Sistema Regional de Información
en línea para Revistas Científicas de América Latina,
el Caribe, España y Portugal

Objective: to evaluate the percentage of body fat (%BF) in adolescents from Jujuy, Argentina, with anthropometry and bioimpedance (Bio), and contrast the results with the body mass index (BMI), considering the altitude level in which the adolescents studied reside. Methods: An observational, cross-sectional, descriptive study was carried out in 540 adolescents (218 men; 322 women), from public schools in different regions of Jujuy. Weight, height, skinfold thickness and %BF Bio were measured. BMI and %BF were calculated with two equations (Siri and Slaughter). The data were grouped by sex, age (10-14; 15-18 years) and region of origin (highlands ≥2.000 m.a.s.l.; lowlands <2.000 m.a.s.l.). The correlation between BMI and % BF obtained with different methods, and the agreement of these categorized variables were analyzed. Results: Regardless of region and sex, with the three methods BMI and adiposity showed significant correlations: considerable in males (rho between 0.553-0.738) and in women from highlands, with Slaughter (rho between 0.553-0.752); very strong in women from lowlands, with the three methods, and from highlands, with Bio and Siri (rho between 0.785-0.873). In both sexes and regions, the concordances between nutritional status (BMI) and adiposity evaluated with the three methods were generally low (k between 0.047-0.510) and significant. Conclusion: BMI might be a good indicator for nutritional screening at population level, regardless of the altitude of the place of residence. However, at an individual level it seems necessary to complement it with adiposity assessment methods.

This paper presents the results of the application of various bioarchaeological methodologies and techniques on a set of human remains, which are part of the heritage of the Dámaso Arce Municipal Ethnographic Museum, located in the city of Olavarría (Argentina). The studies included morphometry to determine the age and sexual composition, the evaluation of the state of preservation and integrity of the remains, and an isotopic analyzes to associate the remains with possible geographical origins. The combination of these analyzes with the research into the museum's documents and the archives time allowed these sensitive cultural materials to be put in optimal conditions. In this way, the collection could meet the current legal regulations on the management of indigenous human remains and the international codes of ethics of museums.

Copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) are essential micronutrients that are involved in numerous metabolic activities. The Cu/Zn ratio is even more important than individual micronutrient concentrations, and is one of the parameters associated with the reduction of homeostasis during a stressful event. Since micronutrient deficiency and excess are not detected by anthropometric techniques, it is necessary to design experimental models to investigate the effects of these micronutrients and provide  information for the implementation of health prevention policies. Taking into account the Cu/Zn ratio, the objective of this work was to analyze the effect of combined Cu and Zn supplementation on genomic stability in peripheral blood cultured in vitro. Cells were cultured for five days. Eight treatments were implemented: three combinations with zinc sulfate (SO4Zn), copper sulfate (SO4Cu), and their respective controls. The comet assay was used to assess DNA damage and the damage index (DI) was determined. ANOVA and Fisher’s LSD method were used for statistical analysis. Significantly higher DI frequencies were observed as the Cu/Zn ratio increased. Considering that Cu and Zn play a fundamental role in maintaining genomic stability, and also in child growth, disease development, and aging, we recommend that adequate Cu and Zn daily intakes should be determined.

Recently, several studies on the Uruguayan population have shown that it is formed by unequal contributions from Europeans, Africans, Native Americans, and others. The native component is larger when maternal contribution is analyzed, but its ethnic/geographic origin remains unclear, as it is also unclear how and when these groups arrived. To contribute to the knowledge about prehistoric and historic peopling of the territory and its relations with other populations, 32 complete mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) were obtained by next generation sequencing. They belong to present inhabitants of the country, whose hypervariable regions were previously analyzed and whose identified haplogroups belonged to one of the four main haplogroups of Native American origin. Seven new subhaplogroups (A2be, A2bf, B2an, C1d1h, C1b30, C1b31and D1x) were determined, another was redenominated (C1d1d - present C1d1g), and the criteria to assign B2b6 and D1g5 were reviewed. The age of the new subhaplogroups was estimated between 4.554 and 11.985 years, while the age of C1d1g was estimated in 20.736 years. Some sequences could be related to different ethnic groups, or to several geographic regions such as Amazonia, Chaco, Pampa or Andes. The new subhaplogroup assignations, together with their geographic distribution and chronology, are discussed in relation to the general panorama of South America.

In bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology the most reliable skeletal element for sex estimation is the pelvis; nevertheless, when it is missing, other postcranial elements must be used. The main goal of this research is to provide sectioning points for sex assessment from humeral and femoral head diameters for three prehispanic and two contemporary Mexican populations. Using a sliding caliper, a total of 386 (45.3% female and 54.6% male) humeral and femoral head diameters were recorded. The sectioning point was calculated as the mean between sexes, and univariate independent sample t-tests were performed to test significant differences between sexes. The results demonstrate significant sexual differences in all populations and high percentages of correct sex classification (90%-94%). We conclude that the proposed cut-off points can be used as an alternative for sex estimation in Mexican populations, in contexts with incomplete skeletons and/or fragmented bones.

Fluoride (F-) has properties of great interest in relation to human health. In concentrations lower than 1mgF-/L it it favors hard tissue mineralization. However, chronic intake of water with concentrations greater than 1 mg F-/L produces fluorosis. In the province of Córdoba, studies in current populations detected this pathology in different localities. The highest values of F- in water were found in the southern, northwestern and northeastern regions, in contrast to those of the central-western region, which made it possible to delimit zones with high fluoride content in watercourses. This work aims to evaluate the impact of dental fluorosis in human remains from archaeological sites in the province and relate it to the F- content in the waters of regions surrounding the findings. Thirty-eight individuals (27 male and 11 female) from different regions of the province of Córdoba were analyzed and indicators of dental fluorosis such as hypoplasia and alterations in enamel color were recorded. In addition, the frequencies of caries, root remains, enamel fractures, sequelae of periapical processes and the condition of the alveolar tables were surveyed, to assess the individuals’ oral health. The results show that 21 individuals (55,3%) have signs of dental fluorosis, 13 males (34,2%) and 8 females (21,0%). The origin of the affected individuals suggests a relative correspondence with the results of current clinical studies and with the levels of fluoride in the waters of the province.

The aim of this research is to present an interdisciplinary study of a ceramic vessel, used as a funerary urn, together with the bioarchaeological analysis of an infant found inside, as well as the archaeobotanical study of the associated sediments, and the intervention and conservation of the urn, which was found in a private property in the village of La Población, Department of San Javier, Córdoba province, Argentina, and thus highlight the importance of articulating scientific work with museums and local communities. The archaeological intervention was requested by the Área de Arqueología of the Agencia Córdoba Cultura SE and the local museum, Museo Histórico Popular “Carlos Ferreyra’’ (San Javier-Yacanto). The find consists of an undecorated ceramic urn of globular morphology containing the remains of an infant child, which is infrequent find in the mountainous area of the province of Córdoba. The tasks consisted of the mechanical cleaning of the urn and the exhumation of the human remains, followed by the preventive conservation of both artifact and human remains, stabilization and construction of a suitable support for storage in order to avoid further damage. During these tasks, the analysis of the human remains was carried out to estimate the biological profile, sex, age, pathologies, among others. Samples of the associated sediments were taken in order to analyse macro- and micro-plant remains. The finding of this funerary urn prompted us to work together with the local museum and community on the preservation of such sensitive finds and to engage in activities related to heritage conservation, museum and public archaeology.

In this work a proteomic analysis by mass spectrometry of a human phalanx with a macroscopic alteration found in Cueva de Plaza archaeological site (Chubut, Argentina) is proposed, representing the first time that such analysis has been carried out on archaeological materials in Argentina. Two methods of protein extraction from archaeological bone remains are presented and their results were analyzed with a mass spectrometer. Both methods yielded non-exclusive, partially redundant and complementary results. Collagens, fibronectin, proteins from cartilage, bone, muscle and blood and, to a lesser extent, proteins associated with the immune system and other metabolic pathways were identified. These proteins are consistent with the existence of a healing trauma process in the analyzed bone element.