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INTRODUCTION: We tested the hypothesis that healthy diet protects against dementia because it slows the pace of biological aging. METHODS: We analyzed Framingham Offspring Cohort data (≥60y). We measured healthy diet using the Dietary Guideline for Americans (DGA, 3 visits 1991-2008), pace of aging using the DunedinPACE epigenetic clock (2005-2008), and incident dementia and mortality using records (compiled 2005-2018). RESULTS: Of n=1,525 included participants (mean age 69.7, 54% female), n=129 developed dementia and n=432 died over follow-up. Greater DGA adherence was associated with slower DunedinPACE and reduced risks for dementia and mortality. Slower DunedinPACE was associated with reduced risks for dementia and mortality. Slower DunedinPACE accounted for 15% of the DGA association with dementia and 39% of the DGA association with mortality. DISCUSSION: Findings suggest that slower pace of aging mediates part of the relationship of healthy diet with reduced dementia risk. Monitoring pace of aging may inform dementia prevention.

People who have a balanced diet and engage in more physical activity live longer, healthier lives. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that these associations reflect a slowing of biological processes of aging. We analyzed data from 42 625 participants (aged 20–84 years, 51% female participants) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES), 1999–2018. We calculated adherence to a Mediterranean diet (MeDi) and level of leisure time physical activity (LTPA) using standard methods. We measured biological aging by applying the PhenoAge algorithm, developed using clinical and mortality data from NHANES-III (1988–94), to clinical chemistries measured from a blood draw at the time of the survey. We tested the associations of diet and physical activity measures with biological aging, explored synergies between these health behaviors, and tested heterogeneity in their associations across strata of age, sex, and body mass index. Participants who adhered to the MeDi and who did more LTPA had younger biological ages compared with those who had less-healthy lifestyles (high vs low MeDi tertiles: β = 0.14 standard deviation [SD] [95% confidence interval {CI}: −0.18, −0.11]; high vs sedentary LTPA, β = 0.12 SD [−0.15, −0.09]), in models controlled for demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. Healthy diet and regular physical activity were independently associated with lower clinically defined biological aging, regardless of age, sex, and BMI category.

Background: Behavioral lifestyle factors are promising for prevention of numerous diseases and mortality risk by contributing to overall healthy ageing. Healthy diet and regular physical activity have been associated with longer telomere length, indicating younger biological aging. More recently, algorithm-based measurements of biological aging, which integrate information across panels of molecular or clinical indicators, have proven both more technically reliable and more precise in their predictions of morbidity and mortality than telomere length. The aim of this study was to examine the association of diet, physical activity, and their interaction with biological ageing measured by PhenoAge blood chemistry algorithm. Methods: This study included adult participants (≥20 years-old) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 1999-2018. We evaluated adherence to a Mediterranean diet (MeDi) and level of leisure time physical activity (LTPA) using standard instruments. We measured biological aging using the PhenoAge algorithm, developed using data from NAHNES III (1988-1994) and validated as a predictor of morbidity/mortality in the NHANES data we analyzed. We defined PhenoAge advancement as the difference between biological age derived from eight blood biomarkers and chronological age, with higher score indicating being biologically older. We evaluated the associations of MeDi and LTPA with PhenoAge in adjusted linear regressions. We explored synergies between these two health behaviors and heterogeneity in their associations across strata of sex age, gender, and body mass index (BMI). Results: In total, 38,617 participants (mean age 47.1 years, 51% women) were included. Both higher adherence to MeDi and higher level of LTPA were associated with lower PhenoAge advancement, in mutually adjusted model controlled for demographic, socioeconomic and lifestyle variables (β = 0.15 SD [95% CI, -0.18; -0.11] for high vs low tertile of adherence to MeDi, and β = 0.12 SD [-0.15; -0.09] for high LTPA level vs sedentarity). The associations of diet and physical activity phenotypes with biological aging were independent and additive (p-interaction >0.05). Stratified analyses indicated consistent significant associations across strata of age, gender, and BMI, although stronger associations were observed among women and participants with normal weight than among their respective counterparts for MeDi (p-interaction = 0.001 and 0.04, respectively) and among older participants for LTPA (p-interaction Conclusion: Healthy diet and regular physical activity are independently associated with lower clinically defined biological aging, regardless of age, sex, and BMI category.

Nutrition is a complex exposure (i.e., the food exposome) that influences brain function and health through multiple pathways. We review recent epidemiological studies that have improved the characterization of the food exposome and brain health in humans and have revealed promising nutrition-based strategies to prevent cognitive aging.A selection of epidemiological research from the past 18 months of both observational and clinical studies is presented, with a focus on novel findings, including novel nutrient and diet patterns, diet-related approaches to rescue brain energetics defects in aging, and biomarker-based studies to decipher specific neurobiological pathways of nutrition and brain health.Although healthy diets such as the Mediterranean diet promote brain health throughout life, specific diets, such as the Mediterranean-Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay diet, or specific nutrients (LC n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids, vitamin D, B vitamins, polyphenols) alone or in combination, may prevent cognitive aging. Diet management approaches to rescue brain energetics defects such as the Modified Mediterranean-ketogenic diet may be promising to prevent neurodegenerative diseases. Expanding research also suggests that promotion of a healthy gut microbiome through prebiotic foods may preserve the diet-gut-brain axis with aging. Future studies should explore more individualized preventive approaches through a 'precision nutrition' framework.

Gla-domainless factor Xa (GD-FXa) was proposed as a trap to the endogenous anticoagulant Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor (TFPI) to restore thrombin generation in hemophilia. Using computational chemistry and experimental approaches, we previously showed that S195A GD-FXa also binds TFPI and restores ex vivo coagulation in hemophilia plasmas.To design a GD-FXa variant with improved anti-TFPI activity and identify suitable sites for mutagenesis, we performed molecular dynamics simulations. The calculations identified residues R150FXa and K96FXa as cold-spots of interaction between GD-FXa and the K2 domain of TFPI. In the three-dimensional model, both residues are facing TFPI hydrophobic residues and are thus potential candidates for mutagenesis into hydrophobic residues to favor an improved protein-protein interaction.Catalytically inactive GD-FXa variants containing the S195A mutation and additional mutations as K96Y, R150I, R150G and R150F were produced to experimentally confirm these computational hypotheses. Among these mutants, the R150FFXA showed increased affinity for TFPI as theoretically predicted, and was also more effective than S195A GD-FXa in restoring coagulation in FVIII deficient plasmas. Moreover, the R150 mutants lost interaction with antithrombin, which is favorable to extend their half-life.

Imaging has been a critical component of multiple sclerosis (MS) management for nearly 40 years. The visual information derived from structural MRI, that is, signs of blood-brain barrier disruption, inflammation and demyelination, and brain and spinal cord atrophy, are the primary metrics used to evaluate therapeutic efficacy in MS. The development of targeted imaging probes has expanded our ability to evaluate and monitor MS and its therapies at the molecular level. Most molecular imaging probes evaluated for MS applications are small molecules initially developed for PET, nearly half of which are derived from U.S. Food and Drug Administration–approved drugs and those currently undergoing clinical trials. Superparamagnetic and fluorinated particles have been used for tracking circulating immune cells (in situ labeling) and immunosuppressive or remyelinating therapeutic stem cells (ex vivo labeling) clinically using proton (hydrogen 1 [(1)H]) and preclinically using fluorine 19 ((19)F) MRI. Translocator protein PET and (1)H MR spectroscopy have been demonstrated to complement imaging metrics from structural (gadolinium-enhanced) MRI in nine and six trials for MS disease-modifying therapies, respectively. Still, despite multiple demonstrations of the utility of molecular imaging probes to evaluate the target location and to elucidate the mechanisms of disease-modifying therapies for MS applications, their use has been sparse in both preclinical and clinical settings. © RSNA, 2022

The Middle Neolithic in western Europe is characterized by monumental funerary structures, known as megaliths, along the Atlantic façade. The first manifestations of this phenomenon occurred in modern-day France with the long mounds of the Cerny culture. Here, we present genome-wide data from the fifth-millennium BCE site of Fleury-sur-Orne in Normandy (France), famous for its impressively long monuments built for selected individuals. The site encompasses 32 monuments of variable sizes, containing the burials of 19 individuals from the Neolithic period. To address who was buried at the site, we generated genome-wide data for 14 individuals, of whom 13 are males, completing previously published data [M. Rivollat et al., Sci. Adv. 6, eaaz5344 (2020)]. Population genetic and Y chromosome analyses show that the Fleury-sur-Orne group fits within western European Neolithic genetic diversity and that the arrival of a new group is detected after 4,000 calibrated BCE. The results of analyzing uniparentally inherited markers and an overall low number of long runs of homozygosity suggest a patrilineal group practicing female exogamy. We find two pairs of individuals to be father and son, buried together in the same monument/grave. No other biological relationship can link monuments together, suggesting that each monument was dedicated to a genetically independent lineage. The combined data and documented father–son line of descent suggest a male-mediated transmission of sociopolitical authority. However, a single female buried with an arrowhead, otherwise considered a symbol of power of the male elite of the Cerny culture, questions a strictly biological sex bias in the burial rites of this otherwise “masculine” monumental cemetery. Data Overview Genetic Identity, Demographic History Genetic Relatedness, Spatial Organization, and Social Inferences Concluding Remarks Materials and Methods

The diagnosis of cranial trepanation in the archaeological record has always been a big challenge for archaeologists. The identification is first and foremost based on the shape and edges of the opening, and in cases where the individual survived, the shape and edges resulted from both the surgical procedure and the healing process. Because of the lack of reliable data on the osseous remodelling process of the skull, it is difficult to distinguish true trepanations from some pathological or physiological defects called pseudotrepanations. Furthermore, it is challenging to investigate the post-operative survival time. The purpose of this paper was to summarize observations made on a total of 90 archaeological samples of cranial lesions interpreted as 'partially' or 'completely' healed trepanations, and compare them with 14 modern case studies. Observations made on monitoring post-operative scans of modern patients, at varying times after craniotomy, provided a preliminary timetable for the successive post-surgery bony changes in the skull, and confirmed that the process of osseous remodelling does lead to smooth and rounded edges of the profile of the opening. However, contrary to what has been observed in several archaeological case studies, none of the cases shows a complete closure of the cranial vault. The sharp vertical edges of the opening become bevelled at late stages of healing, which has to be taken into consideration when interpreting the procedures and methods in past population. By bridging bioarchaeology and medical sciences, this study adds to previous discussions on the diagnosis of healed trepanation in the archaeological record, by providing detailed descriptions of morphological changes at various healing stages, that may help archaeologists to identify ancient trepanations more accurately.

International audience; Objectives: A clear understanding of past weaning practices can provide invaluable insights into social issues such as infant care, fertility rate, and demographic patterns in past societies. This study presents the first archeological research employing compound specific isotope analysis (CSIA) for the reconstruction of past weaning practices.Methods: Weaning practices of two Middle Neolithic communities in the Paris Basin region: Balloy (BLR) and Vignely (VPB), are evaluated by combining previously published bone collagen stable carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur (n = 66) isotope analysis with new compound specific carbon and nitrogen isotope compositions of bone collagen (n = 10).Results: Our results demonstrate that the diets of individuals from BLR and VPB likely incorporated freshwater resources. The signals of freshwater resources consumption are even stronger among subadults, suggesting that freshwater resources were used as weaning food at these sites. Conclusions: The implications of our result are threefold. Currently many CSIA studies in archeology only involve either carbon or nitrogen. Our data shows that it is important to conduct CSIA on both carbon and nitrogen for a more integrated picture. Secondly, our data demonstrates that the use of a protein-based weaning food—instead of a starch-based weaning food (such as cereal gruel)—was likely more prevalent among the Middle Neolithic communities in the Paris Basin Region than previously thought. The finding thus prompts a rethinking of the role of protein-based weaning food in other archeological contexts. Lastly, the common assumption that weaning foods and adult diets share similar isotopic compositions can be problematic, as the use of protein-based, high trophic-level weaning foods can skew the δ15N weaning curve and produce an erroneously late estimation for weaning ages.

International audience; A small library of molecules combining indolizine and N-alkyl pyridinium was synthesized and evaluated in a multi-target-directed-ligand strategy for Alzheimer's disease (AD) treatment. The new compounds were classified in three series depending on the number of methylene residues linking the two heterocycles (Ind-PyCx with x = 0, 2 or 3). The molecules were synthesized from the corresponding bis-pyridines by two-step formation of the indolizine core including mono-alkylation of pyridine and 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition with an alkylpropiolate. Their activities against AD's key-targets were evaluated in vitro: acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase (AChE and BChE) inhibition, antioxidant properties and inhibition of amyloid fibril formation. None of the three series showed significant activities against all the targets. The Ind-PyC2 and Ind-PyC3 series are active on eeAChE and hAChE (µM IC50 values). Most of the positively charged molecules from these two series also appeared active against eqBChE, however they lost their activity on hBChE. Comparative molecular modeling of 13 and 15 docked in hAChE and hBChE highlighted the importance of the substituent (p-methoxybenzoyl or methyloxycarbonyl, respectively) located on the indolizine C-3 for the binding. The larger molecule 13 fits more tightly at the active site of the two enzymes than 15 that shows a larger degree of freedom. The Ind-PyC2 and Ind-PyC3 hybrids displayed some antioxidant activity when tested at 750 µg/mL (up to 95% inhibition of DPPH radical scavenging for 10). In both series, most hybrids were also able to interact with amyloid fibers, even if the inhibitory effect was observed at a high 100 µM concentration. The Ind-PyC0 molecules stand out completely due to their spectroscopic properties which prevent their evaluation by Ellman’s and ThT assays. However, these molecules showed interesting features in the presence of preformed fibers. In particular, the strong increase in fluorescence of 3 in the presence of amyloid fibers is very promising for its use as a fibrillation fluorescent reporter dye.

This study investigates the relationship between monumental funerary structures, social organizations, and diets in Middle Neolithic France. Focusing on the Cerny culture based in the Paris Basin region, we analysed and compared bone collagen stable carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur isotope values of 113 individuals from three different types of Cerny cemeteries: the Passy type (Cerny STP), slab burials (Cerny Slab), and burials without major superstructure (Cerny Flat). Published stable isotopic data from one other Cerny Flat and two contemporaneous non-Cerny cemeteries (n = 140), together with new and published faunal isotopic data (n = 267) from across six different river valleys in the region are also included in the analysis. The results of this study have shown that (1) the Cerny diet was likely rich in animal protein; (2) comparing to all other cemetery types, Cerny STP sites were considerably homogenous isotopically and culturally, and (3) individuals buried in aberrant funerary arrangements tend to have outlying isotopic compositions, suggesting strong correlations between diets and burial practices. Interestingly, as oppose to the distinctly sex-related funerary arrangements, no obvious pattern can be observed in the isotopic compositions between males and females in Cerny cemeteries.

International audience; Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is an opportunistic pathogen naturally resistant to many common antibiotics and acquires new resistance traits at an alarming pace. Targeting the bacterial virulence factors by an antivirulence strategy, therefore, represents a promising alternative approach besides antibiotic therapy. The Type III secretion system (T3SS) of P. aeruginosa is one of its main virulence factors. It consists of more than 20 proteins building a complex syringe-like machinery enabling the injection of toxin into host cells. Previous works showed that disrupting interactions between components of this machinery efficiently lowers the bacterial virulence. Using automated target-based screening of commercial and in-house libraries of small molecules, we identified compounds inhibiting the protein-protein interaction between PscE and PscG, the two cognate chaperones of the needle subunit PscF of P. aeruginosa T3SS. Two hits were selected and assembled using Split/Mix/Click chemistry to build larger hybrid analogues. Their efficacy and toxicity were evaluated using phenotypic analysis including automated microscopy and image analysis. Two nontoxic hybrid leads specifically inhibited the T3SS and reduced the ex vivo cytotoxicity of bacteria and their virulence in Galleria mellonella.

Les etudes sur l’ADN ont permis une avancee fondamentale dans notre connaissance et comprehension de la biologie des etres vivants. Ses apports ont ete tellement considerables que l’on a parfois du mal a reconnaitre ses limites qui passent inapercues relativement a ses atouts. Des etudes en genetique ont suggere une difference de moins de 2 % entre notre espece et notre plus proche parent, le chimpanze, en apportant ainsi une preuve majeure de notre filiation et de notre passe commun qui se s...

International audience; Vestige à la fois biologique, archéologique et ethnographique, la momie se situe à l’interface d’enjeux pluridisciplinaires et suppose l’emploi d’outils et techniques adaptés. En présentant les travaux menés sur la momie « chachapoya », figure emblématique du Musée de l’Homme, ce chapitre illustre les moyens mis en œuvre pour l’étude des restes humains momifiés des collections anthropologiques du Muséum. À l’issu d’un bref rappel historique (origine chrono-culturelle de la momie, contexte de découverte, entrée dans les collections, jusqu’à son actuelle exposition), le chapitre livre pour la première fois un bilan ostéo-biographique illustré de la momie, obtenu au moyen d’analyses variées : exploration bio-médicale (autopsie virtuelle par imagerie scanner), expérimentation comparative (trépanation crânienne), et étude archéo-entomologique.

La parenté biologique est un important facteur de structuration dans la plupart des sociétés humaines qui intervient dans de nombreuses coutumes, traditions et lois. Être en mesure de démêler les liens de parenté qui reliaient des individus du passé peut par extension participer à mieux comprendre le fonctionnement de leurs sociétés. De nombreuses méthodes tirent aujourd’hui profit de l’ADN autosomal pour retracer précisément ces liens. En effet, des individusgénétiquement apparentés partagent par définition une partie de leur génome et la proportion de ces segments partagés, dits Identiques par Descendance (IBD), peut être calculée après séquençage. Cette approche s’avère néanmoins difficilement applicable au contexte archéologique, où l’ADN est quasi-systématiquement retrouvé en très faible quantité et sous forme dégradée : le séquençage génomique d’un grand nombre d’individus est par conséquent extrêmement coûteux. Quelques méthodes statistiques récemment publiées revendiquent cependant d’être en mesure d’estimer fidèlement la parenté biologique à partir d’ADN endommagé séquencé à très faible couverture. Caractériser les limites et les biais intrinsèques de ces nouvelles approches est pour autant une étape préliminaire indispensable avantleur utilisation. Notre étude a donc pour but de mener une analyse comparative standardisée entre trois méthodes distinctes afin d’évaluer leurs sensibilités respectives aux dommageset à la contamination. À cette fin, des simulations de génomes complets ont été effectuées à partir d’arbres généalogiques. Ces données génétiques ont ensuite été dégradées pour mimer de l’ADN ancien avant d’être soumises aux différents programmes pour reconstituer les liens de parenté biologique jusqu’à trois degrés de séparation (cousins germains). Ce travail met non seulement en évidence un manque de spécificité pour certaines méthodes, mais montre également qu’il est envisageable, avec le programme ‘’READ’’, d’estimer des liens de parenté biologique à partir de seulement 1700 marqueurs génétiques retrouvés en commun, pour un risque négligeable (

The Breast Cancer Resistance Protein (BCRP/ABCG2) belongs to the G class of ABC (ATP-Binding Cassette) proteins, which is known as one of the main transporters involved in the multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype that confer resistance to anticancer drugs. The aim of this study was to design, synthesize and develop new potent and selective inhibitors of BCRP that can be used to abolish MDR and potentialize clinically used anticancer agents. In previous reports, we showed the importance of chromone scaffold and hydrophobicity for the inhibition of ABC transporters. In the present study we report the design and development of chromones linked to one or two amino acids residues that are either hydrophobic or found in the structure of FTC, one of most potent (but highly toxic) inhibitors of BCRP. Herewith, we report the synthesis and evaluation of 13 compounds. The studied molecules were found to be not toxic and showed strong inhibition activity as well as high selectivity toward BCRP. The highest activity was obtained with the chromone bearing a valine residue (9c) which showed an inhibition activity against BCRP of 50 nM. The rationalization of the inhibition potential of the most active derivatives was performed through docking studies. Taken together, the ease of synthesis and the biological profile of these compounds render them as promising candidates for further development in the field of anticancer therapy.

International audience; Cette communication a pour objectif de travailler sur l’ensemble du territoire francilien avec comme objectif la reprise des données archéologiques qui ont abouties à quelques essais de typologies périodiques, mais également à l’exploitation des exemples non pris en comptes ou nouveaux depuis les quelques travaux de synthèse précédemment publiés, dont la portée n’est pas toujours régionale. Le but est d’obtenir une vision la plus précise possible de la diversité des gestes et programmes funéraires. En effet, nous utilisons au quotidien des poncifs pseudo-typo-chronologiques pour tenter d’orienter, dans une perspective chronologique, des découvertes archéologiques au premier coup d’œil : l’orientation de la tombe, la position en extension ou en flexion du corps, les dimensions de la fosse (etc.) sont autant d’éléments qui paraissent pertinents pour une première approximation. Cependant, il est apparu que la proportion de tombes particulières pouvait imputer la validité de tout essai de typo-chronologie, notamment pour certaines périodes (Néolithique et âge du Bronze).Notre volonté est donc d’essayer d’illustrer au mieux l’ensemble de la chronologie sans pour autant brosser un tableau exhaustif des pratiques ou de définir des évolutions d’une période à une autre. Nous avons cherché à inclure au corpus général, les sépultures ou types de sépultures, présentant à la fois des datations bien établies, que ce soit par radiocarbone, stratigraphie ou typologie d’objets associés, et une information archéologique suffisante pour travailler sur le mode de dépôt et les questions d’architecture funéraire. Le but est de mettre en avant ces nouveaux apports mais aussi de confronter nos résultats aux hypothèses précédentes et en soulignant les lacunes, le cas échéant. Enfin, certaines périodes ne sont presque pas abordées car très peu documentées malgré l’intensification de l’aménagement du territoire francilien et des opérations préventives.

International audience; Praziquantel (PZQ) is the first line drug for the treatment of human Schistosoma spp. worm infections. However, it suffers from low activity towards immature stages of the worm, and its prolonged use induces resistance/tolerance. During the last 40 years, 263 PZQ analogues have been synthesized and tested against Schistosoma spp. worms, but less than 10% of them showed significant activity. Here, we propose a rationalization of the chemical space of the PZQ derivatives by a ligand-based approach. First, we constructed an in-house database with all PZQ derivatives available in the literature. This analysis shows a high heterogeneity in the data. Fortunately, all studies include PZQ as a reference, permitting the classification of compounds into three classes according to their activities. Models involving ligand-based pharmacophore and logistic regression were performed. Five physicochemical parameters were identified as the best to explain the biological activity. In the end, we proposed new PZQ derivatives with modifications at positions 1 and 7, we analysed them with our models, and we observed that they can be more active than the previously synthesized derivatives. The main goal of this work was to conduct the most valuable meta-pharmacometrics/pharmacoinformatics analysis with all Praziquantel medicinal chemistry data available in the literature.

International audience

L’archeologie francophone est souvent percue comme rigoureuse dans le choix des termes, descriptifs et interpretatifs, concernant les restes mortuaires. Toutefois, si chacun utilise un vocabulaire qu’il pense precis, un rapide tour d’horizon de la bibliographie revele une terminologiepeu fixee, parfois foisonnante, rarement traduisible en anglais, avec un manque de consensus sur le sens ou l’emploi des mots et avec une absence generalisee de reference a leur definition initiale. Certes, ce foisonnement peut etre vu comme une source d’innovation qui correspond a des besoins nouveaux et aux mutations de l’archeologie funeraire mais il doit ensuite etre discute, evalue, elague. Partant d’un article princeps mais meconnu de Jean Leclerc (1975), notre groupe de reflexion s’est donne pour tâche de reflechir a des concepts de base de l’archeo-anthropologie, pour la plupart deja proposes dans ce travail pionnier, restreint alors aux seules sepultures collectives (cadre que nous avons elargi). Nos premieres propositions portent sur deux lieux communs de l’archeologie (et de l’archeologie de la mort, en particulier) : les types de connexion anatomique et l’effet de paroi. Selon les contextes (sepulture individuelle, plurielle, amas osseux, etc.), les premiers renvoient a des rapports anatomiques differents, parfois paradoxaux, ce que ne resout pas l’apposition d’adjectifs et qui rend delicat l’emploi de la terminologie proposee en 1975 (connexions strictes, lâches, a distance, absence de connexion). Le second a suscite un tel engouement qu’il a genere quantite de derives qui montrent que la recherche absolue de la precision est souvent synonyme de confusion. Le vocabulaire analytique n’est qu’un outil pour structurer et partager l’observation et pour progresser vers l’interpretation (evolution taphonomique, reconstitution de l’appareil et de la structure funeraire, reinterventions, etc.). Il doit etre simple, le plus universel et le plus clair possible.

International audience; sans résumé

Les nombreux cas de trépanations crâniennes dans les populations anciennes sont identifiés très majoritairement à partir de la forme de l'ouverture pratiquée sur la voûte. En l'absence de traces caractéristiques des outils du praticien, il est toutefois toujours possible qu'il s'agisse d'une «pseudo-trépanation», c'est-à-dire d'un orifice d'origine pathologique ou taphonomique mimant l'allure d'une ouverture anthropique. Notre étude a pour but d'améliorer le travail de comparaison du diagnostic différentiel grâce à la création d'une base de données recensant les multiples facteurs responsables de lacunes de la voûte crânienne. Ce référentiel a permis l'élaboration d'un outil interactif de soutien au diagnostic différentiel sur la plateforme collaborative de gestion de données Xper3, la première de ce type. Notre revue bibliographique de la littérature anthropologique et médicale a rassemblé dans une base de données les caractéristiques morphologiques des lacunes produites par 79 étiologies en fonction de 13 critères de description quantitatifs et qualitatifs. La comparaison d'un cas archéologique avec des cas connus par l'intermédiaire de l'outil interactif facilite alors le travail de recherches comparatives, oriente l'observateur vers des étiologies potentiellement compatibles et consolide le diagnostic différentiel en augmentant rapidement le nombre de facteurs à discuter.

International audience

This article focuses on Neolithic skeletons associated with the first monumental cemeteries of Western Europe and specifically those of the Cerny culture (Paris Basin, France). While this cultural context is an agrarian one, numerous arrowheads derived from complete hunting equipment are present in numerous graves. The goal of this work is to evaluate the morphological and pathological differences among the individuals according to the presence of arrowheads in their graves. It is postulated that those buried with such artifacts practiced archery, unlike their counterparts. Only adult males were selected for study to limit the effect of non-mechanical factors such as age- and sex-related modifications. The corpus consists of 36 males reliably identified among the 101 Cerny adults currently available. Thirteen men are associated with arrowheads. Variations in morphology and robusticity are evaluated on the basis of the external geometric properties of the appendicular skeleton. Entheseal changes to fibrocartilaginous attachment sites of upper and lower limbs are also examined. Both nonpathological skeletal adaptations and pathological indicators are consistent and reveal significant differences between the two groups compared. Functional adaptation is observed in the forearm bones and the clavicle in response to mechanical loads, and enthesopathies suggest repeated forceful use of upper limb muscles. These osteological changes specifically reflect the higher intensity upper limb activity of the men buried with arrowheads and correspond with the medical data on known archers, suggesting that this specific forceful task is linked to the practice of archery.