Stable population structure in Europe since the Iron Age, despite high mobility

Ancient DNA research in the past decade has revealed that European population structure changed dramatically in the prehistoric period (14,000-3000 years before present, YBP), reflecting the widespread introduction of Neolithic farmer and Bronze Age Steppe ancestries. However, little is known about how population structure changed from the historical period onward (3000 YBP - present). To address this, we collected whole genomes from 204 individuals from Europe and the Mediterranean, many of which are the first historical period genomes from their region (e.g. Armenia and France). We found that most regions show remarkable inter-individual heterogeneity. At least 7% of historical individuals carry ancestry uncommon in the region where they were sampled, some indicating cross-Mediterranean contacts. Despite this high level of mobility, overall population structure across western Eurasia is relatively stable through the historical period up to the present, mirroring geography. We show that, under standard population genetics models with local panmixia, the observed level of dispersal would lead to a collapse of population structure. Persistent population structure thus suggests a lower effective migration rate than indicated by the observed dispersal. We hypothesize that this phenomenon can be explained by extensive transient dispersal arising from drastically improved transportation networks and the Roman Empire's mobilization of people for trade, labor, and military. This work highlights the utility of ancient DNA in elucidating finer scale human population dynamics in recent history

Stable population structure in Europe since the Iron Age, despite high mobility

Ancient DNA research in the past decade has revealed that European population structure changed dramatically in the prehistoric period (14,000–3000 years before present, YBP), reflecting the widespread introduction of Neolithic farmer and Bronze Age Steppe ancestries. However, little is known about how population structure changed from the historical period onward (3000 YBP - present). To address this, we collected whole genomes from 204 individuals from Europe and the Mediterranean, many of which are the first historical period genomes from their region (e.g. Armenia and France). We found that most regions show remarkable inter-individual heterogeneity. At least 7% of historical individuals carry ancestry uncommon in the region where they were sampled, some indicating cross-Mediterranean contacts. Despite this high level of mobility, overall population structure across western Eurasia is relatively stable through the historical period up to the present, mirroring geography. We show that, under standard population genetics models with local panmixia, the observed level of dispersal would lead to a collapse of population structure. Persistent population structure thus suggests a lower effective migration rate than indicated by the observed dispersal. We hypothesize that this phenomenon can be explained by extensive transient dispersal arising from drastically improved transportation networks and the Roman Empire’s mobilization of people for trade, labor, and military. This work highlights the utility of ancient DNA in elucidating finer scale human population dynamics in recent history

Assessment of morphological changes degree on the articular surfaces of the temporomandibular joints on the historical skeleton material

Background: The aging process in the temporomandibular joints (TMJs) is related, more or less, with degenerative processes. Despite the rich literature on morphology and anatomy and the functioning of the components of the TMJs, there is much less research studies on the anatomy and diseases of these joints on historical populations. The aim of the study was to analyse the frequency and intensity of morphological and dysfunctional changes within the TMJ.Materials and methods: The research material included skeleton material from three chronologically and geographically diverse archaeological series located in Poland in the cities: Strzelce Krajenskie (n = 86), Santok (n = 86) and Wroclaw (‘Kuronia’ collection) (n = 70). The examination of the skeletal material was based on the macroscopic analysis of the articular surfaces of the TMJ.Results and Conclusions: The difference in the frequency of degenerative changes observed on the articular surfaces of the TMJs between the examined skeletal series from selected cities was insignificant (Santok: 81.4%, Strzelce Krajenskie: 72.1%, ‘Kuronia’: 68.6%). However, the obtained results showed a difference in the intensity of changes in the TMJ between individuals representing the early medieval population from Santok and individuals from the beginning of the 20th century collection ‘Kuronia’

Lung function: occupational exposure to wood dust

Abstract Objectives Occupational exposure to wood dust has been shown to cause several respiratory disorders, such as allergic rhinitis, chronic bronchitis, asthma, sino-nasal adenocarcinoma, and impairment of lung function. The aim of the study was to estimate lung function (in the woodworking industry) among workers employed by wood processing, who run the risk of being expose to wood dust. Methods The study concerns a group of 70 workers aged 24-55. All the workers underwent general and laryngological examination. A group of 20 workers, working at the positions where dustiness exceeded TLV (threshold limit value) took X-ray of the chest and spirometry. The following parameters were measured: VC, IC, ERV, TV, BF, FEV1, FVC, PEF, MEF25-75, FEV1%FVC, FEV1%VC. The data are presented as means ± SD and the authors applied references values according to ERS guidelines. Results The results show that there was no decline in FEV1 (3.7 ± 0.7) and FVC (4.5 ± 0.8). Normal lung function was defined as FEV1/VC ratio ≥0.7. None of the tested workers had obstructive pattern in spirometry. The mean FEV1%VC was 77.1 ± 10.2. These results suggest that wood dust exposure might not lead to significant pulmonary damage. Conclusions These data do not corroborate that wood dust plays significant role in lung function impairment. Future studies of respiratory health among workers exposed to wood dust are needed.</p

Deformation of the nasal septum in children, adolescents, and adults in Western Pomerania Province of Poland

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Objectives</p> <p>Nasal septum deformation (NSD) contributes to the occurrence of upper respiratory tract diseases in around 45-55% of Poland's population. The evaluation of frequency of occurrence and type of nasal septum deformation among randomly chosen representatives of the Szczecin and surrounding area population was the aim of this study.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>NSD was assessed in 235 patients (123 male, 112 female) aged 5-60. Mladina's classification system was used for the evaluation.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Deformations of nasal septum were found in 43% of the examined subjects. Type 3 of NSD dominated (12.4%), while types 2 and 1 were found in 10.3% and 4.2% of the subjects, respectively. 9.2% of the patients showed type 5 of deformation, while types 6, 4, and 7 were found in 1.3%, 3.2% and 2.7% of the patients, respectively.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Straight nasal septum was found in females more often than in males, mostly on the left side. Associations between NSD, on one side, and age, sex, and traumas, on the other were found. NSD influenced the quality of respiration and frequency of upper respiratory tract diseases in the examined subjects.</p