Ecogeography-related humerus morphological variation within southern Patagonia hunter-gatherers.

OBJECTIVES: Southern Patagonian (SP) hunter-gatherers were adapted to diverse environments and subsistence strategies. However, ecological factors affecting variation in upper-limb proportions have not been thoroughly examined. This study analyses whether size-related humerus morphology differs among hunter-gatherers from SP according to specific subsistence economy and physical environment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-nine left humeri of adult individuals were selected from well-documented SP archeological sites. Individuals were grouped into terrestrial or maritime hunter-gatherers based on diet-related archeological and stable isotope records. Five humeral head and diaphyseal metrics were taken and statistically compared among subsistence strategy groups across four ecogeographic subregions. RESULTS: Terrestrial hunter-gatherers exhibit greater humeral dimensions compared to maritime hunter-gatherers. An ecogeographic pattern of humerus size variation was also found, showing significant size reduction in individuals from southern regions. CONCLUSION: The previously determined low genetic variability within hunter-gatherers from SP suggests that the physical environment played an important role in humeral adaptive plasticity. These findings also highlight morphological upper-limb responses to bioclimate factors derived from SP subregions.

Ancient genomes in South Patagonia reveal population movements associated with technological shifts and geography.

Archaeological research documents major technological shifts among people who have lived in the southern tip of South America (South Patagonia) during the last thirteen millennia, including the development of marine-based economies and changes in tools and raw materials. It has been proposed that movements of people spreading culture and technology propelled some of these shifts, but these hypotheses have not been tested with ancient DNA. Here we report genome-wide data from 20 ancient individuals, and co-analyze it with previously reported data. We reveal that immigration does not explain the appearance of marine adaptations in South Patagonia. We describe partial genetic continuity since ~6600 BP and two later gene flows correlated with technological changes: one between 4700-2000 BP that affected primarily marine-based groups, and a later one impacting all <2000 BP groups. From ~2200-1200 BP, mixture among neighbors resulted in a cline correlated to geographic ordering along the coast.

Eco-geographic adaptations in the human ribcage throughout a 3D geometric morphometric approach.

OBJECTIVES: According to eco-geographic rules, humans from high latitude areas present larger and wider trunks than their low-latitude areas counterparts. This issue has been traditionally addressed on the pelvis but information on the thorax is largely lacking. We test whether ribcages are larger in individuals inhabiting high latitudes than in those from low latitudes and explored the correlation of rib size with latitude. We also test whether a common morphological pattern is exhibited in the thorax of different cold-adapted populations, contributing to their hypothetical widening of the trunk. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used 3D geometric morphometrics to quantify rib morphology of three hypothetically cold-adapted populations, viz. Greenland (11 individuals), Alaskan Inuit (8 individuals) and people from Tierra del Fuego (8 individuals), in a comparative framework with European (Spain, Portugal and Austria; 24 individuals) and African populations (South African and sub-Saharan African; 20 individuals). RESULTS: Populations inhabiting high latitudes present longer ribs than individuals inhabiting areas closer to the equator, but a correlation (p < 0.05) between costal size and latitude is only found in ribs 7-11. Regarding shape, the only cold adapted population that was different from the non-cold-adapted populations were the Greenland Inuit, who presented ribs with less curvature and torsion. CONCLUSIONS: Size results from the lower ribcage are consistent with the hypothesis of larger trunks in cold-adapted populations. The fact that only Greenland Inuit present a differential morphological pattern, linked to a widening of their ribcage, could be caused by differences in latitude. However, other factors such as genetic drift or specific cultural adaptations cannot be excluded and should be tested in future studies.

Pre-Columbian tuberculosis in Tierra del Fuego? Discussion of the paleopathological and molecular evidence.

This work contributes to ongoing discussions about the nature of tuberculosis in the Western Hemisphere prior to the time of European contact. Our example, from the extreme south of South America was, at the time of our study, without firm temporal association or molecular characterization. In Tierra del Fuego, Constantinescu (1999) briefly described vertebral bone lesions compatible with TB in an undated skeleton from Myren 1 site (Chile). The remains of Myren are estimated to represent a man between 18 and 23 years old at the time of death. The objectives of this research are to extend this description, to present molecular results, to establish a radiocarbon date, and to report stable isotopic values for the remains. We provide further description of the remains, including tuberculosis-like skeletal pathology. Radiocarbon dating of 640±20 years BP attributes this individual to the precontact fourteenth-fifteenth centuries. Isotopic ratios for nitrogen and carbon from bone collagen suggest a mixed diet. Molecular results were positive for the rpoB quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays but negative for two independent IS6110 and IS1081 qPCR assays. Further testing using genomic methods to target any mycobacteria for specific identification are needed.

Pre-Columbian mycobacterial genomes reveal seals as a source of New World human tuberculosis.

Modern strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from the Americas are closely related to those from Europe, supporting the assumption that human tuberculosis was introduced post-contact. This notion, however, is incompatible with archaeological evidence of pre-contact tuberculosis in the New World. Comparative genomics of modern isolates suggests that M. tuberculosis attained its worldwide distribution following human dispersals out of Africa during the Pleistocene epoch, although this has yet to be confirmed with ancient calibration points. Here we present three 1,000-year-old mycobacterial genomes from Peruvian human skeletons, revealing that a member of the M. tuberculosis complex caused human disease before contact. The ancient strains are distinct from known human-adapted forms and are most closely related to those adapted to seals and sea lions. Two independent dating approaches suggest a most recent common ancestor for the M. tuberculosis complex less than 6,000 years ago, which supports a Holocene dispersal of the disease. Our results implicate sea mammals as having played a role in transmitting the disease to humans across the ocean.

Quantitative paleoparasitology applied to archaeological sediments

Three techniques to extract parasite remains from archaeological sediments were tested. The aim was to improve the sensibility of recommended paleoparasitological techniques applied in archaeological remains. Sediment collected from the pelvic girdle of a human body found in Cabo Vírgenes, Santa Cruz, Argentina, associated to a Spanish settlement founded in 1584 known as Nombre de Jesús, was used to search for parasites. Sediment close to the skull was used as control. The techniques recommended by Jones, Reinhard, and Dittmar and Teejen were used and compared with the modified technique presented here, developed to improve the sensibility to detect parasite remains. Positive results were obtained only with the modified technique, resulting in the finding of Trichuris trichiura eggs in the sediment.

Health at the time of Native-European contact in Southern Patagonia: First steps, results, and prospects

The objective of this paper is to present the first steps into the study of health in southern Patagonia during pre and post Native-European contact. Thus, our work has a double purpose. First, to discuss characteristics and relevance of human bone records of southern Patagonia, in order to study health in a population context. Second, to show some new lines of information, which include paleoparasitology, nutritional paleopathologies, and the study of lifestyles from human remains. In this context, we have started working on the first Spanish settlement "Nombre de Jesus", founded in 1584, and with historical documentation of "La Candelaria" Mission in Rio Grande (1896-1931).

Quantitative paleoparasitology applied to archaeological sediments.

Three techniques to extract parasite remains from archaeological sediments were tested. The aim was to improve the sensibility of recommended paleoparasitological techniques applied in archaeological remains. Sediment collected from the pelvic girdle of a human body found in Cabo Vírgenes, Santa Cruz, Argentina, associated to a Spanish settlement founded in 1584 known as Nombre de Jesús, was used to search for parasites. Sediment close to the skull was used as control. The techniques recommended by Jones, Reinhard, and Dittmar and Teejen were used and compared with the modified technique presented here, developed to improve the sensibility to detect parasite remains. Positive results were obtained only with the modified technique, resulting in the finding of Trichuris trichiura eggs in the sediment.

Health at the time of Native-European contact in Southern Patagonia: first steps, results, and prospects.

The objective of this paper is to present the first steps into the study of health in southern Patagonia during pre and post Native-European contact. Thus, our work has a double purpose. First, to discuss characteristics and relevance of human bone records of southern Patagonia, in order to study health in a population context. Second, to show some new lines of information, which include paleoparasitology, nutritional paleopathologies, and the study of lifestyles from human remains. In this context, we have started working on the first Spanish settlement "Nombre de Jesus", founded in 1584, and with historical documentation of "La Candelaria" Mission in Rio Grande (1896-1931).

Factores e indicadores del consumo de alcohol / Factors and indicators of alcohol consumption

El alcoholismo conjuntamente con enfermedades cardiovasculares, desnutrición, infecciones y neoplasias, constituye un problema mayor en salud pública. Análisis epidemiológicos, han demostrado con amplia evidencia que el consumo de alcohol está asociado con la elevación de la frecuencia de cáncer de esófago, laringe y cavidad oral. Asimismo se relacionó a dicho mutágeno ambiental, con una reducción de la fertilidad y con efectos nocivos sobre el feto, análogamente serían de esperar otros efectos nocivos sobre el genoma humano (mutaciones puntuales, aberraciones cromosómicas, malformaciones). Investigadores de la Universidad de Buenos Aires, señalan que el consumo de cerveza aumentó en un 250 por ciento en los últimos diez años, siendo este aumento aún mayor en los adolescentes. Estos últimos integran el principal grupo de consumo y riesgo. De esta manera se esperaría un incremento de las frecuencias de patologías asociadas con este consumo en los próximos años. Un conocimiento previo de los factores que pueden estar condicionando el aumento de esta adicción aparece como relevante para efectuar una mejor evaluación y planificación de acciones. Con este objetivo estamos abocados a un primer estudio exploratorio de uno de los factores comúnmente asociado al aumento del consumo de alcohol : las propagandas televisivas que promocionan su venta. El trabajo consistió en un relevamiento de las frecuencias de anuncios televisivos y la administración de una encuesta a adolescentes de la ciudad de Mar del Plata. Se analizaron los espacios publicitarios de los dos canales de emisión por aire de la ciudad de Mar del Plata, en la franja horaria de 12 hs a 24 hs. Para cada estación del año, durante una semana en cada canal citado. Asimismo, se encuestó a 66 adolescentes sobre sus preferencias televisivas en cuanto a días de la semana, horarios y programas. Los datos fueron procesados por medio del programa Epiinfo6. Los resultados obtenidos indican que mientras los meses de primavera y verano fueron los que contaron con mayores frecuencias de publicidad de bebidas alcohólicas, la promoción orientada al "no consumo de alcohol" se concentró durante el otoño. Por otra la franja horaria de maor publicidad de bebidas alcohólicas y audiencia televisiva coinciden entre sí y a su vez con la de menor propaganda de promoción de salud sobre "no consumo de alcohol" (AU)

Factores e indicadores del consumo de alcohol / Factors and indicators of alcohol consumption

El alcoholismo conjuntamente con enfermedades cardiovasculares, desnutrición, infecciones y neoplasias, constituye un problema mayor en salud pública. Análisis epidemiológicos, han demostrado con amplia evidencia que el consumo de alcohol está asociado con la elevación de la frecuencia de cáncer de esófago, laringe y cavidad oral. Asimismo se relacionó a dicho mutágeno ambiental, con una reducción de la fertilidad y con efectos nocivos sobre el feto, análogamente serían de esperar otros efectos nocivos sobre el genoma humano (mutaciones puntuales, aberraciones cromosómicas, malformaciones). Investigadores de la Universidad de Buenos Aires, señalan que el consumo de cerveza aumentó en un 250 por ciento en los últimos diez años, siendo este aumento aún mayor en los adolescentes. Estos últimos integran el principal grupo de consumo y riesgo. De esta manera se esperaría un incremento de las frecuencias de patologías asociadas con este consumo en los próximos años. Un conocimiento previo de los factores que pueden estar condicionando el aumento de esta adicción aparece como relevante para efectuar una mejor evaluación y planificación de acciones. Con este objetivo estamos abocados a un primer estudio exploratorio de uno de los factores comúnmente asociado al aumento del consumo de alcohol : las propagandas televisivas que promocionan su venta. El trabajo consistió en un relevamiento de las frecuencias de anuncios televisivos y la administración de una encuesta a adolescentes de la ciudad de Mar del Plata. Se analizaron los espacios publicitarios de los dos canales de emisión por aire de la ciudad de Mar del Plata, en la franja horaria de 12 hs a 24 hs. Para cada estación del año, durante una semana en cada canal citado. Asimismo, se encuestó a 66 adolescentes sobre sus preferencias televisivas en cuanto a días de la semana, horarios y programas. Los datos fueron procesados por medio del programa Epiinfo6. Los resultados obtenidos indican que mientras los meses de primavera y verano fueron los que contaron con mayores frecuencias de publicidad de bebidas alcohólicas, la promoción orientada al "no consumo de alcohol" se concentró durante el otoño. Por otra la franja horaria de maor publicidad de bebidas alcohólicas y audiencia televisiva coinciden entre sí y a su vez con la de menor propaganda de promoción de salud sobre "no consumo de alcohol"