Ancient genomes provide insights into family structure and the heredity of social status in the early Bronze Age of southeastern Europe

Twenty-four palaeogenomes from Mokrin, a major Early Bronze Age necropolis in southeastern Europe, were sequenced to analyse kinship between individuals and to better understand prehistoric social organization. 15 investigated individuals were involved in genetic relationships of varying degrees. The Mokrin sample resembles a genetically unstructured population, suggesting that the community’s social hierarchies were not accompanied by strict marriage barriers. We find evidence for female exogamy but no indications for strict patrilocality. Individual status differences at Mokrin, as indicated by grave goods, support the inference that females could inherit status, but could not transmit status to all their sons. We further show that sons had the possibility to acquire status during their lifetimes, but not necessarily to inherit it. Taken together, these findings suggest that Southeastern Europe in the Early Bronze Age had a significantly different family and social structure than Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age societies of Central Europe.

CD74 regulates complexity of tumor cell HLA class II peptidome in brain metastasis and is a positive prognostic marker for patient survival

Despite multidisciplinary local and systemic therapeutic approaches, the prognosis for most patients with brain metastases is still dismal. The role of adaptive and innate anti-tumor response including the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) machinery of antigen presentation is still unclear. We present data on the HLA class II-chaperone molecule CD74 in brain metastases and its impact on the HLA peptidome complexity.We analyzed CD74 and HLA class II expression on tumor cells in a subset of 236 human brain metastases, primary tumors and peripheral metastases of different entities in association with clinical data including overall survival. Additionally, we assessed whole DNA methylome profiles including CD74 promoter methylation and differential methylation in 21 brain metastases. We analyzed the effects of a siRNA mediated CD74 knockdown on HLA-expression and HLA peptidome composition in a brain metastatic melanoma cell line.We observed that CD74 expression on tumor cells is a strong positive prognostic marker in brain metastasis patients and positively associated with tumor-infiltrating T-lymphocytes (TILs). Whole DNA methylome analysis suggested that CD74 tumor cell expression might be regulated epigenetically via CD74 promoter methylation. CD74high and TILhigh tumors displayed a differential DNA methylation pattern with highest enrichment scores for antigen processing and presentation. Furthermore, CD74 knockdown in vitro lead to a reduction of HLA class II peptidome complexity, while HLA class I peptidome remained unaffected.In summary, our results demonstrate that a functional HLA class II processing machinery in brain metastatic tumor cells, reflected by a high expression of CD74 and a complex tumor cell HLA peptidome, seems to be crucial for better patient prognosis.

Reticulate evolution in North American black-fruited hawthorns (Crataegus section Douglasia; Rosaceae): evidence from nuclear ITS2 and plastid sequences

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The taxonomic complexity of Crataegus (hawthorn; Rosaceae, Maleae), especially in North America, has been attributed by some to hybridization in combination with gametophytic apomixis and polyploidization, whereas others have considered the roles of hybridization and apomixis to be minimal. Study of the chemical composition and therapeutic value of hawthorn extracts requires reproducible differentiation of entities that may be difficult to distinguish by morphology alone. This study sought to address this by using the nuclear ribosomal spacer region ITS2 as a supplementary DNA barcode; however, a lack of success prompted an investigation to discover why this locus gave unsatisfactory results.

METHODS

ITS2 was extensively cloned so as to document inter- and intraindividual variation in this locus, using hawthorns of western North America where the genus Crataegus is represented by only two widely divergent groups, the red-fruited section Coccineae and the black-fruited section Douglasia. Additional sequence data from selected loci on the plastid genome were obtained to enhance further the interpretation of the ITS2 results.

KEY RESULTS

In the ITS2 gene tree, ribotypes from western North American hawthorns are found in two clades. Ribotypes from diploid members of section Douglasia occur in one clade (with representatives of the east-Asian section Sanguineae). The other clade comprises those from diploid and polyploid members of section Coccineae. Both clades contribute ribotypes to polyploid Douglasia. Data from four plastid-derived intergenic spacers demonstrate the maternal parentage of these allopolyploids.

CONCLUSIONS

Repeated hybridization between species of section Douglasia and western North American members of section Coccineae involving the fertilization of unreduced female gametes explains the observed distribution of ribotypes and accounts for the phenetic intermediacy of many members of section Douglasia.

In vitro and in vivo protective effects of three mycotoxin adsorbents against ochratoxin A in broiler chickens

1. The objective of this study was to investigate in vitro and in vivo (in broiler chickens) ochratoxin A (OTA) adsorption efficiency of three different adsorbents: inorganic (modified zeolite); organic (esterified glucomannans) and mixed (inorganic and organic components plus enzymes). 2. The aim of the study was to investigate which of these adsorbents provided the best protection against the presence of residues of OTA in the pectoral muscle and liver of broilers given an OTA-contaminated diet. In addition, it was important to test and compare the results of adsorbent efficiency using two different in vitro methods. 3. The results from classical in vitro investigations carried out in the artificial intestinal fluid, showed that the inorganic adsorbent (Mz), exhibited the highest adsorption, having adsorbed 80.86 ± 1.85% of OTA, whereas average in vitro adsorption abilities of organic (30.52 ± 3.50%) and mixed (32.00 ± 2.60%) adsorbents were significantly lower. 4. In the investigation of absorption in everted sacs of broiler duodenal segments (Everted Duodenal Sacs Procedure), higher OTA adsorption in gut was exhibited by organic adsorbent, 74.26 ± 4.48%. Furthermore, the mean adsorption efficiency of mixed and inorganic adsorbent was 65.26 ± 4.76% and 45.75 ± 7.14%, respectively. 5. In the in vivo investigation, broilers were fed for 21 d on diets containing 2 mg/kg of OTA and supplemented with inorganic (Mz), organic (Ms) or mixed adsorbent (Mf) at the recommended concentration of 2 g/kg of feed. All three adsorbents significantly decreased OTA residue concentrations in the pectoral muscle and livers, but the order of effectiveness was mixed > organic > inorganic. The most efficient was the mixed adsorbent which decreased residue concentration by 72.50% in pectoral muscle and 94.47% in livers. 6. The Everted Duodenal Sac in vitro method provided results similar to those obtained in the in vivo study. However, further studies are required to investigate the efficiencies of adsorbents against various mycotoxins using this method.

THERAPEUTICAL USAGE OF FLUOROQUINOLONES IN POULTRY PRODUCTION INFLUENCE ON MEAT SAFETY – RESIDUES IN EDIBLE TISSUES

Current most important side effects of antimicrobial drugs usage are veterinary drug residues in edible animal tissues and development of resistance in food borne pathogens. Enrofloxacine and flumequine are fluoroquinolone antimicrobials licensed in Serbia for use in poultry treatment. Elimination of health risk for consumers is usually made by examination of the target tissue residues of flumequine and enrofloxacine (with its main metabolite ciprofloxacine). After correct application of enrofloxacine and flumequine tissue residue levels descrease to permitted quantities (below MRL) (Maximum Residue Limit) in prescribed withdrawal period. But even after expiration of withdrawal period residues of enrofloxacine are still present in edible animal tissues. Residues of enrofloxacine below MRL can be detected in meat nine days after the end of treatment, however, residues in liver are present much longer. The residues were detected in liver until 22nd post treatment day.

Occurrence of ochratoxin A and heavy metals in tissues associated with porcine nephropathy in Serbia

In order to find information on the occurrence of mycotoxic porcine nephropathy in Serbia, during a six month period (2006/2007) samples of blood, kidney and liver from individual animals were collected from healthy slaughtered pigs (n=90) and analysed by HPLC for ochratoxin A (OTA). In addition, the presence of nephrotoxic heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, mercury and arsenic were measured and the kidneys pathohistologically examined. Of the 90 liver samples, 26.6% contained OTA in the range of 0.22-14.5 ng/g. The incidence of OTA in serum and kidney were very similar (30 and 31.1%), but varied between 0.24-220.8 ng/ml and 0.17-52.5 ng/g, respectively. The presence of mercury was confirmed in 33.3% of kidney samples and concentrations ranged between 0.005-0.055 mg/kg, while cadmium was found less frequently (27.7% positive samples) but at higher levels (0.05-1.23 mg/kg). The presence of arsenic was found in only one sample, while lead was not detected in any sample. Histopathological examination of kidneys confirmed tubulopathies with oedema and cell vacuolisation. In addition, haemorrhages and necrosis of proximal kidney tubules' cells were found. These findings indicate that it is likely that most of the kidney injury is related to OTA and other nephrotoxic compounds which enhance the toxicity of OTA.

[Etiology of surgical site infections at the orthopaedic trauma units]

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to analyze the epidemiological and microbiological analysis of surgical site infections in the orthopedic wards.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A 6-month prospective cohort study was conducted at the major teaching hospital in Belgrade. Patient's basic demographic data and data about surgical site infections were collected. Bacteria cultured from the surgical site were also analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 277 patients operated in the Institute of Orthopedics and trauma surgery, Clinical Center of Serbia. Sixty-three cases of SSI were detected, and the overall incidence rate was 22.7% (95% IP = 17.8-27.6). Fifty-three (84.1%) SSIs had microbiological confirmation and overall 82 bacterial strains were isolated. The most frequent isolated bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter sp, Klebsiella pp, Pseudomonas sp and Enterococcus sp. Nineteen (79.2%) strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from infected surgical sites were meticillin- resistant.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that it is necessary to maintain continuous surveillance of surgical site infections. It is important to emphasize the need for implementation the measures of contact isolation in order to prevent the nosocomial transmission of resistant bacteria.

[Tooth diseases in the medieval population of Gracanica near Valjevo]

The analyses of the pattern of dental disease in the Late Medieval Serbian population from cemetery excavations in the archaeological site Grachanica were based on the study of tooth wear, ante-mortem tooth loss, caries, hypoplasia, alveolar resorption, abscesses and calculus. The total sample of all available skeletons with almost complete permanent dentition numbers 45 individuals. Dental sample comprises 178 maxillary teeth and 337 mandibular teeth. The presence of dental caries was scored taking into consideration the size of the lesion (four degrees) and its position on the tooth. The degree of tooth wear was graded into one of four categories: atrition of enamel only; atrition involving dentin; atrition up to the level of fissure at the occlusal surface of the molar teeth, and exposure of the pulp chamber. The cystic defects within the alveolar bone were recorded according to their aetiology, size and position. Radiographic study had not been done in order to detect periapical destruction, so the presence of such destruction was recognizable in advanced stages associated with the appearance of fistula penetrating the compact alveolar bone usually at the buccal side. The condition of the alveolar crest resorption, as the evidence of periodontal disease, was graded into three categories, and the distance from the cemento-enamel junction to the alveolar crest was measured. The analysis of dental pathology profile consisted of the two reporting methods: individual count method (prevalence of disease based on the number of individuals affected) and tooth count method (distribution of lesions frequency on tooth type and class). The Grachanica dentition exhibits a dental pathology profile typical of agricultural medieval populations in this region. Tooth wear was the most frequent, affecting 95% of individuals. Dental caries and ante-mortem teeth loss exhibit also high frequency (51% and 69%). Dental pains of low prevalence include abscesses (13%) and enamel hypoplasia (20%). In the material examined, the carious process was responsible for pulp exposure to infection in all cases of abscess formation. The results obtained suggest that food processing technology and nature of diet allowed use of abrasive in the food and that oral hygiene was at the low level. On the other hand, there were not a lot of people who were subjected to stress-induced growth disruptures. The findings reported here contribute to understand how dietary change and life conditions are related to the changing patterns of dental diseases in medieval populations.

Identification of HLA-A2-restricted epitopes of the tumor-associated antigen MUC2 recognized by human cytotoxic T cells

Previous studies have shown that self-antigens overexpressed in malignant tissue can provide a basis for a tumor-specific immune response. The mucin MUC2 is strongly overexpressed in all mucinous tumors of colon, breast, ovary and pancreas. In the corresponding normal tissue it is either not expressed (breast, ovary, pancreas) or it is expressed at considerably lower levels than in the mucinous tumors (colon). We therefore investigated whether the MUC2 molecule comprises HLA-A2-binding epitopes recognized by human cytotoxic T cells. Four MUC2 peptides with high affinity and stable binding to HLA-A2 were identified. Those peptides and additionally 3 peptides with moderate binding to HLA-A2 were loaded onto dendritic cells, which were used for stimulation of autologous T cells from healthy donors. Two MUC2 peptides, which belonged to the group of stable binders, induced specific cytotoxic T-cell lines. Target cells loaded with these peptides were strongly lysed in a concentration-dependent and HLA-A2-restricted manner. Our data show that the tumor-associated mucin MUC2 has potential as a target antigen for cytotoxic T cells in patients with mucinous carcinomas.

Elucidation of the structure of SA-FF22, a lanthionine-containing antibacterial peptide produced by Streptococcus pyogenes strain FF22

The antibacterial peptide SA-FF22, produced by the pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes strain FF22 was purified and features of its primary and secondary structure were characterised. Mass spectrometry demonstrated the pure peptide had a mass of 2794Da while, amino acid analysis revealed the presence of the unusual, thioether amino acids lanthionine and 3-methyllanthionine; thus SA-FF22 is a member of the group of antibacterial polypeptides termed lantibiotics. Furthermore, amino acid sequencing showed a unique sequence which was blocked at position 23 by a residue of the unsaturated amino acid 2,3-didehydrobutyrine. Carboxypeptidase-Y digestion could be used to demonstrate that serine occupies the C-terminal position only after complete oxidation of the thioether amino acid bridges, suggesting that the three-dimensional structure of the native peptide may prevent access of the enzyme to the C-terminus. Fragmentation of the native peptide with a variety of proteolytic enzymes failed to yield a peptide containing less than all three of the cross-linked lanthionine and methyllanthionine residues and demonstrated that all three thioether bridges overlapped. Analysis of the circular dichroism of SA-FF22 in various concentrations of 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol in water, SDS micelles and in the presence of artificial phospholipid vesicles suggested that there is significant change in its secondary structure from aqueous to lipophilic environments.

[Epidemiologic characteristics of Lyme borreliosis in Vojvodina]

In the period 1988-1992 in the region of Vojvodina diseases caused by Borrelia burgdorferi were investigated for the first time. This investigation encompassed 398 persons with tick bites. There were 340 clinically healthy and 58 affected by Lyme borreliosis. Lyme borreliosis was registered in all age groups. The youngest patient was 5 and the oldest 75. Erythema migrans, clinical disease marker, was found in 94.8% of affected persons. Rheumatic disorders--arthralgiae were found in 3.5% and Sclerodermia circumscripta in 1.7%. Antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi antigen were found in 46.9% of 32 patients tested by IFA test. In 55 (94.8%) patients the infestion took place in region of Vojvodina.

[HIV infection in Vojvodina]

The study of HIV infection in the population of Vojvodina was carried out in the period 1985-1991. The results obtained by the seroepidemiologic examination of some epidemiologically important groups of populations and recorded cases of AIDS are compared. It has been found that the seroepidemiologic examinations, in spite of some shortcomings, provide a more reliable insight into the epidemiologic situation of HIV infection.