http://hdl.handle.net/11089/53509 2026-04-09T18:44:22Z http://hdl.handle.net/11089/53522 Mind-body medicine and altered states of consciousness in Homo Mohammadi, Kazhaleh; Saniotis, Arthur The mind-body relationship has long been a subject of inquiry from both philosophical and scientific perspectives. Ancient Greek philosophers such as Pythagoras and Plato posited dualistic models, where the mind and body are distinct substances. In contrast, modern approaches in Mind-Body Medicine (MBM) offer integrative models that emphasize the interconnectedness of mental and physical states and the proactive role of the patient in their own healing process. This review examines the evolutionary roots of altered states of consciousness (ASC) as a precursor to current MBM techniques. By tracing ASC to early hominins and their cognitive development, it posits that the ability to enter various ASC—such as those used in rituals, meditation, and other mind-body practices—provided evolutionary advantages, influencing both individual fitness and social cohesion. Moreover, this review discusses tonic immobility in animals as a survival mechanism and explores parallels in human and non-human primate behaviors involving ASC. Additionally, neurochemical pathways that govern ASC, such as serotonergic and dopaminergic regulation, are explored for their roles in promoting social behaviors, cognitive flexibility, and emotional regulation. Furthermore, the role of the default mode network is investigated in relation to psychotropic and mood altering substances and altered states of consciousness. This integrated perspective offers new insights into the origins of MBM and underscores the significance of ASC in both evolutionary and contemporary contexts. 2024-10-18T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/11089/53520 Mismeasurement of the virtual human body: analysing error of landmark acquisition Černý, Dominik; Urbanová, Petra Modern physical anthropology increasingly employs non-invasive methods that use 3D models representing the human body. Frequently, these are 3D models of a person’s physical appearance, i.e., face or body. A traditional approach to analyse these records is to process discrete points (landmarks, feature points) collected manually on the model surface. The digitization of landmarks and associated errors have been sufficiently studied in the context of the human face, due to its functional and aesthetic importance. However, other parts of the human body have not received the same level of attention.The aim of the present study was to quantify the error of body landmarks when collected in 3D fullbody models and to explore how it relates to other model properties, such as a demographic and somatic indicators.The study tested two datasets of 10 body landmarks acquired in 60 models (32 males and 28 females). The data acquisition was carried out during the time span of 14 days. The magnitude of the digitization error for each point was acquired and tested between groups defined according to their anatomical location (shoulders, arms, legs; torso and limbs or body side), sex, age, height and body type.The results of this study showed that the error of digitising landmarks in a 3D model was greater compared to the error reported in the literature when acquiring landmarks on the human body. The digitization error was independent of participants’ age, sex, height, and body type but was correlated with the anatomical location, where the upper chest, neck, and back on the knee yielded the highest digitization errors. In addition, this study showed that landmarks located on the shoulders and arms exhibited an error which was correlated negatively with the volume of the lower and upper half of the body and positively with the body depth. 2024-10-07T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/11089/53519 A bifid mandibular condyle from a cremation grave from Paprotki Kolonia cemetery, Poland Budziszewski, Adam; Karczewski, Maciej This study investigates the etiology of a bifid mandibular condyle found in a Bogaczewo culture cremation burial from the Paprotki Kolonia site 1. Using macroscopic analysis and CT imaging, we identified a sagittal separation of the mandibular condyle, suggesting a developmental origin. This represents the first known case of a bifid mandibular condyle from an Iron Age cremation context. Analytical potential is limited due to the preservation of only one condyle and the absence of teeth and temporobandibular surface, which do not allow us to assess the impact of this condition to the life quality of the individual. 2024-09-30T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/11089/53521 VDR gene polymorphism in susceptibility to urolithiasis among the Asian population: A systematic review and meta-analysis Yumnam, Malvika; Sanjenbam, Yaiphaba Urolithiasis is one of the most prevalent urinary diseases worldwide. Several studies have reported VDR gene polymorphisms to have a contributing genetic factor in susceptibility to urolithiasis and suggested its possibility of being a good candidate marker for urolithiasis. However, results across numerous studies centred on the relationship between the VDR gene polymorphism and urolithiasis have been inconclusive. To perform a meta-analysis concerning the association between the risk of urolithiasis and VDR gene polymorphismsviz., ApaI, BsmI, FokI, and TaqI among the Asian population. A comprehensive electronic search was conducted to identify published studies that investigates the relationship between four polymorphisms (ApaI, BsmI, FokI and TaqI) in the VDR gene and the risk of urinary stone disease using electronic databases. VDR ApaI and FokI polymorphisms were found to be associated with urolithiasis risk. Results from pooled analysis indicated ApaI aa genotype to be associated with urolithiasis compared to AA or Aa genotypes. In addition, the minor f allele of FokI variant was identified to be the risk allele in susceptibility to urolithiasis while F allele to be protective. Moreover, from the subgroup analysis, the ff genotype of FokI and aa genotype of ApaI were associated with higher risk of urolithiasis among the East Asian but not among the Southwest Asians. 2024-10-21T00:00:00Z