Diploic veins (DV) run within the cranial diploe, where they leave channels that can be studied in osteological samples. This study investigates overall DV variability in human adults and the effects of sex, age, cranial dimensions, and dysmorphogenesis associated with craniosynostosis (CS). The morphology of macroscopic diploic channels was analyzed in a set of the qualitative and quantitative variables in computed tomography-images of crania of anatomically normal and craniosynostotic adult individuals. Macroscopic diploic channels occur most frequently in the frontal and parietal bones, often with a bilaterally symmetrical pattern. DV-features (especially DV-pattern) are characterized by high individual diversity. On average, there are 5.4 ± 3.5 large macroscopic channels (with diameters >1 mm) per individual, with a mean diameter of 1.7 ± 0.4 mm. Age and sex have minor effects on DV, and cranial proportions significantly influence DV only in CS skulls. CS is associated with changes in the DV numbers, distributions, and diameters. Craniosynostotic skulls, especially brachycephalic skulls, generally present smaller DV diameters, and dolichocephalic skulls display increased number of frontal DV. CS, associated with altered cranial dimensions, suture imbalance, increased intracranial pressure, and with changes of the endocranial craniovascular system, significantly also affects the macroscopic morphology of DV in adults, in terms of both structural (topological redistribution) and functional factors. The research on craniovascular morphology and CS may be of interest in biological anthropology, paleopathology, medicine (e.g., surgical planning), but also in zoology and paleontology.

• Klíčová slova
• computed tomography, craniovascular traits, diploe, premature suture fusion, vascular anatomy,
• MeSH
• kraniosynostózy * diagnostické zobrazování   patologie   MeSH
• lebeční švy MeSH
• lebka * anatomie a histologie   diagnostické zobrazování   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• počítačová rentgenová tomografie MeSH
• vény MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

OBJECTIVES: The diploic channels appear to be more developed in humans than in nonhuman primates, suggesting they may be relevant in evolutionary biology. This study is aimed at providing a segmentation procedure for diploic channels and CT analysis, a quantitative description of their variation in modern humans, and paleoanthropological case-studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CT data were used for the 2D and 3D visualization, rendering, and measure, of diploic channels in modern and fossil hominids. We analyzed 20 modern human skulls and three Neanderthals. The effect of different resolution factors was evaluated. A specific protocol was designed to segment the vascular network and localize the main branches, reducing the noise of the cancellous bone. RESULTS: We provide a quantitative description of the frontal, parietal, and occipital diploic networks in modern humans and in three Neanderthals. There is a correlation in the degree of vascularization among the different vault areas. No side differences can be detected. The diploic network is commonly connected with the meningeal artery at the temporal fossa, with the emissary veins at the occipital bone, and with the venous sinuses at the parieto-occipital areas. The channels are more developed in the parietal areas. The three Neanderthals show a vascular development, which is in the lower range of the modern human variation. CONCLUSIONS: Modern humans display a large variation in their morphological patterns, being the parietal area the most vascularized. The pattern of the diploic channels may be relevant in anthropology, medicine, and paleontology, taking into account their possible involvement in thermoregulation.

• Klíčová slova
• cranial anatomy, digital anatomy, diploe, paleoanthropology,
• MeSH
• antropologie fyzická MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lebka * anatomie a histologie   krevní zásobení   diagnostické zobrazování   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• neandertálci anatomie a histologie   MeSH
• počítačová rentgenová tomografie MeSH
• zkameněliny * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

In skeletal material from the neolithic settlement at Makotrasy, county Kladno, were analysed two children's craniums (identification numbers Ao 8218 and Ao 4184) with pathological cases. Case 1 (Object 127, Ao 8218) is the individual about 4 to 5 years old. There is oval aperture with the diameter 25 x 20 mm in the area of anthropometrical point bregma, with vertical, multiple knurled edges. Bevelled and rounded segment in the left frontal part of the aperture with diameter 10 mm is imitating healing process. We suggest this case is the trephination with the marks of the healing process in the period of 1 to 2 weeks after the surgery took over. Case 2 (Pit 25, Ao 4184) is child with age determined about 4 years old. Cranium was found buried separately. There is oval defect located at os occipitale and os parietale sin and goes through sutura lambdoidea. Caudal part of defect is missing. The edge of the defect is sharp and inward bevelled with exposed diploe. Traces of any vital reaction were not identified. Diameter is around 50 mm. Perimortal trephination leading to death, or postmortal taking of the trephinational amulet must be considered. There were several pathological lesions on the same skull. Defect of oval shape sized 8 x 12 mm is located at the os parietale dex. Defect interferes mostly with lamina externa and less with lamina interna. Exposed diploe is without any vital reaction.

• MeSH
• dějiny starověku MeSH
• lebka patologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• paleopatologie MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• trepanace dějiny   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dějiny starověku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• historické články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH

The study describes the pathological findings recorded on the human remains of a 3 to 4-year-old child found in the burial site of Trutmanice (Czech Republic), dated to the 13th-15th century. The human remains were examined using standard macroscopic osteological and paleopathological methods, supplemented by radiographic examination. Although the preservation of the bones limited the analysis, multiple pathological changes were observed mainly on the skull: cribra orbitalia, small pores and fine deposits of newly formed bone tissue, hypertrophic diploë, grooves indicating rich branching of meningeal arteries on the intracranial surface of the cranial vault. A very fine periostotic deposition of newly formed bone tissue was also observed at the distal end of the diaphysis of the right tibia and both distal ends of the femora. The radiographs of the femora showed white lines of Frankel, scurvy lines, and Wimberger's rings. The observed pathological changes were possibly consistent with scurvy based on differential diagnosis. Reports about cases of juvenile scurvy from rural areas within the context of landlocked countries of Central Europe are rare. While scurvy is now more frequently reported in the paleopathological literature, evidence for scurvy within one of the most natural agricultural areas in the Czech lands remains rare. We recommend using radiographic examination to complement the diagnosis of scurvy in future paleopathological and epidemiological studies of past populations.

• MeSH
• kurděje * patologie   MeSH
• lebka patologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• pohřeb MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• tělesné pozůstatky patologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH

Diplodia sapinea is a cosmopolitan endophyte and opportunistic pathogen having occurred on several conifer species in Europe for at least 200 years. In Europe, disease outbreaks have increased on several Pinus spp. in the last few decades. In this study, the genetic structure of the European and western Asian D. sapinea population were investigated using 13 microsatellite markers. In total, 425 isolates from 15 countries were analysed. A high clonal fraction and low genetic distance between most subpopulations was found. One single haplotype dominates the European population, being represented by 45.3% of all isolates and found in nearly all investigated countries. Three genetically distinct subpopulations were found: Central/North European, Italian and Georgian. The recently detected subpopulations of D. sapinea in northern Europe (Estonia) share several haplotypes with the German subpopulation. The northern European subpopulations (Latvia, Estonia and Finland) show relatively high genetic diversity compared to those in central Europe suggesting either that the fungus has existed in the North in an asymptomatic/endophytic mode for a long time or that it has spread recently by multiple introductions. Considerable genetic diversity was found even among isolates of a single tree as 16 isolates from a single tree resulted in lower clonal fraction index than most subpopulations in Europe, which might reflect cryptic sexual proliferation. According to currently published allelic patterns, D. sapinea most likely originates from North America or from some unsampled population in Asia or central America. In order to enable the detection of endophytic or latent infections of planting stock by D. sapinea, new species-specific PCR primers (DiSapi-F and Diplo-R) were designed. During the search for Diplodia isolates across the world for species specific primer development, we identified D. africana in California, USA, and in the Canary Islands, which are the first records of this species in North America and in Spain.

• Klíčová slova
• Diplodia africana, Diplodia pinea, Sphaeropsis sapinea, climate change, forest pathogens, global trade, invasive pathogen, multilocus haplotyping, population genetics, species-specific PCR primer,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH