Showing papers in "International Journal of Anthropology in 1993"
TL;DR: A total of 522 girls and their families from low and middle social strate were examined in the northern part of Merida (Yucatan) during 1988 and 1989.
Abstract: A total of 522 girls and their families from low and middle social strate were examined in the northern part of Merida (Yucatan) during 1988 and 1989. Marital radius in the parental generation was relatively long (146 km), and it was six times longer for non-Maya and mixed couples than Maya.
26 citations
TL;DR: In this article, enthesopathies found in a medieval (VI-XIIc.A.D.) peasant population from northern Spain are decribed, and these bony lesions affected both the upper and lower limbs of this group.
Abstract: Enthesopathies found in a medieval (VI–XIIc.A.D.) peasant population from northern Spain are decribed. These bony lesions affected both the upper and lower limbs of this group. The hard work engaged in daily by both sexes and various habitual activities related to carrying heavy loads, agriculture, cattle-raising, and hunting.
24 citations
TL;DR: Findings do not contradict the hypothesis that while most of the Uruguayan population is of Caucasoid origin, significant African and Amerindian genes may exist in its gene pool.
Abstract: A total of 604 individuals living in Montevideo and other places in Uruguay were studied in relation to three I HLA loci. The most common alleles observed (percentages in parentheses) were A2(24), A9(15), A19(11), B12(12), B35(12), and C4(16). The most marked departures from linkage equilibrium (all numbers multiplied by 105) were B35-C4(636), A2-B5(590), A2C3(515), A2B14(494), and A19-B12(485). These findings do not contradict the hypothesis that while most of the Uruguayan population is of Caucasoid origin, significant African and Amerindian genes may exist in its gene pool.
11 citations
TL;DR: The fundamental principles of the method are demonstrated graphically as this paper is directed to a new audience and a high correlation could be demonstrated between BMC and ash-weight as well as between the organic matrix and the loss of weight during heating.
Abstract: An application of dual photon absorptiometry for measuring Bone Mineral Content (BMC) and the amount of organic matrix in bones in vitro is described. Dual photon absorptiometry was performed using a153Gd source and a Gammatec GT 50 scanner. Although the method is well known in clinical research of osteoporosis and has previously been described, the fundamental principles of the method are demonstrated graphically as this paper is directed to a new audience.
9 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the chronological position of Beijing Man site was restudied by U-series dating of two calcite samples taken from a stalagmitic flowstone layer intercalated in 1-2 layers.
Abstract: The chronological position of Beijing Man site was restudied by U-series dating of two calcite samples taken from a stalagmitic flowstone layer intercalated in 1–2 layers. Based on the weighted mean of three measurements performed on the purer one, the upper age limit of this site be 421
−54
+110
ka B.P., much greater than former evaluation of 230 ka based on U-series dating of fossil bones. The reliability of the obtained results was discussed.
9 citations
TL;DR: The values of correlations, regressions, F ratios etc., of the present study fully support the hypothesis of major gene effect on TFRC.
Abstract: The relationship between mean total finger ridge count (TFRC) and its variability is examined using 43 male and 34 female samples from the State of Andhra Pradesh, India, using the approach of Jantz (1977) to verify the major gene effect. The mean TFRC is found to be inversely and significantly related to its variability barring standard deviation (SD). The F ratios are highly significant and the variation of TFRC due to coefficient of variation (CV) is around 39 per cent. The values of correlations, regressions, F ratios etc., of the present study fully support the hypothesis of major gene effect on TFRC.
7 citations
TL;DR: The objective of the present study is to find the morphophisiological and environmental characteristics as well as the risk factors in 200 women patients (aged 46–60 years), who were selected from the Menopause Department of the Jimenez Diaz Foundation in Madrid.
Abstract: Osteoporosis represents an important sociomedical problem as causes a high morbidity, mortality and medical costs. Postmenopausal and ovariectomized women present, in a few years, the first outbreak of osteoporosis. The incidence of this illness, is much more common in menopausal women than in men of similar age. The objective of the present study is to find the morphophisiological and environmental characteristics as well as the risk factors in 200 women patients (aged 46–60 years), who were selected from the Menopause Department of the Jimenez Diaz Foundation in Madrid. About the 60% of women were found to be osteoporotics. Besides osteoporosis, the reproductive period, social habits, morphophysiological patterns and bone disease have been studied.
6 citations
TL;DR: Early ethanol consumption was strongly related with the presence of two or more, and three or more Harris lines, so that ethanol consumption should be considered in the differential diagnosis ofHarris lines, and conversely, the existence of Harris lines point to ethanol consumption during growth period.
Abstract: Harris lines represent episodes of growth arrest followed by recovery, thus reflecting episodes of mismatched imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure. Consumption of ethanol during the growth period — formerly extended in our wine-producing rural areas- may lead to such a situation, due at least in part to the energy-wasteful MEOS-linked ethanol metabolism. Based on these facts, in the present study we have analysed the relationship between ethanol intake during growth period and the presence of Harris lines in the right tibia in 100 consecutive adult patients admitted to our hospitalization unit. Early ethanol consumption was strongly related with the presence of two or more, and three or more Harris lines, so that ethanol consumption should be considered in the differential diagnosis of Harris lines, and conversely, the presence of Harris lines point to ethanol consumption during growth period. This association was independent from coexisting starvation and/or illness.
5 citations
TL;DR: Hair samples of 46 prehistoric mummies from five different pre-Inca sites in Peru were analyzed for Ca, Sr, Ni, Mn, and Ba by DCP/AES as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Hair samples of 46 prehistoric mummies from five different pre-Inca sites in Peru were analyzed for Ca, Sr, Ni, Mn, and Ba by DCP/AES The five sites displayed differing burial customs: whereas the dead of Cahuachi (n=13), Huayuri (n=2) and Brujo (n=5) had been interred unwrapped in simple stone pits, the mummies of Las Trancas (n=17) and Pacatnamu (n=9) had been granted protection by fabrics and wooden coffins At the sites with no protection, the hair samples contained extremely high concentrations of Ca and Sr which by far exceeded the usual physiological ranges This can probably be explained by contamination from the surrounding soil In contrast, the protected depositions of Las Trancas and Pacatnamu exhibited Ca and Sr concentrations within the present range of variation This may indicate that favourable conditions had prevented contamination in these cases For Mn the same trend can be observed, both Cahuachi and Huayuri samples showed markedly increased values For Ni and Ba on the other hand no correlation with the type of interment was found In the two non-contaminated series, the mean values of Mn, Ba, and Ni were considerably higher in Las Trancas than in Pacatnamu As Mn, Ni, and Ba tend to occur in higher concentrations in vegetable than in animal food items, these differences may indicate a differential availability of animal protein at the two locations
5 citations
TL;DR: It is proposed that the human mandible, as a lever arm, can be divided into two functional parts; an anterior part which shows little change over the last 90000 years, and a posterior part which differs in accordance with the length of the mandibular corpus.
Abstract: This study was carried out on 56 mandibles belonging to skeletal remains recovered from archaeological excavations in Israel dated to 6.000 BP. or less, 2 Neandertal mandibles dating between 50.000–60.000 BP. and 2 early H. sapiens sapiens mandibles both dating to circa 92.000 yr BP. Mandibular body length, the distance from the anterior border of the symphysis to a line bisecting the first molar (distance 1), and the distance from the line bisecting the first molar to the mandibular angle (distance 2) were measured. Distance 1, showed little variation between specimens. However, distance 2 showed a significant difference between sexes and between early and late specimens. For all specimens examined there was a low nonsignificant correlation, between the length of the mandible and distance 1, while there was a high correlation between the length of the mandibular body and distance 2. There was little or no correlation between distance 1 and 2. We propose that the human mandible, as a lever arm, can be divided into two functional parts; an anterior part which shows little change over the last 90000 years, and a posterior part which differs in accordance with the length of the mandibular corpus. These changes in distance 2 appear to correlate to changes in body size and diet, suggesting that as proposed by Hylander (1988) chewing rather than incision has played the main role in evolutionary trends of the hominid mandible. This is also in accordance with mandibular growth during development where the lengthening of the jaw takes place mostly in the posterior part by remodeling in the ramus area (Enlow, 1990) both during individual development (ontogenesis) and through evolutionary changes (phylogenesis).
3 citations
TL;DR: The present study reports an analysis of the distribution of Hp polymorphism in Sardinia carried out on a sample of 871 individuals, showing some historical-geographicalareas, especially in the central north of the island, with particularly high Hp*1 frequency.
Abstract: The present study reports an analysis of the distribution of Hp polymorphism in Sardinia carried out on a sample of 871 individuals. The samples are examined according to the division by provinces and by historical-geographical regions. In both cases the phenotype Hp 2-1 has high frequency and a North-South trend. The Hp*1 is the most common gene in every part of Sardinia. In general the distribution of Hp in Sardinia is not significantly heterogeneous in our sample, although presenting a discreet variability.
TL;DR: It is suggested that methods developed by psychometricians for the analysis of categorical (qualitative), possibly ordered, variables may be adopted with profit by anthropologists.
Abstract: Applications of multivariate analysis in physical anthropology have been mainly concerned with quantitative variables. We suggest that methods developed by psychometricians for the analysis of categorical (qualitative), possibly ordered, variables may be adopted with profit by anthropologists. PRINCIPALS, a form of principal components analysis using categorical variables, is briefly discussed and illustrated with an analysis of data on 164 skulls, each described by eleven qualitative variables (Age-group, Sex, Foramen Pharyngeum and left and right Frontal Grooves, Maxillary Torus, Foramen Supraorbitale and Foramen Zygomatico-orbitale). Similar generalisations exist for all other forms of quantitative multivariate analysis.
TL;DR: Six serum protein systems, Gc globulin (Gc), transferrin (Tf), alpha1-antitrypsin (Pi), plasminogen (PLG), alpha2-HS-glycoprotein (AHS), and coaglulation factor XIII B (F13B) have been studied in two Czech populations from Prague and Olomouc.
Abstract: Six serum protein systems, Gc globulin (Gc), transferrin (Tf), alpha1-antitrypsin (Pi), plasminogen (PLG), alpha2-HS-glycoprotein (AHS), and coaglulation factor XIII B (F13B) have been studied in two Czech populations from Prague (n=243) and Olomouc (n=205). The results are discussed with reference to other investigations in Middle Europe.
TL;DR: The analysis of morphological variation of tali and calcanei articular surfaces from “S'Illot des Porros” (Majorca, 2430±200 BP) indicates the high frequency of extensions of the talocrural and subtalar surfaces, which are shown to be produced not only by a high level of stress on the bones, but also by the presence of the sulcus tali facet.
Abstract: The analysis of morphological variation of tali and calcanei articular surfaces from “S'Illot des Porros” (Majorca, 2430±200 BP) has been made. It indicates the high frequency of extensions of the talocrural and subtalar surfaces, which are shown to be produced not only by a high level of stress on the bones. The presence of the sulcus tali facet in most cases could indicate, however, a greater degree of lateral movement of the foot.
TL;DR: In hypospadias patients there is a significant decrease of patterns in the hypothenar area and an increase of radial arches in hypothenAR area, while for other characteristics the differences are always not significant.
Abstract: Data on digital and palmar dermatoglyphics in 40 males hospitalized at the Urological Clinic of the University of Cagliari are given. Data on hypospadias patients are compared to those of 106 apparently healthy Sardinian males for digital dermatoglyphics and of 180 for palmar dermatoglyphics
TL;DR: Two of the three genetic systems investigated showed conclusive genetic heterogeneity between the Basque populations of these two provinces and seems to be contributed by the unique structure of its populations.
Abstract: Genetic polymorphisms of three serum proteins Transferrin (TF), Group Specific Component (GC), and Alpha-l-Antitrypsin were investigated by isoelectric focusing (IEF) in the Basque and non Basque populations from Vizcaya and Guipuzcoa, Spain. Two of the three genetic systems (TF and PI) showed conclusive genetic heterogeneity between the Basque populations of these two provinces. In addition to the past genetic drift, the present day genetic differentiation in the Basque country seems to be contributed by the unique structure of its populations.
TL;DR: It is suggested that hypotheses relating morphology of hominid hands to hand function and behavior should consider the extent of modern human hand bone variation.
Abstract: This study utilizes radiographic samples of white, black. Mexican-American, and Asian males and females from the Ten State Nutrition Survey to examine the degree and pattern of variation seen in measurements of bones from the three radial hand rays. Pattern profile analysis is used to portray graphically the intersample differences for 44 length and width variables. This technique allows a visual assessment of intersample differences and extends results of statistical analyses. Base widths serve best in separating male and female groups. Males have a longer first ray with respect to the second ray and a longer first proximal phalanx compared with the second proximal phalanx than do females. Certain ray III variables seem to hold the most promise for separating samples within one sex. Correlation of pattern profile curves demonstrates that within nonwhite ethnic samples the shape of male and female curves is similar when plotted against the white reference samples. Coefficients of variation for the large white samples are highest for mid-widths and tuft widths of distal phalanges and lowest for lengths and base widths of proximal phalanges II and III. While some of the variation between groups may serve to distinguish populations and may relate broadly to evolutionary history, it is difficult to show clear functional correlates for the majority of the variation detected. It is suggested that hypotheses relating morphology of hominid hands to hand function and behavior should consider the extent of modern human hand bone variation.
TL;DR: It seems to us that electrophoretic techniques may be useful in the identification of hair from different racial groups.
Abstract: Isoelectric focusing of extracted keratin not S-carboxymethylated followed by silver staining was used in this study with the attempt to identify head hair keratins from different racial groups: Guatuso and Caribbean (Costa Rica, America), Balanta (Guinea-Bissau, Africa) and Sardinian (Italy, Europe). Morphological analysis of hair and quantitation of solubilized total proteins were also performed. Keratins extracted from hair gave similar IEF patterns for all samples in the ranges of pH 4.5–5.0 and 5.4–7.4, differing only in the intensity and width of the bands. IEF patterns for Guatuso samples differ from all the others in the presence of some additional bands in the range of pH 4.0–4.5. Different electrophoretic patterns are not associated with detectable differences in the morphology of the fibers. It seems to us that electrophoretic techniques may be useful in the identification of hair from different racial groups.
TL;DR: GC and in particular TF allele frequencies show some statistically significant distribution heterogeneity, whereas HP and PI allele frequencies do not show any remarkable distribution differences.
Abstract: Haptoglobin (HP), transferrin (TF), group specific component (GC) and protease inhibitor (PI) polymorphisms were studied in three population samples from Thuringia: Jena, n=204; Erfurt, n=213; Suhl, n=180. GC and in particular TF allele frequencies show some statistically significant distribution heterogeneity, whereas HP and PI allele frequencies do not show any remarkable distribution differences. The results are discussed and compared with those obtained previously on other population samples from the eastern parts of Germany.
TL;DR: The documentation of the brachy-cephalization, as long-term process of transformation, is based on studies of human skeletal remains from different times as well as on the available metric data of the recent population samples.
Abstract: The documentation of the brachy-cephalization, as long-term process of transformation, is based on studies of human skeletal remains from different times as well as on the available metric data of the recent population samples. Apart from a range of diachronic sequences, the author tries to determined the beginning and speed of the process according to the present state of knowledge: additionally he looks for correlated ethnohistorical events. To confirm the general opinion, the genetical background and the probable involvement of some external factors are discussed this article.
TL;DR: It was found that calf circumferences manifested a specific inversion of the curves between 14 and 15, with girls showing a larger calf circumference up to the age of 14, and boys from the ageof 15.
Abstract: A mixed longitudinal study of growth and development has been conducted, centering on an analysis of differences based on sex between the ages of 8 and 18 years for a series of 12 anthropometric indicators. The sample consisted of 50 girls and 63 boys.
TL;DR: In this paper, a family biography is used to follow the evolution of demographic traits of a community of immigrants, which is beyond the limits of official anagraphic information, by the methodology of family biography.
Abstract: This work goes beyond the limits of official anagraphic information: by the methodology of family biography it is possible to follow the evolution of demographic traits of a community of immigrants.
TL;DR: The anthropological characterization of the Etruscans is one of the most interesting subjects in the prehistory of Italy and some parameters such as cranial capacity and stature were calculated by several methods.
Abstract: The anthropological characterization of the Etruscans is one of the most interesting subjects in the prehistory of Italy. This paper gives a general anthropological description of an Etruscan series from Magliano in Toscana (Grosseto), necropoli del Cancellone 1. During this work it was tried to provide a compatible data set. For this reason some parameters such as cranial capacity and stature were calculated by several methods. The individual data are not published, but can be reached in the Centro di Restauro della Soprintendenza Archeologica di Firenze.
TL;DR: Serum samples from four European populations were tested for the inter-α-trypsin inhibitor (ITI) polymorphism and it is seen that the variability among European Populations seems to be rather small, whereas Asiatic and African populations are striking by quite different distribution patterns.
Abstract: Serum samples from four European populations — Germans from Jena, Germans from Hannover, Italians from Udine, and Slovakians from Bratislava — were tested for the inter-α-trypsin inhibitor (ITI) polymorphism. The results are compared with those reported for other European, Asiatic and African populations. Reviewing all the hitherto published ITI allele frequencies one can see that the variability among European Populations seems to be rather small, whereas Asiatic and African populations are striking by quite different distribution patterns.
TL;DR: It is reported that the content of the microelement Mg in the all-blood and hair of the Uygur and Kazak people is obviously higher than that of the Han people (P<0.05).
Abstract: Atomic absorption spectrometry is used to determine the contents of microelements (such as Zn, Cu, Ca, Mg and Fe) in the all-blood and hair of the Han, Uygur, and Kazak people in normal health state. The results show that the above mentioned elements in the hair arranged successively as Ca>Zn>Mg>Fe>Cu and those in the all-blood of the Han people arranged as Fe>Mg>Ca>Zn>Cu; of the Uygur and Kazak people, as Fe>Mg>Ca>Zn>Cu. This paper reports that the content of the microelement Mg in the all-blood and hair of the Uygur and Kazak people is obviously higher than that of the Han people (P<0.05).
TL;DR: The influence of cultural factors on the biological state, of prehistorical populations inhabiting Central Europe in the Bronze and Iron Ages have been analyzed in this article, where changes in mortality structure of human groups said to belong to two various archeological cultures were studied.
Abstract: The influence of cultural factors on the biological state, of prehistorical populations inhabiting Central Europe in the Bronze and Iron Ages have been analyzed. To achieve this goal the author studied changes in mortality structure of human groups said to belong to two various archeological cultures.
TL;DR: In this paper, the essential dialogue between Apollinian and Dionysiac poles required for the advance of music and art was likened to the scientific debate between ''justifiers» and ''innovators''.
Abstract: The essential dialogue between Apollinian and Dionysiac poles required for the advance of music and art was likened to the scientific debate between «justifiers» and «innovators». The use of ratios and simple algorithms was indicted as being retrogressive in terms of modern microcomputer technology and iconometrographic models. Three examples were used to illustrate the approach in the resolution of complex data sets comparing samples: (1) 45,XO with a 46,XY controls, (2) sexual dimorphism in young adults and (3) Black and White Olympic athletes. The iconometrographic approach was proposed as a primary orientation in human biology, particularly in secular trend studies concerned with the recognition and assessment of complex evolutionary trends.
TL;DR: Variation of the sex ratio according to season of birth was not similar among the four ABO blood groups and sex ratio of the donors with blood group B showed no elevation among the summer births.
Abstract: Sex ratio of 17,273 blood donors born during the period between 1925 and 1935 was examined according to their month of birth and ABO blood groups in comparison with 5,810 healthy non-blood donors born in the 1900s to 1930s. The sex ratio of the blood donors and the non-blood donors varied similarly according to their month of birth with a prominent peak in summer births and a trough in winter births. This birth season with a high sex ratio was different from that of the general births during the period between 1921 and 1935, in which a maximum sex ratio was found in November. A possible explanation for the difference is the different rate of male and female infant deaths according to birth month. Variation of the sex ratio according to season of birth was not similar among the four ABO blood groups. Sex ratio of the donors with blood group B showed no elevation among the summer births. Non-blood donors with blood group B, on the contrary, showed a higher sex ratio than the others in the summer births. This difference can not be explained by infant or juvenile deaths. A possibility is that a tendency to become a blood donor is modified by the season of one's birth differently according to gender and ABO blood groups.
TL;DR: The effect of age-grouping on the distribution of two variables, namely, height and weight of pre-school children subject to growth, was considered and Ehrenberg's law-like model was applied.
Abstract: This paper consider the effect of age-grouping on the distribution of two variables, namely, height and weight of pre-school children subject to growth. Assuming straight line regression models for the dependence of expected values as well as variances and covariance of height and weight was investigated by Ehrenberg's law-like model. Ehrenberg's law-like relationship between height and weight, Log\(\bar w = b\bar h + c\), was applied to Kuwaiti children under 7 years of age. It was found that the relationship log\(\bar w = 0.8 \bar h + c\) was a good fit for Kuwaiti boys and girls except for children under 1 year where the results were significantly different from the expected value
TL;DR: The general pattern of growth of head circumference was characterised by initial sharp rise followed by slow gain during second half of infancy, and beyond birth male infants, possessed higher and statistically significant mean values than their female counterparts.
Abstract: One hundred and fifty four (86 male and 68 female) Punjabi infants residing in Chandigarh (India) were longitudinally measured for head circumference at monthly age intervals during first year of life. The general pattern of growth of head circumference was characterised by initial sharp rise followed by slow gain during second half of infancy. Beyond birth male infants, possessed higher and statistically significant mean values than their female counterparts. The pattern-wise similarity between growth curves plotted for Punjabi and Western infants, may be attributed to protective effects of breast feeding. Head circumference velocity showed rapid deceleration immediately after birth up to about 4 months, thereafter, it declined slowly. Sex differences in monthly growth rates were found to be statistically significant (p<0.05) at a few of the age intervals during first year of life.