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

It is well known that current Peruvian populations were formed by genetic contributions mainly coming from America, Eurasia, and Africa. It is also recognized that the initial population admixture primarily occurred between European men and Peruvian autochthonous women. However, there are few studies related to the genetic analysis of the allochthonous haplogroups. Thus, using the combination of the SNPs and STRs of the Y chromosome (patrilineal inheritance), the present study traces the allochthonous male immigration in the post Columbian period, and reveals that this component constitutes about 23% of the Peruvian population. Of this proportion, the highest contribution was made by R1b haplogroup (frequent in the Iberian Peninsula and throughout Western Europe), followed by E1b1b (frequent in North Africa and the Mediterranean). Moreover, there is a contribution from other haplogroups, although in low proportions. Our results confirm that the allochthonous paternal contribution in the Peruvian gene pool is predominantly from European and African populations. Besides, through DNA sequencing of mitochondrial control region, the data show that the overall allochthonous maternal contribution is too low (~ 3%), compared to the highest autochthonous mtDNA haplogroups found in Peruvian populations.

We have historicized Physical and Biological Anthropology, and Bioanthropology at the Faculties of Philosophy and Humanities (FFyH) and of Exact, Physical and Natural Sciences (FCEFyN) of the National University of Córdoba (UNC). This subdiscipline began at the Institute of Anthropology of the FFyH in 1965, and later branched off into the FCEFyN in 1967. Both spaces were led by Alberto Marcellino (1938-2021). In the 1950s and 1960s, Córdoba held a central place in the field of anthropological studies, with the UNC organizing and hosting academic meetings. In addition, research projects were carried out in Córdoba and Catamarca, mainly, but also in Santiago del Estero, Tucumán and Salta, promoting the studies of Cultural Anthropology, Folklore, Archaeology and Physical Anthropology. Through the stories of their main figures, we show that, although smaller in number compared to archaeologists and cultural anthropologists, those who devoted themselves to physical, biological and/or bioanthropology during the second half of the 20th century, were part of the development of Anthropology, generating innovative lines of research and training researchers who would later join other national universities of the province and the country. Through a mapping of interinstitutional and interpersonal relationships, we reconstruct Marcellino's trajectory, and that of those trained by him in classrooms and laboratories.

Individual 9, a 9 ± 3-month-old infant from the Middle-Holocene (6,650-6,170 years BP) found in Toca do Enoque rock-shelter in Piauí, Brazil, showed significant pathological bone changes and received exceptional mortuary treatment. Previous studies indicated administration of normative parental care and non-normative healthcare, although the differential diagnosis remained vague. This study reexamines the paleopathological diagnosis using X-rays, CT scans, and 3D reconstructions of 10 long bones. Pathological changes included endocranial bone growths and polyostotic, bilateral, and asymmetrical periosteal new bone formation (PNBF) affecting long bones and ribs. The right tibia was the most affected, showing an anteromedial deformity and inside out perforations with burred, jagged edges. Imaging revealed Harris lines in the left humerus, endosteal bone proliferation in the tibiae, humeri, and right radius, and loss of cortical density in the right tibia. A direct connection between the medullary, subperiosteal, and external spaces suggested characteristics of cloacae or subperiosteal abscesses. Tibial changes suggest an involucrum formation without signs of sequestra, consistent with acute, hematogenous neonatal/infantile osteomyelitis (OM). Although extremely rare, cloacae can arise at early ages under specific circumstances, such as chronic neonatal/infant OM. Delayed pus evacuation, coupled with breastfeeding, resilience, and healthcare may have extended Individual 9’s lifespan and the duration of the infection. This possible case of neonatal/infantile OM is rare and valuable, potentially the youngest documented in Paleopathology and the first in the Americas. However, nonspecific costal and endocranial lesions do not rule out the presence of comorbidities. Expanding the corpus of case studies is essential for refining diagnoses in bioarcheological and paleopathological research.

The estimation of the post-mortem interval (PMI) can be obtained from eyewitness accounts or other types of ante-mortem evidence, such as records obtained using electronic devices or video footage. However, these testimonial sources, if available, do not usually provide the full account of an investigation. In this sense, researchers should use different methodological strategies, whether physical or chemical, to estimate the post-mortem interval. The systematic study over a calendar year made it possible to construct predictive sequences of decomposition from the temperature and humidity record in two different environments within wetland areas in the Buenos Aires metropolitan area, resulting in a methodological instrument to estimate the PMI in biological remains of pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus) of 35-40 kg. The estimation of the post-mortem interval is based, to a large extent, on post-mortem changes present in the body; however, climatic factors and the context of deposition of the biological remains are critical factors to be taken into account in the chronology of this process. Although forensic scientists may have access to a large amount of technical/methodological information to estimate time of death, they must also have prior knowledge of the decomposition process at a local level to provide an estimate of the post-mortem interval that may be useful in a medicolegal investigation.

This study examines the relationship between diet quality, nutritional status, and symptoms of anxiety and depression in students entering a private university in the province of Tucumán, in northern Argentina, during the second period of the COVID-19 pandemic. An observational study was conducted with a sample of 109 18-year-old students, 72% were female, and 41% were enrolled in health-related programs. An online survey was used to assess nutritional status based on self-reported body weight and height using the body mass index (BMI), diet quality through the food quality and protection index (ICAPA), and anxiety and depression symptoms via the personality assessment inventory for adolescents (PAI-A), with prior informed consent. The results showed that 28% of the students reported being overweight or obese, with normal weight being predominant with 67%. Overweight was higher in men (X2 = 7.74, p = .05), while underweight was only in women. Only 8% maintained a healthy diet, while 34% had unhealthy habits. Although most included breakfast in their diet, the quality of breakfast was incomplete (48%). Although the prevalence of psychological symptoms was low (2% depressive, 15% anxious), a significant low and negative association was observed between depressive symptoms and diet quality (W = -0.166; p = .043) and breakfast quality (W = -0.236; p = .005). These results highlight the importance of promoting healthy eating habits, although their impact on the student's physical and psychological resources requires further research.

Osteochondritis dissecans is a rare pathological condition characterized by partial or total separation of a fragment of necrotic articular cartilage from its underlying subchondral bone. Although its etiology is multifactorial, it is mainly associated with mechanical stress. From a paleopathological perspective, its analysis offers great potential to explore the lifestyles of past populations. The aim of this work is to analyze the expression of osteochondritis dissecans in 57 skeletal individuals from Rincón Chico 21 site (Santa María, Catamarca). This cemetery is a burial area used between the periods of Regional Development and the initial Spanish Indigenous contact (ca. 1,200-1,550 AD). The ages of the individuals analyzed range from adolescents to middle/older adults, and both sexes are represented. The presence of lesions was recorded in 47 elements belonging to at least 20 individuals (35.09 % of the sample). The knee (26.32 % of individuals) and the metatarsophalangeal joint (15.79 % of individuals) were the most affected. Females and middle/older adults showed higher prevalences. The results suggest that these populations might have been exposed to high levels of mechanical stress linked to cultural practices associated with an agropastoral subsistence economy.

Este estudio presenta los resultados del análisis del contexto funerario hallado en el sitio Los Morteros, un abrigo rocoso ubicado en Pampa de Achala, Córdoba, Argentina. Se identificaron restos de tres individuos con dataciones radiocarbónicas que abarcan desde ca. 3.000 hasta 400 años AP. Los análisis tafonómicos revelaron alteraciones como la manipulación y el desplazamiento de restos óseos, atribuibles a actividades postdepositacionales antrópicas y a la acción de fauna local. La investigación pone en relevancia el uso recurrente del sitio para inhumaciones como parte de una apropiación del espacio y la consolidación de identidades grupales durante el Holoceno Tardío. Los análisis bioarqueológicos detectaron marcadores de estrés sistémico y metabólico característicos de una actividad física sostenida, vinculada con prácticas como la caza, recolección y movilidad prolongada. Por otro lado, la presencia de adornos personales, sin una asociación específica con alguno de los individuos, sugiere que estos tenían un propósito ornamental individual, más que un uso ritual relacionado con las prácticas mortuorias. Estos hallazgos aportan a la comprensión de aspectos generales sobre las prácticas mortuorias de los grupos locales durante el Holoceno Tardío.

Non-metric traits can be observed in teeth, the skull or the postcranial skeleton, and include anatomical variations of many different types. It was initially thought that most of these traits — especially the cranial ones— had a major genetic predisposition. However, it was later observed that many of them were acquired, which reflects the practice of a particular activity or the adoption of certain postures (for example, squatting) over long periods during daily life. The finding of several traits in the same individual or even in the same bone is particularly interesting, especially if the same combination is observed in several individuals sharing a similar type of burial or burial space in a cemetery. The research on non-metric variations in burials from the past can provide information on the lifestyles of past populations. It may also help to identify relationships (occupational or familial) between clustered individuals, especially if they share similar trait combinations. It is of note that trait combinations can provide information on skeletal remains in commingled contexts. In this work, we review the current knowledge of these features from an osteoarchaeological perspective.

Introducción: El proceso de desarrollo larval es una etapa crítica en los sistemas de producción acuícola por la mortalidad que se presenta, debida a la temperatura, patógenos y la alimentación, entre otros. El suministro adecuado de alimento en cada etapa es uno de los inconvenientes más frecuentes dado el desconocimiento del desarrollo bucal en la transición de larva a juvenil que permita la toma de decisiones sobre manejo alimenticio, eficiencia del alimento y disminución de riesgos de pérdida durante esta fase del cultivo. Objetivo: Describir el desarrollo histológico de larvas de cachama blanca Piaractus orinoquensis con énfasis en el aparato bucal, durante la transición de larvas a alevinos. Métodos: Se tomaron muestras en diferentes estadios desde las 0 hasta las 763 hpe (horas post eclosión), registrando los diferentes cambios morfológicos por medio de histología convencional, microscopía óptica de alta resolución y microscopía electrónica de barrido, para un posterior análisis de imágenes con el software ImageJ®. Resultados: Las cachamas muestran ontogenia indirecta y son especies altriciales, debido a que muestran escasas reservas vitelinas cuando inician la alimentación exógena, como se evidenció a las 187 hpe con cambios significativos en el aparato bucal, pero sin contenido estomacal, posiblemente por inmadurez del sistema digestivo y la falta de suministro de alimento en esta etapa, factores asociados al manejo del cultivo, lo que incrementa el riesgo de mortalidad y escaso crecimiento de las larvas en relación directa con la alimentación. Conclusión: Los productores deben mejorar el proceso de larvicultura, al sincronizar los tiempos de traslado de la incubadora y de preparación del estanque, como estrategias de alimentación temprana para equilibrar la eficiencia económica con el desarrollo y la demanda metabólica de las larvas, mejorando así los índices de supervivencia y el rendimiento en los sistemas de producción piscícola.

Introduction: Climate change and invasive alien plant species (IAPS) severely threaten natural ecosystems globally. Objective: To identify and assess climate suitability for seven wetland-associated species and predict their future distribution using shared socio-economic pathways (SSPs) 2 4.5 and 5 8.5 for 2050 and 2070. Methods: The species selected were Alstonia macrophylla, Annona glabra, Dillenia suffruticosa, Lantana camara, Leucaena leucocephala, Panicun maximum, and Sphagneticola trilobata. Data on species occurrence were collected by field surveys in the Western province (Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara districts), and this, together with climate data, were fed into the Maximum Entropy model (MaxEat model). Climate suitability area maps were developed for the seven IAPS for the current climate and four future scenarios. Results: A. glabra, L. camara, and L. leucocephala showed an increase in climate-suitable areas for the years 2050 and 2070 under both climatic scenarios compared to the current distribution. S. trilobata showed a decrease in its range in the future compared to the current distribution. The climate-suitable area for A. macrophylla will also not expand under either scenario except for a modest rise in SSP2 4.5 in 2050. The current distribution of D. suffruticosa and SSP2 4.5 in 2050’s distributions were almost identical, and the other two future scenarios showed comparatively low distribution. For P. maximum SSP2 4.5 indicated a slight increase in climate-suitable areas for 2070 compared to the current distribution. Conclusion: A. glabra, L. camara, and L. leucocephala can become highly invasive as their ranges expand in response to future climate changes. The distribution of S. trilobata will be significantly reduced under future climate scenarios. As suitable areas for IAPS increase in the Colombo district over time compared to other districts in the province, its wetland-associated native plant species may face a greater risk of invasion by IAPS in future climatic scenarios.