Introduction. The article discusses the possibilities of applying the index method for comparing osteological series in anthropology. It evaluates how reliable the conclusions drawn from calculated indicators are, in comparison with the analysis of original morphological traits.

Materials and methods. Two male osteological series from the necropolis at the Corpus Christi Church in Nesvizh, Belarus, were examined in this study: 1) native and disturbed burials around the church (presumably 18th century); 2) dispersed bones from under the crypt floor (presumably 17th century). Several indices were calculated based on standard osteometric measurements. The interpretation of index values was carried out using literary sources. The significance of differences between the series was assessed using Student’s t-test; the results were visualized through radar charts.

Results. The values of several indices for both series (morphological width of the scapula, robustness of the humerus, radius, femur, and ulna from the crypt series, as well as most diaphyseal cross‑sectional indices) fall within the range of variation of modern human group averages. Some indices exceed these averages (robustness of the tibiae and right clavicles in both series; robustness of the right ulna from the cemetery series). The series show statistically significant differences in the following indices: robustness of the right humeri; cross‑sectional indices at the mid‑diaphysis of both femora; indices at the upper diaphysis of both ulnae; cross‑sectional index at the mid‑diaphysis of the left tibia.

Discussion. The analysis showed that indices provide a less pronounced picture of differences compared to the original osteometric measurements. This is due to the specifics of the calculation: an index, as a percentage ratio of a smaller dimension to a larger one, can mask real morphological differences. Moreover, the lack of clear categorization schemes for many indices complicates their interpretation.

Conclusion. The index method, without taking into account the mean values of the original osteometric measurements, cannot serve as the fundamental approach for identifying similarities or differences between osteological series. The undeniable advantages of the index method are its simplicity and convenience. However, it is necessary to work on developing categorization schemes for postcranial skeletal indices using large datasets. The results of comparing the studied series using indices do not contradict the conclusions obtained from the analysis of absolute bone dimensions. The possibility of heterogeneous formation of the two parts of the necropolis is not refuted.

Acknowledgements. The study was conducted under the state assignment of Lomonosov Moscow State University.

Introduction. Sex determination of individuals fr om postcranial skeletal bones is a significant task in paleoanthropology and forensic medicine, particularly when skull and pelvic bones are fragmented or absent. The traditional osteometric approach, based on sexual dimorphism in size characteristics, requires consideration of population specificity and is continuously being refined. The aim of this review is to systematize and analyze modern methods for sex determination based on osteometric data from postcranial skeletal bones.

Materials and Methods. This review analyzes contemporary scientific publications dedicated to methods of sex determination from the postcranial skeleton. Three main methodological approaches are considered: methods based on univariate statistics (analysis of individual metric traits), methods of multivariate statistics (discriminant analysis, logistic regression), as well as modern technologies, including the use of computed tomography (CT) data for 3D reconstructions and the application of machine learning algorithms (specifically, deep learning) for bone image analysis.

Results and discussion. Univariate methods retain practical value due to their simplicity of application and suitability for working with fragmented material, although their accuracy is typically lower than that of multivariate methods. Multivariate statistical models, which account for a complex of interrelated traits, ensure higher accuracy in sex determination. A key factor influencing the reliability of any method is its population specificity—applying models developed for one population to another leads to a significant reduction in accuracy. The integration of CT data and artificial intelligence methods opens new prospects for automation, increased objectivity, and the discovery of new diagnostic features.

Conclusion. Modern methods for sex determination from the postcranial skeleton constitute an evolving toolkit, wh ere traditional univariate approaches are effectively complemented by complex multivariate models and innovative technologies. To ensure high result reliability, the development and validation of population-specific standards are necessary. The future of the field is linked to the further integration of 3D visualization and machine learning methods, which will enhance the accuracy, speed, and objectivity of expert identification.

Acknowledgements. The study was conducted under the state assignment of Lomonosov Moscow State University.

Introduction. The differences between bioimpedance instruments, electrodes, measurement techniques, and data processing algorithms raise questions about the consistency of bioimpedance data and body composition estimates. This study aims to compare the results of measurements taken with various bioimpedance devices and electrode types, including those used in Russian health centers.

Material and methods. Bioimpedance measurements were conducted on 20 adult volunteers, 10 women and 10 men, aged between 21 and 54 years. Four instruments were used in the study: ABC-01 "Medas" (SRC Medas, Moscow), Diamant-AIST (Diamant LLC, St. Petersburg), the prototype bioimpedance analyzer as part of the "Zdorovye-Express" hardware and software system with EK6C-03-"CARDi2/4" cardio amplifier (Medical Computer Systems LLC, Moscow, Zelenograd) and Tanita MC-780MA (Tanita, Japan). Eight types of disposable electrodes were used with the ABC-01 "Medas" instrument: Ambu White Sensor 0415M (Ambu, Denmark), Bianostic AT (Data Input, Germany), Eurotrode PFR2034 (Pirrone srl, Italy), F9049 / RU2234 TAB (FIAB, Italy), Schiller Biotabs 23x34 mm (Schiller, Switzerland), Skintact RT-34 (Leonhard Lang GmbH, Austria), TopTrace MedTab (Ceracarta, Italy), and 2100 Swaro-tab (Tyrolmed, Austria). Two types of reusable electrodes, manufactured by Diamant LLC and Medical Computer Systems (MCS) LLC, were used with the Diamant-AIST and Zdorovye-Express instruments. Electric properties of the bioadhesive electrodes were assessed using a sandwich test. A comparison of the data obtained from volunteers using different bioimpedance instruments and electrodes was conducted using the Wilcoxon signed rank test for paired observations, as well as one-way analysis of variance, with a significance level set at p=0.05.

Results and discussion. Our study showed the presence of significant inter-instrument differences in bioelectrical parameters and body composition estimates. The maximum difference in the average value of fat-free mass and body fat between the ABC-01 "Medas", Diamant-AIST and Tanita MC-780MA instruments was 2.8 kg for men and 2.2 kg for women, whereas for the percentage body fat it was 3.9% for men and 3.7% for women. There were also significant deviations in body composition estimates obtained with the Zdorovye-Express analyzer compared to estimates from the other instruments. The BIA measurements data using the ABC-01 "Medas" instrument and the types of disposable bioadhesive electrodes commonly used in Russian Health Centers were in good agreement, despite the wide variation in electrical properties of the electrodes (their intrinsic impedance ranged from 96.8 ohm for 2100 Swaro-tab to 694.3 ohm for Eurotrode PFR2034). However, compared to the reference Bianostic AT electrodes, which had an intrinsic impedance of 18.9 ohm, the subgroups of women and men showed an average overestimation of 0.15 degrees in phase angle, while the subgroup of men also showed an overestimation in fat-free mass and an underestimation in fat mass, averaging between 0.3 and 0.4 kilograms. When comparing the reusable electrodes from Diamant LLC and MCS LLC, there were no significant differences in the bioelectrical parameters or body composition estimates in the study group.

Conclusion. To directly compare the results of measurements from different BIA instruments, their preliminary mutual calibration is necessary. The bioimpedance data obtained in Russian Health Centers using the ABC-01 "Medas" instrument and the specified types of disposable bioadhesive electrodes can be combined and analyzed together subject to the measurement procedure being followed. The reusable electrodes for bioimpedance measurements produced by Diamant LLC and Medical Computer Systems LLC are effectively interchangeable.

Funding. The study was performed at the Federal State Budgetary Institution "RIH" (“Russian research Institute of Health”) of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation within the framework of the Russian Science Foundation project No. 20-15-00386 (directed by V.I. Starodubov).

Acknowledgements. The study was conducted under the state assignment of Lomonosov Moscow State University (Godina E.Z., Zadorozhnaya L.V., Khomyakova I.A., Permiakova E.Yu.)The authors would like to thank the management and staff of Medical Computer Systems LLC (Zelenograd), and personally I.S. Reshetnikov and D.A. Prilutsky, for their help in organizing and conducting the study.

Introduction. The article presents the results of a study on the physical development of students in Yaroslavl, in order to identify regional peculiarities.

Materials and methods. The study for young people encompassed 661 male and 743 female participants aged 18-21. The students' body dimensions (length, weight), body perimeters (waist, hip circumferences) were measured. Physical development indices were calculated to assess body weight (ratio of body weight to square of body length), abdominal obesity (ratio of waist circumference to hip circumference), and central fat deposition (ratio of waist circumference to body length).

Results and discussion. Young men aged 18-21, in contrast to young women, are characterized by continued growth processes and an increase in total body size and trunk circumference. Among their peers from other regions of the Central Federal District, Yaroslavl young men stand out for their high height – 179.8 cm, while young women have an average of 165.9 cm. Body weight and body mass index in young men are 76.1 kg and 23.5 kg/m², and in young women – 59.9 kg and 21.8 kg/m², respectively. Body weight deficiency is observed in 19.3% of young men and 17.2% of young women. Interestingly, among Yaroslavl adolescents, body weight deficiency is more common in young men and less common in young women than in their peers from other regions. Overweight and obesity were diagnosed in 30.0% of young men and 15.2% of young women. The android type of fat deposition is typical for 17.6% of young men and 17.2% of young women. The proportion of men and women with the central type of fat deposition was 18.3% and 15.8%, respectively. The perimeters of the body in both sex groups do not significantly differ from those of their peers from other regions.

Conclusion. Based on the total body size, body parameters, and physical development indices obtained from an anthropometric survey of young people aged 18-21 in Yaroslavl, these tables can be useful for conducting social and hygienic monitoring among Yaroslavl youth.