HAIR, BONE PLATES AND COPROLITES: ANCIENT DNA RESEARCH ON RARE ARCHAEOLOGICAL MATERIALS

The article describes the possibilities and limitations of ancient DNA research on organic materials that are usually not the focus of archaeogenetics, because of their low preservation potential and thus rareness in archaeological settings. These are remains from fish and birds, animal hairs, and coprolites. Several of the author’s own key studies from different regions and time periods are presented.Key words: ancient DNA, archaeozoology, animal hairs, fishbone, Acipenser, Pelecanus, coprolites, paleofaeces.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15181/ab.v23i0.129

Strategies of discourse modeling

Contemporary discourse modeling is the complex research methodology having many scientific algorithms. Every step of this discourse modeling methodology has the specific scientific purpose. The unity of these scientific purposes is the base to identify discourse modeling evolution steps. Modeling of political discourse and TV-discourse as the most manipulative discursive types realizes so important scientific problems to create socio-cultural model of societ

Assessment of Association of rs2200733 SNP on Chromosome 4q25 with the Risk of the Development of Atrial Fibrillation in the Russian Population

The aim of our case-control study was to investigate the possible genetic association of the rs2200733 SNP on chromosome 4q25 with AF in the Russian population as this association has not been examined before in this ethnicity. Methods and Results: A total of 76 unrelated individuals diagnosed with AF and 73 control subjects without any cardiovascular pathology were included in this study. The diagnosis of AF was based on ECG and/or Holter ECG data following standard diagnostic criteria. We found that the TT genotype of the rs2200733 SNP was associated with a higher risk of AF (OR=1.4, 95% CI: 1.1-12.4). The homozygote minor rare allele genotype TT of the rs2200733 SNP tended to elevate the risk of lone AF development (OR=2.5, 95% CI: 1.2-19.5). A risk of secondary AF development did not depend on rs2200733 SNP on chromosome 4q25 (OR=0.5, 95% CI: 0.2-1.3). Conclusion: Our results provide additional evidence for the association between the rs2200733 (4q25) SNP on chromosome 4q25 and AF, emphasizing the need for further studies examining the role of this polymorphism in AF

Ancient DNA reveals the Arctic origin of Viking Age cod from Haithabu, Germany.

Knowledge of the range and chronology of historic trade and long-distance transport of natural resources is essential for determining the impacts of past human activities on marine environments. However, the specific biological sources of imported fauna are often difficult to identify, in particular if species have a wide spatial distribution and lack clear osteological or isotopic differentiation between populations. Here, we report that ancient fish-bone remains, despite being porous, brittle, and light, provide an excellent source of endogenous DNA (15-46%) of sufficient quality for whole-genome reconstruction. By comparing ancient sequence data to that of modern specimens, we determine the biological origin of 15 Viking Age (800-1066 CE) and subsequent medieval (1066-1280 CE) Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) specimens from excavation sites in Germany, Norway, and the United Kingdom. Archaeological context indicates that one of these sites was a fishing settlement for the procurement of local catches, whereas the other localities were centers of trade. Fish from the trade sites show a mixed ancestry and are statistically differentiated from local fish populations. Moreover, Viking Age samples from Haithabu, Germany, are traced back to the North East Arctic Atlantic cod population that has supported the Lofoten fisheries of Norway for centuries. Our results resolve a long-standing controversial hypothesis and indicate that the marine resources of the North Atlantic Ocean were used to sustain an international demand for protein as far back as the Viking Age.Leverhulme Trust (MRF-2013-065

Simultaneous Presentation of Ankylosing Spondylitis and Pancreatic Cancer: A Case Report

A clinical case of simultaneous presentation of ankylosing spondylitis and pancreatic cancer is described. Patients with rheumatic disorders must be closely followed to screen for malignancies. Most paraneoplastic rheumatic syndromes are difficult to distinguish from autoimmune rheumatic diseases; thus, cancer occurrence may constitute a major diagnostic challenge

Low JAK2 V617F Allele Burden in Ph-Negative Chronic Myeloproliferative Neoplasms Is Associated with Additional CALR or MPL Gene Mutations

JAK2 (Janus kinase 2) V617F, CALR (Calreticulin) exon 9, and MPL (receptor for thrombopoietin) exon 10 mutations are associated with the vast majority of Ph-negative chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). These mutations affect sequential stages of proliferative signal transduction and therefore, after the emergence of one type of mutation, other types should not have any selective advantages for clonal expansion. However, simultaneous findings of these mutations have been reported by different investigators in up to 10% of MPN cases. Our study includes DNA samples from 1958 patients with clinical evidence of MPN, admitted to the National Research Center for Hematology for genetic analysis between 2016 and 2019. In 315 of 1402 cases (22.6%), CALR mutations were detected. In 23 of these 315 cases (7.3%), the JAK2 V617F mutation was found in addition to the CALR mutation. In 16 from 24 (69.6%) cases, with combined CALR and JAK2 mutations, V617F allele burden was lower than 1%. A combination of JAK2 V617F with MPL W515L/K was also observed in 1 out of 1348 cases, only. JAK2 allele burden in this case was also lower than 1%. Additional mutations may coexist over the low background of JAK2 V617F allele. Therefore, in cases of detecting MPNs with a low allelic load JAK2 V617F, it may be advisable to search for other molecular markers, primarily mutations in exon 9 of CALR. The load of the combined mutations measured at different time points may indicate that, at least in some cases, these mutations could be represented by different clones of malignant cells

Functional response of midsummer planktonic and benthic communities in the Neva Estuary (eastern Gulf of Finland) to anthropogenic stress

Long-term hydrobiological research has shown that the functioning of the ecosystem of the Neva Estuary, one of the largest Baltic estuaries, has changed greatly since the beginning of the 20th century. Ineffective local water management in St. Petersburg during thelast twenty years has stimulated the development of a natural "biological plug" in the salt barrier zone in the inner part ofthe estuary and has altered the ecosystem's functioning. These changes include an increase in primary production, in the primary production:organic matter decomposition ratio, and in pelagic-benthic coupling. It has also given rise to filamentous algae blooms and intensive secondary pollution in the coastal zone of the Neva Estuary. The primary production of phytoplankton in the inner part of the estuary has reached 2.3 gC m^-2, that of the filamentous algae <i>Cladophora glomerata</i> 5.5 gC m^-2 these figures are much higher than in other regions of the Gulf of Finland

Quality Of Life As The Main Factor In Increasing The Economic Safety Of The Region

Статья посвящена оценке качества жизни в рамках экономической безопасности регионов России. В статье представлен методический подход к интегральной оценке качества жизни населения регионов. Комплексная методика диагностики качества жизни состоит из восьми индикативных модулей, отражающих различные характеристики категории «качество жизни»: качество населения, занятость населения, уровень жизни населения, условия жизни населения, приемлемость окружающей природной среды для проживания населения, безопасность личности, детерминанты внутренней и внешней миграции населения, социальная защищенность населения. Диагностика качества жизни проводится в рамках экономической безопасности с использованием индикативного метода анализа. Рассмотрены состояние и динамика изменения качества жизни населения и его отдельных составляющих для субъектов РФ, входящих в состав Уральского федерального округа, в период 2000-2011 . Article is devoted to an assessment of quality of life within economic security of regions of Russia. In article the methodical approach to an integrated assessment of quality of life of the population of regions is presented. The complex technique of diagnosis of quality of life consists of eight indicative modules reflecting various characteristics of category «quality of life»: quality of a population, population employment, a population standard of living, population living conditions, an acceptability of environment for population accommodation, security of the personality, determinants of internal and external migration of a population, social security of a population. Diagnosis of quality of life is carried out within economic security with use of an indicative method of the analysis. The condition and dynamics of change of quality of life of a population and its separate components for the subjects of the Russian Federation (Ural federal district) in 2000-2011 are considered