Bioarchaeological and palaeogenomic portrait of two Pompeians that died during the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD

The archaeological site of Pompeii is one of the 54 UNESCO World Heritage sites in Italy, thanks to its uniqueness: the town was completely destroyed and buried by a Vesuvius’ eruption in 79 AD. In this work, we present a multidisciplinary approach with bioarchaeological and palaeogenomic analyses of two Pompeian human remains from the Casa del Fabbro. We have been able to characterize the genetic profle of the frst Pompeian’ genome, which has strong afnities with the surrounding central Italian population from the Roman Imperial Age. Our fndings suggest that, despite the extensive connection between Rome and other Mediterranean populations, a noticeable degree of genetic homogeneity exists in the Italian peninsula at that time. Moreover, palaeopathological analyses identifed the presence of spinal tuberculosis and we further investigated the presence of ancient DNA from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In conclusion, our study demonstrates the power of a combined approach to investigate ancient humans and confrms the possibility to retrieve ancient DNA from Pompeii human remains. Our initial fndings provide a foundation to promote an intensive and extensive paleogenetic analysis in order to reconstruct the genetic history of population from Pompeii, a unique archaeological site

The westward lithospheric drift, its role on the subduction and transform zones surrounding Americas. Andean to cordilleran orogenic types cyclicity

We investigate the effect of the westerly rotation of the lithosphere on the active margins that surround the Americas and find good correlations between the inferred easterly-directed mantle counterflow and the main structural grain and kinematics of the Andes and Sandwich arc slabs. In the Andes, the subduction zone is shallow and with low dip, because the mantle flow sustains the slab; the subduction hinge converges relative to the upper plate and generates an uplifting doubly verging orogen. The Sandwich Arc is generated by a westerly-directed SAM (South American) plate subduction where the eastward mantle flow is steepening and retreating the subduction zone. In this context, the slab hinge is retreating relative to the upper plate, generating the backarc basin and a low bathymetry single-verging accretionary prism. In Central America, the Caribbean plate presents a more complex scenario: a) To the East, the Antilles Arc is generated by westerly directed subduction of the SAM plate, where the eastward mantle flow is steepening and retreating the subduction zone. b) To the West, the Middle America Trench and Arc are generated by the easterly-directed subduction of the Cocos plate, where the shallow subduction caused by eastward mantle flow in its northern segment gradually steepens to the southern segment as it is infered by the preexisting westerly-directed subduction of the Caribbean Plateau. In the frame of the westerly lithospheric flow, the subduction of a divergent active ridge plays the role of introducing a change in the oceanic/continental plate's convergence angle, such as in NAM (North American) plate with the collision with the Pacific/Farallon active ridge in the Neogene (Cordilleran orogenic type scenario). The easterly mantle drift sustains strong plate coupling along NAM, showing at Juan de Fuca easterly subducting microplate that the subduction hinge advances relative to the upper plate. This lower/upper plate convergence coupling also applies along strike to the neighbor continental strike slip fault systems where subduction was terminated (San Andreas and Queen Charlotte). The lower/upper plate convergence coupling enables the capture of the continental plate ribbons of Baja California and Yakutat terrane by the Pacific oceanic plate, transporting them along the strike slip fault systems as para-autochthonous terranes. This Cordilleran orogenic type scenario, is also recorded in SAM following the collision with the Aluk/Farallon active ridge in the Paleogene, segmenting SAM margin into the eastwardly subducting Tupac Amaru microplate intercalated between the proto-Liquiñe-Ofqui and Atacama strike slip fault systems, where subduction was terminated and para-autochthonous terranes transported. In the Neogene, the convergence of Nazca plate with respect to SAM reinstalls subduction and the present Andean orogenic type scenario

Microstructural Behaviors of Matrices Based on Polylactic Acid and Polyhydroxyalkanoates

Individual films of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) and polylactic acid (PLA) and their blends were developed by solvent casting. PHA was obtained from activated sludges from a wastewater-treatment system at a laboratory scale. This work focused on analyzing the microstructural properties and thermal behaviors of individual films of PHA and PLA as well as those of their blends. The behaviors of the biodegradation processes of the individual films and blends were examined from a microstructural point of view. ATR-FTIR spectra indicated the existence of weak molecular interactions between the polymers. The formulation of blend films improved the crystallinity of PLA; additionally, it induced the polymer-recrystallization phenomenon, because crystallized PHA acted as a PLA-nucleating agent. This phenomenon explains the improvements in the films´ water-vapor-barrier properties. The blends exposed to a biodegradation process showed an intermediate behavior between PLA and PHA, leading to a consistent basis for designing systems tailored to a particular purpose.Fil: Alzate Marin, Juan Carlos. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos; ArgentinaFil: Rivero, Sandra G. M.. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos; ArgentinaFil: Pinotti, Adriana Noemi. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos; ArgentinaFil: Caravelli, Alejandro Horacio. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos; ArgentinaFil: Zaritzky, Noemi Elisabet. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos; Argentin

Indução da carcinogênese mamária experimental em ratas com 7,12-dimetilbenz(a)antraceno

PURPOSE: To test an experimental model of chemical mammary carcinogenesis induction in rats. METHODS: Twenty young virgin Sprague-Dawley female rats, aged 47 days, received 20 mg of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) intragastrically by gavage. Afterwards, at 8 and 13 weeks, their mammary glands were examined. At the end of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed, and the mammary tumors were measured and weighed. Tumor fragments were analyzed using light microscopy. RESULTS: Eight weeks after DMBA injection, 16 rats presented at least 1 breast tumor (80%). After 13 weeks, all of them (100%) developed breast carcinomas that were confirmed by histopathological analysis. CONCLUSION: This experimental animal model of chemical mammary induced carcinogenesis is feasible and can be used in further experiments on the role of tumorigenic biomodulator substances.OBJETIVO: Testar um modelo experimental de indução química de carcinogênese mamária em ratas. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Com 47 dias de vida, 20 ratas Sprague-Dawley, jovens e virgens, receberam por gavagem intragástrica 20 mg de 7,12-dimetilbenz(a)antraceno (DMBA). Oito e 13 semanas depois da injeção de droga as mamas das ratas foram examinadas. Ao final os animais foram sacrificados e fragmentos dos tumores foram estudados ao microscópio. RESULTADO: Oito semanas depois da injeção de DMBA 16 ratas apresentavam tumor nas mamas (80%). Com 13 semanas todas desenvolveram carcinomas de mama (100%), que foram confirmados por análise histopatológica. CONCLUSÃO: Este modelo experimental de indução química de carcinogênese mamária é factível e pode ser empregado em futuras pesquisas para avaliar o papel de substâncias biomoduladoras da tumorigênese

Inclusion of Hermetia Illucens larvae or prepupae in an experimental extruded feed: process optimisation and impact on in vitro digestibility

This study investigated the effect of extrusion on digestibility of different blends containing Hermetia illucens (HI) larvae or prepupae. Five blends of HI larvae or prepupae and wheat flour, in a ratio of 25:75, with or without sunflower oil addition, have been formulated as follows: prepupae\u2009+\u2009wheat (no oil); prepupae\u2009+\u2009wheat (low oil); prepupae\u2009+\u2009wheat (medium oil); prepupae\u2009+\u2009wheat (high oil); larvae\u2009+\u2009wheat (no oil). Ether extract (EE) content in different blend was 31.5, 38.9, 46.3, 53.7 and 46.27\u2009g\u2009kg 121 on wet basis (wb), respectively. Blends were homogeneous for moisture (238.9\u2009g\u2009kg 121) and crude protein (112.6\u2009g\u2009kg 121 wb). Feed blends were extruded by a co-rotating, conical twin-screw mini extruder and net torque value (NTV) was recorded as indicator of extrudability. The best performing blend was furtherly tested at four barrel temperatures (60, 70, 80 and 90\u2009\ub0C). In vitro organic matter digestibility (OMD) and in vitro crude protein digestibility (CPD) were measured to evaluate the effect of extrusion process on nutritional value. Increasing the blend EE content up to 53.74\u2009g kg 121 wb, NTV was reduced by four times (<100 Ncm) compared to 31.5 and 38.9\u2009g kg 121 wb EE blends. The best performing mixture was larvae\u2009+\u2009wheat (no oil). Extrusion process increased OMD but not CPD compared to unextruded control, while different extrusion temperature did not affect OMD nor CPD. Concluding, extrusion can contribute to increase OMD in insect containing feed blends. EE content in the blends is a key variable that should be defined in the process

Pronounced dys-autonomic symptoms announcing a primary Sjögren's syndrome

Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease that involves the nervous system in about 20% of cases. In 25-92% of patients affected by Sjögren’s syndrome, neurological symptoms may precede the sicca syndrome. A 65-year-old male presented with a seven-month history of episodes of near-syncope, constipation, anhidrosis, disabling fatigue and asthenia. Physical examination was unremarkable, whilst the ECG revealed sinus bradycardia. Laboratory tests showed lymphopenia and normal inflammatory markers. In order to assess a potential autonomic neuropathy, “Deep Breathing Test” (E/I 1.02), “Lying to Standing Test” (R/R’ 0.95), and “Orthostatic Hypotension Tests” (T 120s Systolic reduction &gt;20 mmHg and Diastolic reduction &gt;10 mmHg) were performed, all of which were abnormal. ECG Holter monitoring revealed sinus bradycardia, and right bundle branch block with 24-h blood pressure monitoring revealing a diurnal hypotensive profile. The patient reported a three-month history of worsening dry mouth. On physical examination, the patient had anisocoria in response to light stimulation. Auto-antibody testing was performed to evaluate the presence of any autoimmune disease. The results of these studies included an abnormal elevation of ANA (1:320 speckled pattern), Ro/SS-a (&gt;240U/l), and La/SS-b (162 U/ml) antibodies. The patient was discharged with a diagnosis of “Autonomic Neuropathy Most Likely Due to Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome (SS)” and started the immunotherapy. After one month, he reported a significant improvement in his symptoms with a concomitant normalization of his “Orthostatic Hypotension Tests.” This case underlines the potential for dys-autonomic symptoms to precede the onset of sicca syndrome in patients with Sjogren’s Syndrome

Diffusion of Protease into Meat & Bone Meal for Solubility Improvement and Potential Inactivation of the BSE Prion

BACKGROUND: Government-imposed feed bans have created a need for new applications for meat & bone meal (MBM). Many potential new applications require MBM protein to be both soluble and free of infectious prion. Treatment with protease is generally effective in reducing insoluble, thermally-denatured proteins to soluble peptides. It has been reported in the literature that certain proteases, including Versazyme™, are able to degrade infectious prions in a system where the prions are readily accessible to proteolytic attack. Prions distributed within MBM, however, may conceivably be protected from proteases. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The overall rate of proteolytic MBM digestion depends greatly on whether the protease can penetrate deep within individual particles, or if the protease can only act near the surface of the particle. This research examined the barriers to the diffusion of Versazyme™ into particles of MBM. Confocal microscopy demonstrated differences in the density distributions between the bone and the soft tissue particles of MBM. By tracking the diffusion of fluorescently labeled Versazyme™ through individual particles, it was found that bone particles show full Versazyme™ penetration within 30 minutes, while penetration of soft tissue particles can take up to four hours, depending on the particle's diameter. From the variety of normal proteins comprising MBM, a specific protein was chosen to serve as a prion surrogate based on characteristics including size, solubility, distribution and abundance. This surrogate was used to measure the effect of several factors on Versazyme™ diffusion. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Results showed that surrogate distributed in bone particles was more susceptible to degradation than that in soft tissue particles. Three factors controllable by unit operations in an industrial-scale process were also tested. It was found that removing the lipid content and hydrating MBM prior to incubation both significantly increased the rate of surrogate degradation. In a test of particle size, the smallest collected diameter range demonstrated the largest degradation of the prion surrogate, suggesting milling would be beneficial