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ObjectivesThe aim of the present study was to assess the changes in urinary oxytocin concentration during the period between five days before, and on the day of match, among rugby and handball players.MethodsThe study used a repeated measures design with the relative oxytocin level as the outcome variable measured at two subsequent points of time, viz., on five days before as well as on the days of matches. Nine male rugby players with a mean age of 27.62 years (SD = 4.21) and 18 male handball players with a mean age of 17.03 years (SD = 0.57) participated. Urinary oxytocin level was measured by ELISA immunoassay as a ratio to the concentration of creatinine [mg/ml] measured through colorimetric detection. Differences in oxytocin level were assessed by ANOVA with repeated measurements.ResultsThe OT/CRE levels significantly differed between the type of player (rugby or handball) but not between times of measurements. Tukey’s post-hoc tests revealed that significant differences were only between OT/CRE level in a day of match in rugby players and in 5 days before match in handball players (pConclusionThere was no change in oxytocin levels during the time periods between five days before and on the day of a match, in either of the two kinds of players. The change in oxytocin might be traceable during the match but not before a match and thus perhaps depends on a more subtle context of competition, but not on the assumption of competition.

Objectives Paleopathological studies suggest different patterns of age-related bone loss and osteoporosis in past populations compared with those of modern times. However, the observed interpopulational differences are often difficult to interpret due to considerable environmental and biological heterogeneity between populations from which the analyzed skeletal samples come. In the present paper, we try to determine whether there was a directional trend in occurrence of this phenomenon in the past as a consequence of changes in life conditions over the last six thousand years of human history. Materials and methods The study involved 276 female skeletons from four geographically homogeneous populations dated from Neolithic to early modern times coming from a region located in present-day Poland. Bone mineral density and bone fractures were examined for all the skeletons. Polymorphisms of the vitamin D receptor gene associated with low BMD were analyzed using PCR in individuals randomly selected from all of the studied skeletal series. Results In all the analyzed populations, BMD was found to significantly decrease with age. The only statistically significant interpopulational differences were found for the Neolithic skeletal series, with females in all age groups exhibiting higher BMD values and no osteoporotic fractures compared with the historical populations. Discussion The much better bone maintenance in Neolithic women may have resulted from a favorable confluence of high levels of physical activity, exposure to UV radiation, and a diet with an appropriate calcium intake.

The relation of LCT-13910 genotypes and bone mineral density (BMD) has been the subject of modern-day human population studies, giving inconsistent results. In the present study we analyze for the first time a relation of LCT-13910 genotypes and BMD in historical skeletal individuals. Ancient population might be a model for testing this association due to elimination of non-natural factors affecting bone density. Among 22 medieval individuals from Sanok churchyard (South-Eastern Poland; dated from XIV to XVII c. AD) we identified 4 individuals with osteoporosis (mean BMD = 0.468 g/cm2, SD = 0.090), 10 individuals with osteopenia (mean BMD = 0.531 g/cm2, SD = 0.066) and 8 individuals with normal BMD values (mean BMD = 0,642 g/cm2, SD = 0.060). Analyses of BMD and LCT-13910 genotypes revealed that mean BMD was the highest (0.583 g/cm2, SD = 0.065) in the individuals with lactose tolerance genotypes (TT and CT). We also found possible association of lower BMD at the radius and CC genotypes due to higher but not statistically significant frequency of osteoporosis in the lactose intolerant group (p = 0.60). Statistically significant correlation was found between BMD and females aged 20–35 years, with tendency to reduce BMD with age (p = 0.02).

Objective Fluctuating asymmetry (FA) of paired body structures is considered to be a reliable measurement of developmental instability of humans. The aim of the study is to examine whether the mother's traumatic experience during pregnancy results in an increase of the level of fluctuating asymmetry of the structures of the face. Methods Average relative FA of six cephalometric traits was calculated in 269 boys aged 7-10 years from Lodz, Poland. The influence of experienced trauma during pregnancy on the level of the FA was assessed by multiple regression analysis allowing for others stressors during mothers' pregnancy. In order to assess which trimester of pregnancy of the experience of the trauma had an influence on the FA level, analysis of variance was used. RESULTS; Boys whose mothers had experienced a traumatic incident during pregnancy were characterized by a significantly higher level of facial asymmetry at the age of 7-10 years (t = 2.74; p = 0.007). The experience of trauma by a pregnant woman was only one factor among other stressors, which significantly rose the FA level of the child's face (Beta = 0.182; t = 2.94; p = 0.004). The time of the experience of the trauma--the first, the second or the third trimester of pregnancy--had not any effect on the FA level. Conclusion The experience of trauma during pregnancy can result in visible disturbances of development of offspring. A decreased level of cortisol is associated with psychosomatic disorders and may also be potentially responsible for disorders of homeostasis in the process of formation of such morphological structures of the face.

Objective: We aim to identify maternal genetic affinities between the Middle to Final Neolithic (3850–2300 BC) populations from present-day Poland and possible genetic influences from the Pontic steppe.Materials and methods: We conducted ancient DNA studies from populations associated with Złota, Globular Amphora, Funnel Beaker, and Corded Ware cultures (CWC). We sequenced genomic libraries on Illumina platform to generate 86 complete ancient mitochondrial genomes. Some of the samples were enriched for mitochondrial DNA using hybridization capture.Results: The maternal genetic composition found in Złota-associated individuals resembled that found in people associated with the Globular Amphora culture which indicates that both groups likely originated from the same maternal genetic background. Further, these two groups were closely related to the Funnel Beaker culture-associated population. None of these groups shared a close affinity to CWC-associated people. Haplogroup U4 was present only in the CWC group and absent in Złota group, Globular Amphora, and Funnel Beaker cultures.Discussion: The prevalence of mitochondrial haplogroups of Neolithic farmer origin identified in Early, Middle and Late Neolithic populations suggests a genetic continuity of these maternal lineages in the studied area. Although overlapping in time – and to some extent – in cultural expressions, none of the studied groups (Złota, Globular Amphora, Funnel Beaker), shared a close genetic affinity to CWC-associated people, indicating a larger extent of cultural influence from the Pontic steppe than genetic exchange. The higher frequency of haplogroup U5b found in populations associated with Funnel Beaker, Globular Amphora, and Złota cultures suggest a gradual maternal genetic influx from Mesolithic hunter-gatherers. Moreover, presence of haplogroup U4 in Corded Ware groups is most likely associated with the migrations from the Pontic steppe at the end of the Neolithic and supports the observed genetic distances.