Biomedical subjects

E Gerszten

Publications and source records attributed to E Gerszten.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Diseases of the spine in South American mummies.

OBJECTIVE: The skulls and spinal columns of people from ancient civilizations, which frequently are found in a preserved state at archeological sites, can provide a large amount of information about these individuals' physical condition through paleopathological investigation. METHODS: This study represents the examination of more than 700 human remains dating back more than 8000 years that were recovered from archaeological excavations in the Andean region of southern Peru and northern Chile. RESULTS: Examples of congenital malformations, degenerative processes, infectious diseases, neoplasias, and traumatic diseases were discovered. Congenital anomalies such as spina bifida occulta were relatively common in these populations. No cases of meningomyelocele were discovered. The most common pathological findings were degenerative changes of the vertebral bodies. Large cervical and lumbar osteophytes were identified in some remains. Several cases of cervical spondylosis were determined to be the result of an occupational disease resulting from carrying heavy loads on the back. These heavy loads were supported by wearing around the forehead a tumpline, known as a capacho. The most common infectious disease process in the spine was due to tuberculosis. The diagnosis was made by radiological and histopathological studies, and in several cases the organism Mycobacterium tuberculosis was identified in the soft tissues. Metastatic lesions on the vertebral bodies were identified in a single case. Examples of traumatic spinal injury were rare. Compression fractures were noted infrequently. CONCLUSION: Diseases of the spinal column in the ancient inhabitants of the Andean region of South America were similar to those that affect the present-day population of that area.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Further studies on fecal parasites in antiquity.

This is a continuation study of the survival of antigenic material over the centuries using mummified human remains from the Andean area of South America. The fluorescent antibody kit from Meridian Diagnostics (Cincinnati, OH) was used to identify some Cryptosporidium species and Giardia species found in feces from the intestines of mummies 500 to 3,000 years old. The specimens that were positive by direct visualization using fluorescent antibody were then tested with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay reaction using a Meridian kit just released on the market. Since all of the feces used were formed, it would seem that the organisms found were from carriers rather than active cases of disease. Similar fecal specimens were shown to harbor antigens from Helicobacter pylori almost 3,000 years old.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Diseases of the skull in pre-Columbian South American mummies.

OBJECTIVE: The majority of paleopathological investigations focus on the study of the skull. This is because the skull is the most frequently preserved part of the human body recovered from archaeological excavations. From studying the skull, a variety of information can be obtained regarding the individual, such as sex, age, nutritional status, and other disease processes, if present. METHODS: This study represents the examination of more than 700 human skulls recovered from archaeological excavations from the Andean region of southern Peru and northern Chile and dating back more than 8000 years. RESULTS: A variety of skull abnormalities were encountered. The nonmetric variables of Huschke's foramina and palatine tori were common. Cranial deformation was observed in more than 85% of the cases. There were two cases of sagittal synostosis. Iron deficiency anemia resulting in porotic hyperostosis of the skull was evident in certain cultures. Exostoses of the external auditory canal resulting from chronic otitis was evident only among coastal populations. One skull demonstrated a periostitis consistent with Treponema infection. Trephination was encountered only in the skulls from Peru. Fifty-four cases of skull fractures were observed, half of which showed evidence of healing. Finally, only two cases of neoplastic skull lesions were encountered. CONCLUSION: The study of the human skull alone provides a large amount of information regarding the health and diseases of ancient populations.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Ultrastructure of a well-preserved lymphocyte from a mummified human.

A well-preserved lymphocyte was found during the electron microscopic examination of the cerebral material recovered from a naturally preserved male mummy from northern Chile dating back over 500 years. The cytoplasmic structures were easily recognizable. This study represents one of the best ultrastructural analyses of mummified human peripheral blood elements.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Intentional cranial deformation: a disappearing form of self-mutilation.

Of the forms of human self-mutilation that have been recorded, few have been so widespread and long lasting as intentional cranial deformation. The earliest known record of the practice is from Iraq and dates back to 45,000 BC. The custom, which was practiced in many areas of the world, continued well into this century. Although tatooing, ear piercing, and circumcision are commonly practiced in our society, cranial deformation has almost completely disappeared from contemporary cultures, with the exception of isolated groups in Africa and South America. Intentional cranial deformation is intriguing for those who study the human cranium.

Ethnicity↗

PubMed1988

Maternal mortality in pre-Columbian Indians of Arica, Chile.

A study of female mummies representing seven pre-Columbian Andean populations of Arica, Chile, dating from 1300 B.C. (Azapa phase) to A.D. 1400 (Gentilar phase), disclosed that 18 (14% of the total) had died from childbirth-complicated death (CCD). The majority of these individuals appear to have died during puerperium, three of them without complete delivery. Higher rates of CCD were found in the earlier cultural phases (1300 B.C.-A.D. 600) after which the maternal mortality rate decreased. The precise causes of this mortality are not known, but septic conditions, acute diseases, and cultural practices relating to birth are implicated.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1979

Alterations of host defenses paralleling cholesterol-induced atherogenesis. I. Interactions of prolonged experimental hypercholesterolemia and infections.

Cholesterol may interfere with normal repair processes in the arterial wall. It is also possible that this same action occurs during inflammation and repair throughout the body. This hypothesis was tested by giving intravenous injections of Bacteroides fragilis, a bacterium that is innocuous for normal rabbits even when multiple large doses are given. Almost all cholesterol-fed rabbits developed significant pleuropulmonary infections with complications that included vasculitis, thrombosis, extrapulmonary infections, and significant mortality. More than half of this group was culturally positive for B. fragilis at the time of autopsy while cultures from control animals were sterile. These results suggest that cholesterol may interfere with the functions of those cells involved in host defense.

Animals↗

PubMed1979

Alterations of host defenses paralleling cholesterol-induced atherogenesis. II. Immunologic studies of rabbits.

Cholesterol-fed rabbits are more susceptible to experimental infections than similar animals given a normal diet. Multiple tests were employed to estimate functions of reticuloendothelial (RE) phagocytosis, lymphocyte activity, polymorphonuclear (PMN) and macrophage chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and bactericidal activity, as well as enzymatic activity of the macrophages. RE phagocytosis was unchanged in the cholesterol-fed animals. However, most functions of the isolated PMNs and macrophages were significantly reduced. Three of five dehydrogenases and phosphatase were lower in activity from cells obtained from cholesterol-fed rabbits than from controls. Conversely, both B and T lymphocyte activities were significantly higher among the cholesterol-fed animals. These metabolic and functional alterations of cells from cholesterol-fed rabbits may explain the increased susceptibility to infection among these animals. The enzymatic changes found in leukocytes may correlate with those changes in arteries observed during atherogenesis, thereby providing a new prognostic test for risk of atherosclerosis.

Animals↗

PubMed1977