Marilena Girotti

Surname Analysis in Biological Anthropology: Alpine Populations in the 17th and 18th Centuries

Abstract As part of an interdisciplinary research program on Alpine populations, we studied the biodemographic evolution of two populations of the Dauphiné in the period 1690–1799. We analyzed several indexes derived from surname analysis to infer the genetic structure of the populations. Although situated in the same area of the Dauphiné, the two communities of Vallouise and Chiomonte had different biodemographic characteristics. Vallouise was heavily populated but genetically homogeneous, whereas Chiomonte was less populated but more heterogeneous. The two districts also differed in geographic position: Vallouise was a glacier-enclosed valley that did not attract new inhabitants; Chiomonte was situated in an open valley served by important roads and thus was able to attract many new inhabitants. The demographic differences between the two populations explain the differences in genetic structure. The index of isonymous relationship (Ri) being different from 0 is due to the rare marriages between members of the two populations. Because Ri is based on surnames, which are mostly polyphyletic, it can overestimate the genetic relationships between the populations, as in the case of consanguinity assessed by matrimonial isonymy.

Spatial diffusion of surnames by long transhumance routes between highland and lowland: a study in Sardinia

RIASSUNTO.

Induction of chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei by 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (oxybenzone) in human lymphocytes

Abstract Oxybenzone or benzophenone-3 (2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone; BP-3) is a filter used in a variety of personal care products for protection of human skin and hair from damage by ultraviolet radiation. BP-3 is suspected to exhibit endocrine disruptive properties. Indeed, it was found to be able to interact with the endocrine system causing alteration of its homeostasis, with consequent adverse health effects. Moreover, it is ubiquitously present in the environment, mostly in aquatic ecosystems, with consequent risks to the health of aquatic organisms and humans. In the present study, we analyzed the cytogenetic effects of BP-3 on human lymphocytes using in vitro chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei assays. Blood samples were obtained from five healthy Italian subjects. Lymphocyte cultures were exposed to five concentrations of BP-3 (0.20, 0.10, 0.05, 0.025, and 0.0125 μg/mL) for 24 and 48 h (for chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei tests, respectively). The concentration of 0.10 µg/mL represents the acceptable/tolerable daily intake reference dose established by European Union, whereas 0.20, 0.05, 0.025, and 0.0125 µg/mL represent multiple and sub-multiple of this concentration value. Our results reported cytogenetic effects of BP-3 on cultured human lymphocytes in terms of increased micronuclei and chromosomal aberrations’ frequencies at all tested concentrations, including concentrations lower than those established by European Union. Vice versa, after 48-h exposure, a significant reduction of the cytokinesis-block proliferation index value in cultures treated with BP-3 was not observed, indicating that BP-3 does not seem to produce effects on the proliferation/mitotic index when its concentration is equal to or less than 0.20 μg/mL.