Kristin K. Sznajder, Mary K. Shenk, Laura Perez, Nurul Alam, Rubhana Raqib, Anjan Kumar, Farjana Haque, Tami Blumenfield, Siobhán M. Cully, Katherine Wander
Objectives
Betel quid is used as a mild stimulant in many parts of South and East Asia and the Pacific. In observational studies, its use has been associated with elevated risk for diabetes, but studies in animal models suggest some component(s) of betel quid could reduce risk.
Methods
We assessed associations between betel quid use and diabetes (glycated hemoglobin, HbA1c ≥ 6.5%) among a cross-sectional sample of 410 men and 717 non-pregnant women in Matlab, Bangladesh.
Results
In multivariable logistic regression, betel quid use was inversely associated with diabetes among men (aOR: 0.45; 95% CI: 0.26, 0.79) but not women (aOR: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.51, 1.52). There was a dose–response relationship between frequency of betel quid use and diabetes among men (aOR: 0.73; 95% CI: 0.59, 0.89), but not women (aOR: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.77, 1.18). Betel quid use was inversely associated with diabetes as an ordinal variable (no diabetes/prediabetes/diabetes) among men (aOR: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.36, 0.82) and women (aOR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.47, 0.94). Structural equation modeling suggested that some of the inverse association was mediated by food source (market vs. household production).
Conclusions
These models support the hypothesis that betel quid use could decrease, rather than increase, risk for diabetes in the Bangladeshi context, particularly among men (who have more frequent betel quid use than women). Heterogeneity in betel quid preparation across settings, multifactorial effects of betel quid use, and publication bias may contribute to differences between these findings and other observational studies.
{"title":"Inverse Association Between Betel Quid Use and Diabetes in Rural Bangladesh","authors":"Kristin K. Sznajder, Mary K. Shenk, Laura Perez, Nurul Alam, Rubhana Raqib, Anjan Kumar, Farjana Haque, Tami Blumenfield, Siobhán M. Cully, Katherine Wander","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.70203","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajhb.70203","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Betel quid is used as a mild stimulant in many parts of South and East Asia and the Pacific. In observational studies, its use has been associated with elevated risk for diabetes, but studies in animal models suggest some component(s) of betel quid could reduce risk.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We assessed associations between betel quid use and diabetes (glycated hemoglobin, HbA<sub>1c</sub> ≥ 6.5%) among a cross-sectional sample of 410 men and 717 non-pregnant women in Matlab, Bangladesh.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>In multivariable logistic regression, betel quid use was inversely associated with diabetes among men (aOR: 0.45; 95% CI: 0.26, 0.79) but not women (aOR: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.51, 1.52). There was a dose–response relationship between frequency of betel quid use and diabetes among men (aOR: 0.73; 95% CI: 0.59, 0.89), but not women (aOR: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.77, 1.18). Betel quid use was inversely associated with diabetes as an ordinal variable (no diabetes/prediabetes/diabetes) among men (aOR: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.36, 0.82) and women (aOR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.47, 0.94). Structural equation modeling suggested that some of the inverse association was mediated by food source (market vs. household production).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>These models support the hypothesis that betel quid use could decrease, rather than increase, risk for diabetes in the Bangladeshi context, particularly among men (who have more frequent betel quid use than women). Heterogeneity in betel quid preparation across settings, multifactorial effects of betel quid use, and publication bias may contribute to differences between these findings and other observational studies.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"38 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-02-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12903070/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146183319","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) demonstrates marked female predominance, suggesting hormonal influences in disease pathogenesis. The second-to-fourth digit ratio (2D:4D), a biomarker of prenatal androgen exposure, has been associated with various autoimmune conditions. This study investigated whether 2D:4D ratios differ between female SSc patients and healthy controls.
Methods
This case–control study enrolled 33 women with SSc (2013 ACR/EULAR criteria) and 30 age-matched healthy female controls. Second and fourth digit lengths were measured bilaterally using digital calipers, and 2D:4D ratios were calculated. Between-group differences were analyzed using Welch's t-test and Mann–Whitney U test.
Results
SSc patients demonstrated significantly lower 2D:4D ratios than controls bilaterally (right hand: 0.950 ± 0.029 vs. 1.022 ± 0.012, p < 0.001; left hand: 0.951 ± 0.030 vs. 1.022 ± 0.012, p < 0.001). Effect sizes were substantial (Cohen's d > 2.8). The lower ratios resulted from longer fourth digits rather than shorter second digits, consistent with elevated prenatal androgen exposure.
Conclusions
Female SSc patients exhibit significantly lower 2D:4D ratios than healthy controls, suggesting higher prenatal testosterone exposure. These findings support the hypothesis that the prenatal hormonal environment may contribute to autoimmune disease susceptibility.
{"title":"Second to Fourth Digit Ratio (2D:4D) in Female Patients With Systemic Sclerosis: Evidence for Prenatal Androgen Exposure","authors":"Ramazan Fazil Akkoc, Ahmet Karatas, Burak Oz","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.70224","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajhb.70224","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Systemic sclerosis (SSc) demonstrates marked female predominance, suggesting hormonal influences in disease pathogenesis. The second-to-fourth digit ratio (2D:4D), a biomarker of prenatal androgen exposure, has been associated with various autoimmune conditions. This study investigated whether 2D:4D ratios differ between female SSc patients and healthy controls.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This case–control study enrolled 33 women with SSc (2013 ACR/EULAR criteria) and 30 age-matched healthy female controls. Second and fourth digit lengths were measured bilaterally using digital calipers, and 2D:4D ratios were calculated. Between-group differences were analyzed using Welch's t-test and Mann–Whitney U test.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>SSc patients demonstrated significantly lower 2D:4D ratios than controls bilaterally (right hand: 0.950 ± 0.029 vs. 1.022 ± 0.012, <i>p</i> < 0.001; left hand: 0.951 ± 0.030 vs. 1.022 ± 0.012, <i>p</i> < 0.001). Effect sizes were substantial (Cohen's d > 2.8). The lower ratios resulted from longer fourth digits rather than shorter second digits, consistent with elevated prenatal androgen exposure.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Female SSc patients exhibit significantly lower 2D:4D ratios than healthy controls, suggesting higher prenatal testosterone exposure. These findings support the hypothesis that the prenatal hormonal environment may contribute to autoimmune disease susceptibility.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"38 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-02-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146196039","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sofia I. Olmedo, Claudia R. Valeggia, Cecilia Palavecino, Rafael Pérez-Escamilla
Objective
This research analyzed the interplay between diet and sociocultural influences in the food consumption patterns of the Pilagá people in Formosa, Argentina.
Methods
This cross-sectional mixed-methods study, conducted in 2023, included all 59 family clusters in a Pilagá community. Food intake was assessed using three 24-h dietary recalls per household, while qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews, free-listing exercises, and participant observation.
Results
Dietary habits in the Pilagá community were notably limited in variety and nutritional content, with 71% of participants reporting they ate just two meals a day. Purchased white bread, water, and infusions were consumed daily. Despite the high proportion of processed foods, the diet shows some foraged wild food. Food holds multifaceted roles beyond its biological function, with traditional foods valued not only for nourishment but also for their perceived health benefits and cultural significance.
Conclusion
This Pilagá community is experiencing a dietary transition toward westernized foods, driven by biosociocultural factors that mirror broader shifts in local food systems and consumption patterns.
{"title":"Navigating Change: Biocultural Dimensions of Feeding in a Pilagá Community Undergoing Lifestyle and Economic Transition in Argentina\u0000 Navegando el cambio: Dimensiones bioculturales de la alimentación en una comunidad Pilagá en transición económica y de estilo de vida en Argentina","authors":"Sofia I. Olmedo, Claudia R. Valeggia, Cecilia Palavecino, Rafael Pérez-Escamilla","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.70200","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajhb.70200","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objective</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This research analyzed the interplay between diet and sociocultural influences in the food consumption patterns of the Pilagá people in Formosa, Argentina.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This cross-sectional mixed-methods study, conducted in 2023, included all 59 family clusters in a Pilagá community. Food intake was assessed using three 24-h dietary recalls per household, while qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews, free-listing exercises, and participant observation.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Dietary habits in the Pilagá community were notably limited in variety and nutritional content, with 71% of participants reporting they ate just two meals a day. Purchased white bread, water, and infusions were consumed daily. Despite the high proportion of processed foods, the diet shows some foraged wild food. Food holds multifaceted roles beyond its biological function, with traditional foods valued not only for nourishment but also for their perceived health benefits and cultural significance.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This Pilagá community is experiencing a dietary transition toward westernized foods, driven by biosociocultural factors that mirror broader shifts in local food systems and consumption patterns.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"38 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146158894","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This toolkit paper describes the value of including pollutant measurements in human biology research and describes considerations to implement such research. Human biologists study populations that are exposed to a variety of pollutants including metals and organic compounds used in agriculture and pest control. These pollutants can affect biological outcomes investigated by human biologists. Considering the impact of one or more of these pollutants in our investigations involves careful attention to properties of each pollutant and how the body metabolizes and stores them. Assessing exposure to many metals and organic compounds is best done by bio-sampling, usually of blood, but other media include hair, fingernails, and urine. Appropriate sampling media differ by pollutant but many found in the bloodstream may be collected together though not necessarily stored in the same way and not analyzed in the laboratory by the same method. A team approach is recommended as specialized knowledge of the proper sampling, handling, and analysis of each toxicant is needed. Choosing a laboratory should consider at a minimum the range of congeners measured, the minimum detection level, and the turnaround time for results required for the analysis. Study participants are likely to be interested in their toxicant exposure. The distribution of results should include careful description and interpretation to allow non-scientists to understand and take action if needed. Litigation by study participants against polluters is possible making it necessary to scrupulously preserve records of collection and analysis for possible court subpoena.
{"title":"Integrating Measures of Pollutant Exposure in Human Biology Research","authors":"Lawrence M. Schell, Mia V. Gallo","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.70210","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajhb.70210","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This toolkit paper describes the value of including pollutant measurements in human biology research and describes considerations to implement such research. Human biologists study populations that are exposed to a variety of pollutants including metals and organic compounds used in agriculture and pest control. These pollutants can affect biological outcomes investigated by human biologists. Considering the impact of one or more of these pollutants in our investigations involves careful attention to properties of each pollutant and how the body metabolizes and stores them. Assessing exposure to many metals and organic compounds is best done by bio-sampling, usually of blood, but other media include hair, fingernails, and urine. Appropriate sampling media differ by pollutant but many found in the bloodstream may be collected together though not necessarily stored in the same way and not analyzed in the laboratory by the same method. A team approach is recommended as specialized knowledge of the proper sampling, handling, and analysis of each toxicant is needed. Choosing a laboratory should consider at a minimum the range of congeners measured, the minimum detection level, and the turnaround time for results required for the analysis. Study participants are likely to be interested in their toxicant exposure. The distribution of results should include careful description and interpretation to allow non-scientists to understand and take action if needed. Litigation by study participants against polluters is possible making it necessary to scrupulously preserve records of collection and analysis for possible court subpoena.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"38 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ajhb.70210","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146133621","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Dominik C. Jud, Valerie Baettig, Abigail E. Colby, Charlotte Debras, Camila Scaff, Benjamin C. Trumble, Lorin Hutchings, Michael D. Baumgarten, Arnulfo Cary Ista, Adrian V. Jaeggi
<div> <section> <h3> Objectives</h3> <p>Dysregulations of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis have been linked to adverse health outcomes such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. While research on the HPA axis is growing, few studies have examined whether different types of stressors affect HPA functioning differently, and none have done so in small-scale subsistence populations. To do so, we measured HPA axis activity and various kinds of stressors among the Tsimane of Bolivia, a population with more traditional lifestyles and stressors including low caloric intake, social conflict, and market integration.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Methods</h3> <p>Participants were adults from three different Tsimane communities (<i>n</i> = 129, 57% women). For each participant, urinary cortisol (<i>n</i><sub>samples</sub> = 303), corrected for specific gravity, was measured once at waking and at least once later on the same day to measure the diurnal slope. One hundred and twenty-five participants completed a questionnaire on culturally relevant psychosocial stressors in the Tsimane such as food insecurity, social conflicts, and economic problems. Multilevel Bayesian multivariate models assessed associations between stressor scores and cortisol levels.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Results</h3> <p>Diurnal variation in the HPA axis was differentially associated with each type of stressor. Food insecurity was associated with higher morning levels (median <i>r</i><sub>intercept</sub> = 0.08, <i>p</i> <sub>> 0</sub>= 0.73) and a steeper diurnal slope (median <i>r</i><sub>slope</sub> = −0.19, <i>p</i> <sub>< 0</sub> = 0.83), while economic problems were associated with lower waking levels and shallower slopes (median <i>r</i><sub>intercept</sub> = −0.05; <i>p</i> <sub>< 0</sub> = 0.64, median <i>r</i><sub>slope</sub> = 0.12, <i>p</i> <sub>> 0</sub>= 0.72). Higher morning levels and steeper slopes were also associated with better self-rated health (median <i>r</i><sub>intercept</sub> = 0.06; <i>p</i> <sub>< 0</sub> = 0.66, median <i>r</i><sub>slope</sub> = −0.10, <i>p</i> <sub>> 0</sub> = 0.71).</p> </section> <section> <h3> Conclusion</h3> <p>While many of these associations had high statistical uncertainty due to wide posterior distributions, the results overall emphasize complex relationships between perceived stressors and diurnal cortisol rhythms among a small-scale subsistence-based society. Future work employing longitudinal designs and higher-resolution sampling will be needed to clarify these trends.</p>
目的：下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺（HPA）轴的失调与肥胖、心血管疾病和糖尿病等不良健康结果有关。虽然对下丘脑轴的研究越来越多，但很少有研究调查不同类型的压力源是否会对下丘脑功能产生不同的影响，而且没有研究在小规模的自给人口中进行过这样的研究。为此，我们测量了玻利维亚提斯曼人的HPA轴活动和各种压力源，提斯曼人的生活方式更传统，压力源包括低热量摄入、社会冲突和市场一体化。方法：参与者为来自三个不同提斯曼社区的成年人（n = 129, 57%为女性）。对于每个参与者，尿皮质醇（nsamples = 303），校正了比重，在清醒时测量一次，在同一天晚些时候至少测量一次，以测量昼夜斜率。125名参与者完成了一份与提斯曼文化相关的社会心理压力因素的调查问卷，如粮食不安全、社会冲突和经济问题。多水平贝叶斯多变量模型评估压力源评分和皮质醇水平之间的关系。结果：HPA轴的日变化与不同类型的应激源有不同的相关性。粮食不安全与较高的早晨水平（中位数rintercept = 0.08, p > 0= 0.73）和较陡的日斜率（中位数rslope = -0.19, p = 0.83）有关，而经济问题与较低的清醒水平和较浅的斜率（中位数rintercept = -0.05, p = 0.64，中位数rslope = 0.12, p > 0= 0.72）有关。较高的早晨水平和更陡的斜坡也与更好的自我评价健康相关（中位数rintercept = 0.06; p = 0.66，中位数rslope = -0.10, p > = 0.71）。结论：虽然由于广泛的后验分布，许多这些关联具有很高的统计不确定性，但研究结果总体上强调了在小规模的以生存为基础的社会中，感知压力源与皮质醇昼夜节律之间的复杂关系。未来的工作将需要采用纵向设计和更高分辨率的抽样来澄清这些趋势。
{"title":"Not All Stress Is the Same: Variable Associations Between Psychosocial Stressors and Urinary Cortisol Rhythms in a Small-Scale Subsistence Society","authors":"Dominik C. Jud, Valerie Baettig, Abigail E. Colby, Charlotte Debras, Camila Scaff, Benjamin C. Trumble, Lorin Hutchings, Michael D. Baumgarten, Arnulfo Cary Ista, Adrian V. Jaeggi","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.70205","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajhb.70205","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Dysregulations of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis have been linked to adverse health outcomes such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. While research on the HPA axis is growing, few studies have examined whether different types of stressors affect HPA functioning differently, and none have done so in small-scale subsistence populations. To do so, we measured HPA axis activity and various kinds of stressors among the Tsimane of Bolivia, a population with more traditional lifestyles and stressors including low caloric intake, social conflict, and market integration.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Participants were adults from three different Tsimane communities (<i>n</i> = 129, 57% women). For each participant, urinary cortisol (<i>n</i><sub>samples</sub> = 303), corrected for specific gravity, was measured once at waking and at least once later on the same day to measure the diurnal slope. One hundred and twenty-five participants completed a questionnaire on culturally relevant psychosocial stressors in the Tsimane such as food insecurity, social conflicts, and economic problems. Multilevel Bayesian multivariate models assessed associations between stressor scores and cortisol levels.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Diurnal variation in the HPA axis was differentially associated with each type of stressor. Food insecurity was associated with higher morning levels (median <i>r</i><sub>intercept</sub> = 0.08, <i>p</i> <sub>> 0</sub>= 0.73) and a steeper diurnal slope (median <i>r</i><sub>slope</sub> = −0.19, <i>p</i> <sub>< 0</sub> = 0.83), while economic problems were associated with lower waking levels and shallower slopes (median <i>r</i><sub>intercept</sub> = −0.05; <i>p</i> <sub>< 0</sub> = 0.64, median <i>r</i><sub>slope</sub> = 0.12, <i>p</i> <sub>> 0</sub>= 0.72). Higher morning levels and steeper slopes were also associated with better self-rated health (median <i>r</i><sub>intercept</sub> = 0.06; <i>p</i> <sub>< 0</sub> = 0.66, median <i>r</i><sub>slope</sub> = −0.10, <i>p</i> <sub>> 0</sub> = 0.71).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>While many of these associations had high statistical uncertainty due to wide posterior distributions, the results overall emphasize complex relationships between perceived stressors and diurnal cortisol rhythms among a small-scale subsistence-based society. Future work employing longitudinal designs and higher-resolution sampling will be needed to clarify these trends.</p>\u0000 ","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"38 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12879915/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146127201","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
J. M. López-Rey, M. D. D’Angelo del Campo, G. Bettera Marcat, M. Arrieta, M. Fabra, S. Salega, P. Mercolli, V. Seldes, D. García-Martínez, M. Bastir
Objectives
Altitude shapes human morphology as highland populations must cope with cold and hypoxic environments. Although Andean highlanders have been proposed to exhibit larger and deeper ribcages, this idea is mainly based on research using disarticulated skeletal elements or non-South American controls. The objective of this research is to study 3D ribcage configuration of native South American populations considering altitude and worldwide ribcage variation.
Methods
Ribcages of 37 adult South Americans (17 highlanders, 20 lowlanders) were reconstructed and analyzed using 3D geometric morphometrics. Shape variation was assessed through Procrustes MANOVA and PCA, while centroid size was used to test for size differences. Comparisons were also made with a sample of 92 adult worldwide lowlanders.
Results
South American highlanders and lowlanders show similar ribcage shapes, both exhibiting a deeper thorax than worldwide lowlanders. No significant differences in absolute ribcage size were detected between South American highlanders and lowlanders. However, a marked sexual dimorphism was observed in both groups, with males having wider and significantly larger ribcages than females.
Conclusions
The pronounced ribcage depth in native South Americans could represent a population-specific trait maintained through long-term interactions, potentially advantageous in high-altitude settings but neutral in the lowlands. In addition, we propose that South American highlanders have a larger ribcage relative to their smaller body size compared to lowlanders. Finally, the larger and stockier male ribcage morphology in South Americans supports the notion of greater respiratory capacity and metabolic demands in males.
{"title":"Ribcage Morphology in Native South American Populations From Different Altitudes: Insights From a Global Comparative Framework","authors":"J. M. López-Rey, M. D. D’Angelo del Campo, G. Bettera Marcat, M. Arrieta, M. Fabra, S. Salega, P. Mercolli, V. Seldes, D. García-Martínez, M. Bastir","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.70211","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajhb.70211","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Altitude shapes human morphology as highland populations must cope with cold and hypoxic environments. Although Andean highlanders have been proposed to exhibit larger and deeper ribcages, this idea is mainly based on research using disarticulated skeletal elements or non-South American controls. The objective of this research is to study 3D ribcage configuration of native South American populations considering altitude and worldwide ribcage variation.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Ribcages of 37 adult South Americans (17 highlanders, 20 lowlanders) were reconstructed and analyzed using 3D geometric morphometrics. Shape variation was assessed through Procrustes MANOVA and PCA, while centroid size was used to test for size differences. Comparisons were also made with a sample of 92 adult worldwide lowlanders.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>South American highlanders and lowlanders show similar ribcage shapes, both exhibiting a deeper thorax than worldwide lowlanders. No significant differences in absolute ribcage size were detected between South American highlanders and lowlanders. However, a marked sexual dimorphism was observed in both groups, with males having wider and significantly larger ribcages than females.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The pronounced ribcage depth in native South Americans could represent a population-specific trait maintained through long-term interactions, potentially advantageous in high-altitude settings but neutral in the lowlands. In addition, we propose that South American highlanders have a larger ribcage relative to their smaller body size compared to lowlanders. Finally, the larger and stockier male ribcage morphology in South Americans supports the notion of greater respiratory capacity and metabolic demands in males.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"38 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-02-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12869005/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146114854","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Samuel S. Urlacher, Theresa E. Gildner, Lawrence S. Sugiyama
The Shuar Health and Life History Project (established in 2005) is an interdisciplinary, integrated field and laboratory research project with the Indigenous Shuar population in Amazonian Ecuador. Grounded in human biology, behavioral ecology, evolutionary psychology, evolutionary medicine, and global health, the SHLHP has three key research foci: (1) To identify how market integration (via effects on diet, pathogen exposure, lifestyle, etc.) impacts Shuar health and well-being; (2) To investigate (using evolutionary life history theory) how lifetime phenotype and health are shaped by adaptive energy allocation between competing life tasks; and (3) To test hypothesized human psychological and demographic adaptations, including aspects of sociality that are central to the evolutionary success of our species. To address these foci, the SHLHP has established long-term and mutually beneficial relationships with the Shuar and local collaborators, resulting in community-engaged data collection with more than 3500 participants and a wide range of research publications and policy contributions over the past 20 years. This special issue of the American Journal of Human Biology showcases 10 original SHLHP articles that span much of the project's intellectual breadth and represent important advances for understanding human biology, life history, and health. To serve as an introduction, here we provide essential background on the Shuar and the SHLHP, overview the ten included special issue articles, and discuss key research and impact goals for the next 20 years of the SHLHP.
{"title":"The Shuar Health and Life History Project: Overview at 20 Years and Introduction to the Special Issue","authors":"Samuel S. Urlacher, Theresa E. Gildner, Lawrence S. Sugiyama","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.70207","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajhb.70207","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The Shuar Health and Life History Project (established in 2005) is an interdisciplinary, integrated field and laboratory research project with the Indigenous Shuar population in Amazonian Ecuador. Grounded in human biology, behavioral ecology, evolutionary psychology, evolutionary medicine, and global health, the SHLHP has three key research foci: (1) To identify how market integration (via effects on diet, pathogen exposure, lifestyle, etc.) impacts Shuar health and well-being; (2) To investigate (using evolutionary life history theory) how lifetime phenotype and health are shaped by adaptive energy allocation between competing life tasks; and (3) To test hypothesized human psychological and demographic adaptations, including aspects of sociality that are central to the evolutionary success of our species. To address these foci, the SHLHP has established long-term and mutually beneficial relationships with the Shuar and local collaborators, resulting in community-engaged data collection with more than 3500 participants and a wide range of research publications and policy contributions over the past 20 years. This special issue of the <i>American Journal of Human Biology</i> showcases 10 original SHLHP articles that span much of the project's intellectual breadth and represent important advances for understanding human biology, life history, and health. To serve as an introduction, here we provide essential background on the Shuar and the SHLHP, overview the ten included special issue articles, and discuss key research and impact goals for the next 20 years of the SHLHP.</p>","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"38 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-02-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12865669/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146108176","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Marcelo Damaso Maruichi, Bruno Telma Destailleur, Giulia Maesta Apelbaum, Carlos Alberto Longui, Cristiane Kochi
Objective
To characterize the metacarpophalangeal pattern profile (MCPP) of healthy children and adolescents from São Paulo, Brazil, and to establish percentile curves by chronological age (CA), bone age (BA), and sex using the LMS method. Additionally, to compare these findings with previous population-based data and to apply the derived standards to patients with skeletal dysplasias.
Methods
Left hand and wrist radiographs were obtained from healthy individuals and age-matched patients with confirmed skeletal dysplasias. Tubular bone lengths were compared across CA and BA, against prior normative studies, and with dysplastic cohorts using Student's t-test. Patient Z-scores were calculated from LMS parameters generated from the healthy population.
Results
We analyzed 974 radiographs from healthy subjects and 83 from patients (18 hypochondroplasia, 27 achondroplasia, 14 osteogenesis imperfecta, 24 Turner syndrome). In healthy participants, hand bone lengths correlated significantly with CA and BA. Compared with international reference data, differences in mean metacarpal and phalangeal lengths were noted. Patients with achondroplasia and hypochondroplasia exhibited markedly reduced Z-scores relative to controls, whereas those with Turner syndrome showed reductions of up to 1.8 SD in the fourth metacarpal. Patients with osteogenesis imperfecta demonstrated no significant deviations.
Conclusion
This study established MCPP reference percentiles for Brazilian children and adolescents using the LMS method. Bone measurements showed consistent associations with CA and BA. Although differences were observed relative to international cohorts, the generated standards effectively discriminated dysplastic phenotypes, particularly achondroplasia and hypochondroplasia, supporting the use of MCPP analysis as an adjunct tool for evaluating short stature and suspected skeletal dysplasias.
{"title":"The Metacarpophalangeal Pattern Profile: An Old Method With New Insights Into the Evaluation of Short Stature","authors":"Marcelo Damaso Maruichi, Bruno Telma Destailleur, Giulia Maesta Apelbaum, Carlos Alberto Longui, Cristiane Kochi","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.70212","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajhb.70212","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objective</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>To characterize the metacarpophalangeal pattern profile (MCPP) of healthy children and adolescents from São Paulo, Brazil, and to establish percentile curves by chronological age (CA), bone age (BA), and sex using the LMS method. Additionally, to compare these findings with previous population-based data and to apply the derived standards to patients with skeletal dysplasias.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Left hand and wrist radiographs were obtained from healthy individuals and age-matched patients with confirmed skeletal dysplasias. Tubular bone lengths were compared across CA and BA, against prior normative studies, and with dysplastic cohorts using Student's <i>t</i>-test. Patient Z-scores were calculated from LMS parameters generated from the healthy population.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We analyzed 974 radiographs from healthy subjects and 83 from patients (18 hypochondroplasia, 27 achondroplasia, 14 osteogenesis imperfecta, 24 Turner syndrome). In healthy participants, hand bone lengths correlated significantly with CA and BA. Compared with international reference data, differences in mean metacarpal and phalangeal lengths were noted. Patients with achondroplasia and hypochondroplasia exhibited markedly reduced Z-scores relative to controls, whereas those with Turner syndrome showed reductions of up to 1.8 SD in the fourth metacarpal. Patients with osteogenesis imperfecta demonstrated no significant deviations.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study established MCPP reference percentiles for Brazilian children and adolescents using the LMS method. Bone measurements showed consistent associations with CA and BA. Although differences were observed relative to international cohorts, the generated standards effectively discriminated dysplastic phenotypes, particularly achondroplasia and hypochondroplasia, supporting the use of MCPP analysis as an adjunct tool for evaluating short stature and suspected skeletal dysplasias.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"38 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-02-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12862513/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146100942","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Tiago Rodrigues de Lima, Mateus Augusto Bim, Jean Carlos Parmigiani De Marco, Isadora Gonzaga, Clair Costa Miranda, Andreia Pelegrini
Objectives
The purpose of this study was to summarize the evidence regarding possible differences in areal bone mineral density (aBMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) across racial and ethnic groups of children and adolescents.
Methods
A systematic review was conducted using five electronic databases, supplemented by complementary searches of reference lists. Studies should have used dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry to assess bone mass in children and adolescents (aged ≤ 19 years) with no special clinical conditions.
Results
Of the 1791 articles initially identified, 26 were included. Whites had lower aBMD/BMC than Blacks in 60.2% (47/78) of the analyzed results. In racial/ethnic groups that did not include Blacks, aBMD/BMC values were lower when compared to Blacks or ethnic groups that included Blacks in 80.0% (8/10) of possible results. Most findings indicated a paucity of evidence regarding differences in aBMD/BMC between Whites and Asians, Pacific Islanders, Hispanics, and Mexican-Americans (percentage of results ≤ 50.0%).
Conclusions
Based on the findings, it can be concluded that White children and adolescents have lower bone mass values compared to their Black peers. Racial and ethnic groups that do not include Black individuals also exhibit lower bone mass values compared to Black children and adolescents. Additionally, there appears to be no difference in bone mass between White children and adolescents and their Asian, Pacific Islander, Hispanic, and Mexican-American counterparts.
{"title":"Racial and Ethnic Differences in Bone Mass in Pediatric Populations: A Systematic Review","authors":"Tiago Rodrigues de Lima, Mateus Augusto Bim, Jean Carlos Parmigiani De Marco, Isadora Gonzaga, Clair Costa Miranda, Andreia Pelegrini","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.70204","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajhb.70204","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The purpose of this study was to summarize the evidence regarding possible differences in areal bone mineral density (aBMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) across racial and ethnic groups of children and adolescents.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A systematic review was conducted using five electronic databases, supplemented by complementary searches of reference lists. Studies should have used dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry to assess bone mass in children and adolescents (aged ≤ 19 years) with no special clinical conditions.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Of the 1791 articles initially identified, 26 were included. Whites had lower aBMD/BMC than Blacks in 60.2% (47/78) of the analyzed results. In racial/ethnic groups that did not include Blacks, aBMD/BMC values were lower when compared to Blacks or ethnic groups that included Blacks in 80.0% (8/10) of possible results. Most findings indicated a paucity of evidence regarding differences in aBMD/BMC between Whites and Asians, Pacific Islanders, Hispanics, and Mexican-Americans (percentage of results ≤ 50.0%).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Based on the findings, it can be concluded that White children and adolescents have lower bone mass values compared to their Black peers. Racial and ethnic groups that do not include Black individuals also exhibit lower bone mass values compared to Black children and adolescents. Additionally, there appears to be no difference in bone mass between White children and adolescents and their Asian, Pacific Islander, Hispanic, and Mexican-American counterparts.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"38 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-02-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146100986","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Program of the 51st Annual Meeting of the Human Biology Association.","authors":"","doi":"10.1002/ajhb.70213","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ajhb.70213","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":50809,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Human Biology","volume":"38 Suppl 1 ","pages":"e70213"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147349675","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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