Aortic paleopathology: osteological evidence of an aortic aneurysm in historic human remains from Lithuania (1718 centuries AD).

This report investigates a probable aortic aneurysm in a skeleton from Kedainiai, Lithuania, assessing cardiovascular signs within a sample of 22 adults. Notably, sternal bone changes indicative of chronic aneurysmal pressure were observed. The remains, identified as those of a middle-aged adult male (ca.

. Gonarthrosis in the Remains of the Blessed Giuseppe Benedetto Dusmet (Catania, Italy, 19th Century AD).

Introduction: This study investigates the bioanthropological and paleopathological features of the late Blessed Giuseppe Benedetto Dusmet, a revered 19-century archbishop of Catania. Dusmet's remains were examined during the most recent canonical recognition in 2021, providing an opportunity to study the skeletal characteristics that may reflect his lifestyle and health.

Materials And Methods: Paleopathological analysis focused on degenerative changes using macroscopic inspection to identify osteoarthritic conditions.

Mummies tell stories: CT investigation of eight members of the Kėdainiai elite (Grand Duchy of Lithuania, 17th-18th centuries AD).

The objective of this study is to evaluate the mummified remains of eight high-ranking people buried in two crypts of the Evangelical Reformed Church at Kėdainiai, Lithuania. The evaluation criteria include biological or cultural indicators, the assessment of pathological conditions and their possible etiology, and the preservation status of these remains. The eight individuals were recovered during a project aimed at exploring the tombs of potential members of the Radziwiłł family, a powerful dynasty of the former Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Crown of the Kingdom of Poland (1569-1795).

Ethical challenges in the bioanthropological and biomedical investigation of Sicilian mummies-Past experience and future pathways.

This article presents a multidisciplinary approach adopted in the Sicily mummy project, highlighting unique challenges and major ethical concerns inherent to the scientific study, conservation, and presentation of these mummies. Recognizing mummies as a distinct category of human remains, this paper argues for the development and application of specialized guidelines that address the intricate balance between scientific inquiry and respect for the cultural, religious, and mortuary practices that characterize the cultural context, in this case of Sicily. Through a transparent and collaborative dialogue among all stakeholders-including curators, clergy, scientists, and government officials-the project ensures the preservation of the mummies' dignity within their sacred spaces.

Microscopic Evidence of Malaria Infection in Visceral Tissue from Medici Family, Italy.

Microscopy of mummified visceral tissue from a Medici family member in Italy identified a potential blood vessel containing erythrocytes. Giemsa staining, atomic force microscopy, and immunohistochemistry confirmed Plasmodium falciparum inside those erythrocytes. Our results indicate an ancient Mediterranean presence of P.

Children of the grave: Investigating non-adult feeding practices in medieval and early modern Estonia through stable isotope analysis.

Studying infant diet and feeding practices through stable isotope analysis provides direct insight into the life and health of vulnerable population groups in the past. Although the general diet in medieval and early modern Livonia has been reconstructed from written sources, little is known about childhood diet during this tumultuous period of Eastern European history. This study presents a comparative investigation of the staple non-adult diet in urban/rural communities during the 13th-17th centuries AD, with a special focus on feeding practices.

On some mummy findings from the Semmelweis Museum of Medical History, Hungarian National Museum, Budapest.

The permanent exhibition of the Hungarian National Museum, Semmelweis Museum of Medical History of Budapest, Hungary, displays some human remains believed to originate from ancient Egypt. Within the framework of the Nephthys Project, three objects consisting of two heads and one foot were studied via paleoimaging and archaeometric techniques in order to provide new anthropological and paleopathological data. It is argued here that even partial or fragmentary items are worthy of investigation as they can reveal new information about their owners, as well as their supposed authenticity.

New Trends in Immunohistochemical Methods to Estimate the Time since Death: A Review.

The identification of a reliable and accurate post-mortem interval (PMI) is a major challenge in the field of forensic sciences and criminal investigation. Several laboratory techniques have recently been developed that offer a better contribution to the estimation of PMI, in addition to the traditional physical or physico-chemical (body cooling, lividity, radiocarbon dating, rigor mortis), chemical (autolysis), microbiological (putrefaction), entomological, as well as botanical parameters. Molecular biology (degradation pattern of macromolecules such as proteins, DNA, RNA), biochemical analysis of biological fluids (such as blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and vitreous humor), and immunohistochemistry are some of the most recent technological innovations.

Alfredo Salafia's handwritten memoir and the embalming of Rosalia Lombardo: a commentary.

Alfredo Salafia, an Italian embalmer who was active in the early 20 century, treated a number of corpses with his own preservation method. Among them was the young Rosalia Lombardo, just shy of two years old at the time of her death, whose remarkable preservation has brought her significant attention. It is well documented that Salafia had concocted a formula for a highly advanced embalming fluid which is believed to have been used to preserve Lombardo.

Bioarchaeological Notes on the Commingled Human Remains Held in the Church of Saint Francis of Paola, Sant'Angelo di Brolo, Sicily, Italy.

In this study, we examine human skeletal remains from the church of Saint Francis of Paola located in the small town of Sant'Angelo di Brolo, in the Italian region of Sicily. The preserved skeletal remains were temporarily transferred from their permanent resting place in the crypt for a macroscopic examination and evaluation. Various established methods were used to estimate age at death, sex, stature, any evidence of disease(s) as well as the fact that there was a minimum of 15 individuals.

On some paleopathological examples of amputation and the implications for healthcare in 13th-17th century Lithuania.

Objective: To explore care that was likely provided to an adult male amputee from medieval Lithuania, positioning analysis within what is known of contemporary amputation practices.

Materials: Three sets of skeletal remains with evidence for amputation, dating to between the 13th-17th centuries AD and recovered during different archaeological excavations in Vilnius, Lithuania.

Methods: Macroscopic inspection of lesions, with additional X-ray analysis of the main subject.

The Blessed Antonio (Patrizi) from Monticiano, Sienna (Italy): Bioanthropological and Palaeohistological Considerations.

Background: A medieval mummy known as the Blessed Antonio (Patrizi) is held in the church of Saints Peter and Paul at Monticiano, Sienna, central Italy.

Objectives: The aim of our investigation was to complete a biological profile of the subject, as well as to assess the impact of deterioration to the concerned remains.

Methods: As a follow-up of our bioanthropological, macroscopic approach, two of the samples taken underwent rehydration, fixation, desiccation, paraffin-embedding, and staining according to standard histological techniques applied to mummified remains.

A possible case of paralysis in early modern Vilnius and the implications for social care.

Objective: To present a case of possible paralysis from early modern Vilnius and to discuss the potential level of care that was provided in the society of that time.

Materials: A partially disturbed skeleton of a young female from a 16th-17th century Orthodox Christian cemetery.

Methods: Macroscopic, osteometric and X-ray examinations coupled with a literature review aimed at providing a differential diagnosis.

Multidisciplinary investigation of two Egyptian child mummies curated at the University of Tartu Art Museum, Estonia (Late/Graeco-Roman Periods).

Two ancient Egyptian child mummies at the University of Tartu Art Museum (Estonia) were, according to museum records, brought to Estonia by the young Baltic-German scholar Otto Friedrich von Richter, who had travelled in Egypt during the early 19th century. Although some studies of the mummies were conducted, a thorough investigation has never been made. Thus, an interdisciplinary team of experts studied the remains using the most recent analytical methods in order to provide an exhaustive analysis of the remains.

[A comparison between Giovan Battista Rini and Paolo Gorini].

This short paper aims to explore analogies between the two famous embalmers from Lombardy, Giovan Battista Rini and Paolo Gorini. These extraordinary figures are wellknown due to their petrified specimens and are compared on the basis of preparation typologies, materials employed and the shroud of mystery that characterized their stories.

Possible evidence for care and treatment in the Tyrolean Iceman.

The Tyrolean Iceman is the world's oldest glacier mummy. He was found in September 1991 in the Italian part of the Ötztal Alps. Since his discovery a variety of morphological, radiological and molecular analyses have been performed that revealed detailed insights into his state of health.

A rare case of child abuse from early modern Lithuania.

The aim of this article was to describe the outcome of a probable case of physical abuse in the remains of a child dating from the 16-18 centuries CE. The skeleton of a subadult was recovered during archaeological excavations carried out in the village of Užubaliai, located in Alytus in southern Lithuania, and subsequently curated in the Faculty of Medicine at Vilnius University. The bones of this child were observed macroscopically and then submitted for radiological investigation.

Four cases of beheading from 14-17 century Lithuania.

Skeletal evidence of beheading in early modern Lithuania has been scarce, despite historical documentation indicating it as a popular practice. This study presents the first bioarchaeological cases of decapitation in early modern Lithuania, with four adult male individuals from the 14-17 centuries A.D.

Evidence of aortic dissection and Marfan syndrome in a mummy from the Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo, Sicily.

The authors report on the assessment of an anthropogenic mummy of a young man from the Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo, Sicily, tentatively dated from the mid- to late 19 century AD. The mummy was investigated by full-body CT examination. CT images clearly showed aortic dissection classified as Stanford-A.

CT checklist and scoring system for the assessment of soft tissue preservation in human mummies: application to catacomb mummies from Palermo, Sicily.

In this study we applied the recently developed "Checklist and Scoring System for the Assessment of Soft Tissue Preservation in Human Mummies" to catacomb mummies from Palermo, Sicily. Data from twenty-three full-body computed tomography (CT) examinations were available. These consisted of seventeen adults and six children dating from the late 18th to the late 19th centuries AD.

Paleoimaging of a modern mummy from Lithuania (circa 19th-20th century).

An anthropogenic human mummy curated in the Museum of the History of Medicine, Vilnius University, was recently examined by means of computed tomography. Although the mummy lacked data regarding its specific context and historical information on its identity and chronology, the investigation focused on the embalming method adopted to preserve it. Some pathological alterations were also recorded.

Checklist and Scoring System for the Assessment of Soft Tissue Preservation in CT Examinations of Human Mummies: Application to the Tyrolean Iceman.

 Soft tissues make a skeleton into a mummy and they allow for a diagnosis beyond osteology. Following the approach of structured reporting in clinical radiology, a recently developed checklist was used to evaluate the soft tissue preservation status of the Tyrolean Iceman using computed tomography (CT). The purpose of this study was to apply the "Checklist and Scoring System for the Assessment of Soft Tissue Preservation in CT Examinations of Human Mummies" to the Tyrolean Iceman, and to compare the Iceman's soft tissue preservation score to the scores calculated for other mummies.

17 Century Variola Virus Reveals the Recent History of Smallpox.

Smallpox holds a unique position in the history of medicine. It was the first disease for which a vaccine was developed and remains the only human disease eradicated by vaccination. Although there have been claims of smallpox in Egypt, India, and China dating back millennia [1-4], the timescale of emergence of the causative agent, variola virus (VARV), and how it evolved in the context of increasingly widespread immunization, have proven controversial [4-9].