Showing papers in "International Journal of Anthropology in 1997"

The peopling of Sardinia (Italy): history and effects

Abstract: Over the last ten years the population of the Mediterranean island of Sardinia has been object of numerous studies in the fields of anthropology and population genetics. Its insularity, central position in the Mediterranean area and rich historical past have made the island a veritable laboratory for the study and understanding of those interacting evolutionary mechanisms which determine a population's genetic structure. Indeed, from work performed at different levels on genetic structure analysis there emerges an extremely complex picture of the relationships between Sardinian and other Italian and Mediterranean populations, but also of relationships within the Sardinian population itself The diversification from Mediterranean and Italian populations can be explained by Sardinia's historical and demographic past. Internal heterogeneity can be attributed, in part, to strict isolation and the accompanying high levels of endogamy and inbreeding, and in part to the endemic presence of malaria which exerted a strong selective pressure on some characteristics; determining, for example, the differentiation between the plains and the mountain areas. Finally, an influence on Sardinia's biological history not to be neglected could be attributed to the demographic events, which triggered off phenomena of genetic drift and to cultural factors.

A study of sutural bones in Anatolian-Ottoman skulls

Abstract: In this study, a total of 302 adult Anatolian-Ottoman skulls were classified into three morphological forms (dolichocephalic, mesocephalic, brachycephalic), and were examined in order to find the incidence of sutural bones in each forms. In addition, the cranial capacity was measured in the skulls with and without sutural bones. Comparison of the incidence of sutural bones in each form of the skulls, and cranial capacity in skulls with and without sutural bones showed no significant difference. In most populations, the average measure of difference between Anatolian-Ottoman and the others was statistically significant. In conclusion, the incidence of sutural bones is well suited for comperative studies as an anthropological marker or an indicator of population distance.

Genetic structure of two urban afro-brazilian populations

Abstract: A total of 218 individuals living in the Brazilian cities of Porto Alegre (in the South) and Salvador (in the Northeast) were variously studied in relation to nine erythrocyte and four plasma protein systems. The results were compared with previous studies in some of these systems, and estimates of interethnic admixture obtained in subsamples according to morphological appearance. As a whole, Afro-Brazilians from Salvador show 42% of non-African genes, the corresponding figure for Porto Alegre being 59%. The Amerindian contribution to these individuals was estimated as null or negligible. Average heterozygosities are similar to those obtained for African groups, but the gene differentiation coefficient (GST') is small. The phylogenetic tree indicates a closer relationship of Salvador with the African subcluster, as would be expected by the admixture and istorical data. Analyses such as this one are important for the unraveling of the complex networks responsible for the present variability of human populations, and for the dispelling of racist concepts.

Auditory hyperostosis and the environment: an update

Abstract: Auditory exostoses have been included in craniological investigations since the last century and recently comprised among epigenetic traits. There is general agreement on the importance of environmental and behavioural factors on the expression of these bony formations, in particular habitual diving and swimming in cold water. The present study contributes new data to our knowledge of the world frequency of this character. Cranial series from New Guinea and Melanesia (139 skulls), Australia (36) and, for the first time, South Africa (123, from Bushmen, Hottentots and other ethnic groups) were analysed. While the character is absent in the African series — possibly due to environmental factors — the frequency of exostoses varies from 4.0 to 4.7% in the other skull collections, mainly belonging to coastal populations. When the frequency distribution of this pathology is considered in a world context and subdivided according to frequency classes, a direct relation between occurrence and environmental factors is confirmed. Nevertheless, the widespread distribution of low frequencies (0.1–3.0%) cannot be solely attributed to the action of cold water, but appears to be the result of different kinds of stresses or ear pathologies.

Correlations between Isonymy Parameters

Abstract: Several parameters of genetic and anthropological interest are commonly estimated in the analysis of the surnames' distribution in human populations. Among these parameters, the most important for population structure is unbiased Isonymy, equivalent to 4 times the value of Fst, the random component of inbreeding in a group. Fisher's α estimates the wealth of surnames in a group, and Karlin-McGregorv is considered proportional to migration rates. Recently, other parameters like Entropy and Redundance of the surname's distribution were introduced in the analysis and estimated. In the present work, the parameters obtained through isonymy analysis of 759,500 telephone users in 379 Communes of Sicily are correlated with variables such as sample size, population size and density, and number of surnames in the Commune. In Sicily, the parameters or their logarithm are Gammadistributed. It is observed that the number of surnames is strongly correlated with most parameters or with their logarithm, and that it is in turn strongly correlated with sample size.

Body composition assessment of young tennis players by multi-frequency impedance measurements

Abstract: Body composition was estimated in 169 young tennis players using the multi-frequency impedance method to predict their fatfree-mass, fat, extra-cellular water, and total body water. Bioelectrical impedances at 1, 5, 10, 50 and 100 kHz were determined. Ratios of impedance at low to high frequencies (Z1/Z100; Z5/Z100) were also used as indicators of body water distribution. This sample is characterized by a greater body mass — fat mass, above all-than other Italian sport participants. Sexual dimorphism in body composition is also evident in this sample. The parameters of body composition, predicted by impedance measurements were compared with parameters obtained through other methods (skinfolds and BMI) on the same subjects. Results varied considerably, in relation to the various equations or different techniques employed. Besides demonstrating the value of multifrequency impedance measurements in the assessment of body composition, our findings indicate the necessity of further methodological research to validate the method under controlled conditions.

The epidemiological characteristics of twinning in Northwest India

Abstract: The data on twin births from four different places in Northwest India were analyzed to study epidemiological characteristics of twinning. Gujjars manifested the highest incidence of twinning (30.2 per 1000 births). The twinning rate at Amritsar for the year 1987 was 19.20. At Bathinda and Jammu, the average twinning rate over the period 1984–93 were 10.70 and 11.40 respectively. Stillbirth rate among twins was much higher in Gujjars as compared to other three samples. Regional trends of twinning rate showed the highest incidence in the state of Uttar Pradesh, while the lowest in Tamilnadu. There were no significant differences between states for MZ twinning rate, while differences in the DZ twinning rate were significant in some instances. Maternal age and parity specific twinning rate showed the highest incidence at parity 4 and in the maternal age group 30–34 years. There was evidence of both seasonality and secular trends in twin births. The highest incidence of twin births over the period 1984–93 was noted in the summer season followed by rainy season, while the lowest in autumn. The average incidence of twinning in the Jammu region decreased from 13.76 during the years 1984–89 to 9.07 during the year 1990–93.

Body build structure of neonates

Abstract: The paper presents anthropometric data on 292 healthy neonates delivered of normal births at the Women's Hospital of Tartu University (150 boys and 142 girls). The parameters of the neonates' physical development measured included height, weight, sitting height, length of sternum and abdomen, shoulder width, upper and lower width and depth of thorax, width and depth of abdomen, D. cristarum, D. trochanterica, pelvic depth, 12 circumferences, foot length and two skinfolds (on abdomen and back). The mean weight of a neonate was 3620.5 g±448.7 g (minimum 2400 g and maximum 4854 g). Boys were somewhat heavier than girls (3684.7 g and 3551.3 g respectively). The average height of the infants was 49.9 cm±1.9 cm (minimum 44 cm and maximum 54.5 cm). Correlation analysis of the characteristics showed that body structure is a system of wellcorrelated anthropometric measurements where the leading role belongs to height and weight. The changes in the relation between height and weight (height-weight classification in 3×3SD classes) cause systemic changes in other measurements. Therefore, in further micropaediatric and clinical research, the height-weight classification could be used as the primary model of the body as a whole.

Relation of the mental foramen to teeth on the mandibles belonging to the Byzantium period

Abstract: Fifty mandibles belonging to the Byzantium period were studied in order to determine to racial differences about of the localization of the mental foramen according to the mandibular teeth. Mandibles of adult males without missing teeth, proximal decay and proximal attrition were used. On the right side, the most common position of the mental foramen was between the first and second lower teeth (50%), whereas on the left side, the most common position was in line with the longitudinal axis of the lower second premolar tooth (46%). Because of materials including mostly Alpine's and a few of Mediterranean subraces, two different positions of the mental foramen were determined in high similar ratios.

Coeficient of relationship (RI) within and between four black venezuelan populations

Abstract: The coefficient of relationship by isonymy Ri was obteined using paternal and maternal surnames of individuals in four black Venezuelan populations. The analysis of eight Ri values obtained from different combinations of surnames within each population and between population in two periods of time (1900–1920 and 1944–1967) show that: 1) Higher values of Ri are those that include combinations of maternal surnames, 2) Ri values of the second period are higher than those shown in the first, 3) No correlation was observed between Ri values and geographic distance. These results indicate that there is a tendency towards matrilocal behavior and show agreement with the degree of isolation of each population. The use of four surnames for estimating the coefficient of relationship by isonymy Ri, permits better comparisons of the relationship between and within groups and gives detailed information of the population structure.

A study of cremated human remains from an urn field dating to the final phase of the Bronze Age, found at “Le Caprine” (Guidonia, Rome, Italy 10th-9th century B.C.)

Abstract: In this paper cremated human remains from an urn field dating from the final phase of the Bronze age (Guidonia, Rome, Central Italy) were studied. The aim of this study was to identify the minimal number of individuals for grave and cremation patterns. The results show as the ways in which the cremations were carried out were archaic in all the elements that made them up.

Cremated human skeletal remains from three Roman Glass urns from Italy in the National Museum of Denmark

Abstract: Although a small number of Roman glass urns used as cinerary containers are known, no study has ever been conducted of the human bones that they contain. This pilot study presents information regarding age and gender of the individuals found in three of these urns at the Danish National Museum as well as basic data regarding the urns themselves. This information, when compared with data that may be secured from the collections of the British Museum and elsewhere, may provide evidence for cultural, temporal or regional variations in the use of glass containers as urns for the bones of the dead.

Pairwise associations between classical polymorphism in a human population from the Central Pyrenees

Abstract: Analysis of pairwise associations between 17 genetic systems was performed on a sample of 160 unrelated and autochthonous individuals from the Spanish central Pyrenees. In contrast to other studies, association between ABO-Hp, ACP1-ADA or EsD-C3 systems was not detected. Significant differences between observed and expected frequencies of the joint phenotypes of Gc-P pilymorphisms are described $$\chi ^2 _4 $$ . The significance of this association is discussed.

Ethnic differences in regional adiposity between adult caucasian and migrant pakistani males which are unexplained by some common indicators of lifestyles

Abstract: This paper examined the ethnic differences in regional adiposity, measured as circumferences and skinfolds, after controlling for the effects of some indicators of lifestyle patterns, namely, smoking, physical activity, family history of diabetes and diet, in 262 adult White and 100 migrant Pakistani (of Kashmiri origin) males in Peterborough, East Anglia, England.

Isoelectric subtyping of the PGM1 in the Icelandic population

Abstract: Phenotypes for the red blood cell enzyme phosphoglucomutase (PGM1) were determined by isoelectric focusing for a population of 2,501 Icelandic individuals. All ten phenotypes were observed, and the frequencies of four alleles at the PGM1 locus were as follows: PGM1 1+=0.6875; PGM1 1−=0.1124; PGM1 2+=0.1419, and PGM1 2−=0.0582. These results have been compared with those found in other northern European populations.