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Analize človeških tkiv iz arheoloških kontekstov pomembno pripomorejo k razumevanju posameznikov in družb v preteklosti. Na primeru četvernega groba 336–339 s poznoantičnega grobišča Bled – Pristava predstavljamo potek in rezultate celostne interdisciplinarne raziskave, ki združuje nekaj pri raziskovanju skeletnih tkiv najpogosteje izvedenih analiz, rezultate teh pa povezujemo v širši arheološki in zgodovinski kontekst. Na podlagi zbranih podatkov je mogoče sklepati, da so bili štirje pokojniki, oče s hčerama in sinom, v skupni grob položeni sočasno in premišljeno, morda zaradi posebnih okoliščin ob smrti. Grobni pridatki postavijo kontekst v sredino 6. st., radiokarbonsko datiranje pa v čas 5. in prve polovice 6. st. Analize stabilnih izotopov kažejo nihanja v prehrani skozi različna življenjska obdobja, povezana s spremembo prehrane in fiziološkim stresom. Rezultati interdisciplinarne študije, izvedene na posmrtnih ostankih štirih oseb, prikazujejo, kako se različne analize dopolnjujejo in/ali med seboj potrjujejo, kako velik je njihov domet pri razumevanju življenja in smrti obravnavanih oseb ter kakšen je njihov potencial za razumevanje življenja celotnih skupnosti v določenih zgodovinskih obdobjih.

Spinach is a crop of economic importance in the Wintergarden region of Texas, where increasing soil salinity, irrigation water restrictions, and heat stress challenge its production. Improving abiotic stress tolerance and resource use efficiency are important goals for sustainable agricultural production. Although the effect of humic substances (HS) on abiotic stress tolerance in spinach has been evaluated under single stress, such as heat, drought, or salinity, their impact under combined abiotic stresses is unknown. We hypothesized that solid humic substances would be effective in alleviating multifactorial abiotic stress in spinach, which we examined in our first experiment, and further hypothesized that salinity stress in spinach would occur after a threshold intensity but that humic substance applications would ameliorate stress intensity past this threshold, which we examined in our second experiment. Three-week-old spinach seedlings (Spinacia oleracea L. cv. ‘Seaside’) were grown using an automatic gravimetric watering system in a climate-controlled high tunnel where daily maximum temperatures exceeded 32 °C. In a factorial experiment, we applied HS (control and 1 % v/v HS media amendment), drought (100 % and 50 % field capacity), and salinity (25 mL of RO water or 100 mM NaCl every other day) treatments. HS and HS×Salinity treatments more than doubled shoot and root FW and DW, leaf area, root length, and root surface area compared to other stresses, indicating HS improved growth and stress tolerance. Improved growth was matched with improved resource use efficiency, as HS and HS×Salinity treated plants exhibited the greatest WUE. Drought stress also increased WUE relative to the control but lowered transpiration rate responses to VPD in contrasts to HS and HS×Salinity treated plants, which increased their transpiration rates in response to increasing VPD. Salinity treatments increased sodium content (Na+) in both shoots and roots. No HS effect was observed in shoot Na+ accumulation, but HS reduced Na+ in roots under the Drought×Salinity treatment. Strong interactions between drought and salinity were observed for shoot and root Na+, Na+/K+, and shoot K+, showing that spinach accumulates Na+ and reduces K+ when drought and salinity stress are combined. HS had no apparent effect on leaf metabolites. Drought and salinity differentially impacted MDA, proline, and antioxidant content and activities, while HS showed no effect. Drought stress significantly increased MDA and proline while reducing TPC, TFC, ABTS, and FRAP. Salinity stress significantly decreased MDA, TPC, ABTS, FICA, and FRAP. In conclusion, HS improved overall spinach growth and WUE while decreasing root Na accumulation, and subsequently enhancing spinach stress tolerance.

Anderson-Fabryjeva bolest metabolička je bolest nakupljanja glikolipida u lizosomima. Multidisiciplinarni pristup neophodan je za rano prepoznavanje, liječenje i prevenciju komplikacija u oboljelih. Ove smjernice nadopuna su smjernica publiciranih u ime Referentnog centra za rijetke i metaboličke bolesti 2014. godine u Liječničkom vjesniku s obzirom na nove dijagnostičke postupke, biljege i terapijske opcije, suradnjom specijalista iz centara izvrsnosti te multidisciplinarnog tima Referentnog centra za rijetke i metaboličke bolesti odraslih Ministarstva zdravstva Republike Hrvatske. Smjernice su prezentirane na godišnjem sastanku Hrvatskog društva za rijetke bolesti Hrvatskoga liječničkog zbora te su jednoglasno prihvaćene.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a common metabolic disease characterised by insulin resistance and elevated blood glucose levels, affecting millions of people worldwide. T2DM individuals with dyslipidaemia have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). A complex interplay of risk factors such as hyperglycaemia, dyslipidaemia, hypertension, obesity, inflammation, and oxidative stress favour the development of atherosclerosis, a central mechanism in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. Dyslipidaemia, a hallmark of T2DM, is characterised by elevated triglycerides, decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and the presence of small, dense low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles, all of which promote atherosclerosis. In this article, we have attempted to present various treatment strategies that include pharmacological interventions such as statins, ezetimibe, PCSK9 inhibitors, fibrates, and omega-3 fatty acids. We have also tried to highlight the pivotal role of lifestyle modifications, including physical activity and dietary changes, in improving lipid profiles and overall cardiovascular health in T2DM individuals. We have also tried to present the latest clinical guidelines for the management of dyslipidaemia in T2DM individuals. In conclusion, the treatment of dyslipidaemia in T2DM individuals is of great importance as it lowers lipid particle levels, slows the progression of atherosclerosis, and ultimately reduces susceptibility to cardiovascular disease.

Abstract When subadult skeletons need to be identified, biological sex diagnosis is one of the first steps in the identification process. Sex assessment of subadults using morphological features is unreliable, and molecular genetic methods were applied in this study. Eighty-three ancient skeletons were used as models for poorly preserved DNA. Three sex-informative markers on the Y and X chromosome were used for sex identification: a qPCR test using the PowerQuant Y target included in PowerQuant System (Promega), the amelogenin test included in ESI 17 Fast STR kit (Promega), and a Y-STR amplification test using the PowerPlex Y-23 kit (Promega). Sex was successfully determined in all but five skeletons. Successful PowerQuant Y-target, Y-amelogenin, and Y-chromosomal STR amplifications proved the presence of male DNA in 35 skeletons, and in 43 subadults female sex was established. No match was found between the genetic profiles of subadult skeletons, and the elimination database and negative control samples produced no profiles, indicating no contamination issue. Our study shows that genetic sex identification is a very successful approach for biological sexing of subadult skeletons whose sex cannot be assessed by anthropological methods. The results of this study are applicable for badly preserved subadult skeletons from routine forensic casework.

Established in 1985, the Cross-Commodity Publication Award recognizes authors of the most outstanding paper on horticultural cross-commodity research, including broadly applicable methodology, pre- and postharvest physiology, genetics, anatomy, morphology, ecology, crop production systems, modeling, and management, published in the previous year’s issues of the Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science (JASHS), HortScience, or HortTechnology. Through the 39-year span (1985–2023), there were 38 papers that have been awarded (Table 1). Among all papers, two of them were published in HortTechnology, nine in HortScience, and 27 in the JASHS. Most of the awarded papers were basic research, which was aiming to understand the occurrence of a phenomenon and the response of plants; and applicable methodology, which was developed to facilitate efficient phenotyping or plant propagation and production. In addition, most of the studies were conducted under controlled environment and laboratory conditions, and there were several papers studying multiple crops spanning from fruits, vegetables, and ornamentals within one experimental set.

Abstract Shape, size, composition, and function of the bones in the human body vary on the macro, micro and nanoscale. This can influence changes caused by taphonomy and post-mortem preservation, including DNA. Highly mineralised compact bone is less susceptible to taphonomic factors than porous trabecular bone. Some studies imply that DNA can be better preserved in trabecular bone, due to remnants of the soft tissue or bacteria better digesting organic matter while not digesting DNA. The aim of this study was to understand the differences between compact (diaphyses) and trabecular (epiphyses) bone on a molecular level and thus the reasons for the better preservation of the DNA in the trabecular bone. The powder obtained from epiphyses and diaphyses of metacarpals and metatarsals was analysed using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and compared. Samples with poorest DNA preservation originated from diaphyses, predominantly of metatarsals. They were characterised by higher concentrations of phosphates and crystallinity, while lower collagen quality in comparison to samples with the best DNA preservation. Epiphyses presented higher concentrations of better-preserved collagen while diaphyses had higher concentrations of carbonates and phosphates and higher crystallinity. Due to better-preserved collagen in the epiphyses, the soft tissue remnants hypothesis seems more likely than the bacteria hypothesis.

The goal of this study was to characterize the bacterial diversity on different melon varieties grown in different regions of the US, and determine the influence that region, rind netting, and variety of melon has on the composition of the melon microbiome. Assessing the bacterial diversity of the microbiome on the melon rind can identify antagonistic and protagonistic bacteria for foodborne pathogens and spoilage organisms to improve melon safety, prolong shelf-life, and/or improve overall plant health. Bacterial community composition of melons (n = 603) grown in seven locations over a four-year period were used for 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and analysis to identify bacterial diversity and constituents. Statistically significant differences in alpha diversity based on the rind netting and growing region (p < 0.01) were found among the melon samples. Principal Coordinate Analysis based on the Bray-Curtis dissimilarity distance matrix found that the melon bacterial communities clustered more by region rather than melon variety (R2 value: 0.09 & R2 value: 0.02 respectively). Taxonomic profiling among the growing regions found Enterobacteriaceae, Bacillaceae, Microbacteriaceae, and Pseudomonadaceae present on the different melon rinds at an abundance of ≥ 0.1%, but no specific core microbiome was found for netted melons. However, a core of Pseudomonadaceae, Bacillaceae, and Exiguobacteraceae were found for non-netted melons. The results of this study indicate that bacterial diversity is driven more by the region that the melons were grown in compared to rind netting or melon type. Establishing the foundation for regional differences could improve melon safety, shelf-life, and quality as well as the consumers' health.

Identifying tomato genotypes that can thrive and produce abundantly under arid climatic conditions and addressing the growing food demand caused by population growth are pressing concerns for food security. This research aimed to assess the growth, physiological, phenological, fruit yield, and postharvest quality of tomato genotypes cultivated in an organic hydroponic system in Qatar, where abiotic stress conditions prevail. Ten different tomato genotypes were carefully evaluated, and comprehensive data regarding their growth and development were collected and analyzed. The performance of these tomato genotypes across all traits related to yield and quality showed significant variations. Notably, the ‘Velocity’ and ‘Sigma’ genotypes consistently exhibited robust vegetative growth and improved phenological characteristics compared with the other tomato cultivars. Specifically, ‘Velocity’ and ‘Sigma’ displayed increased leaf assimilation rates (35% and 32%), stomatal conductance (14% and 11%), and reduced transpiration loss (50% and 44%) compared with ‘SV4129TH’. These genotypes also showed lower electrolyte leakage (32% and 28%) and maintained higher intercellular CO2 concentrations. Furthermore, ‘Velocity’ exhibited an accelerated flowering pattern, with the first flowering occurring 4 days sooner and 50% flowering occurring 5 days sooner than that of ‘SV4129TH’. ‘Velocity’ also demonstrated superior fruit set (14%), pollen viability (24%), and fewer incidences of flower drops (36%) compared with ‘SV4129TH’. Notably, ‘Velocity’ outperformed ‘SV4129TH’ in terms of marketable fruit yields, with a 32% higher yield. In addition to its impressive yield, ‘Velocity’ exhibited superior postharvest quality, including firmness, Brix level, acidity, and color. Therefore, overall, ‘Velocity’ and ‘Sigma’ emerged as promising genotypes with strong abiotic stress tolerance capabilities. The correlation analysis of these traits provided valuable insights into the selection and breeding of genotypes that can withstand abiotic stress conditions, laying the foundation for effective comparisons and selections of genotypes suitable for organic hydroponic cultivation in stressful environments.

Ancient DNA research in the past decade has revealed that European population structure changed dramatically in the prehistoric period (14,000–3000 years before present, YBP), reflecting the widespread introduction of Neolithic farmer and Bronze Age Steppe ancestries. However, little is known about how population structure changed from the historical period onward (3000 YBP - present). To address this, we collected whole genomes from 204 individuals from Europe and the Mediterranean, many of which are the first historical period genomes from their region (e.g. Armenia and France). We found that most regions show remarkable inter-individual heterogeneity. At least 7% of historical individuals carry ancestry uncommon in the region where they were sampled, some indicating cross-Mediterranean contacts. Despite this high level of mobility, overall population structure across western Eurasia is relatively stable through the historical period up to the present, mirroring geography. We show that, under standard population genetics models with local panmixia, the observed level of dispersal would lead to a collapse of population structure. Persistent population structure thus suggests a lower effective migration rate than indicated by the observed dispersal. We hypothesize that this phenomenon can be explained by extensive transient dispersal arising from drastically improved transportation networks and the Roman Empire’s mobilization of people for trade, labor, and military. This work highlights the utility of ancient DNA in elucidating finer scale human population dynamics in recent history.

V prispevku raziskujeva vprašanja, povezana z zdravstvenim stanjem in smrtnostjo otrok v Emoni. V ospredje postavljava diskrepanco med ocenjeno visoko smrtnostjo otrok v rimskem času in relativno nizkim odstotkom doslej odkritih otroških grobov v Emoni. Rezultati analiz kremiranih ostankov iz nekaterih zgodnjerimskih emonskih grobov kažejo, da je bila v posamezen grob včasih pokopana več kot ena oseba, pogosto skupaj odrasli in otrok. V prispevku se sprašujeva, ali so to doslej neodkriti pokopi emonskih otrok, in iščeva tudi druge možne razlage. Poleg tega podajava nekaj informacij o zdravstvenem stanju emonskih otrok na osnovi doslej pregledanega gradiva.

Heat stress is a major environmental constraint limiting tomato production. Tomato wild relatives Solanum pennellii and S. peruvianum are known for their drought tolerance but their heat stress responses have been less investigated, especially when used as rootstocks for grafting. This study aimed to evaluate the physiological and biochemical heat stress responses of tomato seedlings grafted onto a commercial ‘Maxifort’ and wild relative S. pennellii and S. peruvianum rootstocks. ‘Celebrity’ and ‘Arkansas Traveler’ tomato scion cultivars, previously characterized as heat-tolerant and heat-sensitive, respectively, were grafted onto the rootstocks or self-grafted as controls. Grafted seedlings were transplanted into 10-cm pots and placed in growth chambers set at high (38/30°C, day/night) and optimal (26/19°C) temperatures for 21 days during the vegetative stage. Under heat stress, S. peruvianum-grafted tomato seedlings had an increased leaf proline content and total non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity in both leaves and roots. Additionally, S. peruvianum-grafted plants showed more heat-tolerant responses, evidenced by their increase in multiple leaf antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase) compared to self-grafted and ‘Maxifort’-grafted plants. S. pennellii-grafted plants had similar or higher activities in all antioxidant enzymes than other treatments at optimal temperature conditions but significantly lower activities under heat stress conditions, an indication of heat sensitivity. Both S. pennellii and S. peruvianum-grafted plants had higher leaf chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence and net photosynthetic rate under heat stress, while their plant growth was significantly lower than self-grafted and ‘Maxifort’-grafted plants possibly from graft incompatibility. Root abscisic acid (ABA) contents were higher in ‘Maxifort’ and S. peruvianum rootstocks, but no ABA-induced antioxidant activities were detected in either leaves or roots. In conclusion, the wild relative rootstock S. peruvianum was effective in enhancing the thermotolerance of scion tomato seedlings, showing potential as a breeding material for the introgression of heat-tolerant traits in interspecific tomato rootstocks.

The paper highlights the importance of high-quality outdoor spaces in improving physical and social well-being in the residential environment of the elderly. The historical Swedish practice of green areas design was analysed as a role model to gain knowledge and understanding of the importance of open space and green areas in residential environments. During the Covid-19 pandemic, nursing homes were among the most critical living environments, as evidenced by a disproportionate number of infections and deaths among nursing home residents worldwide. The main objective of this study is to confirm the importance of architectural design quality with special attention to outdoor space, especially in situations comparable to Covid-19 pandemics. The methods used for the research were a literature review, selection of three case studies based on two dependent and one independent variable, on-site work analysis and use of the previously developed “Safe & Connected” assessment tool. The main findings show the positive influence of open space and green areas existence on reducing the risk of infections of SARS-CoV-2 in nursing homes at three different levels. In this context, it appears that the appropriate design of outdoor space can help contain the spread of viral infections while allowing nursing home residents to live with dignity and maximum social integration.

Fruit flavor is a key quality trait associated with consumer preference for muskmelons (Cucumis melo L.) A wide range of aroma compounds play a key role in the flavor profiles of different melon cultivars. This study evaluated VOC profiles of nine cantaloupe cultivars grown in different locations (Texas, Arizona, Georgia, California, North Carolina and Indiana) across the United States during the spring production season (2018). Two consumer-preferred commercial cultivars were purchased and considered as control fruits for comparison. Significant variation in VOC contents was observed among the cultivars and growing locations. The highest and lowest total volatiles were detected in F-39 from GA and TT-DV from TX, respectively. Ketones such as geranylacetone, β-ionone, β-ionone epoxide, and dihydroactinidiolide were the major VOCs in all the cultivars. Principal component analysis (PCA) and Random forest analysis revealed significant clustering among the cultivars based on growing location demonstrating that suitable cantaloupe cultivars for different growing regions can be selected base on this important consumer-preference quality trait.

Hot and humid conditions create challenges for tomato production under a controlled environment. Low tomato productivity is related to the lack of stress tolerance of existing cultivars and their ability to maximize fruit set and yield. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of three management strategies, cultivar selection, grafting, and plant density, for the growth and production efficiency of organically grown hydroponic tomatoes under adverse environmental conditions in Qatar. The experiment used a split-split plot design with ‘Velocity F1’ and ‘Sigma F1’ as the main plot treatments and a factorial arrangement of grafting combinations and planting densities (3.5 and 5.5 plants/m2) as subplots. Tomato cultivar Velocity F1 grafted on Maxifort F1 resulted in greater vegetative growth and improved phenological attributes than nongrafted Velocity F1. Grafted ‘Velocity F1’ plants grown at 3.5 plants/m2 had an increase in leaf photosynthetic rates (18%), less transpiration loss (16%), and less electrolyte leakage (15%) while maintaining stomatal conductance and intercellular CO2 concentrations. At 9 weeks after transplanting, canopy growth was higher (24%) and flowering occurred earlier (3 days) with grafted ‘Velocity F1’ transplants than with nongrafted transplants. Higher fruit sets (20%), pollen viability (22%), and fewer flower drops (17%) were also observed for grafted ‘Velocity F1’ transplants than for nongrafted transplants. Marketable fruit yields were higher (26%) with grafted ‘Velocity F1’ grown at 3.5 plants/m2 than with nongrafted ‘Velocity F1’. Both grafted ‘Velocity F1’ and ‘Sigma F1’ fruits retained acceptable fruit color (L*, a*, b*, C*, °h), firmness, °Brix, titratable acidity, weight, and prolonged shelf life by 4 additional days than nongrafted ones. We conclude that grafted tomato ‘Velocity F1’ grown at a plant density of 3.5 plants/m2 was the best management strategy for enhancing seedlings quality, plant growth, and postharvest quality and alleviating abiotic stresses under this protected environment and hydroponic system.