Proteomic evidence of dietary sources in ancient dental calculus.

Archaeological dental calculus has emerged as a rich source of ancient biomolecules, including proteins. Previous analyses of proteins extracted from ancient dental calculus revealed the presence of the dietary milk protein β-lactoglobulin, providing direct evidence of dairy consumption in the archaeological record. However, the potential for calculus to preserve other food-related proteins has not yet been systematically explored. Here we analyse shotgun metaproteomic data from 100 archaeological dental calculus samples ranging from the Iron Age to the post-medieval period (eighth century BC to nineteenth century AD) in England, as well as 14 dental calculus samples from contemporary dental patients and recently deceased individuals, to characterize the range and extent of dietary proteins preserved in dental calculus. In addition to milk proteins, we detect proteomic evidence of foodstuffs such as cereals and plant products, as well as the digestive enzyme salivary amylase. We discuss the importance of optimized protein extraction methods, data analysis approaches and authentication strategies in the identification of dietary proteins from archaeological dental calculus. This study demonstrates that proteomic approaches can robustly identify foodstuffs in the archaeological record that are typically under-represented due to their poor macroscopic preservation

The role of forensic anthropology in disaster victim identification (DVI):recent developments and future prospects

Forensic anthropological knowledge has been used in disaster victim identification (DVI) for over a century, but over the past decades, there have been a number of disaster events which have seen an increasing role for the forensic anthropologist. The experiences gained from some of the latest DVI operations have provided valuable lessons that have had an effect on the role and perceived value of the forensic anthropologist as part of the team managing the DVI process. This paper provides an overview of the ways in which forensic anthropologists may contribute to DVI with emphasis on how recent experiences and developments in forensic anthropology have augmented these contributions. Consequently, this paper reviews the value of forensic anthropological expertise at the disaster scene and in the mortuary, and discusses the way in which forensic anthropologists may use imaging in DVI efforts. Tissue-sampling strategies for DNA analysis, especially in the case of disasters with a large amount of fragmented remains, are also discussed. Additionally, consideration is given to the identification of survivors; the statistical basis of identification; the challenges related to some specific disaster scenarios; and education and training. Although forensic anthropologists can play a valuable role in different phases of a DVI operation, they never practice in isolation. The DVI process requires a multidisciplinary approach and, therefore, has a close collaboration with a range of forensic specialists

Data for: Inter and intra-individual variation in skeletal DNA preservation in buried remains

Submitted data includes R code and associated metadata files. Raw data is included

Data for: Inter and intra-individual variation in skeletal DNA preservation in buried remains

Submitted data includes R code and associated metadata files. Raw data is included.THIS DATASET IS ARCHIVED AT DANS/EASY, BUT NOT ACCESSIBLE HERE. TO VIEW A LIST OF FILES AND ACCESS THE FILES IN THIS DATASET CLICK ON THE DOI-LINK ABOV

Individualizing unidentified skeletal remains: a differential diagnosis combining pathological changes and biomolecular testing

Collaborative work among anthropologists, pathologists, and biomolecular analysts can maximize information included in a biological profile of skeletal remains. This case study demonstrates the benefits of a multidisciplinary approach to help diagnose disease processes from skeletal remains. In this case, skeletal pathologies on unidentified human remains appeared to be a result of both ankylosing spondylitis and spinal tuberculosis. This tentative diagnosis provided a starting point for biomolecular testing to help confirm these putative findings. The extraction of Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA from bone samples indicated the disease's presence in this skeleton. Molecular screening for HLA-B27 to assess ankylosing spondylitis (AS) was, however, inconclusive. This case study demonstrates how macroscopic and biomolecular analyses can be useful in assisting in the identification of disease processes of an unknown individual in a forensic context.Amy Z. Mundorff, Sarah Kiley, Krista E. Latham, Wolfgang Haak, Thomas Gilso

Acquired angioedema masquerading as abdominal and joint pain: c1 esterase deficiency secondary to cryptic lymphoma

A 62 year-old man presented to the emergency room with recurrent, colicky generalized abdominal pain. He had presented with similar abdominal pain in the preceding 6 weeks, requiring two hospital admissions. Admissions were accompanied by asymmetric lower limb swelling and pain on one admission, and swelling of lips on this admission. Six weeks prior, a computed tomography scan of the abdomen identified mesenteric lymph nodes which were biopsied and found to have CD5- positive cells consistent with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The patient denied associated difficulty swallowing or breathing. He had no previous history of angioedema, food allergies or new medications. Vital signs were normal and physical examination was remarkable for symmetric upper and lower lip swelling without hives. Given lip swelling and recently diagnosed lymphoma, acquired angioedema was suspected. C1 esterase deficiency was confirmed by low functional C1 esterase inhibitor level, (4%, normal: \u3e 40%), low C1 esterase inhibitor antigen (/dl, normal: 21 – 39 mg/dl), low C4 complement (\u3c 1.7 mg/dl, normal: 12 – 38 mg/dl), and low normal C1q level (113ug/ml, normal: 109 – 242 ug/ml). Sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, CBC and liver functions were normal. Patient was given one dose of intravenous Methylprednisolone 125 mg and antihistamines emergently. He was subsequently commenced on C1 esterase replacement, Icatibant (a bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist) and chemotherapy for lymphoma. He has had no further episodes of abdominal pain or lip swelling. An epinephrine pen was made available to him should angioedema recur Discussion: Angioedema is easily recognized clinically as facial or lip swelling, airway obstruction with or without hives. Lymphatic malignancies are a recognised cause of rare C1 esterase deficiency leading to acquired angioedema. Abdominal pain and extremity pain or swelling in isolation can be the only symptom of acquired angioedema. Conclusions: Clinicians should be aware of angioedema presenting with abdominal and extremity pain/swelling without lip swelling. Older patients presenting with new angioedema should prompt a consideration of acquired C1 esterase deficiency with suspicion for underlying malignancy especially lymphoma, adenocarcinoma, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, and less commonly autoimmune diseases