North and South: Exploring isotopic analysis of bone carbonates and collagen to understand post-medieval diets in London and northern England

Objectives

We evaluate the potential of paired isotopic analysis of bone carbonate and collagen to examine the diet of post-medieval human and animal populations from England (17th–19th c.), including, for the first time, manufacturing towns in northern England. The potential for identifying C₄ crop consumption is explored alongside regional and local patterning in diet by sex and socioeconomic status.

Materials and Methods

Humans (n = 216) and animals (n = 168) were analyzed from sites in London and northern England for both carbon and nitrogen isotopes of bone collagen (𝛿¹³C_coll, 𝛿¹⁵N_coll). Isotopic analysis of bone carbonates (𝛿¹³C_carb, 𝛿¹⁸O_carb) was carried out on all humans and 27 animals, using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy–attenuated total reflectance to assess diagenesis.

Results

Variations in diet were observed between and within different populations by geographical location and socioeconomic status. Three pigs and one cow consumed C₄ resources, indicating the availability of C₄-fed animal protein. Londoners consumed more animal and marine protein and C₄ resources. Middle- and upper-class populations from both London and northern populations also had greater access to these foods compared to those of lower status in the same regions.

Discussion

This substantial multi-isotope dataset deriving from bone carbonate and collagen combined from diverse post-medieval urban communities enabled, for the first time, the biomolecular identification of the dynamics of C₄ consumption (cane sugar/maize) in England, providing insight into the dynamics of food globalization during this period. We also add substantially to the animal dataset for post-medieval England, providing further insight into animal management during a key moment of agricultural change.

     

An angiogenic laminin site and its antagonist bind through the alpha(v)beta3 and alpha5beta1 integrins.

Angiogenesis is important for wound healing, tumor growth, and metastasis. Endothelial cells differentiate into capillary-like structures on a laminin-1-rich matrix (Matrigel). We previously identified 20 angiogenic sites on laminin-1 (alpha1beta1gamma1) by screening 559 overlapping synthetic peptides. C16, the most potent gamma1 chain peptide, blocked laminin-1-mediated adhesion and was the only gamma1 chain peptide to block attachment to both collagen I and fibronectin. This suggested that C16 was acting via a receptor common to these substrates. We demonstrated that C16 is angiogenic in vivo. Affinity chromatography identified the integrins alpha5beta1 and alpha(v)beta3 as surface receptors. Blocking antibodies confirmed the role of these receptors in C16 adhesion. C16 does not contain an RGD sequence and, as expected, an RGD-containing peptide did not block C16 adhesion nor did C16 act via MAP kinase phosphorylation. Furthermore, we identified a C16 scrambled sequence, C16S, which antagonizes the angiogenic activity of bFGF and of C16 by binding to the same receptors. Because the laminin gamma1 chain is ubiquitous in most tissues, C16 is likely an important functional site. Since the biological activity of C16 is blocked by a scrambled peptide, C16S may serve as an anti-angiogenic therapeutic agent.     

Storage of Chinchilla lanigera Semen at 4°C for 24 or 72 h with Two Different Cryoprotectants

The objectives of this study were to: (a) test the functional activity of Chinchilla lanigera spermatozoa suspended in either glycerol or ethylene glycol, cooled to 4 degrees C, and stored for 24 or 72 h and (b) investigate, after these cooling periods, the effects of incubating sperm at 37 degrees C (for 4 h) upon sperm functional activity. The ejaculate was mixed with the cryoprotectant medium (at 1 M final concentration) and cooled to 4 degrees C. After warming, sperm motility, sperm viability, hypoosmotic swelling test results, and acrosomal integrity were significantly higher for samples containing ethylene glycol than for those in glycerol, stored for 24 or 72 h, and then assayed after 0 or 4 h incubation at 37 degrees C. A significant reduction of sperm motility and viability was detected only when the glycerol cryoprotectant agent was employed, compared to the fresh samples. These results clearly indicate that under our experimental conditions, ethylene glycol is a better protectant for sperm storage than glycerol.     

THE EFFECT OF SEAWEED DIETS ON GROWTH OF GREEN ABALONE,HALIOTIS FULGENS,FROM BAJA CALIFORNIA,MEXICO

Two abalone species: green Haliotis fulgens and yellow Halioti corrugata represent nearly 97% of the total production in the Mexican abalone fishery. It has been assumed that abalone feed on the kelp algae Macrocystis pyrifera. Regional hatcheries use this species as a main source of natural food. M. pyrifera does not occur at the southern limit of the distribution of abalone species along the Baja California Peninsula. In this study, growth rates of juveniles H. fulgens, 17.3 ± 2.2 mm shell length and 0.4 ± 0.2 g body weight, were evaluated. Juveniles were fed with common species in the benthic environments inhabited by abalone along the western coast of Baja California during 191 days. Three diets were based on algae: palm kelp, Eisenia arborea, giant kelp, M. pyrifera and Gelidium robustum, and one on seagrass, Phyllospadix torreyi. Shell length and body growth rates varied between 21.5 μm day^?1 and 2.2 mg day^?1 for E. arborea and between 45.9 μm day^?1 and 6.7 mg day^?1 for M. pyrifera. Higher specific growth rates (SGR) in length and weight were determined for M. pyrifera: 0.2% and 0.7% day^?1. Significant differences between values of juveniles fed M. pyrifera with the rest of the diets were found. The highest mortality (21%) was in juveniles fed the red algae G. robustum.     

A bimodal temperature response and effect of light intensity in the photocontrol of germination of seeds in Jussiaea suffruticosa

Summary A bimodal temperature response is observed in the germination of seeds in Jussiaea suffruticosa, both under continuous and cyclic light treatments. Germination exhibits two maxima at around 25° C and at 40°, and a minimum in the region of 30–35°. The response depends on light intensity both under continuous and intermittent light treatments. This dependence is much more noticeable in the region of minimum germination (30°). Both preincubation in darkness at 35° and high light intensities (15 500 lux) tend to eliminate the bimodal temperature response.     

Genetic analysis of leaf form mutants from the Arabidopsis Information Service collection.

Although a vast inventory of morphological mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana is available, only some have been used for genetic studies of leaf development. Such is the case with the Arabidopsis Information Service (AIS) Form Mutants collection, assembled by A. R. Kranz and currently stored at the Nottingham Arabidopsis Stock Centre, which includes a large number of mutant lines, most of which have been little studied. With the aim of contributing to the genetic dissection of leaf ontogeny, we have subjected 57 mutant lines isolated by others to genetic analysis; 47 of which were from the AIS collection. These are characterized by vegetative leaves of abnormal shape or size, and were chosen as candidates for mutations in genes required for leaf morphogenesis. The mutant phenotypes studied were shown to be inherited as single recessive Mendelian traits and were classified into 10 phenotypic classes. These mutant strains were found to fall into 37 complementation groups, 7 of which corresponded to known genes. Results of the phenotypic analysis and data on the genetic interactions of these mutants are presented, and their possible developmental defects discussed. Received: 28 October 1998 / Accepted: 21 February 1999