Ancient Rome: A genetic crossroads of Europe and the Mediterranean.

Ancient Rome was the capital of an empire of ~70 million inhabitants, but little is known about the genetics of ancient Romans. Here we present 127 genomes from 29 archaeological sites in and around Rome, spanning the past 12,000 years. We observe two major prehistoric ancestry transitions: one with the introduction of farming and another prior to the Iron Age. By the founding of Rome, the genetic composition of the region approximated that of modern Mediterranean populations. During the Imperial period, Rome's population received net immigration from the Near East, followed by an increase in genetic contributions from Europe. These ancestry shifts mirrored the geopolitical affiliations of Rome and were accompanied by marked interindividual diversity, reflecting gene flow from across the Mediterranean, Europe, and North Africa.

Dissecting human North African gene-flow into its western coastal surroundings.

North African history and populations have exerted a pivotal influence on surrounding geographical regions, although scant genetic studies have addressed this issue. Our aim is to understand human historical migrations in the coastal surroundings of North Africa. We built a refined genome-wide dataset of North African populations to unearth the fine-scale genetic structure of the region, using haplotype information. The results suggest that the gene-flow from North Africa into the European Mediterranean coast (Tuscany and the Iberian Peninsula) arrived mainly from the Mediterranean coast of North Africa. In Tuscany, this North African admixture date estimate suggests the movement of peoples during the fall of the Roman Empire around the fourth century. In the Iberian Peninsula, the North African component probably reflects the impact of the Arab expansion since the seventh century and the subsequent expansion of the Christian Kingdoms. By contrast, the North African component in the Canary Islands has a source genetically related to present-day people from the Atlantic North African coast. We also find sub-Saharan gene-flow from the Senegambia region in the Canary Islands. Specifically, we detect a complex signal of admixture involving Atlantic, Senegambian and European sources intermixing around the fifteenth century, soon after the Castilian conquest. Our results highlight the differential genetic influence of North Africa into the surrounding coast and show that specific historical events have not only had a socio-cultural impact but additionally modified the gene pool of the populations.

Relationship between vitamin D knowledge and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels amongst pregnant women.

BACKGROUND: Pregnant women living at northerly latitudes are at risk of suboptimal vitamin D status. There is a paucity of studies correlating knowledge, attitudes and practices of vitamin D with serum levels amongst pregnant women. We aimed to determine the prevalence of suboptimal vitamin D status in pregnant women of various ethnicities attending two Dublin maternity hospitals and to assess levels of knowledge, attitudes and practices concerning vitamin D. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 116 pregnant women of Irish, Asian, Sub-Saharan African and Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) origin. Vitamin D status was determined by measurement of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD). We examined knowledge, attitudes and practices concerning vitamin D using an interview-assisted questionnaire. RESULTS: The median (interquartile range) 25OHD level was 25.9 (16.5-44.7) nmol L(-1). Using a cut-off point of <30 nmol L(-1) , the proportion at risk of deficiency was significantly higher among MENA (88%; P < 0.001) and Sub-Saharan African women (68%; P = 0.019) than Irish women (36%). Eighty-two women (71%) reported they had insufficient knowledge about vitamin D and its sources. Vitamin D containing supplement usage was the strongest predictor of 25OHD levels ≥30 nmol L(-1) (odds ratio = 18.03, 95% confidence interval = 5.7256.8, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Suboptimal vitamin D status is common in this cohort of pregnant women, especially among those of Sub-Saharan African and MENA origin. Awareness of vitamin D dietary sources is poor among all subgroups. Recommending vitamin D containing supplements may be the best strategy at present for improving vitamin D status with a need for increased vitamin D education.

Coming Out à l'oriental: Maghrebi-French performances of gender, sexuality, and religion.

In this article, I examine issues of gender, sexuality, and religion for North African (Maghrebi)-French men in contemporary France. I introduce performance artist-photographer "2Fik," one of the Maghrebi-French research subjects from my 2010 fieldwork, and examine excerpts of his particular coming out story to his parents and situate it in relation to recent work on homosexuality in the housing projects of France's banlieues [suburban neighborhoods] (Chaumont, 2009; Naït-Balk, 2009). The interviewee's narrative interweaves a variety of discourses and imagery that help distinguish his experience from those found in those publications as well as in recent scholarship on sexuality, citizenship, and transnationalism (Cruz-Malavé & Manalansan, 2000; Hayes, 2000; Leap & Boellstorff, 2004; Patton & Sánchez-Eppler, 2000; Provencher, 2007a). I argue that 2Fik's story and photography provide him a unique voice that draws on feminist and queer perspectives--informed by both reformed Islam and contemporary Western values--to "decline" (Rosello, 1998) and rewrite longstanding stereotypes of Islam in France. In fact, by acting as a "citizen-photographer" (Möller, 2010), 2Fik successfully declines stereotypes including the absent Muslim father, the veiled woman, and the symbolic violence associated with heteronormativity and traditional masculinity in Maghrebi-French families.

The natural history of vitamin D deficiency in African refugees living in Sydney.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the natural history of vitamin D deficiency in an at-risk population of African migrants living in Sydney. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Opportunistic study of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations over time in a community-based cohort of North African refugee families living in south-western Sydney. As part of a health-screening program, serum concentrations of 25(OH)D, parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium, phosphate (PO(4)) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were measured in September 2006 (end of winter, T1). Results for 25(OH)D were made available, and treatment was recommended as appropriate. In February-March 2007 (end of summer, T2), in the setting of a separate study of high-dose vitamin D (stoss) therapy, the same cohort was contacted, and measurements were repeated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in 25(OH)D, PTH, ALP and PO(4) concentrations between T1 and T2 in those who had not received vitamin D supplementation in the intervening period. RESULTS: We collected data from 149 participants at T1; by T2, 58 participants (39%) had been excluded or lost to follow-up. Data from 91 participants (46% female), all of whom had Type VI (very dark) skin pigmentation, were included in the analysis. All 91 were 25(OH)D deficient at T1. Between T1 and T2, mean 25(OH)D serum concentration increased from 19 nmol/L (SD, 5.6 nmol/L) to 36 nmol/L (SD, 12.4 nmol/L) (P < 0.001). Of the 91 participants, 79 (87%) remained vitamin D deficient at T2. Serum PTH and ALP activity decreased between T1 and T2 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Despite a significant increase in 25(OH)D serum concentration over the study period, most participants (87%) remained 25(OH)D deficient at the end of summer. Our results support the current consensus that recommends annual screening for vitamin D deficiency and routine vitamin D supplementation in at-risk populations, such as dark-skinned or veiled groups.

Pathologic laughing and intractable hiccups can occur early in multiple sclerosis.

Pathologic laughing occurs in approximately 10% of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), especially when patients have entered the chronic stage. We describe four patients with MS who, at an early stage, developed pathologic laughing associated, in two cases, with intractable hiccups. In two patients, MRI showed an enhanced lesion in the medulla oblongata and the mesencephalon, two regions suspected of being involved in pathologic laughing and intractable hiccups.

Gm and Km immunoglobulin allotypes in Sicily.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the intra- and inter-population variability of the Gm/Km system in the Madonie Mountains, one of the main geographical barriers in north-central Sicily. We analysed 392 samples: 145 from Alia, 128 from Valledolmo, 25 from Cerda and 94 from Palermo. Serum samples were tested for G1m (1,2,3,17), G2m (23), G3m (5,6,10,11,13,14,15,16,21,24,28) and Km (1) allotypes by the standard agglutination-inhibition method. We found the typical genetic patterns of populations in peripheral areas of the Mediterranean basin, with a high frequency of haplotypes Gm5*;3;23 and Gm5*;3;. The frequency of Gm21,28;1,17;. (about 16%) is rather high compared with other southern areas. Of great importance is the presence of the common African haplotype Gm 5*;1,17;., ranging in frequency from 1.56% at Valledolmo to 5.5% at Alia. The presence of this haplotype suggests past contacts with peoples from North Africa. The introduction of African markers could be due to the Phoenician colonization at the end of the 2nd millennium b.c. or to the more recent Arab conquest (8th-9th centuries a.d.).

[Assessing the health and nutritional status of illegal immigrant adolescents from Maghreb]. / Evaluación del estado de salud y nutrición de los adolescentes inmigrantes ilegales de origen magrebí.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the health and nutritional status of illegal immigrant adolescents from Maghreb at the time of entry into foster care in Zaragoza, Spain. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study over a 3-year period (1997-1999). Health status via clinical history and physical examination was assessed according to standard protocols and individualized complementary laboratory examinations were performed. Nutritional status was assessed using the anthropometric method. Weight, height, head and upper arm circumferences, tricipital and subscapular skinfold thickness, body-mass index and nutritional index were established and compared with national normal standards of reference (Z-score). Student s t-test was used to assess statistically significant differences. RESULTS: Forty male adolescents (22 Algerians and 18 Moroccans) were admitted during the study period. Mean age was 15 +/- 1.42 years (range: 13-17 years). Health status: anomaly in at least one body system (50%) and more than one anomaly (15%). Most frequent problems were odontologic (32. 5%), dermatological (17.5%), respiratory (12.5%), ophthalmological (7.5%), orthopedic (5%) and otic (2.5%). Tuberculous infection was detected in 5% and iron deficiency anemia in 2.5% of the patients. Nutritional status: except for head circumference (p < 0.05), no statistically significant differences were found in the other variables analyzed. Mean value of nutritional index was found to be within normal intervals. Individualized analysis showed a mild form of acute malnutrition in 12.5% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: The adolescents studied showed prevalent odontological, dermatological and respiratory diseases due infection and lack of hygienic practices. Deficiency diseases, congenital anomalies and undiagnosed chronic diseases were observed in a small number of patients. Concerning nutritional status, a low percentage of patients showed a mild form of acute malnutrition, probably related to food deprivation and poor dietary habits experienced during the immigration process. Chronic malnutrition was not observed.

Genetic history of the population of Puglia (southern Italy).

Nine-hundred and twenty-two individuals belonging to the five provinces of Puglia were typed for nine erythrocyte genetic markers (ACP1, ADA, AK1, ESD, GLO1, PGD, PGM1, PGM2, and SODA). Genetic heterogeneity within Puglia was investigated on the basis of allele frequencies of the above mentioned markers plus ABO*A, ABO*B, ABO*O, and RH*D, by the (chi 2 test and Rst statistic. The analyses revealed no differences at the provincial level. Furthermore, correspondence and genetic distance analyses were applied to look for a statistical difference within Puglia from different standpoints, as well as between Puglia, the rest of Italy and other European and Near and Middle Eastern populations whose genetic history is most likely related. Southern and central Italian, Greek and Aegean populations appeared very homogeneous and quite differentiated from the rest of Europe, both continental (including northern Italy) and south-eastern, stressing the major impact of the heavy Greek colonization on the genetic pools of the circum-Mediterranean people.

Hepatitis A, B, C and D in a community in Italy of immigrants from NE Africa.

A total of 213 subjects from a community in Italy of immigrants from Somalia and other NE African countries were enrolled in this study to evaluate the prevalence of HAV, HBV, HCV and HDV infections and to assess their possible risk factors. Of the subjects, 45 per cent (96) were female and 24 per cent (52) were under 12 years old. The age range was from 1 to 67 years and the mean age was 24 years. Eighty-three per cent (177 subjects) were born in Somalia, 10 per cent (21 subjects) in Ethiopia, and the rest in Djibouti, Egypt or Saudi Arabia. The 213 subjects were administered a questionnaire which covered socio-demographic characteristics and risk factors resulting from Western medical practice, traditional medicine, personal behaviour and living conditions. Blood was drawn from 209 subjects to ascertain the presence of HbsAg, HBeAg, anti-HAV, anti-HBc, anti-HBs, anti-HCV and anti-HDV. The results of this study show an HAV prevalence of 96 per cent (an 87.5 per cent prevalence in children under 12), and an HBV prevalence of 32 per cent (a 3.3 per cent prevalence of HBsAg carriers). No subject under 11 was HBV positive and no woman tested positive for HBeAg, confirming the extreme unlikelihood of vertical transmission of HBV. The prevalence of HBV is closely correlated with age (ranging from 2 per cent in those under 12 to 59 per cent in subjects over 39).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Plasma 25-OH D deficiency in Maghrebian children more than 10 years of age immigrated to France]. / Déficit plasmatique en 25 OH D chez les enfants maghrébins de plus de 10 ans immigrés en France.

From 1984 Feb 1st to April 30, 63 blood samples were collected from children more than 10 years old in the pediatric unit of CHR de St-Etienne, and analysed for 25 OH D, calcium, phosphate, magnesium and alkaline phosphatase serum concentrations. Mean 25 OH D is lower (22,6 nmol/1) in 26 migrant children (24 from Maghreb and 2 from Turkey) than in 37 European children (mean = 48,6 nmol/1; p less than 0,001). Serum concentration is under 10 nmol/1 in 3 of the 37 Europeans (8%), versus 13 of the 26 Maghrebians (50%). Mean alkaline phosphatase and phosphate are significantly higher in the 36 boys than in the 27 girls. A significative positive correlation is found between alkaline phosphatase and phosphate (r = 0,535; p less than 0,01). There is no relation between age, month of assessment, sex, height, weight, place of late holidays and any of the measured serum values.

Nutrient intake in Jerusalem--consumption in 17-year-olds.

The food intake of 17-yr-old Jerusalem residents was assessed in a random sample, including 627 males and 551 females, by a 24-h dietary recall method. The intake of energy in boys and girls was lower than the recommended energy intake for this age, but the intake relative to body weight was low only in girls. In boys and girls, the intakes of fat relative to energy were 32.4 and 33.7%, respectively; those of saturated fatty acids (SFA) (9.8 and 10.5%) were lower and those of carbohydrates (53.9 and 52.5%) were higher than intakes found in other Western countries. The P:S (polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acids) ratio of their diets was high and ranged from 0.79 to 1.29 in various sex and origin groups. Intake of cholesterol per 1,000 kcal was similar to that in Western countries. There were marked differences in nutrient intake of subjects whose fathers had immigrated from different countries. Boys whose fathers were born in Israel or Europe had higher intakes of fat and cholesterol, and both boys and girls had a higher intake of SFA and a lower intake of carbohydrates and starch as well as a lower P:S ratio than did their counterparts whose fathers were born in Asia and North Africa. Thus, the nutrient intake of youngsters in Jerusalem differs markedly from that of populations in other Western countries.

Nutrient intake in Jerusalem--effects of origin, social class and education.

The independent association of ethnic group, social class and education with nutrient intake was studied in a sample of 1,294 adults in the Jerusalem Lipid Research Clinic (LRC) population. By univariate analysis, intake of fat and saturated fatty acids (SFA) was higher (P less than or equal to 0.05) in males and females of the upper social classes (classified by the occupation of the head of the family) than in the lower classes, while the opposite trend was found for the consumption of carbohydrates and starch. In men, an association between social class and the intakes of protein and other carbohydrates (i.e., other than sucrose and starch) and the ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PFA) to SFA (P:S ratio) was also found. In both sexes, the mean intakes of SFA and other carbohydrates were higher and that of starch lower in subjects with a higher level of education (P less than or equal to 0.05). Education was also associated with the consumption of protein and fat in males and with that of carbohydrates and sucrose in females. Country of origin was related (P less than or equal to 0.05) to the intake of fat, SFA and other carbohydrates in both sexes, to that of protein and cholesterol in males and to that of carbohydrates, sucrose and starch in females. The P:S ratio of the diet of male subjects was also associated with origin. Using various models of analysis of variance, it was shown that origin was associated with nutrient intake (P less than or equal to 0.10), independent of the effect of social class and education for protein, fat, SFA, cholesterol, sucrose and other carbohydrates in males, and for fat, SFA, PFA and other carbohydrates in females. The P:S ratio of the male diet was also associated with origin. The level of education was independently related (P less than or equal to 0.10) to the intake of fat, SFA, starch and other carbohydrates in males and to that of sucrose in females, while social class was associated independently with carbohydrate consumption in males only. After prior adjustment for origin, education had a stronger residual effect than did social class in males, while in females the associations of social class and education with nutrient intake were almost identical.