Sepulcres i enterraments a la Dertosa tardoantiga. Les excavacions del carrer de la Mercè (Tortosa, Baix Ebre)

En els darrers anys el nostre coneixement de les àrees d’enterrament tardoantigues a la ciutat de Dertosa ha augmentat significativament, gràcies sobretot a les excavacions que s’han produït a la zona del barranc del Rastre. En aquest estudi presentem les dades de caire funerari obtingudes de les excavacions efectuades al carrer de la Mercè entre els anys 2009 i 2010. És destacable la troballa d’un conjunt de sepulcres de cista del segle VI cobertes amb grans lloses de pedra. Aquesta modalitat d’enterrament, la qual ha d’estar destinada a personatges d’un rang social elevat, no s’havia documentat fins ara a Tortosa.In recent years, our knowledge about the late Roman burial areas of the city of Dertosa has increased significantly mainly due to the excavations that have been carried out in the Rastre ravine area. In this paper we present the data of funeral type obtained from the excavations of Mercè street between 2009 and 2010. Is remarkable the finding of a VIth century set of stone slab graves covered by ashlars. This type of burial, which must be reserved for individuals of high social rank, was unknown in Tortosa until now

PCSK9 plasma concentration is associated with epicardial adipose tissue volume and metabolic control in patients with type 1 diabetes

Cardiometabolic traits; Cardiovascular disease risk; Type 1 diabetesTrets cardiometabòlics; Risc de malaltia cardiovascular; Diabetis tipus 1Rasgos cardiometabólicos; Riesgo de enfermedad cardiovascular; Diabetes tipo 1Patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) have a greater risk of cardiovascular disease. Proconvertase subtilisin-kexin 9 (PCSK9) is involved in the atherosclerosis process. This study aimed to determine the relationship between PCSK9 levels and epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) volume and cardiometabolic variables in patients with T1D. This was an observational cross-sectional study including 73 patients with T1D. Clinical, biochemical and imaging data were collected. We divided the patients into two groups according to their glycemic control and the EAT index (iEAT) percentile. We performed a correlation analysis between the collected variables and PCSK9 levels; subsequently, we performed a multiple regression analysis with the significant parameters. The mean age was 47.6 ± 8.5 years, 58.9% were men, and the BMI was 26.9 ± 4.6 kg/m2. A total of 31.5%, 49.3% and 34.2% of patients had hypertension, dyslipidemia and smoking habit, respectively. The PCSK9 concentration was 0.37 ± 0.12 mg/L, which was greater in patients with worse glycemic control (HbA1c > 7.5%), dyslipidemia and high EAT volume (iEAT > 75th percentile). The PCSK9 concentration was positively correlated with age (r = 0.259; p = 0.027), HbA1c (r = 0.300; p = 0.011), insulin dose (r = 0.275; p = 0.020), VLDL-C level (r = 0.331; p = 0.004), TG level (r = 0.328; p = 0.005), and iEAT (r = 0.438; p < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis revealed that 25% of the PCSK9 variability was explained by iEAT and HbA1c (p < 0.05). The PCSK9 concentration is associated with metabolic syndrome parameters, poor glycemic control and increased EAT volume in patients with T1D.This work was supported by FIS PI16/00471 and PI20/00334 from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III/Ministry of Health, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER “A way to make Europe”/“Investing in your future”) and a grant from the Sociedad Española de Diabetes (SED). CIBERDEM (CB07/08/0016) is an Instituto de Salud Carlos III Project

Obesity Surgery Improves Hypogonadism and Sexual Function in Men without Effects in Sperm Quality

Obesity is associated with hypogonadism, sexual dysfunction, and impaired fertility in men. However, its effects on semen parameters or sexual function remain debatable. This paper involves a longitudinal study in men submitted for obesity surgery at a university tertiary hospital. Patients were studied at baseline and at 6, 12, and 18 months after obesity surgery. At each visit, anthropometry measures were collected and hormonal and semen parameters were studied. Sexual function was evaluated with the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). A total of 12 patients were included. The average body mass index of patients decreased from 42.37 ± 4.44 to 29.6 ± 3.77 kg/m 2 at 18 months after surgery (p < 0.05). Hormonal parameters improved after obesity surgery. The proportion of sperm cells with normal morphology tended to decrease from baseline and became most significant at 18 months (5.83 ± 4.50 vs. 2.82 ± 2.08). No significant changes were found in the remaining semen parameters. Erectile function improved significantly at six months after surgery. The authors believe that, in general, the effects of obesity surgery on fertility may be limited or even deleterious (at least in the short and midterm follow-up)

La Cella (Salou, Tarragona). Un puerto comercial en el litoral cessetano

We present the results of the archaeological excavation carried out between 2010 and 2014 at the protohistoric site of La Cella (Salou, Tarragonès). The work involved the excavation and interpretation of the site using multidisciplinary techniques. Of particular note were the site’s architecture and urban planning, which are atypical in Iberian sites in this region, and the volume of imported pottery that was recovered. These elements and the timeline of settlement proposed for the site, which covers the start of the 4th century up to the middle of the 3rd century BC, clearly distinguish it from any Iberian settlement in the region or in neighboring areas. These characteristics have led us to propose that the settlement was a commercial port and possibly inhabited by a mixed ethnic community of Mediterranean origin.Presentamos los resultados de la excavación arqueológica efectuada entre 2010 y 2014 en el asentamiento protohistórico de La Cella (Salou, Tarragonès). La realización de los trabajos y la interpretación de los resultados ha manejado técnicas interdisciplinares para la identificación de los espacios económicos del poblado mediante el análisis de muestras de sedimento. Destacan la arquitectura y el urbanismo del mismo, atípicos en el contexto ibérico de esta región, así como el volumen de cerámicas importadas recuperadas. Estos elementos, junto con la cronología de su ocupación (desde inicios del siglo IV hasta mediados del siglo III a.n.e.), distinguen claramente el asentamiento de cualquier otro ibérico del territorio o de las áreas vecinas. Estas particularidades nos han permitido proponer una funcionalidad de puerto comercial para el poblado, posiblemente habitado por una comunidad étnica mixta de origen mediterráneo

Divergent Effects of Glycemic Control and Bariatric Surgery on Circulating Concentrations of TMAO in Newly Diagnosed T2D Patients and Morbidly Obese

High circulating concentrations of the gut microbiota-derived metabolite trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) are significantly associated with the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). We aimed at evaluating the impact of glycemic control and bariatric surgery on circulating concentrations of TMAO and its microbiota-dependent intermediate, γ-butyrobetaine (γBB), in newly diagnosed T2D patients and morbidly obese subjects following a within-subject design. Based on HbA1c concentrations, T2D patients achieved glycemic control. However, the plasma TMAO and γBB concentrations were significantly increased, without changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate. Bariatric surgery was very effective in reducing weight in obese subjects. Nevertheless, the surgery reduced plasma γBB concentrations without affecting TMAO concentrations and the estimated glomerular filtration rate. Considering these results, an additional experiment was carried out in male C57BL/6J mice fed a Western-type diet for twelve weeks. Neither diet-induced obesity nor insulin resistance were associated with circulating TMAO and γBB concentrations in these genetically defined mice strains. Our findings do not support that glycemic control or bariatric surgery improve the circulating concentrations of TMAO in newly diagnosed T2D and morbidly obese patients

Clinical and outcome comparison of genetically positive vs. negative patients in a large cohort of suspected familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia

Biochemical suspicion of familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia (FHH) might provide with a negative (FHH-negative) or positive (FHH-positive) genetic result. Understanding the differences between both groups may refine the identification of those with a positive genetic evaluation, aid management decisions and prospective surveillance. We aimed to compare FHH-positive and FHH-negative patients, and to identify predictive variables for FHH-positive cases. Retrospective, national multi-centre study of patients with suspected FHH and genetic testing of the CASR, AP2S1 and GNA11 genes. Clinical, biochemical, radiological and treatment data were collected. We established a prediction model for the identification of FHH-positive cases by logistic regression analysis and area under the ROC curve (AUROC) was estimated. We included 66 index cases, of which 30 (45.5%) had a pathogenic variant. FHH-positive cases were younger (p = 0.029), reported more frequently a positive family history (p < 0.001), presented higher magnesium (p < 0.001) and lower parathormone levels (p < 0.001) and were less often treated for hypercalcemia (p = 0.017) in comparison to FHH-negative cases. Magnesium levels showed the highest AUROC (0.825, 95%CI: 0.709-0.941). The multivariate analysis revealed that family history and magnesium levels were independent predictors of a positive genetic result. The predictive model showed an AUROC of 0.909 (95%CI: 0.826-0.991). The combination of magnesium and a positive family history offered a good diagnostic accuracy to predict a positive genetic result. Therefore, the inclusion of magnesium measurement in the routine evaluation of patients with suspected FHH might provide insight into the identification of a positive genetic result of any of the CaSR-related genes

Efectos cardiometabólicos de la pérdida de peso

La prevalencia de sobrepeso y obesidad y, en consecuencia, de las comorbilidades relacionadas, está incrementándose de forma muy significativa a nivel mundial. Las guías recomiendan pérdidas de peso de > 5% para lograr efectos beneficiosos en las distintas comorbilidades metabólicas asociadas con la obesidad. Además, pérdidas de peso mayores (> 10%) producen mejorías más significativas, pudiendo incluso producir la remisión de algunas comorbilidades. En este capítulo, se revisa la evidencia del efecto de la pérdida de peso mediante distintas estrategias (cambios en estilo de vida, tratamiento farmacológico o cirugía bariátrica) sobre las principales enfermedades cardiometabólicas asociadas al exceso de tejido adiposo (diabetes tipo 2, hipertensión arterial, dislipemia, enfermedad hepática metabólica, inflamación, enfermedades cardiovasculares y mortalidad)

L'assentament protohistòric de l'Assut (Tivenys, Baix Ebre)

Des de l’any 2000, un equip de recerca de la Universitat Rovira i Virgili intervé al jaciment arqueològic de L’Assut. Les quinze campanyes efectuades fins l’actualitat, han permès localitzar i identificar un assentament amb una cronologia que va des d’almenys el segle VII a.n.e. fins al segle I a.n.e., amb 5 fases d’ocupació molt ben definides, essent un exponent clau i quasi bé únic per a entendre l’evolució històrica d’aquesta ampla regió durant la protohistòria.Since 2000, a team of Rovira i Virgili University is involved in the archaeological research of the site of L’Assut. The fifteen campaigns conducted until now have allowed to locate and identify a settlement with chronologies from at least the seventh century to the first century b.C., with 5 phases of occupation very well defined. It remains a key exponent and almost an unicum to understand the historical development of this region during the Protohistory

Vies de comunicació entre el Baix Ebre, la Terra Alta i la Ribera d'Ebre durant l'antiguitat. Les prospeccions del Barranc de Voravall, Canaletes, Xalamera, Riu Sec, i barrancs de Gandesa i Pinell

Les prospeccions efectuades al barranc de Xalamera (2006), al curs baix del riu Canaleta (2007), al barranc de Voravall (2008), al riu Sec (2009) i als barrancs del Pinell-Gandesa (2013), han estat motivades per l’interès d’avaluar sobre el terreny les possibilitats d’ús d’aquests passos naturals com a vies de comunicació durant l’antiguitat. S’han recorregut els trams que defineixen el llit d’aquests cursos hidrogràfics i els pujols que els delimiten, especialment a la zona de contacte amb el riu Ebre, comprovant les dificultats que presenten per a la circulació a peu o per mitjà d’algun sistema de locomoció animal, amb resultats diversos.The prospections made in the ravine of Xalamera (2006), of the low course of the river Canaleta (2007), in the ravine de Voravall (2008), in the river Sec (2009), and the ravines del Pinell-Gandesa (2013), they have been motivated for the interest of evaluating the possibilities of these natural ways as communication routes in the Iberian period. Within the framework of this research all the stretches of these hydrographic courses have been appealed, especially in the zone of contact with the Ebre river, checking out the difficulties that they present to circulate on foot or through some animal locomotion system, with different results

PCSK9 plasma concentration is associated with epicardial adipose tissue volume and metabolic control in patients with type 1 diabetes

Patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) have a greater risk of cardiovascular disease. Proconvertase subtilisin-kexin 9 (PCSK9) is involved in the atherosclerosis process. This study aimed to determine the relationship between PCSK9 levels and epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) volume and cardiometabolic variables in patients with T1D. This was an observational cross-sectional study including 73 patients with T1D. Clinical, biochemical and imaging data were collected. We divided the patients into two groups according to their glycemic control and the EAT index (iEAT) percentile. We performed a correlation analysis between the collected variables and PCSK9 levels; subsequently, we performed a multiple regression analysis with the significant parameters. The mean age was 47.6 ± 8.5 years, 58.9% were men, and the BMI was 26.9 ± 4.6 kg/m 2. A total of 31.5%, 49.3% and 34.2% of patients had hypertension, dyslipidemia and smoking habit, respectively. The PCSK9 concentration was 0.37 ± 0.12 mg/L, which was greater in patients with worse glycemic control (HbA1c > 7.5%), dyslipidemia and high EAT volume (iEAT > 75th percentile). The PCSK9 concentration was positively correlated with age (r = 0.259; p = 0.027), HbA1c (r = 0.300; p = 0.011), insulin dose (r = 0.275; p = 0.020), VLDL-C level (r = 0.331; p = 0.004), TG level (r = 0.328; p = 0.005), and iEAT (r = 0.438; p < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis revealed that 25% of the PCSK9 variability was explained by iEAT and HbA1c (p < 0.05). The PCSK9 concentration is associated with metabolic syndrome parameters, poor glycemic control and increased EAT volume in patients with T1D