Investigating kinship of Neolithic post-LBK human remains from Krusza Zamkowa, Poland using ancient DNA

We applied an interdisciplinary approach to investigate kinship patterns and funerary practices during the middle Neolithic. Genetic studies, radiocarbon dating, and taphonomic analyses were used to examine two grave clusters from Krusza Zamkowa, Poland. To reconstruct kinship and determine biological sex, we extracted DNA from bones and teeth, analyzed mitochondrial genomes and nuclear SNPs using the HID-Ion AmpliSeq™ Identity panel generated on Illumina and Ion Torrent platforms, respectively. We further dated the material (AMS ¹⁴C) and to exclude aquatic radiocarbon reservoir effects, measures of carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes for diet reconstruction were used. We found distinct mitochondrial genomes belonging to haplogroups U5b2a1a, K1c and H3d in the first grave cluster, and excluded maternal kin patterns among the three analyzed individuals. In the second grave cluster one individual belonged to K1a4. However, we could not affiliate the second individual to a certain haplogroup due to the fragmented state of the mitochondrial genome. Although the individuals from the second grave cluster differ at position 6643, we believe that more data is needed to fully resolve this issue. We retrieved between 26 and 77 autosomal SNPs from three of the individuals. Based on kinship estimations, taking into account the allelic dropout distribution, we could not exclude first degree kin relation between the two individuals from the second grave cluster. We could, however, exclude a first degree kinship between these two individuals and an individual from the first grave cluster. Presumably, not only biological kinship, but also social relations played an important role in the funerary practice during this time period. We further conclude that the HID-Ion AmpliSeq™ Identity Panel may prove useful for first degree kin relation studies for samples with good DNA preservation, and that mitochondrial genome capture enrichment is a powerful tool for excluding direct maternal relationship in ancient individuals.

[Laparoscopic colorectal surgery--own experience]

The advent of laparoscopic colorectal surgery evoked discussion on its advantages and limitations. Although application of laparoscopy in the management of benign colorectal diseases has been widely accepted, its use for treatment of malignancies is still controversial. Many reports suggest that laparoscopic operations provide similar oncological radicality as open procedures, with less operative trauma, shorter hospital stay and low complication rate. In the hands of well-trained surgeon laparoscopic colorectal surgery seems to be attractive operative modality. Authors present own experience with laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

[Percutaneous angioplasty of the stenotic aortic valve: results, hemodynamic effects and complications]

In 24 patients with aortic stenosis (13 men and 11 women, aged 47 to 80 years; mean age 67 years) a percutaneous angioplasty of the aortic valve was performed. The NYHA functional class improved in 20 patients. There was also a significant (p less than 0.01) decrease of the mean aortic gradient from 75.1 +/- 21.8 mm Hg to 45.3 +/- 11.7 mm Hg as well as an increase of the aortic valve area from 0.61 +/- 0.12 cm2 to 0.96 +/- 0.3 cm2. The end diastolic volume index decreased from 121.3 +/- 37.4 ml/m2 to 99.6 +/- 24.8 ml/m2 to the end diastolic volume index from 49.1 +/- 26.6 ml/m2 to 34.6 +/- 13.4 ml/m2 (both significant: p less than 0.01). The ejection fraction increased from 61.3 +/- 11.8% to 65.8 +/- 7.8% (p less than 0.05). Four patients presented a transient left bundle branch block. The corrected QT interval increased significantly (p less than 0.01) from 388.9 +/- 29 ms to 401.4 +/- 42.6 ms. Complications occurred in eight patients, being severe in three of them (one death from intractable internal hemorrhage, two cases of right sided hemiparesis).

CONCLUSIONS

Percutaneous aortic valve angioplasty represents an alternative to the surgical procedure. In our patients there was not only an increase in the aortic valve area, but also an improvement in the ejection fraction. Nevertheless, unforeseeable complications may occur which obscure the results. In the future, widened experience and improved technique will reduce complications.