Lithic resources as a proxy for the social use of territory among hunter-gatherers of Central Chile

This paper presents the results of a study of the composition of lithic raw materials from the contexts of archaeological sites of hunter-gatherers of Central Chile (latitudes 33° to 34.5° S) between 5000 to 1000 years BP. This territory is characterized by a wide distribution of certain coarse and medium-grained lithic raw materials (andesite, basalt and granite), preferably used in low formatted tools, and the specific location of those of fine grain (obsidian and siliceous rocks), suitable for bifacial reduction, only in some localities. In this analysis, 22 sites have been included, each of which presents different proportions of these raw materials in their context, a set that, when analysed in terms of the diversity of each case, generated clear spatial groupings which were ratified by means of a principle component analysis. These groupings of sites are located in direct association with the lithic landscape of different localities within the region, although we propose that the simple cost-benefit explanation would not account for their formation. According to the authors, these groups would be marked by behaviours that can only result from social restrictions on access to certain sources of these raw materials, especially considering that the distances between their location and the position of the different sources in several cases is not too large to be considered a factor in itself. These restrictions could be interpreted as the existence of socially different groups within the study area, a question that is compared with ethnographic data currently available on the size of the territories of different groups of hunter-gatherers and their annual mobility ranges.Se presentan los resultados de un estudio de la composición de materias primas líticas en sitios arqueológicos de cazadores recolectores tardíos de Chile Central (3000 años a.C. a 1000 años d.C.). En base a métodos estadísticos univariados y multivariados se propone que es posible definir la existencia de cuatro distintos grupos de sitios que tendrían marcados énfasis en el acceso a materias primas de grano fino aptas para la talla bifacial. Estos grupos se localizarían en directa asociación al paisaje lítico de distintas localidades dentro de esta región, aunque se propone que la simple explicación de costo beneficio no daría cuenta de la formación de estos grupos, los que están marcados por conductas que solo pueden resultar de restricciones en el acceso a ciertas fuentes. Estas restricciones podrían interpretarse como la existencia de grupos socialmente distintos dentro del área de estudio, cuestión que es comparada con datos etnográficos actualmente disponibles

Gut epithelial barrier dysfunction in lupus triggers a differential humoral response against gut commensals

Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease with multisystemic involvement including intestinal inflammation. Lupus-associated intestinal inflammation may alter the mucosal barrier where millions of commensals have a dynamic and selective interaction with the host immune system. Here, we investigated the consequences of the intestinal inflammation in a TLR7-mediated lupus model. Methods: IgA humoral and cellular response in the gut was measured. The barrier function of the gut epithelial layer was characterised. Also, microbiota composition in the fecal matter was analysed as well as the systemic humoral response to differential commensals. Results: The lupus-associated intestinal inflammation modifies the IgA+ B cell response in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue in association with dysbiosis. Intestinal inflammation alters the tight junction protein distribution in the epithelial barrier, which correlated with increased permeability of the intestinal barrier and changes in the microbiota composition. This permeability resulted in a differential humoral response against intestinal commensals. Discussion: Lupus development can cause alterations in microbiota composition, allowing specific species to colonize only the lupus gut. Eventually, these alterations and the changes in gut permeability induced by intestinal inflammation could lead to bacterial translocationGAP 838548, the Consejerı́a de Salud y Familias, Junta de Andalucı́a grant PE-0297-2019Ministerio de Economı́a y Competitividad grant SAF2016-78631-P (MA-R),Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación grant PID2020-113776GB-100Swedish Research Council, grant No 2022-0100

Strategies of urban regeneration in vulnerable areas: a case study in Castellón, Spain

Comunicació presentada a Sustainable City 2019 13th International Conference on Urban Regeneration and Sustainability (1–3 October 2019 Valencia, Spain)The 11th Sustainable Development Goal (UNO, 2030) for Sustainable Cities and Communities highlights the role of urbanisation in development and poverty reduction. Accomplishing this goal and promoting the implementation of the New Urban Agenda are crucial for local governments. Within the stated framework, we herein present some strategies of urban regeneration in the area Castalia-La Guinea in Castellón de la Plana (East Spain). The analysed area presents an old urban fabric with high immigration levels and heterogeneous characteristics, and constitutes an urban environment to be regenerated in a broader context. This area was previously defined in one of the complementary studies to develop the new Land-Use Plan in the city. This report defined the areas of rehabilitation, regeneration and urban renewal, which fall in line with Law 5/2014, of 25 July, on Territorial Planning, Urban Planning and Landscape for the Valencian community (Spain). They are considered vulnerable areas that should be prioritised to undertake urban interventions. The approach to revitalise the area was followed by implementing the “Guidelines for the Development of Strategies of Urban Regeneration for Municipalities of the Valencian Community” (Regional Valencian Government, Spain), which permits an in-depth diagnosis and the presentation of some proposals for its regeneration. The aforementioned guidelines aim to help interventions in the city that move towards a sustainable urban regeneration model. These interventions should focus on the protection, conservation and improvement of the urban fabric by the innovative use of integrated approaches in sustainable urban policies (socio-economic and environmental perspectives) in vulnerable areas. The guide uses the SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) methodology by means of a detailed diagnosis of the area, followed by the CAME (Correct, Adapt, Maintain and Explore) methodology, to propose effective intervention strategies

Effects of X-rays on Tuta absoluta for use in inherited sterility programmes

Tuta absoluta is a key pest of tomato crops originating from South America. The consequences of X-radiation on this species were studied under laboratory controlled conditions. The effect of radiation on adult emergence was evaluated exposing male and female pupae to increasing X-rays. Adult emergence decreased as doses of X-radiation increased, with the appearance of deformities such as malformed wings and bent legs at doses C350 Gy. Besides, males and females obtained from irradiated pupae were out crossed with untreated counterparts to explore the effects of X-radiation on inherited sterility. (a) Irradiated male 9 untreated female crosses. Both fecundity and fertility of the untreated females were reduced by radiation, and the effect was stronger as the doses increased. Neither the longevity of parental males and F1 adults nor the sex ratios of the F1 and F2 generations were affected by X-radiation (F1 and F2: first and second generation of descendants of irradiated adults). Inherited sterility effects weremanifested by a significant reduction in the F1 fecundity, F1 fertility, and the amount of larvae and pupae produced. Doses of 200?250 Gy could be used to induce inherited sterility in T. absoluta males. (b) Untreated male 9 irradiated female crosses. The minimum dose at which irradiated females were completely sterile was 200 Gy. The present study is the first study in T. absoluta that provides the starting point for implementing the inherited sterility in this species.Fil: Cagnotti, Cynthia Lorena. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Viscarret, Mariana Mabel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola; ArgentinaFil: Riquelme, Maria B.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola; ArgentinaFil: Botto, Eduardo Norberto. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola; ArgentinaFil: Carabajal Paladino, Leonela Zusel. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Segura, Diego Fernando. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: López, Silvia N.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola; Argentin

Subjetividades emergentes en las trayectorias académicas de jóvenes estudiantes de la FCPYS

Nuestro trabajo denominado Subjetividades emergentes en las trayectorias académicas de jóvenes estudiantes de la FCPYS, es producto de una política académica de la Facultad de Ciencias Políticas y Sociales, para incentivar y formar en Investigación, programa denominado “Cátedra Investiga”. Esto permite a los equipos de cátedra vincular en forma directa la docencia, con la investigación y abrir lazos para la extensión, ya que sus resultados pueden aportar a dicha área. El proyecto surge de diferentes intereses que convoca al equipo de investigación. La motivación por el tema, la inserción en ámbitos instituciones vinculados a contextos juveniles, las indagaciones que resultan de la propuesta de enseñanza aprendizaje de la Cátedra de “Problemática de la Familia, Niñez, Adolescencia y Ancianidad” de la Licenciatura de Trabajo Social, la línea de investigación que cuenta la directora del proyecto y algunos/as de sus integrantes, unido al deseo de iniciar una trayecto investigativo que incluya al equipo de cátedra en sí mismo. La propuesta de investigación aborda una problemática teórica vinculada a la disciplina y al espacio curricular que nos ocupa. Ofrece una descripción, análisis e interpretación de los fenómenos de la realidad social, de los contextos próximos a un grupo de estudiantes de la carrera, que dan cuenta de sus trayectorias académicas atravesadas por la pandemia. Pero también, cómo las subjetividades juveniles se expresan en dicha trama, dando cuenta de lo inédito y de lo emergente, aspectos que permiten re pensar la tarea docente y colaborar en el debate sobre el reconocimiento de las subjetividades que transitan la educación universitaria pública y gratuita. Las trayectorias académicas juveniles, están atravesadas por procesos acelerados de cambios y transformaciones, que exigen un constante reconocimiento. Demandan una reflexibilidad sostenida, en cuanto a lo conocido en términos de significados producidos desde diferentes estudios y de los/as sujetos significantes. En muchas ocasiones, termina por emerger como un/a sujeto inesperado/a por las instituciones, las prácticas profesionales y por ende en lo que se reproduce al interior de las aulas y pasillos de la Facultad en un contexto situado atravesado por la pandemia.Mesa de trabajo 5: Educación Eje temático 4: Procesos de formación e intervención profesional y producción de conocimientoFacultad de Trabajo Socia

Dynamics of the MRSA Population in a Chilean Hospital: a Phylogenomic Analysis (2000-2016)

La diseminación mundial de Staphylococcus aureus resistente a meticilina (SARM) está asociada a la aparición y el establecimiento de clones en zonas geográficas específicas. El clon chileno-cordobés (ChC) (ST5-SCCmecI) ha sido el clon de SARM predominante en Chile desde su primera descripción en 1998, a pesar del informe de otros clones de SARM emergentes en los últimos años. Aquí, caracterizamos la historia evolutiva de MRSA desde 2000 hasta 2016 en un centro de salud terciario chileno utilizando análisis filogenómicos. Secuenciamos 469 aislamientos de SARM recogidos entre 2000 y 2016. Evaluamos las tendencias temporales de los clones circulantes y realizamos una reconstrucción filogenómica para caracterizar la dinámica clonal. Encontramos un aumento significativo en la diversidad y riqueza de tipos de secuencia (STs; Spearman r = 0,8748, P , 0,0001) con un índice de diversidad de Shannon que aumentó de 0,221 en el año 2000 a 1,33 en 2016, y una diversidad efectiva (número de Hill; q = 2) que aumentó de 1,12 a 2,71. El análisis de la tendencia temporal reveló que en el periodo de 2000 a 2003 la mayoría de los aislados (94,2%; n = 98) pertenecían al clon ChC. Sin embargo, desde entonces, la frecuencia del clon ChC ha disminuido con el tiempo, representando el 52% de la colección en el período de 2013 a 2016. Este descenso estuvo acompañado por el aumento de dos linajes emergentes de SARM, ST105-SCCmecII y ST72-SCCmecVI. En conclusión, el clon ChC sigue siendo el linaje MRSA más frecuente, pero este linaje está siendo reemplazado gradualmente por varios clones emergentes, el más importante de los cuales es el clon ST105-SCCmecII. Hasta donde sabemos, éste es el mayor estudio de la dinámica clonal del SARM realizado en Sudamérica. © 2023 Martínez et al.The global dissemination of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is associated with the emergence and establishment of clones in specific geographic areas. The Chilean-Cordobes clone (ChC) (ST5-SCCmecI) has been the predominant MRSA clone in Chile since its first description in 1998, despite the report of other emerging MRSA clones in recent years. Here, we characterize the evolutionary history of MRSA from 2000 to 2016 in a Chilean tertiary health care center using phylogenomic analyses. We sequenced 469 MRSA isolates collected between 2000 and 2016. We evaluated the temporal trends of the circulating clones and performed a phylogenomic reconstruction to characterize the clonal dynamics. We found a significant increase in the diversity and richness of sequence types (STs; Spearman r = 0.8748, P , 0.0001) with a Shannon diversity index increasing from 0.221 in the year 2000 to 1.33 in 2016, and an effective diversity (Hill number; q = 2) increasing from 1.12 to 2.71. The temporal trend analysis revealed that in the period 2000 to 2003 most of the isolates (94.2%; n = 98) belonged to the ChC clone. However, since then, the frequency of the ChC clone has decreased over time, accounting for 52% of the collection in the 2013 to 2016 period. This decline was accompanied by the rise of two emerging MRSA lineages, ST105-SCCmecII and ST72-SCCmecVI. In conclusion, the ChC clone remains the most frequent MRSA lineage, but this lineage is gradually being replaced by several emerging clones, the most important of which is clone ST105-SCCmecII. To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest study of MRSA clonal dynamics performed in South America. © 2023 Martínez et al

Dynamics of the Mrsa Population in a Chilean Hospital: a Phylogenomic analysis (2000-2016)

The global dissemination of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is associated with the emergence and establishment of clones in specific geographic areas. The Chilean-Cordobes clone (ChC) (ST5-SCCmecI) has been the predominant MRSA clone in Chile since its first description in 1998, despite the report of other emerging MRSA clones in recent years. Here, we characterize the evolutionary history of MRSA from 2000 to 2016 in a Chilean tertiary health care center using phylogenomic analyses. We sequenced 469 MRSA isolates collected between 2000 and 2016. We evaluated the temporal trends of the circulating clones and performed a phylogenomic reconstruction to characterize the clonal dynamics. We found a significant increase in the diversity and richness of sequence types (STs; Spearman r = 0.8748, P \u3c 0.0001) with a Shannon diversity index increasing from 0.221 in the year 2000 to 1.33 in 2016, and an effective diversity (Hill number; q = 2) increasing from 1.12 to 2.71. The temporal trend analysis revealed that in the period 2000 to 2003 most of the isolates (94.2%; n = 98) belonged to the ChC clone. However, since then, the frequency of the ChC clone has decreased over time, accounting for 52% of the collection in the 2013 to 2016 period. This decline was accompanied by the rise of two emerging MRSA lineages, ST105-SCCmecII and ST72-SCCmecVI. In conclusion, the ChC clone remains the most frequent MRSA lineage, but this lineage is gradually being replaced by several emerging clones, the most important of which is clone ST105-SCCmecII. to the best of our knowledge, this is the largest study of MRSA clonal dynamics performed in South America. IMPORTANCE Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major public health pathogen that disseminates through the emergence of successful dominant clones in specific geographic regions. Knowledge of the dissemination and molecular epidemiology of MRSA in Latin America is scarce and is largely based on small studies or more limited typing techniques that lack the resolution to represent an accurate description of the genomic landscape. We used whole-genome sequencing to study 469 MRSA isolates collected between 2000 and 2016 in Chile providing the largest and most detailed study of clonal dynamics of MRSA in South America to date. We found a significant increase in the diversity of MRSA clones circulating over the 17-year study period. Additionally, we describe the emergence of two novel clones (ST105-SCCmecII and ST72-SCCmecVI), which have been gradually increasing in frequency over time. Our results drastically improve our understanding of the dissemination and update our knowledge about MRSA in Latin America

The pest kill rate of thirteen natural enemies as aggregate evaluation criterion of their biological control potential of Tuta absoluta

Ecologists study how populations are regulated, while scientists studying biological pest control apply population regulation processes to reduce numbers of harmful organisms: an organism (a natural enemy) is used to reduce the population density of another organism (a pest). Finding an effective biological control agent among the tens to hundreds of natural enemies of a pest is a daunting task. Evaluation criteria help in a first selection to remove clearly ineffective or risky species from the list of candidates. Next, we propose to use an aggregate evaluation criterion, the pest kill rate, to compare the pest population reduction capacity of species not eliminated during the first selection. The pest kill rate is the average daily lifetime killing of the pest by the natural enemy under consideration. Pest kill rates of six species of predators and seven species of parasitoids of Tuta absoluta were calculated and compared. Several natural enemies had pest kill rates that were too low to be able to theoretically reduce the pest population below crop damaging densities. Other species showed a high pest reduction capacity and their potential for practical application can now be tested under commercial crop production conditions.Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectore

Transancestral mapping and genetic load in systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with marked gender and ethnic disparities. We report a large transancestral association study of SLE using Immunochip genotype data from 27,574 individuals of European (EA), African (AA) and Hispanic Amerindian (HA) ancestry. We identify 58 distinct non-HLA regions in EA, 9 in AA and 16 in HA (B50% of these regions have multiple independent associations); these include 24 novel SLE regions (Po5 10 8), refined association signals in established regions, extended associations to additional ancestries, and a disentangled complex HLA multigenic effect. The risk allele count (genetic load) exhibits an accelerating pattern of SLE risk, leading us to posit a cumulative hit hypothesis for autoimmune disease. Comparing results across the three ancestries identifies both ancestry-dependent and ancestry-independent contributions to SLE risk. Our results are consistent with the unique and complex histories of the populations sampled, and collectively help clarify the genetic architecture and ethnic disparities in SL

Overexpression of the Cytokine BAFF and Autoimmunity Risk

$\textbf{BACKGROUND}$: Genomewide association studies of autoimmune diseases have mapped hundreds of susceptibility regions in the genome. However, only for a few association signals has the causal gene been identified, and for even fewer have the causal variant and underlying mechanism been defined. Coincident associations of DNA variants affecting both the risk of autoimmune disease and quantitative immune variables provide an informative route to explore disease mechanisms and drug-targetable pathways. $\textbf{METHODS}$: Using case-control samples from Sardinia, Italy, we performed a genomewide association study in multiple sclerosis followed by TNFSF13B locus-specific association testing in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Extensive phenotyping of quantitative immune variables, sequence-based fine mapping, cross-population and cross-phenotype analyses, and gene-expression studies were used to identify the causal variant and elucidate its mechanism of action. Signatures of positive selection were also investigated. $\textbf{RESULTS}$: A variant in TNFSF13B, encoding the cytokine and drug target B-cell activating factor (BAFF), was associated with multiple sclerosis as well as SLE. The disease-risk allele was also associated with up-regulated humoral immunity through increased levels of soluble BAFF, B lymphocytes, and immunoglobulins. The causal variant was identified: an insertion-deletion variant, GCTGT→A (in which A is the risk allele), yielded a shorter transcript that escaped microRNA inhibition and increased production of soluble BAFF, which in turn up-regulated humoral immunity. Population genetic signatures indicated that this autoimmunity variant has been evolutionarily advantageous, most likely by augmenting resistance to malaria. $\textbf{CONCLUSIONS}$: A TNFSF13B variant was associated with multiple sclerosis and SLE, and its effects were clarified at the population, cellular, and molecular levels. (Funded by the Italian Foundation for Multiple Sclerosis and others.).Supported by grants (2011/R/13 and 2015/R/09, to Dr. Cucca) from the Italian Foundation for Multiple Sclerosis; contracts (N01-AG-1-2109 and HHSN271201100005C, to Dr. Cucca) from the Intramural Research Program of the National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health (NIH); a grant (FaReBio2011 “Farmaci e Reti Biotecnologiche di Qualità,” to Dr. Cucca) from the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance; a grant (633964, to Dr. Cucca) from the Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program of the European Union; a grant (U1301.2015/AI.1157.BE Prat. 2015-1651, to Dr. Cucca) from Fondazione di Sardegna; grants (“Centro per la ricerca di nuovi farmaci per malattie rare, trascurate e della povertà” and “Progetto collezione di composti chimici ed attività di screening,” to Dr. Cucca) from Ministero dell’Istruzione, dell’Università e della Ricerca; grants (HG005581, HG005552, HG006513, and HG007022, to Dr. Abecasis) from the National Human Genome Research Institute; a grant (9-2011-253, to Dr. Todd) from JDRF; a grant (091157, to Dr. Todd) from the Wellcome Trust; a grant (to Dr. Todd) from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR); and the NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre. Dr. Idda was a recipient of a Master and Back fellowship from the Autonomous Region of Sardinia