Anthropological Review is an established peer-reviewed journal promoting an interdisciplinary view of the human being. The journal provides a forum for the presentation of research studies, meta-analyses, scholarly reviews and articles devoted to issues in physical anthropolog
Understanding global dementia burden: Ageing and dairy supply as key predictors of total, male and female dementia incidence
Introduction Dementia incidence is rising worldwide, driven largely by population ageing and demographic transition. Although dietary factors have been proposed as modifiable contributors, the role of dairy consumption remains unclear, with inconsistent findings across regions, populations, and product types. Study aim This study examined whether total dairy supply independently predicts dementia incidence at the population level after accounting for key demographic and socioeconomic indicators. Materials and methods A global ecological analysis was conducted using data from 204 countries. Variables included dairy supply, dementia incidence (total, male, and female), ageing, gross domestic product adjusted for purchasing power parity (GDP PPP), Biological State Index, and urbanisation. Statistical analyses included Pearson and Spearman correlations, partial correlations, principal component analysis, and multivariable linear regression. Enter models were treated as the primary analyses, while stepwise regression was used as an exploratory model-reduction approach. Results Dairy supply showed significant positive correlations with total dementia incidence (r = 0.54, p < 0.001) and with both male and female dementia incidence (r = 0.53, p < 0.001). Ageing showed the strongest associations across all outcomes (r = 0.73–0.78). In the primary multivariable models, ageing remained the strongest independent predictor of total, male, and female dementia incidence. After adjustment, dairy supply remained an independent predictor, with modest effect sizes for total (β = 0.209, p < 0.001), male (β = 0.190, p = 0.001), and female (β = 0.223, p < 0.001) dementia incidence. Urbanisation and genetic vulnerability were associated with dementia incidence at the bivariate level but were not independent predictors in the adjusted models. Exploratory stepwise analyses showed a similar pattern. Conclusions Ageing remained the strongest global predictor of dementia incidence, while dairy supply showed an additional independent association. These findings suggest that nutritional transitions may interact with demographic ageing to shape global dementia patterns worldwide.
Copyright (c) 2026 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Body height and mass of children and adolescents in Poland: age-specific centile distributions from the 2024–2025 nationwide survey
Introduction Data on the growth and development of the young generation constitute a reliable indicator of the health and nutritional status of societies. They can be used as a tool for monitoring the social and economic situation of the population as a whole and for identifying groups at risk within it. Study aim The aim of this paper was to present the empirical material underlying the centile estimation of body height and body mass in Polish children and adolescents, to describe the centile modelling procedure, and to report the resulting age-specific distributions of the analysed somatic traits. Materials and methods Our study has a cross-sectional design and is distinguished by both its large sample size and nationwide coverage. A total of 23,988 students were measured (11,880 boys and 12,108 girls) in 405 schools across all regions of Poland between May 2024 and June 2025. Body height and body mass were measured and analysed statistically. Results The results for body height and body mass are presented as centile charts shown against raw-data scatterplots and supplemented with tables of centile values. Conclusions The results presented here may provide a basis for the development of up-to-date reference systems for basic somatic traits in school-aged children and adolescents aged 6–18 years.
Sex Estimation using Footprint Ridge Density – A Mini Review
INTRODUCTION The epidermal level of human footprint possesses raised ridges and furrows, which form unique patterns. Ridge density quantification, involving counting the ridges within a predefined unit area, emphasizes variability due to differences in epidermal ridge thickness. Analyses of these ridges exhibit sex-based differences, making it important for forensic identification purposes. STUDY AIM The present mini review was conducted to showcase a targeted synthesis of seven research articles related to sex estimation using Footprint Ridge Density (FPRD). METHODS Relevant studies were identified through the search engines Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus and ResearchGate, using Boolean operators and/or, between 2010 and August 2025. RESULTS Higher FPRD were observed in females and statistically significant sexual dimorphism was inferred across plantar and toe regions, particularly at the medial ball and selected toe areas. CONCLUSIONS This review provides key inferences from the existing literature and points out the potentiality of using FPRD as a reliable parameter in sex estimation studies to improve forensic procedures.
Relationship between Psychomotor Abilities vs. the Declared and Actual Physical Activity Levels among Women over 65 Years of Age
Introduction Psychomotor performance is a key indicator of functional aging and may be influenced by physical activity. Understanding how different activity levels relate to psychomotor abilities in older women is important for supporting independence in later life. Study Aim To examine the association between reaction time, visuomotor coordination, movement anticipation, and both subjective and objective physical activity levels in women aged 65+. Material and Methods A total of 30 women from the University of the Third Age in Rzeszów (70.87 ± 6.07 years) participated. Psychomotor abilities were assessed using standardized computerized tasks, while physical activity was measured using a self-report questionnaire and objective monitoring. Results Higher engagement in household physical activities was associated with faster simple reaction time. Conversely, a greater number of steps and higher low-intensity activity co-occurred with slower responses in choice-based and anticipation tasks. Increased sedentary time was related to poorer visuomotor reaction speed. Conclusions Although the observed associations were not fully consistent, the findings indicate that maintaining regular physical activity may help preserve psychomotor functioning and functional autonomy in aging women. Further research is needed to clarify the direction and mechanisms of these relationships.
Frequency of Basic Types of Dorsal Hand Vein Patterns in the Slovak Population
Introduction Dorsal hand vein pattern represents a unique morphological feature of the human body which may serve as a biometric tool for forensic identification. Study Aim The primary aim of this study was to determine the frequency and distribution of dorsal hand vein patterns in a Slovak adult population, with respect to sex and laterality of the hand. Material and Methods This study provides a morphological analysis of dorsal hand vein patterns in a sample of 70 healthy adults from the Slovak population. Vein configurations were classified using the 1951 system developed by Suchý, distinguishing four main types: branched, double-branched, simple, and composite. Results The most frequent patterns were branched and double-branched, while the composite form was rare. No statistically significant differences were found between sexes or between hands, suggesting a high degree of bilateral and intersexual symmetry. A rare morphological subtype, labelled 2N4, appeared exclusively in females on the left hand, potentially reflecting sex-linked vascular variation. Conclusion The results support the hypothesis that dorsal venous architecture is largely determined by early developmental and genetic factors. Given the pattern stability and inter-individual variability, dorsal hand veins remain a promising biometric marker. Despite limitations related to imprinting technique and assessment subjectivity, the study offers a valuable anatomical reference for future biometric, forensic, or anthropological research.
Biological Anthropology in Poland: Its History and Short Scientific Biographies of the Contributing Professors
The year 2025 marks exactly one hundred years since the founding of the Polish Anthropological Society in Poznań (November 12, 1925), initiated by Professor Adam Wrzosek of the University of Poznań, who became its first president, as well as the 150th anniversary of Adam Wrzosek’s birth. This year also marks the 120th anniversary of the establishment, on the initiative of Kazimierz Stołyhwo, of the first institution devoted to physical anthropology in Poland and the first in Eastern Europe: The Anthropological Laboratory at the Museum of Industry and Agriculture in Warsaw (1905). Year 2026 will record the centenary of the publication of the first volume of the Polish Anthropological Society journal “Przegląd Antropologiczny”, now “Anthropological Review” (1926), and the 170th anniversary of the beginning of anthropology as a university discipline (1856), considered the year when the first anthropology lectures were given at the Jagiellonian University in Kraków by Professor Józef Majer. A number of works devoted to the history of physical/biological anthropology in Poland have been documented in the literature, especially the history of individual centers, published in the 1950s on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the discipline in 1956, as well as studies on the history of Polish anthropology in a more comprehensive approach on other occasions. This article explores the history of biological anthropology in Poland, narrated mostly through short biographies of its founders – the professors whose work and achievements contributed to the development of the discipline, becoming part of the history of science. The biographical histories essentially cover the 19th and 20th centuries and include the professors who have either already made history or who have turned 75 on the date of publication of this article (born up to 1950).
Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Comparative Analysis of Foot Arch Index between Yogic and Non-Yogic Female Practitioners
Introduction With advancing age in females, gait patterns change due to several factors, including nutritional and hormonal influences. These changes can lead to a lowering of the foot arch, resulting in mild valgus and varus deformities. Regular yoga practice may help tone the musculoskeletal system of the foot, promoting the maintenance of the medial longitudinal, transverse, and lateral arches. Study Aim This cross-sectional study aimed to compare the arch indices of female yoga practitioners to those of non-practitioners in order to ascertain how yoga affected female arch indices. Materials and Methods Fourteen female students from Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi, India, participated in the study, seven of which were regular yoga practitioners and seven were non-yoga practitioners. Their left and right arch indices were determined by taking measurements from their footprints. A Mann Whitney U test was used to compare the foot arch indices of the two groups. Results A statistically significant difference between the left as well as right foot arch indices of females was revealed. Conclusion The study concludes that females who practice yoga may experience foot arch plasticity which is not necessarily evident in non-yoga practitioners. Future studies should test larger sample sizes and different genders.
Sexual Dimorphism at Different Stages of Ontogenesis Based on the Kraków – Longitudinal Growth Study, Poland
Introduction and Study Aim The aim of the study is to assess the magnitude of changes in sexual dimorphism with respect to selected morphological traits and the results of physical fitness tests between the ages of 8 and 50. Material and Methods The data come from the Kraków Longitudinal Growth Study and pertain to the somatic development and physical fitness of individuals born in 1970 and 1972, conducted in Kraków from 1976 and 1980 up to 2022. The Mollison Index was used to calculate sexual dimorphism. Results The females were shorter, lighter and thinner than the males in all analysed age groups, and differed only with regard to body height in the 13-year-olds. They were characterised by lower stronger hand strength and lower limb explosiveness throughout the analysed period. With the exception of 8-year-olds, the females had smaller arm circumference, shoulder width and thigh circumference than the males at ages 32 and 50, and at age 17, the girls demonstrated larger thigh circumference. Up until adolescence, the girls had greater body fat under the scapula, on the triceps and in the abdomen compared to the boys. However, in both 32–34- and 50-year-olds, the men exhibited greater body fat under the scapula and in the abdomen. Conclusions A high degree of sexual dimorphism occurs during developmental age – at the end of the adolescence period, especially for fat folds on the triceps and abdomen. Greater dimorphism is observed later, in early adulthood, i.e., at the age of 32–34 years, in terms of height and body weight, as well as body mass index, circumferences – of the arm and thigh, shoulder width, and performance test results. In adulthood (around the age of 50), a noticeable decrease in the degree of sexual dimorphism is observed, which results from the nature of involutional changes.
Pulmonary pathologies: bioarchaeological insights from the adult individuals of the church of San Colombano, Bobbio
INTRODUCTION The Church of San Colombano in Bobbio, Italy, represents one of the most important centers of early medieval monasticism in Europe and offers a valuable context for bioarchaeological research. Among the most significant discoveries is Tomb 1, a deep, multi-use burial chamber containing commingled remains of numerous individuals. The assemblage provides an opportunity to investigate health conditions and lived experiences within a medieval monastic community. STUDY AIM This study aims to investigate external rib lesions in adult individuals interred in Tomb 1, with particular attention to pathological alterations potentially related to respiratory disease, trauma, or nonspecific inflammatory processes, while also reconstructing aspects of the individuals’ biological profiles. MATERIALS AND METHODS Anthropological analysis was conducted on the osteological remains recovered, comprising a minimum of 11 adults. Standard methods were applied for sex and age-at-death estimation, while rib preservation and fragmentation were assessed following established protocols. Macroscopic paleopathological examination focused on ribs, with detailed photographic documentation used to record surface alterations, new bone formation, and degenerative changes. RESULTS Five adult individuals preserved rib fragments suitable for pathological assessment. Observed lesions include periosteal new bone formation, microporosity, striations, widened costal grooves, and degenerative changes at articular facets. Notably, most alterations affect the ventral rib surface, while visceral involvement is limited and focal. Vertebral remains show degenerative changes but no clear evidence of infectious destruction. CONCLUSIONS The predominance of external rib surface lesions, combined with the absence of osteolytic changes, suggests that healed trauma, mechanical stress, or chronic nonspecific periosteal reactions are more likely than classic pleuro-pulmonary infections such as tuberculosis. Although definitive diagnoses are precluded by fragmentation and commingling, the Bobbio assemblage highlights the interpretative complexity of rib pathology and underscores the importance of cautious, contextualized approaches in paleopathological research on medieval populations.
Predicting Facial Anthropometry: A Novel Guide for Facial Reconstruction Using a Nigerian Igbo Sample
The present study was conducted to generate facial anthropometry baseline data for adult males and females of Igbo ethnicity in south-eastern Nigeria and to develop facial anthropometric prediction and correlation models. This cross-sectional, descriptive study design involved using 200 males and 200 females. The study criteria included subjects with no history of facial surgery and were within the age interval of 18–35 years. With the aid of spreading and digital caliper, different percutaneous facial measurements were obtained and data collected were analyzed both descriptively and inferentially. There were statistically significant sex differences in all metrics. Mandibular width (MW) correlated with both forehead width (FHW), lower facial height (LFH) and nasal width (NW) for both sexes. Total facial height (TFH) correlated with NW, upper facial height (UFH), mid-facial height (MFH), and lower facial height (LFH), while NW correlated with MW, UFH, MFH, and LFH. Predictive models developed using univariate regression analysis for both sexes showed that MW was a strong predictor of FHW, while UFH, MFH, and LFH were individually strong predictors of TFH (p<0.05). Further, MFH and LFH were significant predictors of FH for both sexes. By using multivariate regression analysis, it was revealed that the combination of both FW and FHW were strong predictors of MW, while the combination of UFH, MFH, and LFH were significant predictors of TFH. Conclusively, these new data should aid forensic and surgical efforts in Nigerian contexts. Our models can be tested on other underrepresented populations to better understand current methods in facial anthropometry.
Assessment of the Internal Consistency of Two Polish References in Detecting Short Stature and Obesity in Children and Adolescents
In paediatric practice, growth references are used by doctors and nurses to evaluate a child’s growth status. We present an assessment of the internal consistency of two Polish references in detecting short stature and obesity in children and adolescents. Key diagnostic thresholds, the 3rd percentile for height and the 95th for Body Mass Index (BMI), were selected for comparison. Percentiles were calculated for hypothetical heights 0.2 cm lower than the third percentile of specific references and 0.1 units lower than the 95th percentile of specific references, in the case of height and BMI references, respectively. The z-scores were calculated and converted to percentiles. MS Excel was used. Around the 3rd percentile of height and the 95th percentile of BMI, there is a discrepancy in the Warsaw growth reference for measured height and BMI, respectively, and the calculated percentile. In the case of the Polish 2010 and 2012 growth references, a hypothetical height 0.2 cm below the third percentile of height-for-age reference yielded percentiles below 3 for all ages in both sexes. The Polish 2010 and 2012 growth references for measurements 0.1 units below the obesity threshold yielded percentiles of 94.69–94.86 in boys and girls. The Polish 2010 and 2012 growth references provide consistent and coherent calculation results for the 3rd percentile of height and the 95th percentile of BMI for children and adolescents aged 3–18 years.
Analysis of periodontal disease in the archaeological population of Dąbrówki (Poland) (16th–17th centuries)
Introduction Periodontitis is a disease affecting a significant proportion of both modern and historical populations, and its development is largely associated with poor oral hygiene. Study aim The aim of this study was to assess periodontal status of the historical population of Dąbrówki (Poland), dated to the 16th–17th centuries. Material and Methods The study sample consisted of dental material from 24 individuals (12 females and 12 males), divided into three age groups (17–25, 26–35, and >36 years). The analysis was based on measurement of the distance between the cementoenamel junction and the surface of the alveolar bone, assessment of changes in the mesial and distal interdental septa, evaluation of architectural changes in the alveolar bone, and assessment of the possible presence of molar furcation. Results: Periodontitis was diagnosed in 75% (18/24) of the examined individuals, and pathological changes were identified in 28% (146/520) of the analysed teeth. The occurrence of the disease was related to sex, with periodontitis being statistically more frequent in males (46%) than in females (12%). An increase in disease severity with age was also observed. Conclusions: The results indicate that the population of Dąbrówki exhibited a lower frequency of periodontitis than other Polish populations from a similar historical period. One possible explanation is the rural character of the community, where dietary patterns may have differed from those of urban populations. Research on the Dąbrówki population is ongoing, and further analyses, including isotopic studies, are expected to allow a more comprehensive interpretation of the findings.
Predicting Prosociality in Primates: Socio-Ecological Influences and a Framework of Inter-Brain Neural Synchronization
Prosocial co-operation is critical for evolution and survival on Earth and has crucially shaped the development of Homo sapiens. Inter-brain neural synchronization (IBNS) has been shown to enhance prosocial co-operation in mammals and avians. The selection pressures which led to the development of IBNS throughout primate evolution are currently unknown. This paper aims to expand the understanding of IBNS in non-human primates by reviewing the literature on various primate populations that display prosocial behaviors that could correlate with IBNS. Binary logit modelling using machine learning methods was applied to social, ecological, morphological, and biological (SEMB) variables correlated with prosocial behaviors to obtain probabilities of prosociality. Our results suggest that select SEMB variables such as daily socialisation, food-sharing and hierarchy structure are strong predictors of prosocial behaviors in primates. We provide a framework that offers testable hypotheses for the existence of IBNS in primates based on the correlations between SEMB variables and prosocial behaviors. We also offer ideas of the ecological/behavioral forces that may correlate with neural activation patterns of primate IBNS. Through comparison to Homo sapiens models, these findings suggest IBNS in primates may exist beyond cercopithecids and may be evoked by similar socio-ecological contexts. However, some key neurological distinctions between the two groups exist, influencing which distinct patterns of behavior may evoke IBNS (relative to their socio-ecological context).
The Critical Role of Dopamine in the Evolution of Human Intelligence and Thermal Tolerance
Modern humans are unique among anthropoids in many key features, including our advanced intelligence, large brain-body size, thermal tolerance, and endurance capability. The objective of this theoretical review is to update the theory of Previc (1999) postulating the importance of dopamine in human evolution by synthesizing newer findings concerning dopamine’s role in human intellectual and endurance capabilities. Recent evidence further supports the putative role of dopamine in advanced human intelligence (especially cognitive flexibility) and thermal tolerance and endurance. One key breakthrough is a collection of recent studies demonstrating a uniquely human dopaminergic innervation of the striatum and prefrontal cortex—both essential to human cognition. Another potentially important finding is the human-specific mutation of an enhancer to the EN1 gene that controls eccrine gland formation and plays a major role in the development of dopaminergic brain systems. A plausible evolutionary scenario is put forth in which the enhanced thermal capabilities linked to dopaminergic evolution may have gradually led to the enhanced intellects of modern humans.
Secular changes in body height, body mass, and BMI among rural boys in Eastern Poland (1986–2021)
INTRODUCTION Body height, body mass, and BMI are key indicators of physical development, reflecting the combined effects of genetic potential and environmental conditions. Secular changes in these traits are particularly pronounced in populations undergoing socio-economic transformation, including rural regions. Eastern Poland remains one of the economically weakest regions of the European Union, which may influence the somatic development of children and adolescents. STUDY AIM This study examined long-term secular changes in body height, body mass, and BMI among rural boys aged 7–15 years from eastern Poland between 1986 and 2021. MATERIAL AND METHODS The sample comprised 14,685 boys from five cross-sectional surveys conducted in 1986, 1996, 2006, 2016, and 2021, with sample size increasing from 1,259 to 5,599. Measurements were performed using standardized anthropometric procedures, and BMI categories were defined using Cole’s international cut-off points. Statistical analyses included one-way ANOVA with Games–Howell post hoc tests, linear regression, and chi-square tests for BMI categories. RESULTS Significant increases were observed in all traits. Between 1986 and 2021, mean body height increased by 7.85 cm, with the largest gains among 13-, 9-, and 14-year-olds. Mean body mass rose by 5.83 kg, particularly in 14- and 15-year-olds. BMI increased by 1.21 kg/m², with the greatest changes occurring in older boys. The prevalence of overweight and obesity increased consistently across all age groups, with a marked acceleration between 2016 and 2021, while the prevalence of underweight declined slightly over the long term. Regression models confirmed systematic upward trends in all somatic traits. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that although linear growth continues, the pattern of development is increasingly characterized by rising body mass and BMI, reflecting a shift toward a higher prevalence of overweight and obesity. This trend highlights the need for targeted public health monitoring and early preventive strategies in rural populations.
Estimation of sex and assessment of age based on morphological variations of the atlas vertebra (C1) using Cone Beam Computed Tomography: A retrospective study
Background The atlas (C1) vertebra joins the cervical column to the cranial base and differs anatomically from other cervical vertebrae. Skeletal analysis may provide the only way to assess biological sex and age in poorly preserved and decomposed remains to estimate their biological profile. It is thus essential that methods are devised that allow such estimates from a wide range of bones. Aim This study applies Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) to evaluate whether the C1 vertebrae can be used in estimating age and sex. Materials and Methods CBCT of 61 male and 61 female subjects from South India with an age range of 20-60 years were included in the study, and C1 vertebrae were measured using axial and coronal sections. Data were analysed to gen¬erate an equation to predict age according to independent variables using linear regression, while discrimi¬nant analysis was used to derive an equation that classifies the values into either biological sex. Results Male subjects showed higher maximum anteroposterior diameter, maximum transverse diameter, and the distance between the base of the skull and the anterior tubercle than females (p=0.001). The highest standard error for males was observed in the maximum anteroposterior diameter. The base of the skull to the anterior tubercle had the highest standard error among female subjects. The base of skull to posteriori tubercle had the lowest standard error for males, while the angulation from the transverse to the anterior tubercle had the least standard error for females. The accuracy of sex classification was 89.3%. How¬ever, parameters did not demonstrate sufficient reliability for age estimation. Conclusion The presented parameters may be used for sex determination in forensic identification and other medico-legal practices. In contrast, these parameters are not reliable for age estimation in our sample.
Socio-economic Status and Biological Characteristics of Students from Generation Z in France, Slovakia and Poland
Generation Z, unlike any generation before them, lives in an era of rapid and global technological change, where most activities take place online. This lifestyle has significant implications for the well-being and health of internet users. The question is whether the contemporary socio-economic status (SES) and biological profile of Generation Z ‘immersed’ in new technologies is a universal phenomenon, independent of the country of residence. This study sets out to identify similarities and differences in the socio-economic and biological characteristics of Generation Z students from three European Union countries. Data were collected directly in France, Slovakia, and Poland. We used a survey questionnaire and non-invasive anthropometric measurements in Generation Z respondents (n=157). Our results show that there is a significant relationship between country of residence and three SES indicators: income, self-rated financial situation and time spent online, as well as three biological measures: body mass index (BMI), relative fat mass (RFM) and waist circumference (WC). Country of residence only partly explains the similarities and differences in the socio-economic status and biological characteristics of Generation Z students. In terms of SES, the participants’ profile is significantly influenced by financial situation, i.e. the student’s monthly disposable income and self-assessed financial situation, as well as time spent online. In turn, for biological factors, the significant measures are: BMI, RFM and WC.
Association between COVID-19 Pandemic, Blood Pressure and Pulse Rate in Young Slovak Women
This study investigates the relationships between the COVID-19 pandemic, lifestyle factors, and their impact on blood pressure (BP) and pulse rate in young adult women from Slovakia. We assessed 552 adult women aged 18 to 30 years who were categorized into subgroups based on their pandemic status. The individual’s lifestyle was evaluated using a detailed questionnaire. BP and pulse rate were measured in the sitting position using a digital sphygmomanometer. Linear regression analysis tested the associations. The results showed no significant difference in physical activity and the proportion of fat mass (%) before and during the pandemic. Smoking prevalence increased during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic levels (p = 0.152). While there were no significant differences in coffee consumption, the use of hormonal contraceptives was significantly higher during the pandemic (p = 0.021). In addition, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and pulse rate were significantly higher during the pandemic than before, indicating possible cardiovascular effects (SBP with p < 0.001 and pulse rate with p = 0.001). Regression analysis revealed that pandemic and fat mass (%) were significant predictors of SBP, while only physical activity and fat mass (%) were predictors of diastolic blood pressure (DBP). In addition, pandemic and physical activity were significant predictors of pulse rate. We observed significantly higher SBP and pulse rates during the pandemic than before in young adult women. Further studies are needed to investigate the long-term effects of the pandemic on SBP and pulse rate.
Forensic Anthropological Significance of Dental Calculus Deposits as Proxy Identifier of the Host and the Oral Microbiota: A Scoping Review
Dental calculus is a creamish-yellow to brownish-black hard crust deposited on teeth, having the dietary micro-remains, biomolecules, oral microbes and the secretions preserved in it over a long period of time. It has served as a valuable source material for research in diverse scientific disciplines such as anthropology, archaeology, microbiology and forensic sciences. The host and microbial DNA extracted and sequenced from dental calculus deposits (DCD) have helped to establish the identity of unknown individuals, and also the use of certain drugs, tobacco products by the individuals of the past as well as contemporary human populations. The entrapped cellular as well as tissue fragments in calculus can help in identification, reconstruction of dietary habits, food practices, manner of death/pathologies the geographical and occupational affinity of ancient human remains. Calculus deposits gleaned from the archaeological or paleontological specimens can be used to assess the shifts in oral microbiota compositions and host-pathogen co-evolution as researchers have found calculus as rich source of oral microbiomes, pathogens, dietary biomolecules, and host DNA. Advancing dental calculus research through validation studies, technological innovations, interdisciplinary collaborations, longitudinal research, and ethical considerations holds promise for its robust forensic anthropological utilizations. The current status of anthropological, archaeological and microbial research involving dental calculus deposits, future challenges, and its forensic anthropological significance are presented in this review article.
Dynamics of Growth in 9–14-year-old Bulgarian Boys and Girls
The physical development of the human body is used as an objective indicator of the health status and work capability of the population. Height and weight are the main anthropometric traits which vary and change significantly during the growth period and are used as a base for the development of anthropometric standards at different ages. The aim of this study is to assess the basic anthropometric traits in adolescent boys and girls in Bulgaria in order to establish age- and sex-specific variation in growth. During the period 2016–2018, a transversal anthropometric study in five secondary schools in Sofia, Bulgaria was conducted. A total of 424 adolescents (211 boys and 213 girls) aged 9 to 14 years were studied. Anthropometric measurements were performed according to the classic 1957 methodology of Martin-Saller. Statistically significant sex differences (p<0.05) were indicated for height and weight in the age periods: 10–11 years, with priority for girls and 13–14 years, with priority for boys. Age-related differences (p<0.001) in the age period 9–14 years were also observed. Physical development of adolescent Bulgarian students follows the general trends of the postnatal ontogenesis, reflected in increasing the sizes of anthropometric features highlighted in 10–11-year-olds girls and 13–14-year-olds boys. These new data for height, weight, and BMI in 9–14-year-old Bulgarian students might be a practical addition in the pediatric practice of monitoring of children’s health.
Human Biology Research in Anthropological Review: 2025 Onwards Editorial and Polish Anthropological Society Perspectives
Human biology research in the 21st century takes on a whole new meaning with an improved range of methodological, ethical, and technological advancements. Human biologists working in diverse sub- and inter-disciplinary areas now have at their disposal access to more efficient technical toolkits than ever before, producing data that can be rapidly shared through open access platforms. However, we also face challenges with the ever-increasing presence of artificial intelligence (AI), and continued ethical concerns around ‘helicopter research’ using human personal and tissue data in developing countries. Anthropological Review (AR), the flagship journal of the Polish Anthropological Society (PTA), is an open access journal with a long history of publishing inter-disciplinary human biology research and continued commitment to sharing high quality findings. In this piece, as PTA is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2025, and as the editorial board of AR with a new Editor-in-Chief, and the President of PTA, we outline the stance of AR on key issues in today’s human biology research. We focus on open access, early career researcher opportunities, AI, the need for multi-methodological approaches and inter-disciplinarity, and commitment to the application of ethical framework in human biology research featured in our journal.
Effectiveness of equations for the prediction of stature from foot measurements in the Eastern Slovak population
INTRODUCTION Stature is one of the key characteristics for establishing personal identity, particularly in forensic investigations. One of the methods for its estimation is based on a mathematical correlation between foot dimensions and body height. STUDY AIMED The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of various regression equations based on foot measurements for stature estimation in the Eastern Slovak population and to develop new population-specific equations. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 200 individuals (100 males and 100 females) aged over 18 years from Eastern Slovakia were analysed. Stature, foot length, and foot breadth were measured using standard anthropometric methods. Six previously published regression equations were tested and compared with newly derived models. RESULTS Our findings confirmed the presence of statistically significant sexual dimorphism in measured foot dimensions. Bilateral asymmetry was confirmed for foot breadth but not for foot length. A strong, positive, statistically significant relationship was found between foot length and stature, particularly in females. The accuracy of stature estimation varied depending on the applied regression approach, while newly developed models demonstrated improved predictive performance. CONCLUSION Foot dimensions, especially foot length, represent reliable predictors of stature. The results demonstrated that regression equations derived from other populations do not provide uniformly accurate stature estimates, highlighting the need to develop population-specific regression models to ensure reliable forensic stature estimation.
Spina bifida oculta in skeletal population from Dąbrówki (Poland, Podlaskie Province)
The aim of the study is to evaluate the frequency of spina bifida oculta (SBO) in the early modern population from Dąbrówki (Poland); 26 males, 19 females, 3 adults with unspecified sex, 2 subadult were taken into the analysis. SBO was found in 9 individuals (18%), of whom only one exhibited a complete cleft in the sacrum (2%). In males, SBO was reported in 7 out of 26 skeletons studied (27%). Complete cleft was observed in one individual (4%), partial cleft in 6 individuals (23%). In females, no case of complete cleft was detected (0%), and one case of partial cleft was found (5%). These differences between males and females in the frequency of this skeletal condition were statistically significant. Due to the lack of uniform methods for SBO analyses, the inability to make interpopulation compari-sons, the relatively high prevalence of the SBO phenomenon in ancient and modern populations, and the unclear etiology of the disease, research on SBO should be continued.
Copyright (c) 2023 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Dyslipidemia in pre- and post-menopausal women: a study of peri-urban Paundra Kshatriya women
Dyslipidemia is an important risk factor of cardiovascular disease, whereas menopause is a decrease in ovarian follicular activity at the end of reproductive age of the women, which is significantly influenced by hormonal changes brought on by menopause’s impact on serum lipids. This study was undertaken among pre- and post-menopausal Paundra Kshatriya women in Sonarpur, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India in order to determine the prevalence of dyslipidemia. 142 adult Paundra Kshatriya women (n pre-menopausal women = 96; n post-menopausal women = 46) were selected from a peri-urban setting of Sonarpur, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal. Anthropometry and arterial pressure data were recorded. Blood samples were collected from study participants who were on 12 hours fasting. 19.79% of pre-menopausal women and 17.39% of post-menopausal women had normal levels of lipids. Prevalence of dyslipidemia was slightly higher (82.7%) among the post-menopausal women compared to pre-menopausal women (80.2%). While high LDL cholesterol emerged as one of the prime causes for dyslipidemia among pre-menopausal women, hypercholesterolemia emerged as one of the prime causes for dyslipidemia among post-menopausal women. Regression analysis revealed a significant impact of 3 factors in pre-menopausal women and impact of 6 factors in post-menopausal women. Though Paundra Kshatriya women maintain a relatively less stressful and high physical activity lifestyle, they exhibited high levels of lipid abnormalities. The peri-urban population is undergoing lifestyle and dietary changes due to a close proximity to the urban centre, Kolkata. Funding Anthropological Survey of India, Ministry of Culture, Government of India
The diet of the human groups buried in a late- and post-Medieval rural parish cemetery in Libkovice (Czech Republic)
Libkovice is a village in the northwestern Czech Republic that was demolished at the end of the last century due to the expansion of a nearby mine. The former church cemetery has been a subject to bioarchaeological excavation and research, where some 850 burials from the 13th to the 19th Century have been discovered so far. With the application of stable isotope analysis, it has also been possible to uncover the dietary patterns of this exemplary rural Central European community, which was the aim of this study. The materials analysed here consist of samples from long bones of 56 burials and 18 animal bones discovered in Libkovice during the 2019/21 excavations. It has been employed stable carbon (δ13C) isotope analysis to determine the average contributions of foods derived from the C3 plants. Statistically significant differences were found between the analyzed fauna and human samples for nitrogen (F=47.4 p<0.05) and carbon (F=19.18 p<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the analyzed animal and human samples between the specify centuries. When considering the ages of various human individuals, the results indicated statistically significant differences in nitrogen isotopes (F= 7.71 p<0.05) between children from the infants I group and older children together with adults from the Middle Ages, as well as between children from the infants I group and adults (F= 3.3, p<0.05) from the modern times. The proportion of food from C3 plants that made up the diets of the studied population was on average 89%, and the potential proportion of freshwater fish in the diet could be higher than 80%. The similarity between the chronologically diverse groups may indicate similar strategies for food acquisition. The results obtained for the population of Libkovice are very similar to the diets of the populations living in Central Europe broadly during the two periods.
Relationship between body sway and body build in healthy adult men and women
Studies investigating the relationship between balance ability and body size, build and proportions tend to concentrate on body mass and height rather than breadth parameters or size of individual body segments. The purpose of this study was to determine a relationship between the ability to keep balance and the size, build and proportions, based on breadth and length dimensions of the body in healthy adult men and women during a position of free standing. This study also aimed to investigate how the lack of visual control affects the analyzed relationship. The study group consisted of 102 adults of both sexes. The investigations encompassed anthropometric measurements of the body and the ability to keep balance. The analysis covered a of series anthropometric parameters, 9 indices of body proportions, mean velocity of the COP movement (MV) and ellipse area (EA). A statistical analysis of the results was carried out taking into consideration the division into groups due to sexes. The results of the Pearson correlation have revealed that there is a statistically significant correlation (weak or moderate degree) between anthropometric parameters of the body and stabilographic values. Results differ between sexes and depend on whether Romberg’s test was performed with open or closed eyes. The obtained results showed that the surface area of ellipse significantly depends on the dimensions of these body elements which relate to the position of the centre of mass. The obtained results, which differ depending on sex, show that the values of the body sways in a position of free standing depend on breadth and length dimensions of the body, visual control and the analyzed parameter of balance.
Reliability of retrospective assessment of the age of first menstruation
The age of the first menstruation is one of the indicators for assessing the course of puberty. It is also a sensitive indicator of the economic situation of individual professional groups or societies, and the low average age of menarche is widely recognized as a marker of society’s well-being. The aim of the study was to analyse the reliability of the retrospective method of assessing the age at menarche by comparing the results to the age obtained from continuous research. Data regarding the age at menarche came from longitudinal somatic development and physical fitness studies conducted between 1976 and 2022. In 2022, 47 women were examined. In continuous studies, the prospective method was used in the assessment of the age of first menstruation while in the 2004 and 2022 studies a retrospective method was applied. Only in 4 out of 47 women the age of the first menstruation declared in 2004 and 2022 (the women were 32–34 and 50–52 years old, respectively) was consistent with the one found in continuous studies. In other cases, there was a discrepancy between the age found in continuous studies and self-reported in 2004 or 2022 or between the age stated in 2004 and 2022. Of those women who were present for the 2022 study, 36 had information about the age of first menstruation from continuous studies and the age of menarche in 2004 was given. For this sample the arithmetic mean and the standard deviation of the age at menarche were calculated. It was found that the retrospective method often used in the assessment of the age of the first menstruation is not fully reliable, as the average discrepancy in the assessment ranged from nearly 1 month (0.05 years) to over 2 months (0.19 years) compared to the prospective method. Women surveyed in 2004 determined the age of the first menstruation more accurately compared to statements obtained 18 years later from the same women. This study suggests that long-term memory (LTM) of a significant life event of every woman is unreliable, as indicated by the difference in the declared age of the first menstruation of women examined in 2004 and 2022, which, in individual cases, was up to 3, 4 or 5 years.
Morphological and genetic aspects of Marfan Syndrome as demonstrated by a case of death during pregnancy with the discovery of two de novo missense mutations in the FBN1 gene
Marfan Syndrome (MFS) is an autosomal dominant disease caused in most cases by mutations in the FNB1 gene, which encodes for fibrillin 1. MFS does not alway shows typical phenotypic signs. Indeed, the occurrence of sudden death of unknown cause is increasingly seen in young adults without ante mortem preexisting pathology to explain the event. In many cases the diagnosis of Marfan Syndrome (MFS) is carried out post mortem, especially in cases where the disease’s external phenotype is absent. Here is reported a case of a young woman who died during a twin pregnancy investigated with medico-legal and forensic anthropological procedures. The autopsy showed the absence of a typical marfanoid habitus and the presence of a dissecting aneurysm of the aorta with histopathological degeneration of the aortic elastic fibers. The genetic investigation revealed two previously undetected de novo mutations of the FBN1 gene: c.T6181C: p.C2061R and c.G1415A: p.C472Y. This new mutations, together with a comprehensive analysis, demonstrates the existence of a causal relationship between these mutations and the dissecting aneurysm of the aorta. This also stresses the importance of a combined multidisciplinary approach to this condition which includes morphological and genetic studies.
The age difference in 2D:4D among the Polish population: An exploratory study
In this study a widely debated association between 2D:4D digit ratio and age was investigated. The study material included 960 individuals (530 females and 430 males) from Central Poland aged between 6–79 years. The information about age was obtained via survey filled in by study participants or, if underaged, their parents. The direct measurements of the second and fourth finger were performed to assess the 2D:4D digit ratio. The 2D:4D digit ratios for the left hand were significantly correlated with age both among females and males. In women the 2D:4D digit ratios for the right hand were significantly correlated with age. There were also significant differences in digit ratio between age groups. The results of our study suggest that there might be an association between digit ratio and age, and the direction of the correlation might be related to the phase of the ontogenesis.
Cardiometabolic risk assessment in Eastern Slovak young adults using anthropometric indicators
Introduction: Selected anthropometric indicators, such as anthropometric measurements, indices, or ratios could be reliable predictors of future cardiometabolic risk in primary prevention, especially in young adults. Aim: This study aimed to establish cardiometabolic risk status in young Eastern Slovak adults according to anthropometric indicators. Material and methods: Indicators used in this study, such as heart rate, blood pressure, five anthropometric measurements, as well as a total of 23 anthropometric indices and ratios were selected based on the available literature. These indicators were analyzed in 162 young adult participants of both sexes with a mean age of 20.78±2.22 years. The analyzed indices and ratios were calculated by routine anthropometry and were correlated with blood pressure and heart rate in the whole research group as well as among subgroups divided according to sex, obesity and hypertension status. Results: Our results showed frequently higher values of input characteristics in males (71.88%), and statistically significant differences between sexes in 81.25% of the characteristics. The values of systolic blood pressure were above the norm in all males, and they also dominated in the obesity group. Correlation analyses conducted on all participants and in subgroups indicated a positive statistical significance in several indicators. The vast majority of the anthropometric indicators were significantly correlated with physiological indicators in almost all subgroups. Only A body shape index (ABSI) correlation coefficients did not show a significant correlation with physiological indicators in all analyzed subgroups. The correlations tended to be stronger among subgroup exhibiting potential to obesity. All analyzed indices and ratios were significantly correlated (p ≤ 0.05), predominantly with blood pressure components rather than heart rate, especially in participants with the potential for disease complications than in participants without them. Conclusion: The analyzed indicators are noninvasive and useful although they may be at different levels of association and clinical significance for various conditions. Thus some of the indicators may be standardly used in the early diagnostic process for monitoring cardiovascular health and risk stratification of patients.