Ancient mitogenomes from Pre-Pottery Neolithic Central Anatolia and the effects of a Late Neolithic bottleneck in sheep (Ovis aries).

Occupied between ~10,300 and 9300 years ago, the Pre-Pottery Neolithic site of Asikli Höyük in Central Anatolia went through early phases of sheep domestication. Analysis of 629 mitochondrial genomes from this and numerous sites in Anatolia, southwest Asia, Europe, and Africa produced a phylogenetic tree with excessive coalescences (nodes) around the Neolithic, a potential signature of a domestication bottleneck. This is consistent with archeological evidence of sheep management at Asikli Höyük which transitioned from residential stabling to open pasturing over a millennium of site occupation. However, unexpectedly, we detected high genetic diversity throughout Asikli Höyük's occupation rather than a bottleneck. Instead, we detected a tenfold demographic bottleneck later in the Neolithic, which caused the fixation of mitochondrial haplogroup B in southwestern Anatolia. The mitochondrial genetic makeup that emerged was carried from the core region of early Neolithic sheep management into Europe and dominates the matrilineal diversity of both its ancient and the billion-strong modern sheep populations.

The ratting of North America: A 350-year retrospective on Rattus species compositions and competition.

While the impacts of black (Rattus rattus) and brown (Rattus norvegicus) rats on human society are well documented-including the spread of disease, broad-scale environmental destruction, and billions spent annually on animal control-little is known about their ecology and behavior in urban areas due to the challenges of studying animals in city environments. We use isotopic and ZooMS analysis of archaeological (1550s-1900 CE) rat remains from eastern North America to provide a large-scale framework for species arrival, interspecific competition, and dietary ecology. Brown rats arrived earlier than expected and rapidly outcompeted black rats in coastal urban areas. This replacement happened despite evidence that the two species occupy different trophic positions. Findings include the earliest molecularly confirmed brown rat in the Americas and show a deep ecological structure to how rats exploit human-structured areas, with implications for understanding urban zoonosis, rat management, and ecosystem planning as well as broader themes of rat dispersal, phylogeny, evolutionary ecology, and climate impacts.

Isotopic life-history signatures are retained in modern and ancient Atlantic bluefin tuna vertebrae.

Isotopic, tagging and diet studies of modern-day teleosts lacked the ability to contextualise life-history and trophic dynamics with a historical perspective, when exploitation rates were lower and climatic conditions differed. Isotopic analysis of vertebrae, the most plentiful hard-part in archaeological and museum collections, can potentially fill this data-gap. Chemical signatures of habitat and diet use during growth are retained by vertebrae during bone formation. Nonetheless, to fulfil their potential to reveal life-history and trophic dynamics, we need a better understanding of the time frame recorded by vertebrae, currently lacking due to a poor understanding of fish bone remodelling. To address this issue, the authors serially-sectioned four vertebral centra of the highly migratory Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus; BFT) captured off Sardinia (Italy) and analysed their isotopic composition. They show how carbon (δ13 C), nitrogen (δ15 N) and sulphur (δ34 S) isotope values can vary significantly across BFT vertebrae growth-axes, revealing patterning in dietary life histories. Further, they find that similar patterns are revealed through incremental isotopic analysis of inner and outer vertebrae centra samples from 13 archaeological BFT vertebrae dating between the 9th and13th centuries CE. The results indicate that multi-year foraging signatures are retained in vertebrae and allow for the study of life histories in both modern and paleo-environments. These novel methods can be extended across teleost taxa owing to their potential to inform management and conservation on how teleost trophic dynamics change over time and what their long-term environmental, ecological and anthropological drivers are.

Ancient DNA evidence for the ecological globalization of cod fishing in medieval and post-medieval Europe.

Understanding the historical emergence and growth of long-range fisheries can provide fundamental insights into the timing of ecological impacts and the development of coastal communities during the last millennium. Whole-genome sequencing approaches can improve such understanding by determining the origin of archaeological fish specimens that may have been obtained from historic trade or distant water. Here, we used genome-wide data to individually infer the biological source of 37 ancient Atlantic cod specimens (ca 1050-1950 CE) from England and Spain. Our findings provide novel genetic evidence that eleventh- to twelfth-century specimens from London were predominantly obtained from nearby populations, while thirteenth- to fourteenth-century specimens were derived from distant sources. Our results further suggest that Icelandic cod was indeed exported to London earlier than previously reported. Our observations confirm the chronology and geography of the trans-Atlantic cod trade from Newfoundland to Spain starting by the early sixteenth century. Our findings demonstrate the utility of whole-genome sequencing and ancient DNA approaches to describe the globalization of marine fisheries and increase our understanding regarding the extent of the North Atlantic fish trade and long-range fisheries in medieval and early modern times.

Peptide mass fingerprinting of preserved collagen in archaeological fish bones for the identification of flatfish in European waters.

Bones of Pleuronectiformes (flatfish) are often not identified to species due to the lack of diagnostic features on bones that allow adequate distinction between taxa. This hinders in-depth understanding of archaeological fish assemblages and particularly flatfish fisheries throughout history. This is especially true for the North Sea region, where several commercially significant species have been exploited for centuries, yet their archaeological remains continue to be understudied. In this research, eight peptide biomarkers for 18 different species of Pleuronectiformes from European waters are described using MALDI-TOF MS and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry data obtained from modern reference specimens. Bone samples (n = 202) from three archaeological sites in the UK and France dating to the medieval period (ca seventh-sixteenth century CE) were analysed using zooarchaeology by mass spectrometry (ZooMS). Of the 201 that produced good quality spectra, 196 were identified as flatfish species, revealing a switch in targeted species through time and indicating that ZooMS offers a more reliable and informative approach for species identification than osteological methods alone. We recommend this approach for future studies of archaeological flatfish remains as the precise species uncovered from a site can tell much about the origin of the fish, where people fished and whether they traded between regions.

Origins and genetic legacy of prehistoric dogs.

Dogs were the first domestic animal, but little is known about their population history and to what extent it was linked to humans. We sequenced 27 ancient dog genomes and found that all dogs share a common ancestry distinct from present-day wolves, with limited gene flow from wolves since domestication but substantial dog-to-wolf gene flow. By 11,000 years ago, at least five major ancestry lineages had diversified, demonstrating a deep genetic history of dogs during the Paleolithic. Coanalysis with human genomes reveals aspects of dog population history that mirror humans, including Levant-related ancestry in Africa and early agricultural Europe. Other aspects differ, including the impacts of steppe pastoralist expansions in West and East Eurasia and a near-complete turnover of Neolithic European dog ancestry.

Blue urticaria following Patent Blue V and morphine injections.

We present a patient with a non-IgE-mediated urticaria reaction to the morphine injection which was tinted blue due to prior injection of Patent Blue V dye into her left breast. Clinicians should be aware of these types of reaction to morphine.

Tracking the Near Eastern origins and European dispersal of the western house mouse.

The house mouse (Mus musculus) represents the extreme of globalization of invasive mammals. However, the timing and basis of its origin and early phases of dispersal remain poorly documented. To track its synanthropisation and subsequent invasive spread during the develoment of complex human societies, we analyzed 829 Mus specimens from 43 archaeological contexts in Southwestern Asia and Southeastern Europe, between 40,000 and 3,000 cal. BP, combining geometric morphometrics numerical taxonomy, ancient mitochondrial DNA and direct radiocarbon dating. We found that large late hunter-gatherer sedentary settlements in the Levant, c. 14,500 cal. BP, promoted the commensal behaviour of the house mouse, which probably led the commensal pathway to cat domestication. House mouse invasive spread was then fostered through the emergence of agriculture throughout the Near East 12,000 years ago. Stowaway transport of house mice to Cyprus can be inferred as early as 10,800 years ago. However, the house mouse invasion of Europe did not happen until the development of proto urbanism and exchange networks - 6,500 years ago in Eastern Europe and 4000 years ago in Southern Europe - which in turn may have driven the first human mediated dispersal of cats in Europe.

Commensal Rats and Humans: Integrating Rodent Phylogeography and Zooarchaeology to Highlight Connections between Human Societies.

Phylogeography and zooarchaeology are largely separate disciplines, yet each interrogates relationships between humans and commensal species. Knowledge gained about human history from studies of four commensal rats (Rattus rattus, R. tanezumi, R. exulans, and R. norvegicus) is outlined, and open questions about their spread alongside humans are identified. Limitations of phylogeographic and zooarchaeological studies are highlighted, then how integration would increase understanding of species' demographic histories and resultant inferences about human societies is discussed. How rat expansions have informed the understanding of human migration, urban settlements, trade networks, and intra- and interspecific competition is reviewed. Since each rat species is associated with different human societies, they identify unique ecological and historical/cultural conditions that influenced their expansion. Finally, priority research areas including nuclear genome based phylogeographies are identified using archaeological evidence to understand R. norvegicus expansion across China, multi-wave colonization of R. rattus across Europe, and competition between R. rattus and R. norvegicus.

Ancient cattle genomics, origins, and rapid turnover in the Fertile Crescent.

Genome-wide analysis of 67 ancient Near Eastern cattle, Bos taurus, remains reveals regional variation that has since been obscured by admixture in modern populations. Comparisons of genomes of early domestic cattle to their aurochs progenitors identify diverse origins with separate introgressions of wild stock. A later region-wide Bronze Age shift indicates rapid and widespread introgression of zebu, Bos indicus, from the Indus Valley. This process was likely stimulated at the onset of the current geological age, ~4.2 thousand years ago, by a widespread multicentury drought. In contrast to genome-wide admixture, mitochondrial DNA stasis supports that this introgression was male-driven, suggesting that selection of arid-adapted zebu bulls enhanced herd survival. This human-mediated migration of zebu-derived genetics has continued through millennia, altering tropical herding on each continent.

Adding sorbitan sesquioleate to the European baseline series: Necessary, reasonable, or unavoidable?

Positive reactions to fragrance mix I (FM I) are frequent in consecutively patch tested patients suspected of having allergic contact dermatitis. However, the FM I test preparations contain 5% of the emulsifier sorbitan sesquioleate (SSO), and it is well known that SSO can cause contact allergic reactions in its own right. Indeed, the available data show that some patients with contact allergy to SSO react to FM I but are not allergic to fragrances. When SSO is not tested, this situation may go unnoticed, a wrong diagnosis of fragrance allergy may be given to the patient, and unjustified advice to avoid fragrances and fragranced products will be given in such cases. To avoid such suboptimal patient care, we postulate that testing with SSO in all patch tested individuals is mandatory. As it is well known that only a minority of FM I-reactive patients will undergo a breakdown test with the ingredients and SSO, testing with SSO in all patients can only be achieved by adding it to the European baseline series. Not testing with SSO may also result in misinterpretation of patch test reactions to Myroxylon pereirae resin and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate in the baseline series, as both (may) contain SSO, and, for the same reason, of reactions to several other hapten test materials.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis to Shin Pads in a Hockey Player: Acetophenone Is an Emerging Allergen.

Acetophenone azine (AA) has recently been identified as a new allergen in shin pads and sports shoes. We report the case of a boy with allergic contact dermatitis of the shins caused by AA present in his shin pads. High-performance liquid chromatography of samples of shin pads was performed to help identify potential contact allergens. Patch tests revealed strongly positive reactions to pieces of his shin pads and to AA down to a concentration of 0.001% in acetone. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of allergic contact dermatitis to AA in the United Kingdom. Here we recommend the optimal concentration of AA for patch testing at 0.1% in acetone and summarize previous relevant published cases.

Patch testing with alkyl glucosides: Concomitant reactions are common but not ubiquitous.

BACKGROUND: Alkyl glucosides contitute a family of mild surfactants that are increasingly being used in a wide range of cosmetics and household products. Contact allergy to alkyl glucosides may be more frequent than previously suspected, especially in atopic patients. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the frequency of contact allergy to alkyl glucosides, and to identify concomitant reactivity. METHOD: We retrospectively reviewed all cases of suspected allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) in which patients were patch tested with either a cosmetic series that includes five alkyl glucosides (decyl glucoside, lauryl glucoside, coco glucoside, cetearyl glucoside, and caprylyl/capryl glucoside) or a specific alkyl glucoside series from November 2013 to April 2017 in two UK centres. RESULTS: A total of 5775 patients were patch tested across the two centres. Twenty-nine (1.04%) of the 2796 patients tested with the cosmetic/alkyl glucoside series had a positive patch test reaction to at least one of the alkyl glucosides. Twenty-three (79.3%) patients were sensitized to multiple alkyl glucosides; 21 patients (72.4%) were female. The mean age was 43.5 years. Twelve patients (41.4%) had a background of atopic dermatitis. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of alkyl glucoside-induced ACD is relatively high, and there are frequent concomitant reactions between different alkyl glucosides. We recommend the inclusion of alkyl glucosides in all cosmetic series.

Ancient proteins from ceramic vessels at Çatalhöyük West reveal the hidden cuisine of early farmers.

The analysis of lipids (fats, oils and waxes) absorbed within archaeological pottery has revolutionized the study of past diets and culinary practices. However, this technique can lack taxonomic and tissue specificity and is often unable to disentangle signatures resulting from the mixing of different food products. Here, we extract ancient proteins from ceramic vessels from the West Mound of the key early farming site of Çatalhöyük in Anatolia, revealing that this community processed mixes of cereals, pulses, dairy and meat products, and that particular vessels may have been reserved for specialized foods (e.g., cow milk and milk whey). Moreover, we demonstrate that dietary proteins can persist on archaeological artefacts for at least 8000 years, and that this approach can reveal past culinary practices with more taxonomic and tissue-specific clarity than has been possible with previous biomolecular techniques.

Ancient goat genomes reveal mosaic domestication in the Fertile Crescent.

Current genetic data are equivocal as to whether goat domestication occurred multiple times or was a singular process. We generated genomic data from 83 ancient goats (51 with genome-wide coverage) from Paleolithic to Medieval contexts throughout the Near East. Our findings demonstrate that multiple divergent ancient wild goat sources were domesticated in a dispersed process that resulted in genetically and geographically distinct Neolithic goat populations, echoing contemporaneous human divergence across the region. These early goat populations contributed differently to modern goats in Asia, Africa, and Europe. We also detect early selection for pigmentation, stature, reproduction, milking, and response to dietary change, providing 8000-year-old evidence for human agency in molding genome variation within a partner species.

Re "International survey on skin patch test procedures, attitudes and interpretation" L.K. Tanno et al., WAOJ (2016) 9:8.

A previous survey on the practice of diagnostic patch testing among representatives of member societies of the World Allergy Organization (WAO) has, in some countries, not addressed those stakeholders actually involved in patch testing, mainly dermatologists. The need for further standardisation is acknowledged and has been addressed e.g. by publication of a patch test guideline by the European Society of Contact Dermatitis in October 2015.