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Objective: This study seeks to contribute to the current understanding of dietary variation in the late Prehistory of the northeastern Iberian Peninsula by examining buccal dental microwear patterns alongside archeological data from the same populations., Materials and Methods: Teeth from 84 adult individuals from eight distinct samples spanning the Middle-Late Neolithic to the Middle Bronze Age (Cova de l'Avi, Cova de Can Sadurní, Cova de la Guineu, Cova Foradada, Cova del Trader, Roc de les Orenetes, Cova del Gegant, Cova dels Galls Carboners) were analyzed using optical microscopy to examine buccal dental microwear patterns., Results: The analysis did not reveal clear chronological contrasts in the dietary habits of these samples. Nevertheless, significant differences emerged among the samples, leading to their classification into two distinct sets based on the abrasiveness of the diet informed by the microwear patterns. These findings offer similarities and differences among samples in the Iberian Peninsula, shedding light on the diverse lifestyles of these individuals., Discussion: Integrating our new results with other available proxies points to a multifaceted specialization in dietary patterns among these samples, influenced by factors such as habitat, resource selection, and available technology. By contextualizing the results within the broader context of the Iberian Peninsula, this research discerns shared characteristics and distinctive adaptations in the dietary practices and subsistence strategies of these groups. Ultimately, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the intricate interplay between culture and environment in shaping human diets throughout late Prehistory., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Objective: To determine the risk factors associated with disability in patients who had a stroke in northeastern Mexico., Design: This was an observational, retrospective, cross-sectional study. SITE: Conducted at the Family Medicine Unit No. 33 of the Mexican Institute of Social Security in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico., Participants: One hundred and ninety-eight males and 146 females, above 18 years old, beneficiaries of the Mexican Institute of Social Security with a diagnosis of stroke between 2018 and 2021., Interventions: The Barthel index that assesses the degree of dependence to perform basic activities of daily living was applied to the participants and sociodemographic, biological and anthropometric variables were collected from the digital medical record., Main Measures: A univariate, correlational and ordinal logistic regression statistical analysis was performed between independent and dependent variables to obtain measures of frequency, percentages, and associated risks., Results: The risk factors associated with disability were age (OR 1.03, CI 1.01-1.05), overweight (OR 1.81, CI 1.03-3.1), obesity grade I (OR 2.74, CI 1.46-5.1), obesity grade II (OR 4.38, CI 1.44-13), obesity grade III (OR 9.99, CI 2.12-47); type of stroke: ischemic (OR 4.60, CI 2.6-8) or thrombotic (OR 4.95, CI 1.57-15). The number of comorbidities was associated with disability when having one comorbidity (OR 2.80, CI 1.22-6.4), two comorbidities (OR 3.43, CI 1.37-8.5), three comorbidities (OR 2.71, CI 1.01-7.3), and with five comorbidities (OR 3.17, CI 1.01-9.9)., Conclusions: The risk factors found for disability were age, overweight, obesity, and type of ischemic and thrombotic stroke. Being cared for by a relative and/or spouse reduces the probability of disability., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Forty-eight litters were used, with a total number of 645 piglets involved in the study. The split-suckling technique was applied to half of the litters at the end of farrowing by removing the heaviest piglets over three periods of 1 h. The piglets were individually weighed at 0, 1 d, and at weaning. Piglet losses were recorded daily. Traceability was maintained until the carcass splitting and meat analysis took place. Carcasses were eviscerated and weighed individually. Total mortality at weaning was affected by body weight, where the low-body-weight piglets showed a mortality rate almost four times higher than that of the normal-weight piglets. Mortality was highest in the first days of life, especially in the low-body-weight piglets. At weaning, split-suckling treatment caused a slight increase in mortality compared to the control group piglets (25% vs. 17.1%). Split-suckling had a positive effect on weight gain during the first 24 h of life ( p = 0.014), and there was an interaction between treatment and parity ( p = 0.007), with split-suckling being more effective in the primiparous sows compared to the multiparous sows. The piglets from litters receiving the split-suckling treatment had a lower average daily gain during the lactation period ( p < 0.001) than the piglets from the control group. Weight gain during the first 24 h of life of the piglets subjected to split-suckling was higher than those of the control group. A lower IgG and α-tocopherol in plasma in the heavier piglets subjected to split-suckling treatment was observed in comparison to their respective control. The piglets from litters receiving the treatment showed a lower average daily gain during the lactation period ( p < 0.001) than the piglets from the control group. No difference in slaughter weight was observed according to treatment. The pigs which received split-suckling treatment showed lower subcutaneous fat thickness ( p < 0.0013) and higher lean meat yield ( p < 0.0027), this effect being more marked in pigs from primiparous sows. Intramuscular fat concentration was higher in the Longissimus Dorsi muscle of the low-body-weight piglets. In the pigs that received split-suckling treatment, a higher concentration of C18:3n-3 ( p = 0.036) and a tendency towards a higher concentration of C18:2n-6 ( p = 0.107) and unsaturation index ( p = 0.113) was observed in intramuscular fatty acids at slaughter, together with a lower concentration of C16:0 ( p = 0.053) and SFA ( p = 0.064). In conclusion, long-term response to split-suckling, particularly in low-birth-weight piglets, suggests an alteration in adiposity and metabolic regulation in these piglets that receive high levels of colostrum.

Objective: Molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) is a developmental defect of enamel affecting the first permanent molars and often the incisors and affecting approximately 13% of the current population worldwide. Here, we aim to highlight potential differential diagnoses of MIH in archaeological collections (taphonomic discoloration, amelogenesis imperfecta, fluorosis, rachitic teeth, etc.)., Methods: Causative factors of dental discolourations are identified through a literature review., Results: In an archaeological context, the sediments contained in the burial soil can lead to tooth discoloration. Taphonomic staining of the dentition may have a similar appearance to enamel hypomineralisation, and thus is a confounding factor that has the potential to cause miscalculation of the true prevalence of MIH within archaeological collections. Some rare medieval cases are reported in the modern literature but without microanalysis, misdiagnosis is possible. The aetiological factors of MIH are unknown but probably follow the multifactorial model involving systemic medical and genetic factors., Conclusions: Systematic detection and diagnosis of MIH during anthropological studies is therefore of great interest., Significance: The hypotheses that only contemporary agents are causative factors of MIH could be refuted by the discovery of individuals living before medication or pollutants. The identification of MIH in a group of individuals also provides information regarding the health status of a population and reflects stress occurring during the period of mineralisation of the first permanent molars after secretion of the enamel matrix., Limitations: Taphonomic alterations of archaeological remains prevent MIH diagnosis., Suggestions for Future Research: MIH diagnosis can be difficult in archaeological series and further non-destructive methods (microtomography, elemental analyses, etc.) are required., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Swine industries worldwide face a loss in profit due to high piglet mortality, particularly as a consequence of the marked increase in prolificity and low birth weight (BW) of piglets. This research studied the effect of BW and individual neonatal care provided to piglets on preweaning mortality, and the long-term effects on growth and carcass and meat characteristics. Litters from seventy-one crossbred sows (PIC 34) were included in the trial. Half of each litter did not receive any further management, and the remaining half received the pre-established management protocol of early assistance of neonatal care (NC). Along lactation, the low-BW piglets (weight equal to or less than 1.1 kg) showed a threefold higher mortality rate than piglets of higher weights (32 vs. 10%; p = 0.001), with mortality particularly concentrated within the first week after birth. No effect of NC treatment was observed on mortality ratio caused by crushing, but a significant effect was observed in low-BW piglets who died of starvation (p < 0.01). The effect of NC on growth is dependent on BW, and heavier piglets at birth benefit from NC treatment to a higher extent than low-BW piglets. Low-BW piglets showed a higher fatness (p = 0.003), lower lean cut yield (p = 0.002) in carcasses, and higher intramuscular fat (IMF) content (2.29% vs. 1.91%; p = 0.01) in meat. NC treatment increased the lean content in carcasses from low-BW piglets (p < 0.01). The monounsaturated fatty acids concentration was higher in lower-than-normal-BW piglets (48.1% vs. 47.1%; p = 0.002) and the opposite effect was observed for polyunsaturated fatty acids (13.6% vs. 15.7%; p = 0.002). NC treatment induced a higher concentration of n-7 fatty acids. In conclusion, NC treatment may be a useful practice to reduce mortality in low-BW piglets. Moreover, NC could affect carcass fatness and meat quality, thus suggesting a long-term effect on metabolism.

Objective: To reconstruct the etiology of a perimortem injury observed on a Neolithic - Chalcolithic cranium (5060 - 4400 yrs cal. BP)., Materials: A cranium of an old adult male individual belonging to a collective burial from Cova Foradada site (Calafell, Tarragona, Spain)., Methods: The cranium was analyzed macroscopically and microscopically using micro-CT scan., Results: The fracture on the right parietal bone presents characteristics of perimortem trauma. The morphology of the point of impact allows for the interpretation of this fracture as a result of impact by an object with a straight and sharp edge. In addition, the same cranium presents two healed antemortem injuries., Conclusions: The object that most likely caused the cranial fracture was a stone adze. The blow occurred from behind the individual, possibly by a right-handed attacker., Significance: The potential to link cranial fractures with specific tools increases our understanding of interpersonal violence during the Neolithic., Limitations: It is not possible to infer if this cranial injury was related to a large-scale intergroup confrontation or an intragroup violent event., Suggestions for Further Research: To investigate additional similar sites in the northeastern Iberian Peninsula to better characterize the fracture pattern caused by stone axes and adzes as well as other objects used as weapons during the Neolithic - Chalcolithic ages., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Evidence for the symbolic behavior of Neanderthals in the use of personal ornaments is relatively scarce. Among the few ornaments documented, eagle talons, which were presumably used as pendants, are the most frequently recorded. This phenomenon appears concentrated in a specific area of southern Europe during a span of 80 thousand years. Here, we present the analysis of one eagle pedal phalange recovered from the Châtelperronian layer of Foradada Cave (Spain). Our research broadens the known geographical and temporal range of this symbolic behavior, providing the first documentation of its use among the Iberian populations, as well as of its oldest use in the peninsula. The recurrent appearance of large raptor talons throughout the Middle Paleolithic time frame, including their presence among the last Neanderthal populations, raises the question of the survival of some cultural elements of the Middle Paleolithic into the transitional Middle to Upper Paleolithic assemblages and beyond., (Copyright © 2019 The Authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee American Association for the Advancement of Science. No claim to original U.S. Government Works. Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial License 4.0 (CC BY-NC).)

The Middle-to-Upper Paleolithic transition in Europe covers the last millennia of Neanderthal life together with the appearance and expansion of Modern Human populations. Culturally, it is defined by the Late Middle Paleolithic succession, and by Early Upper Paleolithic complexes like the Châtelperronian (southwestern Europe), the Protoaurignacian, and the Early Aurignacian. Up to now, the southern boundary for the transition has been established as being situated between France and Iberia, in the Cantabrian façade and Pyrenees. According to this, the central and southern territories of Iberia are claimed to have been the refuge of the last Neanderthals for some additional millennia after they were replaced by anatomically Modern Humans on the rest of the continent. In this paper, we present the Middle-to-Upper Paleolithic transition sequence from Cova Foradada (Tarragona), a cave on the Catalan Mediterranean coastline. Archaeological research has documented a stratigraphic sequence containing a succession of very short-term occupations pertaining to the Châtelperronian, Early Aurignacian, and Gravettian. Cova Foradada therefore represents the southernmost Châtelperronian-Early Aurignacian sequence ever documented in Europe, significantly enlarging the territorial distribution of both cultures and providing an important geographical and chronological reference for understanding Neanderthal disappearance and the complete expansion of anatomically Modern Humans., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

We assembled genome-wide data from 271 ancient Iberians, of whom 176 are from the largely unsampled period after 2000 BCE, thereby providing a high-resolution time transect of the Iberian Peninsula. We document high genetic substructure between northwestern and southeastern hunter-gatherers before the spread of farming. We reveal sporadic contacts between Iberia and North Africa by ~2500 BCE and, by ~2000 BCE, the replacement of 40% of Iberia's ancestry and nearly 100% of its Y-chromosomes by people with Steppe ancestry. We show that, in the Iron Age, Steppe ancestry had spread not only into Indo-European-speaking regions but also into non-Indo-European-speaking ones, and we reveal that present-day Basques are best described as a typical Iron Age population without the admixture events that later affected the rest of Iberia. Additionally, we document how, beginning at least in the Roman period, the ancestry of the peninsula was transformed by gene flow from North Africa and the eastern Mediterranean., (Copyright © 2019 The Authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee American Association for the Advancement of Science. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.)

The synthesis of a series of ionic liquids using 1-butyl 3-methylimidazolium (Bmim+) as a cation and different amino acids (AA) as anions (Bmim[AA]) is described. These ILs were used for the first time as reaction media to achieve more eco-friendly Paraoxon degradation. The results show that the degradation of Paraoxon in these Bmim[AA]s is accomplished with great efficiency and without an extra nucleophilic agent. Therefore, we propose that all the Bmim[AA]s used in this study have a dual role in the outcome of this reaction; as a nucleophile and a solvent to carry out degradation of the organophosphorous pesticide, Paraoxon. Both kinetics and product distribution results found in this study for Paraoxon degradation turned out to be promising, because this process is achieved in a reaction medium with a better environmental profile.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, highly disabling autoimmune disease that requires aggressive pharmacological treatment using immunomodulatory drugs grouped under the name of Disease-Modifying Anti-rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs). Leflunomide is one of the most frequently prescribed. This drug, through its mechanism of action is able to suppress key factors in the disease process. However, its use is not without side effects. While there are series that report that the most prevalent adverse effects are diarrhea, nausea, rash and alopecia, there are few reported cases of alopecia universalis secondary to the use of leflunomide. We present a case in the Regional Hospital of Talca and a review of the use of leflunomide.

In this paper, we propose a specific procedure to create gigapixel-like images from SEM (scanning electron microscope) micrographs. This methodology allows intensive SEM observations to be made for those disciplines that require of large surfaces to be analyzed at different scales once the SEM sessions have been completed (e.g., stone tools use-wear studies). This is also a very useful resource for academic purposes or as a support for collaborative studies, thus reducing the number of live observation sessions and the associated expense., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Herein, the reactivity and selectivity of the reaction of O,O-diethyl 4-nitrophenyl phosphate triester (Paraxon, 1) with piperidine in ionic liquids (ILs), three conventional organic solvents (COS), and water is studied by (31)P NMR, UV-vis, and GC/MS. Three phosphorylated products are identified as follows: O,O-diethyl piperidinophosphate diester (2), O,O-diethyl phosphate (3), and O-ethyl 4-nitrophenyl phosphate diester (4). Compound 4 also reacts with piperidine to yield O-ethyl piperidinophosphate monoester (5). The results show that both the rate and products distribution of this reaction depend on peculiar features of ILs as reaction media and the polarity of COS.

In total, 240 pigs were used to compare growth performance and carcass quality traits of immunocastrated males (ICM), surgically castrated males (SCM), and intact females (IF) of crossbreds from Large White × Landrace females and Duroc (DU) or Pietrain (PI) sires destined to the dry-cured industry. Between the 2 Improvac injections (87 and 137 d of age), ICM and IF had less ADG than SCM (P < 0.01). Also, ICM ate less feed than IF and both less than SCM (2.33, 2.55, and 2.77 kg/d; respectively; P < 0.001) and consequently, ICM had better G:F than SCM and IF (P < 0.001). From second Improvac injection to slaughter (137 to 164 d of age), ICM were more efficient than IF and both more efficient than SCM (0.346, 0.323, and 0.300 g/g; respectively; P < 0.001). The differences in growth performance among genders observed in this period were more pronounced for the PI than for the DU crossbreds (P < 0.05 for the interaction). For the entire experimental period (87 to 164 d of age), gender did not affect ADG for DU crossbreds but for PI crossbreds ICM and SCM had greater ADG than IF (P < 0.05 for the interaction). The ICM pigs had better feed efficiency (0.406, 0.364, and 0.380; g/g; P < 0.001) and lower carcass yield (76.6, 78.1, and 78.8%; P < 0.001) than SCM or IF. Carcasses from IF were leaner than carcasses from SCM with carcasses from ICM being intermediate (P < 0.01). Ham and loin (P < 0.001) yields were greater for IF than for ICM or SCM. Intramuscular fat content was lower for IF than for SCM with that of ICM being intermediate (3.5 vs. 3.9 and 3.7%; P < 0.05). Cumulatively, crossbreds from DU sires had greater ADG (1.167 vs. 0.986 kg/d; P < 0.001) and ADFI (3.07 vs. 2.56 kg/d; P < 0.001) and more intramuscular fat (P < 0.001) but less ham and loin yields (P < 0.01) than crossbreds from PI sires. It is concluded that growth performance was better but carcass yield less for ICM than for SCM and IF. Intramuscular fat content in LM was less for IF than for SCM with ICM intermediate. Crossbreds from Duroc sires grew faster and had more intramuscular fat but less ham yield than crossbreds from Pietrain sires. Therefore, ICM should be preferred to SCM and Duroc crossbreds should be preferred to Pietrain crossbreds to produce carcasses destined to the production of primal cuts for the dry-cured industry.

In total, 360 pigs slaughtered at 125 kg of BW and destined for the dry-cured industry were used to study the influence of sex and castration [immunocastrated males (IMC), surgically castrated males (CM), and intact females (IF)] in 2 terminal Large White sire lines [Top York (TY) and Tempo (TE)] on growth performance and carcass and meat quality. The female line was Large White × Landrace. The IMC pigs were immunized against gonadotropin-releasing factor (GnRF) with Improvac at 78 (experimental d 16) and 126 (experimental d 64, 48 d before slaughter) d of age. Each of the 6 treatments was replicated 6 times (10 pigs/pen). Through the day of the first Improvac injection (62 to 78 d of age), IMC and IF grew at a slower rate (P < 0.001) than CM with no differences (P = 0.95) in feed intake. The CM had greater G:F than IF, with IMC being intermediate (P < 0.01). From 78 to 126 d of age (between Improvac injections), the IMC pigs ate less feed (P < 0.001) and grew at a slower rate than CM, with IF being intermediate. The IMC pigs were more feed efficient than IF, and both were more efficient than CM (P < 0.001). However, from 126 to 174 d of age (from the second Improvac injection to slaughter), IMC pigs grew at a faster rate (P < 0.001) and were more efficient (P < 0.001) than IF and CM. Overall, IMC and CM pigs grew at a faster rate (P < 0.01) than IF, and IMC were more efficient than the other sexes (P < 0.001), but had reduced (P < 0.001) carcass yield compared with CM and IF. The IMC and IF pigs also had less (P < 0.001) backfat depth than CM. Intact females had greater (P < 0.01) loin yield but less intramuscular fat than IMC and CM and greater (P < 0.05) fresh and trimmed ham yields than CM, with IMC being intermediate. Crossbreds from TE sires grew at a faster rate (P < 0.001) than crossbreds from TY sires, but no differences (P = 0.23 and 0.14, respectively) were found for feed intake or efficiency. Crossbreds from TY produced greater (P < 0.05) fresh and trimmed ham yield, but less (P < 0.01) loin yield and intramuscular fat content than crossbreds from TE. In conclusion, IMC pigs are more efficient, but have less carcass yield than CM and IF. The intramuscular fat content is least for IF and similar for IMC and CM. Crossbreds from TE sires were larger and had greater intramuscular fat content, but slightly less trimmed ham yield compared with crossbreds from TY sires. Immunocastrated pigs can replace CM for the production of heavy pigs destined for the dry-cured industry. Because of increased carcass weight, crossbreds from TE sires may have an advantage over crossbreds from TY sires.

Isolated strains of halotolerant or halophilic lactic acid bacteria (HALAB) from Cotija and doble crema cheeses were identified and partially characterized by phenotypic and genotypic methods, and their technological abilities were studied in order to test their potential use as dairy starter components. Humidity, a(w), pH, and salt concentration of cheeses were determined. Genotypic diversity was evaluated by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction. Molecular identification and phylogenetic reconstructions based on 16S rRNA gene sequences were performed. Additional technological abilities such as salt tolerance, acidifying, and proteolytic and lipolytic activities were also investigated. The differences among strains reflected the biodiversity of HALAB in both types of cheeses. Lactobacillus acidipiscis, Tetragenococcus halophilus, Weissella thailandensis, and Lactobacillus pentosus from Cotija cheese, and L. acidipiscis, Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus farciminis, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus from doble crema cheese were identified based on 16S rRNA. Quantitative and qualitative assessments showed strains of T. halophilus and L. plantarum to be proteolytic, along with E. faecium, L. farciminis, and L. pentosus to a lesser extent. Lipolytic activity could be demonstrated in strains of E. faecium, L. pentosus, L. plantarum, and T. halophilus. Strains belonging to the species L. pentosus, L. plantarum, and E. faecium were able to acidify the milk media. This study evidences the presence of HALAB that may play a role in the ripening of cheeses.

A refugium is generally understood as an area where temperate species survive cold periods, such as the Iberian, Italian, or Balkan Peninsulas in Europe. Strictly speaking, this definition refers to what is known as a glacial refugium. However, there are various types of lesser-known refugia such as the interglacial refugium, which denotes a mountainous region at low latitudes, such as the Pyrenees, where species adapted to the cold survive during interstadial periods. The small-vertebrate association from the sequence of Cova Colomera, which is located on the southern face of the Pyrenees and contains the final cold spell of the Late Pleistocene and the beginnings of the temperate period in which we currently find ourselves (the Holocene), could constitute the first fossil evidence of such an interglacial refugium, thus providing new paleoecological data on the phenomenon.