Birds nesting in humans remains: an unexplored phenomenon

Ossuaries, designed for human bone preservation, become unexpected habitats for birds like swallows and pigeons, offering a unique opportunity to study the taphonomic signs of this interaction. Birds choose ossuaries for nesting due to the stable substrate of human remains, particularly the durable and protective nature of skulls. This symbiosis highlights the adaptability of animals to unconventional environments. Narratives from 19th- and 20th-century English literature chronicle instances of birds nesting in human skulls, captivating ornithologists, and curiosity enthusiasts. Moreover, modern cemeteries, exemplified in England and France’s Breton region, serve as additional settings for bird nesting, highlighting the diverse choices of shelter made by birds. A comprehensive analysis of these occurrences holds the potential to yield valuable insights into taphonomy, bone preservation, and the ecological dynamics of anthropized environments. This article serves as a succinct reference, encouraging further investigation into the unique interaction between life and death

Behind the wall: a paleopathological examination of a non-adult subject from the cemetery of Santa Maria Maggiore, Vercelli.

This study presents the anthropological and paleopathological investigation of Non-adult#1, an infant recovered from Funerary Unit 12 within the church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Vercelli, Italy. Non- adult#1 exhibited skeletal evidence suggestive of scurvy, characterized by diffuse porosity and new bone depo- sition in various skeletal elements. Through a comprehensive analysis incorporating macroscopic observations, skeletal measurements and cross-referencing with clinical and paleopathological literature, Non-adult#1 was classified as a probable case of scurvy. The interpretation of Non-adult#1’s skeletal remains was further com- plicated by preservation challenges, incomplete mineralization and the fragmentary nature of the assemblage. Despite these complexities, Non-adult#1’s pathology offers valuable insights into the health status and so- cietal conditions of individuals in Modern Era northern Italy. This interdisciplinary approach underscores the importance of integrating archaeological, historical, and bioarchaeological perspectives to elucidate the complexities of past human health and well-being

Companions in eternity. The historical practice of burying pets

In the underground cemetery of Santa Maria Maggiore in Vercelli, the recovering of an ossuary chest unveiled the remains of a cat, together with human remains of some individuals of a noble family. The practice of burying pets has deep historical roots, offering insights into the intricate relationship between humans and their animal companions. The presence of the cat in the caisson, which dates before the establish- ment of cemeteries dedicated to domestic animals in Italy, raises questions about the meaning of this deposi- tion. Despite incomplete data, we can hypothesize that the cat was intentionally translated from a previous burial

The study of the Nerviano Lazaretto in the context of the 17th-Century Plague

The study of the Nerviano Lazaretto in the context of the 17th-century plague is essential for un- derstanding the historical significance of epidemics. This site, with its unique combination of historical doc- uments and human remains, offers an extraordinary opportunity to deepen our understanding of the plague’s impact on the local population. A comprehensive interdisciplinary study integrating historical, anthropolog- ical, paleopathological, and archaeological data is necessary to unravel the complexities of the epidemic’s ef- fects. The findings from this research could not only enrich our understanding of the 17th-century plague but also contribute to the preservation of historical and anthropological heritage associated with the epidemic

Electrocardiogram pattern recognition and analysis based on artificial neural networks and support vector machines: a review.

Computer systems for Electrocardiogram (ECG) analysis support the clinician in tedious tasks (e.g., Holter ECG monitored in Intensive Care Units) or in prompt detection of dangerous events (e.g., ventricular fibrillation). Together with clinical applications (arrhythmia detection and heart rate variability analysis), ECG is currently being investigated in biometrics (human identification), an emerging area receiving increasing attention. Methodologies for clinical applications can have both differences and similarities with respect to biometrics. This paper reviews methods of ECG processing from a pattern recognition perspective. In particular, we focus on features commonly used for heartbeat classification. Considering the vast literature in the field and the limited space of this review, we dedicated a detailed discussion only to a few classifiers (Artificial Neural Networks and Support Vector Machines) because of their popularity; however, other techniques such as Hidden Markov Models and Kalman Filtering will be also mentioned

Autopsy or anatomical dissection? Comparative analysis of an osteoarchaeological sample from an 18-19th century hypogeal cemetery (northern Italy).

Skeletal evidence of post-mortem procedures is not uncommon in paleopathological studies. This aspect is often overshadowed by the description of the pathology found due to the difficulty in differentiating the stigmata left on the bones from technically similar practices such as autopsy and dissection. The discovery of five crania of adult individuals exhibiting post-mortem lesions during the bioarchaeological recovery phases of the hypogeal cemetery of the church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Vercelli, northern Italy, has made it possible to investigate this diagnostic problem. In particular, it was possible to evaluate the expression of both autopsy and dissection cuts. The crania belonged to four males and one female, all with complete circumferential incisions and therefore referable to craniotomies. Considering both the diversity of the cuts -justifiable by the use of a different surgical instrumentation- and the location of the individual osteological findings -result of tampering after funerary disuse-, it was decided to develop a study on the post-mortem stigmata with the aim of distinguishing autopsy cuts from those caused by the practice of dissection. For the study of craniotomies, we considered both macro- and micro- characteristics of the cuts, using a morphological approach that included high-magnification photographs and the production of casts of the in- cisions and cutting surfaces. We studied features of the osteotomies -as direction of striae, color of the surfaces and the precision of the cutting planes followed- and of individual incisions like false stars, evaluating dips on the kerf floor, shape of walls and the presence of bone islands. In the light of the surveys carried out, we were able to divide the sample into three cases/scenarios: i) two crania deriving from an ordered bone grouping, removed by anthropic action from the original context of the position, which were didactic samples, with post-mortem cuts of the modern era; ii) two other crania, belonging to a caisson-ossuary and neatly arranged inside it, would seem to be compatible with anatomical dissection; iii) the last subject, belonging to a reduction, would fall into the autopsy category, a hypothesis supported by the suspected presence of a debilitating pathology

Abnormal hippocampal melatoninergic system: a potential link between absence epilepsy and depression-like behavior in WAG/Rij rats?

Absence epilepsy and depression are comorbid disorders, but the molecular link between the two disorders is unknown. Here, we examined the role of the melatoninergic system in the pathophysiology of spike and wave discharges (SWDs) and depression-like behaviour in the Wistar Albino Glaxo from Rijswijk (WAG/Rij) rat model of absence epilepsy. In WAG/Rij rats, SWD incidence was higher during the dark period of the light-dark cycle, in agreement with previous findings. However, neither pinealectomy nor melatonin administration had any effect on SWD incidence, suggesting that the melatoninergic system was not involved in the pathophysiology of absence-like seizures. Endogenous melatonin levels were lower in the hippocampus of WAG/Rij rats as compared to non-epileptic control rats, and this was associated with higher levels of melatonin receptors in the hippocampus, but not in the thalamus. In line with the reduced melatonin levels, cell density was lower in the hippocampus ofWAG/Rij rats and was further reduced by pinealectomy. As expected, WAG/Rij rats showed an increased depression-like behaviour in the sucrose preference and forced swim tests, as compared to non-epileptic controls. Pinealectomy abolished the difference between the two strains of rats by enhancing depression-like behaviour in non-epileptic controls. Melatonin replacement displayed a significant antidepressant-like effect in bothWAG/Rij and control rats. These findings suggest that a defect of hippocampal melatoninergic system may be one of the mechanisms underlying the depression-like phenotype inWAG/Rij rats and that activation of melatonin receptors might represent a valuable strategy in the treatment of depression associated with absence epilepsy

MiR-199a-5p and miR-375 affect colon cancer cell sensitivity to cetuximab by targeting PHLPP1

We aimed to analyze the differentially-expressed miRNAs in colon cancer cells in order to identify novel potential biomarkers involved in cancer cell resistance

Calcified uterine leiomyoma from an 18th-century nunnery in North Italy

Objective: To develop a differential diagnosis of a mass retrieved alongside skeletal remains in the crypt of the church of Santissima Annunziata of Valenza (Province of Alessandria, Northern Italy). Material: A calcified mass measuring 40 × 39 mm and 17.62 × 16.3817.62 × 16.38 mm. Method: The analysis utilized macroscopic assessment and histologic examination (including histochemical and immunohistochemical analyses). Results: Morphological traits include an irregular and spongy external surface. Holes of different sizes lead toward the inner part of the object. A section of the mass shows an “intertwined bundle” pattern, confirmed by microscopic examination. Conclusions: Differential diagnosis determined the mass to be consistent with calcified leiomyoma. Significance: Identifying uterine leiomyoma adds to the paucity of paleopathological literature on the condition and to calcified tumors more broadly. It also allows for an important discussion of women's gynecological health in the past and potentially among nulliparous women. Limitations: Neither histochemical staining nor immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated the certain muscular nature of the specimens due to the rehydration and decalcification processes, for which there are no gold standards. Suggestions for further research: Calcified masses are common in the clinical literature but remain rare in paleopathological literature. Careful excavation and improved recognition of apparently calcified masses are necessary to improve recognition, diagnosis, and interpretation