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Considerable attention has been given to the skeletal remains and personal ornaments from Mesolithic funerary contexts. Relatively less analytical attention, however, has been given to lithic objects frequently found in the same graves. As a result, understandings of grave goods and the broader ontological frameworks surrounding Mesolithic mortuary practices can be argued to be incomplete. A partial picture is perhaps why we have struggled to move beyond monolithic accounts of grave goods as status items. In this paper, I draw on empirical evidence for lithics playing diverse roles in funerary rites and rituals. Connections between stone objects and human bodies are drawn from funerary and other contexts to argue that, rather than being simply inanimate and utilitarian, some stone tools were perceived as living entities. Taking this new ontological perspective enables a radical rethink of the meaning of lithic artefacts in Mesolithic burials and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT In this preliminary study, we present a unique and rare case of a child with anthropogenic modification marks on his/her skeletal remains and pathological conditions that may be related to malnutrition. This child's remains were discovered at the Jiahu site. It is a relatively early Neolithic site located in northern China dated to circa 7000–5000 bc. The child was estimated to be around 8–10 years old. His/her remains were placed in a concealed way with grave goods, including a bone flute. The burial where the child was uncovered is in close proximity to two unique archeological features, including a large multiple commingled burial and a pit containing turtle shell rattles and a fork‐shaped bone tool. All these objects and bone flutes are considered as ritual paraphernalia by many scholars. Six groups of anthropogenic modification marks are documented on the child's left femur and both tibiae. Four of the groups of marks are located close to joints and the other two are on the shafts. Five groups of the thin, straight, and shallow grooves are at a transverse angle, which suggests possible excarnation actions. The context along with the marks and the child's pathological condition is indicative of a ritual setting or a ritual practitioners' mortuary practices that may have been associated with the child's underlying diseases or preparation for making bone tools, even though the intentions behind such unique mortuary practices may never be conclusive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The digitalization of modern societies has offered new tools for funeral industries to reach the communities they serve, ranging from using technologies in funeral planning, in commemoration of the dead, or to support the bereaved. The COVID-19 pandemic only pushed this need for online presence of the funeral industries further. We explore the digitalization of funeral industries through the example of Quebec (Canada), where many funeral institutions are regrouped under a federation of funeral cooperatives. We analyze how this influences the delivery of funeral services and allows the development of common services answering various needs of the population (e.g., a funding program for youth funerals, an ecological memorialization program, online grief support). Finally, we discuss how the federation's online presence contributes to its mission, and more largely whether it changes the perception of the industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractResearch on the funeral industry in the United States is limited by privatization and the dearth of publicly available data, making assessment of equitable services a challenge. The goal of this study was to explore the experiences of LGBTQIA+ deathcare providers and consumers to understand barriers to equitable services. We interviewed 23 funeral providers (N = 17) and consumers (N = 6) using a phenomenological approach and employed grounded theory to develop a deeper understanding from different perspectives that could inform more equitable practices. Results suggested that fear of religious rejection, LGBTQIA+ consumer preferences, and traditional funeral practice should be evaluated and addressed. Potential solutions may be explicit marketing and safety signaling, deathcare provider involvement in LGBTQIA+ communities, and sweeping equality legislation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents an analysis of the traditional tombs of the Jarai ethnic group, an Austronesian language-speaking people inhabiting the Central Highlands of Vietnam (Tây Nguyên). These elaborate tombs are extensively decorated with statues, friezes and poles, which have specific meanings and functions in connection with the celebration of the tomb abandonment ritual. Following this final ceremony it is believed that the souls of the dead reach their final abode. The tomb will therefore no longer be visited by the living and it is left to decay naturally. Using data collected by other scholars and my own fieldwork, I provide a description of the traditional tombs built by all the Jarai ethnic subgroups (supplemented with a selection of photographs), as well as a short account of the tomb abandonment ritual, as performed by the Jarai Arap subgroup. In the conclusions, I analyse the meaning of this ceremony and the particular features of the tomb. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Every advanced cancer diagnosis brings enormous challenges to patients and their relatives on numerous levels: be it physical, practical, social challenges, or on a more personal level. While specific aspects have been researched before, an overarching approach is lacking. Aim: To understand the lived experiences of people with advanced cancer, to identify gaps along the cancer care continuum, to identify potential opportunities for meaningful interventions and to develop a theoretical framework for practitioners and researchers. Design: A qualitative study using in-depth interviews with patients, relatives, and care professionals. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using a conventional content analysis. Setting/participants: Fifty-four interviews with 17 patients from a university oncology department and palliative care service, 15 relatives and 22 care professionals from physicians to funeral directors. All interviewees were recruited by a German university hospital. Results: We developed a novel model describing the diagnosis with advanced cancer as a highly disruptive experience that threatens to challenge the integrity of personhood in cancer patients through four areas: communication, knowledge, relationships, and confidence. We were able to identify factors leading to disintegration in these areas and factors supporting a restoration of integrity of personhood. Conclusions: The developed model provides a more thorough understanding of patients lived experiences. It can help to develop new interventions along the cancer care continuum to support patients in the complex challenges they face. These interventions should focus on supporting the integrity of personhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The given text is a list of burials found in different locations within a specific archaeological site. The burials include individuals of various ages and are associated with different artifacts such as ceramic jars, stone pendants, bronze rings, and shell jars. The orientations of the burials vary, and some burials have no associated artifacts. The text provides a comprehensive overview of the burials and their associated artifacts, allowing researchers to further explore the details of each burial. [Extracted from the article]

Disposal of the dead differs across culture and times due to prevailing factors including traditional beliefs, normative worldviews, and resource availability. This paper sought to explore the views of the Batswana regarding disposal of the dead through a case study of Ledumang Ward in Gaborone. Interviews were conducted with 42 respondents who included 30 householders around Ledumang cemetery and 12 key informants who included persons in the funeral industry, clergy, and government or council officers. The findings reveal that burial is the most preferred method of body disposal among residents of Ledumang Ward with only a few having knowledge or being open to other forms of body disposal. Most household respondents (70%) cited religious beliefs and providing a resting place for the dead as the reason for their preference. Both residents and key informants expressed worry over negative environmental impacts of burials including them being an unsustainable land use practice. Shortage of land was the biggest concern for the largest portion of residents (40%). On the contrary, only 1% and 10% cited environmental degradation and biodiversity loss, and air pollution as the foremost concerns, respectively. The ethical evaluation using the land ethic shows the current burial practices to be morally wrong as they do not promote the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community. The paper recommends some empirical research as well as philosophical research to establish and evaluate metaphysical and normative beliefs that undergird current burial practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pottery vessels often comprise major burial goods at archaeological sites, thus providing valuable information for reconstructing past mortuary practices. However, because of the uncertainty of its function or use, which has been interpreted mostly through typological studies alone, the analytical potential of pottery as a burial good has not been fully exploited. This study applied bio-chemical and geochemical analyses for the first time to funerary pottery vessels of the Iron Age of North Iran to examine their function and use. The study materials are from the necropolis of Ghalekuti, Dailaman, excavated in the 1960s. Direct radiocarbon dating conducted on human and animal bones in the graves and typological analysis of the pottery anchored the chronological position of the pottery materials to the 2nd and 1st millennium BC. A petrographic analysis revealed that pottery vessels can be classified into six fabric types, including those with coarse tempers that are effective for cooking. Pottery pastes with finer inclusions less suited for cooking appeared during the early first millennium BC (Iron Age III). To obtain further insight into the function of the pottery, we conducted organic residue analyses. The results demonstrated that the vessels retained remains of botanical and animal origin. In particular, jars with tubular spouts, characteristic of the Iron Age III period, were likely specialised for botanical products. Interestingly, both carcass and dairy products from ruminant animals (cattle and caprine) were processed in short-neck jars and bowls, including spouted bowls, suggesting their use in a liquid state. Products from ruminants, particularly dairy products, may have played a significant role in the daily and ritual use of pottery vessels during the study period in Northern Iran. These results indicate that a range of pottery vessels used for specific purposes before the burial was offered for graves, helping us better understand the mortuary practices of Iron Age Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cremation was a common behavior during the Early period in the Middle Cauca region of Colombia. Nevertheless, few bioarchaeological analyses have focused on understanding this phenomenon. Four funerary urns from the archaeological site Matecaña (Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia) were analyzed to understand the cremation mortuary practice during the Early period (1000 bc–600 ad). For this, the cremains went through an anatomical classification that led to establishing the minimal number of individuals with the landmark system, as well as reconstructing their biological profile and interpreting the macroscopic changes made by heat exposure, such as colorimetry, the degree of cremation, the presence of heat‐induced changes, and the temperature that the incineration reached. The results indicated that the funerary cycle had three processes divided into 11 steps. During the first process, an individual's biological death led to rituals and a temporary deposition. After the skeletonization of the corpse, the second process was the cremation itself. The combustion of at least 28 individuals of different ages (fetuses, infants, and adults) was intense (400°C to over 600°C) and finalized in the third process with their burial in funerary urns. This funerary behavior reflects the long‐term relationship between the living and the dead. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Hypertension or high blood pressure (BP) is one of the 12 modifiable risk factors that contribute to 40% of dementia cases that could be delayed or prevented. Although hypertension is associated with cognitive decline and structural brain changes, less is known about the long-term association between variable BP and cognitive/brain changes. This study examined the relationship between variable BP and longitudinal cognitive, white matter hyperintensity (WMH), gray matter (GM), and white matter (WM) volume change over time and postmortem neuropathology. Methods A total of 4,606 participants (32,776 follow-ups) from RADC Research Resource Sharing Hub (RUSH) and 2,114 participants (9,827 follow-ups) from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) were included. Participants were divided into 1 of 3 groups: normal, high, or variable BP. Linear-mixed models investigated the relationship between BP and cognition, brain structure, and neuropathology. Results Older adults with variable BP exhibited the highest rate of cognitive decline followed by high and then normal BP. Increased GM volume loss and WMH burden were also observed in variable compared to high and normal BP. In postmortem neuropathology, both variable and high BP had increased rates compared to normal BP. Results were consistent across the RUSH and ADNI participants, supporting the generalizability of the findings. Discussion Damages potentially associated with variable BP may reduce resilience to future dementia-related pathology and increased the risk of dementia more than that caused by high BP. Improved treatment and management of variable BP may help reduce cognitive decline in the older adult population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying continuity and discontinuity in Holocene hunter-gatherer burial sites is often challenging. Roonka, is the largest excavated burial area in Australia. Despite preliminary analysis in the 1970–1980s chronology was challenging given the complex record of dune formation, intrusive burials, erosion and exposure. As part of collaboration with the River Murray and Mallee Aboriginal Corporation, we have re-analysed the legacy data. We have combined three tools: 3D reconstruction and spatial analysis of the site; Bayesian analysis of the radiocarbon sequence, and archaeothanatology to gain a deeper understanding of the relationships between burials and dune formation and hence the connection between changes in burial practices and environmental change. Analysis confirms that the site was used as a burial place over the last 8000 years, but the burial record has been significantly impacted by erosion. The most likely cause of erosion is ENSO-driven climatic change. Other changes that are not coincident with climatic change but alter the intensity of site use were identified by tracing the number of burials over time. Analysis indicates a shift from occasional and specialised use to increasing use in the mid to Late-Holocene. We argue that burial practices became more diverse and demographically inclusive over time. In summary, our analysis clearly demonstrates that it was not a place for everybody all the time. The selection of 'who' and 'when' demonstrates access to and maintenance of a broader set of persistent burial places in the Murray Valley region during the Holocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents archaeological findings from excavations within the Salvamento Arqueológico Planta de Licuefacción de Gas Natural in winter 2022. The project area is located 2 kilometers southeast from the town of Puerto Libertad, Sonora and 800 meters inland from the coastline. A pre-Hispanic cemetery was recorded and excavated, with secondary pit cremations, secondary cremations placed inside locally produced plain ware and decorated vessels, and an articulated primary burial of a female, between 18 and 20 years old and with evidence of scalping. A possible crematorium 1.8 km away with cremations was also identified. The study area borders the precolonial cultural limits of the Costa Central and Trincheras Traditions and the documentation of cremations from the site were compared against previously excavated mortuary features across both cultural traditions. In addition to funerary practices, ceramic analysis demonstrated that the ancient inhabitants of Puerto Libertad belonged to the Trincheras Tradition and suggests they may have migrated from the valleys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efforts were initiated in the mid-1990s to resolve complex questions of context, chronology, and identity of American Indian ancestral sites and individuals in the American Bottom, Illinois. A significant focus was on legacy collections from the Kane Mounds mortuary complex, salvaged in the early 1960s and long interpreted as late Mississippian mortuary mounds related to Cahokia. Drawing on available data from original field records and previously collected analytical evidence, we determined that the mortuary interments at the Kane site were placed in natural bluff-top landforms, not mounds, and that the locale served as a burial location for over a millennium. During this time, people gathered in larger permanent villages, their diet shifted from one based on a hunting-and-gathering lifestyle to one supported by maize agriculture, small groups from the Illinois River Valley emigrated to the area, and mortuary practices became increasingly complex – employing in-the-flesh interments, ossuaries, excarnation, postmortem manipulations of the deceased, and extensive use of fires. The mortuary complex reflects both temporal and geographic diversity as well as the continuity of such ancestral burial places. No depictions of ancestral remains are included in the text. Data presented are derived from legacy sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This text is a collection of two separate pieces, "Novels" and "Aunt Rozalija," which explore themes of burnout, loneliness, mortality, and the complexities of human relationships. In "Novels," the narrator reflects on their struggle with burnout and their attempts to find solace in reading and social media. They also visit a doctor and undergo tests. In "Aunt Rozalija," the narrator attends their aunt's funeral and reflects on their memories of her. The text delves into the absence of a person in their final years and the subsequent lack of remembrance after their passing. It suggests that the person had already departed from their relationships before any farewells could be made, and concludes with the mention of a headstone being ordered for the person's grave less than a month later. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of Jangwa Pana is the property of Revista Jangwa Pana and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Histotaphonomic analysis, through thin section microscopy, SEM and micro-CT scanning, has become an increasingly popular approach for archaeologists in recent years. The method relies on assessing the character of degradation in bone microstructure, placing particular importance on the degree and nature of bacterial bioerosion. However, there remains considerable disagreement about the origins and timing of bacterial bioerosion and this has major ramifications for the interpretative potential of the approach. Turner-Walker et al. (2023) p resent a firm case for the origins of bacteria being exclusively exogenous (from the soil) with bioerosion occurring only after skeletonisation. This scenario means that information gained from analysis of histotaphonomy relates entirely to the nature of the burial environment and its suitability for collagenolytic bacteria to thrive and thus provides very little useful information about human behaviour and mortuary practice. This contrasts with the common position that the origins of bacteria can be enteric (from the gut) and can effect bioerosion during putrefaction in the early post-mortem phase, thus potentially informing on mortuary practice. In this response, we present the alternative view to Turner-Walker et al. (2023) and demonstrate strong and wide-ranging evidence for bacteria from the gut microbiome to have the potential to cause bioerosion. A review of previous studies is used to evidence the impact of mortuary practice on variable microstructural preservation. We counter some of Turner-Walker et al.'s key lines of evidence and present alternative, evidence-based explanations. Importantly, we acknowledge that the origins of bacteria are not always enteric and that current interpretations that only consider bacteria as either enteric or exogenous cannot account for the variability seen in the archaeological record. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ritual practices as behavior, and the cognitive acknowledgment of life and death, foster a depth in social identity, collective social memory, and a societal worldview. This paper outlines the evidence of Early Bronze Age burial practices in northwestern Iran to discuss the newly discovered chamber tombs at Kohne Tepesi within the broader context of mortuary practices during the middle and last part of the 3rd millennium b.c. The findings from Kohne Tepesi support the idea that, at least for parts of Kura-Araxes society, burial rites and commemoration of the dead played a crucial role in their worldview. Furthermore, this site demonstrates that the changes in symbolic practices and social behavior during the Early Kurgan period were not spontaneous but rooted in the last phases of the Kura-Araxes period and that the perceptions of earlier traditions had been conserved in long-term social memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the summer of 1904, the passenger ship General Slocum caught fire on New York City's East River, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,021 people. This article examines the city's formal response to these deaths, specifically investigating the technologies deployed by city officials and employees to help overcome the natural limits of the corpse to increase the likelihood for identification. I argue that these technologies of preservation – corporeal, visual, and written – were motivated not only by the desire to assist the victim's families but also by a new culture of urban bureaucracy that tasked municipalities with containing urban chaos. As such, this event foreshadowed an emerging modern disaster victim identification paradigm as a state-managed, bureaucratic process that both aided and alienated victims' families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Funeral workers (FWs) work within increasingly medicalized and commodified death-management systems. This study explored Worker Health and Safety (WHS) impacts in contemporary death management on Australian and Irish FWs. Mixed methods combined a survey and interviews. Survey data were descriptively summarized, interviews thematically analyzed, and a schematic systems model developed of the combined results. Survey participants (n = 45) reported psychosocial hazards from work pressures, competition, and fatigue. Psychosocial hazards were more frequently reported than physical hazards by Australian FWs. Physical hazards were of greater concern to Irish FWs. Themes from 11 interviews were: Personal Attributes, Work Demands, and Socio-Cultural Context. All FWs reported conflicts between individual capacities, work demands, and resources, resulting in hazardous personal states including difficulty sleeping and stress. Respectfully manually handling human remains and "event management" demands for increasingly elaborate funerals created negative WHS impacts. This research informs risk management for FWs and other workers in the increasingly complex death-care industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Explaining the processes that produce cultural diversity has long been a focus of anthropological study. Whilst linguistic diversity has frequently been shown to be associated with population splitting during migrations, much less is known about the influence of migration patterns on other forms of culture. Here we compare variation between different cultural types to understand whether their diversity might also be a consequence of historic population change. For our case study, we developed a dataset of 90 cultural traits recorded across around 100 societies in Pama-Nyungan Australia focusing on three cultural forms important in Australian life: adolescent initiation, mortuary practice and rock art motifs. Trait diversity was analysed using phylogenetic methods and compared with language diversity since previous studies have suggested an association between Pama-Nyungan language evolution and population dispersal. We were able to demonstrate a strong association between the phylogenetic history of language and initiation ritual but not between language and mortuary ritual or rock motifs. The finding suggests population migration may have had a significant influence on initiation ritual diversity. It also lends support to the idea, as suggested by some authors, that the development of complex initiation practices may have played an active role in the dispersal of Pama-Nyungan speakers throughout the Australian continent. Our study results suggest that the type of phylogenetic comparative approach applied here can make an important contribution to the reconstruction of deep cultural history over long timescales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article delves into the concept of "distant communications" in the context of death and grief. It challenges the notion that technology has erased distance, arguing that despite instant communication across long distances, feelings of separation persist. The article explores how different cultures and religions approach communication with the dead, emphasizing the significance of historical and cultural context in shaping societal responses to death. It also examines various technologies and mediums used to manage and visualize death, as well as the political and social implications of mourning practices. The text covers a range of topics, including wills, suicide letters, and the use of death in creating alternative worlds and spaces. The authors highlight the emotional and practical functions of communication beyond death and stress the importance of understanding diverse belief systems and alternative knowledge systems in relation to death and the afterlife. [Extracted from the article]

The article delves into the increasing popularity of environmentally friendly burial options in the United States, shedding light on the environmental consequences of traditional casket burial practices like embalming. It introduces alternative methods such as green burial, alkaline hydrolysis, and natural organic reduction, which are considered more eco-friendly. By comparing burial customs in the US to those in Western Europe, where cremation and green burial are more prevalent, the article underscores the rising consumer interest in sustainable burial options and the potential economic advantages of embracing these practices. Additionally, it addresses the challenges posed by legal, economic, and cultural barriers to the adoption of green burial and grave recycling in the US, suggesting the necessity of regulatory changes to accommodate these environmentally conscious burial methods. [Extracted from the article]

The article examines the historical development of funeral director licensing in the United States and its implications for religious practices. It discusses how these licensing statutes can conflict with religious traditions, particularly in the context of home funerals and clergy involvement. The text also raises concerns about autonomy and discrimination issues that arise when funeral director regulations impede religious freedom. It references the Supreme Court's decision in Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn v. Cuomo as a potential precedent for protecting religious organizations from government interference. The article advocates for extending exemptions from funeral director licensing to religious groups to address these concerns and align with historical practices. [Extracted from the article]

The article explores shifting consumer preferences in death care, with a growing interest in alternative methods like green burial, water cremation, and natural organic reduction. A survey indicates declining interest in traditional practices such as casket burial and embalming, prompting a reevaluation of the funeral industry's licensing system. The changing attitudes towards death and funeral practices in America reflect a trend towards more environmentally friendly and non-traditional options, suggesting a need for further research and potential industry adjustments to meet evolving preferences. [Extracted from the article]

The text discusses the need for regulation in the death care industry to lower the cost of funeral services, ensure compliance with state requirements, and promote competition among providers. It suggests implementing a public funeral insurance program similar to the Colorado Option to improve access to affordable options and reduce financial burdens on families. By shifting oversight from the FTC to the HHS and integrating death care into the ACA, the text proposes a more compassionate and equitable approach to end-of-life care, addressing funeral poverty and promoting social equity. Additionally, it highlights initiatives in states like Washington where organizations negotiate with providers to offer reduced prices for services. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the deregulation of funeral licensing and the emergence of new disposition options in the United States. It highlights the historical evolution of funeral practices and the need to relax barriers to entry in the funeral industry. The text also explores the rise of green death options such as alkaline hydrolysis, natural organic reduction, and green burial, emphasizing the need for updated regulations to accommodate these environmentally friendly alternatives. The authors advocate for reforms that prioritize sustainability, accessibility, and legality in end-of-life care, urging the funeral industry to adapt to changing consumer preferences and embrace green funeral alternatives. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the unauthorized practice of caring for the dead and dying by end-of-life doulas, who provide advice and comfort to individuals and families navigating the funeral industry. State governments, such as Indiana and California, have attempted to regulate and cease these services, leading to legal challenges. The definitions and licensure requirements for funeral directors vary across states, with some imposing restrictive and costly requirements. The article highlights the overlap between the work of end-of-life doulas and funeral directors, raising concerns about anticompetitive practices and potential violations of free speech rights. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the challenges and barriers faced in the funeral industry, particularly the shortage of funeral directors. It highlights issues such as licensing requirements, schooling costs, apprenticeships, and the National Board Exam. The industry is described as stagnant and in need of modernization to meet consumer demands. The article proposes solutions to break down these barriers and make entry into the profession more accessible and aligned with current deathcare practices. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: Medico-legal post-mortem examinations are performed as mandatory legal procedures for establishing the cause of death for people dying in sudden, suspicious and unnatural circumstances. When COVID-19 came to India and Indian government declared a complete lockdown, the autopsy profile is changed. Aims & Objectives: Demographic study and effect of lockdown on autopsy profile. Methods: The present study is a retrospective study carried out in the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, GRMC, Gwalior Madhya Pradesh during the period of 1st January 2020 to 31st December 2020 and analysis of a total of 2170 cases, brought to the mortuary for medico-legal autopsy examination. Later on, the effect of lockdown is evaluated on the autopsy profile. Result: The majority of victims were male 1571 (72.4%) cases and female 599 (27.6%) cases. The maximum number of post-mortem done in the age group 21-40 years was 1131 (52.12 %) cases and the minimum in the age group 0-10 year were 56 (02.58%) cases. Manners of death due to natural causes were 170 (07.8%) cases and unnatural 2000 (92.20%) cases. The Indian government declared a complete lockdown on the evening of 24 March 2020 for 21 days, which was further extended with some relaxation. Due to this event; the least number of autopsies was done in April (4.5%) which increased to its normal pattern by the end of June (10.6%). During this period i.e. April; there was a slight decrease in male victims (64.3%) and a slight increase in female victims (35.7%). Conclusion: This study was conducted to determine the effect of lockdown on the autopsy profile. Our study shows that the effects of lockdownwere majorly seen in April month and later on, there was almost no effect of l ockdown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Intersecciones en Antropología is the property of Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Sociales and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists reduce glycated hemoglobin in patients with type 2 diabetes. Mounting evidence indicates that the potential of GLP-1R agonists, mimicking a 30 amino acid ligand, GLP-1, extends to the treatment of neurodegenerative conditions, with a particular focus on Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the mechanism that underlies regulation of GLP-1R availability in the brain with AD remains poorly understood. Here, using whole transcriptome RNA-Seq of the human postmortem caudate nucleus with AD and chronic hydrocephalus (CH) in the elderly, we found that GLP-1R and select mRNAs expressed in glucose dysmetabolism and dyslipidemia were significantly altered. Furthermore, we detected human RNA indicating a deficiency in doublecortin (DCX) levels and the presence of ferroptosis in the caudate nucleus impacted by AD. Using the genome data viewer, we assessed mutability of GLP-1R and 39 other genes by two factors associated with high mutation rates in chromosomes of four species. Surprisingly, we identified that nucleotide sizes of GLP-1R transcript exceptionally differed in all four species of humans, chimpanzees, rats, and mice by up to 6-fold. Taken together, the protein network database analysis suggests that reduced GLP-1R in the aged human brain is associated with glucose dysmetabolism, ferroptosis, and reduced DCX+ neurons, that may contribute to AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Caring for parents continuing pregnancy after learning about a severe life-limiting condition in their unborn is challenging. Most existing studies focus on affected families, whereas research on the subjective experience of care professionals is scarce. Aim: We aimed to (1) explore experiences and needs of involved care professionals, (2) obtain information about existing care structures, and (3) identify requirements for a structured perinatal palliative care program. Design: Grounded Theory study using theoretical sampling. Data was collected by semi-structured interviews and analyzed following the principles of grounded theory coding and situational analysis. Setting: A total of 18 professionals from 12 different services in Munich and surroundings participated in the study: 8 physicians, 3 midwives, 2 nurses, 1 each pregnancy counselor, grief counselor, chaplain, clinical psychologist, and undertaker. Results: Several organizations provide support for affected parents, but inter-institutional communication is scarce. Due to the lack of a dedicated perinatal palliative care program, professionals make immense and partly unpaid efforts to support concerned parents. Providers experience "collateral beauty" in their work despite all the suffering and grief. This includes the development of a humble attitude and feelings of gratitude toward life, the feeling of having a meaningful task and professional as well as personal growth. Requirements for a structured perinatal palliative care program include: fostering peer support, ensuring regular supervision, and enhancing interdisciplinary exchange. Conclusions: Perinatal palliative care demands a high level of personal engagement but is experienced as highly rewarding by care professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Eurasian Iron Age Scythians, in all their regional iterations, are known for their lavish burials found in various kinds of tumuli. These tumuli, of varying sizes, are located throughout the Eurasian steppe. Based, at least partially, on the amounts and types of grave goods found within these mounds, the Scythians are usually modeled as militant, patriarchal mobile pastoralists, with rigid social structures. Yet, such interpretations are also due to accounts of Scythian lifeways provided by "classical" societies from the Greeks to the Persians, who saw the Scythians largely as barbarians, much like their neighbors to the north of the Greeks, the "Celts". Despite recent interrogations of the barbarian trope, and the opportunity to dissect the classic formula of large mounds = elevated status, I contend that many studies on Scythian mortuary practices remain monolithic and under-theorized, especially by Western scholars. Drawing upon different conceptual and methodological frameworks, I present alternative, multi-scalar understandings of Scythian mortuary landscapes. Utilizing a spacetime-oriented, dialogical approach supplemented with geographic information systems, I interrogate how and why various meanings and experiences may have intersected in these protean Scythian landscapes of the dead, rather than reducing them to monolithic symbolic proxies of ideological status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Life in Early Medieval Wales" by Nancy Edwards is a comprehensive and balanced synthesis of the archaeology of late Roman and early medieval Wales. The book covers the decline of the Roman province of Britannia to the end of the Viking Age, providing insights into settlements, society, daily life, agriculture, trade, belief and ritual, power and authority, and the impact of the Vikings. While the book is a valuable resource for students and scholars, it lacks in-depth discussions on mortuary practices, linear monuments, the eleventh century, and a popular synthesis for a wider readership. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Rabies is a neglected tropical disease endemic in 150 countries, including India where it is present in all states and union territories except Andaman and Nicobar Islands Lakshadweep. Kerala reports high incidence of animal bites. This article discusses the preventable death of a 17-year-old tribal girl due to rabies in Kerala and the equity concerns it raises. Methods: The case study was conducted using qualitative methods such as rapid key informant interviews, interactions in tribal assembly meetings, unstructured participant observations, and document verification. Thematic analysis was used, and the results are presented as an ethnographic summary with the use of quotes to substantiate the observations. Results: The girl had gone to a town with her sister for a few days when she developed difficulty in eating, behavioral abnormalities, and injuries on her body. She subsequently died, and a post-mortem revealed Negri bodies in her brain, confirming rabies as the cause of death. The girl had been bitten by a puppy from the forest eight months prior, but she did not receive post-exposure prophylaxis. Multiple dogs are kept in each household in the settlement, and the community takes good care of them since they protect them from wild animals. However, awareness about the need for post-exposure prophylaxis is low, and access to it is difficult for this population. The social problems in the settlement affect their quality of life and their interactions with the outside world. Conclusions: To prevent such deaths, it is essential to increase awareness and ensure equitable access to life-saving vaccines and immunoglobulin in hard-to-reach tribal areas. The cost-effectiveness of pre-exposure prophylaxis for children in high-risk areas such as this tribal settlement should be evaluated and compared with the WHO-recommended strategies of mass canine vaccination and One Health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The onset of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in late 2019 gave way to the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic that changed the world. These changes impacted many spheres of ritualised social life, including burial, funerary and cultural rituals, and rites of passage. In this article, we focus on the reorganisation of life and the reimagining of rituals arising from the Covid-19 pandemic in relation to ancestral veneration in Cacadu and Queenstown (Eastern Cape, South Africa), burial practices amongst Basotho (Lesotho), state funerals in Lusaka (Zambia), funerary and mortuary practice generally in South Africa, and everyday cultural practices of care in Eldorado Park (Gauteng, South Africa). In these sites, lockdown regulations saw ritual, burial and funerary practices carried out in novel, uncanny ways that unsettled communal support systems and obligations. This included the slaughtering of animals, or lack thereof, and changes in customary mourning practices at both communal and state level. In extrapolating the above, this article relies on ethnographic data gathered by way of in-depth interviews, participant observation and auto-ethnography, to explore and discuss how the pandemic has changed and (re)shaped burial, ritual and funerary practices in Southern Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article recounts the experiences of a nurse managing a hospital morgue during the 2020-2022 pandemic years. The nurse faced overwhelming challenges, including managing a high volume of decedents, coordinating transfers, and supporting grieving families. The nurse's emotional toll led to PTSD symptoms, prompting her to seek counseling and prioritize self-care. The narrative reflects on the nurse's journey towards healing and rediscovering her sense of self amidst the trauma and loss she encountered. [Extracted from the article]

The objective of this study was to compare COVID-19 test positivity among out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients whose resuscitative efforts were terminated in the field with the surrounding community. This was a retrospective cohort study of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients for whom unsuccessful resuscitative efforts were terminated in the field. Emergency medical services (EMS) personnel obtained postmortem COVID-19 nasal swab specimens from these patients between July 1, 2020 and February 28, 2022 to facilitate patient contact tracing and awareness of potential occupational exposure. A chi-square (n-1) was used to compare test result proportions between cardiac arrest patients and the community at large. A Pearson correlation was used to correlate test positivity among the two groups. EMS personnel obtained postmortem specimens from 648 cardiac arrest patients; 20 (3.1%) were inconclusive. Of the 628 specimens successfully tested, 69 (11.0%) were positive, and 559 (89.0%) were negative. Monthly positivity ranged from 0.0% to 34.0%. For the community at large, overall test positivity during the same period was 5.1%, with a monthly range from 0.4% to 15.2%. Overall, expired and tested cardiac arrest patients had 5.9% (95%CI 3.68 − 8.59) greater COVID-19 test positivity than the general community. There was significant correlation in monthly positivity rates between the groups (r = 0.778, p <.001, 95%CI0.51 − 0.91). Compared to the general population, COVID-19 was over-represented among EMS cardiac arrest patients who died in the field. Postmortem testing by EMS personnel, not typical practice, identified infectious disease cases that would have otherwise gone undetected, indicating potential for future surveillance applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]