Search Results (122)

Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) is a chronic orofacial pain condition characterized by persistent burning sensations in the absence of consistently identifiable pathology. This mismatch between severe symptoms and inconclusive findings challenges conventional diagnostic reasoning, which presumes that subjective complaints reflect underlying biological lesions—leading to repeated investigations, diagnostic delay, and uncertainty about symptom legitimacy. This paper uses BMS as a paradigmatic case to question a core assumption of clinical reasoning: that objective pathology constitutes primary evidence. In this Perspective, drawing on phenomenology and medical anthropology, we argue that when pathology is indeterminate, illness—the lived experience of suffering—must be treated as primary clinical evidence rather than as a secondary expression of disease. We propose a bidirectional conceptual framework in which physiological processes, psychological states, and lived experience interact dynamically, with symptoms actively participating in the maintenance of the condition. This framework explains persistent diagnostic uncertainty, heterogeneous treatment responses, and the clinical significance of validation and meaning-making. Reframing BMS in this way supports earlier recognition, reduces reliance on exclusion-based strategies, and justifies multimodal interventions addressing both biological and experiential dimensions of pain. More broadly, it suggests that clinical reasoning must expand to incorporate lived experience as indispensable evidence wherever pathology is indeterminate. Full article

Background/Objectives: Identifying pregnant women with heightened emotional vulnerability remains a challenge in antenatal care. A positive screening result is a comparatively infrequent event in clinical samples of moderate size, which complicates the statistical modelling of associated factors. This study aimed to characterise the psychosocial profile associated with a positive antenatal depression screen, integrating attachment style, perception of motherhood, previous emotional history and sleep problems. Methods: A total of 140 women in the third trimester of pregnancy were assessed cross-sectionally using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), with a threshold of 14 or above defining a positive screen; the Adult Attachment Scale; and single-item psychosocial indicators. Associations were examined using the chi-square test, the Fisher–Freeman–Halton exact test, and Firth penalized logistic regression, chosen to correct the separation arising from the small number of events. Results: The screen was positive in 15.0% of participants. Negative perception of motherhood, anxious–ambivalent attachment, previous emotional history and sleep disturbances were all significantly associated with depressive symptoms; in the multivariable model, only negative perception of motherhood remained independently associated with a positive screen. Conclusions: Structured psychosocial assessment may usefully complement standard EPDS screening in the early identification of antenatal emotional vulnerability. Full article

Anthropology in One Health refers to the use of anthropological concepts, methods and field-based approaches to analyse health problems at the intersections of humans, animals, plants, microbes and environments. It examines how disease, risk, care, surveillance and prevention are understood, negotiated and organised in specific social and ecological settings. Its contribution is not simply to add a “social dimension” to biological problems already defined elsewhere. It also asks how a health problem is framed in the first place, whose observations are recognised as evidence, and how different ways of describing a situation shape the interventions that become possible. In this entry, One Health is approached primarily as a collaborative field of practice rather than as a single theoretical concept, bringing together ethnography, medical anthropology, political ecology, multispecies approaches, ethnobiology and studies of Indigenous and local knowledge. Full article

Background/Objectives: Although therapeutic use of medicinal marijuana by patients in Poland became legal in 2017, there remains doubt among primary care physicians (PCPs) related to prescribing medicinal marijuana to their patients. In this study, we aimed to investigate the attitudes of family physicians and the systemic barriers that influence doctors’ therapeutic decisions with respect to prescribing medicinal marijuana. Methods: A 28-question survey was administered to a representative group of PCPs in the Lublin province of Poland. Statistical analysis of the answers of 293 (out of 301) respondents enabled us to determine the PCPs’ levels of knowledge about medicinal marijuana and their willingness to prescribe this type of therapy for their patients. Results: Only 32.3% of the surveyed PCPs had encountered patients who experienced symptoms associated with medicinal marijuana use. The two groups of symptoms most frequently reported by these PCPs were emotional agitation or playfulness (50.8%) and psychomotor retardation, drowsiness, and catatonia (25.4%). Only 41.0% of the surveyed PCPs perceived risks associated with prescribing medicinal marijuana to their patients, including the possibility of patients abusing medicinal marijuana, leading to addiction; sanctions from national regulatory bodies; trade in prescriptions (so-called “counterfeit prescriptions”); a lack of control over the resale of drugs by patients; and the absence of recommendations or guidelines for the use of medicinal marijuana. Our findings also demonstrate that only 5.2% of the surveyed PCPs had already prescribed medicinal marijuana in their professional practices. Conclusions: Limited willingness among PCPs to prescribe medicinal marijuana is primarily due to insufficient knowledge among physicians about the therapeutic effects of medicinal marijuana, its potential adverse effects, the legal framework for prescribing medications, and associated uncertainties. Full article

Background: The foramen of Arnold (FA) and foramen of Vesalius (FV) are two inconstant small openings through the greater wing of the sphenoid bone. When FA is present, the lesser petrosal nerve passes through it. FV usually contains an emissary vein that connects the cavernous sinus to the pterygoid plexus. Objectives: To assess the presence, unilaterally or bilaterally, of the aforementioned inconstant foramina in order to gain a better insight into the anatomic variability of the middle cranial fossa. Methods: We analyzed five hundred random unenhanced CT examinations of human dry skulls from the “Francisc I. Rainer” Craniological Collection of the Human Anthropological Institute in Bucharest, Romania. The collection holds substantial anthropological and radiological value, as dry skulls allow the use of higher spatial-resolution imaging parameters and thus better detection of the small osseous structures. All scans were performed on the same Multi-Detector Computed Tomography (MDCT) scanner (Canon Aquilion One 64 slice, Canon Medical Systems Corporation) in the Department of Radiology of the Bucharest Emergency University Hospital. After collecting data, appropriate statistical analysis was performed. Results: FA was absent in 355 (71%) skulls and present in 145 (29%) skulls, bilaterally in 33 (6.6%) skulls, and unilaterally in 112 (22.4%) skulls. FV was absent in 151 (30.2%) skulls and present in 349 (69.8%) skulls, bilaterally in 223 (44.6%) skulls, and unilaterally in 126 (25.2%) skulls. Conclusions: The great variability in the prevalence of these foramina may be partly explained by the different methods of analysis of the skull base, as well as the different population subgroups on which the research has been focused. Knowledge of this variability holds great importance for anatomists, anthropologists, as well as clinicians who interact with this complex area. Full article

(1) Pome fruits (apples and pears) are among the most frequently consumed fruits in Europe and may contribute to dietary exposure to pesticide residues. Although residue levels generally comply with maximum residue limits (MRLs), even low concentrations may cumulatively contribute to chronic health risks under conditions of frequent and long-term consumption. This study aimed to quantitatively assess dietary exposure and the potential non-carcinogenic health risks associated with pesticide residues in apples and pears, using representative monitoring and consumption data. (2) The assessment was based on results of the Polish national official monitoring program for pesticide residues in food, specifically apples and pears sampled in 2022, as reported by the National Institute of Public Health (NIZP-PZH). These data were combined with age- and body weight-specific consumption scenarios derived from FAO/WHO GEMS/Food cluster diets and national Polish statistics. For the most frequently detected pesticides (captan, flonicamid, acetamiprid and fosetyl-Al in apples; captan and acetamiprid in pears), the mean and 95th percentile concentrations were used to estimate the estimated daily intake (EDI). Non-carcinogenic risk was characterized using the hazard quotient (HQ = EDI/ADI) and the cumulative Hazard Index (HI). The hazard quotient (HQ) was calculated as the ratio of estimated daily intake to the acceptable daily intake (HQ = EDI/ADI), while the Hazard Index (HI) was defined as the sum of individual HQ values for pesticides detected in a given commodity and exposure scenario (HI = ΣHQ). Calculations were performed separately for children and adults under several dietary scenarios (Polish general population, German child, German general population, GEMS/Food G08). (3) For all pesticides and exposure scenarios, the HQ values were well below 1, indicating no exceedance of the acceptable daily intake (ADI). The highest chronic exposure was observed for apples in children (German child scenario), with the HQ values for captan, flonicamid and acetamiprid in the approximate range of 0.01–0.05, while the HI remained < 0.1 even under high-consumption conditions. In adults (Polish and German general populations, GEMS/Food G08), HQ values were approximately one order of magnitude lower than in children, and the cumulative HI values for both apples and pears were far below 1. The contribution of pears to total exposure was limited, reflecting lower consumption and fewer active substances detected. (4) This quantitative risk assessment, based on Polish monitoring data from 2022, indicates that under current residue levels and consumption patterns, chronic dietary exposure to pesticide residues from apples and pears does not pose a relevant non-carcinogenic health concern for either children or adults. Nevertheless, children consistently showed higher relative exposure than adults, underscoring the importance of age-stratified risk assessment and continued monitoring of residues in commonly consumed fruits. The findings support existing regulatory frameworks while justifying sustained, targeted surveillance of key active substances in pome fruits as part of public health prevention strategies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Dementia represents a complex syndrome in which biological, psychological, social, and cultural dimensions intersect. While its clinical features are well documented, less is known about how lived experiences, caregiving contexts, and cultural beliefs shape the trajectory of illness. This study explored clinical, behavioral, and socio-cultural dimensions related to the quality of life of people living with dementia from an anthropological perspective, focusing on the interaction between comorbidities, cognition, lifestyle, and caregiving environments as reported by their informal caregivers. Methods: We conducted a single-center, observational cross-sectional study including 73 family caregivers of patients with clinically diagnosed dementia who accessed care at the Neurology–Psychiatry Department of the C.F.2 Clinical Hospital (Bucharest, Romania) between November 2023 and April 2024. Caregivers provided socio-demographic, behavioral, lifestyle, and cultural information using a newly developed anthropological questionnaire. Descriptive and exploratory inferential analyses were performed to examine relationships between cognitive performance, comorbidities, lifestyle factors, and socio-cultural variables. Results: People with dementia had a mean age of 79.2 ± 7.5 years (range 66–95) and were predominantly female (71.2%). Multimorbidity was common, averaging 2.22 ± 1.03 chronic conditions, mainly neurological (84.9%) and cardiovascular (68.5%). The mean BMI was 26.1 ± 3.8 kg/m². Cognitive impairment was substantial (MMSE mean 11.47 ± 7), with descriptively lower scores among older individuals and those with lower education or income, although inferential tests were underpowered. Appetite and sleep disturbances were frequent and tended to co-occur with lower activity levels. Disclosure of diagnosis occurred in 74% of cases; reactions varied widely, ranging from acceptance to denial, confusion, anxiety, and sadness. Family responses likewise reflected a heterogeneous and often ambivalent adjustment process. Cultural beliefs and spirituality played a salient role in shaping explanatory models and coping strategies, with many caregivers attributing importance to religious practices and, to a lesser extent, alternative treatments. Conclusions: In this Romanian cohort, dementia was shaped not only by age-related multimorbidity and cognitive decline but also by caregiving practices, socioeconomic constraints and culturally grounded interpretations of illness. These findings highlight the relevance of integrative approaches to dementia care that consider medical, behavioral, and socio-cultural dimensions and that incorporate caregiver perspectives to improve the quality of life of both patients and families. Full article

Auxology is the scientific discipline dedicated to the study of human growth and development, with particular emphasis on the patterns, timing, and biological regulation of physical growth from infancy through adolescence. It integrates medical, biological, anthropological, and clinical perspectives to examine both normal and pathological growth processes, including somatic development, skeletal maturation, and pubertal progression. Historically, Auxology evolved from early anthropometric observations and the emergence of statistical reasoning, which established growth as a measurable and variable biological phenomenon. The discovery of X-rays in the late nineteenth century represented a major methodological advance, enabling direct assessment of skeletal maturation and leading to the development of standardized bone age methods, such as the Greulich and Pyle atlas and the Tanner–Whitehouse system. In recent decades, digital imaging and computational approaches, including machine learning and artificial intelligence, have further enhanced the accuracy and reproducibility of growth assessment. Today, auxology constitutes a fundamental scientific framework in pediatric medicine, epidemiology, and public health for understanding human growth as a dynamic, multifactorial, and context-dependent process. Full article

The medical discourse entails the analysis of the modalities, which are far from unbiased, by which hypotheses and results are laid out in the dissemination of findings in scientific publications. This gives different emphases on the background, relevance, robustness, and assumptions that the audience takes for granted. This concept is extensively studied in socio-anthropology. However, it remains generally overlooked within the scientific community conducting the research. Yet, analyzing the discourse is crucial for several reasons: to frame policies that take into account an appropriately large screen of medical opportunities; to avoid overseeing promising but less walked paths; to grasp different types of representations of diseases, therapies, patients, and other stakeholders; to understand how these terms are conditioned by time and culture. While socio-anthropologists traditionally use manual curation methods–limited by the lengthy process–machine learning and AI may offer complementary tools to explore the vastness of an ever-growing body of medical literature. In this work, we propose a pipeline for the analysis of the medical discourse on the therapeutic approaches to rheumatoid arthritis using topic modeling and transformer-based emotion and sentiment analysis, overall offering complementary insights to previous curation. Full article

The human microbiome is a critical factor in health and disease. While its association with breast cancer (BC) has been increasingly studied, this review provides a dedicated synthesis of the microbiota’s role in benign breast diseases (BBDs)—a common yet microbiologically overlooked spectrum of conditions. The primary aim of this work is to consolidate the current understanding of the composition, origins, and functional mechanisms of the mammary gland (MG) microbiota specifically in the context of BBD and to evaluate its potential for novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets. We detail the distinct MG microbiota, formed via exogenous (e.g., cutaneous, translocation) and endogenous (e.g., enteromammary, lymphohematogenous) pathways, and its interaction with the host through estrogen metabolism, immunomodulation, and epigenetic modifications. This narrative review reveals unique dysbiotic patterns in BBD, characterized by distinct microbial signatures, such as the enrichment of Corynebacterium kroppenstedtii in granulomatous mastitis and the presence of Staphylococcus aureus in fibroadenomas and lactational mastitis. Furthermore, specific gut microbial profiles are identified in BBD patients, including an increased abundance of genera such as Clostridium and Faecalibacterium, alongside a decrease in Collinsella and Alistipes compared to healthy controls. These specific taxa represent compelling candidates for diagnostic biomarkers. We conclude that microbial dysbiosis is a significant component of BBD pathogenesis. A paradigm shift toward multi-omics approaches and mechanistic studies is now essential to translate these associations into clinical applications. Understanding the BBD-specific microbiome holds the promise of revolutionizing patient care through microbiota-based diagnostics for differentiating benign subtypes and novel, personalized therapeutic strategies aimed at restoring microbial homeostasis. Full article

Cardiac surgery, now a routine medical intervention, was once deemed unthinkable—not merely due to technical limitations, but because of deep-seated cultural, religious, and philosophical prohibitions. This article traces the historical and ethical trajectory of the human heart from a sacred, inviolable symbol of the soul to a surgically accessible organ. Through an interdisciplinary lens that integrates medical history, anthropology, theology, and contemporary bioethics, we examine how shifts in metaphysical belief, technological progress, and moral reasoning gradually legitimized cardiac intervention. From ancient Egyptian funerary rites and classical cardiocentric models to medieval religious taboos and Enlightenment redefinitions of the body, the heart’s transformation reflects broader changes in how humanity conceives life, death, and identity. The emergence of modern cardiac surgery, especially heart transplantation and extracorporeal technologies, raised new ethical dilemmas, challenging the boundaries between tissue and meaning, biology and personhood. This study argues that despite its clinical secularization, the heart retains a unique symbolic gravity that continues to shape public perception and professional responsibility. In the age of precision medicine, cardiac surgery remains not only a technical act but an existential gesture—a transgression that demands both scientific mastery and moral reverence. Full article

Inducible forms of chronic urticaria are characterized by an early age of onset and a long duration of disease. In addition, cold and cholinergic urticaria have a risk of developing systemic, sometimes life-threatening, reactions. Determining the pathogenetic mechanisms and laboratory and clinical predictors of their development is an open question in the understanding of these diseases. This literature review demonstrates the current known facts that allow the identification of patients with cold and cholinergic urticaria in high-risk groups of anaphylaxis development and, therefore, the possibility to prevent emergency situations and to manage them in time. For cold and cholinergic urticaria, observations of Kounis syndrome–acute coronary syndrome (myocardial infarction or unstable angina) have been described. A series of trials, including the large international multicenter COLD-CE study of anaphylaxis in cold urticaria, have identified early age of urticaria onset, severe clinical symptoms, shortening of the critical temperature threshold, comorbid bronchial asthma, concomitant angioedema, and pruritus of the earlobes as warning signs. No such large-scale studies have been conducted for cholinergic urticaria. Among the few high-risk factors for systemic reactions in cholinergic urticaria described in the literature is the occurrence of angioedema. Thus, it is possible to identify some patients in the high-risk group already at the stage of initial anamnesis collection, and additional data can be collected during the examination. Laboratory biomarkers, clinical predictors, understanding the mechanisms of anaphylaxis by physical triggers or their consequences, and optimal options for pathogenetic therapy are still unresolved issues that require further research. The aim of this review is to provide a content analysis of current knowledge about chronic inducible urticarias in order to increase clinicians’ awareness and, consequently, reduce the risk of urgent conditions associated with them. Full article

Sex estimation is a cornerstone of biological profiling in forensic anthropology. However, in cases involving badly decomposed, burnt, or fragmented remains, traditional assessments may be unfeasible, requiring alternative approaches, such as radiological and medical imaging. The cranium is a valuable indicator of sex, yet its dimorphic traits may be fragmented or altered, hindering interpretation. In such scenarios, radiological techniques targeting protected cranial structures—such as the paranasal sinuses—offer a promising alternative. Although these sinuses exhibit sexual dimorphism, their full potential for sex estimation remains partially underexplored. This study aimed to develop a logistic regression model for sex estimation in a contemporary Italian population based on volumetric measurements of the frontal, maxillary, and sphenoid sinuses, combined with selected cranial linear dimensions (biorbital breadth, upper facial height, and nasal spine length). CT scans from 222 individuals were analyzed. Volumetric measurements were obtained from 3D sinus models individually segmented from the CT scans, while linear cranial dimensions were measured on volume-rendered 3D skull reconstructions. Two predictive models were developed on a training subset and subsequently validated on an independent validation subset, both achieving an overall accuracy of approximately 80% in both phases. The most predictive variables were the volumes of the right frontal and maxillary sinuses, upper facial height, and nasal spine length, which showed the most significant sexual dimorphism. These findings are consistent with the literature on sexual dimorphism of paranasal sinuses and reflect the anatomical variability of structures like the sphenoid sinus. This study demonstrates that volumetric assessment of paranasal sinuses combined with selected cranial dimensions can provide more reliable sex estimation in forensic contexts. The integration of radiological imaging with statistical modelling offers a practical framework for situations where conventional skeletal analysis is compromised, reinforcing the role of advanced radiology in expanding the methodological toolkit of forensic anthropology. Full article

Vegetables and fruits grown in urban areas pose a potential threat to human health due to contamination with heavy metals (HMs). This study aimed to identify and quantify the concentrations of heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd) in tomatoes, leafy vegetables, and fruits collected from 16 allotment gardens (AGs) located in Warsaw. A total of 112 samples were analyzed (72 vegetable and 40 fruit samples). Vegetables from AGs accumulated significantly higher levels of HMs than fruits. Leafy vegetables, particularly those cultivated near high-traffic roads, exhibited markedly elevated levels of Pb, Cd, and Zn compared to those grown in peripheral areas. Lead concentrations exceeded permissible limits by six to twelve times, cadmium by one to thirteen times, and zinc by 0.7 to 2.4 times. Due to high levels of Pb and Cd, tomatoes should not be cultivated in urban environments. Regardless of location, only trace amounts of HMs were detected in fruits. The greatest health risk is associated with the consumption of leafy vegetables. Lettuce should be considered an indicator plant for assessing environmental contamination. The obtained Hazard Index (HI) values indicate that only the tested fruits are safe for consumption. Meanwhile, the values of the Hazard Quotient (HQ) indicate no health risk associated with the consumption of lettuce, cherries, and red currants. Among the analyzed elements, Pb showed a higher potential health risk than other metals. This study emphasizes the need for continuous monitoring of HM levels in urban soils and the establishment of baseline values for public health purposes. Remediation of contaminated soils and the implementation of safer agricultural practices are recommended to reduce the exposure of urban populations to the risks associated with the consumption of contaminated produce. In addition, the safety of fruits and vegetables grown in urban areas is influenced by the location of the AGs and the level of industrialization of the agglomeration. Therefore, the safety assessment of plant products derived from AGs should be monitored on a continuous basis, especially in vegetables. Full article

This paper discusses the role of energy and movement in facilitating experiences of well-being from an anthropological perspective that considers energy as a situated form of knowledge. Drawing on fieldwork among Core Energetics (CE) and 5Rhythms (5R) groups, I examine how the circulation of energy is achieved through bodily movements and dances, attention to the senses, somatic self-cultivation, and deep experiences of consciousness. Focus is hold on the ritual elements, including a specific spacetime framework and intersubjective exercises that facilitate energetical experiences that renew the subjective and intersubjective relationship to the self in a restorative way. I argue that mind–body–energy groups conflate two Western sources: on the one hand, the legacy of early Western medical offshoots that have been marginalized by mainstream biomedicine, and on the other, discursive references to contemporary interpretations of quantum physics. Full article