Relación entre alcoholemia, etilglucurónido y hepatopatía en cadáveres del Instituto Anatómico Forense de Madrid y su utilidad forense en la valoración del consumo de alcohol

El consumo abusivo de alcohol (etanol), por la ingesta de bebidas alcohólicas, es en la actualidad generador de riesgos en el ámbito social, familiar, clínico, psicopatológico y para el tráfico vial. El Management of Substance Abuse Team del Departamento de Salud Mental y Sustancias de Abuso de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS), identifica al consumo abusivo de alcohol como objetivo para la Salud Pública y lo denomina “the harmful use of alcohol” o “uso perjudicial o nocivo del alcohol”. En el 2011, la OMS publicó “The Global status report on alcohol and health”, donde se confirmó que el “uso perjudicial o nocivo del alcohol” es factor generador de: enfermedades, violencia, lesiones y muerte. Por otro lado, se considera que el consumo abusivo de etanol, es el consumo excesivo del alcohol proveniente de una bebida alcohólica reglamentada. Todas las acciones de riesgo que se cometen bajo la influencia del etanol, tienen gran trascendencia en el ámbito médico legal y forense ya que producen respuestas jurídicas específicas en los distintos campos del Derecho, como la imputabilidad penal, la capacidad civil, o la guarda y custodia de posibles hijos. Efectivamente, los riesgos por el consumo de alcohol pueden incrementarse todavía más, siendo importante diferenciar al bebedor habitual del bebedor excesivo para tomar medidas preventivas frente a diferentes situaciones producidas por la ingesta de las bebidas alcohólicas. Durante el consumo excesivo y posteriormente crónico, se producen cambios fisiológicos en el bebedor, los cuales pueden finalizar en una dependencia alcohólica (alcoholismo). Esta tiene una trascendencia legal muy importante hasta el grado de involucrar al ambiente y la sociedad que rodean al individuo dependiente. Así, es importante la determinación de un protocolo para diagnosticar el consumo de etanol y así poder identificar al individuo con consumo patológico, previniendo acciones que sean contarías a las leyes y normativas jurídicas. Un procedimiento correcto para diagnosticar el consumo de etanol, sería la cuantificación de marcadores de su consumo agudo y crónico, relacionando estos resultados con el diagnóstico histopatológico e incluir el uso de muestras que permitan realizar una valoración retrospectiva, determinando el consumo de etanol a lo largo de un período de tiempo determinado..

Phenotyping the ancient world: the physical appearance and ancestry of very degraded samples from a chalcolithic human remains

The genetic study of ancient samples is quite similar to a forensic critical sample analysis with an unknown origin. In both cases, it is not possible to compare the genetic information with other family members, being almost impossible to achieve the individual identification. The prediction of externally visible characteristics (EVC) of an individual and his biogeographical ancestry could definitely be a crucial contribution in a forensic casework. Therefore, the aim of the present work was the molecular study of a very critical sample, a Chalcolithic (3480 ± 30 YBP) individual found in Asturias, Northern Iberia, intending to discover a possible geographical ancestry for these remains, and the inference of a group of feasible EVCs (hair, skin and iris pigmentation). Given that ancient DNA is often highly damaged, two different methodologies were used in order to determine the biogeographical ancestry of the individual: mitochondrial DNA (HVR-I and -II) and Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms typing. Despite the antiquity of the samples, the genetic information recovered proved of great value. We could determine that the individual had a European ancestry, blond hair, light skin color and brown eyes. Such outcome reveals that it is possible to obtain not only biogeographical but also phenotypic information from a very critical sample

El origen de los individuos del yacimiento de Can Gambús (Sabadell, Barcelona). Resultados preliminares

El origen de las comunidades neolíticas en el noreste de la Península Ibérica ha sido estudiado básicamente a partir de la presencia de aquello conocido como “el paquete neolítico” (restos de cereales y animales domésticos, cerámica, industria pulimentada, etc.), de las dataciones por radiocarbono y más recientemente por los análisis genéticos. Aunque el foco de atención se ha dirigido hacia las primeras evidencias referentes a ese Neolítico Inicial (mediados del VI milenio cal BC), son muy pocos los estudios de periodos posteriores. En el caso del noreste de la Península Ibérica, hemos iniciado un primer trabajo sobre algunas de las sepulturas de la necrópolis de Can Gambús 1, Sabadell, Barcelona perteneciente a lo que se conoce como “Neolítico Medio o Cultura de los Sepulcros de Fosa (finales del V e inicios del IV milenio cal BC). El objetivo del presente estudio consiste en la determinación del origen biogeográfico por vía materna de cinco individuos del referido yacimiento, a través del análisis del ADN mitocondrial (mtDNA). Posteriormente a la extracción de ADN, se amplificaran dos fragmentos de las regiones hipervariables I y II del mtDNA, procediéndose a continuación a la purificación y secuenciación de las muestras. Los resultados obtenidos indican que el ADN está degradado, dado que han sido necesarios por lo menos 8 ensayos para obtener resultados fiables y reproducibles. Se ha podido obtener secuencias consenso y determinar que cuatro de los cinco individuos pertenecían al haplogrupo H6, actualmente uno de los haplogrupos presentes en Europa. Sin embargo, el análisis del quinto individuo ha revelado un haplogrupo distinto, J1c. Este resultado es particularmente importante ya que es coherente con la información previa del estudio de la paleodieta, indicando un origen biogeográfico distinto para este individuo.Peer reviewe

Investigación de parentescos biológicos en el Neolítico del NE de la Península Ibérica: el caso de la necrópolis de Can Gambús 1, Barcelona. Resultados preliminares

Ha sido habitual en la arqueología hacer suposiciones sobre el parentesco de las personas inhumadas en un mismo enterramiento o en tumbas diferentes de una misma necrópolis. No es extraño leer que aquellas sepulturas dobles donde hay un individuo del sexo femenino y niño sean “madre e hijo/a”. Sin embargo no existe criterio objetivo para tal afirmación. En el contexto arqueológico en el que estamos trabajando, el Neolítico del noreste peninsular, hemos iniciado los primeros trabajos para reconocer qué grado de parentesco existía, no sólo en las tumbas con dos individuos sino también entre distintos individuos de la misma necrópolis De esta forma, el presente estudio tiene como objetivos la investigación de posibles relaciones familiares entre 5 individuos encontrados en tumbas individuales, así como la determinación del sexo molecular, para una posterior comparación con la información arqueológica disponible. Para la determinación genética de los parentescos, se han considerado marcadores de ADN nuclear de pequeña longitud (“mini-STRs”), así como el análisis de fragmentos cortos solapantes de las regiones hipervariables I y II del ADN mitocondrial. Este último análisis pretende analizar específicamente relaciones por vía materna y posible determinación de un mismo linaje materno. Teniendo en cuenta la antigüedad y el estado crítico de las muestras, han sido necesarios, como mínimo, 8 ensayos para obtener resultados fiables y reproducibles. Con respecto a la investigación de polimorfismos de ADN nuclear, no ha sido posible obtener resultados concluyentes. Por consiguiente, no ha sido posible la determinación del sexo molecular de los individuos, ni de parentescos cercanos, como paternidad o hermandad.Peer reviewe

Presumptive tests: A substitute for Benzidine in blood samples recognition

The nature of the sample in a forensic case is one of the most important factors, since it determines the posterior analysis, helping to define or discard its identity (like blood versus semen). A presumptive test is a qualitative analysis that allows to identify, or confirm, the presence of a substance in a sample. These determinations usually occur, after a chemical reaction, and a specific colour is produced. A false positive is another substance reacting the same way, producing the expected result. The aim of this work was to evaluate the most effective presumptive test (with fewer false-positives) when analysing products that could look and behave like blood during a forensic screening assay. Eight different products were tested, like Betadine®, and four reagents were considered: Tetramethylbenzidine, O-toluidine, Leuchomalachite green and BlueStar® Forensic (BlueStar). Each product was tested with the reagents five times − mixed with human blood (3:1), with three different animal blood (3:1), and then unmixed. Our results indicated that Leuchomalachite green is the most suitable presumptive test, since it was the reagent with less false positives.This work was supported by G/6401400/8000 research project (Santander-Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain) for C.Gomes.Peer reviewe

Biological kinship analysis in extremely critical samples: The case of a Spanish Neolithic necropolis

It is common in archeology and some forensic cases to make assumptions about the relationship between persons buried in the same grave, or in distinct burials but in the same cemetery. However, there is no objective criterion to make such suppositions. This study aims to investigate the biological relationship among six Neolithic individuals (4200–3400 cal BC) from the Can Gambús-1 necropolis (Barcelona, Spain) as well as, their possible mitochondrial ancestry. From at least 47 tombs, six skeletons were selected, from six individual graves, selecting from each one three integral teeth, without cavities or caries. To carry out this study, the samples were analyzed by two distinct extraction methods, one destructive and other non-destructive, and to determine a presumptive (biological) kinship between the buried individuals, small length nuclear DNA markers were considered, as well as a mitochondrial DNA analysis, in order to determine their maternal lineage. The samples were extremely degraded, requiring several attempts to achieve sequences with a standard quality, without double peaks or other artefacts. Despite the degraded state of the samples, it has been possible to analyze the mitochondrial information and to determine that the studied individuals had a European ancestry, and were not maternally related, since they did not share the same mitochondrial haplotype.This work was supported by G/6401400/8000 research project (Santander-Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain) for C. Gomes. This work has been partially funded by HAR2015-67323-C2-2-P.Peer reviewe

“Inhibiting inhibitors”: Preliminary results of a new “DNA extractionamplification” disinhibition technique in critical human samples

The present study focused on the genetic analysis of a presumptive Bronze Age family burial, with at least six skeletons (Plana Castell, Barcelona, Spain). In order to investigate the individuals’ biological affiliation, a molecular study was undertaken, but it was impossible to obtain a positive DNA amplification. The excavation data indicated that the skeletons were buried in an old location used as a dumping ground, being very likely the presence of biological and/or chemical contaminants. To overcome this difficulty, we undertook several modifications both in the extraction as in the amplification protocol, like MgCl2concentration, or the inclusion of Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA). Despite their antiquity, the preliminary results indicate that all samples were effectively inhibited, and for the first time we were able to obtain mtDNA results, specifically, for the Hypervariable mitochondrial region 1. It also allowed us to infer that our protocol performance increased considerable, mainly the amplification modifications. In general, the best results were obtained with MgCl2 0,6 μL (20 mM) and BSA 2 mg/mL per sample. Our result is quite important in a forensic analysis, mainly in cases where corpse/s is/are buried directly in the soil

Maternal Lineages during the Roman Empire, in the Ancient City of Gadir (Cádiz, Spain): The Search for a Phoenician Identity

Phoenicians were probably the first eastern Mediterranean population to establish long-distance connections with the West, namely the Iberian Peninsula, from the final Bronze to the early Iron Age. For a long time, these colonies all over the Mediterranean Sea directly depended on an important city administration, Gadir, the most important metropolis in the Western Mediterranean. Modern archaeological excavations were discovered in Cadiz (Spain), the ancient city of Gadir, as well as possible Phoenician burial places. The purpose of the present work is the molecular study of 16 individuals, (V–IV millennium B.C, V A.D.) from several burial places found in Cadiz, attempting to disclose their maternal biogeographical ancestry. Furthermore, the determination of a possible biological link between two individuals found buried together was also an objective of this investigation. Of all the 16 analyzed individuals, eight of them produced positive results. Three main lineages were found: HV0, H and L3b. In general, the results support an Eastern origin for this set of individuals, reinforcing the theory of a Phoenician origin. Due to their historical period, in some cases, it was not possible to discard a Roman origin. Finally, the maternal kinship between two individuals found buried together was discarded

Maternal lineages during the Roman Empire, in the ancient city of Gadir (Cádiz, Spain): the search for a phoenician identity

2023 Descuento MDPIPhoenicians were probably the first eastern Mediterranean population to establish long-distance connections with the West, namely the Iberian Peninsula, from the final Bronze to the early Iron Age. For a long time, these colonies all over the Mediterranean Sea directly depended on an important city administration, Gadir, the most important metropolis in the Western Mediterranean. Modern archaeological excavations were discovered in Cadiz (Spain), the ancient city of Gadir, as well as possible Phoenician burial places. The purpose of the present work is the molecular study of 16 individuals, (V–IV millennium B.C, V A.D.) from several burial places found in Cadiz, attempting to disclose their maternal biogeographical ancestry. Furthermore, the determination of a possible biological link between two individuals found buried together was also an objective of this investigation. Of all the 16 analyzed individuals, eight of them produced positive results. Three main lineages were found: HV0, H and L3b. In general, the results support an Eastern origin for this set of individuals, reinforcing the theory of a Phoenician origin. Due to their historical period, in some cases, it was not possible to discard a Roman origin. Finally, the maternal kinship between two individuals found buried together was discarded.Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (España)Universidad Complutense de MadridBanco SantanderDepto. de Medicina Legal, Psiquiatría y PatologíaDepto. de Prehistoria, Historia Antigua y ArqueologíaFac. de MedicinaFac. de Geografía e HistoriaTRUEpubDescuento UC

Transparency in teaching quality: intradepartmental solidarity reflection of the evaluations obtained in the student surveys of the docentia program. Analysis of improvement factors

El objeto del proyecto es realizar una reflexión conjunta de profesores en diferentes departamentos, con el fin de identificar aquellos ítems, planteados por Docentia-UCM, que han arrojado resultados mejorables. Posteriormente serán contrastados con un panel de docentes calificados como “excelentes” (de los que algunos ya forman parte del presente proyecto), en base al programa, con excelencia en una jornada de reflexión, abierta a todos los profesores de cada departamento implicado, y a los delegados de las asignaturas impartidas por dicho departamento. Se busca la mejora de las evaluaciones de los profesores.Depto. de Medicina Legal, Psiquiatría y PatologíaFac. de MedicinaFALSEsubmitte