Mario Šlaus

Prediction of Stature Based on Radiographic Measurements of Cadaver Long Bones: A Study of the Croatian Population†

ABSTRACT: We tested a new approach to the stature prediction that could be used in the identification process of human skeletal remains of unknown identity. The stature of 19 female and 21 male adult cadavers was measured within 24u2003h after death and considered to be equal to the living stature. The antero‐posterior radiographs of all limbs were taken, and the maximum length of the six long bones was measured from radiographs. There was a significant difference in the stature and maximum length of long bones between female and male cadavers (p<0.001 for all). The correlation between the stature and long bone length was the best for the humerus in females (r=0.792) and the tibia in males (r=0.891). Regression equations specific to the Croatian population were computed separately for each long bone in males and females and proven to be reliable in predicting the living stature of the individual.

Sex determination by discriminant function analysis of the tibia for contemporary Croats

Previous studies have demonstrated that populations differ from each other in size and proportion, and that these differences can affect metric assessment of sex. This paper establishes standards for determining sex from fragmentary and complete tibiae in the modern Croatian population. Measurements were taken on 180 tibiae (109 male and 71 female) from positively identified victims of the 1991-1995 War in Croatia. Six standard dimensions: length of the tibia (CML), maximum epiphyseal breadth of the proximal tibia (MPEB), maximum epiphyseal breadth of the distal tibia (MDEB), maximum diameter of the tibia at the nutrient foramen (MDNF), transverse diameter of the tibia at the nutrient foramen (TDNF), and circumference of the tibia at the nutrient foramen (CNF), were taken and subjected to different discriminant function analyses. The highest level of accuracy (91.1%) in the analyzed data set was achieved employing the variables: maximum epiphyseal breadth of the proximal tibia, maximum epiphyseal breadth of the distal tibia, maximum diameter of the tibia at the nutrient foramen, transverse diameter of the tibia at the nutrient foramen, and circumference of the tibia at the nutrient foramen. The second highest level of accuracy (90.6%) was achieved using a combination of only three variables: maximum epiphyseal breadth of the proximal tibia, maximum diameter of the tibia at the nutrient foramen, and circumference of the tibia at the nutrient foramen. The lowest accuracy (84.4%) was obtained when only one variable (maximum diameter of the tibia at the nutrient foramen) was employed. The results of this study show that the modern Croatian tibia is a good skeletal component for determining sex. Standardized coefficients of the discriminant functions generated in this study support the results of previous studies that found that breadth dimensions provide better separation of the sexes than length.

E‐cadherin and β‐catenin expression patterns in malignant melanoma assessed by image analysis

Background:u2002 We investigated the expression of E‐cadherin and β‐catenin in melanoma. Both proteins are components of adherens junctions but also play signalling roles in the wnt signal transduction pathway.

Genetic changes of the E-cadherin and APC tumour suppressor genes in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Aims: The roles of tumour suppressor genes: adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) and E‐cadherin (CDH1) were investigated in clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Methods: Forty‐five human clear cell renal cell carcinomas were tested for APC gene instability by polymerase chain reaction/loss of heterozygosity using the restriction fragment length polymorphism method. E‐cadherin gene was analysed by PCR amplification of tetranucleotide marker (D16S752) and the alleles were visualised by PAGE/silver staining. Results: The overall proportion of loss of heterozygosity of the APC gene was 37.5% (9/24). D16S752 marker linked to E‐cadherin gene (informativeness 91%) revealed three samples with loss of heterozygosity (7.5%). Interestingly, replication error phenotype was detected in 9.1% of clear cell renal cell carcinoma samples. Multivariate statistical analysis of samples informative for both APC and E‐cadherin genes showed that, in this data set, loss of heterozygosity of the APC gene is correlated with advanced age and more severe TNM stages. Genetic changes of the E‐cadherin gene, on the other hand, appear to be correlated with younger age groups and less severe TNM stages. Conclusions: Our results suggest that alterations, both in APC and E‐cadherin genes, are involved in the evolution and progression of clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Microsatellite genetic instability of the E‐cadherin gene indicates that another cellular mechanism, mismatch repair, may also be targeted in this malignancy.

Bone fractures as indicators of intentional violence in the eastern adriatic from the antique to the late medieval period (2nd-16th century AD)

To test the historically documented hypothesis of a general increase in deliberate violence in the eastern Adriatic from the antique (AN; 2nd-6th c.) through the early medieval (EM; 7th-11th c.) to the late-medieval period (LM; 12th-16th c.), an analysis of the frequency and patterning of bone trauma was conducted in three skeletal series from these time periods. A total of 1,125 adult skeletons-346 from the AN, 313 from the EM, and 466 from the LM series-were analyzed. To differentiate between intentional violence and accidental injuries, data for trauma frequencies were collected for the complete skeleton, individual long bones, and the craniofacial region as well as by type of injury (perimortem vs. antemortem). The results of our analyses show a significant temporal increase in total fracture frequencies when calculated by skeleton as well as of individuals exhibiting one skeletal indicator of deliberate violence (sharp force lesions, craniofacial injuries, parry fractures, or perimortem trauma). No significant temporal increases were, however, noted in the frequencies of craniofacial trauma, parry fractures, perimortem injuries, or of individuals exhibiting multiple skeletal indicators of intentional violence. Cumulatively, these data suggest that the temporal increase in total fracture frequencies recorded in the eastern Adriatic was caused by a combination of factors that included not only an increase of intentional violence but also a significant change in lifestyle that accompanied the transition from a relatively affluent AN urban lifestyle to a more primitive rural medieval way of life.

Skeletal and dental indicators of health in the late mediaeval (12–15th century) population from Nin, southern Croatia

A comprehensive bioarchaeological study of the late mediaeval (12-15th century) skeletal sample from Nin was carried out in order to test the historically documented hypothesis that during the late mediaeval period Nin sustained a period of rapid development that resulted in it becoming one of the major urban centres on the eastern Adriatic coast. The analysed pathological changes (alveolar bone disease, dental caries, dental enamel hypoplasia, cribra orbitalia, periostitis, tuberculosis, Schmorls nodes, vertebral osteoarthritis, and bone fractures) indicate a relatively good quality of life for the majority of the population from this late mediaeval site. A low prevalence of dental pathologies suggests an adequate diet while a low frequency of long bone trauma testifies to a relatively peaceful life for the inhabitants of mediaeval Nin. Increased urban development during this period resulted in a worsening of sanitary conditions most likely caused by overcrowding, which is reflected in the presence of tuberculosis and the relatively high frequencies of dental enamel hypoplasia and cribra orbitalia. An additional health concern for the late mediaeval inhabitants of Nin may have been the presence of malaria, as recorded in numerous historical sources. Comparison with other Croatian mediaeval skeletal samples suggests that the inhabitants of late mediaeval Nin experienced somewhat better living conditions than their contemporaries from other parts of Croatia.