SUMMARY: The determination of variables such as age, height, ethnicity and sex are extremely important to the identification of biological findings, especially in accidents with fatal victims. The diagnosis of sex can be 100 % certain for cases in which the skeleton is complete and in a good state of conservation, the individual is an adult and the morphometric variables of the population to which the individual belongs are known.: The aim of the present study was to perform a morphometric evaluation of the proximal femur and compare measurements between males and females. Sixty pairs of femurs were acquired from the Department of Animal Morphology and Physiology of the Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco. The bones were measured with the aid of the ImageJ software program and the following variables were compared between bones from male and female cadavers: DFH - diameter of femoral head on the craniocaudal and sagittal axes; DFN - diameter of femoral neck on the craniocaudal and sagittal axes; FNL - femoral neck length; ILL - intertrochanteric line length. The morphometric variables had the following mean values in the male bones: DFH-craniocaudal axis - 45.10 ± 0.35 mm; DFH-sagittal axis - 48.27 ± 0.35 mm; DFN-craniocaudal axis - 33.21 ± 0.40 mm; DFN-sagittal axis - 29.96 ± 0.05 mm; FNL - 31.71 ± 0.05 mm; ILL - 66.47 ± 0.59 mm. The mean values for the female bones were as follows: DFH-craniocaudal axis - 40.68 ± 0.20 mm; DFH-sagittal axis - 42.61 ± 0.20 mm; DFN-craniocaudal axis - 29.11 ± 0.03 mm; DFN-sagittal axis - 26.05 ± 0.04 mm; FNL - 31.10 ± 0.04 mm; ILL - 60.80 ± 0.41 mm. With the exception of the femur neck length, all variables measurements were significantly larger (p < 0.0001) on the male bones. The present findings demonstrate that the femur bone, particularly the proximal portion, exhibits important sexual dimorphism and has high potential for forensic purposes.

RESUMEN: La determinación de variables como la edad, la altura, el origen étnico y el sexo son extremadamente importantes para la identificación de los hallazgos biológicos, especialmente en accidentes con víctimas fatales. El diagnóstico de sexo puede entregar una coincidencia del 100 % para los casos en los que el esqueleto está completo y en un buen estado de conservación, el individuo es un adulto y se conocen las variables morfométricas de la población a la que pertenece el individuo. El objetivo del presente estudio consistió en realizar una evaluación morfométrica del fémur proximal y comparar las mediciones entre hombres y mujeres. Se adquirieron sesenta pares de fémures del Departamento de Morfología y Fisiología Animal de la Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco. Los huesos se midieron con la ayuda del programa de software ImageJ y se compararon las siguientes variables entre los huesos de cadáveres masculinos y femeninos: DCF: diámetro de la cabeza femoral en los ejes craneocaudal y sagital; DCF: diámetro del cuello femoral en los ejes craneocaudal y sagital; LCF - longitud del cuello femoral; LLI - longitud de línea intertrocantérea. Las variables morfométricas tenían los siguientes valores medios en los huesos masculinos: Eje craniocaudal DCF - 45,10 ±0,35 mm; DCF-eje sagital - 48,27±0,35 mm; DCF-eje craneocaudal - 33,21 ± 0,40 mm; DFN-eje sagital - 29,96 ± 0,05 mm; LCF - 31,71 ± 0,05 mm; LLI - 66,47 ± 0,59 mm. Los valores medios para los huesos femeninos fueron los siguientes: DCFeje craneocaudal - 40,68 ± 0,20 mm; DCF-eje sagital - 42,61 ± 0,20 mm; DCF-eje craneocaudal - 29,11 ± 0,03 mm; DCF-eje sagital - 26,05 ± 0,04 mm; LCF - 31,10 ± 0,04 mm; LLI - 60,80 ± 0,41 mm. Con la excepción de la longitud del cuello del fémur, todas las medidas variables fueron significativamente más grandes (p <0,0001) en los huesos masculinos. Los presentes hallazgos demuestran que el hueso del fémur, particularmente la porción proximal, exhibe un importante dimorfismo sexual y tiene un alto potencial para fines forenses.

SUMMARY: Anatomic differences are found between human males and females. These characteristics of sexual dimorphism vary across populations and have important implications for the study of human evolution. Researchers have employed anthropological tools for the characterization of human cadavers in different states of decomposition using complete skeletons, isolated bones or even bone fragments. The aim of the present study was to differentiate males and females based on morphometric aspects of human tibias from the Brazilian population. Sixty pairs of adult human tibias were obtained from bone collection of the Anatomy Sector of the Department of Animal Morphology and Physiology of the Rural Federal University of Pernambuco, Brazil. Ten measurements were made on the joint face of the tibial plateau: Anteroposterior diameter of the joint surface of the medial condyle (APM), Transverse diameter of the joint surface of the medial condyle (TM), Anteroposterior diameter of the joint surface of the lateral condyle (APL), Transverse diameter of the joint surface of the lateral condyle (TL), Anterior transverse measure of inter-condyle area (ATI), Posterior transverse measure of inter-condyle area (PTI), Middle transverse measure of inter-condyle area (MTI), Anteroposterior measure of inter-condyle area (API), Anterior measure of intercondyle area (AI) and Posterior measure of inter-condyle area (PI). The median morphometric values for the males’ proximal tibia were: APM - 4.707 ± 0.406; TM - 3.024 ± 0.307; APL -4.023 ± 0.414; TL - 3.405 ± 0.323; ATI - 3.365 ± 0.425; PTIc - 1.788 ± 0.307; MTI - 1.167 ± 0.279; API - 5.140 ± 0.377; AI - 2.865 ± 0.249 and PI - 2.297 ± 0.344. The median morphometric numbers for the female’s proximal tibia were: APM - 4.334 ± 0.317; TM - 2.702 ± 0.298; APL - 3.549 ± 0.382; TL - 2.991 ± 0.281; ATI - 2.818 ± 0.307; PTI - 1.555 ± 0.222; MTI - 1.054 ± 0.262; API - 4.596 ± 0.303; AI - 2.565 ± 0.21; PI - 2.031 ± 0.225. All parameters measured showed values significantly higher (p < 0.05) for the male’s proximal tibia. The findings demonstrate sexual dimorphism in this leg bone, which can be used with considerable reliability for scientific and forensic purposes. The results of these studies can be useful in cases where other methods are not applicable, increasing the range of options for forensic investigation.

RESUMEN: Se encuentran diferencias anatómicas entre hombres y mujeres. Estas características del dimorfismo sexual varían entre las poblaciones y tienen implicaciones importantes para el estudio de la evolución humana. Los investigadores han empleado herramientas antropológicas para la caracterización de cadáveres humanos en diferentes estados de descomposición utilizando esqueletos completos, huesos aislados o incluso fragmentos óseos. El objetivo del presente estudio fue diferenciar a hombres y mujeres basándose en aspectos morfométricos de las tibias humanas de la población brasileña. Se obtuvieron sesenta pares de tibias adultas en la recolección ósea del Sector de Anatomía del Departamento de Morfología Animal y Fisiología de la Universidad Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Brasil. Se realizaron diez mediciones en la cara articular de la meseta tibial: Diámetro anteroposterior de la superficie articular del cóndilo medial (APM), diámetro transversal de la superficie articular del cóndilo medial (TM), diámetro anteroposterior de la superficie articular del códilo lateral (APL), diámetro transversal de la superficie articular del cóndilo lateral (TL), medida transversa anterior del área intercondílea (ATI), medida transversal posterior del área intercondílea (PTI), medida anteroposterior del área intercondílea (API), medida anterior del área intercondílea (AI) y medida posterior del área intercondílea (PI). Los valores morfométricos medianos para la tibia proximal de los varones fueron: APM - 4.707 ± 0.406; TM - 3,024 ± 0,307; APL 4,023 ± 0,414; TL - 3,405 ± 0,323; ATI - 3.365 ± 0,425; PTI - 1,788 ± 0,307; MTI - 1,167 ± 0,279; API - 5.140 ± 0.377; AI - 2,865 ± 0,249 y PI - 2,297 ± 0,344. Los números morfométricos medianos para la tíbia proximal de la hembra fueron: APM - 4.334 ± 0.317; TM - 2,702 ± 0,298; APL - 3,549 ± 0,382; TL - 2,991 ± 0,281; ATI - 2,818 ± 0,307; PTI - 1.555 ± 0.222; MTI 1,054 ± 0,262; API - 4.596 ± 0.303; AI - 2,565 ± 0,21; PI 2.031 ± 0,225. Todos los parámetros medidos mostraron valores significativamente más altos (p <0,05) para la tibia proximal del varón. Los hallazgos demuestran dimorfismo sexual en este hueso de la pierna, que se puede utilizar con una fiabilidad considerable para fines científicos y forenses. Los resultados de estos estudios pueden ser útiles en casos donde otros métodos no son aplicables, aumentando el rango de opciones para la investigación forense.

Foram avaliadas as repercussões tardias da desnutrição multicarencial imposta no período de aleitamento e os possíveis efeitos e/ou alterações tanto do processo de envelhecimento como do treinamento físico aeróbio moderado sobre o diâmetro luminal e a área da túnica média da parede das artérias carótida comum esquerda, aorta horizontal e aorta torácica de ratos em processo de envelhecimento. Vinte e quatro ratos machos, Wistar, foram separados de acordo com a dieta e o treinamento físico em: GNS - nutrido sedentário, GNT - nutrido treinado, GDS - desnutrido sedentário e GDT - desnutrido treinado. Aos 10 meses, o GNT e o GDT foram submetidos ao treinamento, em meio aquático, durante oito semanas. Em seguida, os ratos foram anestesiados, sacrificados e, posteriormente, foram coletados fragmentos arteriais para o processamento histológico. A área da túnica média foi mensurada através da diferença entre as áreas externa e interna da parede arterial e o diâmetro luminal foi mensurado a partir da média de dois diâmetros medidos a partir de quatro pontos marcados na camada interna do vaso. A área da túnica média apresentou redução na aorta horizontal quando comparamos os grupos GNS x GDS (p = 0,015) e um aumento da artéria carótida comum esquerda entre os grupos GNT e GNS (p < 0,001). A aorta torácica apresentou um aumento do diâmetro luminal ao compararmos o GDS com o GDT (p= 0,041). Tanto a desnutrição multicarencial induziu alterações parciais na parede aorta horizontal, como também o treinamento físico foi capaz de promover mudanças na área da túnica média da artéria carótida comum esquerda e no diâmetro luminal da aorta torácica.

We evaluated the late effects of malnutrition multicarencial imposed during lactation and the possible effects and / or changes to both the aging process as of moderate aerobic training on the luminal diameter and the tunica media area of the left common carotid artery, horizontal aorta and thoracic aorta of rats in the aging process. Twenty-four Wistar rats male were separated according to diet and physical training: GNS - Nourished Sedentary Group, GNT - Trained Nourished Group, GDS - Malnourished Sedentary Group and GDT - Malnourished Trained Group. At 10 months, the GNT and GDT were submitted to TAM, in water for 8 weeks. Then the mice were anesthetized and sacrificed and the arterial fragments were collected for histological processing. The area of the tunica media was measured by the difference between external and internal areas of the arterial wall and luminal diameter was measured from the average of two diameters measured from four points marked on the inner layer of the vessel. The area of tunica media decreased in the horizontal aorta when compared the groups GNS x GDS (p = 0.015) and increased in left common carotid artery between the groups GNS and GNT (p = <0.001). The thoracic aorta showed an increase in luminal diameter when comparing the GDS with the GDT (p = 0.041). Both malnutrition multicarencial induced partial changes in the horizontal aorta wall, as well as the physical training was able to promote changes in the tunica media area of the left common carotid artery and luminal diameter of the thoracic aorta.