Mária Bauerová

Differences Among Species in Compact Bone Tissue Microstructure of Mammalian Skeleton: Use of a Discriminant Function Analysis for Species Identification:

ABSTRACT: In order to develop an identification key for distinguishing between several mammalian species, bone structure of their compact bone tissue was analyzed using qualitative and quantitative characteristics. Ninety femora of adult male humans, pigs, cows, sheep, rabbits, and rats were studied. The average area, perimeter, minimum, and maximum diameter of 1863 Haversian canals and 1863 secondary osteons were measured using a digital image device. The observed data were first used to evaluate inter‐ and intraspecies diversity. After that, we applied a discriminant function analysis for differentiation of the species by these variables. Classification functions for investigated species give cross‐validated correct classification rates for 76.17% of cases. This percentage value can be increased by integrating conclusions from the qualitative analysis.

Sex determination of early medieval individuals through nested PCR using a new primer set in the SRY gene

One of the first questions asked about excavated human skeletal remains is the sex. As the morphological sex determination is complicated in cases involving fragmentary bones and in skeletons from infants and children, the development of DNA-based techniques has led to improvements in sex determination. This study is focused on sex determination from ancient DNA obtained from 25 skeletons found in Middle Aged burials in western Slovakia. We performed separate amplifications of DXZ4 repetitive satellite sequences on the X chromosome, and SRY gene - testis determined factor on the Y chromosome, using nested PCR. Our results showed that DXZ4 was amplified in the case of 23 individuals. With newly designed internal and external primer sets for SRY detection with internal PCR products in lengths of 102 bp and 85 bp we succeeded in detecting the SRY locus in 9 samples. Finally, the gender was determined in 23 individuals (14 females and 9 males). In 20 samples, the gender was determined by morphological and molecular methods. Sex determination of 17 samples using nested PCR matched the morphological one, providing evidence of the authenticity and ancient origin of the PCR amplifications. The DXZ4/SRY nested PCR method represents a useful technique in sex determination of medieval human remains and it is a critical addition to anthropological studies.

Maternal Genetic Composition of a Medieval Population from a Hungarian-Slavic Contact Zone in Central Europe

The genetic composition of the medieval populations of Central Europe has been poorly investigated to date. In particular, the region of modern-day Slovakia is a blank spot in archaeogenetic research. This paper reports the study of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in ancient samples from the 9th–12th centuries originating from the cemeteries discovered in Nitra-Šindolka and Čakajovce, located in western Slovakia (Central Europe). This geographical region is interesting to study because its medieval multi-ethnic population lived in the so-called contact zone of the territory of the Great Moravian and later Hungarian state formations. We described 16 different mtDNA haplotypes in 19 individuals, which belong to the most widespread European mtDNA haplogroups: H, J, T, U and R0. Using comparative statistical and population genetic analyses, we showed the differentiation of the European gene pool in the medieval period. We also demonstrated the heterogeneous genetic characteristics of the investigated population and its affinity to the populations of modern Europe.

Accumulation of risk elements in kidney, liver, testis, uterus and bone of free-living wild rodents from a polluted area in Slovakia

Free-living wild rodents are usually used as indicators of pollution, with elements being determined in either whole body or in specific organs. In the present study, the accumulation of cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) in kidney, liver, testis, uterus and bone of yellow-necked mice (Apodemus flavicollis) and bank voles (Myodes glareolus) trapped in a polluted area of Nováky, Slovakia was investigated. Yellow-necked mice and bank voles were collected using standard theriological methods for wood ecosystems. All animals were adults in good physical condition. Concentrations of Cd, Cu, Fe, and Zn in all analyzed organs were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The highest concentrations of Cd and Zn were found in the bone of both species while Cu and Fe accumulated most in the uterus. Significantly higher concentrations of Cd and Cu were detected in the liver of the bank vole in comparison with the yellow-necked mouse (P<0.05). Similar significantly higher levels of Cd and Zn were found in the bone of the bank vole (P<0.05) than in the yellow-necked mouse, while these rodents had significantly higher Cu and Fe concentrations (P<0.05) in the kidney. Significantly higher levels of Fe and Zn were detected in the testis and uterus of bank voles, respectively. On the other hand, significantly higher concentration of Cu was found in the testis of yellow-necked mice. Results of this study suggest that bank voles are more sensitive heavy metal loaded bioindicators than yellow-necked mice.

Comparative Study of Compact Bone Tissue Microstructure between Non-transgenic and Transgenic Rabbits with WAP-hFVIII Gene Construct

The aim of this study was to investigate differences in compact bone tissue microstructure between New Zealand White transgenic rabbits with human blood clotting factor VIII gene and the non‐transgenic ones. The transgene was under the transcriptional control of the whey acidic protein (WAP) promoter. Altogether, 42 femora were analysed. Specimens were prepared using standard histological equipment, producing thin sections approximately 80–100 μm. Areas, perimeters, minimum and maximum diameters of vascular canals of primary osteons, Haversian canals and secondary osteons were measured. Our results indicate the basic structural pattern of the bone tissue was primary vascular longitudinal in both groups of rabbits. However, a fibrolamellar bone tissue was identified only in the transgenic rabbits. The measured variables of the vascular canals of the primary osteons, the Haversian canals and the secondary osteons were higher in transgenic rabbits in comparison with non‐transgenic ones in most cases and the differences were often statistically significant (P < 0.01; P < 0.001). More significant differences were noticed in males (transgenic versus non‐transgenic). However, it is not easy to find the real cause of the changes. Despite the fact that no hFVIII mRNA expression was found in the analysed bone of transgenic rabbits, we presume that the observed differences could be associated with transgenesis. In this article, we discuss possible associations between transgene integration as well as aneuploidy and/or observed microstructural changes in compact bone tissue.