Homo-Journal of Comparative Human Biology最新文献

Flat feet (pes planus) are considered a postural defect caused by the collapse of the longitudinal arch, producing complete or near-complete contact of the sole of the foot with the ground. Pes planus has been well-studied in clinical literature and paleoanthropology but has not been approached extensively in bioarchaeology. The main difficulty is related to the diagnosis of this pathology based exclusively on bone remains. In this work, we propose a metric and morphological method to discriminate flat foot in dry bones. Thus, we studied 390 pairs of adult feet in a fair state of preservation from archaeological contexts from Spain, Italy, and Oman. Morphological variability, angles, and dimensions of both the normal bones and the bones displaying flat foot characteristics were analyzed. We found a correlation between the presence of flat foot and some morphological and metric features, mainly in the subtalar and Chopart joints. These results are expressed through a combination of morphological and metric variables, which are useful to discriminate between these two groups. No markedly significant differences of flat foot frequencies between the Spanish and Italian series were found across centuries. However, we noticed a notable increase of the prevalence of flat foot in the contemporary collection, possibly due to the consequences of a rise in life expectancy and modern styles of footwear.

Qafzeh 9 is an almost complete skeleton commonly employed as representative of the population of the eponymous site. However, its biological profile is still largely based on the age at death and sex estimation methods in use at the time of its discovery. Moreover, post-mortem damage to the skeleton has made difficult the observation of some morphoscopic features, particularly pelvic ones currently used in sex estimation. Here, we apply recent methods and paleoimaging to re-evaluate the biological profile of Qafzeh 9, taking into account post-mortem damage. The results suggest a young age at death, indicating that Qafzeh 9 died before reaching complete dental and bone maturity; they also support a male sex assignment.

Commingled human remains were discovered in TT110 (Djehuty tomb; Dynasty XVIII), located in El Sheikh Abd el Qurna, Luxor, Egypt. The tomb had been reused over a long period of time (1570-332 BCE). In a small area distinct from the comingled remains, an incomplete skull and two os coxae fragments, consistent with that of a young adult female, between 25 and 40 years of age were found. A detailed macroscopic and radiologic analysis was performed at the tomb site. The three bone fragments showed abundant small to medium sized osteolytic lesions compatible with a diagnosis of late stage metastatic carcinoma or, less likely, multiple myeloma. The age and sex of the individual favors the possibility of breast cancer as the primary making this one of the oldest cases of metastases reported from ancient Egypt.

This study tests the hypothesis that the incorporation of cultigens about ca. 2000 years BP substantially changed hunter-gatherer subsistence and mobility in the Atuel River valley (Central-Western Argentina), where the frontier of pre-Hispanic domesticated resource dispersion was defined. Degenerative joint disease and entheseal change markers were analyzed on skeletal remains from Cañada Seca-1, a burial archaeological site with commingled skeletal remains dated about ca. 1500 years BP (MNI = 24). The results show lower mobility in comparison with hunter-gatherer remains from the neighboring Pampa region and quite different manual activities compared to low-level producers. These trends are explained as a result of a mixed subsistence strategy and mobility in an area where the incorporation of domesticated plants was neither a linear nor a fast process, and a stereotypical view proves to be insufficient to understand it. Although further information is required for future discussions, the present research highlights the potential of commingled skeletal remains for this kind of study.

This study aims to develop age-at-death standards for Valley of Mexico skeletal collections. Using 159 individuals, with a dental age-at-death between 0 to 15 years, we develop linear and quadratic inverse regression models of age-at-death estimation between dental age and the diaphyseal length of the six long bones. A blind test for both regressions was performed, also a regression developed for a Maya group was carried out. We also compared skeletal growth of our sample by applying regressions developed for Maya and North American populations to assess the magnitude of the differences among ethnically unrelated populations. Our regressions yielded a close correlation between the diaphyseal length and dental age, especially femur and radius. It is noticeable that the disparities between younger and older age categories, the latter presenting larger standard deviations. Quadratic regression fitted better than linear and Maya regressions, and the differences of age-at-death distributions are significant. The skeletal growth curve of the Valley of Mexico is statistically different from other Native American groups. We conclude that for the present standards, despite the high degree of variance, the quadratic regression is a better applicable age estimator, when it is applied to biologically close populations.

Morphometric data is inherently linked to size; however, there is no consensus for how to account for this. Some researchers adjust for size, whereas others do not, which can affect the results of a study. This study examines this problem using sexual dimorphism of the pelvis. Twenty-two pelvic measures were collected from 119 individuals from the Hamann-Todd Collection. Measures included dimensions of the false pelvis and the pelvic canal. After all the data was collected, it was compiled into 3 data sets; the first set included unadjusted data, the second set was adjusted for body size, and the third set was adjusted for pelvic size. After all adjustments, independent sample t-tests were run on each data set, to determine which measures appeared dimorphic. In each case, the measures that appeared to be sexually dimorphic differed. According to the t-test for the unadjusted data, four of the 22 measures were not dimorphic: anterior spaces of the midplane and the outlet, sacral breadth, and length of the superior pubic ramus. Using the data adjusted for body size, all pelvic measures were dimorphic. Lastly, using the data adjusted for pelvic size, five measures were not dimorphic: anterior space and transverse diameter of the inlet, inter-acetabular distance, length of the superior pubic ramus, and circumference of the inlet. These conflicting results demonstrate the intricate nature of correcting for size and the challenge comparing results across studies. Overall pelvic-size dimorphism and body-size dimorphism must be considered.

Background and aims: Analysis of body composition is a very important issue, and it is often used as one of the crucial markers of overall health. The aim of the study was to analyse the relationship between the percentage of body fat ratio estimated using selected equations and adiposity obtained by bioimpedance in 7-16-year-olds from Kraków (Poland). Methods and results: The study included 1887 children and adolescents. Body weight and height were measured according to standard methods and Body Mass Index was calculated on the basis of those measurements. Biceps, triceps, subscapular, suprailiac, abdominal and calf skinfolds were measured. Adiposity was obtained using the BIA method as well as estimated by Siri, Goran, Slaughter, Deurenberg, Huang, Dezenberg, Ripka and Brożek equations. Relationship between results obtained from the equations and bioimpedance was assessed using Deming regression. All calculations were performed using Microsoft Excel and MedCalc. Statistically significant (p ≤ 0.001) relationship between adiposity obtained by bioimpedance and estimated was observed for all of the analysed equations. For girls, the strongest one was noted for Siri equation, with R = 0.83 (95%CI: 0.81-0.85). Among boys, the strongest relationship was observed for 3-skinfolds based equation developed by Ripka, with the Pearson's correlation coefficient value of 0.84 (95%CI: 0.81-0.85). Conclusions: The most useful equation to estimate the body fat percentage in the population of 7-16-year olds from Kraków (Poland) differed between the sexes. For boys, it was Ripka 3-skinfold equation, while for girls it was the equation developed by Siri.

The objective of this study is the comparison of the size and shape of the sella turcica in subjects with different vertical patterns in the skeletal class I in adults, as well as to determine sex differences within examined groups. Lateral cephalograms were used to examine parametars: shape of sella, angulation, length, diameter, index of the depth and cross-sectional area of the sella turcica in 155 adult Caucasian subjects (79 male and 76 female) from the central Balkan area. Subjects were divided into three groups according to the ANB angle, Wit's appraisal and SN/GoGn angle into normodivergent (angle value between 26° and 38° in 28 male, 27 female subjects), hypodivergent (angle value less than 26° in 26 male, 25 female subjects) and hyperdivergent (angle value higher than 38° in 25 male, 24 female subjects). A normal shape of the sella was established in 40% of the overall number of subjects. Significant sex differences were found for angulation angle and sella depth index (p < 0.05). Significant differences between groups were found only for sella depth (p < 0.02). The area of sella turcica appears to be saved from significant changes in morphology, as well as in measurable dimensions and the obtained results justify the use of sella turcica as an important landmark in different cephalometric analyses.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of disability among aging adults. In the U.S., many individuals living with total hip replacements attribute OA as the cause. However, the majority of anthropological OA research excludes pathological individuals (i.e., individuals with systemic disease, traumatic injuries, or orthopedic devices). Thus, little is known about how implants and pathological conditions impact OA beyond a general acceptance that they likely increase OA risk. This study adds to the skeletal research surrounding OA by directly investigating its relationship with age, disease, and implants. The proximal femora of 186 African- and European-American individuals (21-95 years old) from the Edmonds Orthopedic Pathology Collection (National Museum of Health and Medicine; Armed Forces Institute of Pathology) were analyzed. The individuals were grouped into three cohorts: disease; non-disease; and previous injury/implant. Jurmain's (1990) ordinal scoring method was used to categorize OA changes as: none/slight; moderate; severe; and ankylosis. Intra-rater reliability for the scoring of OA was perfect, while inter-rater reliability was moderate. Results from Chi-square tests, exploratory data analysis, and ordinal logistic regression showed that there was a statistically significant relationship (p < 0.001) between degree of OA, age, recorded disease (e.g., cancer), and evidence of previous injury (i.e., healed fractures, fracture fixation devices). In contrast with the expectation that different populations exhibit different patterns of OA, no significant sex or ancestry effects were observed. These results help researchers better understand the etiology and contemporary risk factors of OA as well as identifying an additional subset of the population who may be at greater risk for developing OA - i.e., individuals with fractures, implants, and systemic disease, especially those in older age cohorts (60+ years).