Kromosom Y i potraga za novom domovinom: tragom kromosoma Y od južnoazijskih do balkanskih pustopoljina: genetička prošlost i zbilja Roma i Bajaša

Ova je knjiga jedinstven pisani dokument o Bajašima i jedan od rijetkih suvremenih znanstvenih dokumenata o Romima koji se temelji na originalnom antropološkom i genetičkom istraživanju provedenom u Hrvatskoj. Autorica nas svojim vrlo zanimljivim stilom vodi kroz osnove strukture, evolucije i filogenetike “ muškog” kromosoma Y, no i kroz praktične izazove koji prate organizaciju i provođenje terenskih istraživanja. Iz knjige također saznajemo kakva je i kako je uobličena bajaška, i općenito romska, očinska zaliha gena. U posljednjem, vrlo lucidnom poglavlju raspravlja se o odnosu genetike i identiteta te se naglašava kako genetički identitet suvremenih Roma oslikava dosadašnji maćehinski odnos Europe prema ovom prognanom azijskom narodu u potrazi za novom domovinom te obrambenim mehanizmima koje je taj narod usvajao i unaprjeđivao ne bi li opstao

Analysis of cultural consensus model of two good life sub-domains - health & well-being and migration & socio-economic milieu - in three population groups from Croatia

In this study the construct of good life is explored among upper secondary school seniors, their parents and professors by applying the analysis of cultural consensus model. A total of 469 students, 474 parents and 158 professors from four Croatian cities participated in the study. The information collected through interviewing and freelisting during the first phase of the filed work was used for creating a set of structured questions contained in the questionnaire, as a part of the survey in the second phase of data collection. In this study the results are reported on two good life sub-domains: health & well-being and migration & socio-economic milieu. The obtained results indicate heterogeneity of studied sample groups, incomplete inter-generational transmission of cultural values and examples of two subgroups that resist cultural norms and do not comply to the dominant “competence-as-sharing” paradigm. The value of testing cultural consensus model based on the emic approach and locally significant phenomena is demonstrated for planning and conducting holistic anthropological research

Reference intervals for six salivary cortisol measures based on the Croatian Late Adolescence Stress Study (CLASS)

IN ENGLISH: INTRODUCTION: The aim of this nested study is to provide the reference intervals for already published measurements of salivary cortisol from the Croatian Adolescence Stress Study (CLASS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 969 individuals (372 males and 597 females) were included in the reference sample (age range: 18-21 years). Salivary cortisol concentrations were determined by the enzyme immunoassay (LUCIO-Medical ELISA Salivary Cortisol Kit, Nal von Minden, Germany) in the Department of Medical Laboratory Diagnostics, University Hospital Split. Nonparametric statistics were used for calculating the reference intervals (RIs) and 90% confidence intervals (90% CIs). RESULTS: The lower limits of RIs determined by the direct method were higher in females (> 10%) than in males for the cortisol concentrations at awakening (SCC0), 30 to 45 after awakening (SCC30-45) and at bedtime (SCCbedtime). The upper limits of RIs for the SCCbedtime were higher (> 10%) in males than in females. Females also had higher upper limits of RIs for the cortisol awakening response (CAR) and the diurnal cortisol slope (DCS) and higher lower limits of RIs for the CAR and the area under the curve with respect to ground (AUCG). The lower limits of RIs for the DCS were higher in males than in females. CONCLUSIONS: Obtained reference values open the arena for introducing salivary bioscience in Croatian clinical laboratory practice and provide important data for better understanding of gender differences in adaptation to stress during late adolescence. --------------- IN CROATIAN: UVOD: Cilj ove studije bio je definirati referentne intervale za objavljene mjere salivarnog kortizola iz Hrvatskog istraživanja stresa u kasnoj adolescenciji (CLASS). MATERIJALI I METODE: Ukupno 969 ispitanika (372 djevojaka i 597 mladića) uključeno je u referentni uzorak (18-21 godine starosti). Koncentracije salivarnog kortizola izmjerene su imunokemijskom ELISA metodom (LUCIO-Medical ELISA Salivary Cortisol Kit, Nal von Minden, Germany) u Zavodu za medicinsko laboratorijsku dijagnostiku Kliničkog bolničkog centra Split. Referentni intervali (RI) i 90%-tni intervali pouzdanosti (90% CI) izračunati su neparametrijskim metodama. REZULTATI: Donja granica referentnog intervala određena izravnom metodom veća je kod djevojaka (>10%) nego mladića za koncentracije kortizola u sve tri vremenske točke (po buđenju, 30-45 minuta nakon buđenja i neposredno prije lijeganja). Gornja granica referentnog intervala za koncentracije salivarnog kortizola neposredno prije lijeganja veća je kod mladića (>10%) u odnosu na djevojke. Također, djevojke imaju veću gornju granicu referentnog intervala za odgovor kortizola na buđenje (engl. cortisol awakening response, CAR) i cirkadijano smanjenje kortizola (engl. diurnal cortisol slope, DCS) te veću donju granicu referentnog intervala za CAR i površinu ispod krivulje u odnosu na nultu razinu (engl. area under the curve with respect to ground, AUCG). Indeks cirkadijanog smanjenja kortizola, DCS je u donjoj granici referentnog intervala veći kod mladića u odnosu na djevojke. ZAKLJUČCI: Objavljeni referentni intervali mjera salivarnog kortizola važni su zbog uvođenje salivarnih analiza u rutinsku kliničku praksu u RH i pridonose detaljnijim spoznajama o spolnim razlikama u adaptacijskim mehanizmima na stresne poticaje tijekom kasne adolescencije

Review of Croatian genetic heritage as revealed by mitochondrial DNA and Y chromosomal lineages

The aim of this review is to summarize the existing data collected in high-resolution phylogenetic studies of mitochondrial DNA and Y chromosome variation in mainland and insular Croatian populations. Mitochondrial DNA polymorphisms were explored in 721 individuals by sequencing mtDNA HVS-1 region and screening a selection of 24 restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs), diagnostic for main Eurasian mtDNA haplogroups. Whereas Y chromosome variation was analyzed in 451 men by using 19 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)/indel and 8 short tandem repeat (STR) loci. The phylogeography of mtDNA and Y chromosome variants of Croatians can be adequately explained within typical European maternal and paternal genetic landscape, with the exception of mtDNA haplogroup F and Y-chromosomal haplogroup P* which indicate a connection to Asian populations. Similar to other European and Near Eastern populations, the most frequent mtDNA haplogroups in Croatians were H (41.1%), U5 (10.3%), and J (9.7%). The most frequent Y chromosomal haplogroups in Croatians, I-P37 (41.7%) and R1a-SRY1532 (25%), as well as the observed structuring of Y chromosomal variance reveal a clearly evident Slavic component in the paternal gene pool of contemporary Croatian men. Even though each population and groups of populations are well characterized by maternal and paternal haplogroup distribution, it is important to keep in mind that linking phylogeography of various haplogroups with known historic and prehistoric scenarios should be cautiously performed

Inbreeding and osteoporosis in Croatian island isolates

The aim of this study was to investigate a recessive genetic component in susceptibility to osteoporosis (OP) by comparing its prevalence in isolated villages of three Croatian islands: Brač, Hvar and Korčula with different levels of inbreeding. A random sample of 20-30% adults from 14 villages was obtained, including a total of 1, 389 examinees. The average inbreeding coefficient (F) of examinees from each village population was estimated using Wright's path method (based on genealogical information), isonymy data and average deviation from Hardy-Weinberg expectations for classic set of serogenetic polymorphisms. The variation in environmental, cultural and socio-economic factors between villages was investigated and shown to be minimal. The morphometry of the metacarpal bones was performed on hand-wrist radiographs of both hands in all examinees. OP was defined as values of cortical index smaller than 2 standard deviations based on distribution of values in examinees of the same sex under 45 years of age. Mean values of cortical index (CI) and prevalence of OP (both standardized by age and weighted for the sample size) in each village were correlated to the mean inbreeding coefficient (F). The coefficient of correlation (r) between F values and CI was -0.28 in males (p=0.08) and -0.42 in females (p=0.005), and between F and OP prevalence 0.32 in males (p<0.001) and 0.43 in females (p<0.001). These results indicate a trend of increased susceptibility to osteoporosis with increasing level of inbreeding in isolated communities of Croatian islands

Body Mass Index and Nutritional Status of the Bayash Roma from Eastern Croatia

This study examines anthropometrically assessed nutritional status of the Bayash, the Roma population from the eastern Croatian region of Baranya, and compares it to the non-Roma general population of eastern Croatia. The analysis of nutritional status and diets is a segment of multidisciplinary anthropological and epidemiological survey of the Roma minority population in Croatia began in 2005. The Bayash are an ethnic group that arrived to Croatia from Romania most likely in the 19th century and speaks a distinct archaic dialect of the Romanian language. The Roma population of Baranya approximates 1,000 according to the 2001 census. The Bayash sample comprised 227 adults aged 18–65 yrs. The women fall below the Croatian 10th percentile for stature and men track about the 10th percentile. Both sexes approximate the 25th percentile for body weight. Despite their diminutive size, the Bayash appear to have adequate nutritional status until the age of 35 yrs after which their average BMI exceeds the value of 25 kg/m2 and falls in the overweight category. However, 8% of Bayash are underweight (BMI<18.5) in contrast to 1% of the majority population in the region. Underweight rates are especially high in women (11%) compared to men (4%). The prevalence of overweight (BMI 25.0 to 29.9) of 30% is considerably lower than in the majority population (42%) while the prevalence of obesity (BMI>or=30.0) of 23% is approximately equal. Overall unsatisfactory nutritional status of the Bayash merits attention. It appears to be the product of unhealthy dietary habits and their socio-economic deprivation that resulted from their poor education and extremely high unemployment

Traditional CVD Risk Factors and Socio-Economic Deprivation in Roma Minority Population of Croatia

Researches into health inequalities consistently show disadvantages in health status, morbidity and mortality for various ethnic minority groups. Current knowledge about prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) mainly derives from studies carried out in populations of European origin while the evidences involving Roma population are scarce. Roma, an ethnic minority of northern Indian origin, live in many countries throughout the world and are well known for preserved traditions and resistance to assimilation. They are most often marginalized economically, spatially, politically and in terms of culture. In order to assess the health status and health-related lifestyle attributes, a multidisciplinary anthropological and epidemiological community-based study was carried out including a total of 423 members of the Bayash Roma minority population living in two regions of Croatia (144 men and 279 women, aged 18–84 yrs). Hypertension (HT) was found in 24.8% Bayash Roma (21.5% men and 26.5% women) using standard diagnostic criteria (i.e. BP 140/90 mm Hg or taking antihypertensive therapy). The prevalence increases from 5.9% in the age group 18–34 yrs; 35.0% in the age group 35–64 yrs and 51.4% in the age group 65+ yrs. The prevalence of hypertension in the Bayash Roma is almost half of the magnitude of what is usually reported for the general population of Croatia. It is also lower when compared with other European populations and this finding is not due to comparative younger average age of the Bayash sample. The significant association of hypertension with age and BMI was confirmed in this study and the importance of non-traditional SES-related CVD risk factors was highlighted. Smoking is a part of traditional Roma life-style and with 70% of smokers almost the entire population is equally exposed to this risk factor in their family environment. Since homogenously distributed, this risk factor did not show to be a significant predictor of hypertension. The extent to which hypertension is influenced by traditional CVD risk factors as well as by some SES indicators was also assessed using a forward stepwise method of the multivariate logistic analysis. Each risk factor was explored as quantitative variable as well as qualitative one using various cut-offs. The best model showed to be the one having age and BMI presented as quantitative variables and sex, region, smoking status, income and schooling years as categorical ones; with cut-off 3 for number of income sources and 8 for the number of schooling years. In spite of the low prevalence of hypertension, the presented results are showing that Bayash Roma are bearing a high CVD risk factors load. We expect that with westernization of their life-style and along with increase of the economic power, the proportion of CVD in population of Bayash Roma will also increase. Therefore, it is important to recognize the need for early cardiovascular disease risk factors prevention in this minority population

Holistic anthropological research of Hvar islanders, Croatia: from parish registries to DNA studies in 33 years

The complexity of interactions between hereditary, environmental and cultural factors in determining human phenotypes is often underestimated in biomedical research. It can be most clearly demonstrated when a well-defined human isolate population is considered and multiple measurements of phenotypes, genetic characteristics and studies of environmental and cultural determinants are performed and analysed. Even in such small communities, where decreased variability in all those factors is presumed, it is often apparent how difficult it is to disentangle the effects of separate interacting factors and explain most of the variance in phenotypes of interest. In this paper, we present 33 years of holistic anthropological research that was being conducted since 1971 in the island of Hvar, Croatia. During this period, detailed characterisation of migrations, demography, isonymy, linguistic differences, anthropometric traits (head and body dimensions), physiological (cardiorespiratory) properties, quantitative and qualitative dermatoglyphic traits, radiogrammetric metacarpal bone dimensions and genetic traits (erythrocyte antigens, HLA diversity, DNA short tandem repeat (STR), mitochondrial DNA and Y-chromosome polymorphysms) was performed. The analysis of this large collection of data using both model-bound and model-free approaches showed that the complexity underlying human biological traits may be considerably greater than generally assumed, which has important implications for design of future studies into genetic determinants of complex traits

Frequencies of mtDNA haplogroups in Southeastern Europe: Croatians, Bosnians and Herzegovinianas, Serbians, Macedonians and Macedonian Romani

Mitochondrial DNA polymorphisms were analyzed in of 1,610 randomly chosen adult men from 11 different regions from southeastern Europe (Croatians, Bosnians and Herzegovinians, Serbians, Macedonians and Macedonian Romani). MtDNA HVS-I region together with RFLP sites diagnostic for main Euroasian and African mtDNA haplogroups were typed to determine haplogroup frequency distribution. The most frequent haplogroup in studied populations was H with the exception of Macedonian Romani among whom the most frequent were South Asian (Indian) specific variants of haplogroup M. The multidimensional scaling plot showed two clusters of populations and two outliers (Macedonian Romani and the most distant from mainland Croatian island of Korčula). The first cluster was formed by populations from three Croatian islands (Hvar, Krk and Brač) and the second cluster was formed by Macedonians, Serbians, Croatians from mainland and coast, Herzegovinians, Bosnians, Slovenians, Poles and Russians. The present analysis does not address a precise evaluation of phylogenetic relations of studied populations although some conclusions about historical migrations could be noticed. More extended conclusions will be possible after deeper phylogenetic and statistical analyses

Holistic Anthropological Research of Hvar Islanders, Croatia – From Parish Registries to DNA Studies in 33 Years

The complexity of interactions between hereditary, environmental and cultural factors in determining human phenotypes is often underestimated in biomedical research. In this paper, we present 33 years of holistic anthropological research that was being conducted since 1971 in the island of Hvar, Croatia. During this period, detailed characterization of migrations, demography, isonymy, linguistic differences, anthropometric traits (head and body dimensions), physiological (cardio-respiratory) properties, quantitative and qualitative dermatoglyphic traits, radiogrammetric metacarpal bone dimensions and genetic traits (classical antigens, HLA diversity, DNA short tandem repeat -STR, mitochondrial DNA and Y-chromosome polymorphisms) was performed. The analysis of this large collection of data using both model-bound and model-free approaches showed that the complexity underlying human biological traits may be considerably greater than generally assumed, which has important implications for design of future studies into genetic determinants of complex traits