Small-mammal diversity in Spain during the late Pleistocene to early Holocene: Climate, landscape, and human impact

We investigate changes in small-mammal richness and diversity in southwestern Europe (Iberian Peninsula) during the late Pleistocene–Holocene transition in order to evaluate whether they follow a climatic pattern or are predominantly determined by human impact, especially after the emergence of agriculture in the Neolithic period. We selected 6 late Pleistocene and Holocene sites that correspond to 18 different layers dated to between ca. 22 and 3 kyr B.P. Using indices of species richness and evenness diversity, we show that climate played an important role at some sites during the late Pleistocene and at the beginning of the Holocene, in that the richness and diversity of small mammals were closely related to the mean annual temperatures and landscape changes, and varied according to the different climatic fluctuations detected (Heinrich Event 1, Bølling-Allerød, and Preboreal-Boreal). However, at the beginning of the mid-Holocene, the small-mammal richness and diversity no longer seem to follow any kind of climatic pattern, and the observed changes in some studied sites are more closely related to human activities. By contrast with similar studies carried out in other parts of the world, the changes in diversity in the Iberian Peninsula do not seem to follow a constant pattern during the late Pleistocene and beginning of the Holocene. Some of the changes detected appear to be related to climate (late Pleistocene), and others appear to be related to human influence (Holocene) on the landscape

Proteomic Analysis of Circulating Monocytes Identifies Cathepsin D as A Potential Novel Plasma Marker of Acute Coronary Syndromes

We have performed a proteomic analysis of peripheral blood monocytes from ACS patients in comparison with healthy subjects and stable coronary patients in order to search novel biomarkers of ACS in circulating monocytes. Monocytes were isolated from blood of patients with non-ST elevation ACS (n = 27) at day 0, 2 and 6 months, and from patients with stable coronary disease (n = 10) and matched healthy controls (n = 11). The proteomic analysis of monocytes from ACS patients at day 0 showed that cathepsin D is differentially expressed compared to healthy subjects and stable coronary patients. Western blot analysis indicated that the mature form of cathepsin D at day 0 was overexpressed in monocytes of ACS patients in relation to healthy subjects. In contrast, the precursor of this enzyme, absent at day 0 in ACS patients, was highly expressed in monocytes of healthy subjects. Furthermore, the upregulation of the mature form of cathepsin D diminished along the time, while the expression of the precursor increased. ACS patients also showed significantly increased plasma cathepsin D levels on admission compared to healthy subjects and stable patients. Cathepsin D plasma levels diminished at 2 and 6 months to control values. Finally, cathepsin D levels were independent of the existence of coronary risk factors and CRP levels, correlating only with CD40L. Since this protease participates in the genesis and rupture of atherosclerotic plaques, it could represent a potential marker of ACS