Analysis of starch grains trapped in human dental calculus in Áspero, Peru during the Initial Formative Period (3000-1800 BCE).

The objective of this research is to identify the plants consumed and to determine their dietary importance in Áspero, an urban center on the coast of the Supe Valley, Peru. Consequently, starch grains trapped in the human dental calculus of nine individuals were recovered, while the results from one individual from the Sacred City of Caral, located in the interior of Supe Valley, are presented. Eight species of food plants were identified, among them C3 plants: sweet potato, squash, potato, chili pepper, algarrobo, manioc and bean and C4 plant: maize. Previous isotopic analysis indicates that C3 plants formed the foundation of the diet at Áspero and Caral. Our results indicate a high ubiquity of C3 plants like sweet potato (100%) and squash (90%) suggesting, with caution, that these taxa were an important C3 source in the menu. Maize, C4 plant, showed a similar ubiquity (100%) to sweet potato and squash, however, previous isotopic analysis indicate that maize was a marginal food in Áspero and Caral. These results support that the absence and abundance of starch grains cannot be employed to directly infer the frequency of intake of C3 and C4 plants within a small population, as suggested by previous studies.

The diet at the onset of the Andean Civilization: New stable isotope data from Caral and Áspero, North-Central Coast of Peru.

OBJECTIVES: The subsistence system of the first urban centers with monumental architecture from the North-Central Coast of Peru, the core area for the social complexity process of Central Andes, has been debated since the late 1960s. To shed light on this aspect, we report paleodietary data from the two most important sites of the Supe Valley: Caral (3000-200 BC), the major settlement of the middle valley, and Áspero (3000-1800 BC), a notable coastal settlement. Our main objective was to test the Maritime Foundations of Andean Civilization hypothesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Stable isotope values (δ13 Ccol , δ13 Cap , and δ15 N) from 52 individuals (70 samples: 44 bones and 26 teeth) were analyzed using conventional methods and Bayesian Mixing Models to address the role of marine products and plants in people's diet at both sites over time. RESULTS: Our results suggest high C3 carbohydrate consumption (55%-68% total calories in Áspero and >70% in Caral). The consumption of marine resources was stable for Áspero between 3300 and 1800 BC, but it decreased for Caral between 2550 and 200 BC. DISCUSSION: Marine protein was more important in Áspero than in Caral over time. C3 plants, possibly tubers, formed the foundation of the diet in both sites during the Formative period (~3000-200 BC). Maize was a marginal food (<12% of calories) at least until 800 BC (29% of calories). The Maritime Foundations hypothesis does not completely account for these findings. Our results suggest the predominance of crop-focused agriculture during the evaluated period.

Optimization of rhein-loaded polymeric nanoparticles using a factorial design and evaluation of the cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory effects.

The aim of the work was to develop rhein loaded polymeric nanoparticles (R-PNPs). Nanoparticles were prepared by three methods, solvent emulsion-evaporation, double emulsion, and nanoprecipitation, by means of experimental design. Additionally, the effects of the best formulation on in vitro cytotoxicity and inflammation were evaluated. The solvent emulsion-evaporation method presented the highest encapsulation efficiency of the three techniques (38.41%), as well as had a mean diameter of 189.33 nm and a polydispersity index of less than 0.1. Despite efforts to optimize the encapsulation of rhein, the drug release from nanoparticles was close to 50% during the first 5 min, followed by a continuous release within 60 min. It was observed that macrophages exposed to the highest concentration of R-PNPs showed cell viability about 80% and at the lowest nanoparticle concentrations was closed to 100%. IL-1ß in cell culture supernatants was decreased in the presence of R-PNPs and TNFα concentrations were lower than the sensitivity of the assay. ROS production was only inhibited with R-PNPs at concentrations of 2.5 and 5 µM. In conclusion, the solvent emulsion-evaporation was the best method evaluated to obtain nanoparticles with the desired specifications. It was possible to assess R-PNPs with low cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory properties showed by the inhibition of IL-1ß production and a low decrease in ROS production.

[Pediculicide effect of a Eucaliptus globulus L formulation]. / Efecto pediculicida de una formulación en base a Eucaliptus globulus L.

INTRODUCTION: Pediculosis capitis is a public health problem with a high prevalence. The emergence of parasite resistance to conventional pediculicide is of great concern worldwide. OBJECTIVE: To develop alternatives pediculicide, effective and safe, based on the essential oil of Eucaliptus globulus. METHOD: Through bioassays active concentrations ranges of the essential oil were established, and proceeded to develop a standardized, stable, pharmaceutical form, evaluating its effects on our population. RESULTS: The results showed 100% effectiveness; short time of death, ovicidal action, activity on the adhesion of the egg, and low toxicity. DISCUSSION: In addition to great effect, the inability of the parasite to become resistant to the chemical composition of the essential oil makes this formulation an alternative to the problem of head lice solution.

Efecto pediculicida de una formulación en base a Eucaliptus globulus L / Pediculicide effect of a Eucaliptus globulus L formulation

Introduction: Pediculosis capitis is a public health problem with a high prevalence. The emergence of parasite resistance to conventional pediculicide is of great concern worldwide. Objective: To develop alternatives pediculicide, effective and safe, based on the essential oil of Eucaliptus globulus. Method: Through bioassays active concentrations ranges of the essential oil were established, and proceeded to develop a standardized, stable, pharmaceutical form, evaluating its effects on our population. Results: The results showed 100% effectiveness; short time of death, ovicidal action, activity on the adhesion of the egg, and low toxicity. Discussion: In addition to great effect, the inability of the parasite to become resistant to the chemical composition of the essential oil makes this formulation an alternative to the problem of head lice solution.

Introducción: La pediculosis capitis es un problema de salud pública con una alta prevalencia. La aparición de resistencia del parásito a los pediculicidas convencionales es de gran preocupación a nivel mundial. Objetivo: Desarrollar alternativas pediculicidas, efectivas y seguras, en base al aceite esencial de Eucaliptus globulus. Método: A través de bioensayos se establecieron rangos de concentraciones activas del aceite esencial, y se procedió al desarrollo de una forma farmacéutica, estandarizada, estable, evaluando sus efectos en nuestra población. Resultados: Los resultados mostraron 100% de efectividad; corto tiempo de muerte, acción ovicida, actividad sobre la adherencia del huevo, y baja toxicidad. Discusión: Además de la gran efectividad, la imposibilidad del parásito de adquirir resistencia a la composición química del aceite esencial hace de esta formulación una solución alternativa al problema de la pediculosis.