Between the Baltic and Danubian worlds : the genetic affinities of a middle neolithic population from Central Poland

For a long time, anthropological and genetic research on the Neolithic revolution in Europe was mainly concentrated on the mechanism of agricultural dispersal over different parts of the continent. Recently, attention has shifted towards population processes that occurred after the arrival of the first farmers, transforming the genetically very distinctive early Neolithic Linear Pottery Culture (LBK) and Mesolithic forager populations into present-day Central Europeans. The latest studies indicate that significant changes in this respect took place within the post-Linear Pottery cultures of the Early and Middle Neolithic which were a bridge between the allochthonous LBK and the first indigenous Neolithic culture of north-central Europe-the Funnel Beaker culture (TRB). The paper presents data on mtDNA haplotypes of a Middle Neolithic population dated to 4700/4600-4100/4000 BC belonging to the Brześć Kujawski Group of the Lengyel culture (BKG) from the Kuyavia region in north-central Poland. BKG communities constituted the border of the “Danubian World” in this part of Europe for approx. seven centuries, neighboring foragers of the North European Plain and the southern Baltic basin. MtDNA haplogroups were determined in 11 individuals, and four mtDNA macrohaplogroups were found (H, U5, T, and HV0). The overall haplogroup pattern did not deviate from other post-Linear Pottery populations from central Europe, although a complete lack of N1a and the presence of U5a are noteworthy. Of greatest importance is the observed link between the BKG and the TRB horizon, confirmed by an independent analysis of the craniometric variation of Mesolithic and Neolithic populations inhabiting central Europe. Estimated phylogenetic pattern suggests significant contribution of the post-Linear BKG communities to the origin of the subsequent Middle Neolithic cultures, such as the TRB

A Case of Extensive Infl ammatory Changes (Osteomyelitis) in an Infant’s Skeleton from the Medieval Burial Ground (11th–12th c) in Wawrzeńczyce (Near Krakow)

The aim of this study was to diagnose and describe extensive infl ammatory changes in a child’s skeleton from Wawrzeńczyce, (the medieval period). The aim of the analysis was to determine the nature of the infl ammatory changes and their etiology by means of macroscopic techniques as well as X-ray analysis. The tests revealed that the individual suffered from a hematogenous multifocal osteitis. This condition might have been a result of an acute or sub-acute osteitis, and the untreated form of osteomyelitis might have contributed to the infection of the entire developing organism, leading to death

The Beaker phenomenon and the genomic transformation of northwest Europe

From around 2750 to 2500 bc, Bell Beaker pottery became widespread across western and central Europe, before it disappeared between 2200 and 1800 bc. The forces that propelled its expansion are a matter of long-standing debate, and there is support for both cultural diffusion and migration having a role in this process. Here we present genome-wide data from 400 Neolithic, Copper Age and Bronze Age Europeans, including 226 individuals associated with Beaker-complex artefacts. We detected limited genetic affinity between Beaker-complex-associated individuals from Iberia and central Europe, and thus exclude migration as an important mechanism of spread between these two regions. However, migration had a key role in the further dissemination of the Beaker complex. We document this phenomenon most clearly in Britain, where the spread of the Beaker complex introduced high levels of steppe-related ancestry and was associated with the replacement of approximately 90% of Britain’s gene pool within a few hundred years, continuing the east-to-west expansion that had brought steppe-related ancestry into central and northern Europe over the previous centuries

Identyfication and molecular characterization of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from patients with infections

Staphylococcus aureus jest oportunistycznym patogenem człowieka. Wywołuje wiele schorzeń obejmujących zakażenia skórne oraz całe układy. Patogenność gronkowca spowodowana jest wytwarzaniem wielu czynników wirulencji. Polipy nosa tworzą się na skutek przerostu błon śluzowych nosa i zatok przynosowych. Patogeneza polipów nie jest dokładnie wyjaśniona. Przypuszcza się, że S. aureus może mieć udział w patogenezie polipów, co związane jest z wytwarzaniem przez niego wielu toksyn o właściwościach superantygenowych. Egzotoksyny o właściwościach superantygenów wywołują stan zapalny, objawiający się wzrostem eozynofilów, immunoglobulin IgE oraz limfocytów T.W niniejszej pracy scharakteryzowano kolekcję szczepów S. aureus pod względem występowania genów: leukocydyny Panton - Valentine, hemolizyny γ oraz stafylokinazy. Badane szczepy zostały wyizolowane od pacjentów z różnymi jednostkami chorobowymi. Kolejnym etapem pracy była charakterystyka szczepów z rodzaju Staphylococcus pochodzących od pacjentów z polipami nosa. W celu odróżnienia poszczególnych gatunków posłużono się porównaniem wzorów restrykcyjnych genu gap, kodującego dehydrogenazę glicerolo-3-fosforanową. Do bezpośredniego wykrycia S. auerus w tkankach zastosowano technikę FISH. Przeprowadzono molekularne typowanie szczepów za pomocą metody PFGE oraz PCR fragmentów genów polimorficznych, koagulazy i białka A. Identyfikowano również obecność genów egzotoksyn w kolekcji szczepów pochodzących z polipów nosa techniką PCR.Gen kodujący leukocydynę Panton - Valentine był obecny w niespełna 1% szczepów S. aureus. Szczepy pochodzące z polipów nosa zawierały wiele genów kodujących toksyny superantygenowe, w tym toksynę zespołu wstrząsu toksycznego. Wewnątrz tkanek polipów zidentyfikowano S. aureus. Przeprowadzone metody typowania dały zgodne wyniki, a badane szczepy produkujące superantygenowe toksyny nie były klonalne. Otrzymane wyniki sugerują, że gronkowiec złocisty może być główną przyczyną powstawania i rozwoju polipów nosa.Molecular techniques are becoming widely used in the identification and characterization of microorganisms. Bacteria in an easy way to exchange the genetic information, which contributes to the virulence factors and antibiotic resistance. Staphylococcus aureus is an important pathogen causes a wide range of infections in human and expresses a variety of virulence factors. This study detected the virulence determinants in S. aureus strains. Characterized selected virulence factors of S. aureus and the analysis of relationship between the strains. Using the techniques of PCR and multiplex PCR was performed to identify genes leukocidin Panton - Valentine, gamma hemolysin and staphylokinase in the collection of strains from patients with infections.Another aim of this study was to characterize the strains of the Staphylococcus spp. strains derived from nasal polyps and the identification of pathogenicity factors. In order to distinguish each species used a comparison of restriction patterns gap gene encoding glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and PFGE. Molecular methods, such as PCR have also been used to identification enterotoxin genes, toxic shock syndrome toxin, epidermolytic toxins, leukocidin Panton - Valentine, γ- hemolysin and staphylokinase from starins of nosal polips. The results obtained were species diversity of strains of S. aureus, as well as the diversity in the presence of virulence factors in various diseases. Strains from the polyp showed the presence of staphylococcal enterotoxin, which is suspected of the cause of nasal polyps. Currently, there is an increase of antibiotic resistance and increased virulence of strains. Therefore, identification of staphylococci and monitoring the spread of bacteria. A very important role in the time of infection is to determine the etiological agent, carefully examine the sensitivity to antibiotics and knowledge of the determinants of pathogenicity

Past inhabitants of Garbary – a biocultural perspective

The present work analyses the bone material unearthed at the graveyard of St Peter the Little’s Church in Garbary. The study is based on research from the years 1978 and 2012. A total of 111 skeletons were analysed, all of them of medium condition, dating back to the modern period. The material’s diversity level was verified by biological distance assessment. Ward’s method was used for selected measurement features of the neurocranium and the facial skeleton. Sex and age were established simultaneously by means of methods commonly applied in anthropology. The assessment was based on the morphology of the skull and pelvic bones as well as the deciduous and permanent teeth eruption sequence. Cranial measurements and indices were subjected to analysis. Osteometric data provided the basis for an analysis of long bone symmetry, limb length and proportions and bone massiveness indices. A multi-planar reconstruction of individuals’ stature was performed by means of regression formulas developed by various authors. Sexual dimorphism index served indirectly as a measurement of the living conditions of individuals in the population, whereas an analysis of muscular and skeletal stress markers on bones allowed us to evaluate build types. Calculated life expectancy table parameters were used to recreate e.g. individuals’ lifespans and life expectancy structure (by age at death) characteristic of historical populations of Krakow