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Portus Ilicitanus (Picola, Alicante) was the main sea harbour of the Roman Colonia Iulia Ilici Augusta and as such played a crucial role in the supply of fundamental commodities to the Iberian Peninsula. Excavations yielded large quantities of glass in fourth‐ and early fifth‐century contexts. Elemental analysis of 60 samples by laser ablation – inductively coupled plasma – mass spectrometry (LA–ICP–MS) confirmed that the glasses were imported from the Eastern Mediterranean. A majority of the glasses correspond to the HIMTa primary production group, which originates from Egypt. The statistical evaluation of published data of 589 HIMT glasses further revealed differential distribution patterns of the HIMTa and HIMTb subtypes between the Eastern and Western Mediterranean, suggesting chronological trends that are linked to wider geopolitical changes. This demonstrates the need for systematic large‐scale approaches to identify supply patterns and possible factors underlying geographical differences and/or chronological developments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The present study reports the gametogenic cycle of the common octopus, Octopus vulgaris Cuvier, 1797 in the Atlantic coast of Andalusia between May 2001 and May 2002. A total of 673 specimens of total weight ranging from 30 to 3,732 g were analysed. The gonad development was defined by means of histological methods and gonadosomatic indexes. Four gametogenic stages were identified in males (I immature, II maturing, III mature, IV spawning) and in females (I immature, II maturing, III pre-spawning, IV spawning). The sex ratio obtained was not significantly different from 1:1 ( P>0.01). Mature males were found during the whole year, September being the month when the highest rate of sexually active individuals occurred (48%). In females, the gametogenic cycle commenced in December and ended in November, and spawning occurred between April and October, with two maximum peaks in August and September (48% in each). Size at sexual maturity was 850 g of total body weight for males and 1,250 g of total body weight for females. Males mature earlier than females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are an unusual family of neoplasms with a wide and complex spectrum of clinical behavior. Here, we present the first report of a National Cancer Registry of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors from a Southern European country. Patients and methods: Data was provided online at www.retegep.net by participating centers and assessed for internal consistency by external independent reviewers. Results: The study cohort comprised 907 tumors. The most common tumor types were carcinoids (55%), pancreatic nonfunctional tumors (20%), metastatic NETs of unknown primary (9%), insulinomas (8%) and gastrinomas (4%). Forty-four percent presented with distant disease at diagnosis, most often those from small intestine (65%), colon (48%), rectum (40%) and pancreas (38%), being most unusual in appendix primaries (1.3%). Stage at diagnosis varied significantly according to sex, localization of primary tumor, tumor type and grade. Overall 5-year survival was 75.4% (95% confidence interval 71.3% to 79.5%) and was significantly greater in women, younger patients and patients with hormonal syndrome and early stage or lower grade tumors. Prognosis also differed according to tumor type and primary tumor site. However, stage and Ki-67 index were the only independent predictors for survival. Conclusion: This national database reveals relevant information regarding epidemiology, current clinical practices and prognosis of NETs in Spain, providing valuable insights that may contribute to understand regional disparities in the incidence, patterns of care and survival of this heterogeneous disease across different continents and countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]