Respostas isotópicas a velhas questões arqueológicas

This article summarizes some of the contributions of the stable isotope analysis to the knowledge about the strategies in food consumption of the pre-Hispanic societies that occupied Northwest Argentina, stressing how the isotopic information was interpreted to understand the intensification of maize (Zea mays) in different ecoregions: the Puna, mainly in the micro-region of Antofagasta de la Sierra (ANS, Catamarca) and the province of Jujuy; in the ecoregion of Monte de sierras y bolsones (hills and ravines monte), in the mesothermal and high valleys of Catamarca and Tucumán provinces and in the Quebrada de Humahuaca, Jujuy; and finally, in the San Francisco River basin (Yunga, Jujuy). The results obtained show different historical trajectories in the economic systems that took place in the macro-region, rather than linear and univocal trends over time.En este artículo se sintetizan algunos de los aportes del análisis de isótopos estables al conocimiento de las estrategias en el consumo de alimentos de las sociedades prehispánicas que ocuparon el Noroeste argentino, haciendo hincapié en cómo se interpretó la información isotópica para abordar la intensificación del maíz (Zea mays) en diferentes ecorregiones: la Puna, principalmente en la microregión de Antofagasta de la Sierra (ANS, Catamarca) y la Provincia de Jujuy; en la ecorregión de Monte de sierras y bolsones, en los valles mesotermales y altos de las provincias de Catamarca y Tucumán y en la Quebrada de Humahuaca, Jujuy; y por último, en la cuenca del Río San Francisco (Yunga de Jujuy). Los resultados hasta ahora obtenido muestran trayectorias históricas diferentes en los sistemas económicos que tuvieron lugar en la macroregión, antes que tendencias lineales y unívocas a lo largo del tiempo.  Este artigo sintetiza algumas das contribuições da análise de isótopos estáveis ​​para o conhecimento das estratégias de consumo alimentar das sociedades pré-hispânicas que ocuparam o Noroeste argentino, enfatizando como a informação isotópica foi interpretada para enfrentar a intensificação do milho (Zea mays) em diferentes ecorregiões: a Puna, principalmente na microrregião de Antofagasta de la Sierra (ANS, Catamarca) e na província de Jujuy; na ecorregião de Monte de serras e bolsões, nos vales mesotérmicos e altiplano das províncias de Catamarca e Tucumán e na Quebrada de Humahuaca, Jujuy; e, finalmente, na bacia do rio São Francisco (Yunga de Jujuy). Os resultados obtidos até o momento mostram diferentes trajetórias históricas dos sistemas econômicos ocorridas na macrorregião, ao invés de tendências lineares e unívocas ao longo do tempo

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm frequently shows occult central nervous system involvement at diagnosis and benefits from intrathecal therapy

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare aggressive myeloid neoplasm which shows a high rate of central nervous system (CNS) recurrence and overall survival (OS) of <1 year. Despite this, screening for CNS involvement is not routinely performed at diagnosis and intrathecal (IT) prophylaxis is not regularly administered in BPDCN. Here, we prospectively evaluated 13 consecutive BPDCN patients for the presence of CNS involvement by flow cytometry. Despite none of the patients presented with neurological symptoms, occult CNS involvement was detected in 6/10 cases evaluated at diagnosis and 3/3 studied at relapse/progression. BPDCN patients evaluated at diagnosis received IT treatment -either CNS prophylaxis (n = 4) or active therapy (n = 6)- and all but one remain alive (median follow-up of 20 months). In contrast, all three patients assessed at relapse/progression died. The potential benefit of IT treatment administered early at diagnosis on OS and CNS recurrence-free survival of BPDCN was further confirmed in a retrospective cohort of another 23 BPDCN patients. Our results show that BPDCN patients studied at diagnosis frequently display occult CNS involvement; moreover, they also indicate that treatment of occult CNS disease might lead to a dramatically improved outcome of BPDCN

Development and validation of a method for precise dating of female puberty in laboratory rodents: The puberty ovarian maturation score (Pub-Score)

Puberty is a key developmental event whose primary regulatory mechanisms remain poorly understood. Precise dating of puberty is crucial for experimental (preclinical) studies on its complex neuroendocrine controlling networks. In female laboratory rodents, external signs of puberty, such as vaginal opening (VO) and epithelial cell cornification (i.e., first vaginal estrus, FE), are indirectly related to the maturational state of the ovary and first ovulation, which is the unequivocal marker of puberty. Whereas in rats, VO and FE are almost simultaneous with the first ovulation, these events are not so closely associated in mice. Moreover, external signs of puberty can be uncoupled with first ovulation in both species under certain experimental conditions. We propose herein the Pubertal Ovarian Maturation Score (Pub-score), as novel, reliable method to assess peripubertal ovarian maturation in rats and mice. This method is founded on histological evaluation of pre-pubertal ovarian maturation, based on antral follicle development, and the precise timing of first ovulation, by retrospective dating of maturational and regressive changes in corpora lutea. This approach allows exact timing of puberty within a time-window of at least two weeks after VO in both species, thus facilitating the identification and precise dating of advanced or delayed puberty under various experimental conditions

Hypothalamic miR-30 regulates puberty onset via repression of the puberty-suppressing factor, Mkrn3.

Mkrn3, the maternally imprinted gene encoding the makorin RING-finger protein-3, has recently emerged as putative pubertal repressor, as evidenced by central precocity caused by MKRN3 mutations in humans; yet, the molecular underpinnings of this key regulatory action remain largely unexplored. We report herein that the microRNA, miR-30, with three binding sites in a highly conserved region of its 3' UTR, operates as repressor of Mkrn3 to control pubertal onset. Hypothalamic miR-30b expression increased, while Mkrn3 mRNA and protein content decreased, during rat postnatal maturation. Neonatal estrogen exposure, causing pubertal alterations, enhanced hypothalamic Mkrn3 and suppressed miR-30b expression in female rats. Functional in vitro analyses demonstrated a strong repressive action of miR-30b on Mkrn3 3' UTR. Moreover, central infusion during the juvenile period of target site blockers, tailored to prevent miR-30 binding to Mkrn3 3' UTR, reversed the prepubertal down-regulation of hypothalamic Mkrn3 protein and delayed female puberty. Collectively, our data unveil a novel hypothalamic miRNA pathway, involving miR-30, with a prominent role in the control of puberty via Mkrn3 repression. These findings expand our current understanding of the molecular basis of puberty and its disease states

Dicer ablation in Kiss1 neurons impairs puberty and fertility preferentially in female mice

Kiss1 neurons, producing kisspeptins, are essential for puberty and fertility, but their molecular regulatory mechanisms remain unfolded. Here, we report that congenital ablation of the microRNA-synthesizing enzyme, Dicer, in Kiss1 cells, causes late-onset hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in both sexes, but is compatible with pubertal initiation and preserved Kiss1 neuronal populations at the infantile/juvenile period. Yet, failure to complete puberty and attain fertility is observed only in females. Kiss1-specific ablation of Dicer evokes disparate changes of Kiss1-cell numbers and Kiss1/kisspeptin expression between hypothalamic subpopulations during the pubertal-transition, with a predominant decline in arcuate-nucleus Kiss1 levels, linked to enhanced expression of its repressors, Mkrn3, Cbx7 and Eap1. Our data unveil that miRNA-biosynthesis in Kiss1 neurons is essential for pubertal completion and fertility, especially in females, but dispensable for initial reproductive maturation and neuronal survival in both sexes. Our results disclose a predominant miRNA-mediated inhibitory program of repressive signals that is key for precise regulation of Kiss1 expression and, thereby, reproductive function.Kiss1 neurons are essential for puberty and fertility. Here, the authors show that canonical microRNA biosynthesis in Kiss1 neurons plays an essential role in the control of puberty and fertility, especially in females, likely via repression of repressors on the Kiss1 gene.</p

Hypothalamic miR-30 regulates puberty onset via repression of the puberty-suppressing factor, Mkrn3

Mkrn3, the maternally imprinted gene encoding the makorin RING-finger protein-3, has recently emerged as putative pubertal repressor, as evidenced by central precocity caused by MKRN3 mutations in humans; yet, the molecular underpinnings of this key regulatory action remain largely unexplored. We report herein that the microRNA, miR-30, with three binding sites in a highly conserved region of its 3 ' UTR, operates as repressor of Mkrn3 to control pubertal onset. Hypothalamic miR-30b expression increased, while Mkrn3 mRNA and protein content decreased, during rat postnatal maturation. Neonatal estrogen exposure, causing pubertal alterations, enhanced hypothalamic Mkrn3 and suppressed miR-30b expression in female rats. Functional in vitro analyses demonstrated a strong repressive action of miR-30b on Mkrn3 3 ' UTR. Moreover, central infusion during the juvenile period of target site blockers, tailored to prevent miR-30 binding to Mkrn3 3 ' UTR, reversed the prepubertal down-regulation of hypothalamic Mkrn3 protein and delayed female puberty. Collectively, our data unveil a novel hypothalamic miRNA pathway, involving miR-30, with a prominent role in the control of puberty via Mkrn3 repression. These findings expand our current understanding of the molecular basis of puberty and its disease states

PROCESOS DEL PENSAMIENTO EN EL LABORATORIO PEDAGÓGICO “HUELLITAS DE AMOR

En el Laboratorio Pedagógico: Programa de Estimulación Temprana  “Huellitas de Amor”, se viene experimentando cuatro procesos del pensamiento de la edad de 8 meses a 2 años. Divididos en cuatro grupos: Bebés exploradores : 8 a 12 mesesBebés descubridores : 13 meses a 17 meses, Bebés experimentadores: 18 meses a 22 meses y Bebés investigadores: de 23 meses a 27 meses. Cada grupo cuenta con un máximo de 10 niños.Las docentes trabajamos con estos procesos y nos damos cuenta que los bebés piensan y procesan información desde muy temprana edad y  lo expresan mediante gestos o acciones, teniendo como centro la COMPRENSIÓN, y  es desde aquí en donde el bebé va a empezar con los procesos del pensamiento

Análisis isotópico seriado de una muestra de cabello del individuo inhumado en el volcán Quehuar (Salta, Argentina)

En 1999 se rescataron en la cima del volcán Quehuar (Salta, Argentina), los restos congelados de un individuo joven, a una altura de 6130 msnm, siendo presumiblemente parte de un ritual de capacocha, y encontrándose parcialmente destruido debido a una explosión con dinamita realizada por saqueadores. En este trabajo se presentan y discuten los análisis de isótopos estables del carbono y nitrógeno sobre una muestra seriada de cabello del individuo con el objetivo de indagar los patrones de alimentación de su último año y medio de vida. Los resultados muestran una dieta que incluyó recursos bajo la vía fotosintética C4 y una escasa variación dietaria durante el lapso considerado. Estos resultados constituyen un aporte para la reconstrucción de las historias de vida de los niños y jóvenes asociados ainhumaciones de altura incaicas, dando cuenta de la diversidad de experiencias atravesadas por los mismo en los meses previos a su muerte.In 1999 the frozen remains of a young female individual of Inca affiliation were found on the summit of volcano Quehuar (Salta, Argentina) at an elevation of 6130 masl. The individual, part of a capacocha ritual, was partially destroyed due to a dynamite explosion executed by looters. In this work, the stable isotope analysis of carbon and nitrogen on a serial sample of hair is presented and discussed to investigate the eating patterns of the last year and a half of the individual's life. The results indicate a diet that included resources under the C4 photosynthetic pathway and slight dietary variation during the period considered. These results constitute a contribution to the reconstruction of the life histories of the individuals associated with high-altitude Inca burials, accounting for the diversity of experiences they went through in the months before their death.Fil: Killian Galván, Violeta Anahí. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Neveu Collado, Camila. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Filosofía y Letras; ArgentinaFil: Heras, Romina Florencia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Filosofía y Letras; ArgentinaFil: Zigarán, María Fernanda. No especifíca;Fil: Recagno Browning, Gabriela. No especifíca;Fil: Seldes, Verónica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Filosofía y Letras. Instituto de Ciencias Antropológicas. Sección Antropología Biológica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Uma abordagem isotópica da reconstrução de histórias de vida em sítios arqueológicos do Riacho de Amaicha del Valle (Tucumán, Argentina)

En este artículo analizamos los cambios en los patrones de consumo de alimentos a lo largo de la vida de cinco individuos (n=5), un subadulto y cuatro adultos, hallados en los sitios arqueológicos El Remate, Bajo los Cardones y Finca Cruz, todos ellos asociados al período Formativo (ca. 2500 – 1000 años a. P.) y emplazados en la Quebrada de Amaicha (Tucumán, Argentina). Se propone el análisis de la composición isotópica de carbono y nitrógeno en la dentina de diferentes secciones de una misma pieza dental y en diferentes piezas dentales de los cinco individuos. Esta vía permite comprender cómo las características de la dieta infantil afectan en la vida adulta, así como tener una perspectiva más inclusiva, al integrar al análisis individuos inmaduros, sobre las pautas de consumo en las sociedades agropastoriles de la zona de estudio. Se halló una escasa intravariación e intervariación, predominando recursos alimenticios enmarcados en el patrón fotosintético C4. La excepción es un individuo, probablemente femenino, que ostenta una alimentación basada en recursos C3 durante el primer período de vida, lo cual pudo ser resultado de la existencia de una “dieta de la niñez” o de un cambio en la residencia geográfica, siendo ambas áreas isotópicamente distinguibles. Finalmente, en este artículo se exponen los pasos metodológicos para la reconstrucción de historias de vida, mediante el estudio seriado de piezas dentales humanas, pues esta aproximación resulta novedosa, al ser la primera vez que es aplicada en restos humanos del noroeste argentino.In this paper, we analyze the changes in food consumption patterns throughout the lives of five individuals (n=5), one subadult and four adults, found in archaeological sites of El Remate, Bajo los Cardones and Finca Cruz. All of them are associated with the Formative period (ca. 2500-1000 years B. P.) and are located in the Quebrada de Amaicha (Tucumán, Argentina). We propose an analysis of the carbon and nitrogen isotopic composition in the dentin of different sections of the same tooth and in different teeth of the five individuals. This approach sheds light on the way in which the characteristics of children’s diets affect their adulthood, as well as providing a more inclusive perspective on consumption patterns in the agropastoralist societies of the study area by integrating young individuals into the analysis. Little intravariation and intervariation was found, with a predominance of food resources framed in the C4 photosynthetic pattern. The exception is an individual, probably female, whose diet was based on C3 resources during the first period of life. This could be the result of the existence of a “childhood diet” or of a change in geographic residence, with both areas being isotopi-cally distinguishable. Finally, we illustrate the methodological steps required to reconstruct life histories through the serial study of human dental pieces. This is a novel approach, which has been applied to human remains from the Argentine Northwest for the first time.Neste artigo, analisamos as mudanças nos padrões de consumo de alimentos ao longo da vida de cinco indivíduos (n=5), um subadulto e quatro adultos, encontrados nos sítios arqueológicos El Remate, Bajo los Cardones e Finca Cruz, todos eles associados ao período Formativo (ca. 2500-1000 anos a. p.) e localizados no Riacho de Amaicha (Tucumán, Argentina). É proposta a análise da composição isotópica de carbono e nitrogênio na dentina de diferentes seções de uma mesma peça dental e em diferentes peças dentais dos cinco indivíduos. Essa via permite compreender como as características da dieta infantil afetam na vida adulta, bem como ter uma perspectiva mais inclusiva, ao integrar à análise indivíduos imaturos, sobre os parâmetros de consumo nas sociedades agropastorais da área de estudo. Constatou-se uma escassa intravariação e intervariação, predominando recursos alimentares delimitados no padrão fotossintético C4 . A excepção é um indivíduo, provavelmente feminino, que ostenta uma alimentação baseada em recursos C3 durante o primeiro período de vida, o que pôde ser resultado da existência de uma “dieta da infância” ou de uma mudança na residência geográfica, sendo ambas as áreas isotopicamente distinguíveis. Finalmente, neste artigo, são expostos os passos metodológicos para reconstruir histórias de vida, mediante o estudo seriado de peças dentais humanas, pois essa abordagem resulta inovadora, ao ser a primeira vez que é aplicada em restos humanos do noroeste argentino.Fil: Killian Galván, Violeta Anahí. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Geocronología y Geología Isotópica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Geocronología y Geología Isotópica; ArgentinaFil: Ojeda, Pablo. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Facultad de Cs.naturales E Instituto Miguel Lillo. Centro de Investigaciones En Ecología Historica.; ArgentinaFil: Heras, Romina Florencia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Filosofía y Letras. Departamento de Ciencias Antropológicas; ArgentinaFil: Somonte, Carolina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán; ArgentinaFil: Baied, Carlos Alberto. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Facultad de Cs.naturales E Instituto Miguel Lillo. Centro de Investigaciones En Ecología Historica.; ArgentinaFil: Colaneri, María Gloria. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán; ArgentinaFil: Panarello, Hector Osvaldo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Geocronología y Geología Isotópica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Geocronología y Geología Isotópica; Argentin