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Bodnár V, Antal K, de Vries RP, Pócsi I, Emri T. Aspergillus nidulans gfdB, Encoding the Hyperosmotic Stress Protein Glycerol-3-phosphate Dehydrogenase, Disrupts Osmoadaptation in Aspergillus wentii. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:291. [PMID: 38667962 PMCID: PMC11051529 DOI: 10.3390/jof10040291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The genome of the osmophilic Aspergillus wentii, unlike that of the osmotolerant Aspergillus nidulans, contains only the gfdA, but not the gfdB, glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene. Here, we studied transcriptomic changes of A. nidulans (reference strain and ΔgfdB gene deletion mutant) and A. wentii (reference strain and An-gfdB expressing mutant) elicited by high osmolarity. A. nidulans showed a canonic hyperosmotic stress response characterized by the upregulation of the trehalose and glycerol metabolism genes (including gfdB), as well as the genes of the high-osmolarity glycerol (HOG) map kinase pathway. The deletion of gfdB caused only negligible alterations in the transcriptome, suggesting that the glycerol metabolism was flexible enough to compensate for the missing GfdB activity in this species. A. wentii responded differently to increased osmolarity than did A. nidulans, e.g., the bulk upregulation of the glycerol and trehalose metabolism genes, along with the HOG pathway genes, was not detected. The expression of An-gfdB in A. wentii did not abolish osmophily, but it reduced growth and caused much bigger alterations in the transcriptome than did the missing gfdB gene in A. nidulans. Flexible glycerol metabolism and hence, two differently regulated gfd genes, may be more beneficial for osmotolerant (living under changing osmolarity) than for osmophilic (living under constantly high osmolarity) species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Bodnár
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary;
- Doctoral School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Károly Antal
- Department of Zoology, Eszterházy Károly Catholic University, Eszterházy tér 1, H-3300 Eger, Hungary;
| | - Ronald P. de Vries
- Fungal Physiology, Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute & Fungal Molecular Physiology, Utrecht University, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands;
| | - István Pócsi
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary;
- HUN-REN–UD Fungal Stress Biology Research Group, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Tamás Emri
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary;
- HUN-REN–UD Fungal Stress Biology Research Group, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
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Bakacsy L, Kardos LV, Szepesi Á, Nagy KN, Vasas A, Feigl G. Investigation of the Allelopathic Effect of Two Invasive Plant Species in Rhizotron System. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:475. [PMID: 38672746 PMCID: PMC11051222 DOI: 10.3390/life14040475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
A key question in plant invasion biology is why invasive plants are more competitive in their introduced habitat than in their native habitat. Studies show that invasive species exhibit allelopathy, influencing other plants by releasing chemicals. Research on allelopathy uses in vitro tests, investigating effects on seed germination and seedling development. Although soil plays a role in modifying allelopathic effects, observations with soil are rare and almost nothing is known about the root development of test plants developing in soil and the effects of allelopathic compounds on root architecture. Our study evaluates the allelopathic effects of false indigo-bush (Amorpha fruticosa L.) and common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca L.) on oilseed rape growth as a model plant. The rhizotron system was used to study the effect of morphology and root architecture. Leaf-soil mixtures at 0.5%, 1%, and 5% concentrations were used. Shoot and root development was strongly inhibited at 5%. But there was no difference between the allelopathy of the two species, and the application of lower concentrations did not show any effect, demonstrating that soil has a significant modifying effect on their allelopathy. Our results highlight that the development of roots growing in the soil is also worth investigating in connection with allelopathy, which can strengthen the ecological importance of allelochemicals during successful invasions.
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Affiliation(s)
- László Bakacsy
- Department of Plant Biology, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, 6726 Szeged, Hungary; (L.V.K.); (Á.S.); (K.N.N.)
| | - Luca Viktória Kardos
- Department of Plant Biology, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, 6726 Szeged, Hungary; (L.V.K.); (Á.S.); (K.N.N.)
| | - Ágnes Szepesi
- Department of Plant Biology, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, 6726 Szeged, Hungary; (L.V.K.); (Á.S.); (K.N.N.)
| | - Krisztina Napsugár Nagy
- Department of Plant Biology, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, 6726 Szeged, Hungary; (L.V.K.); (Á.S.); (K.N.N.)
- Doctoral School of Environmental Sciences, University of Szeged, Rerrich Béla tér 1, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Andrea Vasas
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Szeged, Eötvös u. 6, 6720 Szeged, Hungary;
| | - Gábor Feigl
- Department of Plant Biology, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, 6726 Szeged, Hungary; (L.V.K.); (Á.S.); (K.N.N.)
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Baghy K, Ladányi A, Reszegi A, Kovalszky I. Insights into the Tumor Microenvironment-Components, Functions and Therapeutics. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17536. [PMID: 38139365 PMCID: PMC10743805 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Similarly to our healthy organs, the tumor tissue also constitutes an ecosystem. This implies that stromal cells acquire an altered phenotype in tandem with tumor cells, thereby promoting tumor survival. Cancer cells are fueled by abnormal blood vessels, allowing them to develop and proliferate. Tumor-associated fibroblasts adapt their cytokine and chemokine production to the needs of tumor cells and alter the peritumoral stroma by generating more collagen, thereby stiffening the matrix; these processes promote epithelial-mesenchymal transition and tumor cell invasion. Chronic inflammation and the mobilization of pro-tumorigenic inflammatory cells further facilitate tumor expansion. All of these events can impede the effective administration of tumor treatment; so, the successful inhibition of tumorous matrix remodeling could further enhance the success of antitumor therapy. Over the last decade, significant progress has been made with the introduction of novel immunotherapy that targets the inhibitory mechanisms of T cell activation. However, extensive research is also being conducted on the stromal components and other cell types of the tumor microenvironment (TME) that may serve as potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kornélia Baghy
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary;
| | - Andrea Ladányi
- Department of Surgical and Molecular Pathology and the National Tumor Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Oncology, 1122 Budapest, Hungary;
| | - Andrea Reszegi
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA;
- Department of Pathology, Forensic and Insurance Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1091 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ilona Kovalszky
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary;
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Szilágyi A, Czárán T, Santos M, Szathmáry E. Directional selection coupled with kin selection favors the establishment of senescence. BMC Biol 2023; 21:230. [PMID: 37867189 PMCID: PMC10591417 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01716-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Conventional wisdom in evolutionary theory considers aging as a non-selected byproduct of natural selection. Based on this, conviction aging was regarded as an inevitable phenomenon. It was also thought that in the wild organisms tend to die from diseases, predation and other accidents before they could reach the time when senescence takes its course. Evidence has accumulated, however, that aging is not inevitable and there are organisms that show negative aging even. Furthermore, old age does play a role in the deaths of many different organisms in the wild also. The hypothesis of programmed aging posits that a limited lifespan can evolve as an adaptation (i.e., positively selected for) in its own right, partly because it can enhance evolvability by eliminating "outdated" genotypes. A major shortcoming of this idea is that non-aging sexual individuals that fail to pay the demographic cost of aging would be able to steal good genes by recombination from aging ones. RESULTS Here, we show by a spatially explicit, individual-based simulation model that aging can positively be selected for if a sufficient degree of kin selection complements directional selection. Under such conditions, senescence enhances evolvability because the rate of aging and the rate of recombination play complementary roles. The selected aging rate is highest at zero recombination (clonal reproduction). In our model, increasing extrinsic mortality favors evolved aging by making up free space, thereby decreasing competition and increasing drift, even when selection is stabilizing and the level of aging is set by mutation-selection balance. Importantly, higher extrinsic mortality is not a substitute for evolved aging under directional selection either. Reduction of relatedness decreases the evolved level of aging; chance relatedness favors non-aging genotypes. The applicability of our results depends on empirical values of directional and kin selection in the wild. CONCLUSIONS We found that aging can positively be selected for in a spatially explicit population model when sufficiently strong directional and kin selection prevail, even if reproduction is sexual. The view that there is a conceptual link between giving up clonal reproduction and evolving an aging genotype is supported by computational results.
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Affiliation(s)
- András Szilágyi
- Institute of Evolution, HUN-REN Centre for Ecological Research, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tamás Czárán
- Institute of Evolution, HUN-REN Centre for Ecological Research, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Mauro Santos
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Grup de Genòmica, Bioinformàtica i Biologia Evolutiva (GBBE), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- cE3c - Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes & CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Eörs Szathmáry
- Institute of Evolution, HUN-REN Centre for Ecological Research, Budapest, Hungary.
- Center for the Conceptual Foundations of Science, Parmenides Foundation, Pöcking, Germany.
- Department of Plant Systematics, Ecology and Theoretical Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Klosterneuburg, Austria.
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Contaldo N, Zambon Y, Galbacs ZN, Miloro F, Havelda Z, Bertaccini A, Varallyay E. Small RNA Profiling of Aster Yellows Phytoplasma-Infected Catharanthus roseus Plants Showing Different Symptoms. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14051114. [PMID: 37239473 DOI: 10.3390/genes14051114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Micropropagated Catharantus roseus plants infected with 'Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris' showed virescence symptoms, witches' broom symptoms, or became asymptomatic after their planting in pots. Nine plants were grouped into three categories according to these symptoms, which were then employed for investigation. The phytoplasma concentration, as determined by qPCR, correlated well with the severity of symptoms. To reveal the changes in the small RNA profiles in these plants, small RNA high-throughput sequencing (HTS) was carried out. The bioinformatics comparison of the micro (mi) RNA and small interfering (si) RNA profiles of the symptomatic and asymptomatic plants showed changes, which could be correlated to some of the observed symptoms. These results complement previous studies on phytoplasmas and serve as a starting point for small RNA-omic studies in phytoplasma research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicoletta Contaldo
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
- Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection (IPSP), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Yuri Zambon
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Zsuszanna Nagyne Galbacs
- Genomics Research Group, Department of Plant Pathology, Institute of Plant Protection, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Szent-Gyorgyi Albert Street 4, 2100 Godollo, Hungary
| | - Fabio Miloro
- Plant Developmental Biology Group, Department of Plant Biotechnology, Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Szent-Gyorgyi Albert Street 4, 2100 Godollo, Hungary
| | - Zoltan Havelda
- Plant Developmental Biology Group, Department of Plant Biotechnology, Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Szent-Gyorgyi Albert Street 4, 2100 Godollo, Hungary
| | - Assunta Bertaccini
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Eva Varallyay
- Genomics Research Group, Department of Plant Pathology, Institute of Plant Protection, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Szent-Gyorgyi Albert Street 4, 2100 Godollo, Hungary
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Nagy N, Papp G, Gáspár-Kiss E, Diószegi Á, Tarr T. Changes in Clinical Manifestations and Course of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Secondary Antiphospholipid Syndrome over Three Decades. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11041218. [PMID: 37189836 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11041218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is often associated with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), which potentially results in a more severe disease course and reduced life expectancy. Since the therapeutic guidelines have been refined in the last 15 years, we assumed that the diseases course has become more favorable. In order to shed light on these achievements, we compared the data of SLE patients diagnosed before and since 2004. In our retrospective study, we assessed a wide spectrum of clinical and laboratory data of 554 SLE patients who received regular follow-up care and therapy at our autoimmune center. Among these patients, 247 had antiphospholipid antibodies (APAs) without clinical signs of APS, and 113 had definitive APS. In the APS group, among patients diagnosed since 2004, deep vein thrombosis (p = 0.049) and lupus anticoagulant positivity (p = 0.045) were more frequent, while acute myocardial infarction was less frequent (p = 0.021) compared with patients diagnosed before 2004. Among the APA positive patients without definitive APS, anti-cardiolipin antibody positivity (p = 0.024) and development of chronic renal failure (p = 0.005) decreased in patients diagnosed since 2004. Our study demonstrates that the disease course has changed in recent years; however, in the presence of APS, we have to expect repeated thrombotic events despite adequate anticoagulant therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolett Nagy
- Division of Clinical Immunology, Institute of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Gábor Papp
- Division of Clinical Immunology, Institute of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Eszter Gáspár-Kiss
- Division of Clinical Immunology, Institute of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Ágnes Diószegi
- Division of Metabolic Disorders, Institute of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Tünde Tarr
- Division of Clinical Immunology, Institute of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
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Kocsmár É, Schmid M, Cosenza-Contreras M, Kocsmár I, Föll M, Krey L, Barta BA, Rácz G, Kiss A, Werner M, Schilling O, Lotz G, Bronsert P. Proteome alterations in human autopsy tissues in relation to time after death. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:117. [PMID: 37020120 PMCID: PMC10075177 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04754-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
Protein expression is a primary area of interest for routine histological diagnostics and tissue-based research projects, but the limitations of its post-mortem applicability remain largely unclear. On the other hand, tissue specimens obtained during autopsies can provide unique insight into advanced disease states, especially in cancer research. Therefore, we aimed to identify the maximum post-mortem interval (PMI) which is still suitable for characterizing protein expression patterns, to explore organ-specific differences in protein degradation, and to investigate whether certain proteins follow specific degradation kinetics. Therefore, the proteome of human tissue samples obtained during routine autopsies of deceased patients with accurate PMI (6, 12, 18, 24, 48, 72, 96 h) and without specific diseases that significantly affect tissue preservation, from lungs, kidneys and livers, was analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). For the kidney and liver, significant protein degradation became apparent at 48 h. For the lung, the proteome composition was rather static for up to 48 h and substantial protein degradation was detected only at 72 h suggesting that degradation kinetics appear to be organ specific. More detailed analyses suggested that proteins with similar post-mortem kinetics are not primarily shared in their biological functions. The overrepresentation of protein families with analogous structural motifs in the kidney indicates that structural features may be a common factor in determining similar postmortem stability. Our study demonstrates that a longer post-mortem period may have a significant impact on proteome composition, but sampling within 24 h may be appropriate, as degradation is within acceptable limits even in organs with faster autolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Éva Kocsmár
- Department of Pathology, Forensic and Insurance Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Marlene Schmid
- Institute of Surgical Pathology, University Medical Center Freiburg, Breisacher Straße 115A, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Miguel Cosenza-Contreras
- Institute of Surgical Pathology, University Medical Center Freiburg, Breisacher Straße 115A, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ildikó Kocsmár
- Department of Pathology, Forensic and Insurance Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Urology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Melanie Föll
- Institute of Surgical Pathology, University Medical Center Freiburg, Breisacher Straße 115A, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Khoury College of Computer Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, USA
| | - Leah Krey
- Institute of Surgical Pathology, University Medical Center Freiburg, Breisacher Straße 115A, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Bálint András Barta
- Institute of Surgical Pathology, University Medical Center Freiburg, Breisacher Straße 115A, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Gergely Rácz
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - András Kiss
- Department of Pathology, Forensic and Insurance Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Martin Werner
- Institute of Surgical Pathology, University Medical Center Freiburg, Breisacher Straße 115A, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Oliver Schilling
- Institute of Surgical Pathology, University Medical Center Freiburg, Breisacher Straße 115A, 79106, Freiburg, Germany.
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Gábor Lotz
- Department of Pathology, Forensic and Insurance Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Peter Bronsert
- Institute of Surgical Pathology, University Medical Center Freiburg, Breisacher Straße 115A, 79106, Freiburg, Germany.
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
- Biobank Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg, University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany.
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Spekker O, Tihanyi B, Kis L, Váradi OA, Donoghue HD, Minnikin DE, Szalontai C, Vida T, Pálfi G, Marcsik A, Molnár E. The two extremes of Hansen’s disease—Different manifestations of leprosy and their biological consequences in an Avar Age (late 7th century CE) osteoarchaeological series of the Duna-Tisza Interfluve (Kiskundorozsma–Daruhalom-dűlő II, Hungary). PLoS One 2022; 17:e0265416. [PMID: 35737690 PMCID: PMC9223331 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0265416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
To give an insight into the different manifestations of leprosy and their biological consequences in the Avar Age of the Hungarian Duna-Tisza Interfluve, two cases from the 7th-century-CE osteoarchaeological series of Kiskundorozsma–Daruhalom-dűlő II (Hungary; n = 94) were investigated. Based on the macromorphology of the bony changes indicative of Hansen’s disease, KD271 (a middle-aged male) and KD520 (a middle-aged female) represent the two extremes of leprosy. KD271 appears to have an advanced-stage, long-standing near-lepromatous or lepromatous form of the disease, affecting not only the rhinomaxillary region but also both upper and lower limbs. This has led to severe deformation and disfigurement of the involved anatomical areas of the skeleton, resulting in his inability to perform the basic activities of daily living, such as eating, drinking, grasping, standing or walking. The skeleton of KD520 shows no rhinomaxillary lesions and indicates the other extreme of leprosy, a near-tuberculoid or tuberculoid form of the disease. As in KD271, Hansen’s disease has resulted in disfigurement and disability of both of the lower limbs of KD520; and thus, the middle-aged female would have experienced difficulties in standing, walking, and conducting occupational physical activities. KD271 and KD520 are amongst the very few published cases with leprosy from the Avar Age of the Hungarian Duna-Tisza Interfluve, and the only examples with detailed macromorphological description and differential diagnoses of the observed leprous bony changes. The cases of these two severely disabled individuals, especially of KD271 –who would have required regular and substantial care from others to survive–imply that in the Avar Age community of Kiskundorozsma–Daruhalom-dűlő II there was a willingness to care for people in need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Spekker
- Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- Institute of Archaeological Sciences, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- * E-mail:
| | - Balázs Tihanyi
- Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- Department of Archaeogenetics, Institute of Hungarian Research, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Luca Kis
- Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- Department of Archaeogenetics, Institute of Hungarian Research, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Orsolya Anna Váradi
- Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- Department of Archaeogenetics, Institute of Hungarian Research, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Helen D. Donoghue
- Centre for Clinical Microbiology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - David E. Minnikin
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Csaba Szalontai
- Archaeological Heritage Protection Directorate, Hungarian National Museum, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tivadar Vida
- Institute of Archaeological Sciences, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - György Pálfi
- Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Antónia Marcsik
- Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Erika Molnár
- Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
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9
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Spekker O, Tihanyi B, Kis L, Szalontai C, Vida T, Pálfi G, Marcsik A, Molnár E. Life and death of a leprosy sufferer from the 8th-century-CE cemetery of Kiskundorozsma–Kettőshatár I (Duna-Tisza Interfluve, Hungary)—Biological and social consequences of having Hansen’s disease in a late Avar Age population from Hungary. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0264286. [PMID: 35180265 PMCID: PMC8856564 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of our paper is to demonstrate a middle-aged male (KK61) from the 8th-century-CE cemetery of Kiskundorozsma–Kettőshatár I (Duna-Tisza Interfluve, Hungary), who appears to represent the lepromatous form of Hansen’s disease. Leprosy has affected not only the rhinomaxillary region of his face but also his lower limbs, with severe deformation and disfigurement of the involved anatomical areas (saddle-nose and flat-foot deformity, respectively). Consequently, he would have experienced disability in performing the basic activities of daily living, such as eating, drinking, standing or walking; and thus, he would have required regular and substantial care from others to survive. Despite his very visible disease and associated debility, it seems that KK61 was accepted as a member of the community in death, since he has been buried within the cemetery boundaries, among others from his community. In addition, his grave has conformed to the mortuary practices characteristic of the Kiskundorozsma–Kettőshatár I cemetery (e.g., burial orientation, position of the body in the grave, and type and quantity of accompanying grave goods). Although distinction or segregation in life do not preclude normative treatment in death, the long-lasting survival of KK61 with Hansen’s disease implies that he would not have been abandoned but cared for by others. KK61 is one of the few published historic cases with leprosy from the Avar Age of the Hungarian Duna-Tisza Interfluve. His case gives us a unique insight into the biological consequences of living with Hansen’s disease and illustrates the social attitude toward leprosy sufferers in early mediaeval Hungary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Spekker
- Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- Institute of Archaeological Sciences, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- * E-mail:
| | - Balázs Tihanyi
- Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- Department of Archaeogenetics, Institute of Hungarian Research, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Luca Kis
- Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- Department of Archaeogenetics, Institute of Hungarian Research, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Csaba Szalontai
- Archaeological Heritage Protection Directorate, Hungarian National Museum, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tivadar Vida
- Institute of Archaeological Sciences, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - György Pálfi
- Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Antónia Marcsik
- Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Erika Molnár
- Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
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Spekker O, Kis L, Deák A, Makai E, Pálfi G, Váradi OA, Molnár E. An unusual case of childhood osteoarticular tuberculosis from the Árpádian Age cemetery of Győrszentiván-Révhegyi tag (Győr-Moson-Sopron county, Hungary). PLoS One 2021; 16:e0249939. [PMID: 33852636 PMCID: PMC8046221 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Ancient human remains exhibiting bony changes consistent with osteoarticular tuberculosis (OATB) indicate that the disease has afflicted mankind for millennia. Nonetheless, not many pediatric OATB cases have been published in the paleopathological literature–from Hungary, only three cases have been described up to now. In our paper, we demonstrate a child (S0603) from the Árpádian Age cemetery of Győrszentiván-Révhegyi tag (northwestern Hungary), who represents a unique case of OATB regarding both the pattern and severity of the observed bony changes. During the macromorphological and radiological investigations, the most serious alterations were discovered in the upper thoracic spine–the development of osteolytic lesions led to severe bone loss and consequent collapse and fusion of several adjacent vertebrae. The pathological process terminated in a sharp, rigid angular kyphosis. Disruption of the normal spine curvature resulted in consequent deformation of the whole thoracic wall–it became “rugby-ball-shaped”. The overall nature and pattern of the detected alterations, as well as their resemblance to those of described in previously published archaeological and modern cases from the pre-antibiotic era indicate that they are most consistent with OATB. Based on the severity and extent of the lesions, as well as on the evidence of secondary healing, S0603 suffered from TB for a long time prior to death. Besides body deformation, OATB resulted in consequent disability in daily activities, which would have required regular and significant care from others to survive. It implies that in the Árpádian Age community of Győrszentiván-Révhegyi tag, there was a willingness to care for people in need. Detailed archaeological case studies can give us a unique insight into the natural history and different presentations of OATB. Furthermore, they can provide paleopathologists with a stronger basis for diagnosing TB and consequently, with a more sensitive means of assessing TB frequency in past populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Spekker
- Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- * E-mail:
| | - Luca Kis
- Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Andrea Deák
- Rómer Flóris Museum of Art and History, Győr, Hungary
| | - Eszter Makai
- Department of Radiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - György Pálfi
- Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Orsolya Anna Váradi
- Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Erika Molnár
- Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
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11
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Spekker O, Hunt DR, Berthon W, Paja L, Molnár E, Pálfi G, Schultz M. Tracking down the White Plague. Chapter three: Revision of endocranial abnormally pronounced digital impressions as paleopathological diagnostic criteria for tuberculous meningitis. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0249020. [PMID: 33740029 PMCID: PMC7978373 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Abnormally pronounced digital impressions (APDIs) on the endocranial surface develop secondary to a prolonged rise in the intracranial pressure. This can result from a number of pathological conditions, including hydrocephalus due to tuberculous meningitis (TBM). APDIs have been described with relation to TBM not only in the modern medical literature but also in several paleopathological studies. However, APDIs are not pathognomonic for TBM and their diagnostic value for identifying TBM in past human populations has not been evaluated in identified pre-antibiotic era skeletons. To assess the diagnostic value of APDIs for the first time, a macroscopic investigation was performed on skeletons from the Terry Collection (Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, USA). Our material consisted of 234 skeletons with tuberculosis (TB) as the cause of death (TB group) and 193 skeletons with non-tuberculous (NTB) causes of death (NTB group). The macroscopic examination focused on the stage of the prominence and frequency of APDIs in the TB group and NTB group. To determine the significance of difference (if any) in the frequency of APDIs between the two groups, χ2 testing of our data was conducted. We found that APDIs were twice as common in the TB group than in the NTB group. The χ2 comparison of the frequencies of APDIs revealed a statistically significant difference between the two groups. In addition, APDIs with more pronounced stages were recorded more frequently in the TB group. Our results indicate that APDIs can be considered as diagnostic criteria for TBM in the paleopathological practice. With suitable circumspection, their utilization provides paleopathologists with a stronger basis for identifying TB and consequently, with a more sensitive means of assessing TB frequency in past human populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Spekker
- Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - David R. Hunt
- Department of Anthropology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
| | - William Berthon
- Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- Chaire d’Anthropologie Biologique Paul Broca, École Pratique des Hautes Études (EPHE), PSL University, Paris, France
| | - László Paja
- Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Erika Molnár
- Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - György Pálfi
- Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Michael Schultz
- Institut für Anatomie und Embryologie, Zentrum Anatomie, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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Spekker O, Schultz M, Paja L, Váradi OA, Molnár E, Pálfi G, Hunt DR. Tracking down the White Plague. Chapter two: The role of endocranial abnormal blood vessel impressions and periosteal appositions in the paleopathological diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0238444. [PMID: 32870917 PMCID: PMC7462305 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Although endocranial abnormal blood vessel impressions (ABVIs) and periosteal appositions (PAs) have been considered as paleopathological diagnostic criteria for tuberculous meningitis (TBM) based on findings of previous studies, they are not pathognomonic for tuberculosis (TB). Therefore, their utilization in the paleopathological practice can be questioned, especially in consideration that most of the previous studies were not performed on identified skeletal collections but on osteoarchaeological material and did not include statistical data analysis. To fill the aforementioned research gap, for the first time, a macroscopic investigation was conducted on identified pre-antibiotic era skeletons from the Terry Collection. A sample set of 234 individuals who died of TB (TB group) and 193 individuals who died of non-tuberculous causes (NTB group) were examined. The frequency of ABVIs and PAs, as well as other probable TB-related lesions was recorded. To determine the significance of difference (if any) in the frequencies of ABVIs and PAs between the two groups, χ2 testing of our data was performed. We found that ABVIs, PAs, and their co-occurrence with each other and with other probable TB-related lesions were more common in the TB group than in the NTB group. In addition, the χ2 comparative frequencies of ABVIs and PAs revealed a statistically significant difference between individuals who died of TB and individuals who died of NTB causes. Our findings strengthen those of previous studies that ABVIs and PAs are not specific to TBM but can be of tuberculous origin. Therefore, they do have a diagnostic value in the identification of TB in human osteoarchaeological material, especially when they simultaneously occur with other probable TB-related lesions. Their prudent utilization provides paleopathologists with a stronger basis for diagnosing TB and consequently, a more sensitive means of assessing TB frequency in past human populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Spekker
- Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- * E-mail:
| | - Michael Schultz
- Institut für Anatomie und Embryologie, Zentrum Anatomie, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - László Paja
- Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Orsolya A. Váradi
- Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Erika Molnár
- Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - György Pálfi
- Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - David R. Hunt
- Department of Anthropology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, District of Columbia, Washington, D.C., United States of America
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Spekker O, Hunt DR, Paja L, Molnár E, Pálfi G, Schultz M. Tracking down the White Plague: The skeletal evidence of tuberculous meningitis in the Robert J. Terry Anatomical Skeletal Collection. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0230418. [PMID: 32187217 PMCID: PMC7080279 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 02/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Paleopathological diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) essentially relies on the identification of macroscopic lesions in the skeleton that can be related to different manifestations of TB. Among these alterations, granular impressions (GIs) on the inner skull surface have been considered as pathognomonic features of tuberculous meningitis (TBM). GIs may be established by pressure atrophy of the tubercles formed on the outermost meningeal layer during later stages of TBM. Although GIs were used as diagnostic criteria for TBM in the paleopathological practice since the late 20th century, their diagnostic value has been questioned. To contribute to strengthening the diagnostic value of GIs, a macroscopic investigation–focusing on the macromorphological characteristics and frequency of GIs–was performed on skeletons of known cause of death from the Terry Collection. The χ2 analysis of our data revealed that GIs were significantly more common in individuals who died of TB than in individuals who died of non-TB causes. Furthermore, GIs were localized on the inner surface of the skull base and of the lower lateral skull vault. The localization pattern and distribution of GIs on the endocranial surface resemble that of the tubercles observed in the affected meninges during the pathogenesis of TBM. Our results strengthen the tuberculous origin of GIs and imply that they can be considered as specific signs of TBM. Therefore, GIs can be used as diagnostic criteria for TBM in the paleopathological practice, and the diagnosis of TBM can be established with a high certainty when GIs are present in ancient human bone remains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Spekker
- Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- * E-mail:
| | - David R. Hunt
- Department of Anthropology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
| | - László Paja
- Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Erika Molnár
- Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - György Pálfi
- Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Michael Schultz
- Institut für Anatomie und Embryologie, Zentrum Anatomie, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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