Zeitschrift fur Morphologie und Anthropologie最新文献

A new measuring instrument called "zygometer" is introduced. This device provides a simple technique for measuring the position of the zygomatic bone and arch allowing for lateral comparison. Standard measurements of the midface were collected from 250 uninjured test subjects. In 80% of the cases a symmetry of up to 2 mm was determined. The research results are presented and discussed with reference to clinical application.

This study examined the estimation of age at death from the second metacarpal in 227 individuals aged 30-98 years. Variables ascertained from each bone were: cortical thickness and microdensitometric cortical bone density measured on radiographs of the bone and total osteon count and density recorded on microradiographs of the complete cross section at its midshaft. Based on the latter two variables, two age groups were formed; a middle age group representing those individuals aged 30-65 years, and an older group aged 65+. Stepwise regression analysis of the four variables produced a series of regression equations for age estimation for the middle, old and combined age groups for each sex and sexes combined. Sex-specific equations provided better results than nonspecific ones, especially in females. Total osteon density and combined cortical thickness were found to be the most useful estimators in the middle and the old age group, respectively. The standard error of estimate was 6.71 and 6.90 years in each age group for the sexes combined. In the combined age group, age could be estimated accurately from total osteon count, cortical thickness and MD cortical bone density with the standard error of estimate of 11.10 years. The relative error of estimate ranged within +/- 30% in almost all individuals aged above 60 years.

14 population samples from various Italian regions with a total of 2.577 unrelated male and female individuals were typed for four polymorphic serum protein polymorphisms: HP, and TF, GC and PI subtypes. The regional distribution of the allele frequencies of these four polymorphisms shows a considerable heterogeneity, which is for the most part statistically significant, thus indicating an obvious genetic variability of the population of the Italian Peninsula.

The maturation and development of 27 monozygotic and 23 dizygotic twins were studied over a 10 year period with data collected at one year intervals from age 9 to adulthood. In this manner the ossification process was recorded based on X-ray films of the carpal bones. Further information was acquired through anthropometric and somatoscopic data reproduced with standard photography. Sex and phase specific genetic factors influencing the maturation process are presented and analysed.

In 1990 221 males (88 children, age 3.5-7.25 years and 133 adults, age 20-44 years) were investigated. The sample was divided into two groups based on handedness; 140 individuals were right-handed and 81 left-handed. 10 measurements were taken at the upper limbs. In addition, marked handedness, handclasping and armfolding were determined. The last three traits showed no statistically significant connection. It was determined that measurements of length, breadth and circumference are more often significantly asymmetric in favor of the right side in right-handers than in left-handers. Further, skinfolds of right-handed individuals are larger on the left side. Partially reverse results were found for left-handers as a whole, however, the results are more irregular. A difference in the degree of asymmetry exists between children and adults. Asymmetries of breadth and circumference measurements as well as forearm skinfold are larger in adults. Taking into account the error of measurement, frequencies of R > L, R = L and L > R for right- and left-handed individuals were evaluated using the chi 2-test for significance. Preponderance of measurements on the dominant side could often be secured statistically.

198 unrelated male and female Poles from Ostrów Wielkopolski (Central Poland) and 228 unrelated male and female Kashubes from Kościerzyna (Northern Poland) have been typed for four polymorphic serum protein systems: HP, TF, GC, and PI. Phenotype and allele frequencies of all these four polymorphic systems are quite different between Poles and Kashubes. Comparisons with some other Central and East European population samples (Slovaks, Hungarians, Matyos, Gypsies) revealed a considerable genetic heterogeneity among them. Genetic distance analysis showed that Hungarians and Matyos as well as Poles and Slovaks are found in two subclusters, which are linked up to one cluster. Gypsies and especially Kashubes exhibit a distinct position from this cluster. This genetic distance pattern can be explained satisfactorily considering the ethnohistory of the population groups under study.

Stature and weight were studied in 123 12-year-old Southern Chinese girls born and brought up in Hong Kong. The mean stature was 147.22 centimetres with a standard deviation of 6.65 centimetres. The mean body weight was 37.11 kilograms with the standard deviation being 7.39 kilograms. Secular trend of increased body size was demonstrated. The increase was more marked in the lower percentile groups.

In the paper, the formation of basic heart proportions in the period from the 19th to 43rd week of intrauterine development was investigated. The material consisted of 1505 fetuses (930 male and 575 female). Length, width and thickness of the heart were measured to 0.1 mm on unpreserved fetus material within 24 hours after stillbirth or death, in the natural position of the organ. The material was divided into groups representing seven developmental periods, from the 5th to the 10th lunar month. Individuals from the 41st-43rd week were recognized as carried beyond term and included in the age category above the 10th month (< 10). Formation of heart proportions was investigated on the basis of a statistical analysis of the results, with both sexes considered separately. Evaluation of the research results confirmed previous results indicating a slightly different shape of the heart in the fetal period. In addition, the results show the changes that occur in heart proportions during the period of intrauterine development. A comparison of these proportions with analogous indices in adult individuals makes it possible to predict further developmental changes in the postnatal period. In comparison to the conical heart found in a grown-up individual, the fetal heart is more spherical. At the beginning of the fetal period, the length dimension of the heart is greater than its width. Beginning with the 9th month of development, a relatively slower elongation of the heart occurs in favour of a more rapid increase in its width dimension.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Genetic heterogeneity and affinity was examined between nine Romany speaking gypsy populations and two of their possible ancestral populations from India. For AB0, Rhesus (D), MN and HP systems there exists a conclusive heterogeneity among these populations. Three gypsy populations from Western Europe (English, Welsh and Swedish) are genetically distinct from the rest of the East European gypsies and the populations of India analysed in this investigation. Overall the genetic differentiation among these populations is moderately high (RST = 0.029). The results also indicate the relative close relationship among the East gypsies and the two selected nomadic populations of India. The factors responsible for the moderate diversification of the East European gypsies may be high rate of migration, isolation and random drift, while among the Western gypsy populations admixture seems to be an important differentiation factor.

Sixteen tribal populations from Orissa, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra have been typed for the polymorphic blood group systems A1A2B0, MNSs, Rhesus, Kell, Duffy and Diego. The heterogeneity in the distribution of haplotype and allele frequencies, respectively, is partly considerable. It is supposed that this is due to the operation of several microevolutionary factors, such as genetic drift, social and geographic isolation and gene flow. This is discussed in detail.