Introduction. The tendency to weight gain is influenced by many genetic and environmental factors (nutrition, level of physical activity, social well-being, etc.), as well as complex interactions of these factors. Studying the genetic factors of obesity can help in developing individual strategies for the prevention and treatment of this common disease. One of the most important hereditary factors is the neurotransmitter systems gene polymorphism, (including the serotonin system gene polymorphism). The aim of the investigation is to study the associations of single nucleotide polymorphism of the rs6295 locus of the serotonin receptor gene 1A HTR1A with morphofunctional features and body weight gain.
Material and methods. The study used the materials of a comprehensive anthropogenetic examination of 386 men and 418 women aged 17 to 30 years. More than 20 morphofunctional indicators were measured using the traditional anthropometric method. The material for genetic analysis was genomic DNA isolated from buccal epithelium. The reliability of intergroup differences was assessed using the Mann-Whitney criterion, while canonical discriminant analysis was used to study intergroup variability.
Results. For the first time, a significant correlation was shown between the polymorphism of the serotonin receptor type 1 gene HTR1A and morphofunctional features: individuals with the G/G genotype with greater body weight have lower (compared to carriers of the C/C and C/G genotypes) values of the indicators of the level of metabolic processes and specific metabolism.
Introduction. The Y-gene pool of the southern Tuvan tribal groups – Soyan and Choodu – was first studied and their comparative analysis with representatives of Kyrgys (south-east of Tuva) and Oorzhak (west of Tuva) tribal groups was carried out. Purpose of the study: to determine the genetic status of the Soyan and Choodu tribal groups within the genetic landscape of the population of Southern Siberia.
Materials and methods. The sample (total N=150) included samples from representatives of Oorzhak (N=42), Soyan (N=29), Kyrgys (N=46) and Choodu (N=33) tribal groups. The genotyping panel included 60 SNP-markers of Y-chromosome, characteristic of the populations of Northern Eurasia.
Results. In the gene pools of studied tribal groups, 27 branches of 7 large haplogroups (C2, J2, N1, O, R1a, R1b) of Y-chromosome were identified. The main part of Choodu, Oorzhak, Soyan gene pools is represented by “North Eurasian” haplogroups (N1, Q) and Kyrgys gene pool is dominated by “East Eurasian” haplogroups C2 and O. The “West-Eurasian” haplogroups, mainly represented by subhaplogroup R1a1a-Z93, account for less than a quarter of the gene pool of all four studied groups, without revealing a clear geographical trend. In the genetic space of the population of Southern Siberia the Soyan, Choodu and Kyrgys, together with other of Tuvan tribal groups, formed the Tuvan-Tofalar claster. Tuvan-Tofalar, Altai and Khakass clusters indicate three sources of gene pool of the indigenous population of Southern Siberia. Maps of genetic distances showed greater similarity of the Soyan and Choodu with the rest of Tuvan tribal groups than with other populations of Southern Siberia. But the map of genetic distances from Kyrgyz reveals a different pattern: areal of genetically similar populations is more extensive, covering southern and southeastern Tuva, Mongolia and western Buryatia.
Introduction. Several studies have demonstrated a correlation between variations in genes regulating human uncoupling proteins (UCP) and environmental factors. However, information on the intra- and interpopulation diversity of allele and genotype frequencies of UCP1 and UCP3 within the territory of Russia remains insufficient. This study aims to investigate the intra- and inter-ethnic variability of genetic determinants of activity of uncoupling proteins UCP1 and UCP3, and to evaluate genotype-environment associations in the populations residing in the northeastern region of Russia.
Materials and methods. Genotyping was conducted on a total of 1,698 biological specimens collected from individuals representing 22 population groups of European Russia, Siberia, and the Russian Far East. Geographical and climatic data spanning from 1940 to 2023 were gathered for each sample collection locality.
Results and discussion. The spatial distribution of genetic determinants affecting the activity of UCP1 and UCP3 uncoupling proteins demonstrates a correlation with the severity of natural conditions. Three regression models of allele frequencies were constructed using climatic characteristics as predictors. All models are statistically significant (p<0.05 in all cases) and explain 39%, 36%, and 64% of the variability in UCP1 (rs6536991, rs1800592) and UCP3 (rs1800849) allele frequencies, respectively. These correlations revealed by the models confirm the adaptability of UCP genes in the indigenous population groups of Northern Eurasia.
Introduction. This research examines and evaluates the comparability of a specific set of anthropometric measurements of facial features obtained through direct measurements and frontal portrait photographs. With the growing trend towards utilizing photography instead of direct measurements, the question of the convergence and comparability between these two methods has become increasingly significant.
Materials and methods. The study was conducted on a sample population of Chuvash individuals, who represent the indigenous population in the Chuvash Republic of the Russian Federation. The material for the study comprised cephalometric data and anthropological photographs of individuals from the Chuvash Republic, surveyed during the 2002 expedition under the guidance of V.A. Batsevich. The sample size consisted of 72 individuals, with 35 women and 37 men. Prior to statistical analysis, the male and female participants were divided into two age groups to account for potential age-related variations. Statistical analysis was conducted using the SPSS software package, applying Cronbach's alpha method.
Results. In this study, gender differences were identified for a range of anthropometric indicators, demonstrating high convergence when employing two facial measurement methods. The obtained values of dimensions were generally comparable in terms of reliability and consistency.
Introduction. The authors consider the features of genetic determinants of disaccharide assimilation as the corollary of adaptation to the environment. The aim of the study was to assess the polymorphism of the genes that determine activity of disaccharidase enzymes lactase (LCT, rs4988235), trehalase (TREH, rs2276064) and sucrase-isomaltase (SI, rs781470490) in different territorial groups of Evenks.
Materials and methods. Biomaterial samples from 1365 unrelated individuals representing 15 ethno-territorial population groups in European Russia, Siberia, and the Far East of the Russian Federation were genotyped. "Focus" groups include "Western" (N=65), "Transbaikal" (N=50), and "Okhotsk" (N=81) Evenks (Krasnoyarsk Krai, Northern Transbaikalia, Okhotsk-Aldan region). The other study groups allow us to assess the specificity of the distribution of genetic determinants of disaccharide assimilation in populations that differ from racial, ecological, and subsistence perspectives.
Results. The Evenki territory subgroups do not differ from each other in terms of allele frequencies and genotype distribution of LCT (p>0.2) and TREH (p>0.8) and are similar to Yakuts, Buryats, Mongols, and populations of the Far East and Chukotka. The SI delAG deletion was not found in the Western Evenki subgroup.
Introduction. In families with such a child his/her siblings often live, whose development will be affected by the current stressful situation for all family members. Siblings of cancer patients appear to be a psychological vulnerable group, as they have low self-esteem, fear of death and loneliness, anxiety, anger.
The study aimed to assess the level of physical development (PD) of children, treated for brain tumors, and siblings of childhood cancer survivors, in relation to stressful circumstances of living in a family with an oncological relative.
Material and methods. The study involved children aged 6 to 17 years who had completed treatment for a brain tumor (BT), as well as siblings of children with various cancer types. We measured 27 boys and 36 girls with BT, the sample of siblings included 26 boys and 31 girls. To assess the compliance of the level of PD of children of both groups with age standards, for each child of a given gender and age a centile corridor was determined by body length (BL) and BMI, and individual values of signs were ranked in Z-points, using WHO standards. A detailed questionnaire was conducted to assess some characteristics of a child's family environment. Statistics analysis was performed with Statistica 12 software package.
Results. For a group of children with BT, a significant shift in the distribution of PD scores along body length and BMI towards low values was found, for a group of siblings, the opposite picture was obtained – the distribution of body length and BMI scores shifted to the higher values. It has been shown that higher developmental scores in body length are significantly more common in children who are older siblings in relation to patients with BT.
Introduction. The goal of study is description of secular dynamics of sex dimorphism (SD) of height, weight, chest girth of children aged 9 years and teenagers 13 years old from Russia and neighboring countries through 1920–2010.
Materials and methods. The main source of data — materials of books on physical development of children and adolescents from cities and rural regions of Russia and USSR, collected and processed according to the universal methodical standards of Research Institute of Hygiene of children and adolescents. The quantitative estimation of SD value was held using Kullback divergence. One-year age groups, contrastive in biological essence, are under discussion. The estimation of the vector and level of associations of SD of anthropometric traits and secular factor was held using correlation analysis. The analysis of local patterns of secular SD dynamics of separate traits was carried out.
Results. Secular variability of height and weight SD of 9-year-old children is not significant. While secular dynamics of three body dimensions of 13-year-old teenagers is significant, the highest determination coefficient is fixed for weight. For Moscow samples the decrease of height and weight SD is fixed through the historic interval 1960s – 70s with the following recovery up to the level of 1920s in 2000s. Temporal dynamics of SD of 9-year-old children of St. Petersburg through the interval 1960s – 2000s consists of macrosomization of girls; the tendency for 13-year-old teenagers is opposite. Temporal dynamics of somatic SD of 9-year-old Russian children of Kazan reveals stability through the interval 1960th-1990th; for 13-year-old teenagers’ parameters of transversal body development demonstrate secular stability, as to height – boys compensate their lag compared to girls. For Kirovsk city (Murmansk region) through the interval 1950s – 1970s temporal fluctuations of height and weight SD of 9-year-old children are less than 0,2 standard deviations; height and weight SD of 13-year-old teenagers reveal temporal increase (0,4–0,6 standard deviations).
Keywords:
anthropological variability; quality of environment; quantitative analysis of secular dynamics of sexual somatic dimorphism; second childhood; puberty; level of urbanization; ethnogenetic factor
Introduction. In February 2020, the third season of the Russian-Indian Anthropological expedition was conducted in Maharashtra. The field work was coordinated by Paleoethnology Research Center (Russia) and Department of Anthropology of Savitribai Phule Pune University (India). The goal was to examine Korku people, who are members of the Mundo-speaking branch of the Austroasiatic family.
Data and methods. A total of 293 people were examined from three different Amravati district locations. The sociological questionnaire indicated that 285 individuals were members of the Korku, of which 196 individuals were children and teenagers (95 male, 101 female) and 89 individuals were older than 17 years (58 male, 31 female). Following the traditions of the Russian anthropological school, the study of Korku was conducted using as many morphological techniques as possible, including the collection of data on somatometry, cephalometry, cephaloscopy, dental anthropology, dermatoglyphics, and anthropological photo. All data was collected according to the law protecting personal data and the principles of bioethics.
Results and discussion. Korku people tend to have dark pigmentation of the eyes, hair and skin, and soft, wavy hair. Males are orthognathic in the vertical profile of the face, females are mesognathic. Horizontal profiling in both sexes is characterized by average values. The lateral profile of the nasal bridge is flattened, the eye gap is of medium width and has horizontal orientation, while epicanthus is rare. According to the head index, males are mesocephalic with a tendency to subbrachycephaly, the proportions of the face and nose are characterized by average values. Women are also mesocephalic, relatively leptorineic. According to somatometric indicators, males have an average body length (164.4 cm). According to the proportions of the body, males and females are brachymorphic. The body length and chest circumference of children increases smoothly with age. The same growth curve is typical for body weight with a slight jump in the transition from 10–11 y.o. to 12–14 y.o. Composite portraits of Korku males and females were compiled in three standard norms. Dermatoglyphics and dental anthropology data are still being analyzed.
Introduction. In the range of topical problems of modern human morphology, the doctrine of bodily constitution occupies an important place, but there is a shortage of data on population variability of somatotypes in the literature. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to study age and sex variations in body composition components using the Heath-Carter method in the Chuvash rural population examined in several villages in the Mariinsky-Posad, Morgaushsky and Yadrinsky districts of Chuvashia and Chuvash villages in the Aurgazinsky and Bizhbulyaksky districts of Bashkiria. The tasks included the determination and analysis of somatotypes according to Heath-Carter of men and women in age subgroups of adult Chuvash and assessment of age-related variability of sexual dimorphism of somatotype scores.
Materials and methods. The study sample consists of 802 men aged 18–89 years (M = 46.9) and 738 women aged 18–90 years (M = 48.6) examined in 1994, 1999 and 2002. Age and sex differences were assessed using one-way analysis of variance. Mahalanobis distances were used to rate the sexual dimorphism of somatotype components.
Results and discussion. Sex differences in the assessment of somatotype variations in the Chuvash population turn out to be most significant for the characteristics of endomorphy, with higher values in women. The values of endomorphy in men after 30 years practically did not change, but in women it continued to increase until the 6th decade, and then decreased with age. There were practically no differences in the mesomorphy; very small differences were found in ectomorphy between men and women aged 18-30 years.
Mesomorphy increases from 18-30 years to 50 in both sexes; the ectomorphy shows opposite age trends. A leveling of sex differences in all body composition components was recorded in the older part of the combined sample (70 – 80 years old).
Introduction. Due to the wide variety of ethnogeographic features and ecological niches, environmental differences as well as changes in living conditions, the study of the morphological status of indigenous populations of Russia retains its significance. Our aim was to study the somatic status and BIA body composition of young women of Altai and Russian ethnicities aged 17-23 years living in urban and rural areas of the Altai Republic.
Materials and methods. In 2021–2023, 230 young women aged 17 to 23 years (117 Altai-Kizhi and 113 Russians) living in urban and rural areas were examined. The examination program included anthropometry, the Heath-Carter somatotyping, and BIA. Ethnic differences and city-village differences were assessed using parametric and non-parametric methods.
Results. Ethnically Russian women were, in general, somewhat larger than Altai women, significant differences were found for height (Ht), weight (Wt), waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). Significant differences were also observed for the resistance R50, phase angle and fat-free mass (FFM) values. The somatotype distributions by enlarged classes were close with a predominance of mesomorphic and endomorphic types. When testing for city-village differences in ethnic subgroups, the total body dimensions (Wt, Ht, chest circumference), as well as WC, hip circumference (HC) and body mass index were slightly higher in urban residents (not significant differences). The urban Altai women had a statistically significantly higher endomorphy rating with a noticeable increase in fat mass (FM), %FM and fat mass index. Ethnic differences were more pronounced in rural (Ht, Wt, HC, WHR, R50, phase angle, FFM and fat-free mass index were significantly different) than in urban residents (significant differences only for Ht and FFM).
Introduction. Etruscan-Italian fine art experienced a noticeable artistic influence from Greece. Iconographic types of the head and face were transmitted both through the import of finished Greek products and through the circulation of matrices and the artists themselves, which complicates the chronology and typology of monuments. P.J. Riis proposes to systematize the "evolution" of Etruscan terracotta styles by constructing a chronological series from the early archaic to the late classic [Riis, 1981]. The purpose of the work was to study the concept of P.J. Riis about iconography in Etruscan coroplastics and the creation of generalized morphological characteristics of local types (regional styles).
Materials and methods. Illustrated chronological tables from P.J. Riis and the method of composite portrait in digital version were used.
Results and discussion. P.J. Riis examined 352 types of images, their archaeological context geographically confined to Northern Etruria (Clusium), Central (Vulci, Volsinia), Southern (Caere, Veii, Falerii, Latium) and Etruscan Campania (Capua). The earliest production of Etruscan terracotta was concentrated in Campania, Southern and Northern Etruria, the first hellenized style of terracotta spread from Etruscan Capania into Southern Etruria. The composite portraits based on the combined samples of archaic art indicate the absence of significant sex differences. In the composite female portrait for all samples of the archaic period, a contribution of morphological elements of the types of Southern and Central Etruria is visually noted. The greatest contribution to the morphology of the face in the composite female portrait for all samples of the classical period was made by Central Etruria and Capua. The resulting composite portraits by region indicate the heterogeneity of facial iconography in the archaic and classical art of Central Italy and visualize the conclusions of P.J. Riis on the development of several local traditions of fine art style.
Introduction. The aim of this study is to provide group-specific regression equations for age estimation of immature human skeletal remains younger than 12 years of age from the diaphyseal length of the six long bones. Further, to compare inverse and classical calibration models for age estimation and the suitability of previously published regression methods for archaeological and present-day populations in relation to the analyzed sample.
Materials and methods. The studied sample consists of 128 non-adult individuals from Gonur Depe – the major BMAC site in Turkmenistan (2300–1500 BCE). Regression formulae were obtained for each of the six long bones, separately for entire sample (0–12 years of age) and for two subsamples below and above 2 years of age. For each equation the coefficient of determination (R2) and F-statistics were calculated. Residuals were tested for normality of distribution, autocorrelation, homoscedasticity, and the equality of mean to zero (one-sample t-test). Comparison between inverse and classical calibration was provided using paired samples t-test. To assess the applicability of other regression formulae to the studied sample both the mean residuals (MR) and mean of the absolute value of the residuals (MAR) were calculated, as an estimate of bias and accuracy respectively.
Results. All regression models showed a strong statistical significance and high R2 value. The slope coefficients of the regression lines of diaphyseal length upon age are greater for the upper limb bones both in the entire sample and two subsamples separately. The lower limb bones are characterized by lower growth rates. In contrast to the inverse calibration, for the classical model the mean standard errors (MSE) were smaller for the upper limb bones rather than for the lower limb bones. For the lower limb bones the standard error of the estimate (SE) was generally smaller in inverse formulae. Comparison of both models for the femur however shows their equal performance. For the exception of proposed and classical calibration formulae all inverse models for femur diaphyseal length show consistent differences from zero in relation to the studied sample.
Introduction. In this article, we have compared frontal facial shapes (based on photo portraits) which were captured in two head positions: Natural position (NP) and Frankfurt horizontal (FH).
Materials and methods. In both cases facial shape was analyzed on sex differences and association with direct measurements of body parameters: height, BMI, fat, muscle and bone mass, digit ratio (R2D:4D). The analysis was performed using geometric morphometry methods. The study participants were representatives of the non-European population, Buryats, 86 men and 69 women aged 20 years (20± 2 g).
Results. The results showed that (a) head position had a significant impact on the 2D projection of the frontal facial shape, particularly in men; (b) compared to the Natural position, the Frankfurt horizontal position exhibited more pronounced sex differences in facial shape; (c) we observed associations between facial shape and height, BMI, fat, and muscle mass in both men and women in both positions, but these associations were more pronounced in the Frankfurt horizontal. We did not find an association between male facial shape and R2D:4D in the NP position, but we observed it in FH. In women, we did not observe a similar relationship in both positions.
Discussion. Our research revealed an important methodological problem: the head position can significantly affect qualitative conclusions about frontal facial shape, especially in non-European populations. In our study, we found a statistical relationship with most body parameters in both cases, FH and NP. However, the relationship was stronger in the FH position. When working with independent parameters that have a generally not very pronounced effect on the facial shape, head position differences can lead to a decrease or even a lack of an association when using a natural position (as in the case of R2D:4D).
Conclusion. The obtained results are important for the development of an optimal photography methodology, taking into account the currently accumulated controversial results. Current findings allow us to resolve a number of contradictions related to the zero results observed in modern literature data.
Introduction.The work is devoted to an extraordinary person - the sculptor and artist Ivan Illarionovich Sevryugin (1839-?), his contribution to the organization, holding and sculptural embodiment of the Anthropological Exhibition of 1879, which became the starting point in the development of anthropology as an exact and natural-historical science and the basis for the creation of the department and Museum of Anthropology.
Materials and methods. This study is based on the printed works of the second half of the 19th century, published by the Society of Amateurs of Natural History, Anthropology and Ethnography (OLEAE), in the research of which historical-typological and historical-descriptive methods were used. The main attention was paid to the analysis of materials and documents related to the preparation and holding of the First Anthropological Exhibition in Moscow in 1879. Archival documents from the Research Institute and the Museum of Anthropology and literary sources were also studied.
Results and discussion. The work examines the creative path of the sculptor and artist I.I. Sevryugin. Coming from a poor family of guild artisans, Ivan Illarionovich received an excellent education at the Moscow School of Painting and Sculpture. Studied under Professor N.A. Ramazanov. During his studies, he was repeatedly awarded for his work and upon graduation received the title of third-degree artist. Along with famous sculptors and artists, he took part in the production of collections of mannequins for the Ethnographic Exhibition of 1867. The most significant peak of his activity was the First Anthropological Exhibition of 1879. The development of the exhibition model, its sculptural embodiment, collection and preparation of exhibits (mounds, burial grounds, masks, busts, etc.), a trip to Paris and much more - all this shows him as an incredibly talented person who masters a variety of artistic and sculptural techniques, who was hard working and earned the highest praise from specialists.
Conclusion. Analysis of archival and literary sources showed that I.I. Sevryugin, being a talented artist and an excellent sculptor with a colossal capacity for work, took an active part in the preparation of the Anthropological Exhibition of 1879, and contributed to the solution of one of its main tasks - the popularization of anthropology in Russia. Thanks to his talent, he was able to express scientific ideas in artistic form. His works, exhibited in the gallery halls of the Exhibition, clearly showed the general public the unity of the biological and social in human nature. Collections created by I.I. Sevryugin, formed the basis of the sculptural fund of the photo-illustrative department of the Museum of Anthropology of Moscow State University. @ 2024. This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 license
Keywords:
anthropology; museology; history of Lomonosov MSU; Society of Amateurs of Natural History, Anthropology and Ethnography; All-Russian Anthropological exhibition; dummies; busts; death masks
Introduction. The cycle of publications on the historical and archaeological characteristics of osteological collections from the funds of the Anuchin Research Institute and Museum of Anthropology of Lomonosov Moscow State University continues in the article. The purpose of this work is to create an information base for paleoanthropologists studying collections from the burial grounds of the Chernyakhovskaya archaeological culture dated III – beginning. V centuries AD.
Materials and methods. This section provides a general description of the collections from the burial grounds of the Chernyakhovskaya culture, stored in the museum's funds. The materials considered were unearthed during excavations by Soviet archaeologists of the 1950s-1960s (E.A. Simonovich, G.B. Fedorov) on the territory of modern Ukraine and Moldova. The work uses all available publications of the authors of the excavations, as well as subsequent summary and analytical studies.
Results. The main part of the work presents information on the burial grounds of the Chernyakhovkaya culture of Zhuravka, Chernyakhov, Malaeshty. The geographical characteristics of the sites, the history of their research, and basic information about the archaeological context for the presented anthropological materials from these necropolises are given. The most common, standard features of the funeral rite are shown and burials with unusual features that fall out of the general framework are indicated. A number of burials have been identified, which are marked in the accounting materials as belonging to the Chernyakhovskaya culture, but, in fact, are not related to it.
