Albert Zink | European Academy of Bolzano/Bozen (EURAC) (original) (raw)

Papers by Albert Zink

The PhD thesis presented by Magda Lewandowska is of general interest for experts in the field of ... more The PhD thesis presented by Magda Lewandowska is of general interest for experts in the field of medicine and molecular and evolutionary biology, as ancient DNA (aDNA) studies have the capability to reveal insights into the presence and evolution of infectious diseases and the mechanisms and genetic background of host-pathogen interaction. Despite that there are many studies available on the occurrence of TB in various populations of different time periods and geographic locations, there was only very few work done dealing with susceptibility genes and genetic predisposition to infectious diseases in ancient populations. Therefore, the PhD thesis makes an important contribution to this research field and helps to bridge the gap between the current knowledge on the presence of infectious diseases in the past and the genetic makeup of the human host.

Verfahren und eine Vorrichtung zum Ubertragen einer mikroskopischen, isolierten Probe (15), insbe... more Verfahren und eine Vorrichtung zum Ubertragen einer mikroskopischen, isolierten Probe (15), insbesondere eines membrangestutzten Mikrodissektates, von einem Objekttisch (13) zu einer Analyseeinrichtung, mit einer Ansaugeinrichtung (1), welche einen Nanosauger (2) mit einem Saugrohr (3) und einer Abschlussmembran (4) und eine mit dem Nanosauger (2) koppelbare Unter- /Uberdruckeinheit zum Ansaugen beziehungsweise Abblasen der Probe (15) auf die beziehungsweise von der Abschlussmembran (4) aufweist; und mit einer Tragereinrichtung (12) zum Tragen des Nanosaugers (2), welche mittels einer zugeordneten Positioniereinheit zum exakten Positionieren des Nanosaugers (2) in einer Probenentnahmeposition zum Ansaugen der Probe (15) auf die Abschlussmembran (4) und in einer Probenabgabeposition zum Abblasen der Probe (15) von der Abschlussmembran (4) verstellbar ist. Ferner betrifft die vorliegende Anmeldung ein Mikrodissektionssystem, welches eine derartige Vorrichtung umfasst, sowie ein Verfah...

Anthropologischer Anzeiger, 2000

JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, a... more JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact

HNO, 2004

... Die Mehrzahl der untersuchten In-dividuen zeigten normale anatomische Befunde Macroscopic and... more ... Die Mehrzahl der untersuchten In-dividuen zeigten normale anatomische Befunde Macroscopic and endoscopic examinations of the head and neck region in ancient Egyptian mummies ... pes und der Hammer aus seiner anatomi-schen Position luxiert (jeweils 22% der Fälle). ...

American Journal of Physical Anthropology

The Lancet, 2015

Sleep Slow Oscillations (SSOs), paradigmatic EEG markers of cortical bistability (alternation bet... more Sleep Slow Oscillations (SSOs), paradigmatic EEG markers of cortical bistability (alternation between cellular downstates and upstates), and sleep spindles, paradigmatic EEG markers of thalamic rhythm, are two hallmarks of sleeping brain. Selective thalamic lesions are reportedly associated to reductions of spindle activity and its spectrum~14 Hz (sigma), and to alterations of SSO features. This apparent, parallel behavior suggests that thalamo-cortical entrainment favors cortical bistability. Here we investigate temporally-causal associations between thalamic sigma activity and shape, topology, and dynamics of SSOs. We recorded sleep EEG and studied whether spatio-temporal variability of SSO amplitude, negative slope (synchronization in downstate falling) and detection rate are driven by cortical-sigma-activity expression (12-18 Hz), in 3 consecutive 1 s-EEG-epochs preceding each SSO event (Baselines). We analyzed: (i) spatial variability, comparing maps of baseline sigma power and of SSO features, averaged over the first sleep cycle; (ii) event-by-event shape variability, computing for each electrode correlations between baseline sigma power and amplitude/slope of related SSOs; (iii) eventby-event spreading variability, comparing baseline sigma power in electrodes showing an SSO event with the homologous ones, spared by the event. The scalp distribution of baseline sigma power mirrored those of SSO amplitude and slope; event-by-event variability in baseline sigma power was associated with that in SSO amplitude in fronto-central areas; within each SSO event, electrodes involved in cortical bistability presented higher baseline sigma activity than those free of SSO. In conclusion, spatio-temporal variability of thalamocortical entrainment, measured by background sigma activity, is a reliable estimate of the cortical proneness to bistability.

Anthropologischer Anzeiger, 2014

The Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo contain over 1800 preserved bodies spanning the 16th-20th centu... more The Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo contain over 1800 preserved bodies spanning the 16th-20th centuries A.D., many of which now show serious evidence of biodeterioration. In order to protect these remains, an extensive microbiological and molecular investigation was performed to clarify which biological agents are involved in the ongoing deterioration. Within the framework of the “Sicily Mummy Project”, samples were taken from skin, muscle, bone, hair, clothing and stuffing materials. Additional samples were removed from the surrounding wall materials, many of which display an unknown, intriguing rosy discoloration. Finally, air samples were taken to investigate the impact of this microbial contamination on the indoor air quality. The results obtained confirmed the presence of a heavy mould contamination. In some areas of the crypt the fungal spores in the air reached more than 2000 spores/m3. This high concentration of spores is not conducive to the conservation of the human remains ...

Anthropologischer Anzeiger, 2013

Tuberculosis (Edinburgh, Scotland), Jan 13, 2015

The paleopathological analysis of a well-preserved young adult female skeleton from the AD 7-8th ... more The paleopathological analysis of a well-preserved young adult female skeleton from the AD 7-8th century (Avar Age) in Hungary revealed multiple lytic lesions in all of the thoracic and lumbar vertebral bodies. The lesions were characterized by smooth marginal zones and space-occupying mass appearance. The considerable loss of spongy bone in the thoracolumbar vertebrae resulted in angular deformity and fusion, characteristic of the healing stage of TB. Osteolytic lesions were also observed on the vertebral processes, ribs and sternum. On the endocranial surface, abnormal blood vessel impressions were revealed, indicating some kind of meningitis. The X-ray and CT analysis of the affected bones detected abnormal structures and cystic zones of destruction. The lesions were however not always bordered by areas of increased density, which is typical in cystic TB. Vertebral remains were also subjected to biomolecular analysis in two different laboratories, which attested the presence of M...

Anticancer research

Since it is still an open debate whether malignant tumors are mainly influenced by environmental ... more Since it is still an open debate whether malignant tumors are mainly influenced by environmental factors, the frequency of such malignant tumors in historic populations with different living conditions is of particular interest. In the present study, we investigated the occurrence of malignant tumors affecting bone tissue in a population of mumrnies and skeletons, which had been excavated from the large necropolis of Thebes-West, Upper Egypt. Our study material comprised a series of at least 415 individuals (thereof 325 adults) dating from approx. 1500-500 B.C. All individuals had been mummified, but were severely damaged and partially broken by grave robbers, so that often only parts of the mummies/skeletons were available for investigation. The available specimens were subjected to careful macroscopic examination, while isolated findings were radiologically analyzed. Using this approach, we identified at least 4 cases showing malignant tumors affecting the skeleton. In two cases, ...

Annals of Anatomy - Anatomischer Anzeiger, 2013

This article appeared in a journal published by Elsevier. The attached copy is furnished to the a... more This article appeared in a journal published by Elsevier. The attached copy is furnished to the author for internal non-commercial research and education use, including for instruction at the authors institution and sharing with colleagues. Other uses, including reproduction and distribution, or selling or licensing copies, or posting to personal, institutional or third party websites are prohibited. In most cases authors are permitted to post their version of the article (e.g. in Word or Tex form) to their personal website or institutional repository. Authors requiring further information regarding Elsevier's archiving and manuscript policies are