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The analysis of ancient DNA (aDNA) from human skeletal remains can provide useful insights when investigating archaeological finds. One popular application of aDNA is to examine genealogical relationships between individuals recovered at the same archaeological site. For the reconstruction of genealogical relationships, several genetic markers are commonly used: autosomal STRs, mitochondrial lineages (based on SNP-analysis) and Y-chromosomal haplotypes (based on Y-STR-analysis). In this paper, we present the additional opportunities that X-STRs provide in aDNA kinship reconstruction, especially in deficiency cases and for the examination of father-daughter relationships. Possible applications are demonstrated on a range of different kinship reconstructions: confirmation of half-siblingship in the Lichtenstein cave (Germany), exclusion of two potential father-daughter relationships in Goslar (Germany), investigation of three siblingships in Boilstädt (Germany) as well as the confirmation of a father-daughter relationship in Stolpe (Germany). This study shows that the analysis of X-STRs can contribute to the investigation of relationship constellations otherwise difficult to approach (e.g. father-daughter relationships) and that X-STRs are useful to support and complement autosomal STRs, mtDNA and Y-STR data.

Objective: We have identified a 3D network of subchondral microchannels that connects the deep zone of cartilage to the bone marrow (i.e., cartilage-bone marrow microchannel connectors; CMMC). However, the pathological significance of CMMC is largely unknown. Here, we quantitatively evaluated how the CMMC microarchitecture is related to cartilage condition, as well as regional differences in early idiopathic osteoarthritis (OA)., Methods: Two groups of cadaveric female human femoral heads (intact cartilage vs early cartilage lesions) were identified, and a biopsy-based high-resolution micro-CT imaging was employed. Subchondral bone (SB) thickness, CMMC number, maximum and minimum CMMC size, and the CMMC morphology were quantified and compared between the two groups. The effect of joint's region and cartilage condition was examined on each dependent variable., Results: The CMMC number and morphology were affected by region of the joint, but not by cartilage condition. On the other hand, the minimum and maximum CMMC size was changed by both the location on the joint, as well as the cartilage condition. The smallest CMMC were consistently detected at the load-bearing region (LBR) of the joint. Compared to non-pathological subjects, the size of the microchannels was enlarged in early OA, most noticeably at the non-load-bearing region (NLBR) and the peripheral rim (PR) of the femoral head. Furthermore, subchondral bone thinning was observed in early OA as a localized occurrence linked with areas of partial chondral defect., Conclusion: Our data point to an enlargement of the SB microchannel network, and a collective structural deterioration of SB in early idiopathic OA., (Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

For microscopic investigation, archaeological bone samples are often embedded in Biodur ® epoxy resin. This study wants to test whether it is possible to extract DNA suitable for PCR amplification from this sample type. For eight individuals a set of samples - each consisting of a Biodur-embedded femur sample, a native femur sample and a control sample of different anatomical origin - were submitted to organic DNA extraction. The extraction success was tested by autosomal short tandem repeat amplification. Seven out of eight Biodur-embedded femur samples revealed successful amplification results. If Biodur-embedded bone material exists from earlier microscopic investigations, our results encourage the use of this sample type as a source for genetic research.

The interplay between articular cartilage (AC) and subchondral bone (SB) plays a pivotal role in cartilage homeostasis and functionality. As direct connective pathways between the two are poorly understood, we examined the location-dependent characteristics of the 3D microchannel network within the SB that connects the basal cartilage layer to the bone marrow (i.e. cartilage-bone marrow microchannel connectors; CMMC). 43 measuring points were defined on five human cadaveric femoral heads with no signs of osteoarthritis (OA) (age ≤ 60), and cartilage-bone cylinders with diameters of 2.00 mm were extracted for high-resolution scanning (n = 215). The micro-CT data were categorized into three groups (load-bearing region: LBR, n = 60; non-load-bearing region: NLBR, n = 60; and the peripheral rim: PR, n = 95) based on a gait analysis estimation of the joint reaction force (young, healthy cohort with no signs of OA). At the AC-SB interface, the number of CMMC in the LBR was 1.8 times and 2.2 times higher compared to the NLBR, and the PR, respectively. On the other hand, the median Feret size of the CMMC were smallest in the LBR (55.2 µm) and increased in the NLBR (73.5 µm; p = 0.043) and the PR (89.1 µm; p = 0.043). AC thickness was positively associated with SB thickness (Pearson's r = 0.48; p < 1e-13), CMMC number. (r = 0.46; p < 1e-11), and circularity index (r = 0.61; p < 1e-38). In conclusion, our data suggest that regional differences in the microchannel architecture of SB might reflect regional differences in loading., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Medieval Europe was repeatedly affected by outbreaks of infectious diseases, some of which reached epidemic proportions. A Late Medieval mass burial next to the Heiligen-Geist-Hospital in Lübeck (present-day Germany) contained the skeletal remains of more than 800 individuals who had presumably died from infectious disease. From 92 individuals, we screened the ancient DNA extracts for the presence of pathogens to determine the cause of death. Metagenomic analysis revealed evidence of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Paratyphi C, suggesting an outbreak of enteric paratyphoid fever. Three reconstructed S . Paratyphi C genomes showed close similarity to a strain from Norway (1200 CE). Radiocarbon dates placed the disease outbreak in Lübeck between 1270 and 1400 cal CE, with historical records indicating 1367 CE as the most probable year. The deceased were of northern and eastern European descent, confirming Lübeck as an important trading center of the Hanseatic League in the Baltic region., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2021 The Author(s).)