Epidemiological and Biochemical Factors (Serum Ferritin and Vitamin D) Associated with Premature Graying Of Hair

Background Premature graying of hair (PHG) is defined as graying of hair before the age of 20 years in Caucasians and before 30 years in Blacks. Several factors contribute to development of hair graying as genetics, environmental factors, life style and stressful events. Also, many biological markers were associated with development of hair graying as vitamin D, ferritin, vitamin B12 and many other electrolytes as calcium and magnesium. Aim of the study assess various epidemiological factors and biochemical variables (serum ferritin and vitamin D) associated with premature graying of hair. Patients and methods The current study included 75 premature hair graying patients, and 75 apparently healthy controls of matched age and sex. Assessment of epidemiological, clinical characteristics, estimation of serum levels of vitamin D and ferritin was done for included subjects. Results We detected positive correlation of sedentary life style, stress perception and family history with PHG development. No significant difference of vitamin D between the two groups, while low serum ferritin was significantly associated with PHG patients.

Mobility patterns in inland southwestern Sweden during the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age

In this paper, we investigate population dynamics in the Scandinavian Neolithic and Early Bronze Age in southwestern Sweden. Human mobility patterns in Falbygden were studied by applying strontium isotope analysis combined with archaeological and bioarchaeological data, including mtDNA and sex assessment on a large dataset encompassing 141 individuals from 21 megalithic graves. In combination with other archaeological and anthropological records, we investigated the temporal and spatial scale of individual movement, mobility patterns of specific categories of people and possible social drivers behind them. Our results of strontium and biomolecular analyses suggest that mobility increased in the Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age compared to the earlier parts of the Neolithic. The data indicate individuals moving both into and away from Falbygden. Mobility patterns and contact networks also shift over time.

Association of Asthma and Rhinitis with Epigenetics of Coronavirus Related Genes

Introduction: Susceptibility factors for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) include sex and medical conditions such as asthma and rhinitis. DNA methylation (DNAm) is associated with asthma, rhinitis, and several viruses. We examined associations of asthma/rhinitis with DNAm at CpGs located on coronavirus related genes, and if these associations were sex-specific. Methods: In total, n = 242 subjects aged 26 years from the Isle of Wight Birth Cohort were included in the study. Linear regressions were used to examine sex specific and non-specific associations of DNAm at CpGs on coronavirus related genes with asthma/rhinitis status. Associations of DNAm with gene expression in blood were assessed for functional relevance of identified CpGs. Results: Statistically significant interaction effects of asthma or rhinitis with sex were identified at 40 CpGs for asthma and 27 CpGs for rhinitis. At 21 CpGs, DNAm was associated with asthma, and at 45 CpGs with rhinitis, regardless of sex. Assessment of functional relevance of the identified CpGs indicated a potential of epigenetic regulatory functionality on gene activity at 14 CpGs for asthma and 17 CpGs for rhinitis, and of those 6 CpGs for asthma and 7 CpGs for rhinitis were likely to be sex-specific. Conclusion: Subjects with asthma/rhinitis may have altered susceptibility to COVID-19 due to changes in their DNAm associated with these conditions. Sex specificity on association of asthma/rhinitis with DNAm at certain CpGs, and on the association of DNAm at asthma/rhinitis-linked CpGs with gene expression have the potential to explain the reported sex-specificity in COVID-19 morbidity and mortality.

Use of discriminant analysis method to identify sex by morphological traits in adult rabbits in Nigeria

Sex assessment plays an important role in rabbit production, but it can be very difficult to determine, especially in the young ones. In this study, canonical discriminant analysis was used to determine which of the morphological traits are the most effective in sex determination in rabbits. Data were taken on 160 rabbits and used for this study on body weight (BWG), body length (BDL), ear length (EAL), heart girth (HTG), and abdominal circumference (ABC). The results from the univariate analysis show manifestation of sexual dimorphism with higher values observed in females for all the morphometric measurements. The canonical discriminant analysis revealed that ABC was the most significant morphological trait as a discriminating variable between the sexes in rabbits. The discriminant function, D = – 8.673 + 1.865 BWG + 0.013 BDL + 0.291 EAL – 0.318 HTG + 0.463 ABC, obtained correctly classified 72.5% of individuals of rabbits. In conclusion, the abdominal circumference of the rabbits in a population could be an important tool for the conservation and improvement of the rabbits’ population.

A Validation Study of the Mandibular Canine Index Method of Sexual Assessment Using Two Decedent American Populations

Rao and colleagues created the Mandibular Canine Index (MCI) as a method of sex assessment. It has primarily been used on living South Asian populations. This study applies the Index to two decedent American populations in hopes that it will applicable to the field of Forensic Anthropology. Forty-five individuals from the C.A. Pound Human Identification Lab and the Wichita State Biological Anthropology Lab with full mandibular dentition were studied. The mesio-distal width of both right and left canines and the canine arch width were taken and the MCI calculated along with the standard MCI. Results show that the MCI is not statistically significant in determining males from females (p=.461 for right and p=.473 for left). The standard MCI was .242 for the right and .246 for the left. This gave an accuracy of 37% to 44% for males and 44% to 45% for females. The mesio-distal length (p = .002 for right and .001 for left) and canine arch width (p=.019) on their own were statistically significant and can be used in sex assessment if the teeth are present although they should be used with other methods. Further study should be done with a larger sample size to see if results are consistent.

The accuracy of field sex determination in the Common Whitethroat Sylvia c. communis

The accuracy of field sex determination of Common Whitethroats captured during spring migration in Nigeria was tested with a genetic sex determination technique. Among both age classes males were more often correctly sexed than females. In total, one out of four birds were incorrectly sexed, and the ability to sex correctly varied considerably between ringers. Hence, a cautious attitude must be held at all times towards the use of field sex assessment in Common Whitethroats.