Penetrating Arrow Injury--Causing the Death of an Early Medieval Woman from the Muzla-Cenkov Locality in Slovakia (9th-10th Century CE).

The osteological remains of a juvenile woman, 17-20 years, was discovered in grave number 23/88 at Muzla-Cenkov in the Nove Zamky district of Slovakia. Wound resulting from an iron arrowhead was located in her second lumbar vertebral body. Because of presence of the arrowhead in vertebral body and by the complete absence of any signs of healing processes, we conclude on perimortal injury which probably proved quickly extinguishing the life. DNA analysis was instituted for increased accuracy and reliability in establishing sex of this juvenile individual. An association with the old Hungarian troops who previously occupied this area was concluded, based on analytic evidence.

From Strikers to Keepers: Somatotype of Football Players from Slovakia.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study aims to analyze and compare the somatotypes of professional football players from Slovakia with a non-athletic population. METHODS: Comparative analysis of professional soccer players by their positions, goalkeepers (n = 4; 8%), defenders (n = 16; 32%), strikers (n = 15; 30%), and midfielders (n = 15; 30%), in average age 16.88 ± 1.29 years, based on selected anthropometric parameters, somatotype components, and the resultant somatotype using the Heath-Carter method. RESULTS: The average somatotype of the soccer players was categorized as an ectomorphic mesomorph (40%). Goalkeepers showed significantly greater body height (BH 187.98 ± 3.166 cm) and weight (BW 82.33 ± 4.922 kg) than midfielders (BH 179.25 ± 6.126 cm; p = 0.03; BW 68 ± 6.304 kg; p = 0.014) and strikers (BH 176.04 ± 4.998 cm; p = 0.026; BW 68.93 ± 6.591 kg; p = 0.026). Defenders had significantly greater BH (182.14 ± 4.853 cm; p = 0.026) than strikers. Goalkeepers also had a significantly higher BMI than midfielders (23.28 ± 0.698 vs. 21.14 ± 1.282 kg/m2; p = 0.02) and greater epicondylar width of the humerus (EWH 7.36 ± 0.14 cm) compared to strikers (EWH 6.79 ± 0.308 cm; p = 0.014). The average somatotype values identified goalkeepers [2.0-4.1-3.1], defenders [1.6-3.9-3.2], and strikers [1.7-4.2-2.9] as ectomorphic mesomorphs, while midfielders were identified as mesomorph-ectomorphs [1.6-3.7-3.6]. CONCLUSIONS: The results highlight the importance of somatotype in player position suitability and its impact on physical attributes in football.

Endocrine effect of phthalate metabolites and a butterfly effect of prenatal exposure to androgens on qualitative aspects of female sexual response- an initial survey.

There is growing evidence that endocrine disruptive chemicals have deleterious effects on sexual and reproductive function. To examine subjective sexual functions in human females and their relationship to postnatal phthalate exposure and perinatal androgenization, a Sexuality Score (SS) was established from a first-stage survey questionnaire of subjective sexual function filled out by female university students (n = 68; average age 25.23 ± 5.17 years; rural 25.51 ± 6.74 vs. urban 25.85 ± 1.43 years). Seventeen phthalate metabolites in urine samples were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Females were also assessed for the 2D:4D digit ratio as an index of perinatal androgenization. The mean age of menarche was 12.82 ± 1.35 years (rural 12.59 ± 1.39 vs. urban 13.18 ± 1.27; p = 0.01). The mean age at first sexual intercourse was 14.88 ± 6.89 years (rural 14.62 ± 7.20 vs. urban 15.24 ± 6.55), and as the age of first sexual intercourse increases, the SS score tends to increase as well, albeit moderately (r = 0.25, p = 0.037). Mono-iso-butyl phthalate, mono(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate, mono(hydroxy-n-butyl) phthalate, mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (p ≤ 0.05) and mono(2-carboxymethylhexyl) phthalate (p ≤ 0.01) were negatively associated with SS. A compounding butterfly effect of prenatal exposure to androgens was observed with disruptive effects of mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate and mono(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate on sexual function. Exposure to phthalates in adult females may lead to disruption of subjective sexual function, especially concerning sexual desire and sexual satisfaction, and perinatal androgenization could augment these effects.

[Gunshot wounds caused by non-lethal ammunition on the porcine model post-mortem]. / Strelné poranenia spôsobené neletálnym strelivom na modeli osípanej post-mortem.

In this article we focus on the effects of so called non-lethal ammunition. We studied possible mechanism of firearm injury formation as a consequence of using firearm on the body, to present a more comprehensive material in wound ballistics. We pointed out possible actions of a projectile causes on human, respectively other animal organisms, as well as to a manner in which an injury is caused by rifles or shotguns using non-lethal ammunition with rubber projectiles. In the experiment, we have focused on macroscopic analysis of the tissue penetrated by a rubber projectile fired from a long firearm and pump-action shotgun while focusing on the anatomical-morphological analysis of entry wounds to determine the effectiveness respectively, the wounding potential of the projectile. The results of the experiment based on the macroscopic analysis of entry wounds, cavities and exit wounds, show that when a rubber projectile penetrates the body it causes loss of the tissue (i.e. the minus effect) and mechanical disruption of the tissue similar to lethal projectile. Based on the measures and ballistic computations we concluded that in specific cases, like for example in a close range hit, a penetration of vital organs can cause serious or even lethal injuries.

Histological analysis of ovine compact bone tissue.

Histological sections of femoral diaphysis from adult sheep were investigated in this study. The qualitative characteristics in microstructure of the compact bone were examined in anterior, posterior, medial and lateral views; the quantitative ones were assessed using the software Scion Image. Areas, perimeters, minimum and maximum diameters of the Haversian canals, the Haversian systems and the primary osteons' vascular canals were measured. Our results indicate that ovine diaphysis of the femur is occupied mainly with primary vascular plexiform (laminar, fibrolamellar) tissue. In addition, irregular and dense Haversian bone tissues were observed. All measured variables disposed lower values in comparison with other artiodactyls (cattle and pig).

Differences among species in compact bone tissue microstructure of mammalian skeleton: use of a discriminant function analysis for species identification.

In order to develop an identification key for distinguishing between several mammalian species, bone structure of their compact bone tissue was analyzed using qualitative and quantitative characteristics. Ninety femora of adult male humans, pigs, cows, sheep, rabbits, and rats were studied. The average area, perimeter, minimum, and maximum diameter of 1863 Haversian canals and 1863 secondary osteons were measured using a digital image device. The observed data were first used to evaluate inter- and intraspecies diversity. After that, we applied a discriminant function analysis for differentiation of the species by these variables. Classification functions for investigated species give cross-validated correct classification rates for 76.17% of cases. This percentage value can be increased by integrating conclusions from the qualitative analysis.

Sex determination of early medieval individuals through nested PCR using a new primer set in the SRY gene.

One of the first questions asked about excavated human skeletal remains is the sex. As the morphological sex determination is complicated in cases involving fragmentary bones and in skeletons from infants and children, the development of DNA-based techniques has led to improvements in sex determination. This study is focused on sex determination from ancient DNA obtained from 25 skeletons found in Middle Aged burials in western Slovakia. We performed separate amplifications of DXZ4 repetitive satellite sequences on the X chromosome, and SRY gene - testis determined factor on the Y chromosome, using nested PCR. Our results showed that DXZ4 was amplified in the case of 23 individuals. With newly designed internal and external primer sets for SRY detection with internal PCR products in lengths of 102 bp and 85 bp we succeeded in detecting the SRY locus in 9 samples. Finally, the gender was determined in 23 individuals (14 females and 9 males). In 20 samples, the gender was determined by morphological and molecular methods. Sex determination of 17 samples using nested PCR matched the morphological one, providing evidence of the authenticity and ancient origin of the PCR amplifications. The DXZ4/SRY nested PCR method represents a useful technique in sex determination of medieval human remains and it is a critical addition to anthropological studies.