Biodiversity of ecosystems in an arid setting: The late Albian plant communities and associated biota from eastern Iberia.

Deserts are stressful environments where the living beings must acquire different strategies to survive due to the water stress conditions. From the late Albian to the early Cenomanian, the northern and eastern parts of Iberia were the location of the desert system represented by deposits assigned to the Utrillas Group, which bear abundant amber with numerous bioinclusions, including diverse arthropods and vertebrate remains. In the Maestrazgo Basin (E Spain), the late Albian to early Cenomanian sedimentary succession represents the most distal part of the desert system (fore-erg) that was characterised by an alternation of aeolian and shallow marine sedimentary environments in the proximity of the Western Tethys palaeo-coast, with rare to frequent dinoflagellate cysts. The terrestrial ecosystems from this area were biodiverse, and comprised plant communities whose fossils are associated with sedimentological indicators of aridity. The palynoflora dominated by wind-transported conifer pollen is interpreted to reflect various types of xerophytic woodlands from the hinterlands and the coastal settings. Therefore, fern and angiosperm communities abundantly grew in wet interdunes and coastal wetlands (temporary to semi-permanent freshwater/salt marshes and water bodies). In addition, the occurrence of low-diversity megafloral assemblages reflects the existence of coastal salt-influenced settings. The palaeobotanical study carried out in this paper which is an integrative work on palynology and palaeobotany, does not only allow the reconstruction of the vegetation that developed in the mid-Cretaceous fore-erg from the eastern Iberia, in addition, provides new biostratigraphic and palaeogeographic data considering the context of angiosperm radiation as well as the biota inferred in the amber-bearing outcrops of San Just, Arroyo de la Pascueta and La Hoya (within Cortes de Arenoso succesion). Importantly, the studied assemblages include Afropollis, Dichastopollenites, Cretacaeiporites together with pollen produced by Ephedraceae (known for its tolerance to arid conditions). The presence of these pollen grains, typical for northern Gondwana, associates the Iberian ecosystems with those characterising the mentioned region.

Accelerometer-Based Physical Activity, Sedentary Time, and BMI among Preschoolers in Puerto Rico.

OBJECTIVE: A minimum of 3-h/day of any intensity physical activity (PA) has been recommended for preschoolers. No previous study has documented accelerometer-based PA and sedentary time (ST) among Hispanic preschoolers in Puerto Rico, a population with high obesity and low PA prevalence. The purpose of this study was to describe and compare total, weekdays (during- and out-of-preschool) and weekend PA and ST, and test associations with body mass index (BMI). METHODS: A group of 3-5-year-old preschoolers (9 boys,13 girls) completed height and weight measurements, and wore an accelerometer during 7-days. Shapiro-Wilk, Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman correlations were used to test for normality, sex differences and associations, respectively. RESULTS: No sex differences were observed for BMI, weekdays and weekends PA and ST. Light to vigorous intensity PA (LVPA=3.2±0.6 h/day) and moderate to vigorous intensity PA (MVPA=80.4±21.7 min/day) were within guidelines only on weekdays. LVPA occupied 21.3% (15.4±3.7 min/h), MVPA 9.5% (6.6±2.3 min/h), and ST 65.3% (4.8±0.4 h/day) of preschool time. Boys had higher MVPA than girls only during-preschool time. BMI indicative of overweight-obesity was identified in 36.3%, and BMI directly correlated with total ST and inversely correlated with LVPA. CONCLUSION: Total and during-preschool LVPA and ST, and their association with BMI highlight the need for interventions to promote PA and reduce ST, particularly during-preschool time.

Dinosaur bonebed amber from an original swamp forest soil.

Dinosaur bonebeds with amber content, yet scarce, offer a superior wealth and quality of data on ancient terrestrial ecosystems. However, the preserved palaeodiversity and/or taphonomic characteristics of these exceptional localities had hitherto limited their palaeobiological potential. Here, we describe the amber from the Lower Cretaceous dinosaur bonebed of Ariño (Teruel, Spain) using a multidisciplinary approach. Amber is found in both a root layer with amber strictly in situ and a litter layer mainly composed of aerial pieces unusually rich in bioinclusions, encompassing 11 insect orders, arachnids, and a few plant and vertebrate remains, including a feather. Additional palaeontological data-charophytes, palynomorphs, ostracods- are provided. Ariño arguably represents the most prolific and palaeobiologically diverse locality in which fossiliferous amber and a dinosaur bonebed have been found in association, and the only one known where the vast majority of the palaeontological assemblage suffered no or low-grade pre-burial transport. This has unlocked unprecedentedly complete and reliable palaeoecological data out of two complementary windows of preservation-the bonebed and the amber-from the same site.

Estética de los tejidos blandos periimplantarios / Periimplant soft tissues and aesthetics

Hoy en día, la terapia restauradora mediante implantes dentales constituye un procedimiento más que aceptado por parte de los clínicos. La preocupación de los mismos, por alcanzar la osteointegración y funcionalidad de las restauraciones implantosoportadas, ha dado paso a una nueva etapa, en la cual los pacientes demandan rehabilitaciones que no sólo les devuelvan la función, sino que también sean estéticamente adecuadas. Para lograr estos objetivos cuando realizamos un tratamiento implantológico, debemos tener en cuenta, no solo la forma que van a tener nuestras restauraciones sino también la importancia que tiene el manejo de los tejidos blandos periimplantarios.En este trabajo se describen los conceptos principales de la biología de los tejidos blandos, tanto periodontales como periimplantarios, cuyo conocimiento es imprescindible para una buena manipulación de los mismos. Por otra parte, se enumeran los principios fundamentales para lograr un emplazamiento periimplantario estético (posición de los implantes, importancia de la forma de las restauraciones, aspectos periodontales a tener en cuenta,...). Por último se repasan las técnicas, tanto quirúrgicas como no quirúrgicas, aconsejadas para restaurar la anatomía gingival perdida (AU)

Nowadays, implant therapy has become accepted in dental practice. The clinician’s concerns in terms of osseointegration and function in implant rehabilitation has turned into a new stage in which the patient who decides to undergo implant treatment wants not only a functional prosthesis but also an aesthetically one. To achieve this we have to take into account not only prosthesis of exacting shape and shade but also a dedicated periimplant soft tissue manipulation. This article describes the principal considerations in term of soft tissues biologic, whether periodontal or periiimplant soft tissues. On the other hand, the principles to achieve an aesthetic periimplant location are enumerated (implants placement, restorations shape, periodontal aspects to bear in mind…). Finally, advised surgical and not surgical techniques to restore the lost gingival architecture are revised (AU)