Elevated genetic risk for multiple sclerosis emerged in steppe pastoralist populations.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neuro-inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease that is most prevalent in Northern Europe. Although it is known that inherited risk for MS is located within or in close proximity to immune-related genes, it is unknown when, where and how this genetic risk originated1. Here, by using a large ancient genome dataset from the Mesolithic period to the Bronze Age2, along with new Medieval and post-Medieval genomes, we show that the genetic risk for MS rose among pastoralists from the Pontic steppe and was brought into Europe by the Yamnaya-related migration approximately 5,000 years ago. We further show that these MS-associated immunogenetic variants underwent positive selection both within the steppe population and later in Europe, probably driven by pathogenic challenges coinciding with changes in diet, lifestyle and population density. This study highlights the critical importance of the Neolithic period and Bronze Age as determinants of modern immune responses and their subsequent effect on the risk of developing MS in a changing environment.

Physical activity and health: a historical and conceptual approach / A relação entre atividade física e saúde: uma abordagem histórica e conceitual

This theoretical essay reflects on physical activity (PA) and health and the development of this study area, particularly in Brazil. A historical review is presented based on major research themes in the area since the 1950s and the evolution of PA recommendations for health. Crucial conceptual and operational definitions in the area that have gone through recent updates are addressed. The pa-per highlights relevant institutions and documents, as well as reflects on future perspectives and challenges in the field. Finally, this essay highlights the need to reduce the gap between the robust scientific knowledge already produced about the health benefits of PA and the real action in the field, especially in the primary health care setting

A partir de uma abordagem histórica, conceitual, crítica e didática, este ensaio teórico propõe uma reflexão sobre a relação entre atividade física (AF) e saúde e o desenvolvimento desta área de estudo, com um olhar especial sobre o Brasil. Apresenta-se revisão histórica a partir de grandes temas de pesquisa na área desde os anos 1950 e da evolução das recomendações de AF para a saúde. São abordadas definições conceituais e operacionais que passaram por atualizações recentes e que são cruciais na área. Faz-se destaque a instituições e documentos relevantes, além de reflexões sobre perspectivas e desafios futuros para a área. Por fim, destaca a necessidade da redução na distância entre a solidez do conhecimento já produzido sobre os benefícios da AF para a saúde e os desejados avanços no contexto da promoção da saúde, em especial na atenção primária à saúde

Pastoralism and Emergent Complex Settlement in the Middle Bronze Age, Azerbaijan: isotopic analyses of mobility strategies in transformation.

OBJECTIVES: This article explores the scale and seasonal patterns of mobility at the complex settlement site of Qizqala during the Middle Bronze Age (2400-1,500 BCE). By integrating human bone, teeth, and environmental samples this research tests the hypothesis of the persistent importance of community-wide seasonal pastoral transhumance during the early formation of complex settlement systems of the South Caucasus. METHODS: This research applies stable oxygen and radiogenic strontium isotope analyses on incremental samples of human tooth enamel, bulk tooth enamel, and bone to resolve mobility patterns. Sequential and bulk sampling techniques elucidate seasonal and residential mobility behaviors. Extensive environmental isotope samples of plant and water were collected through regional survey and establish local and regional isotopic baselines, which are compared to human isotope analysis results. RESULTS: Qizqala individuals exhibit low isotopic variability compared to regional contemporaries. 87 Sr/86 Sr ratios from human remains indicate seasonal and residential isotopic variability within the baseline ranges of local landscapes. δ18 O values display erratic patterns, but correspond to seasonal variability with fluctuations between highland and lowland altitudinal zone baseline values. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that isotopic analysis of multiple elements and sequential enamel samples offers finer resolution on the complexities of human mobility strategies and elucidate the daily lives of often overlooked mobile populations. Higher resolution of individual mobility reveals shared routine behaviors that underscore the importance of diverse social collaborations in forming complex polities in the South Caucasus.

Lifestyle of a Roman Imperial community: ethnobotanical evidence from dental calculus of the Ager Curensis inhabitants.

BACKGROUND: The analysis of ancient calcified dental plaque is a powerful archaeobotanical method to elucidate the key role of the plants in human history. METHODS: In this research, by applying both optic microscopy and gas chromatography mass spectrometry on this matrix, a detailed qualitative investigation for reconstructing the lifestyle of a Roman imperial community of the Ager Curensis (Sabina Tiberina, Central Italy) was performed. RESULTS: The detection of animal micro-remains and molecules (e.g., hairs, feather barbules, markers of dairy products), starch granules of several cereals and legumes, pollen (e.g., Juglans regia L., Hedera sp. L.) and other plant micro-debris (e.g., trichome of Olea sp., hemp fibers), and phytochemicals (e.g., Brassicaceae, Lamiaceae herbs, Ferula sp., Trigonella foenum-graecum L., wine, and Humulus lupulus L.) in the dental calculus sample demonstrated that plant-derived foods were regularly consumed together with animal resources. CONCLUSIONS: This nutritional plan, consistent with the information reported in ancient written texts, suggested that the studied population based its own subsistence on both agriculture and husbandry, probably also including beekeeping and hunting activities. All together, these results represent proofs for the comprehension of food habits, phytotherapeutic practices, and cultural traditions of one of the first Roman settlements in the Sabina Tiberina area.

Bioarchaeology of Neolithic Çatalhöyük reveals fundamental transitions in health, mobility, and lifestyle in early farmers.

The transition from a human diet based exclusively on wild plants and animals to one involving dependence on domesticated plants and animals beginning 10,000 to 11,000 y ago in Southwest Asia set into motion a series of profound health, lifestyle, social, and economic changes affecting human populations throughout most of the world. However, the social, cultural, behavioral, and other factors surrounding health and lifestyle associated with the foraging-to-farming transition are vague, owing to an incomplete or poorly understood contextual archaeological record of living conditions. Bioarchaeological investigation of the extraordinary record of human remains and their context from Neolithic Çatalhöyük (7100-5950 cal BCE), a massive archaeological site in south-central Anatolia (Turkey), provides important perspectives on population dynamics, health outcomes, behavioral adaptations, interpersonal conflict, and a record of community resilience over the life of this single early farming settlement having the attributes of a protocity. Study of Çatalhöyük human biology reveals increasing costs to members of the settlement, including elevated exposure to disease and labor demands in response to community dependence on and production of domesticated plant carbohydrates, growing population size and density fueled by elevated fertility, and increasing stresses due to heightened workload and greater mobility required for caprine herding and other resource acquisition activities over the nearly 12 centuries of settlement occupation. These changes in life conditions foreshadow developments that would take place worldwide over the millennia following the abandonment of Neolithic Çatalhöyük, including health challenges, adaptive patterns, physical activity, and emerging social behaviors involving interpersonal violence.

Factores de riesgo para el cáncer de mama / Risk Factors for Breast Cancer

Introducción: El cáncer de mama es el más común entre las mujeres, sus factores de riesgo no han sido sistematizados desde un enfoque amplio de las revisiones publicadas. Objetivo: Sistematizar los factores de riesgo del cáncer de mama a partir de publicaciones de estudios de casos y controles en el período 2008-2018. Métodos: Revisión sistemática de la literatura con base en la aplicación de un protocolo exhaustivo y reproducible, siguiendo las fases de identificación, tamización, elección e inclusión de la guía PRISMA. Se realizó síntesis cualitativa con proporciones e intervalos de confianza del 95 por ciento. Resultados: Se analizaron 298 estudios, en 2 927 342 mujeres, la mayoría de México (2 000 835). Los países con mayor frecuencia de publicación fueron EE.UU. (20,9 por ciento) y China (10,8 por ciento). El grupo de factores de riesgo más estudiado fue la dieta (26,6 por ciento), los factores reproductivos (14,8 por ciento) y el estilo de vida (9,1 por ciento). Los menos estudiados son los biológicos, solo uno abordó este tipo de factor reportando una fuerte asociación de la seroconversión IgG en citomegalovirus con el desarrollo de cáncer de mama. Los tres factores que registraron mayor fuerza de asociación fueron la obesidad, los factores psicosociales y el citomegalovirus. Conclusiones: Se halló una amplia diversidad de factores de riesgo, algunos estudios con diseños rigurosos para establecer asociaciones etiológicas sólidas y otros con un desarrollo investigativo incipiente o problemas metodológicos que impiden consolidar hipótesis causales y por tanto la posibilidad de intervenir en los principales desencadenantes de la aparición de la enfermedad(AU)

Introduction: Breast cancer is most common among women; its risk factors have not been outlined from a broad approach of published reviews. Objective: To outline the risk factors of breast cancer from publications of case-control studies from 2008 to 2018. Methods: A systematic review of the literature based on the application of comprehensive and reproducible protocol, following identification, screening, selection and inclusion phases of PRISMA guide. Qualitative synthesis was performed with proportions and 95 percent confidence intervals. Results: 298 studies were analyzed in 2,927,342 women, mostly from Mexico (2 000 835). The countries with highest frequency of publication were USA. (20.9 percent) and China (10.8 percent). The most studied groups of risk factors were diet (26.6 percent), reproductive factors (14.8 percent) and lifestyle (9.1 percent). The least studied are the biological ones. Only one approached this type of factor, reporting a strong association of IgG seroconversion in cytomegalovirus with the appearance of breast cancer. The three factors that registered the greatest strength of association were obesity, psychosocial factors and cytomegalovirus. Conclusions: We found a wide diversity of risk factors, some rigorous-design studies to establish solid etiological associations and others with initial research development or methodological problems that prevent consolidating causal hypotheses and therefore the possibility of intervening in the main triggers for the appearance of the disease(AU)

Similar cranial trauma prevalence among Neanderthals and Upper Palaeolithic modern humans.

Neanderthals are commonly depicted as leading dangerous lives and permanently struggling for survival. This view largely relies on the high incidences of trauma that have been reported1,2 and have variously been attributed to violent social behaviour3,4, highly mobile hunter-gatherer lifestyles2 or attacks by carnivores5. The described Neanderthal pattern of predominantly cranial injuries is further thought to reflect violent encounters with large prey mammals, resulting from the use of close-range hunting weapons1. These interpretations directly shape our understanding of Neanderthal lifestyles, health and hunting abilities, yet mainly rest on descriptive, case-based evidence. Quantitative, population-level studies of traumatic injuries are rare. Here we reassess the hypothesis of higher cranial trauma prevalence among Neanderthals using a population-level approach-accounting for preservation bias and other contextual data-and an exhaustive fossil database. We show that Neanderthals and early Upper Palaeolithic anatomically modern humans exhibit similar overall incidences of cranial trauma, which are higher for males in both taxa, consistent with patterns shown by later populations of modern humans. Beyond these similarities, we observed species-specific, age-related variation in trauma prevalence, suggesting that there were differences in the timing of injuries during life or that there was a differential mortality risk of trauma survivors in the two groups. Finally, our results highlight the importance of preservation bias in studies of trauma prevalence.

Witnessing history: a personal view of half a century in public health.

Former Chief Medical Officer Sir Kenneth Calman recently celebrated 50 years in medicine. It was a period which saw the evolution of the public health agenda from communicable diseases to diseases of lifestyle, the change from a hospital-orientated health service to one dominated by community-based services, and the increasing recognition of inequalities as a major determinant of health. This paper documents selected highlights from his career including the Aberdeen typhoid outbreak, AIDS, bovine spongiform encephalopathy, foot and mouth disease, radioactive fallout, the invention of computerised tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, and draws parallels between the development of the modern understanding of public health and the theoretical background to the science 100 years earlier.

Faustino Pérez Hernández, honestidad y entrega / Faustino Pérez Hernández, honesty and consecration

La historia de Cuba la han hecho sus mejores hijos. Entre los que contribuyeron protagónicamente a la etapa que condujo al triunfo de 1959 y la construcción de la sociedad socialista se destaca Faustino Pérez Hernández, fruto de la tierra espirituana ligado a la historia matancera por más de una página de honestidad y entrega. El principal hospital de la provincia de Matanzas, ubicado en su capital, lleva su nombre. El presente trabajo pretende, en su brevedad, despertar la necesidad de conocer más profundamente su vida y su obra (AU).

Cuban history has been made by its best children. Faustino Perez, born in Sancti Spiritus and linked to Matanzas by more than one page of honesty and devotion, is among the ones who played the most important roles in the stage leading to the triumph of 1959 revolution and the socialist construction. The main hospital of the province of Matanzas, located in its capital, is named after him. The current work pretends to arouse the necessity of knowing deeply his life and his work (AU).

Faustino Pérez Hernández, honestidad y entrega / Faustino Pérez Hernández, honesty and consecration

La historia de Cuba la han hecho sus mejores hijos. Entre los que contribuyeron protagónicamente a la etapa que condujo al triunfo de 1959 y la construcción de la sociedad socialista se destaca Faustino Pérez Hernández, fruto de la tierra espirituana ligado a la historia matancera por más de una página de honestidad y entrega. El principal hospital de la provincia de Matanzas, ubicado en su capital, lleva su nombre. El presente trabajo pretende, en su brevedad, despertar la necesidad de conocer más profundamente su vida y su obra (AU).

Cuban history has been made by its best children. Faustino Perez, born in Sancti Spiritus and linked to Matanzas by more than one page of honesty and devotion, is among the ones who played the most important roles in the stage leading to the triumph of 1959 revolution and the socialist construction. The main hospital of the province of Matanzas, located in its capital, is named after him. The current work pretends to arouse the necessity of knowing deeply his life and his work (AU).

Spondylolysis in the past: A case study of hunter-gatherers from Southern Patagonia.

Spondylolysis is a fracture of the pars interarticularis, the portion of the neural arch that lies between the superior articular facets and the inferior articular facets. Clinical evidence has suggested repetitive trauma to be the most probable cause, even though morphological weakness of the vertebra is probably also involved. Prevalence is between 3% and 8% in modern populations, while in archaeological samples it varies from 0% to 71.4%. Considering that very little data about this condition is available in past populations from the southern extreme of South America, the aim of this paper is to analyze the spondylolysis in a human skeletal sample from Southern Patagonia and, at the same time, to explore the prevalence of spondylolysis in archaeological contexts around the world to gain a better understanding of the results presented here. The Southern Patagonian skeletal series analyzed here showed a prevalence of 20%, with lower prevalence in the pre contact sample (11.1%) than in the contact period (23.1%). Skeletons from the Salesian Mission "Nuestra Señora de La Candelaria" showed a higher prevalence (25%) than the sample of skeletal remains recovered from outside the mission (20%), suggesting that changes in lifestyle of hunter-gatherers during contact could be implicated in the development of spondylolysis in this sample. A worldwide survey displays a wide range of prevalence figures in American and Asian samples and low diversity between African and European populations. Hunter-gatherers from Southern Patagonia showed similar values to those observed in other American samples.

A Neolithic expansion, but strong genetic structure, in the independent history of New Guinea.

New Guinea shows human occupation since ~50 thousand years ago (ka), independent adoption of plant cultivation ~10 ka, and great cultural and linguistic diversity today. We performed genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism genotyping on 381 individuals from 85 language groups in Papua New Guinea and find a sharp divide originating 10 to 20 ka between lowland and highland groups and a lack of non-New Guinean admixture in the latter. All highlanders share ancestry within the last 10 thousand years, with major population growth in the same period, suggesting population structure was reshaped following the Neolithic lifestyle transition. However, genetic differentiation between groups in Papua New Guinea is much stronger than in comparable regions in Eurasia, demonstrating that such a transition does not necessarily limit the genetic and linguistic diversity of human societies.

Social reorganization and biological change: An examination of stature variation among Iron Age Samnites from Abruzzo, central Italy.

Stature is a sensitive indicator of overall environmental quality experienced during growth and development, and can provide insights on a population's 'well-being'. This study investigated changes in estimated adult stature in a large (N=568) sample of Samnite Iron Age (800-27 BCE) people from central Italy, during a period of increasing sociopolitical complexity. Stature was analyzed diachronically, between sexes, and across social strata inferred using the 'Status Index' based on funerary treatment. It was expected: 1) a decrease in stature from the Orientalizing-Archaic period (O-A) to the fifth century BC (V SEC) and the following Hellenistic period (ELL), due to population increase and urbanization; 2) social status to positively influence the attainment of the full stature potential; 3) sexual dimorphism to be higher in more stratified groups. Results revealed no significant diachronic changes in stature (females: O-A: 154.2cm,V SEC: 154.2cm, and ELL: 153.6cm; males: O-A: 165.0cm,V SEC: 165.2cm, and ELL: 165.0cm) or sexual dimorphism. High-status males were taller than low-status (p=0.021), possibly due to a better diet, but only in the Orientalizing-Archaic period. Nonsignificant changes in females suggest either differential access to resources in women, or a better buffering from environmental optima or crises. The results of this study highlight the complex interrelation between social factors and human growth, and stress the importance of understanding the specific mechanisms leading to variation in adult stature.

Discovery of Parasite Eggs in Archeological Residence during the 15th Century in Seoul, Korea.

During civil engineering construction near Sejong-ro, Jongro-ku, Seoul, cultural sites were found that are thought to have been built in the 15th century. This area was home to many different people as well as the leaders of the Yi dynasty. To gain further insight into the life styles of the inhabitants of the old capital, soil samples were collected from various areas such as toilets, water foundations, and drainage ways. Parasite eggs were examined by microscopy after 5 g soil samples were rehydrated in 0.5% trisodium phosphate solution. A total of 662 parasite eggs from 7 species were found. Species with the highest number of eggs found were Ascaris lumbricoides (n=483), followed by Trichuris trichiura (138), Trichuris vulpis (21), Fasciola hepatica (8), Clonorchis sinensis (6), Paragonimus westermani (4), and Metagonimus yokogawai (2). These findings indirectly indicate the food habits of the people in Yi dynasty.

Vida y Obra del Dr. Mario Muñoz Monroy / Life and work of Dr. Mario Muñoz Monroy

Se sintetiza los aspectos fundamentales de la vida social, profesional y revolucionaria del "Dr. Mario Muñoz Monroy", su lucha estudiantil contra la dictadura de Machado, su vinculación con Fidel desde el partido Ortodoxo y en la fundación del Movimiento Revolucionario para derrocar al tirano Fulgencio Batista desde el mismo 10 de marzo de 1952. Las actividades realizadas por el Dr. Mario Muñoz Monroy en la preparación y realización del asalto al cuartel "Moncada" el 26 de julio de 1953 y su asesinato ese mismo día. Se mencionan otros matanceros que participaron también en esa acción y los múltiples homenajes recibidos por el "Médico del Moncada" que hacen imperecedera su memoria (AU).

The available bibliography was reviewed, besides the main aspects of Dr. Mario Muñoz Monroy´s social, professional and revolutionary life, his struggle against Machado´s dictatorship when he was still a student, his connection with Fidel through the Ortodoxo party and in the foundation of the revolutionary movement to overthrow the tyrant Fulgencio Batista since the same March 10 1952; the activities carried out by Dr. Mario Muñoz Monroy in preparing and developing the assault to Moncada garrison on July 26 1953 and his assassination that same day. Other Matanzasan people who also participated in the assault are mentioned; the multiple homages received by the "Moncada physician" making undying his memory are mentioned as well (AU).

Vida y Obra del Dr. Mario Muñoz Monroy / Life and work of Dr. Mario Muñoz Monroy

Se sintetiza los aspectos fundamentales de la vida social, profesional y revolucionaria del "Dr. Mario Muñoz Monroy", su lucha estudiantil contra la dictadura de Machado, su vinculación con Fidel desde el partido Ortodoxo y en la fundación del Movimiento Revolucionario para derrocar al tirano Fulgencio Batista desde el mismo 10 de marzo de 1952. Las actividades realizadas por el Dr. Mario Muñoz Monroy en la preparación y realización del asalto al cuartel "Moncada" el 26 de julio de 1953 y su asesinato ese mismo día. Se mencionan otros matanceros que participaron también en esa acción y los múltiples homenajes recibidos por el "Médico del Moncada" que hacen imperecedera su memoria (AU).

The available bibliography was reviewed, besides the main aspects of Dr. Mario Muñoz Monroy´s social, professional and revolutionary life, his struggle against Machado´s dictatorship when he was still a student, his connection with Fidel through the Ortodoxo party and in the foundation of the revolutionary movement to overthrow the tyrant Fulgencio Batista since the same March 10 1952; the activities carried out by Dr. Mario Muñoz Monroy in preparing and developing the assault to Moncada garrison on July 26 1953 and his assassination that same day. Other Matanzasan people who also participated in the assault are mentioned; the multiple homages received by the "Moncada physician" making undying his memory are mentioned as well (AU).