The article introduces the enhancements made to the IsoArcH database for isotope paleopathology. This includes the addition of new metadata fields, which allow for describing abnormal anatomical or physiological conditions in humans and animals at either the individual or sample level. To showcase the novel features of the database, the article features a unique dataset of carbon and nitrogen isotope values obtained on bulk bone collagen from 42 clinically-documented cases of the Jedlička pathological-anatomical reference collection, dating from the 19th century CE and curated at the National Museum in Prague, Czechia. The dataset includes 70 combined isotopic measurements from individuals who underwent anatomizations between 1841 and 1900 and had distinct bone diseases/disorders: i.e. syphilis, rickets, osteosarcoma, osteomyelitis, and healed fractures. Finally, the article highlights the value of the data in helping the isotope bioarchaeology and paleopathology communities in their understanding of disease processes.
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
ABSTRACT: The examination of documented skeletal remains provides an exceptional opportunity for biohistorical research to answer questions about an individual's life and death. Research in this area also makes it possible to assess the reliability of historical records from the period of interest, which is often the subject of discussion, especially in cases of historically known individuals. The remains of K.B.C. (1895-1940), a prominent local landowner and politician, were exhumed because of the repair of a family tomb in Jíloviště, Czech Republic. The aim of this study was to analyze pathological changes in his bones and to interpret these by comparing them with the results of a historical medical records review of private family and public archives regarding his diseases and death, thus verifying their credibility. Morphological and X-ray examinations of the bones revealed several serious pathological changes, whose presence fully corresponded to the studied documents. This showed the records' reliability, and it was thus possible to accurately interpret the lesions found. The results demonstrated the need for interdisciplinary collaboration in the analysis of such cases, including the assistance of the living descendants of the studied individuals, if possible.
- MeSH
- chorobopisy MeSH
- kosti a kostní tkáň * MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- reprodukovatelnost výsledků MeSH
- tělesné pozůstatky * MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Skeletal developmental anomalies (SDA) are a subject of constant interest across scientific disciplines, but still mostly as isolates and curiosities. The aim of this study was to find out to what extent the occurrence of SDA reflects documented biological relationships. The skeletal remains of 34 individuals with known genealogical data were available, members of one family over four generations (19th to 20th centuries, Bohemia, Czech Republic), including some inbred individuals. The occurrence of 89 SDA was assessed on the basis of scopic morphological evaluation and X-ray and CT examinations. The degree of similarity between individuals was calculated using a "similarity coefficient" (SC). A linear model was used to test the relationship between positive values of the SC and the relatedness of biologically related individuals. Simultaneously, based on population frequencies of the evaluated anomalies, those that could be considered familial were recorded. A statistically significant relationship between morphological similarity and the biological distance between individuals was found. The greatest similarity was found among close relatives such as parents and children, siblings, or grandparents and grandchildren. The effect of increased consanguinity on the occurrence of anomalies was not confirmed, however. Seventeen SDA shared by closely related individuals were found in the sample, supporting the documented family relationships among them. Eleven of these were selected as possibly familial, but only five were statistically significant: an elongated styloid process, a cervical block vertebrae (arch, facet joints), hamate hamulus aplasia, anteater nose sign, and incomplete fusion of the S1 spinous process. There were also 28 cases of individual occurrences of 17 different SDA, without connection to the documented relationships between individuals.
- MeSH
- dítě MeSH
- krční obratle * MeSH
- krk MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- spánková kost MeSH
- tělesné pozůstatky * MeSH
- Check Tag
- dítě MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
OBJECTIVES: To highlight conditions that may cause early-onset degenerative joint disease, and to assess the possible impact of such diseases upon everyday life. MATERIAL: Four adults aged under 50 years from a medieval skeletal collection of Prague (Czechia). METHODS: Visual, osteometric, X-ray, and histological examinations, stable isotope analysis of bone collagen. RESULTS: All four individuals showed multiple symmetrical degenerative changes, affecting the majority of joints of the postcranial skeleton. Associated dysplastic deformities were observed in all individuals, including bilateral hip dysplasia (n = 1), flattening of the femoral condyles (n = 3), and substantial deformation of the elbows (n = 3). The diet of the affected individuals differed from the contemporary population sample. CONCLUSIONS: We propose the diagnosis of a mild form of skeletal dysplasia in these four individuals, with multiple epiphyseal dysplasia or type-II collagenopathy linked to premature osteoarthritis as the most probable causes. SIGNIFICANCE: Combining the skeletal findings with information from the medical literature, this paper defines several characteristic traits which may assist with the diagnosis of skeletal dysplasia in the archaeological record. LIMITATIONS: As no genetic analysis was performed to confirm the possible kinship of the individuals, it is not possible to definitively assess whether the individuals suffered from the same hereditary condition or from different forms of skeletal dysplasia. SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH: Further studies on premature osteoarthritis in archaeological skeletal series are needed to correct the underrepresentation of these mild forms of dysplasia in past populations.
- MeSH
- dějiny středověku MeSH
- dieta dějiny MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- hřbitovy dějiny MeSH
- kosti a kostní tkáň patologie MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- luxace kyčle patologie MeSH
- osteoartróza * dějiny patologie MeSH
- Check Tag
- dějiny středověku MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- historické články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika MeSH
- Publikační typ
- abstrakt z konference MeSH
OBJECTIVE: This paper aims at investigating the possible existence of isotopic offsets in δ13Ccol and δ15Ncol values in relation to tertiary syphilis. MATERIAL: Based on materials from the 19th c. A.D. deriving from the pathological-anatomical reference collection (the Jedlička collection) of the National Museum in Prague (Czech Republic), a comparative approach of ten individuals with syphilis and nine without the disease was undertaken. METHODS: Bone powder samples were defatted according to the protocol of Liden et al. (1995). Bone collagen was extracted following the protocol of Bocherens et al. (1991). RESULTS: Our results show that individuals with syphilis have lower δ13Ccol values than individuals without the disease; the observed difference between the two groups is about 0.3-0.4‰, which is relatively small but still meaningful. However, no difference between δ15Ncol values of the two groups has been noticed. CONCLUSIONS: Either diets prescribed by physicians to syphilitic patients or nutritional stress caused by cyclic appetite disturbance due to the disease itself or the administered medical treatment appeared to be possible explanations of the observed isotopic pattern. Overall, the response of the two isotopic proxies could argue for relatively limited nutritional restrictions. SIGNIFICANCE: This is the first study examining bone collagen isotopic response to syphilis based on clinically documented human skeletal materials. LIMITATIONS: The sample sizes are relatively small and cautiousness must be taken regarding the interpretations of the data. SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH: Compound-specific stable isotope investigations and analysis of mercury content could be helpful to better understand the observed isotopic effects.
- MeSH
- dějiny 19. století MeSH
- dieta MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- izotopy dusíku analýza MeSH
- izotopy uhlíku analýza MeSH
- kolagen analýza MeSH
- kosti a kostní tkáň chemie patologie MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- muzea MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- syfilis dějiny patologie MeSH
- Check Tag
- dějiny 19. století MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- historické články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika MeSH
- Publikační typ
- abstrakt z konference MeSH
- MeSH
- dějiny starověku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- nádory dějiny diagnóza MeSH
- nemoci kloubů dějiny diagnóza MeSH
- paleopatologie * metody MeSH
- rány a poranění dějiny diagnóza MeSH
- tělesné pozůstatky MeSH
- Check Tag
- dějiny starověku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- historické články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Maďarsko MeSH
Although smallpox has been known for centuries, the oldest available variola virus strains were isolated in the early 1940s. At that time, large regions of the world were already smallpox-free. Therefore, genetic information of these strains can represent only the very last fraction of a long evolutionary process. Based on the genomes of 48 strains, two clades are differentiated: Clade 1 includes variants of variola major, and clade 2 includes West African and variola minor (Alastrim) strains. Recently, the genome of an almost 400-year-old Lithuanian mummy was determined, which fell basal to all currently sequenced strains of variola virus on phylogenetic trees. Here, we determined two complete variola virus genomes from human tissues kept in a museum in Prague dating back 60 and 160 years, respectively. Moreover, mass spectrometry-based proteomic, chemical, and microscopic examinations were performed. The 60-year-old specimen was most likely an importation from India, a country with endemic smallpox at that time. The genome of the 160-year-old specimen is related to clade 2 West African and variola minor strains. This sequence likely represents a new endemic European variant of variola virus circulating in the midst of the 19th century in Europe.
- MeSH
- dějiny 19. století MeSH
- dějiny 20. století MeSH
- DNA virů genetika MeSH
- fylogeneze MeSH
- genom virový * MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- molekulární evoluce MeSH
- muzea * MeSH
- polymerázová řetězová reakce MeSH
- pravé neštovice epidemiologie dějiny virologie MeSH
- proteomika MeSH
- virus varioly klasifikace genetika MeSH
- vysoce účinné nukleotidové sekvenování MeSH
- Check Tag
- dějiny 19. století MeSH
- dějiny 20. století MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- historické články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika MeSH
- Evropa MeSH
- Indie epidemiologie MeSH
- Klíčová slova
- paleoantropologie, kinantropologie, auxologie,
- MeSH
- anatomie dějiny MeSH
- antropologie fyzická dějiny metody trendy MeSH
- dějiny MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- významné osobnosti MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- biografie MeSH
- historické články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
