While season-of-death estimation using cementochronology is routine in archaeozoology, its use is much less frequent in bioarchaeology. Based on the character of the outermost increment (bright or ...dark), two seasons (spring/summer, autumn/winter) can be distinguished. Although many studies mention its potential and possible use in forensic anthropology or bioarchaeology, few exist with estimation results. This study aimed to apply cementochronology-a histological method based on counting and assessing regular circa-annual acellular cementum increments-to 42 individuals from medieval mass graves from Kutná Hora-Sedlec (Czechia, 14th century) to estimate the season-of-death. The mass graves belong to two stratigraphically distinct groups; written and archaeological sources relate them to two catastrophic events (the famine of 1318 and the plague epidemic of 1348-1350). Using cementochronology, we distinguished two distinct seasons corresponding to the two groups of graves, with individuals from the first group dying predominantly in spring/summer, while those from the second group died in autumn/winter. Taking into account the typical seasonal dynamics of epidemics, the results would be more in line with written sources. However, during the evaluation, we faced difficulties identifying the outermost increment and detecting the dark (thinner) increment; we recommend including only young and middle-aged adults in future studies, due to the difficulty of evaluation, and to consider the readability of the tissue (often affected by diagenesis). In conclusion, cementochronology has potential in the context of estimating the season-of-death, but the technical possibilities for enhancing the outermost increment need to be addressed, and the amount of data analysed expanded.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Previous bioarchaeological and auxological research has indicated that stunting the growth of vertebral measures, specifically those of the vertebral neural canal (VNC), provides a record of ...stressful early-childhood episodes that persists into adulthood. The main goal of this study was to investigate possible VNC size variation within the specific context of a medieval silver-mining site. Skeletons unearthed recently at Kutná Hora–Sedlec (Czech Republic) represent a population that lived there during its most prosperous era (13th–16th centuries). During this period, Kutná Hora residents could have faced both environmental and cultural conditioned stressors. In a total of 207 individuals examined in this study, we measured anteroposterior (AP) and transverse (TR) vertebral neural canal dimensions together with anterior vertebral body height (BH) in thoracic (Th10–Th12) and lumbar (L1–5) vertebrae, and analysed them for association with sex, age-at-death, and burial context (individual vs mass graves). These intra-site comparisons revealed that: (1) male diameters were consistently larger than female; (2) males with stunted AP and TR diameters were less likely to survive into mature adulthood; (3) the relationship between early life stress and burial context was very weak (in females) or non-existent (in males); and (4) the TR dimension of the vertebral neural canal was more prone to growth disruption than the AP or BH diameters.
Příspěvek představuje první výsledky izotopové analýzy stravy jedinců pohřbených u hřbitovního karneru Všech svatých v Kutné Hoře – Sedlci (13.–14. stol.). Izotopové hodnoty uhlíku (δ13C) a dusíku ...(δ15N) byly měřeny v kostní tkáni celkem 24 jedinců pohřbených v individuálních hrobech. Analyzovaný soubor byl doplněn 11 vzorky zvířecích kostí a jako srovnávací soubor představující venkovskou populaci byl použit kosterní materiál 20 jedinců pohřbených během 14. století na hřbitově v Oškobrhu. Průměrné hodnoty souboru z Kutné Hory činily -19,3 ± 0,2 ‰ pro δ13C a 12,2 ± 0,5 ‰ pro δ15N. U souboru z Oškobrhu pak činily -19,4 ± 0,1 ‰ pro δ13C a 11,4 ± 1,2 ‰ pro δ15N. Strava obou populačních souborů byla založená na C3-rostlinách, se signifikantním podílem živočišných produktů, případně ryb. V případě Kutné Hory byl však tento podíl signifikantně vyšší, a to zejména u žen. Hodnoty obou souborů dobře ilustrují proměnu českých zemí ve středověku ve smyslu odklonu od pěstování prosa. Porovnání s hodnotami dalších souborů z kontextu raně středověké až raně novověké střední Evropy ukazuje na kvalitní stravu s dostatečným obsahem živočišných bílkovin.
Incretin-based therapies represent one of the most promising options in type 2 diabetes treatment owing to their good effectiveness with low risk of hypoglycemia and no weight gain. Other numerous ...potential beneficial effects of incretin-based therapies have been suggested based mostly on experimental and small clinical studies including its beta-cell- and vasculo-protective actions. One of the recently emerged interesting features of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors is its possible protective effect on the diabetic kidney disease. Here, we review the renal effects of DPP-4 inhibitors with special focus on its influence on the onset and progression of microalbuminuria, as presence of microalbuminuria represents an important early sign of kidney damage and is also associated with increased risk of hypoglycemia and cardiovascular complications. Mechanisms underlying possible nephroprotective properties of DPP-4 inhibitors include reduction of oxidative stress and inflammation and improvement of endothelial dysfunction. Effects of DPP-4 inhibitors may be both glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) dependent and independent. Ongoing prospective studies focused on the nephroprotective effects of DPP-4 inhibitors will further clarify its possible role in the prevention/attenuation of diabetic kidney disease beyond its glucose lowering properties.
We compared a novel PSII-biosensor assay with a standard algal growth inhibition test for detection of photosynthetic herbicides—diuron, atrazine and isoproturon in liquid samples. To evaluate the ...convenience and sensitivity, values of the parameters EC50 and LOD and the duration of assays were compared. The biosensor assay was made with an electrochemical biosensor toxicity analyser with immobilised Photosystem II (PSII) complex. Using the PSII-biosensor assay, higher sensitivity (LOD) to herbicides (10
−8–10
−9
M) was achieved as compared to standard algal growth inhibition tests (about 10
−7
M). The results of both assays showed a good correlation as concerns their EC50 values while the interval of detectable concentrations is about twice wider for PSII-biosensor. A proposed measurement protocol includes the reference standard of phytotoxicity (RSP). The main advantage of the PSII-biosensor assay is that it can be completed in about 1
h and is by 1–2 orders more sensitive than standard algal growth inhibition test, which takes 72
h.
This study explored dietary behavior in the context of the developing medieval power centers of Bohemia (9th–11th Century AD, Czech Republic) with an emphasis on the dietary behavior of elites and ...the socio-economic stratification within the population of the central places. Carbon and nitrogen isotopic values were measured in collagen samples from 102 humans and 24 animals excavated from the sites of two castles representing the main power centers and their hinterlands. The Bayesian software package FRUITS was employed to estimate the caloric contribution of C3 and C4 plants, terrestrial animals, and freshwater fish. Statistically significant differences in the consumption of animal products and millet were observed between castle elites versus castle non-elite and hinterland samples. Among burial sites located outside the castle areas, substantial dietary variation in terms of both carbon and nitrogen was observed in males but not in females. These results suggest the deep socio-economic stratification within the population of centers. The notable consumption of millet was typical of the lower socio-economic groups buried outside the castle areas. The almost total absence of adult male skeletons at some sites was accompanied by the low contribution of animal products to the diets of the males present. The high dietary variation observed within the ducal family suggests either the rapidly changing position of the Přemyslids during the formation of the Bohemian state structure or the sharp increase in the influence of the Church in terms of elite dietary behavior.
Soubory zvířecích kostí a zubů datované do 8. až 14. století byly shromážděny při archeologických výzkumech na několika místech Prahy (Pražský hrad, Malá Strana a Staré Město). Získaný osteologický ...materiál představuje odpad vznikající převážně při úpravě a konzumaci masa. Jeho detailní vyhodnocení se zaměřením na druhové složení, úmrtní věk a pohlaví zvířat přináší bližší informace nejen o složení stravy a kvalitě masa, ale i využívání dalších živočišných produktů. Porovnáním více souborů na prostorové a časové úrovni jsme se pokusili lépe porozumět trendům v hospodaření se zvířaty a spotřebě jejich produktů v prostoru středověké Prahy.
Díky systematickému archeologickému výzkumu v městském jádru i na předměstích někdejšího královského věnného města Chrudimi je řešeno celé spektrum otázek týkajících se každodenního života ve ...středověkém a raně novověkém městě. Samostatný okruh otázek se dotýká hygienických podmínek ve městě a na předměstích (vodní režim, nakládání s odpadem, zdravotní stav populace ad.). Odpověď na tyto otázky přináší komparace historických a archeologických pramenů společně s poznatky přírodních věd.
While season-of-death estimation using cementochronology is routine in archaeozoology, its use is much less frequent in bioarchaeology. Based on the character of the outermost increment (bright or ...dark), two seasons (spring/summer, autumn/winter) can be distinguished. Although many studies mention its potential and possible use in forensic anthropology or bioarchaeology, few exist with estimation results. This study aimed to apply cementochronology-a histological method based on counting and assessing regular circa-annual acellular cementum increments-to 42 individuals from medieval mass graves from Kutná Hora-Sedlec (Czechia, 14.sup.th century) to estimate the season-of-death. The mass graves belong to two stratigraphically distinct groups; written and archaeological sources relate them to two catastrophic events (the famine of 1318 and the plague epidemic of 1348-1350). Using cementochronology, we distinguished two distinct seasons corresponding to the two groups of graves, with individuals from the first group dying predominantly in spring/summer, while those from the second group died in autumn/winter. Taking into account the typical seasonal dynamics of epidemics, the results would be more in line with written sources. However, during the evaluation, we faced difficulties identifying the outermost increment and detecting the dark (thinner) increment; we recommend including only young and middle-aged adults in future studies, due to the difficulty of evaluation, and to consider the readability of the tissue (often affected by diagenesis). In conclusion, cementochronology has potential in the context of estimating the season-of-death, but the technical possibilities for enhancing the outermost increment need to be addressed, and the amount of data analysed expanded.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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