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The article deals with the problem of forensic analysis of cutting tools traces on bones. It focuses on the assessment of macroscopic and microscopic structure of damaged tissue due to various cutting tools. It points out the need for teamwork of several experts in the analysis and evaluation of tool marks on the bones.

OBJECTIVE This study investigated the association of the Leu432Val and Asn453Ser CYP1B1 polymorphisms and selected environmental biomarkers with hypertension (HT) in Slovak midlife women. METHODS We studied 575 women. Divided according to their blood pressure status: 255 with HT and 320 without HT. All data was obtained by using standard anthropometric, genetic methods and analyzed by regression models to adjust for HT risk factors such as age, obesity, smoking, and level of education. RESULTS Our findings revealed that CYP1B1 Leu432Val polymorphism was associated with HT, whereas no association was found between Asn453Ser polymorphism and HT. Women with at least one Val allele had significantly higher odds of HT compared to women with the Leu/Leu genotype in the total sample (Exp(B) = 1.82, CI 1.16-2.84, P = 0.009). After dividing women by menopausal status and the presence of HT environmental risk factor, the association between CYP1B1 polymorphism and HT was observed in pre/perimenopausal women (Exp(B), 2.36; 95% CI 1.13-4.92; P = 0.02), smokers (Exp(B), 3.40; 95% CI 1.48-7.82; P = 0.004), abdominal obesity (Exp(B), 2.41; 95% CI 1.23-4.75; P = 0.01) and in women with only basic education (Exp(B), 4.20, 95% CI 1.12-15.71; P = 0.03). However, general linear models did not reveal a statistically significant interactions between CYP1B1, menopausal status, and HT risk factors and their common association with HT (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS In this pilot study, we have provided novel data that supports the significant association of CYP1B1 Leu432Val gene polymorphism with HT in Slovak midlife women.

Minutiae are small distinguishing features found along every ridge flow, which make each friction ridge print unique. The most common friction ridge prints found at the crime scene are fingerprints; therefore, the most of the minutiae studies are focused exactly on this kind of prints. The authors believe that further examination and enlargement of the palm print database could result in better use of the palm prints for personal identification. We analyzed a total of 160 palm prints from 40 females and 40 males aged between 18 and 70 years from Slovakia. For the evaluation of the minutiae, the area of the hypothenar had to be marked out. The classification of the minutiae used for this study was based on a modified version of the classification system using the total of 13 types of minutiae. The frequency of every minutiae type was calculated and, using the chi-square test with Yates's correction, bilateral and sex differences were assessed. The relationship between the different types of minutiae was examined with Pearson's correlation test. During the initial phases of the identification process, the focus should be on the least common types of minutiae (Y or M and return), which were found not to correlate; thus, their mutual occurrence is random (e.g., overlap-Y or M, crossbar-return, or Y or M-dock). The results of the present study show which specific minutiae types are the most suitable for personal identification. These findings may be beneficial in more effective outcome of the identification process.

This study assesses the association between angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) I/D (rs4646994) polymorphism and body composition parameters in essential hypertension (HT) and menopausal status in Slovak women. The entire study sample comprised 575 women in two groups: 255 with HT and 320 without. Body composition parameters were measured by bioelectric impedance analyzer and ACE I/D polymorphism genotypes were detected by polymerase chain reaction. Premenopausal HT women with ACE II genotype had significantly lower body cell mass (p=0.004), extra- and intracellular water (p=0.027; p=0.004), fat free mass and muscle mass (p=0.006; P = 0.003), fat free mass index (p=0.006) and body cell mass index (p=0.003) than their ID/DD counterparts. These associations were not determined in normotensive and/or postmenopausal women. This study confirmed that ACE I/D gene polymorphism affects body composition in HT premenopausal women.

Three-dimensional convolutional neural networks (3D CNN) as a type of artificial intelligence (AI) are powerful in image processing and recognition using deep learning to perform generative and descriptive tasks. The advantage of CNN compared to its predecessors is that it automatically detects the important features without any human supervision. 3D CNN are used to extract features in three dimensions where input is a 3D volume or a sequence of 2D pictures e.g., slices in a cone-beam computer tomography scan (CBCT). The main aim of this article was to bridge interdisciplinary cooperation between forensic medical experts and deep learning engineers. With emphasis activating clinical forensic experts in the field with possibly basic knowledge of advanced artificial intelligence techniques with interest in its implementation in their efforts to advance the forensic research further. This paper introduces a novel workflow of 3D CNN analysis of full-head CBCT scans. Authors explore and present 3D CNN method for forensic research design concept in five perspectives: (1) sex determination, (2) biological age estimation, (3) 3D cephalometric landmark annotation, (4) growth vectors prediction, (5) facial soft-tissue estimation from the skull and vice versa. In conclusion, 3D CNN application can be a watershed moment in forensic medicine, leading to unprecedented improvement of forensic analysis workflows based on 3D neural networks.

Three-dimensional convolutional neural networks (3D CNN) of artificial intelligence (AI) are potent in image processing and recognition using deep learning to perform generative and descriptive tasks. Compared to its predecessor, the advantage of CNN is that it automatically detects the important features without any human supervision. 3D CNN is used to extract features in three dimensions where input is a 3D volume or a sequence of 2D pictures, e.g., slices in a cone-beam computer tomography scan (CBCT). The main aim was to bridge interdisciplinary cooperation between forensic medical experts and deep learning engineers, emphasizing activating clinical forensic experts in the field with possibly basic knowledge of advanced artificial intelligence techniques with interest in its implementation in their efforts to advance forensic research further. This paper introduces a novel workflow of 3D CNN analysis of full-head CBCT scans. Authors explore the current and design customized 3D CNN application methods for particular forensic research in five perspectives: (1) sex determination, (2) biological age estimation, (3) 3D cephalometric landmark annotation, (4) growth vectors prediction, (5) facial soft-tissue estimation from the skull and vice versa. In conclusion, 3D CNN application can be a watershed moment in forensic medicine, leading to unprecedented improvement of forensic analysis workflows based on 3D neural networks.

Objectives Using prenatally fixed dermatoglyphics features as markers of prenatal sex development is limited due to insufficient knowledge on their sex differences. This study aims to examine more thoroughly sex differences in radioulnar contrasts. Methods Fingerprints of 360 females and 331 males from four samples of different ethnic backgrounds (Czechs, Slovaks, Vietnamese and Lusatian Sorbs) were studied. On both hands, finger ridge counts were recorded, and all possible radioulnar contrasts were computed as a difference between ridge count at a radial position minus ridge count at a respective ulnar position on the hand. Radioulnar contrasts with population-congruent and numerically large dimorphism were selected and the dimorphism of the selected radioulnar contrasts was then tested using nonparametric analysis of variance. Results Greater dimorphism of radioulnar contrasts occurred on the right hand than on the left hand. Population congruent direction and relatively strong dimorphism (Cohen's d greater than 0.3) was found in six radioulnar contrasts on the right hand, all of which involved the radial ridge count of the 2nd finger. Of these, the highest average dimorphism was observed for the difference between the radial ridge count of the 2nd finger and the ulnar ridge count of the 4th finger (2r4u contrast), where the average effect size from all four population samples was comparable to a published average effect size of the 2D:4D finger length ratio. Conclusion We propose that 2r4u contrast of ridge counts could serve as a marker of prenatal sexual development targeting a temporally narrow developmental window.

Objectives This cross-sectional study investigates associations between the FTO rs 17817449 genetic variant, liver enzymes, and hypertension in Slovak midlife women. Methods We assessed 576 Slovak women aged 39 to 65 years. The women were interviewed and examined during their medical examination at local Health Centers and then divided into subgroups according to their blood pressure status; 255 women with hypertension and 321 normotensive. The FTO genetic variant was detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Resultant data was analyzed by linear regression analysis and general linear models to adjust for risk factors associated with gamma-glutamyl transferase levels (GGT), including waist to hip ratio (WHR) and uric acid (UA). Results A significant association between the FTO variant and GGT levels was observed in the hypertensive group after control for confounding covariates, including WHR and UA (p = .004). The predicted GGT level for GT/TT hypertensive carriers is 0.158 μkat/L higher than for GG carriers. Moreover, the two-way analysis of covariance revealed significant interaction between FTO effects and hypertension on logGGT levels (p = .042). Finally, hypertensive women with the T-allele had the highest estimated marginal mean value of logGGT at -0.39 μkat/L while the GG-genotype in both hypertensive and normotensive women had the lowest value at -0.54 μkat/L. Conclusions This study suggests that the FTO (rs17817449) variant is associated with higher serum GGT levels in hypertensive midlife women.

Terminology in morphological and zoological sciences is enormously important. Proper denomination of individual structures of the animal / human body from the microscopic point of view has an irreplaceable role in unambiguous understanding and communication among scientists regardless of their field of expertise. The year 2008 can be considered a crucial year in the developing of internationally accepted histological terminology, because it was the year when the first internationally renowned human histology nomenclature Terminologia Histologica was published. The current version of the Terminologia Histologica contains also the description of many microscopic organs and structures whose presence in different animal species is widely accepted, however their presence in humans is disputable. Typical examples are the haemal lymph nodes and haemal nodes, mentioned in the chapter Lymphoid organs which are secondary lymphoid organs found in many different mammalian species, but also in some birds. They are capable of performing haematopoietic and immunological functions but in the absence of lymphatic system pathology, no structures resembling haemal nodes / haemal lymph nodes have been detected in humans. Neurohaemal organs are mentioned within the chapter Endocrine system. Neurohaemal organs are known by different names, depending on the animal species studied, e.g. corpora allata or abdominal perisympathetic organs. To this date, these structures have been described in many different invertebrate species, but neurohaemal organs are also found in some lower vertebrates, in which the neurohaemal organ is referred to as “urophysis”. According to our opinion, structures called neurohaemal organs in invertebrates are counterparts to circumventricular organs found in vertebrates, but cannot be named as such. Another somewhat controversial term mentioned in human histological nomenclature is the vomeronasal organ mentioned in the chapter Respiratory system. It is a specialized organ, which forms an integral supportive part of the olfaction of many mammalian species and reptiles. It is believed that the main function of vomeronasal organ is to regulate various behavioral aspects of intraspecies interaction by facilitating the detection of pheromones. The function and even existence of the vomeronasal organ in humans is a source of significant dispute among researchers. Some of them stated that vomeronasal organ disappears during fetal development, with except the vomeronasal duct. On the other hand, there are also authors who concluded that the vomeronasal organ is definitely present in adult humans. Similarly disputable question is the presence of multinucleated plasmodia in human body. This opinion article aims to open a wide scientific discussion concerning the importance and aptness of the inclusion of these terms in the human histological nomenclature despite they are probably exclusively zoological.

OBJECTIVE This study examines associations between the ESR1 (XbaI, PvuII) and the MLXIPL (rs3812316) gene polymorphisms, and uric acid (UA) levels in Slovak midlife women, subdivided according to their menopause status. METHODS We assessed a total of 362 women from 38 to 65 years of age. Women were recruited from different localities in the western and middle parts of Slovakia. Participants were interviewed during their medical examination at local health centers. They were investigated with respect to a variety of aspects such as medical, anthropometrical, and lifestyle. Participants provided a blood sample for biochemical analyses and DNA genotyping. The MLXIPL gene (rs3812316 SNP variant) and ESR1 gene (PvuII and XbaI) genotypes were then detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Data were analyzed using general linear models and multiple linear regression analyses to adjust for risk factors elevating the UA level such as fat mass (FM), triglycerides (TGs) and creatinine. RESULTS A positive association between MLXIPL and UA level was observed in the total sample of women after control for confounding covariates, including FM, TGs, and creatinine (P = 0.027). Women with the CC genotype had higher UA levels than the G-allele carriers (261.5 μmol/L ± 68.3 vs 241.1 μmol/L ± 55.1 P = 0.013). A statistically significant association was noticed between postmenopause status and the ESR1 XbaI genotype and their effect on UA (P = 0.028). The Bonferroni pairwise comparison determined that the G-allele carriers in the postmenopausal period had higher estimated UA marginal mean (269.7 μmol/L) than the AA-allele postmenopausal women (236.5 μmol/L) (P = 0.012). The estimated UA marginal mean showed a significant increasing trend according to the MS in G allele carriers (248.5 μmol/L in pre/peri-menopausal vs 269.7 μmol/L in postmenopausal, P = 0.009). In contrast, a decreasing trend was observed in AA carriers (250.6 μmol/L in pre/perimenopausal women vs 236.5 μmol/L in postmenopausal). However, this trend was not statistically significant (P = 0.288). CONCLUSIONS This cross-sectional study suggests that MLXIPL (rs3812316) polymorphism is associated with higher serum UA levels and that the ESR1 (XbaI) polymorphism is associated with UA levels only in the postmenopausal cohort.

This chapter provides a brief overview of basic principles of initial data assessment and calculation of interrater and intrarater error. The definitions and basic properties of nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio scales are discussed. Technical error of measurement (TEM) and coefficient of reliability (R) are described as a recommended tool for measurement error assessment of data in interval and ratio scale. For the assessment of interrater and intrarater reliability of observational data in nominal and ordinal scale, the meaning of Cohen’s Kappa and weighted Cohen’s Kappa coefficients and the methods of their calculation is explained.

In the present study, the metric properties of dynamic footprints were analysed using non-colouring method in relation with body parameters and compared with static footprint measurements. The results of the study provide a better understanding of the relationship between static and dynamic footprints, which may be useful for biological profiling that allows more accurate identification. Stature, body weight, five length and two width parameters of dynamic (walking) footprints of young Slovak adults (65 females and 68 males) were analysed. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated and equations for prediction of stature and body weight by linear regression analysis and multiple regression analysis were developed. Intersex differences were confirmed for all parameters and bilateral for some. Statistically significant differences were found in all measurements (p-value>0.05), except for the width of the standing and walking footprint in the mixed group. A positive correlation was found between the selected footprint diameters with stature (max - r = 0.82) and body weight (max - r = 0.70). Stature could be calculated with an accuracy of up to 4.40 cm and body weight with an accuracy of up to 9.56 kg. The results of the present study show that selected measurements of dynamic footprints correlate with stature and body weight. These results could be used in biological profiling in the medical and forensic fields.

The stature and the body weight as part of the biological profile can aid the personal identification. The dimensions of the human foot, as well as the footprint, can be used for the prediction due to the existence of its positive correlation with the stature and body weight. Five diagonal axes and ball breadth of bilateral static footprints of 132 young Slovak adults were obtained. All diameters were larger in a male group than female group. No bilateral differences were found except the first diagonal axis and ball breadth. A positive correlations between the selected footprint diameters with the stature (r = 0.37–0.64) and the body weight (r = 0.29–0.71) were confirmed. The linear and multiple regression prediction equations were developed. A stature prediction equation using the most lateral diameters (the fourth and fifth diagonal axis) exhibited the highest accuracy ranging from 4 to 7.5 cm. Similar results were found for the body weight estimation of the male and mixed group. In the female group, the most medial axis (first and second) exhibited the highest accuracy. The body weight estimation accuracy ranges from 9.09 to 11.09 kg. The real and predicted stature and body weight were compared and found differences were lower than calculated SEEs. Thresholds and prediction trend of under- or overestimation was identified. The results of the present study show that selected measurements of static footprints could be used to predict stature and body weight but should be applied only for Slovaks due to population specificity.

Objectives In the sixth century AD, Avars came to Central Europe from middle Eurasian steppes and founded a strong Empire called the Avar Khagante (568-799/803 AD) in the Pannonian basin. During the existence of this empire, they undertook many military and pugnacious campaigns. In the seventh century, they conquered the northern territory inhabited by Slavs, who were further recruited in Avar military and were commissioned with obtaining food supplies. During almost 200 years of Avar domination, a significant influence by the Avar culture (especially on the burial rite) and assimilation with indigenous population (occurrence of "East Asian"cranial features) could be noticed in this mixed area, which is supported by achaeological and anthropologcal research. Therefore we expected higher incidence of east Eurasian haplogroups (introduced by Avars) than the frequencies detected in present-day central European populations. Materials and methods Mitochondrial DNA from 62 human skeletal remains excavated from the Avar-Slavic burial site Cifer-Pac (Slovakia) dated to the eighth and ninth century was analyzed by the sequencing of hypervariable region I and selected parts of coding region. Obtained haplotypes were compared with other present-day and historical populations and genetic distances were calculated using standard statistical method. Results and discussion In total, the detection of mitochondrial haplogroups was possible in 46 individuals. Our results prooved a higher frequency of east Eurasian haplogroups in our analyzed population (6.52%) than in present-day central European populations. However, it is almost three times lower than the frequency of east Eurasian haplogroups detected in other medieval Avar populations. The statistical analysis showed a greater similarity and the lowest genetic distances between the Avar-Slavic burial site Cifer-Pac and medieval European populations than the South Siberian, East and Central Asian populations. Conclusion Our results indicate that the transfer of Avar genetic variation through their mtDNA was rather weak in the analyzed mixed population.

Ancient DNA (aDNA) extracted from historical bones is damaged and fragmented into short segments, present in low quantity, and usually copurified with microbial DNA. A wide range of DNA quantification methods are available. The aim of this study was to compare the five most common DNA quantification methods for aDNA.Quantification methods were tested on DNA extracted from skeletal material originating from an early medieval burial site. The tested methods included ultraviolet (UV) absorbance, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) based on SYBRMethods that measure total DNA present in the sample (NanoDropMethods based on the quantification of the total amount of DNA in samples are unsuitable for ancient samples as they overestimate the amount of DNA presumably due to the presence of microbial DNA. Real-time qPCR methods give undervalued results due to DNA damage and the presence of PCR inhibitors. DNA quantification methods based on fragment analysis show not only the quantity of DNA but also fragment length.

DNA was extracted using a Silica Bead Extraction kit from bone samples taken from a Slavonic-Avar individual found at the archaeological site of Cifer-Pac. The analysed skeletal remains from the grave number 62/79 belong to a young adult male (20–30 years at death) and are dated to the 8th–9th century anno Domini. The isolated ancient DNA (aDNA) was amplified by a targeted PCR with a primer pair designed to recognize the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex insertion sequence IS6110. The aim of this molecular approach was to test and optimize a methodology for aDNA M. tuberculosis complex extraction from bone samples with osteological evidence of tuberculosis. Despite of the currently biased authenticity of the mentioned fragment, in this case study we prove that macroscopic evidence for tuberculosis additionally supported by a positive result of molecular testing can be considered authentic enough to be the proof of a tuberculosis infection caused by MTBC (Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex) bacteria when additional skeletal trauma and changes potentially caused by MOTT (mycobacteria other than tuberculosis) bacteria can be excluded. Positivity was confirmed in all of the three samples (thoracic vertebrae, lumbar vertebrae and right femur). Our results confirmed the diagnosis of tuberculosis of the spine and right hip joint. This is the first molecular evidence for the occurrence of tuberculosis on the territory of Slovakia. Through this bio-molecular approach we wish to provide a basis for aDNA examinations on other skeletal collections and provide epidemiological data concerning historical populations living on the territory of Slovakia.

The great potential of scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) is in detection of unusual chemical elements included in ancient human dental calculus to verify hypotheses about life and burial habits of historic populations and individuals. Elemental spectra were performed from archeological samples of three chosen individuals from different time periods. The unusual presence of magnesium, aluminum, and silicon in the first sample could confirm the hypothesis of high degree of dental abrasion caused by particles from grinding stones in flour. In the second sample, presence of copper could confirm that bronze jewelery could lie near the buried body. The elemental composition of the third sample with the presence of lead and copper confirms the origin of individual to Napoleonic Wars because the damage to his teeth could be explained by the systematic utilization of the teeth for the opening of paper cartridges (a charge with a dose of gunpowder and a bullet), which were used during the 18th and the 19th century AD. All these results contribute to the reconstruction of life (first and third individual) and burial (second individual) habits of historic populations and individuals.

A rank correlation between component of anxious expectations and fears before the match and component of depression after the match in the personality of football referees was statistically proven in the past. We presume that there is a possibility that this relationship is in fact qualified by the temperament of referees. We evaluated subjective psychological experiences and states of 26 football referees through standardized questionnaire SUPSO. The questionnaire had been always administrated twice: directly before the match and immediately after its finish. Using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient and partial correlation coefficient, we searched for a causal link among the values of the component of anxious expectations and fears before the match, the values of the component of depression after the match, and the referee’s temperament. Results suggest that the direct bond between the two components stay significant even after exclusion of the influence of referee’s temperament.

Correlations between values of components of subjective psychological experiences and states in 26 male football referees before the match and after the match were explored using factor analysis. For evaluation of subjective psychological experiences and states the standardized questionnaire SUPSO was used. The questionnaire was filled in twice by refer ees: before the match and immediately after the match. Four most important factors were described and named. The first factor was called "tendency to discomfort". It relates to referee ́s current mental state being probably a reflection of long - term negativ e circumstances in referee ́s life. It is neither related to the completed match, nor referee ́s temperament . The second factor was called "depression from failure" and it is connected directly to the completed match. It is probably determined by current ref eree ́s physical and mental conditions . The third and fourth factors proved to be consequences of temperament of referees. In conclusion, the two most important factors of current mental state of football referee during the game can probably be influenced b y a systematic psychological preparation . Psychological preparation should therefore become an effective part of the pre - match preparation of football referees.

The foot measurements are important in forensic field as they can be used as body height predictors for an individual. The morphology of human feet shows the variations and therefore the aim of this study was to find the relation between stature and foot measurements and to generate population-specific equations. We measured the stature and bilateral foot measurements of 71 volunteers ranging in age between 18 and 27 years using standard measurements technique. The results revealed nonsignificant bilateral differences in all sex groups (p

Developmental anomalies were scored and prevalences were computed for two skeletal collections from Devin (southwestern Slovakia). The first sample Devin-Hrad (DH) is dated to the Middle Ages (11th–12th century) and includes 217 skeletons. The second collection Devin-Za kostolom (FR) includes 112 burials and is dated to the Great Moravian period (9th century). In both samples, the evidence of spina bifida occulta occurred most frequently of all the defects examined (24% in DH, 23% in FR). Sacralization (8% in DH, 7% in FR) was more common than lumbarization (2% in DH, 0% in FR), and spondylolysis (7% in DH, 4% in FR) was relatively frequent in both samples. The other developmental defects occurred in only one or a few individuals and represented sporadic occurrences. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A child from a Roman necropolis in Pecs, Hungary (4th century CE) was initially diagnosed with severe spinal osteomyelitis. The post-cranial skeleton displayed bone alterations in the lower thoracic and upper lumbar segments, including vertebral body destruction, collapse and sharp kyphosis, and additional multiple rib lesions, suggesting a most likely diagnosis of pulmonary and spinal tuberculosis. This study discusses a number of selected diagnoses in the context of our pathological findings, complementing the macroscopic examination with radiological and biomolecular analyses.

Hand and foot dimensions used for stature estimation help to formulate a biological profile in the process of personal identification. Morphological variability of hands and feet shows the importance of generating population-specific equations to estimate stature. The stature, hand length, hand breadth, foot length and foot breadth of 250 young Slovak males and females, aged 18-24 years, were measured according to standard anthropometric procedures. The data were statistically analyzed using independent t-test for sex and bilateral differences. Pearson correlation coefficient was used for assessing relationship between stature and hand/foot parameters, and subsequently linear regression analysis was used to estimate stature. The results revealed significant sex differences in hand and foot dimensions as well as in stature (p

Forensic facial approximation is used as a tool for recreating the antemortem appearance of unknown dead and thus facilitates their identification. Several approaches to facial approximation are based on data on facial soft tissue thicknesses (FSTTs). The availability of sex-, age- and population-specific data contributes to the accuracy of the resulting facial approximation model. In this paper, first data set on FSTTs for a Central European population are presented. Soft tissue thicknesses of the mid-face were measured on 160 head CT-scans of 80 males and 80 females aged from 18 to 87 years. These CT-scans were made available after being a part of the diagnostic procedure concerning the paranasal sinuses of the patients. Basic descriptive statistics (i.e. mean, SD, median, range) for the FSTTs at 14 facial landmarks is reported separately by sex and age. Such information allows the forensic artist to choose the most suitable values for the FSTT considering the previous physiological and osteological analysis of the human remains.