La industria osea de El Portalón de Cueva Mayor (Sierra de Atapuerca, Burgos). Biapuntados, puntas de flecha y agujas, morfología y funcionalidad.

Se presenta una parte de la colección ósea de El Portalón de Cueva Mayor de Atapuerca, En concreto se analiza la categoría de Apuntados, distribuyendo los objetos en sus diversos tipos y contextualizándolos cultural y cronológicamente. El lote se encuadra desde finales del Calcolítico al Bronce medio, y reúne piezas singulares para las que se pueden proponer intercambios de larga distancia, y objetos más comunes quizá, para el caso de las puntas de flecha, de producción local

An Overview of VPAC Receptors in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Biological Role and Clinical Significance

The axis comprised by the Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) and its G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), VPAC1, and VPAC2, belong to the B1 family and signal through Gs or Gq proteins. VPAC receptors seem to preferentially interact with Gs in inflammatory cells, rather than Gq, thereby stimulating adenylate cyclase activity. cAMP is able to trigger various downstream pathways, mainly the canonical PKA pathway and the non-canonical cAMP-activated guanine nucleotide exchange factor (EPAC) pathway. Classically, the presence of VPACs has been confined to the plasma membrane; however, VPAC1 location has been described in the nuclear membrane in several cell types such as activated Th cells, where they are also functional. VPAC receptor signaling modulates a number of biological processes by tipping the balance of inflammatory mediators in macrophages and other innate immune cells, modifying the expression of TLRs, and inhibiting MMPs and the expression of adhesion molecules. Receptor signaling also downregulates coagulation factors and acute-phase proteins, promotes Th2 over Th1, stimulates Treg abundance, and finally inhibits a pathogenic Th17 profile. Thus, the VIP axis signaling regulates both the innate and adaptive immune responses in several inflammatory/autoimmune diseases. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a complex autoimmune disease that develops on a substrate of genetically susceptible individuals and under the influence of environmental factors, as well as epigenetic mechanisms. It is a heterogeneous disease with different pathogenic mechanisms and variable clinical forms between patients with the same diagnosis. The knowledge of VIP signaling generated in both animal models and human ex vivo studies can potentially be translated to clinical reality. Most recently, the beneficial effects of nanoparticles of VIP self-associated with sterically stabilized micelles have been reported in a murine model of RA. Another novel research area is beginning to define the receptors as biomarkers in RA, with their expression levels shown to be associated with the activity of the disease and patients-reported impairment. Therefore, VPAC expression together VIP genetic variants could allow patients to be stratified at the beginning of the disease with the purpose of guiding personalized treatment decisions

Diseño y caracterización de un consorcio bacteriano para la degradación de ripios de perforación base diésel

La industria petrolera frecuentemente genera grandes volúmenes de desechos, como ripios de perforación, lodos y suelos contaminados con hidrocarburos. Una de las alternativas empleadas para tratar estos residuos de la perforación es la biorremediación. Los consorcios son un buen modelo para estudiar las interacciones que se pueden dar entre las poblaciones bacterianas durante un proceso de biorremediación, ya que implican la acción concertada de diferentes microorganismos sobre un sustrato. El objetivo de la presente investigación fue diseñar de un consorcio bacteriano con capacidad de degradar los hidrocarburos presentes en ripios de perforación base aceite (diésel). Se aislaron seis cepas a partir de un ripio de perforación de un pozo y se caracterizaron mediante pruebas fisiológicas-bioquímicas, las cuales pertenecen a los géneros: Pimelobacter sp., Bacillus sp., Aeromicrobium sp., Arthrobacter sp., Pseudomonas sp. y Flavobacterium sp.  La capacidad de degradación de diésel se evaluó mediante la conformación de un cultivo mixto de las cepas, al cual se le se realizó el ensayo de inhibición. La velocidad de crecimiento de las cepas fue calculada mediante los métodos exponenciales y de incrementos. Al concluir el ensayo se evidenció una mejor capacidad de biodegradación de las cepas Pimelobacter sp. y Arthrobacter sp, para un 64,32 y 59,23 % de remoción de diésel en 45 días y elevada velocidad de crecimiento de Pimelobacter sp. y Pseudomonas sp. en fase exponencial en un período de 8 horas. El consorcio fue diseñado con las cepas Pimelobacter sp., Arthrobacter sp. y Pseudomonas sp

The management of bone tools from the Bronze Age site of El Portalón of Cueva Mayor, Sierra de Atapuerca, Burgos

Se analiza el utillaje óseo de la Edad del Bronce recuperado en el yacimiento arqueológico de El Portalón de Cueva Mayor, en la sierra de Atapuerca (Burgos). A día de hoy la Edad del Bronce es el periodo cultural mejor representado en la cavidad y su estudio nos ha obligado a unificar los distintos criterios de excavación y definición estratigráfica seguidos desde las primeras actuaciones arqueológicas de J.M. Apellániz hasta las del actual equipo de investigación de Atapuerca (EIA). Se han correlacionado, por primera vez, el inicial sistema de “lechos” de Apellániz y la reciente lectura sedimentaria que reconoce 11 niveles cuyas dataciones radiométricas se encadenan desde fines del Pleistoceno a la Edad Media. El conjunto óseo recuperado de la Edad del Bronce incluye útiles y elementos de adorno muy variados con características tanto autóctonas como alóctonas, que indican la existencia de relaciones a corta y larga distancia en el seno de las poblaciones prehistóricas del interior peninsular.In this paper we analyze the set of Bronze Age bone tools recovered at the archaeological site of El Portalón of Cueva Mayor in the Sierra de Atapuerca (Burgos). The Bronze Age cultural period is the best represented in the cavity and its study has forced us to unify the different excavation and stratigraphical criteria undertaken from the earliest archaeological excavations developed by J.M. Apellániz during the 70s until the excavations of the current research team (EIA) since 2000. We propose here for the first time a relationship between the initial system of “beds” used by Apellániz and our recent sedimentary sequence that recognizes eleven stratigraphic levels radiometrically dated from the late Upper Pleistocene to the Middle Age. Within the bone industry assemblage we recognize a large variety of utensils and ornamental elements, with native and allochthonous features, that make evident a regional as well as long distance relationships of these populations of the interior of the Iberian Peninsula during the recent Prehistory

Catalytic Performance and Electrophoretic Behavior of an Yttrium-Organic Framework Based on a Tricarboxylic Asymmetric Alkyne

A new Y-based metal-organic framework (MOF) GR-MOF-6 with a chemical formula of {[YL(DMF)2]·(DMF)}n {H3L = 5-[(4-carboxyphenyl)ethynyl] isophthalic acid; DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide} has been prepared by a solvothermal route. Structural characterization reveals that this novel material is a three-dimensional MOF in which the coordination of the tritopic ligand to Y(III) metal ions leads to an intercrossing channel system extending over three dimensions. This material has proven to be a very efficient catalyst in the cyanosilylation of carbonyls, ranking second in catalytic activity among the reported rare earth metal-based MOFs described so far but with the lowest required catalyst loading. In addition, its electrophoretic behavior has been studied in depth, providing a zero-charge point between pH 4 and 5, a peak electrophoretic mobility of -1.553 μm cm V-1 s-1, and a ζ potential of -19.8 mV at pH 10.This research has been funded by the State Research Agency (Grants RTC-2016-5239-2, CTQ2017-84334-R, PGC2018-102052-A-C22, and PGC2018-102052-B-C21) of the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, the European Union [European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)], and Junta de Andalucía (FQM-376 and FQM-394). S.R. acknowledges the Juan de la Cierva Incorporación Fellowship (Grant Agreement IJC2019-038894-I)

A Clinical Approach for the Use of VIP Axis in Inflammatory and Autoimmune Diseases

The neuroendocrine and immune systems are coordinated to maintain the homeostasis of the organism, generating bidirectional communication through shared mediators and receptors. Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is the paradigm of an endogenous neuropeptide produced by neurons and endocrine and immune cells, involved in the control of both innate and adaptive immune responses. Exogenous administration of VIP exerts therapeutic effects in models of autoimmune/inflammatory diseases mediated by G-protein-coupled receptors (VPAC1 and VPAC2). Currently, there are no curative therapies for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, and patients present complex diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic problems in daily clinical practice due to their heterogeneous nature. This review focuses on the biology of VIP and VIP receptor signaling, as well as its protective effects as an immunomodulatory factor. Recent progress in improving the stability, selectivity, and effectiveness of VIP/receptors analogues and new routes of administration are highlighted, as well as important advances in their use as biomarkers, contributing to their potential application in precision medicine. On the 50th anniversary of VIP’s discovery, this review presents a spectrum of potential clinical benefits applied to inflammatory and autoimmune diseases

Metrical analysis of bovine bone remains from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age at the El Portalón site (Atapuerca, Burgos) in the Iberian context

The discrimination of wild and domestic forms of animals is crucial to understanding the subsistence strategy of a site's inhabitants. In this study, a metrical analysis was carried out for the taxonomical identification of Bos taurus and Bos primigenius. Abundant bovine bone remains have been recovered from the El Portalón site's Neolithic, Chalcolithic, and Bronze Age levels. A metrical analysis and sex determination have been completed for these bone remains. The results of the metrical study suggest a significant decrease in bovine size during the transition from the Chalcolithic to the Bronze Age. The similar sex ratio (bulls/cows) among the levels and the similar mortality profile rule out management differences as a possible cause for this size change. The global trend towards aridification from the Middle Holocene onwards or the general climate event (4.2 Ka: transition Chalcolithic to Bronze Age) where social, demographic, and subsistence strategic changes occurred are considered probable causes of this decrease in cattle size

Estudio arqueométrico y contextual del brazalete de oro tipo Villena/Estremoz de la Cueva del Silo (Sierra de Atapuerca, Burgos, España)

We discuss the technological, chronological and cultural characterization, as well as the economic and ideological significance of an intact prehistoric gold bracelet found in the Cueva Mayor-Cueva del Silo karst system, in the Sierra de Atapuerca, Burgos, Spain. The study includes observation under optical (MO) and Scanning Electron (SEM) microscopes and an elemental analysis by Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The bracelet belongs to the well-known Villena/Estremoz (V/E) type within the Iberian Peninsula. The presence of this kind of gold object in the North Meseta of the Iberian Peninsula and its similarities to other examples of peninsular jewellery confirm the long-distance technological and cultural links or commercial exchanges between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean areas during the Bronze Age.Presentamos el hallazgo de un brazalete de oro encontrado en el sistema kárstico de Cueva Mayor-Cueva del Silo de la Sierra de Atapuerca (Burgos, España). Esta pieza excepcional, se caracteriza tecnológica, cronológica y culturalmente, así como su significado económico e ideológico en el contexto de la tecnología Villena/Estremoz (V/E) del Bronce final. El estudio se ha realizado mediante microscopía óptica (MO), y electrónica de barrido (MEB), y microanálisis elemental por dispersión de Rayos X (MEB-EDX). La presencia de este objeto de oro en la Meseta Norte y su paralelismo con otros ejemplos de la península ibérica confirmaría la conexión o intercambios tecnológicos, culturales y/o comerciales a larga distancia entre la vertiente atlántica y la mediterránea durante la Edad del Bronce

Feasibility and impact of Creciendo Sanos, a clinic-based pilot intervention to prevent obesity among preschool children in Mexico City

Background: Mexico has the highest adult overweight and obesity prevalence in the Americas; 23.8% of children <5 years old are at risk for overweight and 9.7% are already overweight or obese. Creciendo Sanos was a pilot intervention to prevent obesity among preschoolers in Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS) clinics. Methods: We randomized 4 IMSS primary care clinics to either 6 weekly educational sessions promoting healthful nutrition and physical activity or usual care. We recruited 306 parent-child pairs: 168 intervention, 138 usual care. Children were 2-5 years old with WHO body mass index (BMI) z-score 0-3. We measured children’s height and weight and parents reported children’s diet and physical activity at baseline and 3 and 6-month follow-up. We analyzed behavioral and BMI outcomes with generalized mixed models incorporating multiple imputation for missing values. Results: 93 (55%) intervention and 96 (70%) usual care families completed 3 and 6-month follow-up. At 3 months, intervention v. usual care children increased vegetables by 6.3 servings/week (95% CI, 1.8, 10.8). In stratified analyses, intervention participants with high program adherence (5-6 sessions) decreased snacks and screen time and increased vegetables v. usual care. No further effects on behavioral outcomes or BMI were observed. Transportation time and expenses were barriers to adherence. 90% of parents who completed the post-intervention survey were satisfied with the program. Conclusions: Although satisfaction was high among participants, barriers to participation and retention included transportation cost and time. In intention to treat analyses, we found intervention effects on vegetable intake, but not other behaviors or BMI. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01539070. Comisión Nacional de Investigación Científica del IMSS: 2009-785-120

Human Activities, Biostratigraphy and Past Environment Revealed by Small-Mammal Associations at the Chalcolithic Levels of El Portalón de Cueva Mayor (Atapuerca, Spain)

The Chalcolithic levels of El Portalón de Cueva Mayor (Atapuerca, Burgos, Spain) offer a good opportunity to test whether the small-mammal contents of different archaeo-stratigraphical units may be useful to characterize them as independent entities. With that purpose, we studied representative samples of small-mammal remains from the two main contexts identified: the Early Chalcolithic (EC) funerary context and the Late Chalcolithic (LC) habitat/stabling context, with the latter comprising three different archaeological units according to their origin, namely prepared floors, activity floors and stabling surfaces or fumiers. Following the distribution of taxa in their respective contexts, we performed several statistical tests to check for significant discrepancies between archaeological units. The exclusive presence of certain taxa, together with the statistical difference in relative taxonomic ratios, points to the integrity and unpolluted condition of the EC context. The interspersed arrangement of the different LC context’s units made them prone to inter-pollution as they are not statistically different. The unexpected presence of Pliomys lenki and Chionomys nivalis in the prepared floors evidences their Upper Pleistocene allochthonous origin. The EC levels of El Portalón contribute the first Holocene records of nine taxa in the Sierra de Atapuerca. An environment dominated by woodland, shrubland and wet meadows, with moderate presence of grassland, inland wetlands and rocky areas, is inferred from the small-mammal association of the EC levels