrics dramatically altering evolutionary pressures on obesity - the microevolutionary hypothesis of the obesity epidemic. Obesity is known to increase childbirth related mortality several fold. Prior to modern obstetrics, childbirth related mortality occurred in over 10% of women. After modern obstetrics, this mortality reduced to a fraction of a percent, thereby lifting a strong negative selection pressure. Regression analysis of data for ~ 190 countries was carried out to examine associations between 1990 maternal death rates (MDR) and current obesity rates. Multivariate regression showed MDR correlated more strongly with national obesity rates than GDP, calorie intake and physical inactivity. Analyses controlling for confounders via partial correlation show that MDR explains approximately 11% of the variability of obesity rate between nations. For nations with MDR above the median ( .45%), MDR explains over 20% of obesity variance, while calorie intake, and physical inactivity show no association with obesity in these nations. The microevolutionary hypothesis offers a parsimonious explanation of the global nature of the obesity epidemic.
Publisher: Academy of Science of South Africa
Date: 30-07-2018
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 03-2007
DOI: 10.1080/13576500600989665
Abstract: Adult volunteers (8 males and 13 females) aged 20-56 years, both right- and left-handed, were asked to train their non-preferred hand to write two standard sentences by practising daily over a 28-day period. At the end of this period their non-preferred-hand writing was of good quality and participants felt quite comfortable performing this task. The quality of non-preferred-hand writing achieved was unrelated to age. We postulate that handedness, in terms of actual performance, may be less pronounced than is suggested by studies of hand preference.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2014
DOI: 10.1016/J.MEHY.2013.11.033
Abstract: Alzheimer's data indicate that at present, approximately one new case of this form of dementia is identified in the USA every 68 s and that by 2050 the incidence will be about every 33 s, with projections from the Alzheimer Association (USA) indicating that nearly 25% of Americans will be affected by Alzheimer's dementia by 2031. Despite the numerous advances in medical science and neurological research, the causes are still unknown and the incidence is not decreasing or levelling out. Most research on the causes of Alzheimer's dementia indicates the possible roles of viruses, obesity, physical inactivity, diabetes, psychological depression, high blood pressure, frequent inflammation, environmental or domestic chemicals and toxins, or inescapable genetic factors. Alzheimer's, being the degeneration of parts of the neural pathways in the brain, may indeed involve neuro-toxic compounds that can bypass the blood-brain barrier. Therefore, it is necessary to examine what is prolific in the environment and, in particular, the food supply. One of the many suggestions in the literature is the ingestion of food items derived from unfermented soybean products the anti-thyroid, anti-nutrient, and endocrine disruption properties of soy can have a deleterious effect in many in iduals. Among the many theories and different factors that may be involved in dementiae, soy consumption may be a significant contributor to Alzheimer's dementia, and it cannot be excluded as a possible contributing cause. Our hypothesis argues that consumption of soy food products may contribute to the increasing incidence of Alzheimer's dementia and other dementiae.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 27-04-2015
DOI: 10.1002/AJPA.22728
Abstract: Body height is an important factor in reconstructing health conditions and it serves as an indicator of socio-economic status. Researchers rely on ancient data to analyze evolutionary aspects of human health and its interrelation with environmental influences. This study presents body height estimates from all periods of ancient Egyptian history and compares the general population with the existing mummies of the members of royal families. A s le of 259 adult Egyptian mummies originating from various collections and published sources with body lengths (long bone measures or/and overall measurements, CT data) were analyzed, and royal mummies were scored with respect to the level of consanguinity. Male royals were taller than males in the general ancient Egyptian population, while female royals were shorter than females in the general population. The body height variation of the royals is significantly reduced when compared with a pool of non-royal mummies. This provides evidence for inbreeding resulting from consanguineous marriages. However, there appears to be no correlation between the level of inbreeding and in idual body height. The random s le of general population does not show signs of inbreeding. Due to the present lack of larger, technically and ethically challenging genetic studies, the selected non-invasive approach of body height is the most reliable indicator of sibling marriages of pharaohs based on direct physical evidence.
Publisher: Uniwersytet Lodzki (University of Lodz)
Date: 30-03-2021
Abstract: Rare diseases are a challenge in paleopathological research, mainly due to the ambiguity of skeletal signs, bad preservation state of the material, and lack of the reference material. The aim of our article is to present the skull characterized by the decreased values of the metrical traits and numerous pathological features of the cranial morphology and make an attempt to determine the possible cause of the observed anomalies. The subject of our study is a cranium No KP 131 belonging to Polish skeletal collection named „Polish Kingdom”. We used both standard anthropometric methods, as well as the imaging techniques to detect the probable causes of the observed pathological changes. This specimen presents a complex of pathologies. Decreased values of the metrical features, thinning of the lateral walls of the neurocranium and the presence of platybasia were probably caused by premature closure of all main cranial sutures. Pathologies observed in cranium No 131 XIX might have had a common cause in some form of syndromic disorders.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2014
DOI: 10.1016/J.MEHY.2014.08.012
Abstract: Many studies have focused on the detrimental effects of malnourishment to the performance of the brain and peripheral nerves. Undernourished children and adults have been studied extensively to establish these consequences. Little attention has been given to the body habitus that affects optimum neurological performance and the implications for in iduals on the spectral extremes of the healthy weight range. This paper examines the association between markers of adiposity and neurological performance, inclusive of all body types. The data were obtained from Cape Coloured youths (5-20 years) in South Africa from the rural district of Klein Karoo and the urban population of Cape Town. In all, the sums of skin-folds were measured for almost 4000 students. The neuromuscular reaction time was also calculated using a ruler drop test. This measure may serve as a gross marker of peripheral and central neurological performance as both are needed to execute the reflex command. There was a direct correlation between adiposity and neuromuscular reaction time. Whilst controlling for age, increasing fatness was associated with a decrease in neuromuscular reaction time amongst both sexes. This relationship remained statistically significant, even when removing the thinnest 40% of participants, eliminating the scope of influence exerted by malnourishment on the correlation. The trend appears to be more prominent amongst boys. These findings indicate that body lipid reserves are integral to the development of the nervous system even amongst children within the healthy weight ranges. Our hypothesis is that the myelination of the nerves, both centrally through oligodendrocytes and peripherally by Schwann cells, is integral to this process as they are predominantly lipid. Amongst thin but not clinically undernourished in iduals, the somatic lipid reserves are modest. These fats may be minimally sequestered away for the development of myelin nerve sheath at the expense of saltatory conduction. This may account for the slowed neuromuscular reaction time demonstrated.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 18-03-2009
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 27-08-2014
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 10-2008
DOI: 10.1002/CA.20697
Abstract: Pelvic external fixators have a high rate of reported complications, most of which relate to pin placement. In this descriptive study, we analyzed the morphology of the ilium in cadaveric specimens and compared these with the measures obtained from normal human pelvic computer tomograph scans, and how these related to each of the three basic configurations of pin positioning for the external fixation of a pelvis: anterosuperior (Slätis type), anteroinferior (supra-acetabular), and subcristal. The irregular shape and size of the iliac wing and the abdominal wall overlying the pin's insertion site could hinder accurate placement of anterosuperior pins. Potential disadvantages of the use of anteroinferior pins was found related to the deep location of the anterior inferior iliac spine, interference with the hip flexion area, risk of hip joint penetration, and the variable obliquity of the ilium. As subcristal pins are positioned between two superficial bony landmarks of the iliac crest, our findings suggest that they are more likely to have a correct placement and avoid complications.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 16-10-2012
DOI: 10.3109/09637486.2012.734291
Abstract: The waist-to-height ratio (wtHR) has been proposed as an alternative to body mass index (BMI) as a simple anthropometric measure of body fatness. Both measures retain residual correlations with height, which causes them to over- or under-adjust for height (and thus misestimate nutritional state) when relating these measures to chronic disease risk, morbidity or mortality. The possibility that BMI has greater misadjustment than wtHR relative to waist/height (p) and weight/height (p) (where p is the optimal exponent for each population and sex group) is examined here. Analysis of anthropometric data for groups in Thailand, Papua New Guinea and Australia shows that this is the case, especially over-adjustment. This may contribute to the weaker relationships of chronic disease markers and outcomes with BMI than with wtHR.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 10-09-2020
DOI: 10.1111/JOA.13224
Publisher: Elsevier
Date: 2017
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 28-09-2006
DOI: 10.1111/J.1445-2197.2006.03909.X
Abstract: This article evaluates the risk of interference with the neurovascular structures in the four anterior ankle arthroscopic portals, described on each side of the extensor tendons: anteromedial, medial midline, anterocentral and anterolateral. Complications after ankle arthroscopies have been described in up to 17%, most being neurovascular. To quantify the neurovascular risks we dissected 68 cadaveric feet and evaluated the correlations between tendons, vessels and nerves. The mean distance between tibialis anterior and extensor hallucis longus and between extensor hallucis longus and extensor digitorum longus is 4 mm, but in 10-20% these tendons are in apposition or are overlapped. The tibialis anterior vascular bundle was absent in 11.8%, was located between the tibialis anterior and the extensor hallucis longus in 3% and between the extensor hallucis longus and the extensor digitorum longus in 64.7%. A peroneal vascular bundle or branches of the tibialis anterior vascular bundle were located lateral to the extensor digitorum longus eroneus tertius tendon in 88.2%. Transverse vascular branches were identified in 41.2% over the medial side of the joint line and in 52.9% over the lateral side. The deep peroneal nerve was located between the extensor hallucis longus and the extensor digitorum longus tendons in 58.8%. The superficial peroneal nerve had branches located between the tibialis anterior and the extensor hallucis longus tendons in 2.9%, between the extensor hallucis longus and the extensor digitorum longus tendons in 23.5% and lateral to the extensor digitorum longus eroneus tertius tendon in 32.4%. These results show that the anteromedial and medial midline portals are the safest. The anterolateral portal should be noted not only for the risks to the superficial peroneal nerve, but also to the peroneal vessels.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2001
Publisher: Uniwersytet Lodzki (University of Lodz)
Date: 21-12-2017
Abstract: Syphilis in the United States during the 1800s and 1900s had a high prevalence rate causing great concern to health officials. Various measures were taken to control its spread. Mercuric treatments were used up until the introduction of penicillin. The aim of this paper is to determine whether dental abnormalities related to congenital syphilis in in iduals who died of syphilis or syphilis-related causes, in the Hamman Todd Osteological Collection, occur and whether mercurial treatment was effective. Hutchinson, Moon and Fournier’s works were analyzed to determine dental abnormalities associated with congenital syphilis and its treatments and used as criteria. Hillson et al. (AJPA,107:25-40) standardized method of description of dental changes was used. In the Hamman Todd Osteological Collection in Cleveland, Ohio, 102 in iduals had cause of death recorded in the catalogue as syphilis or lues, and 69 had causes of death relating to syphilis which included paresis (53), aortic insufficiency (15) and pericarditis (1). Thus altogether 171 in iduals were studied. Dentition was examined to determine if dental abnormalities associated with congenital syphilis and its treatments were present in in iduals not recorded as having congenital syphilis. Crania were examined for any osteological changes. One in idual (2266) demonstrated dental malformations possibly related to the congenital disease itself, while three demonstrated dental abnormalities associated with mercuric treatments in childhood (2118, 2263 and 3097). No remarkable bone pathologies were evident on any skull. The use of pre-penicillin treatment of congenital syphilis may have been effective to maintain health into adulthood but not always in eradicating the infection. Effects of mercury on enamel formation and bone changes, need to be considered when making a differential diagnosis of syphilis/congenital syphilis.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 25-02-2021
DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0243687
Abstract: The key to evolution is reproduction. Pathogens can either kill the human host or can invade the host without causing death, thus ensuring their own survival, reproduction and spread. Tuberculosis, treponematoses and leprosy are widespread chronic infectious diseases whereby the host is not immediately killed. These diseases are ex les of the co-evolution of host and pathogen. They can be well studied as the paleopathological record is extensive, spanning over 200 human generations. The paleopathology of each disease has been well documented in the form of published synthetic analyses recording each known case and case frequencies in the s les they were derived from. Here the data from these synthetic analyses were re-analysed to show changes in the prevalence of each disease over time. A total of 69,379 skeletons are included in this study. There was ultimately a decline in the prevalence of each disease over time, this decline was statistically significant (Chi-squared, p .001). A trend may start with the increase in the disease’s prevalence before the prevalence declines, in tuberculosis the decline is monotonic. Increase in skeletal changes resulting from the respective diseases appears in the initial period of host-disease contact, followed by a decline resulting from co-adaptation that is mutually beneficial for the disease (spread and maintenance of pathogen) and host (less pathological reactions to the infection). Eventually either the host may become immune or tolerant, or the pathogen tends to be commensalic rather than parasitic.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 12-2020
DOI: 10.1136/BMJSIT-2020-000059
Abstract: The aim of this study was to establish an anatomical index for early prediction of the risk of development of aneurysms in anterior communicating arterial complex (AcomAC). The asymmetric diameter of one anterior cerebral artery (ACA) to other could alter haemodynamics and may contribute to formation of aneurysms in AcomAC and be a reliable predictor of the risk of development of aneurysms. This is a retrospective, observational and quantitative study, which used cerebral computed tomography angiography (CCTA) scans in South Australia. CCTA scans of 166 adult patients of both sexes were studied. The internal diameters of the proximal segments of ACAs (A1s) were measured. Position and presence or absence of aneurysms in AcomAC were determined. The ratio of A1 diameters was taken as a measure of A1 asymmetry. The ratio of diameters of A1s correlated with the occurrence of AcomAC aneurysms. The risk of development of aneurysms in AcomAC was much greater (80%, OR=47.3) when one A1 segment’s radius was at least 50% larger (ie, 2.25 times cross-sectional area) than the other. The general information on asymmetric A1 has been published previously. The present findings have significant contribution since the A1s asymmetry ratios have been categorised in ascending order and matched with the presence of AcomAC aneurysms. The asymmetry ratio of the A1 is a good predictor for the development of AcomAC aneurysms. Reconstruction of the asymmetric A1 could be done if the technology gets advanced.
Publisher: Moravske Zemsk Muzeum (Monrovian Museum)
Date: 2019
Publisher: Schweizerbart
Date: 12-2017
DOI: 10.1127/ANTHRANZ/2017/0774
Abstract: In cranial firearm trauma, where soft tissues have decomposed, determining the manner of death can pose difficultly for a forensic anthropologist. Detailed analysis of skeletal wounds may lead to reconstruction of the events surrounding death, however considerable research has been conducted on soft tissue details and less has focused on skeletal wounds alone. Macroscopic descriptive observations were carried out on thirteen skulls from the Hamman-Todd Human Osteological Collection at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Ohio which had documented cranial projectile trauma to analyse wound location, shape, size, beveling and projectile paths. This s le of skeletons provides a non-arbitrary selection of in iduals which were unclaimed bodies from a disturbed social environment. Nine entry wounds were located on the right side of the skull, 3 located on left side of skull and one had entry under the right side of the skull. Entry wounds were often oval or round in shape. Exit wounds were not present in all cases however, when present they were of irregular shape. Radiating fractures occurred in 8 entry wounds and 8 exit wounds. Concentric fractures accompanied 3 exit wounds. Three entry wounds had clear internal beveling. Three cases had exit wounds with external beveling. One showed signs of combination beveling on the entry wound. Beveling, if present, can lead to identifying the entry/exit wound. Radiating fractures form when the intracranial pressure is too great and if the pressure is not relieved, concentric fractures form secondarily. Based on the characteristics of the cranial projectile trauma one can suggest manner of death, however, it is not possible to reach a firm decision.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 07-1998
DOI: 10.1007/BF02436507
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 07-1996
DOI: 10.1007/BF02436628
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 12-2004
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 12-2013
DOI: 10.1161/CIRCEP.113.000447
Abstract: Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a significant complication of myocardial infarction. Radiofrequency ablation for postinfarct VT is reserved for drug refractory VT or VT storms. Our hypothesis is that radiofrequency ablation in the early postinfarct period could abolish or diminish late recurrences of VT. Myocardial infarct was induced by balloon occlusion of the left anterior descending artery in 35 sheep. The 25 survivors underwent programmed ventricular stimulation and electroanatomical mapping 8 days postinfarct. Animals with inducible VT (12 out of 25 animals) underwent immediate radiofrequency ablation. Further VT inductions were performed 100 and 200 days postinfarct. At day 8, 3.0±0.9 VT morphologies per animal were inducible. All were successfully ablated with 24±6 applications of radiofrequency energy. All had ablations on the left ventricular endocardium, and 67% had ablations on the right ventricular aspect of the interventricular septum. All targeted arrhythmias were successfully ablated acutely. One animal was euthanized because of hypotension from a serious pericardial effusion. The other 11 survived and remained arrhythmia free on subsequent inductions on the 100th and 200th days ( P .001). The 13 animals without inducible VT remained noninducible at the subsequent studies. A historical control arm of 9 animals with inducible VT at day 8 remained inducible at day 100. Radiofrequency ablation on the eighth day after infarction abolished inducibility of VT at late induction studies ≤200 days in an ovine model. Early identification and ablation of VT after infarction may prevent or reduce late ventricular arrhythmias but needs to be validated in clinical studies.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 23-02-2017
Abstract: The aim of this research was to experimentally determine the characteristics of incised bone wounds, which are commonly found in defense injuries. A specially constructed pivoting arm device was used to inflict wounds with controlled forces and direction. Five knives were selected to inflict the wounds on porcine forelimbs. Eight incised wounds were made per knife per force. A larger knife and a greater force caused longer and wider bone wounds. Comparisons of in idual knives at the two forces produced varying results in the bone wounds. A correlation was seen between the force and the length (r = 0.69), width (r = 0.63), and depth (r = 0.57) of bone wounds. Serrated-edge and nonserrated knives can be distinguished from the appearance of the wound. The outcomes may be applicable in forensic investigations to ascertain the forces associated with incised wounds and identify the specific knife used.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2016
DOI: 10.1016/J.JNEUMETH.2016.08.012
Abstract: There is a paucity of detailed methods describing how to harvest and process motor neurons obtained from the adult rat spinal cord. Removal of intra-cardiac perfusion step. The spinal cord is extruded intact from the rat in under 60s post-decapitation then processed without differentiation of ventral and dorsal regions. The temperature during processing was maintained at room temperature (22°C) except during the Papain processing step where the temperature was increased to 30°C. Cell debris interfered with the counting of cells at the time of plating. Also, cell types could not be identified since they appear rounded structures with no projections. Cell viability counts reduced to 91% and 63% from day 7 to day 14 and days 7-28 respectively. Red blood cell counts in stepped density gradient layers 2 and 3 were low. No requirement for intra-cardiac perfusion. No requirement to cool to 4°C post harvesting, No requirement for specialized substrates. Reduces processing time by at least 2h and reduces the potential for processing errors through a reduction in complexity. Procedures are also explained suitable for those new to the culture of primary adult motor neurons. Cell viability counts indicate that removal of the perfusion step has a minimal effect on the viability of the cultured nerve cells, which may be due to the reduction in the spinal cord harvesting time and the inclusion of Hibernate based media during extrusion and processing.
Publisher: ASTM International
Date: 2005
DOI: 10.1520/JFS2004251
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2017
DOI: 10.1071/ZO17040
Abstract: Endocranial volume was measured in a large s le (n = 128) of free-ranging dingoes (Canis dingo) where body size was known. The brain/body size relationship in the dingoes was compared with populations of wild (Family Canidae) and domestic canids (Canis familiaris). Despite a great deal of variation among wild and domestic canids, the brain/body size of dingoes forms a tight cluster within the variation of domestic dogs. Like dogs, free-ranging dingoes have paedomorphic crania however, dingoes have a larger brain and are more encephalised than most domestic breeds of dog. The dingo’s brain/body size relationship was similar to those of other mesopredators (medium-sized predators that typically prey on smaller animals), including the dhole (Cuon alpinus) and the coyote (Canis latrans). These findings have implications for the antiquity and classification of the dingo, as well as the impact of feralisation on brain size. At the same time, it highlights the difficulty in using brain/body size to distinguish wild and domestic canids.
Publisher: Zenodo
Date: 2016
DOI: 10.5281/ZENODO.35526
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 2001
DOI: 10.1002/AJPA.1067
Abstract: Sex differences in the youngest skeletons are very subtle, and any method that can separate males and females significantly better than chance will be of value. Compounding the problem is a paucity of immature skeletons of documented age and sex. In 1992, S.R.L. examined 62 juvenile mandibles of white and black South Africans of known age and sex (from birth to 19 years) from the Dart Collection to determine if the sexes could be differentiated by morphologic traits. By age 6 years, adult chin shapes were already recognizable. Prior to that age, differences were observed in the shape of the inferior border of the symphysis and outline of the body. The male chin base extends steeply downward relative to the adjacent body, coming to a point or squaring off at the symphysis. In females, the symphysis descends gradually to a more rounded base, and even when pointed, the transition is not abrupt. On the outer border of the corpus, the sides erge sharply to form a \\_/ shape from a roughly horizontal anterior region in males, while the female contour is rounded, reflecting the smoothly curved transition from front to sides. These traits were manifest from the eruption of the central incisors until about 4 years of age. The features were tested on all 19 Dart Collection mandibles in that age range. Average accuracy for three different testers was 81%, and males were consistently identified more accurately than females. This new method was then tested on a known sex s le of 11 in iduals from 0 to 7 years of age. These included CT scans of 9 French children and the remains of 2 South African black forensic cases. Sexing accuracy was 82% (9/11). The only two missexed cases were both female and over age 6 years. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that it is possible to determine the sex of very young mandibles. The new sexually dimorphic morphologic configurations introduced here have demonstrated repeatable discrimination with the highest level of accuracy (81%) reported and tested for this age group. Preliminary research indicates that both the male and female shapes are clearly recognizable in archaeologic and premodern hominids as well as chimpanzees.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 03-2016
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 08-1998
DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1096-8644(199808)106:4<505::AID-AJPA5>3.0.CO;2-H
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 29-04-2013
Abstract: Evolutionary medicine (EM) is a growing field focusing on the evolutionary basis of human diseases and their changes through time. To date, the majority of EM studies have used pure theories of hominin macroevolution to explain the present-day state of human health. Here, we propose a different approach by addressing more empirical and health-oriented research concerning past, current and future microevolutionary changes of human structure, functions and pathologies. Studying generation-to-generation changes of human morphology that occurred in historical times, and still occur in present-day populations under the forces of evolution, helps to explain medical conditions and warns clinicians that their current practices may influence future humans. Also, analyzing historic tissue specimens such as mummies is crucial in order to address the molecular evolution of pathogens, of the human genome, and their coadaptations.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2004
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 02-2006
DOI: 10.1002/AJPA.20263
Abstract: Alterations of the width of the human intervertebral foramen can play a pathophysiological role in low back pain. Osseous dimensions of the human intervertebral foramen are rarely recorded. Therefore, we present reference data obtained from skeletal s les of known lifestyle, population affinity, sex, and age at death. Cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae of functional transition zones of 71 macroscopically normal spines from early 19th century AD Swiss burial sites were selected. The intervertebral foramen widths (IFW) were analyzed with respect to possible lateralization and the impact of sex, in idual age, and stature. Neither a significant side difference nor a correlation of IFW with in idual age or stature could be found. Females show somewhat larger IFW than males, especially in the lumbar region. Data comparisons with earlier studies are limited due to methodological differences and possible interpopulational variations. Furthermore, the osseous intervertebral foramen only reveals a glimpse of the clinically relevant in vivo structure. Nevertheless, more focus on the osseous dimensions of the intervertebral foramen will provide baseline data of this important anatomical landmark. These data could also explore the peculiarities of the intervertebral foramen, such as its reverse sex dimorphism.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 15-07-2010
Publisher: Schweizerbart
Date: 06-2018
Publisher: Nomos Verlag
Date: 2015
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 11-2009
DOI: 10.1002/AR.21005
Abstract: The foramen magnum is an important landmark of the skull base and is of particular interest for anthropology, anatomy, forensic medicine, and other medical fields. Despite its importance, few osteometric studies of the foramen magnum have been published so far. A total of 110 transverse and 111 sagittal diameters from Central European male and female dry specimens dating from the Pleistocene to modern times were measured, and related to sex, age, stature, ethnicity, and a possible secular trend. Only a moderate positive correlation between the transverse and the sagittal diameter of the foramen magnum was found. Surprisingly, neither sexual dimorphism, in idual age-dependency, nor a secular trend was found for either diameter. Furthermore, the relationship between the in idual stature and foramen magnum diameters was weak: thus foramen magnum size cannot be used as reliable indicator for stature estimation. Further consideration of possible factors influencing the variability of human foramen magnum size shall be explored in larger and geographically more erse s les, thus serving forensic, clinical, anatomical, and anthropological interests in this body part.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 22-07-2008
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 2001
DOI: 10.1002/AJPA.1057
Abstract: The influence of sex, age, and socioeconomic conditions on specific grip strength of 6-18-year-old in iduals was studied among 1,704 males and 1,956 females belonging to the so-called "Cape Coloured" community in the western part of South Africa. Half of the participants of both sexes came from communities in the Greater Cape Town area where living conditions are comparable to those of middle-class First World communities (high SES). The other half came from the poorest rural communities of Klein Karoo (low SES). Arm circumferences, triceps skinfold thickness, and grip strength of the right and of the left hand were greater in in iduals from high SES at all ages. Females within each SES group had skinfolds thicker than males, especially at older ages, and were weaker. Specific grip strength (SS), estimated as grip strength per unit area of cross section of the fat-free arm, increased with age in each group, was greater in males, and was significantly lower in low SES groups, than in the high SES ones, especially during and after puberty. It seems that SES difference in SS will persist into adulthood. Sexual differences in SS can be attributed to hormonal differences while the SS increase with age and the difference between SES groups find no clear explanation in current theories of muscle growth and development. Since the speed of neuromuscular reaction observed in our participants is slower among low SES in iduals, it seems that the difference in neuromuscular control of strength may be responsible for our findings. Differences in muscle metabolism and hormonal regulation must also be considered.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 23-02-2017
Abstract: Damage produced by high-speed projectiles on organic tissue will depend on the physical properties of the tissues. Conditioning organic tissue s les to human core body temperature (37°C) prior to conducting ballistic experiments enables their behavior to closely mimic that of living tissues. To minimize autolytic changes after death, the tissues are refrigerated soon after their removal from the body and re-heated to 37°C prior to testing. This research investigates whether heating 50-mm-cube s les of porcine liver, kidney, and heart to 37°C for varying durations (maximum 7 h) can affect the penetration response of a high-speed, steel sphere projectile. Longer conditioning times for heart and liver resulted in a slight loss of velocity/energy of the projectile, but the reverse effect occurred for the kidney. Possible reasons for these trends include autolytic changes causing softening (heart and liver) and dehydration causing an increase in density (kidney).
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 10-1999
Publisher: Uniwersytet Lodzki (University of Lodz)
Date: 13-06-2017
Abstract: Ballistics literature often focuses on soft tissue injures and projectile trauma to the cranium. Minimal details on the bony characteristics of projectile trauma to the thorax/abdomen regions have been published. This study aims to analyse projectile trauma to the bony trunk region including the ribs, vertebrae, scapula, sternum and the hip bone to form a better understanding of the characteristics and biomechanics of skeletal trauma caused by a projectile and contribute to the existing database on skeletal trauma caused by projectiles. Fourteen cases of documented projectile trauma to the bony regions of the trunk from the Hamman-Todd Human Osteological Collection at the Cleveland Natural History Museum, Ohio were analysed. Of the 14 in iduals with gunshot wounds examined, 40 wounds occurred to the bones. Twenty-four injuries to the ribs, 1 ilium, 11 vertebrae, 3 scapulae, and 1 sternum. Fracture patterns, heaving and bevelling can be used to determine the direction of travel of the projectile which can be evident on the ribs, sternum, scapula and ilium. It is critical to understand the wounding patterns associated with projectile trauma to the torso region as this is often targeted, due to being the centre of mass.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2013
DOI: 10.1016/J.DRUGPO.2012.06.010
Abstract: Doping is a very serious issue bedevilling the sporting arena. It has consequences for athletes' careers, perception of sports in the society and funding of sports events and sporting organisations. There is a widespread perception that doping unfairly improves results of athletes. A statistical study of information on best lifetime results of top 100 m sprinters (males better than 9.98 s, females 11.00 s), over the period of 1980-2011 was conducted. Athletes were ided into categories of 'doped' (N = 17 males and 14 females), based on self admission, the confirmed detection of known doping agents in their bodies or doping conviction, and 'non-doped' (N = 46 males and 55 females). No significant differences (unpaired t-test) between dopers and non-dopers were found in their average results: male 'dopers' 9.89 s identical with 'non-dopers' 9.89 s, females 10.84 s and 10.88 s respectively. Slopes of regressions of best results on dates for both 'dopers' and 'non dopers' were not significantly different from zero. This indicates that no general improvement as a group in 100 m sprint results over a quarter of a century occurred irrespective of doping being or not being used. Since there are no statistical differences between athletes found "doping" and the others, one of the following must be true: (1) "doping" as used by athletes so detected does not improve results, or (2) "doping" is widespread and only sometimes detected. Since there was no improvement in overall results during the last quarter of the century, the first conclusion is more likely. Objectively, various "doping" agents have obvious physiological or anatomical effects. These may not translate into better results due to the clandestine use of doping that prevents its scientific structuring. Perception of the effectiveness of doping should be reconsidered. Policy changes may be required to ensure the continued fairness and equity in testing, legislation and sports in general.
Publisher: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Date: 04-08-2014
Abstract: The taxon “ Homo floresiensis ” was termed “the most important find in human evolution for 100 years.” The name was invented for several fragmentary skeletons found on one Indonesian island, all less than 100,000 y old (some as recent as 12,000 y), all coeval with only Homo sapiens existing everywhere else in the world. Defining taxonomic features appear in just a single specimen, LB1, which has the only known skull and femora. Key features of 380 mL and 1.06 m are shown here to be underestimates, supportable as species-defining only by overlooking asymmetry and disproportion that are general signs of abnormal development. Logically, patent isolated in idual abnormality obviates new species status even without diagnosis of a particular syndrome.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 08-10-2013
DOI: 10.1017/S0021932013000527
Abstract: This study investigated the trends in tuberculosis mortality through time in Switzerland. Information on the decline in mortality before chemotherapies were introduced may be useful in developing countries where drug-resistant tuberculosis is now becoming a major problem. Swiss data were collected from historical records and comparative data were obtained from the literature for England and Wales, New York, Japan, Brazil and Sierra Leone. Logistic curves were fitted to examine the rate of decline before introduction of pharmacotherapies and these show that the decline would have continued without the introduction of chemical therapies, including antibiotics. In Switzerland, England and Wales and New York, the decline had occurred long before the introduction of specific anti-tuberculosis agents. In Brazil and Japan, chemical therapy was co-incident with the decline in tuberculosis mortality rates. Overall, it is suggested that the effective control of tuberculosis can be achieved through a combination of chemical interventions, conservative therapy (rest, good nutrition, ventilation, etc.) as well as public health interventions addressing hygiene, nutrition, reducing exposure to infections and educating the population about tuberculosis.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 04-06-2021
DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0245760
Abstract: In modern humans, facial soft tissue thicknesses have been shown to covary with craniometric dimensions. However, to date it has not been confirmed whether these relationships are shared with non-human apes. In this study, we analyze these relationships in chimpanzees ( Pan troglodytes ) with the aim of producing regression models for approximating facial soft tissue thicknesses in Plio-Pleistocene hominids. Using CT scans of 19 subjects, 637 soft tissue, and 349 craniometric measurements, statistically significant multiple regression models were established for 26 points on the face and head. Examination of regression model validity resulted in minimal differences between observed and predicted soft tissue thickness values. Assessment of interspecies compatibility using a bonobo ( Pan paniscus ) and modern human subject resulted in minimal differences for the bonobo but large differences for the modern human. These results clearly show that (1) soft tissue thicknesses covary with craniometric dimensions in P . troglodytes , (2) confirms that such covariation is uniformly present in both extant Homo and Pan species, and (3) suggests that chimp-derived regression models have interspecies compatibility with hominids who have similar craniometric dimensions to P . troglodytes . As the craniometric dimensions of early hominids, such as South African australopithecines, are more similar to P . troglodytes than those of H . sapiens , chimpanzee-derived regression models may be used for approximating their craniofacial anatomy. It is hoped that the results of the present study and the reference dataset for facial soft tissue thicknesses of chimpanzees it provides will encourage further research into this topic.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 19-01-2020
DOI: 10.1002/AJPA.23988
Abstract: Syphilis was perceived to be a new disease in Europe in the late 15th century, igniting a debate about its origin that continues today in anthropological, historical, and medical circles. We move beyond this age-old debate using an interdisciplinary approach that tackles broader questions to advance the understanding of treponemal infection (syphilis, yaws, bejel, and pinta). How did the causative organism(s) and humans co-evolve? How did the related diseases caused by Treponema pallidum emerge in different parts of the world and affect people across both time and space? How are T. pallidum subspecies related to the treponeme causing pinta? The current state of scholarship in specific areas is reviewed with recommendations made to stimulate future work. Understanding treponemal biology, genetic relationships, epidemiology, and clinical manifestations is crucial for vaccine development today and for investigating the distribution of infection in both modern and past populations. Paleopathologists must improve diagnostic criteria and use a standard approach for recording skeletal lesions on archaeological human remains. Adequate contextualization of cultural and environmental conditions is necessary, including site dating and justification for any corrections made for marine or freshwater reservoir effects. Biogeochemical analyses may assess aquatic contributions to diet, physiological changes arising from treponemal disease and its treatments (e.g., mercury), or residential mobility of those affected. Shifting the focus from point of origin to investigating who is affected (e.g., by age/sex or socioeconomic status) and disease distribution (e.g., coastal/ inland, rural/urban) will advance our understanding of the treponemal disease and its impact on people through time.
Publisher: Universidad de Alicante Servicio de Publicaciones
Date: 2014
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 29-03-2017
DOI: 10.1111/JOA.12604
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 22-01-2020
DOI: 10.1007/S10741-020-09915-1
Abstract: This review evaluates the role of mechanotransduction (MT) in heart failure (HF) pathobiology. Cardiac functional and structural modifications are regulated by biomechanical forces. Exposing cardiomyocytes and the myocardial tissue to altered biomechanical stress precipitates changes in the end-diastolic wall stress (EDWS). Thereby various interconnected biomolecular pathways, essentially mediated and orchestrated by MT, are launched and jointly contribute to adapt and remodel the myocardium. This cardiac MT-mediated feedback decisively determines the primary cardiac cellular and tissue response, the sort (concentric or eccentric) of hypertrophy/remodeling, to mechanical and/or hemodynamic alterations. Moreover, the altered EDWS affects the diastolic myocardial properties independent of the systolic function, and elevated EDWS causes diastolic dysfunction. The close interconnection between MT pathways and the cell nucleus, the genetic endowment, principally allows for the wide variety of phenotypic appearances. However, demographic, environmental features, comorbidities, and also the genetic make-up may modulate the phenotypic result. Cardiac MT takes a fundamental and superordinate position in the myocardial adaptation and remodeling processes in all HF categories and phenotypes. Therefore, the effects of MT should be integrated in all our scientific, clinical, and therapeutic considerations.
Publisher: Uniwersytet Lodzki (University of Lodz)
Date: 30-01-2012
DOI: 10.2478/V10044-012-0002-6
Abstract: South Africa underwent major social and economic change between 1987 and 1995. The release of Nelson Mandela in February 1990 proclaimed an end to the political system of apartheid, and the first freely elected non-White government in 1994 instigated social and economic reforms aimed at alleviating the consequences of apartheid. This paper aims to examine the impact of these socio-economic and political changes on height, weight and body mass index (BMI) in childhood and late adolescence. An analysis was carried out of longitudinal data of 258 urban and rural South African Cape Coloured schoolchildren (6–18 years old) across the transitional periods from apartheid between 1987 and 1990, to this transition between 1991 and 1993, and finally to post-apartheid between 1994 and 1995. The anthropometric measures were standardized into age independent Z-scores. Analyses of variance with repeated measures were conducted to examine the growth in height, weight and BMI across these periods. The results show a significant main effect of measurement periods on height, weight and BMI Z-scores. Across time, the subjects increased in overall size, height, weight and BMI. For all the anthropometric measures there was a significant interaction effect between measurement period and sex, but none between measurement period and SES. The average increase in height, weight and BMI across time differed significantly for girls and boys, the average z-scores being greater in girls than in boys. For boys, there was little difference in height, weight and BMI Z-scores according to SES, and little increase across periods. Girls were generally taller, heavier with greater BMI than boys, and their scores increased across the time periods. High SES girls were taller, heavier and had higher BMI than low SES girls. Across the measurement periods, BMI and weight somewhat converged between the high and low SES girls. In the discussion these differences reflecting social sex distinctions are addressed.
Publisher: AOTA Press
Date: 04-1997
Abstract: "Channel-like" self-assembled monolayers having aliphatic and aromatic diimines (denoted as Si@1DIS, Si@2DIS and Si@3DIS) immobilized on substrates and their palladacycle monolayers (Si@1DIS-Pd, Si@2DIS-Pd and Si@3DIS-Pd) were prepared and characterized. Their catalytic performances were investigated using the Suzuki coupling reaction as a model. Si@3DIS-Pd showed the highest catalytic activity in water without ligands, and better recyclability than that of Si@2DIS-Pd and Si@1DIS-Pd. The reason was the carbon in the aliphatic diimine of Si@2DIS-Pd and Si@1DIS-Pd was easily hydrolyzed because of the active hydrogen of α-C, resulting in poor recyclability. Control of the amount of catalyst could be achieved by modulating the diameter of the channel-like structure, which also affected the catalytic activity. The catalytic process and mechanism were investigated systematically and proposed based on the experimental results obtained by the water contact angle, ultraviolet spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and atomic force spectroscopy. Changes in the morphology of monolayer surfaces during the catalytic process with or without stirring presented a clear process from order to disorder, and indicated that the reaction was a heterogeneous catalytic process occurring on the surface of the catalyst monolayer.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 06-09-2019
Publisher: Nomos Verlag
Date: 2012
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2014
DOI: 10.1016/J.FORSCIINT.2013.12.038
Abstract: Person identification from images is an important task in many security applications and forensic investigations. The essence of the problem comes down to measuring key observable anatomical features which can help describing similarities or differences between two or more in iduals. In this paper, we examine how different types of garments affect the placement of body markers that enable precise anatomical human description. We focus in particular on landmark positioning errors on the upper limb. Closed-form formulae are provided to compute the maximum likelihood estimate of upper limb length from an image. Subject stature is then predicted from the limb length through a regression model and used as identification criterion. Following initial laboratory experiments, the technique is demonstrated to be invariant to posture and applicable to uninformed subjects in unconstrained environments. Seven technical errors of measurement and statistical tests are quantified empirically from statures obtained by three assessors. Results show that thicker garments produce higher inaccuracies in landmark localisation but errors decrease as placement is repeated, as expected. Overall, comparison to truth reveals that on average statures are predicted with accuracy in excess of 96% for the worst assessor.
Publisher: Uniwersytet Lodzki (University of Lodz)
Date: 30-06-2013
Abstract: Obesity is of significant and growing concern among Australian Aboriginal children, and is linked to patterns of child growth. The aim of this paper is to show erse patterns of growth and obesity emergence among Australian Aboriginal children using historical anthropometric data. Child growth in height, weight and body mass index (BMI) is reanalysed for children aged 2 to 19 years in Australian Aboriginal communities spanning two distinct time periods (the 1950s and 1960s and the 1990s and 2000s) and si Xdifferent geographical locations: Yuendumu, Haast’s Bluff, Beswick, Kalumburu, Gerard, and Raukkan. Comparisons of stature and BMI between the earlier and later years of measurement were made, and the proportion of children classified as overweight or obese by the International Obesity Task Force criteria estimated, to allow international comparison. Aboriginal children in the 1990s and 2000s were heavier, with higher BMI than those in the 1950s and 1960s, differences in height being less marked. While no children were classified as overweight or obese in the earlier period, 15% of males and 3% of females were classified so in the later period. The data suggests that the period of onset of the epidemic of overweight and obesity among rural Australian Aboriginal children was likely to have been between the 1960s and 1980s.
Publisher: OMICS Publishing Group
Date: 2014
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 04-05-2022
Publisher: Department of Anatomy Keio University School of Medicine
Date: 2010
DOI: 10.2535/OFAJ.86.137
Abstract: Crown dimensions of the maxillary molars were measured in the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus). There were no significant differences in crown diameters between the first and second molars, however the fourth molars were reduced in all crown diameters. The third molar was smaller than the first or second molars in buccolingual crown diameters but there were no significant differences in mesiodistal crown diameters. It is proposed that the similar shapes of the first and second molars are associated with similar types of masticatory activity involving these teeth, The shape of the third molar, which is reduced in size buccolingually, may be linked to the koala's occlusal function which is characterized by a condylar action that leads to differences in movement between opposing anterior and posterior molar teeth during the occlusal stroke. The fourth molar, the smallest of the molar teeth in crown diameter, erupts significantly later than the other molars, and its reduction may be explained by the terminal and distal reduction theories. It is proposed that the pattern of molar morphology in the koala is associated with both masticatory activity linked to its characteristic occlusal function, as well as reflecting the sequence of tooth emergence.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2016
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2004
DOI: 10.1016/J.JCHB.2004.04.003
Abstract: Hyperostosis frontalis interna is a restricted bilateral thickening of the frontal endocranial surface, which is frequently found in postmenopausal females today. Surprisingly, this condition had a higher male prevalence in its rare archaeological records. This is again highlighted by the oldest known male European hyperostosis frontalis interna case in an adult Celtic from 100 BC presented here. This unique specimen supports earlier suggestions of the possible microevolution of human endocrine regulation, e.g. by sex steroids, and its pathoanatomical impact.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.JCHB.2017.03.001
Abstract: In this paper we analyse the possibility that the early hominin Ardipithecus ramidus had vocal capabilities far exceeding those of any extant non-human primate. We argue that erect posture combined with changes in craniofacial morphology, such as reduced facial and jaw length, not only provide evidence for increased levels of pro-sociality, but also increased vocal ability. Reduced length of the face and jaw, combined with a flexed cranial base, suggests the larynx in this species was situated deeper in the neck than in chimpanzees, a trait which may have facilitated increased vocal ability. We also provide evidence that Ar. ramidus, by virtue of its erect posture, possessed a degree of cervical lordosis significantly greater than chimpanzees. This is indicative of increased mobility of the larynx within the neck and hence increased capacity to modulate vocalisations. In the paleoanthropological literature, these changes in early hominin skull morphology have to date been analysed in terms of a shift in mating and social behaviour, with little consideration given to vocally mediated sociality. Similarly, in the literature on language evolution there is a distinct lacuna regarding links between craniofacial correlates of social and mating systems and vocal ability. These are surprising oversights given that pro-sociality and vocal capability require identical alterations to the common ancestral skull and skeletal configuration. We therefore propose a model which integrates data on whole organism morphogenesis with evidence for a potential early emergence of hominin socio-vocal adaptations. Consequently, we suggest vocal capability may have evolved much earlier than has been traditionally proposed. Instead of emerging in the Homo genus, we suggest the palaeoecological context of late Miocene and early Pliocene forests and woodlands facilitated the evolution of hominin socio-vocal capability. We also propose that paedomorphic morphogenesis of the skull via the process of self-domestication enabled increased levels of pro-social behaviour, as well as increased capacity for socially synchronous vocalisation to evolve at the base of the hominin clade.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 30-11-2016
Publisher: Uniwersytet Lodzki (University of Lodz)
Date: 30-06-2019
Abstract: Palmistry or Chiromancy is the art of reading lines on the palm of the hands. Today, many researchers believe that the lines on the palms of the hands can predict the in idual’s future. Computer programs are being designed which can automatically read the lines on the palm of the hand. One popular theory is that the length of the line of life will indicate lifespan. This theory was investigated in 1974 by Wilson and Mather who found no significant correlation between life expectancy and the length of the line of life. In 1990 Newrick and colleagues found a significant correlation as measured on 100 cadavers. These conflicting investigations are the only existing studies which have explored the relationship between palmistry and longevity. Since then no other study has validated nor disproven these claims. A total of 60 cadavers donated to The University of Adelaide were used in this study. Total hand length and the line of life length were measured on all cadavers. The age at and cause of death were also recorded. Linear regressions were used to establish any correlations between longevity and the length of the line of life. No significant correlations were found. There was also no significant difference between males and females or the right or left hands. As no significant correlations were found between longevity and the line of life all efforts at producing more reliable and automatic ways to read the lines are futile. This study puts to rest any debate surrounding the use of the line of life in palmistry as introduced by Newrick and colleagues.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 04-2007
DOI: 10.1177/230949900701500121
Abstract: We report a case of an extra-articular talocalcaneal coalition located anterolateral to the sinus tarsi. As non-osseous coalitions can be difficult to diagnose, physicians should keep this variant in mind in cases of a symptomatic hind foot with apparently equivocal radiological findings.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 06-02-2014
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 24-05-2015
DOI: 10.1111/AHE.12182
Abstract: The greyhound is a dog breed highly specialized to run fast (17 m/s) over short distances (Usherwood and Wilson, 2005). As a result, there are many anatomical structures correlated with this sprinting function. The branching patterns of vasculature supplying blood to the head, forelimbs and thorax (subclavian arteries and its branches) were described in 34 adult greyhound cadavers (22 male, 12 female) (donated with owner consent and used under a memorandum of understanding with the University of Adelaide Animal Ethics Committee) from silicone casts of the arch of the aorta and the cranial arteries. Chi-squared analysis was used to test for pattern frequency differences, and t-tests were used to analyse the differences between sex and symmetry. All measurements were scaled to a fixed measure, the Open Thorax Length (OTL), to correct for size variation between in iduals. Significant differences were found between the left and right subclavian arteries in the greyhound. The length to the first branch as a percentage of the OTL was greater in the right subclavian artery than the left subclavian artery (P < 0.001). The interval between the first and last branches (branching interval) as a percentage of the OTL was larger in the left subclavian artery than the right subclavian artery (P < 0.001). The reason for these differences remains unclear. Nonetheless, intraspecific variations of the branching patterns of the subclavian arteries have been described in the greyhound, thus suggesting that breed-specific variations in the cardiovascular system are likely to occur throughout domestic dogs.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 31-07-2003
DOI: 10.1002/CA.10146
Abstract: Tarsal coalitions (TC) are defined as fibrous (beyond normal ligaments), cartilaginous, or osseous unions of at least two tarsal bones. Most of the clinical studies report the prevalence of TC as <1%, but they disregard the asymptomatic coalitions. Because TC have been associated with pathologic conditions, including degenerative arthritic changes, knowledge of their prevalence has clinical importance. The aim of our study was to establish the prevalence of TC and tarsal joint variants. A total of 114 feet from 62 cadavers (average age = 78 years) without obvious foot pathologies were dissected at the Department of Anatomical Sciences, The University of Adelaide. Ten non-osseous TC in eight subjects were identified: two talocalcaneal and eight calcaneonavicular (occurred twice bilaterally). Variant calcaneonavicular and cuboideonavicular joints were found in 8% and 31% of feet, respectively. Other joint variants included a variable number of talocalcaneal joint surfaces and sesamoid bones. No secondary TC (due to trauma, infections, or neoplasm) were found. Our study demonstrated that the overall prevalence of TC is higher (13%) than previously thought tarsal joint variations (39%) and sesamoid bones (42%) were common as well. The supposed secular increase in the prevalence of TC as well as the high number of anatomical variants could reflect a short-term response to altered life-style or a microevolutionary trend due to relaxed selection.
Publisher: Uniwersytet Lodzki (University of Lodz)
Date: 30-09-2020
Abstract: Gluten consumption has been controversially associated with obesity in previous studies. We sought to examine this association at the worldwide level. Country specific data were obtained from 168 countries. Scatter plots, bivariate, partial correlation and multiple linear regression models were used to explore and compare the coincidence between obesity prevalence and consumption of gluten, non-gluten cereal protein and total cereal protein respectively. The established risk factors of obesity: caloric intake, sedentary lifestyle, urbanization, socioeconomic status, meat protein intake and sugar consumption were included in analyses as potential confounders. The 168 countries were also stratified into developing and developed country groupings for further examination of the relationships. Worldwide, bivariate correlation analyses revealed that the strength and direction of correlations between all variables (independent, dependent and potential confounders) were at similar levels. Obesity prevalence was positively correlated to gluten consumption but was negatively correlated to consumption of non-gluten cereal protein, and was in almost nil correlation to total cereal protein consumption. These relationships were similar across all countries (n= 168), developed country grouping (N=44) and developing country grouping (n=124). When caloric intake, Gross Domestic Product at Purchasing Power Parity, sedentary lifestyle and urbanization were kept statistically constant in the partial correlation analysis, obesity was significantly correlated to gluten consumption in all countries, developed country grouping and developing country grouping, and was significantly but inversely and weakly correlated to non-gluten cereal protein in all countries and developing countries, and was in almost nil correlation to total cereal protein in all country groupings. Globally, stepwise multiple regression analysis, when all the independent variables and potential confounding factors were included, selected consumption of sugar as the variable having the greatest influence on obesity with R2 = 0.510, while gluten was placed second increasing R2 to 0.596. Gluten consumption may have been emerging as an inconspicuous, but significant cause of obesity. While Westernization has driven the diet patterns worldwide to incorporate more gluten crops, obesity prevalence projection methods may estimate future obesity rates poorly if gluten consumption is not considered.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 09-2014
DOI: 10.1038/513487C
Publisher: Schweizerbart
Date: 04-2016
DOI: 10.1127/ANTHRANZ/2016/0562
Abstract: There are a number of methods of physical anthropology available to reconstruct living stature from skeletal remains. Some methods use dimensions of just a few bones, together with regression equations (mathematical, see Table 1: 1-7), while other methods require the whole skeleton and simply add the heights of specific skeletal components (anatomical, see Table 1: 8-11). This study investigates the consistency that mathematical and anatomical methods can provide in the determination of stature from skeletal remains. A significant difference was found between average heights of the same 20 in iduals determined from seven mathematical and four anatomical methods (paired t-test, p < 0.001, df = 19). Mathematical methods provided taller height estimates than anatomical methods the average difference was 47 mm. A repeated measures ANOVA indicated significant differences in the heights determined by all methods (p < 0.0001). Analysis of variance indicated significant differences in the heights determined by various mathematical methods (p < 0.03), whereas there were no significant differences in the heights amongst various anatomical methods (p < 0.77). When simple proportions of the length of the long bones to stature are used for reconstruction (see Table 1: 12), a bias is shown by mathematical methods to overestimate statures of short in iduals and underestimate statures of taller in iduals. To reduce this bias of linear regressions, we suggest that alternate methods, such as reduced major axis or organic correlation, should be employed (see Table 1: 13-15).
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2002
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2001
Abstract: Brain size represented by cranial capacity (CC) is one of the most frequently analysed characters of hominids. Accuracy of in idual CC estimates depends on completeness of specimens and methods used for reconstruction and measurement. A file of published estimates of CC of hominids dated from 3.2 Ma (million years) to 10 Ka (thousand years) including 606 estimates for 243 specimens was compiled. In the file, 75 specimens are available with multiple values (3 to 15) obtained by various methods and/or by various authors. Using in iduals as classes in ANOVA, intraclass variation, which represents "error" of estimates, was calculated. For the total s le of multiple estimates (N = 382) the error variance is 5315 ml2. The error standard deviation is 73 ml (coefficient of variation (CV = 7.3%), quite large in comparison to the actual variation in CC in modern humans, SD = 157 ml (CV = 11.6%). This large error makes us wonder whether any fossil can be reliably placed with respect to a particular "cerebral Rubicon" between palaeospecies. Recent discussions concerning cranial capacity of Stw505 are a case in point regarding errors in CC estimation. In actual repeated 30 time measurements on a research quality cast we obtained with various methods (water, seeds, plasticine) CC estimates ranging from 484 to 586 ml. The range of estimates in the literature is from 515 to 625 ml. When hominid CC by taxon with date as a covariate is subjected to ANOVA, taxon is responsible for 5% of the variance while date is responsible for the main portion, (89%). The relationship between CC and date is best characterised as a gradual time trend. It is proven by the ANOVA test for linearity, by gamma test for trend and by ASReml fitting of a linear function. The line of best fit to this time trend is a double exponential curve which explains 90% of the total variance in CC: CC = 306.63 (4.83(0.9995)DATE) Essentially the same curve fits subs les of CC dated at less than 1 Ma and at 3.2-1.0 Ma. This has several implications for the nature of the Darwinian process to be reconstructed.
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 20-04-2021
DOI: 10.1101/2021.04.18.21255521
Abstract: Nineteenth century medical understanding of human metabolism was limited, therefore, the incidence of metabolic deficiencies was not fully recorded. In addition, the transition from agricultural based mode of life to the industrial one significantly changed the pattern of these metabolic deficiencies. They were further altered by colonisation of distant continents. Palaeopathological study of skeletal remains from the early industrialised colonial era allowed light to be shed on the metabolic stresses produced by this new mode of life. Aims of this study were to investigate manifestations of disease in skeletal remains from 65 (20 adults, 45 sub-adults) migrant settlers buried in the “free ground” of St Mary’s Anglican Church Cemetery (1847 to 1927). An area allocated for burials paid for by the South Australian Government. Skeletal manifestations were determined and interpreted in terms of their multiple aetiologies. Findings were compared with those published for two 19 th century British s les. Skeletal manifestations, commonly related to metabolic deficiencies, were observed. Areas of abnormal porosity of bone cortices were seen in 9 adults and 12 sub-adults, flaring of metaphyses was seen in one sub-adult, flaring of costochondral junctions of the ribs was seen in one sub-adult. Porous lesions of orbital roof bones (Types 3 to 5) were seen on three sub-adults. Micro-CT scans of tooth s les located interglobular dentine in three in iduals. Comparison of St Mary’s findings with St Martins, Birmingham, and St Peter’s, Wolverh ton, UK, showed more in iduals from St Mary’s had areas of abnormal porosity of bone cortices possibly related to vitamin C deficiency. However, St Mary’s s le displayed fewer changes attributable to vitamin D deficiency as expected in a country with greater UV irradiation. This indicates that, although the early industrialisation produced metabolic stresses, change of the environment through colonisation of new continents altered the distribution of metabolic deficiencies.
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 02-2009
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.JFLM.2019.01.004
Abstract: A deep learning artificial neural network was adapted to the task of sex determination of skeletal remains. The neural network was trained on images of 900 skulls virtually reconstructed from hospital CT scans. When tested on previously unseen images of skulls, the artificial neural network showed 95% accuracy at sex determination. Artificial intelligence methods require no significant expertise to implement once trained, are rapid to use, and have the potential to eliminate human bias from sex estimation of skeletal remains.
Publisher: Schweizerbart
Date: 08-2017
DOI: 10.1127/ANTHRANZ/2017/0628
Abstract: Anthropometrists attempt to minimise measurement errors, however, errors cannot be eliminated entirely. Currently, measurement errors are simply reported. Measurement errors should be included into analyses of anthropometric data. This study proposes a method which incorporates measurement errors into reported values, replacing metric units with 'units of technical error of measurement (TEM)' by applying these to forensics, industrial anthropometry and biological variation. The USA armed forces anthropometric survey (ANSUR) contains 132 anthropometric dimensions of 3982 in iduals. Concepts of duplication and Euclidean distance calculations were applied to the forensic-style identification of in iduals in this survey. The National Size and Shape Survey of Australia contains 65 anthropometric measurements of 1265 women. This s le was used to show how a woman's body measurements expressed in TEM could be 'matched' to standard clothing sizes. Euclidean distances show that two sets of repeated anthropometric measurements of the same person cannot be matched (> 0) on measurements expressed in millimetres but can in units of TEM (= 0). Only 81 women can fit into any standard clothing size when matched using centimetres, with units of TEM, 1944 women fit. The proposed method can be applied to all fields that use anthropometry. Units of TEM are considered a more reliable unit of measurement for comparisons.
Publisher: Uniwersytet Lodzki (University of Lodz)
Date: 30-07-2012
DOI: 10.2478/V10044-012-0012-4
Abstract: Adult volunteers (7 females, 7 males) aged between 19 and 51 years, 7 right-handers and 7 left-handers, were asked to complete re-training writing tasks by using their non-dominant hand over 10 consecutive days. It is possible for adults to learn quickly to write legibly with their non-dominant hand. Left handers have a higher legibility score initially although right-handers improved with training more than left-handers. In idual’s performance was unrelated to age and sex in the small s le studied.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 2010
DOI: 10.1002/AJHB.20957
Abstract: We explore relationships between BMI and skinfolds and anthropometric variables reflecting variation in lean body frame. Data on the middle class adult Australian women (n = 1260) collected in 2002 during a National Body Size and Shape Survey were used. Standard measurements of stature, weight, skeletal dimensions (shoulder width, hip width, chest width, and depth, limb lengths), circumferences of head, trunk, limbs and triceps, subscapular and abdominal skinfolds were taken. Techniques for measurements of skeletal frame minimized the inclusion of adipose tissue thickness. Analysis of variance and parametric and nonparametric correlations were used. Vertical dimensions show weak correlations with fatness, while body frame circumferences and transverse dimensions are consistently, significantly, and substantially correlated with fatness, each explaining from 3 to 44% of variation in skinfold thickness. Skeletal dimensions explain up to 50% of variation in skinfold thickness (multiple regression). Especially high correlations with skinfold thickness occur for chest width, depth, and hip width (r range from 0.42 to 0.66). Body frame dimensions reflect largely trunk volume and the trunk/limb proportions. Larger lean trunk size is associated with greater fatness. Since the size of the abdominal cavity, and thus the gastrointestinal system (GI), is reflected in the trunk size, we speculate that larger frame may predispose to obesity in two ways: (1) larger stomachs require greater bulk of food to produce feeling of satiety as mediated through antral distension, (2) larger GIs may absorb more nutrients. Frame size may help to detect the risk of obesity among young adults.
Publisher: International Information and Engineering Technology Association
Date: 2018
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 2018
DOI: 10.1093/EMPH/EOY012
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2016
Publisher: No publisher found
Date: 2014
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 07-04-2023
DOI: 10.3390/DJ11040099
Abstract: The aims of this study are to determine the oral health status of a rare s le of 19th-century migrant settlers to South Australia, how oral conditions may have influenced their general health, and how the oral health of this group compares with contemporaneous s les in Australia, New Zealand, and Britain. Dentitions of 18 adults and 22 subadults were investigated using non-destructive methods (micro-CT, macroscopic, radiographic). Extensive carious lesions were identified in seventeen adults and four subadults, and from this group one subadult and sixteen adults had antemortem tooth loss. Sixteen adults showed evidence of periodontal disease. Enamel hypoplastic (EH) defects were identified in fourteen adults and nine subadults. Many in iduals with dental defects also had skeletal signs of comorbidities. South Australian in iduals had the same percentage of carious lesions as the British s le (53%), more than other historic Australian s les, but less than a contemporary New Zealand s le. Over 50% of in iduals from all the historic cemeteries had EH defects, suggesting systemic health insults during dental development were common during the 19th century. The overall oral health of the South Australian settlers was poor but, in some categories, (tooth wear, periapical abscess, periodontal disease), better than the other historic s les.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 22-02-2022
DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0259329
Abstract: By identifying homogeneity in bone and soft tissue covariation patterns in living hominids, it is possible to produce facial approximation methods with interspecies compatibility. These methods may be useful for producing facial approximations of fossil hominids that are more realistic than currently possible. In this study, we conducted an interspecific comparison of the nasomaxillary region in chimpanzees and modern humans with the aim of producing a method for predicting the positions of the nasal tips of Plio-Pleistocene hominids. We addressed this aim by first collecting and performing regression analyses of linear and angular measurements of nasal cavity length and inclination in modern humans ( Homo sapiens n = 72) and chimpanzees ( Pan troglodytes n = 19), and then performing a set of out-of-group tests. The first test was performed on four subjects that belonged to the same genus as the training s le, i.e., Homo ( n = 2) and Pan ( n = 2), and the second test, which functioned as an interspecies compatibility test, was performed on Pan paniscus ( n = 1), Gorilla gorilla ( n = 3), Pongo pygmaeus ( n = 1), Pongo abelli ( n = 1), Symphalangus syndactylus ( n = 3), and Papio hamadryas ( n = 3). We identified statistically significant correlations in both humans and chimpanzees with slopes that displayed homogeneity of covariation. Prediction formulae combining these data were found to be compatible with humans and chimpanzees as well as all other African great apes, i.e., bonobos and gorillas. The main conclusion that can be drawn from this study is that our set of regression models for approximating the position of the nasal tip are homogenous among humans and African apes, and can thus be reasonably extended to ancestors leading to these clades.
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 18-10-2021
DOI: 10.1101/2021.10.18.464897
Abstract: By identifying similarity in bone and soft tissue covariation patterns in hominids, it is possible to produce facial approximation methods that are compatible with more than one species of primate. In this study, we conducted an interspecific comparison of the nasomaxillary region in chimpanzees and modern humans with the aim of producing a method for predicting the nasal protrusions of ancient Plio-Pleistocene hominids. We addressed this aim by first collecting and performing regression analyses of linear and angular measurements of nasal cavity length and inclination in modern humans ( Homo sapiens n = 72) and chimpanzees ( Pan troglodytes n = 19), and then by performing a set of out-of-group tests. The first test was performed on two subjects that belonged to the same genus as the training s le, i.e., Homo ( n = 1) and Pan ( n = 1), and the second test, which functioned as an interspecies compatibility test, was performed on Pan paniscus ( n = 1), Gorilla gorilla ( n = 3), Pongo pygmaeus ( n = 1), Pongo abelli ( n = 1), Symphalangus syndactylus ( n = 3), and Papio hamadryas ( n = 3). We identified statistically significant correlations in both humans and chimpanzees with slopes that displayed homogeneity of covariation. Joint prediction formulae were found to be compatible with humans and chimpanzees as well as all other African great apes, i.e., bonobos and gorillas. The main conclusion that can be drawn from this study is that regression models for approximating nasal projection are homogenous among humans and African apes and can thus be reasonably extended to ancestors leading to these clades.
Publisher: Moravske Zemsk Muzeum (Monrovian Museum)
Date: 2018
Publisher: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Date: 05-09-2006
Abstract: Liang Bua 1 (LB1) exhibits marked craniofacial and postcranial asymmetries and other indicators of abnormal growth and development. Anomalies aside, 140 cranial features place LB1 within modern human ranges of variation, resembling Australomelanesian populations. Mandibular and dental features of LB1 and LB6/1 either show no substantial deviation from modern Homo sapiens or share features (receding chins and rotated premolars) with R asasa pygmies now living near Liang Bua Cave. We propose that LB1 is drawn from an earlier pygmy H. sapiens population but in idually shows signs of a developmental abnormality, including microcephaly. Additional mandibular and postcranial remains from the site share small body size but not microcephaly.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 2000
DOI: 10.1080/03014460050178669
Abstract: To show that socio-economically dependent cultural bias distorts results of the status quo method of estimating age at first menstruation. Questionnaires asking for menstrual status and the recalled age at menarche were distributed to approximately 1000 Javanese girls who attended junior and senior high schools in Malang. Age of participants ranged from 11.98 to 18.89 years. Probit analysis was applied to the status quo data while average menarcheal age recalled by girls > or =16 year old was also calculated. t-test, F-test, ANOVA and chi2 tests were applied to test significance of differences between groups. Girls of low occupational status fathers (Group 1) had a probit average menarcheal age of 13.99 years (SD = 1.33, n = 524). Girls of medium occupational status fathers (Group 2), had a lower probit average menarcheal age (13.06 SD = 1.38, n = 315). Girls of fathers with the highest occupational score (Group 3) rarely reported premenarcheal status (less than 10% in all age groups studied) and the probit analysis of their reports yielded an unbelievable average of 9.61 (SD = 3.41, n = 157) years. Group 3 girls tend to report their menarcheal status incorrectly, probably due to a 'fashion' of appearing mature or to 'contagion' during filling out of a questionnaire. The recalled average menarcheal age of Group 3 females questioned when they were aged 16 years and above, yields an average that seems to be more reliable (12.74 years, SD = 1.41, n = 7), because at a fully postmenarcheal age there is no need to enhance one's status by falsely claiming maturity.
Publisher: Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons
Date: 24-09-2018
Abstract: Background: The accurate determination of intact breast volume facilitates preoperative planning for women with breast hypertrophy and, in some jurisdictions, is essential in order to justify breast reduction surgery. Not all practitioners have access to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or three dimensional (3D) laser scanning facilities, so the purpose of this study was to determine whether water displacement of the intact breast is an effective substitute method of measurement in women with breast hypertrophy. Methods: A prospective cohort study of breast hypertrophy patients was undertaken. The volume of a total of 322 breasts were determined using water displacement and 3D laser scanning 194 preoperatively and 128 at 12 months following breast reduction surgery. Pearson correlations, linear regression and Bland-Altman analyses were used to compare the methods of breast volume assessment. Results: The mean breast volume according to 3D laser scan was 1440 millilitres (SD = 588 millilitres) and for water displacement was 1419 millilitres (SD = 811 millilitres). There was a strong linear association between breast volumes as measured using water displacement and 3D laser scanning using a Pearson correlation (r = 0.89, p 0.001). However, using the Bland-Altman analysis, the two methods were found not to be in agreement, with water displacement values consistently larger than 3D scan values. Conclusions: Despite the strong linear association, water displacement is not an accurate enough tool to be used as a substitute for 3D laser scanning, and therefore not an optimal method of breast volume measurement in women with breast hypertrophy.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 31-08-2010
DOI: 10.1002/AJPA.21369
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 09-03-2011
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 07-1996
DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1096-8644(199607)100:3<389::AID-AJPA6>3.0.CO;2-P
Abstract: We report a case of rectal cancer with an initial symptom of rectal bleeding. The clinical, morphological, immunohistochemical, and imaging findings supported a diagnosis of synchronous primary carcinoma of the prostate, rectal adenocarcinoma, and papillary thyroid tumor. The patient, whose poor cardiac function contraindicated surgery, underwent long-course chemoradiotherapy and hormonal therapy. The patient is currently asymptomatic, with stable disease and an improved quality of life. To our knowledge, synchronous primary carcinomas of the prostate, thyroid, and rectum are extremely rare in the literature. There are few published reports addressing parallel treatment and outcomes when such a synchronous diagnosis is made we share here our experience in formulating a treatment plan.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 03-2018
Abstract: Previous studies have used longitudinal s les to investigate growth of the skeletal aspects of the face, although far less has been done on facial soft tissue. This study uses a larger s le than previous studies on the same data (Denver and Fels growth series) to explore covariation of bony and soft facial dimensions comprehensively from childhood to adulthood. A total of 1036 lateral cephalometric radiographs were digitized from 60 in iduals, and distances between facial landmarks were measured using ImageJ. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) showed all bony facial landmark distances were significantly different (p > 0.05) between age groups however, only half were significantly different between sexes. Further analysis showed the effect of age (calculated as eta-squared) explained a greater percentage of total variation (20%) than sex (15%). Overall, soft tissue changes between 0 and 19 years of age were small (<3 mm) and only some were correlated to underlying facial skeleton dimensions.
Publisher: ASTM International
Date: 05-2001
DOI: 10.1520/JFS14993J
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 11-08-2020
DOI: 10.1017/S0021932020000413
Abstract: Extant humans are currently increasing their genetic load, which is informing present and future human microevolution. This has been a gradual process that has been rising over the last centuries as a consequence of improved sanitation, nutritional improvements, advancements in microbiology and medical interventions, which have relaxed natural selection. Moreover, a reduction in infant and child mortality and changing societal attitudes towards fertility have led to a decrease in total fertility rates (TFRs) since the 19 th century. Generally speaking, decreases in differential fertility and mortality have meant that there is less opportunity for natural selection to eliminate deleterious mutations from the human gene pool. It has been argued that the average human may carry ~250–300 mutations that are mostly deleterious, as well as several hundred less-deleterious variants. These deleterious alleles in extant humans mean that our fitness is being constrained. While such alleles are viewed as reducing human fitness, they may also have had an adaptive function in the past, such as assisting in genetic complexity, sexual recombination and diploidy. Saying this, our current knowledge on these fitness compromising alleles is still lacking.
Publisher: Human Biology (The International Journal of Population Biology and Genetics)
Date: 08-2012
DOI: 10.3378/027.084.0406
Abstract: In cross-sectional epidemiological studies, blood pressure (BP) is often found to be positively correlated with fatness. Usually sphygmomanometers with only one cuff size for adults are used to measure BP while arm circumference (AC) influences BP readings. We have studied cross-sectional anthropometric and BP data of adult men and women from three populations: Cook Islanders (n = 259), Papua New Guinean: Purari (n = 295), and Ok Tedi (n = 274). These were selected because of their erse socio-economic, anthropometric, and BP characteristics. Partial correlations and regressions were used to analyze these data. Systolic and diastolic pressures (SBP, DBP) showed dependence on AC, body mass index (BMI), and skinfold thickness. Stature had some effect on SBP and DBP, independent of BMI and AC. When effects of AC and stature were statistically controlled, BMI did not correlate with either SBP or DBP. People of larger body mass have greater AC, and this biases BP readings. Average values of SBP and DBP in groups of underweight, normal, overweight, and obese people predicted by AC (sex, age, and BMI being statistically controlled) closely matched observed SBP and DBP averages in those groups. Out of 24 pairwise comparisons (3 s les from different populations × 4 groups of BMI × 2 pressure readings) of predicted and actual BP, only two produced statistically significant differences while 21 of the differences were 5 mm Hg or less. Correlations between BP and obesity found in epidemiological studies may be severely biased by effects of variation in AC. Sphygmomanometric measurements of BP should be corrected for continuous variation in AC.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 11-2001
DOI: 10.1046/J.1469-7580.2001.19950577.X
Abstract: This study investigated the relationships between the density of Meissner's corpuscles and the dermatoglyphic characteristics of human fingers. Dermatoglyphic prints and tissue s les were collected from the index (II) and ring (IV) fingers of 28 cadavers from the Medical School, University of Adelaide. Pattern types, pattern intensity, total ridge count and ridge breadth, were determined for each s le and the density of Meissner's corpuscles established by recording the mean number of Meissner's corpuscles underlying a 10 mm long line on the skin surface. No relationship was found between the density of Meissner's corpuscles and pattern type, pattern intensity or total ridge count. Negative correlations were found for the density of Meissner's corpuscles with both ridge width and size of fingers. Males were found to have significantly larger fingers, larger ridge breadth, and a lower density of Meissner's corpuscles per 10 mm compared with females. However, there was no difference between the total number of Meissner's corpuscles per finger in males and females. No significant differences were found in either the density of Meissner's corpuscles between antimeres or between the index and ring fingers. These results suggest that for both the left and right hand in males and females, there is a similar number of Meissner's corpuscles for both the index and ring fingers.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 03-2003
Publisher: Moravske Zemsk Muzeum (Monrovian Museum)
Date: 2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2016
DOI: 10.1016/J.FORSCIINT.2016.03.032
Abstract: Knife attacks are commonly seen in Australia and other countries. During forensic investigations the force with which a wound was inflicted is often questioned. The ability to examine resultant trauma and particular weapons at different forces with an experimental device may lead to better interpretations of knife wounds. The objective of this study is to design, construct and test a device to analyse the characteristics and forces involved in knife attacks, particularly incised wounds. The mechanical variables (e.g. force, angle, knife geometry) involved in knife attacks have been considered to design and construct a suitable device which allows these variables to be systematically controlled and varied. A device was designed and constructed from mild steel. This included a pivoting arm and instrumented knife holder. The arm has adjustable angle and weight so that knives can be operated at different calculated forces. A device was successfully constructed and the repeatability of incised knife trauma and its characteristics in skeletal tissues were investigated. A device which allows reproducible and controlled experiments with knife wounds will be advantageous to forensic investigations. In particular, in determining forces and types of weapons associated with particular wounds, identifying or eliminating suspected weapons and more accurately answering the common question: How much force would be required to cause that particular wound. This could help to characterise the perpetrator. The device can be altered to be used in the future to investigate trauma caused by other weapons.
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2006
DOI: 10.1071/AM06034
Abstract: The ratio of brain volume to cranial volume of Phascolarctos cinereus has been reported to be low (60% encephalization) compared to other marsupials and eutherians. This MRI study indicates a substantial difference between the living P. cinereus brain (83% - 90% encephalization) and ones of cadaver specimens. This highlights the importance of in vivo morphological studies.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2014
DOI: 10.1016/J.ARTH.2013.08.015
Abstract: This study investigated the variability of os coxae's volume and linear morphometry in 50 dry adult bones. There was a wide variability, with coefficients of variation exceeding 30%, of the bones' volumes (mean 142 ml, range 80 to 300 ml) and distances between the acetabular rim and the horizontal plane through the sciatic notch (mean 10.6 mm, range -7 to 19 mm). The smallest width of the ilium ranged between 3 and 9 mm at a level between 1.5 and 4 cm above the acetabulum. The volume of os coxae correlated with the acetabular diameter (r = 0.79), the height of os coxae (r = 0.88) and antero-posterior length of the ilium at mid-acetabular level (r = 0.70). Knowledge of the variability of os coxae may be useful during preoperative planning in primary and revision hip arthroplasty.
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 08-01-2021
DOI: 10.1101/2021.01.08.425868
Abstract: In modern humans, facial soft tissue thicknesses have been shown to covary with craniometric dimensions. However, to date it has not been confirmed whether these relationships are shared with non-human apes. In this study, we analyze these relationships in chimpanzees ( Pan troglodytes ) with the aim of producing regression models for approximating facial soft tissue thicknesses in Plio-Pleistocene hominid in iduals. Using CT scans of 19 subjects, 637 soft tissue, and 349 craniometric measurements, statistically significant multiple regression models were established for 26 points on the face and head. Examination of regression model validity resulted in minimal differences between observed and predicted soft tissue thickness values. Assessment of interspecies compatibility using a bonobo ( Pan paniscus ) and modern human (Homo sapiens ) subject resulted in minimal differences for the bonobo but large differences for the modern human. These results clearly show that (1) soft tissue thicknesses covary with craniometric dimensions in P. troglodytes , (2) confirms that such covariation is uniformly present in both extant Homo and Pan species, and (3) suggests that chimp-derived regression models have interspecies compatibility with hominids who have similar craniometric dimensions to P. troglodytes . As the craniometric dimensions of early hominids, such as South African australopithecines, are more similar to P. troglodytes than those of H. sapiens , chimpanzee-derived regression models may be used for approximating their craniofacial anatomy. It is hoped that the results of the present study and the reference dataset for facial soft tissue thicknesses of chimpanzees it provides will encourage further research into this topic.
Publisher: ASTM International
Date: 07-2003
DOI: 10.1520/JFS2002418
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 10-09-2023
Publisher: Uniwersytet Lodzki (University of Lodz)
Date: 30-03-2015
Abstract: Although the concept of race has been thoroughly criticised in biological anthropology, forensic anthropology still uses a number of methods to determine the ‘race’ of a skeleton. The methods must be evaluated to see how effective they are given large in idual variation. This study used 20 cases of skeletons of varied provenance to test whether the nine published methods of ‘race’ determination, using a range of various approaches, were able to consistently identify the ethnic origin. No one in idual was identified as belonging to just one ‘major racial class’, e.g. European, meaning that complete consistency across all nine methods was not observed. In 14 cases (70%), various methods identified the same in idual as belonging to all three racial classes. This suggests that the existing methods for the determination of ‘race’ are compromised. The very concept of ‘race’ is inapplicable to variation that occurs between populations only in small ways and the methods are limited by the geographic population from which their discriminant functions or observations of morphological traits were derived. Methods of multivariate linear discriminant analysis, e.g. CRANID, are supposed to allocate an in idual skull to a specific population rather than a ‘major race’. In our analysis CRANID did not produce convincing allocations of in idual skeletons to specific populations. The findings of this study show that great caution must be taken when attempting to ascertain the ‘race’ of a skeleton, as the outcome is not only dependent on which skeletal sites are available for assessment, but also the degree to which the unknown skeleton’s population of origin has been investigated.
Publisher: Uniwersytet Lodzki (University of Lodz)
Date: 30-06-2015
Abstract: In this paper we analyse the ontogeny of craniofacial growth in Ardipithecus ramidus in the context of its possible social and environmental determinants. We sought to test the hypothesis that this form of early hominin evolved a specific adult craniofacial morphology via heterochronic dissociation of growth trajectories. We suggest the lack of sexual dimorphism in craniofacial morphology provides evidence for a suite of adult behavioral adaptations, and consequently an ontogeny, unlike any other species of extant ape. The lack of sexually dimorphic craniofacial morphology suggests A. ramidus males adopted reproductive strategies that did not require male on male conflict. Male investment in the maternal metabolic budget and/or paternal investment in offspring may have been reproductive strategies adopted by males. Such strategies would account for the absence of innate morphological armoury in males. Consequently, A. ramidus would have most likely had sub-adult periods of socialisation unlike that of any extant ape. We also argue that A. ramidus and chimpanzee craniofacial morphology are apomorphic, each representing a derived condition relative to that of the common ancestor, with A. ramidus developing its orthognatic condition via paedomoporhosis, and chimpanzees evolving increased prognathism via peramorphosis. In contrast we suggest cranial volume and life history trajectories may be synapomorphic traits that both species inherited and retained form a putative common ancestral condition. Our analysis also provides support for the hypothesis that an intensification of maternal care was central to the process of hominization.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 18-04-2016
Publisher: Uniwersytet Lodzki (University of Lodz)
Date: 30-01-2009
DOI: 10.2478/V10044-008-0016-2
Abstract: Despite intensive studies of a large number of fossils discovered during the 20th century there is no consensus as to the interpretation of the process of hominin evolution. Some authors see as many as six genera and some 17 species, while others argue for a single lineage from Plio/Pleistocene until today. Such ersity of interpretations of the same facts indicates lack of a uniform theoretical basis underlying studies of human evolution. Debates can be resolved using basic principles of scientific inquiry - parsimony and falsification of null hypotheses. Hypothesis testing is now possible with respect to the evolution of basic hominin characteristics such as brain size, body size and the size of the dentition that have s le sizes of a few hundred in idual data points each. These characters display a continuous change with time. Analyses of variance do not falsify the null hypothesis of the existence of only one species at any time - variances around regression lines on time do not differ from the variance observed in the single species of Homo sapiens - distributions of residuals are normal. Thus, splitting of the hominin lineage into coeval species can only be based on descriptive characteristics that are liable to errors of subjective judgment.
Publisher: American Physiological Society
Date: 11-2016
DOI: 10.1152/PHYSIOL.00013.2016
Abstract: The field of evolutionary medicine uses evolutionary principles to understand changes in human anatomy and physiology that have occurred over time in response to environmental changes. Through this evolutionary-based approach, we can understand disease as a consequence of anatomical and physiological “trade-offs” that develop to facilitate survival and reproduction. We demonstrate how diachronic study of human anatomy and physiology is fundamental for an increased understanding of human health and disease.
Publisher: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Date: 06-02-2015
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2018
DOI: 10.1016/J.ARCHORALBIO.2017.10.017
Abstract: Tooth morphology can vary due to genetic factors, infectious diseases and other environmental stresses. Congenital syphilis is known to interrupt tooth formation i.e. odontogenesis and amelogenesis, producing specific dental characteristics. Variation of those characteristics can occur, resulting in dental signs "not typical" of the disease, however, they are described in the 19th century literature. Past treatments of congenital syphilis with mercury also interrupted dental processes resulting in significantly different dental signs. The aim of this study is to examine the dentition of the oldest (pre 15th century) cases attributed to congenital syphilis to determine whether their dental processes have been affected by either congenital syphilis itself, its treatments (mercury) or a combination of both (syphilitic-mercurial). Comparisons of dental signs of congenital syphilis and its mercuric treatments as described by Hutchinson, Moon and Fournier in the 1800s and in standardised methods as established by modern studies, are made with the dentition of specimens found in archaeological sites in Mexico, Italy, Turkey and Austria dating back to the Terminal Formative Period, Classical Antiquity, Byzantine times and Middle Ages. The dentitions of a child from Oaxaca, Mexico, St. Pölten, Austria, and two juveniles from Classical Antiquity site Metaponto, Italy, show signs attributed to syphilis only. One adolescent from Byzantine site Nicaea, Turkey, shows dental signs characterised as syphilitic-mercurial. Dental abnormalities observed in Mediterranean in iduals match a range of signs attributable to congenital syphilis and its treatments, more so than the New World case. Therefore, it is likely that these in iduals suffered from congenital syphilis.
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 19-05-2014
Publisher: American Society for Clinical Investigation
Date: 26-07-2018
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 24-03-2023
DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.24.23287682
Abstract: Numerous studies of child growth conducted in industrialised countries showed presence of the phenomenon of the adolescent growth spurt to the extent that its presence became a dogma applied to humans as a species. However, earliest observations of growth at adolescence and also observations of adolescent growth conducted in small traditional societies do not show pubertal spurts consistently. Longitudinal observations of growth of in iduals in present-day societies show strong polymorphism of the age at which puberty starts and ends and the magnitude of growth acceleration during puberty. Some normally developing in iduals may not experience the pubertal growth spurt. Longitudinal height growth data of 110 girls aged 6-18 years from homogenous socio-economic situation – one medical high school (=nursing college) in one large Polish city of Lodz. 18 (16%) girls did not show statistically significant acceleration of body height growth while they reached the same adult height as their spurting peers. Girls who experienced growth spurt had the age at peak height velocity of 11.2 years and peak height velocity of 69.3 mm, comparable to those found in many other studies. There was a negative correlation of adult height with variation of in idual accelerations (r-0.24, p=0.01) – girls whose accelerations differed less from year to year achieved greater adult heights. Findings of no pubertal spurts in some in iduals have been made in other s les studied by other authors, though rarely reported. It can be argued that slow growth at adolescence was more favourable in conditions of limited access to nutrition and medical care while polymorphisms determining fast, uneven growth became more prevalent after industrialisation that, together with progress in health sciences, relaxed natural selection on patterns of growth. In iduals who do not experience pubertal growth spurts, but are otherwise healthy, should not be subject to clinical interventions. Pubertal growth spurt in body height is considered a typical feature of postnatal development. There is a large polymorphism of the age at which the spurt occurs and of its intensity. In iduals who do not experience the spurt, but are otherwise healthy, may be subject to uncesessary clinical interventions. Among 110 female students of an urban secondary nursing college studied longitudinally from 6 to 16 years, 16% did not experience acceleration of growth at puberty. Similar findings were reported in the literature from some non-Westernised communities and from European 19 th century populations.
Publisher: Research Square Platform LLC
Date: 16-06-2023
DOI: 10.21203/RS.3.RS-3036260/V1
Abstract: Objective Relaxed natural selection has been indexed with the Biological State Index ( I bs ), which indicates the opportunity for an average member of a population to pass genes to the next generation. This study explores the correlation of I bs to adolescent obesity prevalence. Methods Population level variables (adolescent obesity prevalence, self-calculated I bs , GDP, urbanization and calories) are extracted from or calculated with the United Nations data agencies for the correlation analyses. To examine the I bs -adolescent obesity relationship, the five non-normally distributed variables are analysed in curvilinear regression models with raw data and linear regressions with log-transformed data. Countries are grouped for exploring the regional I bs -adolescent obesity correlations. Results Linear correlation and the first order curvilinear regression identified that I bs -adolescent obesity correlation is significant, and this relationship remains in the third order curvilinear regression and partial correlation when the confounding effects of GDP, urbanization and calories are removed. I bs -adolescent obesity correlation also presents in different country groupings. It is highlighted that I bs -adolescent obesity is significantly stronger in developing countries than developed countries. Stepwise multiple linear regression identified I bs as the second most influential risk factor for adolescent obesity. Caloric intake does not show significant effects on predicting adolescent obesity in both enter and stepwise regression models. Conclusions Reduced natural selection may drive obesity associated genetic background to accumulate in population through allowing people to participate in reproduction. The magnitude of reduced natural selection correlates with adolescent obesity prevalence. This suggests that reduced natural selection is another major risk factor for adolescent obesity.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 05-12-2013
DOI: 10.1002/AJHB.22494
Abstract: The obesity epidemic is impacting both developed and undeveloped countries worldwide. It has only been recently that wide scale public c aigning has focused on prevention rather than intervention. In idual variations in food metabolism and energy expenditure may be responsible for much of the adiposity present amongst in iduals. This article studies in idual variation in relationship between lean trunk size and adiposity. A mixed longitudinal growth study was conducted between 1986 and 1995 among urban and rural "Cape Coloured" schoolchildren from the Western Cape Province of South Africa. The s le consists of 127 females and 130 males between the ages of 6 and 20 years measured 6-9 times each. Correlations between age-standardized triceps, subscapular and abdominal skinfold thicknesses and quotient indices obtained by expressing trunk length, lower limb, and upper limb lengths and bi-acromial and bi-iliocristal diameters as percentages of body height were explored for each year of growth. Significant correlation coefficients (P < 0.05) between 0.087 and 0.511 were found in both males and females, between bi-acromial and bi-iliocristal indices and three skinfold thicknesses, but not between trunk and limb lengths and skinfolds. Skeletal frame width and amount of adiposity are correlated. The correlation persists longitudinally throughout childhood and adolescence in in iduals living in very poor, as well as, in good environmental conditions.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2019
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 12-2008
DOI: 10.1002/AJPA.20889
Abstract: The influence of the environment and genetics on in idual biological characteristics, such as body mass and stature is well known. Many studies of these relationships have been based on conscript data. These studies often suffer from the fact that their data cover only a part of the population. Characterized by prosperity, democratic stability and enormous micro-regional cultural ersity, Switzerland is in the unique situation of offering data covering more than 80% of annual male birth cohorts. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of socioeconomic success, cultural differences, month of birth, and altitude (among other factors) on in idual anthropometric characteristics of conscripts (N approximately 28,000) in the 2005 census. Our result highlights in such a large male s le the relationship between economic environment, regional cultural ersity, climate, and other factors, such as in idual month of birth on stature and weight. Socioeconomic status, culture (as reflected by mother tongue), and month of birth were found to have significant effects on height and weight, while altitude did not show such effects. In general, weight is more affected by all these variables than height. Taking weight-dependent mortality and morbidity into account, it is of foremost public interest to know more about paired effects of living conditions on stature and weight in a highly developed society.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 24-12-2020
DOI: 10.1111/ANS.16429
Abstract: For several decades, anatomists and biological anthropologists have made an intensive study in anatomical variations in ancestral and living humans. While many anatomical variants do not require clinical attention, some may present diagnostic problems or augur adverse symptoms. It is only in the last few decades that a plausible argument has been made that anatomical changes in human in iduals and lineages demonstrate ongoing microevolution. Since the mid‐19th century, there has been a reduction in differential mortality. Increased variation of heritable traits is a consequential outcome of relaxation of natural selection. Consequently, this has contributed to various anatomical variations in musculo‐skeletal anatomy, vascular anatomy as well as congenital disorders such as spina bifida occulta. The authors argue that surgeons and anatomists should improve their knowledge of evolution and its continuing influence on human morphology. Simply repeating the old mantra that anatomical variations are important because knowledge of them minimizes surgical complications, albeit important, is inadequate.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 20-01-2017
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2020
Publisher: Research Square Platform LLC
Date: 26-05-2020
DOI: 10.21203/RS.3.RS-28249/V1
Abstract: Objective:The low melanin production (depigmentation) evolved from low ultraviolet radiation may be the principal determinant of malignant melanoma of skin (C43).Design:Country-specific estimates of C43 incidence, daily UVR exposure, skin colour (EEL), socioeconomic status (GDP PPP), magnitude of reduced natural selection (I bs ), ageing, urbanization, percentage of European descendants (Eu%), and depigmentation measured by blonde hair colour, were subjected to statistical analyses. Data were derived from WHO, United Nations, World Bank databases and the literature.Setting:Ecological analysisParticipants:182 in idual countries.Main outcome measures:Parametric and non-parametric correlations, partial correlation analyses keeping confounders statistically constant, multivariate regressions and analyses of variance.Results:Worldwide, UVR exposure was in negative correlation with C43 (“rho” = -0.515, p 0.001). This relationship remained significant and negative in parametric partial correlation (r = -0.513, p 0.001) when GDP PPP, I bs , ageing and urbanization were statistically kept constant.In stepwise linear regression analysis, UVR was the variable having greatest negative influence on C43 incidence (R 2 =0.301).Worldwide, C43 incidence was in strong correlation with Eu% (r = 0.711, p .001). The inverse relationships between C43 and UVR exposure (r = -0.498, r .001) and Eu% (r = 0.477, p .001) remained significant in partial correlation analysis.When C43 incidence rate was standardized on Eu% it did not correlate at all with UVR (“rho”=0.004, p=0.967, n=127). The country-specific depigmentation level strongly correlated with C43 incidence (r = 0.705, p .001, n= 48). Partial correlation analysis revealed that C43 correlated to depigmentation significantly (r=0.315, p .01). However, UVR showed almost nil correlation with C43 when depigmentation, together with the other four potential confounders was included as the controlled variable.Conclusions: C43 incidence may not be attributable to UVR exposure. Low melanin production, genetically determined, that has adaptively evolved over generations represents an ultimate risk factor for C43.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 31-01-2021
DOI: 10.1111/JOA.13401
Abstract: Approximate location of the 12th meridian in the hand and the forearm in relation to median artery and median nerve.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 10-2014
DOI: 10.1038/514422A
Publisher: Research Square Platform LLC
Date: 09-07-2020
DOI: 10.21203/RS.3.RS-28249/V2
Abstract: Background: The low melanin production (depigmentation) evolved in response to low ultraviolet radiation may be the principal determinant of malignant melanoma of skin (C43). Methods: Worldwide country-specific estimates of melanoma incidence, daily UVR levels, skin colour (EEL), socioeconomic status (GDP PPP), magnitude of reduced natural selection (I bs ), ageing, urbanization, percentage of European descendants (Eu%), and depigmentation measured by blonde hair colour, were subjected to statistical analyses. Data for 182 in idual countries were derived from WHO, United Nations, World Bank databases and the literature. Parametric and non-parametric correlations, partial correlation analyses keeping confounders statistically constant, multivariate regressions and analyses of variance were used. Results: Worldwide, UVR levels were in negative correlation with melanoma (C43) incidence (“rho” = -0.515, p .001). This relationship remained significant and negative in parametric partial correlation (r = -0.513, p .001) when GDP PPP, I bs , ageing and urbanization were statistically kept constant. In stepwise linear regression analysis, UVR was the variable having greatest negative influence on melanoma incidence (R 2 =0.301). Melanoma incidence was in strong correlation with Eu% (r = 0.711, p .001). The negative relationship between melanoma and UVR levels (r = -0.498, r .001) and positive relationship of melanoma with Eu% (r = 0.477, p .001) remained significant in partial correlation analyses.When melanoma incidence rate was standardised on Eu% it did not correlate at all with UVR (“rho”=0.004, p=0.967, n=127). The country-specific depigmentation level strongly correlated with melanoma incidence (r = 0.705, p .001, n= 48) remaining significant in partial correlation (r=0.315, p .01). However, UVR showed nil no correlation with melanoma when depigmentation, together with the other four potential confounders was included as the controlled variable. Conclusions: Low melanin production, genetically determined, that has adaptively evolved over generations represents the principal risk factor for melanoma, while UVR has a secondary role.
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 09-01-2020
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 24-08-2018
DOI: 10.1111/EVA.12523
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.IJCARD.2017.02.128
Abstract: Several studies have associated the earlobe crease sign, discovered by Sanders T. Frank in 1973, with cardiovascular pathology, yet very few studies have focused on the antiquity of this trait, with the most ancient one thought to date back to the Roman Emperor Hadrian (76-138CE). This article presents two more cases from the Italian Renaissance in the works of the artist Andrea Mantegna (1431-1506) and examines them in a multidisciplinary fashion.
Publisher: Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Date: 09-01-2020
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 03-2013
DOI: 10.1007/BF03341801
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 10-06-2014
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2011
DOI: 10.1016/J.JCHB.2011.10.001
Abstract: Tuberculosis is a re-emerging disease and is a major problem in both developing and developed countries today. An estimated one third of the world's population is infected and almost two million people die from the disease each year. Bone lesions occur in 3-5% of active tuberculosis cases and can be used to diagnose the disease in ancient skeletal remains. A meta-analysis was conducted on 531 palaeopathological tuberculosis cases from 221 sites (7250 BCE to 1899) on all continents for the purpose of testing two hypotheses (1) the frequency of bone lesions does not change through time and (2) the distribution of lesions throughout the skeleton does not change over time. The frequency of bone lesions was found to significantly decrease over time (P<0.05). The distribution of bone lesions was found to change from mainly spinal in earlier time periods to include more cases in other regions of the skeleton (long bones, joints, hands, feet) in later time periods. This difference in distribution was evaluated using a Chi-squared test and found to be significant (P<0.01). These findings are an important addition to the current knowledge of the evolution of the disease and the Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2016
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 2007
DOI: 10.1002/CA.20367
Abstract: Spina bifida occulta of the sacrum is the most common type of spinal deformity. Many authors have published data on the frequency of spina bifida occulta, with varying results. Some possible reasons for this variability could include the differing methods used to gather data and differing ways of classifying the condition. This study attempts to develop an X-ray method to study sacral spina bifida occulta in a standardized fashion, using an angulated antero-posterior technique. This technique is then used to estimate the frequency of sacral spina bifida occulta in an Australian s le. The sacra of 53 cadavers were X-rayed and the level of closure of the sacral spinal canal recorded. The X-ray technique was validated by open dissection of six of the cadavers studied and was shown to be accurate to half a sacral segment. No sacra with a completely open sacral canal were found, two sacra (4%) were open from S2 down to S5 and ten sacra (19%) were open from S3 down to S5. The most common condition (43%) recorded was where S4 and S5 only were open. Eighteen cadavers (34%) showed only S5 open, and interestingly, no sacra were recorded as having the dorsal sacral arch completely closed. A study of a larger s le will follow using the validated X-ray technique.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 10-02-2015
DOI: 10.1007/S00414-015-1158-6
Abstract: As early as the nineteenth century, measurements of the face and body were used for forensic identification. It was believed that no two in iduals had the exact same measurements. However, this was overtaken by fingerprint analysis because it was considered more reliable in court proceedings as the probabilities of finding matching in iduals could be calculated. With the standardisation of photographs, identification primarily occurs from the face. With the ability to take measurements from photographs, why not use the body? The Army Anthropometry Survey (ANSUR) database contains anthropometric measurements of 3982 in iduals. Eight facial and eight body measurements were compared to investigate whether or not there is enough information on the body to use for identification. Measurements were compared by adding one measurement to the other(s) in a stepwise approach until there were no duplicate cases where two or more in iduals share the same combination of measurements. Results consistently show that less body measurements are needed to find no duplicates when compared to the face. The larger the range of each of the measurements, the less chance there is of finding a duplicate. With the combination of eight body measurements, it is possible to achieve a probability of finding a duplicate to the order of 10(-20) or 1 in a quintillion. These results are comparable with fingerprint analysis. The body is more variable than the face and should be used in identification. An advantage to using the body is that larger dimensions are easier to locate on images and not affected by facial expression.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 09-1998
DOI: 10.1111/J.1440-1681.1998.TB02289.X
Abstract: 1. The hominid brain has increased approximately three times in size since the Pliocene, but so has the brain of equids. The tripling of hominid brain size has been considered as an indicator of increased mental abilities, as it coincided with the production of tools, weapons and other artefacts of increasing sophistication. No indicators of the increase in equid intelligence are known. Intraspecific correlation between brain size and variously measured 'intelligence' is, in modern humans, very weak if not completely absent. With the exception of size, there are no major differences between the anatomy of ape and human brains. 2. A study of 297 estimates of body height, 626 estimates of bodyweight and 276 estimates of the cranial capacity of hominids dated at various periods over the past 5 million years shows that the increase in hominid brain size was paralleled by an increase in body size. 3. In a s le of 45 variously dated fossil hominids, brain size correlates isometrically with body size. 4. Since the Late Pleistocene (approximately 30,000 years ago), human brain size decreased by approximately 10% yet again, this decrease was paralleled by a decrease in body size. 5. Therefore, it may be concluded that the gross anatomy of the hominid brain is not related to its functional capabilities. The large human brain:body size ratio may be a result of the structural reduction of the size of the gastrointestinal tract and, consequently, its musculoskeletal supports. It is related to richer, meat-based diets and extra-oral food processing rather than the exceptional increase in the size of the cerebrum. The exceptional mental abilities of humans may be a result of functional rather than anatomical evolution.
Publisher: PeerJ
Date: 09-02-2017
DOI: 10.7717/PEERJ.2980
Abstract: Manual anthropometric measurements are time-consuming and challenging to perform within acceptable intra- and inter-in idual error margins in large studies. Three-dimensional (3D) laser body scanners provide a fast and precise alternative: within a few seconds the system produces a 3D image of the body topography and calculates some 150 standardised body size measurements. The aim was to enhance the small number of existing validation studies and compare scan and manual techniques based on five selected measurements. We assessed the agreement between two repeated measurements within the two methods, analysed the direct agreement between the two methods, and explored the differences between the techniques when used in regressions assessing the effect of health related determinants on body shape indices. We performed two repeated body scans on 123 volunteering young men using a Vitus Smart XXL body scanner. We manually measured height, waist, hip, buttock, and chest circumferences twice for each participant according to the WHO guidelines. The participants also filled in a basic questionnaire. Mean differences between the two scan measurements were smaller than between the two manual measurements, and precision as well as intra-class correlation coefficients were higher. Both techniques were strongly correlated. When comparing means between both techniques we found significant differences: Height was systematically shorter by 2.1 cm, whereas waist, hip and bust circumference measurements were larger in the scans by 1.17–4.37 cm. In consequence, body shape indices also became larger and the prevalence of overweight was greater when calculated from the scans. Between 4.1% and 7.3% of the probands changed risk category from normal to overweight when classified based on the scans. However, when employing regression analyses the two measurement techniques resulted in very similar coefficients, confidence intervals, and p -values. For performing a large number of measurements in a large group of probands in a short time, body scans generally showed good feasibility, reliability, and validity in comparison to manual measurements. The systematic differences between the methods may result from their technical nature (contact vs. non-contact).
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2021
Publisher: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Date: 04-08-2014
Abstract: The population that has become known as Homo floresiensis has been described as “the most extreme human ever discovered.” Specimen LB1 from Liang Bua Cave is unusual, but craniofacial and postcranial characteristics originally said to be diagnostic of the new species are not evident in the other more fragmentary skeletons in the s le that resemble other recent small-bodied human populations in the region (including the Andaman Islands, Palau, and Flores itself). Here we demonstrate that the facial asymmetry, small endocranial volume, brachycephaly, disproportionately short femora, flat feet, and numerous other characteristics of LB1 are highly diagnostic of Down syndrome, one of the most commonly occurring developmental disorders in humans and also documented in related hominoids such as chimpanzees and orangutans.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 07-06-2022
DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0269420
Abstract: Child growth in populations is commonly characterised by cross-sectional surveys. These require data collection from large s les of in iduals across age ranges spanning 1–20 years. Such surveys are expensive and impossible in restrictive situations, such as, e.g. the COVID pandemic or limited size of isolated communities. A method allowing description of child growth based on small s les is needed. Small s les of data (N~50) for boys and girls 6–20 years old from different socio-economic situations in Africa and Europe were randomly extracted from surveys of thousands of children. Data included arm circumference, hip width, grip strength, height and weight. Polynomial regressions of these measurements on age were explored. Polynomial curves based on small s les correlated well (r = 0.97 to 1.00) with results of surveys of thousands of children from same communities and correctly reflected sexual dimorphism and socio-economic differences. Fitting of curvilinear regressions to small data s les allows expeditious assessment of child growth in a number of characteristics when situations change rapidly, resources are limited and access to children is restricted.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 02-2003
DOI: 10.1007/S00429-002-0296-Z
Abstract: The stereo structure of each lingual papilla of the koala has a similar structure to that of various other animal species: the koala has a lingual prominence (intermolar prominence) with larger filiform papillae. (A lingual prominence is a characteristic in herbivorous animals.) The external form and connective tissue core (CTC) of the filiform papillae of koalas consist of one large main process and several smaller accessory processes. (These are similar to carnivorous animals.) Fungiform CTC have a thick dome-like structure, with several taste buds on the top. There are three vallate papillae: one central midline and two laterally located vallate papillae. The central vallate papilla has a posterior pouch lined with ciliated and non-ciliated epithelial cells. Long conical papillae are distributed in the posterior lateral area where foliate papillae are distributed in many other animal species. (Finger-like papillae are seen in dog and cat instead of foliate papillae.) It may be suggested that the tongue of the koala evolved in a special environment in Australia. Even though it has still retained special features similar to those of carnivorous cats and dogs it has evolved to resemble the tongues of herbivorous animals.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2010
DOI: 10.1016/J.EHB.2009.12.005
Abstract: The left tibia of Charlemagne, the Medieval "Father of Europe" has been X-rayed and CT scanned to determine his still highly debated stature. We found the healthy bone to be long (430 mm) but rather not robust (total mid-shaft cross-sectional area 473 mm(2), cortical area 352 mm(2)). Reconstructed stature of 1.84 m falls at about 99% of Medieval heights, which would be ca. 1.95 m in present-day Europe. Thus, tall stature indeed could have contributed to the success of "Charles the Great" as a king emperor and soldier.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 23-12-2016
DOI: 10.1002/AJPA.22924
Abstract: This study focuses on the dental abnormalities observed by Sir Jonathan Hutchinson, Henry Moon and Alfred Fournier in patients with congenital syphilis and in those treated with mercury, in order to define alterations in dental morphology attributable to each of these causes. These definitions are applied to reported paleopathological cases, exploring various etiologies behind the defects, in order to aid in the diagnosis of congenital syphilis. Original works were examined for descriptions of dental abnormalities in congenital syphilis and in mercurial treatments. These descriptions were compared with dentitions of paleopathological cases (n = 4) demonstrating abnormalities attributed to congenital syphilis. Distinct morphological differences were recognized between congenital syphilitic teeth and teeth affected by mercury. Mercury produces a pronounced deficiency in enamel of incisors, canines and first permanent molars that become rugged and pitted, and of dirty grey honeycombed appearance. Mercury-induced dental changes are evident in three out of four cases studied here. In one case, only syphilitic changes were present. Dental changes in congenital syphilis range from no visible signs to those beyond the classical models of Hutchinson, Moon and Fournier. Treatment of neonates and infants with mercury produces additional changes. Signs of disease and treatment with mercury on teeth may occur together permanent incisors, first molars and canines, are typically affected, premolars and second/third molars are usually spared. Signs of treatment with mercury might be the only evidence of the occurrence of the disease as mercury was rarely used to treat other diseases.
Publisher: IEEE
Date: 12-2012
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 04-1998
Abstract: To ascertain whether in iduals whose short stature is caused by poor living conditions differ in their other biological characteristics from those in iduals who grow short, supposedly due to their genetic endowment, under favourable environmental conditions. From the growth survey of nearly 4000 children of the 'Cape Coloured' community aged 6-18 y half of whom lived in the middle-class suburbs of Cape Town [high socio-economic status (SES)], the other half who lived in poor rural settlements (low SES), boys and girls of similarly short stature were selected. Average body height by sex and age in each selected s le was close to the 5th percentile of height distribution among all high SES in iduals surveyed. Cape Town and neighbouring rural settlements in South Africa. Four thousand children of the Cape Coloured community aged 6-18 y. Among these were 109 high SES boys, 123 high SES girls, 302 low SES boys and 344 low SES girls selected for short stature study. Anthropometric measurements in public schools with appropriate permissions. Both short stature males and females from the low SES group tended to be significantly (P < 0.05) different from the high SES group of comparable stature in having lower body weights, shorter limbs, longer trunks, narrower shoulders, hips and chests, thinner skinfolds, smaller arm circumferences, and were very notably weaker and had poorer neuromuscular reaction times. Biepicondylar widths and pulse rates were little different between groups. Genetically short children do differ in various anthropometric and functional traits from those who are small from environmental causes.
Publisher: Project MUSE
Date: 2005
Abstract: Pooled DNA s les have been used in association studies of Mendelian disease genes. This method involves combining equal quantities of DNA from patients and control subjects into separate pools and comparing the pools for distributions of genetic markers. In this study identical quantities of DNA from 300 in iduals representing 6 populations were pooled and lified for 296 loci using the touchdown polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. The purpose of this study is to test the efficacy of pooled DNA markers in the reconstruction of the genetic structure of human populations. The populations s led included Chuvash, Buryats, Kizhi, Native Americans, South Africans, and New York City whites. To test the accuracy of the allele-frequency distributions, we genotyped the Buryats and New York s les in idually for six microsatellite markers and compared their frequencies to the allele frequencies derived from the electropherogram peak heights for the pooled DNA, producing a correlation of 0.9811 with a variance of less than 0.04. Two-dimensional scaling of genetic distances among the six populations produced clusters that reflected known historical relationships. A distance matrix was created using all 296 loci, and matrices based on in idual chromosomes were correlated against the total matrix. As expected, the largest chromosomes had the highest correlations with the total matrix, whereas one of the smallest chromosomes, chromosome 22, had the lowest correlation and differed most from the combined STR distance matrix.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 2020
DOI: 10.1093/EMPH/EOAA018
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 26-09-2018
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-1995
No related grants have been discovered for Maciej Henneberg.