Background: Recent advances in the next-generation sequencing (NGS) allowed the metagenomic analyses of DNA from many different environments and sources, including thousands of years old skeletal remains. It has been shown that most of the DNA extracted from ancient samples is microbial. There are several reports demonstrating that the considerable fraction of extracted DNA belonged to the bacteria accompanying the studied individuals before their death. Results: In this study we scanned 344 microbiomes from 1000-and 2000-year-old human teeth. The datasets originated from our previous studies on human ancient DNA (aDNA) and on microbial DNA accompanying human remains. We previously noticed that in many samples infection-related species have been identified, among them Tannerella forsythia, one of the most prevalent oral human pathogens. Samples containing sufficient amount of T. forsythia aDNA for a complete genome assembly were selected for thorough analyses. We confirmed that the T. forsythia-containing samples have higher amounts of the periodontitis-associated species than the control samples. Despites, other pathogens-derived aDNA was found in the tested samples it was too fragmented and damaged to allow any reasonable reconstruction of these bacteria genomes. The anthropological examination of ancient skulls from which the T. forsythia-containing samples were obtained revealed the pathogenic alveolar bone loss in tooth areas characteristic for advanced periodontitis. Finally, we analyzed the genetic material of ancient T. forsythia strains. As a result, we assembled four ancient T. forsythia genomes -one 2000-and three 1000-year-old. Their comparison with contemporary T. forsythia genomes revealed a lower genetic diversity within the four ancient strains than within contemporary strains. We also investigated the genes of T. forsythia virulence factors and found that several of them (KLIKK protease and bspA genes) differ significantly between ancient and modern bacteria.
Many theories have been suggested in order to explain the etiology of septal aperture (SA), however the problem has not been solved yet. The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between septal aperture and osteoarthritic changes. The skeletal material had come from a medieval cemetery in Cedynia, Poland. Skeletons of 201 adults had been examined. Septal aperture of humeral bone had been scored. Osteoarthritic changes (osteophytosis, porosity, eburnation) of articular surfaces of distal end of humerus and proximal end of ulna had been examined. In the present study female right bones with septal aperture were predicted to have porosity of articular surfaces of elbow joint (R = 0.30). But the caution is required when interpreting this result. Firstly, significant correlation was observed in the females' right bones only. Secondly, the etiology of porosity is not clear. Septal aperture did not correlate with osteophytosis, and eburnation (correlation is low and negative). This result contradicts the mechanical theory of SA formation (SA is a result of the impingement of overgrown ulnar process on the humeral septum). One explanation can be that osteophytes limit the natural motion of the joint to constitute a repair response an attempt at stabilizing the degenerating joint. It can prevent from septal aperture formation, or/and its enlargement. As in the case of osteophytes, eburnation limits elbow mobility, and thereby can exclude septal aperture formation. Further analyses of the relationship between septal aperture and osteoarthritic changes formation are needed. It is important for anthropological, and medical researches.
Schmorl's nodes are vertical herniation of intervertebral discs into the body of neighbouring vertebral endplate. Notwithstanding extensive studies, no consensus has been reached in the subject of their possible etiology. It is hypothesized that physical stress, trauma and high axial loading are the key factors in the occurrence of this pathology. The main objective of the current work is to reevaluate the relationship between stature and body mass and Schmorl's nodes. For this purpose, skeletal samples from Lithuania (44 males and 19 females) and Poland (97 males and 60 females) were used. The study confirmed that Schmorl's nodes are age-independent, and more frequent in males (12.63% on the superior and 19.32% on the inferior surface of vertebrae) than in females (6.23% and 12.29% respectively). Obtained results also suggest that high stature (e.g. Spearmann correlation for superior: R=0.20 p=0.017, and inferior: R=0.31 p=0.000 surface of vertebrae) and body mass (R=0.25, p=0.002 and R=0.32, p<0.001, respectively) are factors that increase the risk of Schmorl's nodes. Authors hypothesize that the afore-mentioned body size traits alter loadings acting on intervertebral discs, and rigidity of the spine.
The origin of the Piast dynasty is a matter of lively discussions and disputes. At least a few controversial hypotheses exist, but their credibility is difficult to assess due to the scarcity of written as well as material sources, especially from the time of Polish state formation. Life sciences, however, can support history and archeology. Application of genetic tests, used earlier mainly in forensic laboratories, enabled identification of the remains of King Richard III, the Romanov dynasty members and Nicolaus Copernicus. Contemporary DNA studies, based on next generation DNA sequencing, outreach the narrow area of known markers such as mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and selected regions of Y chromosome. Although ancient DNA (aDNA), extracted from remains, is usually highly degraded and contaminated with genetic material of microorganisms, there are methods which allow for the analysis of such material and retrieval of information about origin, kinship and some phenotypic features of an individual. Genetic studies of the Piast dynasty, a subject of our research project, have to deal with numerous difficulties. In or der to gain access to bone samples, we need to meet a number of formal requirements. Moreover, despite the existence of available abundant documentation on the Piast burials, the actual situation is not always consistent with the written sources. Our first experiences show how difficult it is to localize the remains, identify them and extract DNA of sufficient quality.
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