Papers on Anthropology

Gallbladder pro-inflammatory markers in children with calculous cholecystitis

Undīne Beatrise Kauliņa, Māra Pilmane — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Calculous cholecystitis is associated with inflammation and several problems. Although it is a frequent condition in children, its morphopathogenesis remains unclear partly due to the role that inflammatory variables play.

Tissue samples from eleven children undergoing surgery for calculous cholecystitis were acquired. Five unaffected gallbladders were used as control. Slides were examined under a light microscope after tissues were immunohistochemically stained for IL-1β, IL-12, IL-13, HSP 60, SHH, and NF-κβ p105.

The Mann-Whitney U test was employed to assess the statistical differences between the markers. Statistically significant differences were found between patient and control gallbladder epithelium for IL-13 and HSP60. However, in the connective tissue, statistically significant differences were found for IL-1β, IL-12, IL-13, HSP60, SHH, and NF-κB p105. These findings suggest a potential role of pro-inflammatory markers in the morphopathogenesis of calculous cholecystitis.

Expression of FSH receptors in vulvar tissue

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The present study aims to investigate the expression of the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) in the human vulva to see if follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) could potentially impact the function of vulvar tissue. Vulvar tissue was obtained from three patients during surgery due to squamous cell carcinoma. Immunohistochemistry was used for the detection of the FSHR.

Positive immunoreaction for FSHR was present in the tissue samples of all patients. It was detected in all layers of the epithelium, in the fibroblasts of subepithelial connective tissue and in the walls of blood vessels in the vulva.

By now, several studies have shown that, besides testes and ovaries, FSHR is also present in many extragonadal tissues. As well as in many cases, FSH actions in those organs are also suggested. Up to now, no studies have confirmed the expression of the FSHR in the vulva. Based on the present results, it is possible that FSH is involved in the regulation of vulvar tissue function. Further studies are indicated.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome and its relationship with obesity among Assamese women in Assam, Northeast India

Chumi Das, Jumi Das, Tiluttoma Baruah, Nitish Mondal — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrinological disorder affecting 6–10% of women in their reproductive years and causing various metabolic syndromes. PCOS is often confused with coexisting obesity, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome. Obesity is common in PCOS and affects between 30–70% of reproductive women, depending on the study setting and the ethnic background of the research participants.

Objective: To study the prevalence of obesity in PCOS women and its impact on various biological parameters associated with PCOS.

Materials and methods: A hospital-based prospective study was undertaken, which included a sample of 100 reproductive women diagnosed with PCOS. Anthropometric and various biological variables were obtained for the present study.

Results: The results showed that obese PCOS women constituted 71.00% and non-obese PCOS women 29.00% of the subjects. The biological variables were found to have a higher impact among obese PCOS women. Menstrual irregularity (12.68%) and hypertension (5.63%) were significantly higher in obese PCOS women. The anthropometric indices also played a significant role among the obese PCOS women, and the findings showed that the body mass index (BMI; 26.20 ± 2.70 kg/m2) and waist-hip ratio (WHR; 0.90 ± 0.32 kg/m2) showed a high predictive value.

Conclusion: Obese PCOS women have a higher risk of adverse fertility and metabolic outcomes. The anthropometric parameters were found to be strongly associated with obesity among PCOS women.

Awareness and use of family planning methods among the reproductive age group of Bodo women in North Guwahati, Assam, India

Alina Ahmed, Chandana Sarmah — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

India varies greatly not just in geography but also in economy, culture, tradition, and attitudes. It is, therefore, important to identify which cultural factors influence the acceptance of family planning methods (FPM) in specific communities and how. The present paper is an attempt to understand the awareness and use of family planning methods among the Bodo women belonging to the reproductive age group in the North Guwahati area. Additionally, the study seeks to determine how socioeconomic and reproductive factors affect the adoption or non-use of FPM.

A cross-sectional study was done among the reproductive age groups of Bodo women in the North Guwahati area of the Kamrup rural district in Assam. The sample size was 303. The data were collected with the help of a structured schedule.

The majority of women are aware of family planning methods. The share of women who use FPM is higher than that of non-users. Among the different types of FPM used, the permanent method (tubectomy) is highly accepted by them, and among the temporary methods, the male condom is the most common. The main reason for the adoption of FPM is to limit family size. The main reason for the non-adaption of FPM is a desire to have more children.

The findings showed that age, income, and parity were significantly associated with the use of family planning methods. The higher the age, the higher the use of FPM. Women from high-income families were found to use FPM more often. On the other hand, women with no children or a single child were found not to use FPM.

Factors associated with general and central obesity among Bengali adolescents: a cross-sectional study from North Bengal, India

Mampi Debnath, Argina Khatun — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Adolescent obesity is an emerging global health problem. The present study aims to assess the prevalence and factors associated with general and central obesity among adolescents. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 390 Bengali adolescents (aged 11–17 years) in Darjeeling districts. Three anthropometric measurements (height, weight, and waist circumference) were taken. Both general and central obesity were determined. ANOVA, t-test, chi-square and binary logistic regression (BLR) were performed. Findings revealed that the overall prevalence of general obesity (BMI-based) was 22.1% (boys 21.8%, girls 22.3%), and central obesity (based on waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio) was 44.6% (boys 43.1%, girls 46.1%), and 26.1% (boys 28.9%, girls 24.4%) respectively. Chi square revealed no significant association between gender and obesity (both general and central). Our findings showed that the number of siblings was the most crucial factor associated with adolescent obesity. Father’s and mother’s education, and family income were also found to be associated with central obesity. Proper awareness along with dietary and lifestyle changes can alter the situation.

Predicting body mass index using arm span: an alternative approach for anthropometric studies

Madhumati Chatterjee, Arup Ratan Bandyopadhyay — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a widely used anthropometric indicator for assessing body composition and nutritional status. However, its reliance on stature can pose challenges, particularly in populations where accurate height measurement is difficult, such as the elderly and individuals with musculoskeletal impairments. Arm span has been proposed as a reliable alternative to stature for BMI calculation. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of arm span as a surrogate for stature in BMI estimation among young adult females in Kolkata, India. It also examines the correlation between stature-based BMI and arm-span-based BMI, assessing their predictive accuracy for body weight. A total of 100 female graduate students (aged 20–23 years) participated in this cross-sectional study. Height, arm span, and weight were measured following standard anthropometric protocols. Statistical analyses included correlation analysis, linear regression modelling, and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis, with significance set at p < 0.05. The correlation between BMI calculated from arm span and BMI from stature was strong (R² = 0.918), indicating that both methods yield comparable results. Regression models demonstrated that arm span and arm-span-based BMI explained 38.5% of weight variation (R² = 0.385), while stature and stature-based BMI explained 40.2% (R² = 0.402). Additionally, arm span was a strong predictor of stature (R² = 0.698). ROC analysis confirmed the high predictive power of BMI classification using arm span (AUC = 0.92, accuracy = 91.67%). The findings support the use of arm span as a viable alternative to stature in BMI estimation. Although stature-based BMI demonstrated slightly higher predictive accuracy, arm-span-based BMI provided comparable results, making it a practical substitute in populations where height measurement is challenging. Further research incorporating additional anthropometric variables may enhance predictive accuracy.

René Laënnec’s stethoscope: a rarity at Uppsala Medical History Museum

Kerstin Hulter Åsberg — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

René Laënnec’s stethoscope: a rarity at Uppsala Medical History Museum