Changes in anthropometrical data of the Hungarian child and adult population during the last thirty years based on family studies conducted by the Department of Forensic Medicine at Budapest.

Studies of the Hungarian child and adult population have revealed striking changes over the past thirty years with respect to body height and body mass, an observation, which has also been confirmed by other investigations (Gyenis & Joubert 2003, Maródi et. al. 2002). Based on these deviations the authors were interested in the variability of some anthropometrical head measures, which are of particular importance for forensic anthropological questions concerning face reconstruction (Editorial 2001, Jayprakash et. al. 2001, Szilvdssy & Kritscher 1997, Szilvdssy et al. 1997). The majority of such reconstruction methods, however, do not take into consideration the process of secular trend. It is the aim of this study to improve the anthropological basis for exact reconstruction methods by elaboration of temporal changes of face, head and body measures of the Hungarian population collected during the past thirty years. For this data from 2353 adults and 861 children investigated in 1974, and 869 adults 287 children investigated between 1994 and 2004 are available.

[Chromosomal disorders in the background of azoospermia]. / Az azoospermia hátterében meghúzódó kromoszómaelváltozások.

INTRODUCTION: Nowadays more and more couples face the fact that they cannot have babies in spite of many years of trying. The male factor can be identified in about half of these cases. AIM: The aim of this study was to analyse chromosomal alterations in patients with azoospermia. These patients may be candidates for testicular sperm retrieval and intracytoplasmatic sperm injection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Preoperative evaluation included routine andrological investigation with 2 semen analysis, ultrasound, hormonal and genetic examination. Traditional histological examination and embryological diagnostic of tissue samples was performed. Cryopreservation of retrieved testicular tissue was also done. Between January 2001 and June 2005 73 biopsies were performed in 71 patients for testicular sperm extraction. In order to obtain an exact diagnosis, the traditional cytogenetic methods and fluorescence in situ hybridization analyses were performed in combination with molecular genetic techniques. Patients were offered to participate in the assisted reproduction programme on the base of their genetic results. RESULTS: In this study, the most characteristic cases were numerical deviations, such as 47,XXY (2 cases), mosaic 47,XXY/49,XXXXY (1 case), 47,XYY (1 case) and mosaic 46,XY/45,X (1 case) karyotypes. Non-obstructive azoospermia was diagnosed in 53 patients (79%). CONCLUSIONS: Authors emphasised the importance of cyto- and molecular examinations in cases of genetical disorders. The results provide a chance for patients to be spared from long-drawn moreover psychological burdening examinations. In addition the costs of different clinical intervention could be saved too.

Genetical and epidemiological studies of polydactyly in Hungary.

Polydactyly is one of the most frequently observed human congenital limb malformations. Sporadic cases of polydactyly have been described, but most show an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency of polydactyly among children born between 1980 and 1997 in Hungary. The predominance of the postaxial type over the preaxial one was less than expected. These malformations affected significantly more boys than girls. The proportion of children with low birth weight affected by polydactyly was higher than expected. Among mothers giving life to offspring with polydactyly, the prevalence was high in the older age group. We analysed the regional distribution in Hungary and the twin frequency in connection with polydactyly. From our results comparing it to the current literature data we made conclusions about the possible causes of the development of polydactyly.