Talkin' About a Revolution. Changes and Continuities in Fruit Use in Southern France From Neolithic to Roman Times Using Archaeobotanical Data (ca. 5,800 BCE - 500 CE).

The use and socio-environmental importance of fruits dramatically changed after the emergence of arboriculture and fruit domestication in the eastern Mediterranean, between the 5th and the 3rd millennia BCE. Domesticated fruits together with cultivation techniques apparently reached the western Mediterranean via colonial activities during the 1st millennium BCE - early 1st millennium CE. However, the pace and chronology of this diffusion as well as the recompositions in diversity, to adapt to new socio-environmental conditions, remain poorly known. In this study we investigate archaeobotanical records in Southern France from the Neolithic to the end of the Roman empire (ca. 5,800 BCE - 500 CE) to assess changes in fruit use as well as the emergence, spread and evolution of fruit cultivation. We explore changes in native traditions faced with innovations brought by Mediterranean colonization and how domesticated fruit cultivation spread from the Mediterranean to more temperate areas. Archaeobotanical data from 577 assemblages were systematically analyzed distinguishing two datasets according to preservation of plant remains (charred vs. uncharred), as this impacts on the quantity and diversity of taxa. The 47 fruit taxa identified were organized in broad categories according to their status and origin: exotic, allochtonous cultivated, indigenous cultivated, wild native. We also analyzed diversity, quantity of fruits compared to the total of economic plants and spatio-temporal variations in the composition of fruit assemblages using correspondence factor analyses. Archaeobotanical data reflect variations and continuities in the diversity of species used through time and space. In the Mediterranean area, significant changes related to the arrival of new plants and development of fruit cultivation occurred mainly, first during the Iron Age (6th-5th c. BCE), then in the beginning of the Roman period. Large cities played a major role in this process. In agreement with archeological information, archaeobotanical data reveal the predominance of viticulture in both periods. However, arboriculture also included other fruit species that have been subject to less intensive and specialized cultivation practices. Most significantly, this study pinpoints the continuous contribution of native, supposedly wild fruits throughout the chronology. Despite the homogenizing Roman influence, results reveal clear differences between the Mediterranean and temperate regions.

Direct dating reveals the early history of opium poppy in western Europe.

This paper aims to define the first chrono-cultural framework on the domestication and early diffusion of the opium poppy using small-sized botanical remains from archaeological sites, opening the way to directly date minute short-lived botanical samples. We produced the initial set of radiocarbon dates directly from the opium poppy remains of eleven Neolithic sites (5900-3500 cal BCE) in the central and western Mediterranean, northwestern temperate Europe, and the western Alps. When possible, we also dated the macrobotanical remains originating from the same sediment sample. In total, 22 samples were taken into account, including 12 dates directly obtained from opium poppy remains. The radiocarbon chronology ranges from 5622 to 4050 cal BCE. The results show that opium poppy is present from at least the middle of the sixth millennium in the Mediterranean, where it possibly grew naturally and was cultivated by pioneer Neolithic communities. Its dispersal outside of its native area was early, being found west of the Rhine in 5300-5200 cal BCE. It was introduced to the western Alps around 5000-4800 cal BCE, becoming widespread from the second half of the fifth millennium. This research evidences different rhythms in the introduction of opium poppy in western Europe.

Languedoc lagoon environments and man: Building a modern analogue botanical macroremain database for understanding the role of water and edaphology in sedimentation dynamics of archaeobotanical remains at the Roman port of Lattara (Lattes, France).

A new method to evaluate archaeological wetland sites in a more objective way was tested. Different wetland environments have been sampled in areas of a nature reserve and their macroremain content analysed to build a modern analogue dataset. This dataset was then used to characterise archaeological samples from a navigation channel from the Roman port city Lattara. In the modern analogue samples, the different wetland types (saline/brackish or fresh water) could be differentiated in the correspondence analysis. Within these groups, the sampled area of the littoral (submerged, shoreline, unsubmerged) could also be differentiated. This dataset can therefore provide a basis for the interpretation of the nature and degree of aquatic influence and layer formation processes in archaeobotanical records of coastal sites. In the tested archaeological samples from the navigation channel of Lattara, changes in space and time could be tracked using the modern analogue dataset and geoarchaeological information. The channel lost its fresh water supply and silted up over a short period of time (approx. 100 years).

Influence of new antiretrovirals on hematological toxicity in HIV-exposed uninfected infants.

UNLABELLED: Maternal combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) successfully prevents HIV mother-to-child transmission but also causes hematological toxicity in the HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) infant. We performed a single-center prospective observational study. Hematological toxicity during the first year of life (at 3 and 6 weeks, and 3, 6, and 12 months) was compared between HEU infants born in two different time periods: P1 (2000-2001) and P2 (2007-2013). Mother-infant pairs in P1 (n = 55) and P2 (n = 48) mainly differed in maternal ethnic origin, HIV route of transmission, and cART regimens. Anemia and neutropenia were both less common in P2 than P1, albeit not significantly. Earlier normalization of red blood cell mean corpuscular volume levels in P2 infants suggests that current cART maternal regimens and shorter neonatal prophylaxis are less toxic. Leukocyte, lymphocyte, and platelet counts remained within normal values during follow-up, without differences between groups. CONCLUSION: New cART regimens have had very little impact on the hematological toxicity in HEU infants. WHAT IS KNOWN: • Antiretroviral drugs during pregnancy and the neonatal period very effectively prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV infection. • Hematological toxicity has been widely reported among HIV-exposed uninfected children. What is New: • In HIV-exposed uninfected children, hematological toxicity is still mainly caused by exposure to zidovudine. • New antiretroviral drugs have very little impact on hematological toxicity among HIV-exposed uninfected children.

Decreased Mitochondrial Function Among Healthy Infants Exposed to Antiretrovirals During Gestation, Delivery and the Neonatal Period.

BACKGROUND: Antiretroviral (ARV)-associated mitochondrial toxicity in HIV/ARV-exposed healthy infants is a concern. Clinically relevant toxicity is rare. Hyperlactatemia is common but nonspecific, both increased and decreased mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) level has been reported. Mitochondrial function has scarcely been investigated. METHODS: In a prospective observational study of 133 HIV/ARV-exposed infants, mtDNA content was measured with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymatic activity of complex IV (CIV) and mitochondrial mass (MM) were assessed spectrophotometrically from cryopreserved peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained at 6 weeks and 3, 6 and 12 months of age and compared with a control group. RESULTS: Most mothers (88%) received combined ARV therapy during pregnancy, and 92% of infants received zidovudine monotherapy. No infant had clinical evidence of mitochondrial disease during follow-up. Nonsignificant higher MM and lower mtDNA levels (normalized by MM) were observed over time in HIV/ARV-exposed infants. MM-normalized CIV activity was consistently lower in HIV/ARV-exposed children than in controls over time (0.09 vs. 0.35, 0.12 vs. 0.38, 0.13 vs. 0.24 and 0.14 vs. 0.24 nmol/min/mg at 6 weeks and 3, 6 and 12 months; P = 0.014, P < 0.0001, P = 0.065 and P = 0.011, respectively) and showed a linear trend toward normalization with age (P < 0.01). In HIV/ARV-exposed infants, an inverse correlation between CIV activity and mtDNA levels was observed until 6 months of age (r = -0.327, P = 0.016; r = -0.311, P = 0.040 and r = -0.275, P = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: Mitochondrial-encoded CIV activity was consistently lower among HIV/ARV-exposed healthy infants and inversely correlated with mtDNA levels, suggesting upregulation of the latter.

Mitochondrial disturbances in HIV pregnancies.

BACKGROUND: Mitochondrial consequences from foetal exposure to HIV infection and antiretrovirals could be further investigated. OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study was to evaluate maternofoetal mitochondrial disturbances in HIV infection and antiretroviral administration in human pregnancies as the aetiopathogenic basis of suboptimal perinatal-clinical features. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, prospective, observational, exploratory and controlled study. METHODS: Clinical/epidemiological data of 35 HIV-infected pregnant women and 17 controls were collected. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and RNA (mtRNA) content (real time-PCR), enzymatic activities and content (spectrophotometry) were measured in leucocytes. Genetic-functional, maternofoetal and molecular-clinical correlations were assessed. RESULTS: Birth weight was lower in infants from HIV-infected mothers compared with controls. MtDNA values were slightly decreased in HIV cases, although not reaching statistical significance. MtRNA values were lower in HIV-infected mothers. Similarly, binary complex II+III enzymatic activity decreased to 50% in both HIV-infected mothers (44.45 ±â€Š3.77%) and their infants (48.79 ±â€Š3.41%) (P = 0.001 and P < 0.001). Global CI+III+IV enzymatic activity was lower in HIV-infected mothers and infants (90.43 ±â€Š2.39% and 51.16 ±â€Š9.30%) (P < 0.005 and P < 0.05). MtDNA content correlated with function in mothers and infants. Maternofoetal parameters correlated at genetic and functional levels. CONCLUSION: HAART toxicity caused mitochondrial damage in HIV-infected pregnant women and their newborns, being present at a genetic and functional level with a maternofoetal correlation.

Frequency of apnea and respiratory viruses in infants with bronchiolitis.

The frequency of apnea in infants <12 months of age admitted with acute bronchiolitis was 5.16% (95% confidence interval: 3.94-6.72). Most commonly detected viruses in the 51 apneic infants were respiratory syncytial virus (33.3%), rhinovirus (13.7%) and viral coinfections (23.5%). Young age and prematurity were the main risk factors for apnea independent of the respiratory syncytial virus status. Non-respiratory syncytial virus infants had a higher rate of prematurity.

Beginning of viniculture in France.

Chemical analyses of ancient organic compounds absorbed into the pottery fabrics of imported Etruscan amphoras (ca. 500-475 B.C.) and into a limestone pressing platform (ca. 425-400 B.C.) at the ancient coastal port site of Lattara in southern France provide the earliest biomolecular archaeological evidence for grape wine and viniculture from this country, which is crucial to the later history of wine in Europe and the rest of the world. The data support the hypothesis that export of wine by ship from Etruria in central Italy to southern Mediterranean France fueled an ever-growing market and interest in wine there, which, in turn, as evidenced by the winepress, led to transplantation of the Eurasian grapevine and the beginning of a Celtic industry in France. Herbal and pine resin additives to the Etruscan wine point to the medicinal role of wine in antiquity, as well as a means of preserving it during marine transport.

Bioarchaeological insights into the process of domestication of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) during Roman times in Southern France.

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera), one of the most important fruit species in the Classical Mediterranean world, is thought to have been domesticated first in South-Western Asia, during the Neolithic. However, the domestication process remains largely unknown. Crucial unanswered questions concern the duration of the process (rapid or slow?) and the related geographical area (single or multiple-origins?). Seeds from domesticated grapevine and from its wild ancestor are reported to differ according to shape. Our work aims, first, to confirm this difference and secondly to identify the extent of domestication in the grapes cultivated by Romans in Southern France during the period 50 BCE-500 CE. We had the opportunity to analyze uncharred waterlogged grape pips from 17 archaeological sites. Based on an extended reference sample of modern wild grapevines and cultivars our work shows that both subspecies can be discriminated using simple measurements. The elongation gradient of the pip's body and stalk may be regarded as an indicator of the strength of the selection pressures undergone by domesticated grapes. Grapevines cultivated during the Roman period included a mix of morphotypes comprising wild, intermediate and moderately selected domesticated forms. Our data point to a relative shift towards more selected types during the Roman period. Domestication of the grapevine appears to have been a slow process. This could result from the recurrent incorporation into cultivation of plants originating from sexual reproduction, when grape cultivation essentially relies on vegetative propagation.

Study of oxidative, enzymatic mitochondrial respiratory chain function and apoptosis in perinatally HIV-infected pediatric patients.

Mitochondrial toxicity in perinatally human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected pediatric patients has been scarcely investigated. Limited data are available about HIV or antiretroviral (ARV)-mediated mitochondrial damage in this population group, specifically, regarding oxygen consumption and apoptosis approach. We aimed to elucidate whether a given mitochondrial DNA depletion is reflected at downstream levels, to gain insight on the pathology of HIV and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in perinatally HIV-infected pediatric patients. We studied 10 healthy control participants and 20 perinatally HIV-infected pediatric patients (10 under ARV treatment and 10 off treatment). We determined mitochondrial mass, subunits II and IV of complex IV, global and specific mitochondrial enzymatic and oxidative activities, and apoptosis from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Global oxygen consumption was significantly compromised in HIV-infected untreated patients, compared to the control group (0.76 ± 0.01 versus 1.59 ± 0.15; P = 0.014). Apoptosis showed a trend to increase in untreated patients as well. The overall complex (C) CI-III-IV activity of the mitochondrial respiratory chain (MRC) was significantly decreased in HIV-infected treated patients with respect to the control group (1.52 ± 0.38 versus 6.38 ± 1.53; P = 0.02). No statistically significant differences were found between untreated and HAART-treated patients. These findings suggest the pathogenic role of both HIV and HAART in mitochondrial dysfunction in vertical infection. The abnormalities in mitochondrial genome may be downstream reflected through a global alteration of the MRC. Mitochondrial impairment associated with HIV and HAART was generalized, rather than localized, in this series of perinatally HIV-infected patients.

Human values in the team leader selection process.

The selection process of team leaders is fundamental if the effectiveness of teams is to be guaranteed. Human values have proven to be an important factor in the behaviour of individuals and leaders. The aim of this study is twofold. The first is to validate Schwartz's survey of human values. The second is to determine whether there are any relationships between the values held by individuals and their preferred roles in a team. Human values were measured by the items of the Schwartz Value Survey (SVS) and the preferred roles in a team were identified by the Belbin Self Perception Inventory (BSPI). The two questionnaires were answered by two samples of undergraduate students (183 and 177 students, respectively). As far as the first objective is concerned, Smallest Space Analysis (SSA) was performed at the outset to examine how well the two-dimensional circular structure, as postulated by Schwartz, was represented in the study population. Then, the results of this analysis were compared and contrasted with those of two other published studies; one by Schwartz (2006) and one by Ros and Grad (1991). As for the second objective, Pearson correlation coefficients were computed to assess the associations between the ratings on the SVS survey items and the ratings on the eight team roles as measured by the BSPI.

Human values in the team leader selection process

The selection process of team leaders is fundamental if the effectiveness of teams is to be guaranteed. Human values have proven to be an important factor in the behaviour of individuals and leaders. The aim of this study is twofold. The first is to validate Schwartz’s survey of human values. The second is to determine whether there are any relationships between the values held by individuals and their preferred roles in a team. Human values were measured by the items of the Schwartz Value Survey (SVS) and the preferred roles in a team were identified by the Belbin Self Perception Inventory (BSPI). The two questionnaires were answered by two samples of undergraduate students (183 and 177 students, respectively). As far as the first objective is concerned, Smallest Space Analysis (SSA) was performed at the outset to examine how well the two-dimensional circular structure, as postulated by Schwartz, was represented in the study population. Then, the results of this analysis were compared and contrasted with those of two other published studies; one by Schwartz (2006) and one by Ros and Grad (1991). As for the second objective, Pearson correlation coefficients were computed to assess the associations between the ratings on the SVS survey items and the ratings on the eight team roles as measured by the BSPI (AU)

El proceso de selección de los líderes de los equipos de trabajo es fundamental para garantizar el éxito de estos. Los valores humanos han demostrado ser un factor importante en el comportamiento individual y del líder. Este estudio tiene doble objetivo. El primero es validar el test de valores humanos de Schwartz. El segundo es determinar si existen relaciones entre los valores de los individuos y sus preferencias de rol en el trabajo en equipo. Los valores humanos han sido medidos por los ítems del test de Schwartz (SVS) y las preferencias de roles de trabajo en equipo han sido identificadas por el cuestionario de autopercepción de Belbin (BSPI). Ambos cuestionarios han sido respondidos por una muestra de estudiantes universitarios (183 y 177 estudiantes respectivamente). En relación al primer objetivo se ha llevado a cabo un análisis espacial (SSA) para ver si se adapta a la estructura de dos dimensiones, postulada por Schwartz, en esta población de estudio. A continuación, los resultados obtenidos de este análisis se han comparado y contrastado con dos estudios anteriormente publicados, el de Schwzartz (2006) y el de Ros y Grad (1991). En cuanto al segundo objetivo, se han calculado los coeficientes de correlación de Pearson para evaluar la relación entre los ítems del test SVS y los ocho roles de trabajo en equipo, medidos por el BSPI (AU)

Mitochondrial evolution in HIV-infected children receiving first- or second-generation nucleoside analogues.

BACKGROUND: Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and HIV-related mitochondrial toxicity lead to several adverse effects and have become a major issue, especially in children. The main goal in the treatment of HIV-infected children is to maximize cost-effectiveness while minimizing toxicity. We aimed to study the evolution of mitochondrial parameters over time in children receiving different types antiretroviral regimens. METHODS: We followed-up 28 HIV-infected children receiving HAART including either first-generation nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (1gNRTIs; didanosine, zidovudine, or stavudine; n = 15) or second-generation NRTIs (2gNRTIs; the remaining drugs; n = 13) for a period of 2 years for their immunovirological and mitochondrial status, and compared these subjects with a group of untreated HIV-infected patients (n = 10) and uninfected controls (n = 27). We measured T-lymphocyte CD4+ content (flow cytometry), viral load (real-time polymerase chain reaction), and lactate levels (spectrophotometry); we assessed mtDNA content (real-time polymerase chain reaction), mitochondrial protein levels (Western blot), oxidative stress, mitochondrial mass, and electron transport chain function (spectrophotometry) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. RESULTS: At the second time point, lactate levels were significantly higher in children on 1gNRTIs compared with those receiving 2gNRTIs (1.28 ± 0.08 vs. 1.00 ± 0.07 mmol/L, respectively; P = 0.022). MtDNA content was similar among all HIV-infected groups and significantly lower than in healthy controls at baseline. Oxidative stress tended to increase over time in all the groups, with no differences among them. However, a significant decrease in cytochrome c oxidase activity was found over time in HIV-infected patients; this decline was greater in the 1gNRTIs group. CONCLUSIONS: HIV infection and the use of 1gNRTIs caused greater mitochondrial damage than 2gNRTIs over time. The higher lactate levels and the significant decrease observed in cytochrome c oxidase activity argue against the use of 1gNRTIs in HIV-infected children when an alternative is available, in accordance with international recommendations.

Mitochondrial assessment in asymptomatic HIV-infected paediatric patients on HAART.

BACKGROUND: HAART can cause mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) depletion, which may lead to mitochondrial dysfunction. We aimed to determine whether mtDNA and mitochondrial function abnormalities are present in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from asymptomatic HIV-infected children. METHODS: A cross-sectional study in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was performed in 47 asymptomatic (free from any HIV- or AIDS-related active condition or HAART-related toxicity), HIV-infected, HAART-treated children and adolescents and 27 uninfected healthy paediatric patients. We measured mtDNA and mitochondrial RNA (mtRNA) content by quantitative real-time PCR. Mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymatic activity of complex-IV (CIV) and mitochondrial mass (estimated by citrate synthase) were measured spectrophotometrically, and CIV protein subunit content was measured with western blot analysis. RESULTS: A reduction in mtDNA levels was observed in HIV-infected children compared with controls (mean ± sem 4.47 ± 0.31 and 5.82 ± 0.48, respectively; 23% depletion; P=0.018), whereas similar levels of mtRNA, CIV protein subunit content and enzymatic activity were found in the two groups. These findings remained unaltered after considering mitochondrial abundance. Among HIV-infected children, mtDNA levels did not correlate with viral load, CD4(+) T-cell counts or lactataemia at the time of assessment. No differences were observed when current or past use of individual antiretroviral drugs or HAART regimens were taken into account. CONCLUSIONS: Depletion in mtDNA from asymptomatic HIV-infected children did not lead to differences in mtRNA levels or mitochondrially-encoded CIV proteins, nor to CIV dysfunction. This may be explained by homeostatic-compensatory mechanisms at the transcription level or by the mild depletion we observed.

Mitochondrial impact of human immunodeficiency virus and antiretrovirals on infected pediatric patients with or without lipodystrophy.

We determined the mitochondrial status of a group of HIV-infected children, some with body fat abnormalities (BFA). We included 24 controls, 16 HIV-infected untreated, 26 HIV-infected treated, 6 BFA-untreated, and 21 BFA-treated patients. Genetic, translational, and functional mitochondrial values were measured. As compared with controls, mitochondrial DNA depletion and a reduction in functionality were found in BFA groups.

Impact of histological chorioamnionitis, funisitis and clinical chorioamnionitis on neurodevelopmental outcome of preterm infants.

BACKGROUND: The role of chorioamnionitis in neurodevelopment of preterm infants is not fully understood. AIM: To examine the association between different indicators of intrauterine inflammation (clinical chorioamnionitis, histological chorioamnionitis and funisitis) and neurodevelopmental impairment in very preterm infants. METHODS: Preterm infants with a birth weight of <1500 g or a gestational age of <32 weeks were included. Follow-up evaluation up to 2 years of age consisted of neurological examination, neurodevelopmental assessment and visual and audiologic tests. Outcome data were compared between the chorioamnionitis and the control groups, controlling for gestational age, birth weight and Apgar score at 5 min. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-seven patients comprised the study population (mean gestational age 29±2 weeks, mean birth weight 1167±344 g). Histological chorioamnionitis was present in 49% of placentas, whereas funisitis was observed in 25%. In 57% cases clinical maternal chorioamnionitis was suspected. Follow-up was available for 130 (82%) patients. Infants with funisitis, compared with controls, had a significantly higher incidence of moderate to severe disability (18% vs 5%, OR 4.07; 95% CI 1.10-15.09). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that, unlike a broad definition of histological chorioamnionitis including inflammation of maternal or fetal placental tissues, funisitis may entail a higher risk of moderate to severe disability at 2 years of age in preterm infants.

Evolution of mitochondrial DNA content after planned interruption of HAART in HIV-infected pediatric patients.

HAART-related long-term toxicities, many of them ascribed to mitochondrial (mt) toxicity of the nucleoside analogues, are being increasingly reported in HIV-infected children. HIV infection can also cause mt damage. Case series include 13 vertically HIV-infected pediatric patients (9 girls, median age 10.5 years) with optimal long-term response to a first-line HAART regimen who underwent planned treatment interruption (PTI). MtDNA content from peripheral blood mononuclear cells was assessed by means of a real-time PCR technique at PTI and 12 months later and expressed as an mtDNA/nuclear DNA ratio, together with lactate levels. At PTI, patients had remained a median time of 4.7 years on HAART and 4.3 years with complete suppression of viral replication. The main reason leading to PTI was treatment fatigue. One month after PTI, HIV plasmatic viral load had increased to 4.8 log copies/ml and stabilized thereafter. During the 12-month study period, all children remained free from any HIV-related clinical event. A progressive and significant decrease in median CD4 cell counts and percentages was observed 12 months after PTI. One year after PTI, the median mtDNA/nuclear DNA ratios had increased from 0.76 to 1.08 (p = 0.002) and lactate levels had decreased (from 1.12 to 0.73 mmol/liter; p = 0.019). Changes in mtDNA did not correlate with changes in lactate levels. No relationship was found between the evolution in mt toxicity markers and the rest of the clinical, immunological, and virological variables. In this series, PTI led to a partial restoration of mtDNA levels and a significant decrease in lactate values.

Antiretroviral-related hematologic short-term toxicity in healthy infants: implications of the new neonatal 4-week zidovudine regimen.

Recent updates of the guidelines on the prevention of human immunodeficiency virus mother-to-child transmission have shortened the neonatal zidovudine prophylactic regimens from 6 to 4 weeks. We present a prospective observational study in a large cohort of mother-infant pairs and report that the 4-week regimen allows an earlier recovery of the anemia in these otherwise healthy infants.

Prevalence of human metapneumovirus among hospitalized children younger than 1 year in Catalonia, Spain.

Human metapneumovirus was discovered recently respiratory virus implicated in both upper and lower respiratory tract infection. In children, the clinical symptoms of human metapneumovirus are similar to those produced by respiratory syncytial virus, ranging from mild to severe diseases such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia. The aim of the present study was to describe the prevalence of human metapneumovirus and other common respiratory viruses among admitted to hospital infants. From January 2006 to June 2006, 99 nasopharyngeal aspirates were collected from hospitalized children younger than 12 months in order to study respiratory viruses. Human metapneumovirus detection was performed by cell culture and two RT-PCR targeting on polymerase and fusion genes. The latter gene was used for phylogenetic analysis. In 67/99 children (67%) at least one viral pathogen was identified, the viruses detected most frequently were respiratory syncytial virus (35%), human metapneumovirus (25%) and rhinovirus (19%). The results obtained in this study, show that: (1) human metapneumovirus is one of the most important viruses among children less than 12 months; (2) children infected with human metapneumovirus were significantly older than those infected by respiratory syncytial virus; (3) human metapneumovirus was associated more frequently with pneumonia whereas respiratory syncytial virus was only detected in patients with bronchiolitis; (4) there was a clear epidemiological succession pattern with only a small overlap among the viruses detected most frequently; (5) all human metapneumovirus samples were clustered within sublineage A2.

Stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes and quality traits of fossil cereal grains provide clues on sustainability at the beginnings of Mediterranean agriculture.

We present a novel approach to study the sustainability of ancient Mediterranean agriculture that combines the measurement of carbon isotope discrimination (Delta(13)C) and nitrogen isotope composition (delta(15)N) along with the assessment of quality traits in fossil cereal grains. Charred grains of naked wheat and barley were recovered in Los Castillejos, an archaeological site in SE Spain, with a continuous occupation of ca. 1500 years starting soon after the origin of agriculture (ca. 4000 BCE) in the region. Crop water status and yield were estimated from Delta(13)C and soil fertility and management practices were assessed from the delta(15)N and N content of grains. The original grain weight was inferred from grain dimensions and grain N content was assessed after correcting N concentration for the effect of carbonisation. Estimated water conditions (i.e. rainfall) during crop growth remained constant for the entire period. However, the grain size and grain yield decreased progressively during the first millennium after the onset of agriculture, regardless of the species, with only a slight recovery afterwards. Minimum delta(15)N values and grain N content were also recorded in the later periods of site occupation. Our results indicate a progressive loss of soil fertility, even when the amount of precipitation remained steady, thereby indicating the unsustainable nature of early agriculture at this site in the Western Mediterranean Basin. In addition, several findings suggest that barley and wheat were cultivated separately, the former being restricted to marginal areas, coinciding with an increased focus on wheat cultivation.