https://hdl.handle.net/10481/13839 2026-04-13T20:20:30Z https://hdl.handle.net/10481/112634 Validating Dental Histology for Perinatal Age Estimation Using Human Deciduous Teeth Martirosyan, Ani; Irurita Olivares, Javier; Malgosa, Assumpció; Molera, Judit; Mahoney, Patrick; Jordana, Xavier Objectives: This study tests the accuracy of dental histology for perinatal age estimation using deciduous teeth from modern human infants of known age. We evaluate whether enamel and dentin incremental structures, particularly the Neonatal Line (NNL), can be used to provide a reliable estimate of chronological age. Samples and Methods: Seventeen unerupted deciduous teeth from 14 full-term infants (0–164 days old) were analyzed from the Granada identified skeletal collection in Spain. Thin sections were examined under transmitted light and confocal microscopy to identify the NNL, cross-striations, and von Ebner's lines. Daily secretion rates (DSR) were measured across crown and root to calculate crown formation time (CFT) and root formation time (RFT), which were compared with the documented ages at death. Results: Mean enamel DSR was 3.38 μm/day, and mean root dentin DSR was 3.24 μm/day. Enamel DSRs varied between tooth types and crown regions. The NNL was identified in all individuals who survived birth and was absent in one stillbirth, confirming its reliability as an indicator of live birth. Prenatal CFTs fell within ranges reported for full-term gestation, supporting the interpretation that all individuals were born at term. Histologically derived ages differed from recorded ages by an underestimation of 8 to an overestimation of 1 day, with a mean difference of 1 day. Conclusions: Deciduous dental histology provides an accurate estimate of chronological age for human juveniles in the year after birth. These findings suggest that perinatal age estimates derived from dental histology can be applied in bioarchaeological and forensic contexts. https://hdl.handle.net/10481/111977 Copper in colorectal cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis Muñoz-Bravo, Carlos; Marín-Burdallo, Inés; González Herrera, Lucas; González-Palacios Torres, Carla; Lozano Lorca, Macarena; Jiménez Moleón, José Juan; Olmedo Requena, María Rocío Several clinical studies have evaluated the relationship between copper on colorectal cancer (CRC), but the results are contradictory. This study aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate copper measured in two biological matrices (serum/plasma/blood and tissue) and dietary intake in CRC patients compared to healthy controls. We conducted a comprehensive and systematic search in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science. We included studies that reported copper levels in serum/plasma/blood, tissue, or from the diet, with an observational study design (cohort and case–control studies). Study quality was assessed with the Newcastle–Ottawa scale and potential causes of heterogeneity were evaluated. Standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were pooled using randomeffect models. Overall pooled odds ratio and 95% CI for the risk of CRC were calculated. Twenty-six studies (23 case–control and 3 cohort studies) with a total of 227 354 participants were included. Most of the studies presented low (50%) or moderate quality (42.3%). No differences in serum/plasma/blood copper levels (SMD = 0.23; 95% CI: −0.23, 0.70; I2 = 97.3%, 19 studies), tissue copper levels (SMD = −1.69; 95% CI: −3.41, 0.03; I2 = 85.6%, 2 studies), or copper/zinc ratio (SMD = 1.19; 95% CI: 0.54, 1.84; I2 = 95.3%, 6 studies) were found between CRC patients and healthy controls. Regarding dietary copper, CRC patients had a lower intake (SMD = −0.27; 95% CI: −0.51, −0.03; I2 = 0.0%, 2 studies). No differences were found in copper levels between CRC patients and healthy controls. However, evidence shows mostly low or moderate quality, and results were heterogeneous. More prospective studies with an adequate methodological approach are needed. Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Granada / CBUA. https://hdl.handle.net/10481/111206 A 3D vector-based approach to facial soft tissue–cranial relationships for forensic identification in the Spanish population Navarro Merino, Fernando Jesús; Martos, Rubén; Damas Arroyo, Sergio; Alemán Aguilera, María Inmaculada Facial soft tissue thickness is a key parameter in forensic craniofacial identification, reflecting the anatomical relationship between the skull and the overlying soft tissues. This study characterizes the spatial correspondence between cranial (craniometric) and facial (cephalometric) landmarks in a Spanish adult population through a three-dimensional vector-based approach applied to computed tomography data. CT scans from 459 healthy individuals (264 males, 195 females; aged 18–60 years) were analyzed. A total set of 12 cephalometric and craniometric landmarks were selected. For each pair of landmarks, the spatial coordinates (X, Y, Z) were extracted and used to compute vectors describing both the orientation and direction in space, as well as the distance corresponding to soft tissue thickness between bone and skin. Statistically significant sex differences were found for most landmarks, but only four exceeded the measurement error threshold. The 3D vectorial approach provides a comprehensive representation of craniofacial spatial relationships beyond linear measurements, allowing a more precise understanding of tissue distribution and landmark orientation. This study presents the first vector-based facial soft tissue thickness reference dataset for the Spanish population, enhancing the accuracy of craniofacial identification and its integration into computational and AI-based forensic applications. The authors would like to express their gratitude to the Central Services of the Hospitals of Castilla-La Mancha (SESCAM, Spain) for kindly providing the anonymized CT data used in this study. https://hdl.handle.net/10481/111197 Recensión: Sarr, B. [Ed.], 2025. MAQBARA. Espacios, rituales y ceremoniales de enterramientos islámicos. Alhulia, Alborão 4. ISBN 9788412883336 López-Gijón, Ramón https://hdl.handle.net/10481/111196 Evidence of ascariasis in a Celtic newborn from northern Italy López-Gijón, Ramón; Teegen, Wolf-Rüdiger; Laffranchi, Zita; Vitali, Daniele; Zink, Albert; Milella, Marco BACKGROUND Infections with Ascaris lumbricoides can be traced back to the late Pleistocene by palaeoparasitological analysis. Even today, Ascaris infections are still very common worldwide. OBJECTIVES In a pilot study, soil samples from the pelvic area of ten individuals from the Celtic necropolis of Povegliano Veronese (northern Italy) were examined using palaeoparasitological methods. The burials date from the 3rd to 1st century Before the Common Era (BCE). METHODS The palaeoparasitological methods already proven in earlier studies were applied. FINDINGS Positive evidence of Ascaris eggs was obtained in three individuals, including a newborn. This neonate is the focus of the article. The causes of a possible Ascaris infection in a newborn are discussed. MAIN CONCLUSIONS It may represent the oldest documented instance of ascariasis in a neonatal individual. This study was supported by a Swiss National Science Foundation Grant to MM (Grant Number: 10531FL_197103/1) and by a grant from the Autonomous Province of Bolzano-Alto Adige — Department of Innovation, Research, University and Museums (Funding Decree n.9/2021) to AZ. The anthropological and palaeopathological investigations by WRT were supported in part by Universität Leipzig and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München. RL-G and W-RT contributed equally to this work.