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Mazzarello P, Varotto E, Galassi FM. A depiction of poliomyelitis in a 17th -century Piedmontese fresco? Neurol Sci 2024:10.1007/s10072-024-07531-7. [PMID: 38662105 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-024-07531-7] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION A potential representation of poliomyelitis is investigated in an Italian artwork. MATERIALS AND METHODS A 17th century Piedmontese fresco is analyzed by combining historico-medical, palaeopathological and clinical approaches. Alternative diagnoses are considered. RESULTS, DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS The man appearing in the fresco holding a crutch is characterized by an atrophic left leg reminiscent of poliomyelitic atrophic. Other congenital anomalies or cerebrovascular causes appear less likely. A reflection on the difficulty of retrospectively diagnosis poliomyelitis is offered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Mazzarello
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences and University Museum System, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Elena Varotto
- Archaeology, College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
| | - Francesco Maria Galassi
- Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
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Bianucci R, Perciaccante A, Nerlich AG. The laywoman church builder Lucrezia Agliarti Vertova (ca 1484-March 24th 1557) had endemic goitre. J Endocrinol Invest 2024:10.1007/s40618-023-02274-2. [PMID: 38217786 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-023-02274-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- R Bianucci
- Legal Medicine Section, Department of Public Health and Paediatric Sciences, University of Turin, C.so Galileo Galilei 22, 10126, Turin, Italy.
- The Ronin Institute, 127 Haddow Place, Montclair, NJ, USA.
- Department of Cultures and Societies, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze 10, 90128, Palermo, Italy.
| | - A Perciaccante
- Department of Medicine, "San Giovanni di Dio" Hospital, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina, Gorizia, Italy
- Paris-Saclay, UVSQ (EA "LAAB"-Laboratoire Anthropologie Archéologie Biologie, UFR des Sciences de la Santé, 2 Av. de La Source de La Bièvre, 78180, Montigny-Le-Bretonneux, France
| | - A G Nerlich
- Department of Forensic Histology, Paleopathology and Mummy Research, Institute of Legal Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Nussbaumstr. 26, 80336, Munich, Germany
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GALASSI FRANCESCOMARIA, VAROTTO ELENA, MARTINI MARIANO. The history of pertussis: from an ancient scourge to a contemporary health burden. J Prev Med Hyg 2023; 64:E507-E511. [PMID: 38379743 PMCID: PMC10876032 DOI: 10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2023.64.4.3163] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
The present article offers a historical overview on pertussis (whooping cough) by analysing the ancient epidemic manifestations of the disease and the path towards the discovery of an effective vaccine against it. The original mentions of pertussis are examined with reference to Mediaeval Afghanistan and the famous AD 1578 Paris epidemic described by the French physician Guillaume de Baillou. The historical data are then matched with information derived from analyses of phylogenetic trees of B. pertussis. Finally, this article also highlights some recent challenges posed to public health by this infectious disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- FRANCESCO MARIA GALASSI
- Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - ELENA VAROTTO
- Archaeology, College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - MARIANO MARTINI
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
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Spekker O, Kis L, Lukács N, Patyi E, Tihanyi B. The first probable case with tuberculous meningitis from the Hun period of the Carpathian Basin - How diagnostics development can contribute to increase knowledge and understanding of the spatio-temporal distribution of tuberculosis in the past. Tuberculosis (Edinb) 2023; 143S:102372. [PMID: 38012930 DOI: 10.1016/j.tube.2023.102372] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
The aim of our paper is to demonstrate and discuss in detail the endocranial bony changes suggestive of tuberculous meningitis (TBM) that were recorded in an adult female's (SPF15) skeleton. The bone remains were uncovered from a solitary grave from the Hun period (5th-century-CE) archaeological site of Solt-Polya-fok (Bács-Kiskun county, Hungary). During the macromorphological examination of the very incomplete and poorly preserved skeleton of SPF15, the inner surface of the skull displayed abnormally pronounced digital impressions (APDIs) and granular impressions (GIs). Recently, it was confirmed that endocranial GIs can be considered as specific signs of TBM; and thus, they are sufficient enough on their own to make a definitive diagnosis of the disease in the palaeopathological practice. On the other hand, APDIs are not specific to TBM but can be tuberculous in origin; their concomitant presence with GIs in SPF15 makes their tuberculous origin very likely. Based on the above, it seems that the adult female from the 5th-century-CE archaeological site of Solt-Polya-fok suffered from TBM. SPF15 is the first reported probable case with tuberculosis (TB) from the Hun period of the present-day territory of Hungary, who gives us invaluable information about the spatio-temporal distribution of the disease in the past. Furthermore, it highlights the paramount importance of diagnostics development, especially the identification and refinement of diagnostic criteria, as without the application of APDIs and GIs, the diagnosis of TB could not have been established in SPF15.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Spekker
- Department of Biological Anthropology, Institute of Biology, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, H-6726, Szeged, Hungary; Institute of Archaeological Sciences, Eötvös Loránd University, Múzeum körút 4/B, H-1088, Budapest, Hungary; Ancient and Modern Human Genomics Competence Centre, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, H-6726, Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Luca Kis
- Department of Biological Anthropology, Institute of Biology, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, H-6726, Szeged, Hungary; Department of Archaeogenetics, Institute of Hungarian Research, Úri utca 54-56, H-1014, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Nikoletta Lukács
- National Institute of Archaeology, Hungarian National Museum, Múzeum körút 14-16, H-1088, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Eszter Patyi
- Kecskeméti Katona József Museum, Bethlen körút 1, H-6000, Kecskemét, Hungary.
| | - Balázs Tihanyi
- Department of Biological Anthropology, Institute of Biology, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, H-6726, Szeged, Hungary; Department of Archaeogenetics, Institute of Hungarian Research, Úri utca 54-56, H-1014, Budapest, Hungary.
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Dorado-Fernández E, Herrerín-López J, Ramírez-González I, Parro-González L, Isidro-Llorens A. Survival in Mudejar Spain in the Middle Ages (thirteenth-fourteenth centuries): Ancient Rare Diseases-an uncommon diagnosis in archaeological human remains. Int Orthop 2023; 47:2869-2875. [PMID: 37294431 DOI: 10.1007/s00264-023-05863-1] [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] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The finding of severe skeletal alterations in ancient remains could give us useful information not only about the pathologies of the individual per se, as it could infer the state of health of a population. METHODS From the findings of the Mudéjar Cemetery of Uceda (Guadalajara, Central Spain) where a total of 116 burials with almost complete skeleton were recovered, an interesting individual is presented (palaeopathological perspective). The individual 114UC corresponds to a male of 20-25 years old and its age goes back to the thirteenth-fourteenth centuries. RESULTS The first inspection showed the presence of serious alterations especially in the lumbar spine and pelvic girdle. Seven vertebrae (from T11 to L5) showed an unusual posterior fusion only in the postzygapophyseal joints. The pelvis, after being accurately assembled and congruence verified by X-ray and CT scan, showed a noticeable asymmetry of both iliac wings together with a coxa magna protusa (Otto's pelvis), severe anteversion of both cup hips and osteochondritis of the right femoral head. The posterior-slope of both tibias reached about 10°. CONCLUSIONS The differential diagnoses lead us to think of Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita as the most probable diagnosis. We analyzed the same biomechanical aspects after taking into account some patterns that give us information about a possible mobility in the first stage of life. We discuss the very few other cases described both from artworks and in the palaeopathological record. To our knowledge, this case could be the oldest published case of AMC worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jesús Herrerín-López
- Departamento de Biología, Unidad de Antropología Física, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Albert Isidro-Llorens
- Hospital Universitari Sagrat Cor, Quironsalud/Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
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Spekker O, Tihanyi B, Kis L, Madai Á, Pálfi G, Csuvár-Andrási R, Wicker E, Szalontai C, Samu L, Koncz I, Marcsik A, Molnár E. Leprosy: The age-old companion of humans - Re-evaluation and comparative analysis of Avar-period cases with Hansen's disease from the Danube-Tisza Interfluve, Hungary. Tuberculosis (Edinb) 2023; 142:102393. [PMID: 37684080 DOI: 10.1016/j.tube.2023.102393] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, our knowledge of leprosy in the past has substantially been enriched. Nonetheless, much still remains to be discovered, especially in regions and periods from where no written sources are available. To fill in some research gaps, we provide the comparative analysis of eight Avar-period leprosy cases from the Danube-Tisza Interfluve (Hungary). In every case, to reconstruct the biological consequences of leprosy, the detected bony changes were linked with palaeopathological and modern medical information. To reconstruct the social consequences of being affected by leprosy, conceptualisation of the examined individuals' treatment in death was conducted. In every case, the disease resulted in deformation and disfigurement of the involved anatomical areas (rhinomaxillary region, feet, and/or hands) with difficulties in conducting certain physical activities. These would have been disadvantageous for the examined individuals and limited or changed their possibilities to participate in social situations. The most severe cases would have required continuous support from others to survive. Our findings indicate that, despite their very visible disease and associated debility, the examined communities did not segregate leprosy sufferers but provided and cared for them, and maintained a strong enough social network that made their survival possible even after becoming incapable of self-sufficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Spekker
- Ancient and Modern Human Genomics Competence Centre, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, H-6726, Szeged, Hungary; Institute of Archaeological Sciences, Eötvös Loránd University, Múzeum körút 4/B, H-1088, Budapest, Hungary; Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, H-6726, Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Balázs Tihanyi
- Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, H-6726, Szeged, Hungary; Department of Archaeogenetics, Institute of Hungarian Research, Úri utca 54-56, H-1014, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Luca Kis
- Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, H-6726, Szeged, Hungary; Department of Archaeogenetics, Institute of Hungarian Research, Úri utca 54-56, H-1014, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Ágota Madai
- Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, H-6726, Szeged, Hungary; Department of Anthropology, Hungarian Natural History Museum, Ludovika tér 2-6, H-1083, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - György Pálfi
- Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, H-6726, Szeged, Hungary.
| | | | - Erika Wicker
- Kecskeméti Katona József Museum, Bethlen körút 1, H-6000, Kecskemét, Hungary.
| | - Csaba Szalontai
- National Institute of Archaeology, Hungarian National Museum, Múzeum körút 14-16, H-1088, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Levente Samu
- Institute of Archaeological Sciences, Eötvös Loránd University, Múzeum körút 4/B, H-1088, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - István Koncz
- Institute of Archaeological Sciences, Eötvös Loránd University, Múzeum körút 4/B, H-1088, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Antónia Marcsik
- Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, H-6726, Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Erika Molnár
- Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, H-6726, Szeged, Hungary.
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Bianucci R, Galassi FM, Donell ST, Nerlich AG. Goitre in a Fayum mummy portrait from Roman Egypt (120-140 CE). J Endocrinol Invest 2023; 46:1041-1042. [PMID: 36217072 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-022-01934-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/01/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- R Bianucci
- Dipartimento di Culture e Società, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
- The Ronin Institute, Montclair, NJ, USA.
| | - F M Galassi
- Archaeology, College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - S T Donell
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - A G Nerlich
- Institute of Pathology, Academic Clinic Bogenhausen, Munich, Germany
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Massé L, Garot E, Maureille B, Le Cabec A. Insights into the aetiologies of hypercementosis: A systematic review and a scoring system. Arch Oral Biol 2023; 146:105599. [PMID: 36495812 DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2022.105599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This paper aims to better define hypercementosis, investigate its described potential aetiologies, and determine whether there are different patterns of cementum apposition and if they are a function of their supposed aetiology. DESIGN A literature review was undertaken using the Medline, DOSS, Scopus and Cochrane Library electronic databases. Two co-authors selected the published works independently, extracted the data in accordance with the PRISMA statement. RESULTS Among 546 articles, 75 articles were finally selected. Eight different supposed aetiologies were identified: (1) intensive masticatory effort, (2) systemic disease, (3) carious lesion and apical periodontitis, (4) impaction, (5) periodontal disease, (6) concrescence, (7) super-eruption, and (8) drugs. Some of these aetiologies can be combined in the same tooth. Hypercementosis manifestations are various in nature and extent with different patterns that may be aetiology-specific. To improve the description and associated consistency in the characterisation of hypercementosis, in this review but also in future studies, we propose a new qualitative scoring system to quickly characterise hypercementosis and determine its most relevant aetiology. CONCLUSIONS This systematic review demonstrates that hypercementosis is a complex and not yet well-defined condition. Some forms of apposition are specific to a given aetiology. The hypercementosis characterisation may contribute to document the oral condition and/or the individuals masticatory activity.
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Varotto E, Galassi FM, Lippi D, Bianucci R. Depiction of goitre in an Etruscan Genucilia Terracotta plate (late 5th-early 4th BCE). J Endocrinol Invest 2022; 45:1273-1274. [PMID: 34347269 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-021-01657-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- E Varotto
- FAPAB Research Center, Avola (SR), Sicily, Italy.
- Department of Humanities (DISUM), University of Catania, Catania, Sicily, Italy.
- Archaeology, College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
| | - F M Galassi
- FAPAB Research Center, Avola (SR), Sicily, Italy
- Archaeology, College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - D Lippi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - R Bianucci
- Warwick Medical School, Biomedical Sciences, The University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
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Galassi FM, Torrisi E, Varotto E. Comment on Turgut et al.'s Three mythic giants for common fetal malformation called "cyclopia": Polyphemus, Tepegöz, and Grendel. Childs Nerv Syst 2021; 37:3665-3666. [PMID: 34596767 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-021-05367-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco M Galassi
- Archaeology, College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,FAPAB Research Center, Avola (SR), Sicily, Italy
| | | | - Elena Varotto
- Archaeology, College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia. .,FAPAB Research Center, Avola (SR), Sicily, Italy. .,Department of Humanities (DISUM), University of Catania, Catania, Sicily, Italy.
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Holmes M, Thomas R, Hamerow H. Lesions in sheep elbows: Insights from a large-scale study. Int J Paleopathol 2021; 34:50-62. [PMID: 34146820 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpp.2021.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Enthesophytes on sheep elbow joints are commonly reported in archaeological material. Although these lesions are often described as 'penning elbow', little is known of their aetiology. In this study, a new method for recording these lesions is presented, and the effect of age, sex and body size is explored to understand their potential for informing upon past human-animal interactions. MATERIALS 1133 distal humerii and proximal radii from 16 archaeological sites. METHODS The presence and severity of enthesophytes were recorded and findings compared with modern data from a group of 17 complete Soay sheep skeletons. RESULTS Significant, positive correlations between age and body size and the presence of enthesophytes were demonstrated. Environmental factors and trauma may also play a role in their formation. CONCLUSION The aetiology of enthesophytes on sheep elbows is complex and varied, affected by age, body size and environment. SIGNIFICANCE This is the first study of enthesophytes on sheep elbows to combine archaeological data with modern animals of known age and sex. Blanket explanations of husbandry methods for the cause of these lesions are dispelled, and use of the term 'penning elbow' is redundant. LIMITATIONS The sample of modern specimens is relatively small and would benefit from the inclusion of older individuals and those raised in different environments. FUTURE RESEARCH The method developed here can be adopted in future studies. Interpretations should take age, size and environmental factors into consideration, and only when these variables are established can the role of husbandry be evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matilda Holmes
- School of Archaeology and Ancient History, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom.
| | - Richard Thomas
- School of Archaeology and Ancient History, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom
| | - Helena Hamerow
- School of Archaeology, University of Oxford, 1 South Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3TG, United Kingdom
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Holmes M, Thomas R, Hamerow H. Identifying draught cattle in the past: Lessons from large-scale analysis of archaeological datasets. Int J Paleopathol 2021; 33:258-269. [PMID: 34044199 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpp.2021.05.004] [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] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Improve understanding of the links between biological variables (sex, body size and anatomical position) and adaptive remodelling of autopodia, and the identification of traction use in the archaeological record. METHODS A modified version of the recording system for identifying draught cattle in the archaeological record (Bartosiewicz et al., 1997) was applied to a sample of 1509 bones from six sites from medieval England. Analysis focused on identifying correlations between pathological and sub-pathological changes in lower-limb bones in relation to anatomy, sex and body mass. RESULTS A correlation between sex, body mass and lower limb bone changes was demonstrated. The need to consider anterior and posterior limb bone elements separately to maximise the potential for identifying cattle used for traction was identified. Changes in hindlimb elements were highlighted as the most useful indicator of draught use. CONTRIBUTION This study provides new, detailed evidence for a previously poorly understood correlation between the effects of anatomical position, sex and body size and the nature of skeletal changes traditionally associated with draught cattle. It pulls together findings and makes comprehensive suggestions for future studies. LIMITATIONS This is a purely methodological paper. Although general results are presented, there is insufficient space to include a full case study. This will be published separately within the results of the FeedSax project. FURTHER RESEARCH Future studies into the use of cattle for draught purposes in the past should take in to account the sex and size of the animals under consideration, and analyse anterior and posterior elements separately.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matilda Holmes
- School of Archaeology and Ancient History, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH, United Kingdom.
| | - Richard Thomas
- School of Archaeology and Ancient History, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH, United Kingdom
| | - Helena Hamerow
- School of Archaeology, 1 South Parks Road, Oxford University, Oxford, OX13TG, United Kingdom
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Holmes M, Thomas R, Hamerow H. Periodontal disease in sheep and cattle: Understanding dental health in past animal populations. Int J Paleopathol 2021; 33:43-54. [PMID: 33647860 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpp.2021.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To provide a comparative baseline for future studies of oral pathology in domestic livestock and to better understand connections between lesion prevalence and biological context in past animal populations. MATERIALS Over 1600 sheep and cattle mandibles recovered from archaeological sites in England between 500 and 1300 CE. METHODS A comprehensive investigation of periodontal disease was conducted based on four characteristics: dental calculus; periosteal new bone formation; alveolar recession; and ante-mortem tooth loss. The anatomical position and severity of these lesions were quantified and correlated against the age of each individual. RESULTS Two types of periosteal new bone formation were recognized: one in the growing mandibles of young animals, the other in older animals and associated with disease. The incidence of calculus and alveolar recession increase with age. Correlations exist between calculus, alveolar recession and periosteal new bone formation. Disruption caused by the eruption of the P4 is also implied as a contributory factor to the onset of periodontal disease. CONCLUSIONS When interpreting periodontal disease in zooarchaeological collections it is vital to consider the effect of age as well as environmental and genetic factors. SIGNIFICANCE This is the first comprehensive zooarchaeological study to investigate the effect of age on periodontal disease. It provides a better understanding of the frequency and presentation of periodontal disease as a baseline for future studies. LIMITATIONS Cattle mandibles are under-represented due to poor survival. Ideally, radiographs of mandibles with ante-mortem tooth loss would be taken, but this was not possible. SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH The role of genetic factors, diet and environment needs to be better understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matilda Holmes
- School of Archaeology and Ancient History, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH, England, United Kingdom.
| | - Richard Thomas
- School of Archaeology and Ancient History, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH, England, United Kingdom.
| | - Helena Hamerow
- Institute of Archaeology, University of Oxford, 34-36 Beaumont Street, Oxford, OX1 2PG, England, United Kingdom.
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Loufouma Mbouaka A, Gamble M, Wurst C, Jäger HY, Maixner F, Zink A, Noedl H, Binder M. The elusive parasite: comparing macroscopic, immunological, and genomic approaches to identifying malaria in human skeletal remains from Sayala, Egypt (third to sixth centuries AD). Archaeol Anthropol Sci 2021; 13:115. [PMID: 34149953 PMCID: PMC8202054 DOI: 10.1007/s12520-021-01350-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Although malaria is one of the oldest and most widely distributed diseases affecting humans, identifying and characterizing its presence in ancient human remains continue to challenge researchers. We attempted to establish a reliable approach to detecting malaria in human skeletons using multiple avenues of analysis: macroscopic observations, rapid diagnostic tests, and shotgun-capture sequencing techniques, to identify pathological changes, Plasmodium antigens, and Plasmodium DNA, respectively. Bone and tooth samples from ten individuals who displayed skeletal lesions associated with anaemia, from a site in southern Egypt (third to sixth centuries AD), were selected. Plasmodium antigens were detected in five of the ten bone samples, and traces of Plasmodium aDNA were detected in six of the twenty bone and tooth samples. There was relatively good synchronicity between the biomolecular findings, despite not being able to authenticate the results. This study highlights the complexity and limitations in the conclusive identification of the Plasmodium parasite in ancient human skeletons. Limitations regarding antigen and aDNA preservation and the importance of sample selection are at the forefront of the search for malaria in the past. We confirm that, currently, palaeopathological changes such as cribra orbitalia are not enough to be certain of the presence of malaria. While biomolecular methods are likely the best chance for conclusive identification, we were unable to obtain results which correspond to the current authentication criteria of biomolecules. This study represents an important contribution in the refinement of biomolecular techniques used; also, it raises new insight regarding the consistency of combining several approaches in the identification of malaria in past populations. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12520-021-01350-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvie Loufouma Mbouaka
- Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Michelle Gamble
- Bioarchaeology Department, Austrian Archaeological Institute at the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Franz Klein-Gasse 1, 1190 Vienna, Austria
- Present Address: Heritage and Archaeological Research Practice, 101 Rose Street South Lane, EH2 3JG Edinburgh, Scotland
| | - Christina Wurst
- Institute for Mummy Studies, EURAC Research, Viale Druso 1, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
| | - Heidi Yoko Jäger
- Institute for Mummy Studies, EURAC Research, Viale Druso 1, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
| | - Frank Maixner
- Institute for Mummy Studies, EURAC Research, Viale Druso 1, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
| | - Albert Zink
- Institute for Mummy Studies, EURAC Research, Viale Druso 1, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
| | - Harald Noedl
- Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Present Address: Malaria Research Initiative Bandarban, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michaela Binder
- Bioarchaeology Department, Austrian Archaeological Institute at the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Franz Klein-Gasse 1, 1190 Vienna, Austria
- Present Address: Planen und Bauen im Bestand, Novetus, Belvederegasse 41, 1040 Vienna, Austria
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15
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Kalová K, Boberová K, Přichystalová R, Nováček J, Jarošová I, Zikmund T, Kaiser J, Kyselicová K, Šebest L, Baldovič M, Frtús A, Sikora M, Allentoft ME. Serious chronic disease of the cervical spine and trauma in a young female from the middle ages (Czech Republic). Int J Paleopathol 2019; 24:185-196. [PMID: 30497062 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpp.2018.11.004] [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] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2017] [Revised: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The skeletal remains of the young female (20-24 years) from Grave JP/106, discovered in the Southern Suburb of the Břeclav - Pohansko Stronghold (Early Middle Ages, 9th century-beginning of the 10th century, present day Czech Republic) display several noteworthy pathologies. The first is deformation of the mandible, which was most probably caused by a fracture of the ramus in combination with a subcondylar fracture. The spine of this young woman also exhibits a probable traumatic injury of the cervical spine in combination with a slowly growing structure situated inside the spinal canal, which caused deformation centered upon C7. The cervical and thoracic spine together with internal surfaces of several ribs exhibit infectious changes of advanced stage, in all likelihood of tuberculous origin, but osteomyelitis cannot be excluded. Histological analysis of the new bone formation in the ribs confirmed infectious origin, as does Micro CT of C5 and C6. Analyses conducted by two different departments with different methods (PCR amplification of 123 bp long section from IS6110 and Next Generation shotgun sequencing) failed to identify DNA of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from the first rib.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kateřina Kalová
- Department of Archaeology and Museology, Faculty of Arts, Masaryk University, Kounicova 67a, 602 00, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Kateřina Boberová
- Department of Archaeology and Museology, Faculty of Arts, Masaryk University, Kounicova 67a, 602 00, Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Renáta Přichystalová
- Department of Archaeology and Museology, Faculty of Arts, Masaryk University, Kounicova 67a, 602 00, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Jan Nováček
- Thuringia State Service for Cultural Heritage and Archaeology, Weimar, Germany.
| | | | - Tomáš Zikmund
- CEITEC - Central European Institute of Technology, University of Technology, Purkyňova 656/123, 612 00, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Jozef Kaiser
- CEITEC - Central European Institute of Technology, University of Technology, Purkyňova 656/123, 612 00, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Klaudia Kyselicová
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Sasinkova 2, 81372, Bratislava, Slovakia.
| | - Lukáš Šebest
- Department of Medical Genetics, Oncological Institute of Saint Elizabeth, Heydukova 10, 812 50, Bratislava, Slovakia.
| | - Marián Baldovič
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Comenius University, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15, Bratislava, Slovakia.
| | - Adam Frtús
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Comenius University, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15, Bratislava, Slovakia.
| | - Martin Sikora
- Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum, Øster Voldgade 5-7, 1350, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Morten E Allentoft
- Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum, Øster Voldgade 5-7, 1350, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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16
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Dobson M, Waldron T. SCJ osteoarthritis: The significance of joint surface location for diagnosis. Int J Paleopathol 2019; 24:48-51. [PMID: 30278426 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpp.2018.08.010] [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] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2018] [Revised: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
An evaluation of the method used to diagnose sternoclavicular joint (SCJ) osteoarthritis (OA) in skeletal remains is presented, with particular attention given to the anatomy of the joint. The current palaeopathological diagnostic criteria used to identify SCJ OA were found to be appropriate for both the sternal and clavicular surfaces of the SCJ, with eburnation indicating perforation of the intra-articular disc and advanced disease. Eburnation was found to occur rarely in the SCJ, and if used as the sole diagnostic criterion would result in an underestimation of SCJ OA prevalence in archaeological assemblages. A key finding was the identification of changes characteristic of OA but confined to the attachment zone of the intra-articular disc on the clavicular surface of the SCJ. As this area of the joint is non-articular, and not normally covered with articular cartilage, a diagnosis of OA would be inaccurate and instead it should be considered as an enthesopathy. It is likely that SCJ OA has been incorrectly identified and over-diagnosed in the archaeological record in the past. More histological research into the disc attachment and its degeneration is required before this can be confirmed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Dobson
- UCL Institute of Archaeology, University College London, London, WC1H 0PY, UK.
| | - Tony Waldron
- UCL Institute of Archaeology, University College London, London, WC1H 0PY, UK
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17
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Karstens S, Littleton J, Frohlich B, Amgaluntugs T, Pearlstein K, Hunt D. A palaeopathological analysis of skeletal remains from Bronze Age Mongolia. Homo 2018; 69:324-334. [PMID: 30501896 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchb.2018.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Little is known about the lifeways of the people who inhabited the Mongolian steppe during the Bronze Age (c. 4450-2650 BP). Palaeopathological analysis allows us to draw inferences about the lifeways of past people from the indicators of health and lifestyle recorded in human remains. This paper presents results of analysis of the remains of 25 individuals excavated in northern Mongolia. Overall, the remains demonstrated very little pathology. In particular the lack of evidence for both infectious and non-communicable diseases, along with the patterns of dental pathology indicate a group of people who experienced few health insults and little stress. The types of trauma, Schmorl's nodes and patterns of degenerative joint disease present in the sample are suggestive of interpersonal violence and horse riding. The findings are consistent with a traditional pastoral lifeway where people live in small groups, rely on a protein-rich diet and use animals for transportation.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Karstens
- Department of Anthropology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - J Littleton
- Department of Anthropology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - B Frohlich
- Anthropology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, USA
| | - T Amgaluntugs
- Institute of Archaeology, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | - K Pearlstein
- National Museum of Health and Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - D Hunt
- Anthropology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, USA
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18
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Odes EJ, Delezene LK, Randolph-Quinney PS, Smilg JS, Augustine TN, Jakata K, Berger LR. A case of benign osteogenic tumour in Homo naledi: Evidence for peripheral osteoma in the U.W. 101-1142 mandible. Int J Paleopathol 2018; 21:47-55. [PMID: 29778414 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpp.2017.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2016] [Revised: 05/08/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The reported incidence of neoplasia in the extinct hominin record is rare. We describe here the first palaeopathological analysis of an osteogenic lesion in the extinct hominin Homo naledi from Dinaledi Cave (Rising Star), South Africa. The lesion presented as an irregular bony growth, found on the right lingual surface of the body of the adult mandible U.W. 101-1142. The growth was macroscopically evaluated and internally imaged using micro-focus x-ray computed tomography (μCT). A detailed description and differential diagnosis were undertaken using gross and micromorphology, and we conclude that the most probable diagnosis is peripheral osteoma - a benign osteogenic neoplasia. These tumours are cryptic in clinical expression, though they may present localised discomfort and swelling. It has been suggested that muscle traction may play a role in the development and expression of these tumours. The impact of this lesion on the individual affected is unknown. This study adds to the growing corpus of palaeopathological data from the South African fossil record, which suggests that the incidence of neoplastic disease in deep prehistory was more prevalent than traditionally accepted. The study also highlights the utility of micro-computed tomography in assisting accurate diagnoses of ancient pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Odes
- School of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand Medical School, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa; Evolutionary Studies Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
| | - Lucas K Delezene
- Evolutionary Studies Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Department of Anthropology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, United States
| | - Patrick S Randolph-Quinney
- School of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand Medical School, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa; Evolutionary Studies Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; School of Forensic and Applied Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, PR1 2HE, UK.
| | - Jacqueline S Smilg
- School of Radiation Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Department of Radiology, Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Tanya N Augustine
- School of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand Medical School, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa
| | - Kudakwashe Jakata
- Evolutionary Studies Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Lee R Berger
- Evolutionary Studies Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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19
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Viciano J, D'Anastasio R. Hemifacial microsomia (oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum) in an individual from the Teramo Sant'Anna archaeological site (7th-12th centuries of the Common Era, Italy). Arch Oral Biol 2018; 91:23-34. [PMID: 29653314 DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2018.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2017] [Revised: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/05/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study is based in an analysis of the skeletal remains of an adult male from the Teramo Sant'Anna archaeological site (7th-12th centuries of the Common Era, Teramo, Italy). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The individual shows distinct abnormalities that principally involve asymmetric hypoplasia and dysmorphogenesis of the facial skeleton. The combination of these findings and the absence of abnormalities of the spine strongly suggest diagnosis of the congenital malformation known as hemifacial microsomia. This very heterogeneous syndrome affects primarily aural, ocular, oral and mandibular development. Despite the lack of clinical information and the absence of soft tissue, it was possible to perform a differential diagnosis for this palaeopathological case. Mastication was probably altered considering that the mandible is extremely asymmetric and lacks true condyles. The temporomandibular joints are present, but the right one is hypoplastic and abnormal in shape. There is evidence of bilateral dislocation, and the facial muscles are hypertrophic. CONCLUSIONS This case represents an important contribution to the palaeopathological literature because this is an uncommon condition that has not been widely documented in ancient skeletal remains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan Viciano
- Operative Unit of Anthropology, Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, 'G. d'Annunzio' University of Chieti-Pescara, Piazza Trento e Trieste 1, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
| | - Ruggero D'Anastasio
- Operative Unit of Anthropology, Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, 'G. d'Annunzio' University of Chieti-Pescara, Piazza Trento e Trieste 1, 66100 Chieti, Italy
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20
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Assis S, Henderson CY, Casimiro S, Alves Cardoso F. Is differential diagnosis attainable in disarticulated pathological bone remains? A case-study from a late 19th/early 20th century necropolis from Juncal (Porto de Mós, Portugal). Int J Paleopathol 2018; 20:26-37. [PMID: 29496213 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpp.2017.10.007] [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] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2016] [Revised: 10/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Differential diagnosis is a fundamental step in every palaeopathological study. It is a challenging exercise since many intrinsic and extrinsic factors may negatively impact the accurate interpretation of bone changes in human skeletal remains. Among these, the completeness and preservation of skeletal elements plays a significant role. This study aims to explore the limits of differential diagnosis in the analysis of disarticulated, fragmented bones. The sample consists of twelve adult bone fragments with noticeable changes. The remains were identified in a dis-articulated skeletal assemblage from the former necropolis of Juncal (Porto de Mós, Portugal), which probably closed in the late 19th century/early 20th century. They were analysed visually and with X-radiography, and the changes carefully described prior to differential diagnosis. Six bones presented signs of healed bone trauma and one showed features compatible with leg amputation. Periosteal reactions were observed in several bones, one of them resembling changes consistent with an overlying skin ulcer. Two bone fragments were identified as belonging to the same individual due to the matching bone changes. Despite the incomplete remains, a broader diagnosis was possible for most cases, which facilitated a discussion of health, medical and social care among the inhabitants of the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Assis
- LABOH - Laboratório de Antropologia Biológica e Osteologia Humana, CRIA/FCSH, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal; CRIA - Centro em Rede de Investigação em Antropologia, Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas, FCSH, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 1069-061 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Charlotte Yvette Henderson
- CIAS - Research Centre for Anthropology and Health, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3001-401 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Sílvia Casimiro
- LABOH - Laboratório de Antropologia Biológica e Osteologia Humana, CRIA/FCSH, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal; CRIA - Centro em Rede de Investigação em Antropologia, Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas, FCSH, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 1069-061 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Francisca Alves Cardoso
- LABOH - Laboratório de Antropologia Biológica e Osteologia Humana, CRIA/FCSH, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal; CRIA - Centro em Rede de Investigação em Antropologia, Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas, FCSH, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 1069-061 Lisboa, Portugal.
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21
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Galassi FM, Bender N, Habicht ME, Armocida E, Toscano F, Menassa DA, Cerri M. St. Catherine of Siena (1347-1380 AD): one of the earliest historic cases of altered gustatory perception in anorexia mirabilis. Neurol Sci 2018; 39:939-940. [PMID: 29470675 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-018-3285-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
St. Catherine of Siena suffered from an extreme form of holy fasting, a condition classified as anorexia mirabilis (also known as inedia prodigiosa). Historical and medical scholarships alike have drawn a comparison between this primaeval type of anorexia with a relatively common form of eating disorder among young women in the modern world, anorexia nervosa. St. Catherine's condition was characterised by a disgust for sweet taste, a condition also described in anorexia nervosa, and characterised by specific neurophysiological changes in the brain. St. Catherine's case may be considered one of the oldest veritable descriptions of altered gustation (dysgeusia). Moreover, a more compelling neurophysiological similarity between anorexia mirabilis and anorexia nervosa may be proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco M Galassi
- Institute of Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Bender
- Institute of Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Michael E Habicht
- Institute of Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Fabrizio Toscano
- Post-Graduate School of Public Health, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - David A Menassa
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Division of Clinical Neurology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Matteo Cerri
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
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22
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Wasterlain SN, Alves RV, Garcia SJ, Marques A. Ovarian teratoma: A case from 15th-18th century Lisbon, Portugal. Int J Paleopathol 2017; 18:38-43. [PMID: 28888390 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpp.2017.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2017] [Revised: 04/26/2017] [Accepted: 05/01/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
This paper discusses the differential diagnosis of an unusual calcified mass found in the pelvic cavity of 45+-year-old female excavated from 15th-18th century Lisbon (Portugal). The mass is relatively large, irregularly shaped, and exhibits a concave base with malformed teeth embedded within its inner surface. Considering its macroscopic and radiological characteristics, several conditions were considered in the differential diagnosis, namely eccyesis, fetus in fetu, lithopaedion, and ovarian teratoma. However, the morphological features of the specimen, such as its structure, morphology, and dimensions, are diagnostic of a teratoma. Its location and the sex of the individual are more specifically compatible with a calcified ovarian teratoma. With regional and temporal variations in the frequency of tumours, the report of new cases becomes imperative, especially from geographic regions where few cases have been identified. In fact, this appears to be the first case of ovarian teratoma detected in the Portuguese archaeological record and adds to the few palaeopathological cases described in the osteoarchaeological literature worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia N Wasterlain
- Centro de Investigação em Antropologia e Saúde, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Rute V Alves
- CAPP/ISCSP, Museu Nacional de História Natural e da Ciência, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Susana J Garcia
- CAPP/ISCSP, Museu Nacional de História Natural e da Ciência, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - António Marques
- Centro de Arqueologia de Lisboa, Câmara Municipal de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
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23
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Dąbrowski P, Nowakowski D, Gawlikowska-Sroka A, Maciuszczak I, Gronkiewicz S. A case of concrescent tooth-A developmental anomaly in a 19th century skull from Uganda. Int J Paleopathol 2017; 18:21-25. [PMID: 28888388 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpp.2017.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2017] [Revised: 04/20/2017] [Accepted: 04/25/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Dental abnormalities in archeological material such us concrescence or odontoma are rare cases often found accidentally, mostly during routine X-ray analysis or during macroscopic examination of the mastication apparatus. In this study, we present a rare case of concrescence between an upper left third molar and a supernumerary fourth molar in a 19th century skull from Uganda. Simultaneously, it is a critical revision of earlier studies on the same object (which considered this abnormality as an odontoma), using dental X-ray imaging and histological analysis. Concrescence is a rare dental anomaly and this specimen is, to the best of our knowledge, the first such case reported in paleopathological studies of Eastern Africa. It may contribute to recognition and identification of etiopathogenetic factors in dental developmental defects in historical and contemporary populations of Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Dąbrowski
- Department of Normal Anatomy, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland
| | - D Nowakowski
- Department of Anthropology, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - A Gawlikowska-Sroka
- Department of General and Clinical Anatomy, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland
| | - I Maciuszczak
- ARCHEOPOLIS Archeological Company. Izabela Maciuszczak. Miłocice, Poland
| | - S Gronkiewicz
- Anthropology Institute, Polish Academy of Science, Wrocław, Poland
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24
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Viciano J, López-Lázaro S, Pérez-Fernández Á, Amores-Ampuero A, D'Anastasio R, Jiménez-Triguero JM. Scheuermann's disease in a juvenile male from the late Roman necropolis of Torrenueva (3rd-4th century CE, Granada, Spain). Int J Paleopathol 2017; 18:26-37. [PMID: 28888389 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpp.2017.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2016] [Revised: 04/10/2017] [Accepted: 04/26/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
This study details a severe case of Scheuermann's disease (SD) in a well-preserved skeleton of a juvenile male (designated TOR302), dated to 3rd-4th century CE, from the late Roman necropolis of Torrenueva (Granada, Spain). Individual TOR302 shows an evident kyphotic curve in the thoraco-lumbar spine, which is characterised by: (i) vertebral bodies of thoracic vertebra T2, thoracic segment T4-T9, and thoraco-lumbar segment T12-L2 wedged at >5°; (ii) slight anterior extensions of the epiphyseal ring; (iii) Schmorl's nodes on the superior and/or inferior plates; and (iv) a Cobb angle of 75°, derived from thoracic segments T4-T9. In addition, TOR302 shows other skeletal malformations as the secondary results of abnormal growth, due to altered biomechanical forces imposed by the spinal deformity, including: (i) lateral distortion of the spine that causes a slight secondary scoliotic curve; (ii) pelvic obliquity; and (iii) discrepancy in the length of the limbs. We argue that the secondary skeletal abnormalities allowed the individual to adapt to his spinal deformity meaning he was able to walk without the aid of a stick. Despite SD being a common modern clinical finding, few cases have been reported in ancient skeletal remains. This case therefore represents an important contribution to the palaeopathological literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan Viciano
- Operative Unit of Anthropology, Department of Medicine and Ageing Sciences, 'G. d'Annunzio', University of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 29, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
| | - Sandra López-Lázaro
- Laboratory of Forensic Dentistry, Centre for Applied Morphology Research, Faculty of Dentistry, University of La Frontera, Avenida Francisco Salazar 01145, 4780000, Temuco, Chile
| | - Ángela Pérez-Fernández
- Laboratory of Anthropology, Department of Legal Medicine, Toxicology and Physical Anthropology, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Anabel Amores-Ampuero
- Laboratory of Anthropology, Department of Legal Medicine, Toxicology and Physical Anthropology, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Ruggero D'Anastasio
- Operative Unit of Anthropology, Department of Medicine and Ageing Sciences, 'G. d'Annunzio', University of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 29, 66100 Chieti, Italy
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Galassi FM, Toscano F, Armocida E, Spani G, Papio M, Rühli FJ. Giovanni Boccaccio's (1313-1375) disease and demise: The final untold tale of liver and heart failure. Homo 2017; 68:289-297. [PMID: 28693827 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchb.2017.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2016] [Accepted: 04/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Giovanni Boccaccio's fatal disease(s) and cause of death have long remained a mystery. Now, for the first time, a thorough multidisciplinary reassessment has finally been carried out. By combining philological and clinical approaches, it is at last possible to suggest a solid retrospective diagnosis based upon a study of his correspondence, poetry and iconography, as well as references to his physical decay in coeval and later sources. It would appear that he suffered over the last three years of his life from hepatic and cardiac failure, conditions that resulted in edema and potentially even hepatic carcinoma. Focusing on an unusually well-documented case from the Middle Ages, this analysis of exceptionally high informative value reconstructs the symptoms of his medical conditions and finally permits us to clarify and explain the historical feaures, presentations and evolutionary history of the case at hand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco M Galassi
- University of Zurich, Institute of Evolutionary Medicine, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Fabrizio Toscano
- University of Siena, Post-Graduate School of Public Health, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Spani
- College of the Holy Cross, Modern Languages and Literatures, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Michael Papio
- University of Massachusetts Amherst, Languages Literatures and Cultures, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Frank J Rühli
- University of Zurich, Institute of Evolutionary Medicine, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
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Galassi FM, Borghi C, Ballestriero R, Habicht ME, Henneberg M, Rühli FJ. Palaeopathology of the earlobe crease (Frank's sign): New insights from Renaissance art. Int J Cardiol 2017; 236:82-84. [PMID: 28284502 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2017.02.128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2017] [Accepted: 02/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Several studies have associated the earlobe crease sign, discovered by Sanders T. Frank in 1973, with cardiovascular pathology, yet very few studies have focused on the antiquity of this trait, with the most ancient one thought to date back to the Roman Emperor Hadrian (76-138CE). This article presents two more cases from the Italian Renaissance in the works of the artist Andrea Mantegna (1431-1506) and examines them in a multidisciplinary fashion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco M Galassi
- Institute of Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Claudio Borghi
- Medical and Surgical Sciences Department, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, Bologna, Italy
| | - Roberta Ballestriero
- University of the Arts, Central Saint Martins, Granary Building, 1 Granary Square, King's Cross, London N1C 4AA, UK; The Gordon Museum of Pathology, Kings College London, Guy's Campus, St. Thomas' Street, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Michael E Habicht
- Institute of Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; School of Humanities and Creative Arts (Department of Archaeology), Flinders University, Adelaide 5001, Australia
| | - Maciej Henneberg
- Institute of Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; Biological Anthropology and Comparative Anatomy Unit, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia
| | - Frank J Rühli
- Institute of Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
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Müller A, Hussein K. Meta-analysis of teeth from European populations before and after the 18th century reveals a shift towards increased prevalence of caries and tooth loss. Arch Oral Biol 2016; 73:7-15. [PMID: 27816793 DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2016.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2016] [Revised: 08/11/2016] [Accepted: 08/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Based on single studies, it has been hypothesised that Europeans have suffered less frequently from caries before the 18th century than after the 18th century and that females have higher caries prevalence, but systematic European-wide overviews are sparse. We collected published data on dental diseases (publication between 1981 and 2015 with reports on 29 cohorts with 4998 individuals and a total of 85817 teeth). Meta-analyses revealed that, over several hundred years, including the post-18th century era, Europeans had relatively constant frequencies of caries and ante-mortem tooth loss, but since the 18th century, the mean frequencies of these dental diseases increased (each p<0.05). Tooth loss correlated with caries and odontogenic abscesses (each p<0.05). Although the mean caries and ante-mortem tooth loss frequencies increased since the 18th century, there are overlaps with many pre-18th century cohorts. In addition, in contrast to previous hypotheses, no general increase of caries prevalence in females could in fact be verified. It is likely that changes in nutrition (more sugar) and dental health (possibly higher frequency of tooth extraction) could be the underlying factors which led to this minor to moderate shift of dental disease frequencies in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Müller
- Institute of Pathology, Hannover Medical School (Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, MHH), Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; Dental Care Center, German Federal Armed Forces Hospital Ulm (Bundeswehrkrankenhaus Ulm, Abteilung VII A), Oberer Eselsberg 40, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Kais Hussein
- Institute of Pathology, Hannover Medical School (Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, MHH), Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
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Balzeau A, Charlier P. What do cranial bones of LB1 tell us about Homo floresiensis? J Hum Evol 2016; 93:12-24. [PMID: 27086053 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2015.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2014] [Revised: 11/04/2015] [Accepted: 12/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Cranial vault thickness (CVT) of Liang Bua 1, the specimen that is proposed to be the holotype of Homo floresiensis, has not yet been described in detail and compared with samples of fossil hominins, anatomically modern humans or microcephalic skulls. In addition, a complete description from a forensic and pathological point of view has not yet been carried out. It is important to evaluate scientifically if features related to CVT bring new information concerning the possible pathological status of LB1, and if it helps to recognize affinities with any hominin species and particularly if the specimen could belong to the species Homo sapiens. Medical examination of the skull based on a micro-CT examination clearly brings to light the presence of a sincipital T (a non-metrical variant of normal anatomy), a scar from an old frontal trauma without any evident functional consequence, and a severe bilateral hyperostosis frontalis interna that may have modified the anterior morphology of the endocranium of LB1. We also show that LB1 displays characteristics, related to the distribution of bone thickness and arrangements of cranial structures, that are plesiomorphic traits for hominins, at least for Homo erectus s.l. relative to Homo neanderthalensis and H. sapiens. All the microcephalic skulls analyzed here share the derived condition of anatomically modern H. sapiens. Cranial vault thickness does not help to clarify the definition of the species H. floresiensis but it also does not support an attribution of LB1 to H. sapiens. We conclude that there is no support for the attribution of LB1 to H. sapiens as there is no evidence of systemic pathology and because it does not have any of the apomorphic traits of our species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Balzeau
- Équipe de Paléontologie Humaine, UMR 7194 du CNRS, Département de Préhistoire, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France; Department of African Zoology, Royal Museum for Central Africa, B-3080 Tervuren, Belgium.
| | - Philippe Charlier
- Section of Medical and Forensic Anthropology, UFR of Health Sciences (UVSQ/Paris-Descartes University, AP-HP), Montigny-Le-Bretonneux, France
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Anné J, Garwood RJ, Lowe T, Withers PJ, Manning PL. Interpreting pathologies in extant and extinct archosaurs using micro-CT. PeerJ 2015; 3:e1130. [PMID: 26246971 PMCID: PMC4525691 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.1130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2015] [Accepted: 07/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Palaeopathology offers unique insight to the healing strategies of extinct organisms, permitting questions concerning bone physiology to be answered in greater depth. Unfortunately, most palaeopathological studies are confined to external morphological interpretations due to the destructive nature of traditional methods of study. This limits the degree of reliable diagnosis and interpretation possible. X-ray MicroTomography (micro-CT, XMT) provides a non-destructive means of analysing the internal three-dimensional structure of pathologies in both extant and extinct individuals, at higher resolutions than possible with medical scanners. In this study, we present external and internal descriptions of pathologies in extant and extinct archosaurs using XMT. This work demonstrates that the combination of external/internal diagnosis that X-ray microtomography facilitates is crucial when differentiating between pathological conditions. Furthermore, we show that the use of comparative species, both through direct analysis and from the literature, provides key information for diagnosing between vertebrate groups in the typical pathological conditions and physiological processes. Micro-CT imaging, combined with comparative observations of extant species, provides more detailed and reliable interpretation of palaeopathologies. Micro-CT is an increasingly accessible tool, which will provide key insights for correctly interpreting vertebrate pathologies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Anné
- School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester , Manchester , UK
| | - Russell J Garwood
- School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester , Manchester , UK
| | - Tristan Lowe
- Manchester X-ray Imaging Facility, School of Materials, University of Manchester , Manchester , UK
| | - Philip J Withers
- Manchester X-ray Imaging Facility, School of Materials, University of Manchester , Manchester , UK
| | - Phillip L Manning
- School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester , Manchester , UK
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Abstract
Parasites have been infecting humans throughout our evolution. However, not all people suffered with the same species or to the same intensity throughout this time. Our changing way of life has altered the suitability of humans to infection by each type of parasite. This analysis focuses upon the evidence for parasites from archaeological excavations at medieval sites across Europe. Comparison between the patterns of infection in the medieval period allows us to see how changes in sanitation, herding animals, growing and fertilizing crops, the fishing industry, food preparation and migration all affected human susceptibility to different parasites. We go on to explore how ectoparasites may have spread infectious bacterial diseases, and also consider what medieval medical practitioners thought of parasites and how they tried to treat them. While modern research has shown the use of a toilet decreases the risk of contracting certain intestinal parasites, the evidence for past societies presented here suggests that the invention of latrines had no observable beneficial effects upon intestinal health. This may be because toilets were not sufficiently ubiquitous until the last century, or that the use of fresh human faeces for manuring crops still ensured those parasite species were easily able to reinfect the population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piers D Mitchell
- Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
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Abstract
Parasite finds in ancient material launched a new field of science: palaeoparasitology. Ever since the pioneering studies, parasites were identified in archaeological and palaeontological remains, some preserved for millions of years by fossilization. However, the palaeoparasitological record consists mainly of parasites found specifically in human archaeological material, preserved in ancient occupation sites, from prehistory until closer to 2015. The results include some helminth intestinal parasites still commonly found in 2015, such as Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworms, besides others such as Amoebidae and Giardia intestinalis, as well as viruses, bacteria, fungi and arthropods. These parasites as a whole provide important data on health, diet, climate and living conditions among ancient populations. This chapter describes the principal findings and their importance for knowledge on the origin and dispersal of infectious diseases.
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Schiess R, Boeni T, Rühli F, Haeusler M. Revisiting scoliosis in the KNM-WT 15000 Homo erectus skeleton. J Hum Evol 2014; 67:48-59. [PMID: 24491377 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2013.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2013] [Revised: 10/25/2013] [Accepted: 12/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Owing to its completeness, the 1.5 million year old Nariokotome boy skeleton KNM-WT 15000 is central for understanding the skeletal biology of Homo erectus. Nevertheless, since the reported asymmetries and distortions of Nariokotome boy's axial skeleton suggest adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, possibly associated with congenital skeletal dysplasia, it is questionable whether it still can be used as a reference for H. erectus. Recently, however, the presence of skeletal dysplasia has been refuted. Here, we present a morphological and morphometric reanalysis of the assertion of idiopathic scoliosis. We demonstrate that unarticulated vertebral columns of non-scoliotic and scoliotic individuals can be distinguished based on the lateral deviation of the spinous process, lateral and sagittal wedging, vertebral body torsion, pedicle thickness asymmetry, and asymmetry of superior and inferior articular facet areas. A principal component analysis of the overall asymmetry of all seven vertebral shape variables groups KNM-WT 15000 within non-scoliotic modern humans. There is, however, an anomaly of vertebrae T1-T2 that is compatible with a short left convex curve at the uppermost thoracic region, possibly due to injury or local growth dysbalance. Asymmetries of the facet joints L3-L5 suggest a local right convex curve in the lower lumbar region that probably resulted from juvenile traumatic disc herniation. This pattern is incompatible with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis or other types of scoliosis, including congenital, neuromuscular or syndromic scoliosis. It is, however, consistent with a recent reanalysis of the rib cage that did not reveal any asymmetry. Except for these possibly trauma-related anomalies, the Nariokotome boy fossil therefore seems to belong to a normal H. erectus youth without evidence for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis or other severe pathologies of the axial skeleton.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regula Schiess
- Anthropological Institute and Museum, University of Zuerich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zuerich, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Boeni
- Orthopaedische Universitaetsklinik Balgrist, Forchstrasse 340, 8008 Zuerich, Switzerland; Centre for Evolutionary Medicine, Institute of Anatomy, University of Zuerich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zuerich, Switzerland
| | - Frank Rühli
- Centre for Evolutionary Medicine, Institute of Anatomy, University of Zuerich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zuerich, Switzerland
| | - Martin Haeusler
- Anthropological Institute and Museum, University of Zuerich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zuerich, Switzerland; Centre for Evolutionary Medicine, Institute of Anatomy, University of Zuerich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zuerich, Switzerland.
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Anastasiou E, Mitchell PD. Palaeopathology and genes: investigating the genetics of infectious diseases in excavated human skeletal remains and mummies from past populations. Gene 2013; 528:33-40. [PMID: 23792062 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2013.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2013] [Revised: 05/23/2013] [Accepted: 06/01/2013] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to review the use of genetics in palaeomicrobiology, and to highlight the importance of understanding past diseases. Palaeomicrobiology is the study of disease pathogens in skeletal and mummified remains from archaeological contexts. It has revolutionarised our understanding of health in the past by enabling a deeper knowledge of the origins and evolution of many diseases that have shaped us as a species. Bacterial diseases explored include tuberculosis, leprosy, bubonic plague, typhoid, syphilis, endemic and epidemic typhus, trench fever, and Helicobacter pylori. Viral diseases discussed include influenza, hepatitis B, human papilloma virus (HPV), human T-cell lymphotrophic virus (HTLV-1) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Parasitic diseases investigated include malaria, leishmaniasis, Chagas' disease, roundworm, whipworm, pinworm, Chinese liver fluke, fleas and lice. Through a better understanding of disease origins and their evolution, we can place into context how many infectious diseases are changing over time, and so help us estimate how they may change in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evilena Anastasiou
- Division of Biological Anthropology, Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge, The Henry Wellcome Building, Fitzwilliam Street, Cambridge CB2 1QH, UK
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