In situ observations on the dentition and oral cavity of the Neanderthal skeleton from Altamura (Italy)

The Neanderthal specimen from Lamalunga Cave, near Altamura (Apulia, Italy), was discovered during a speleological survey in 1993. The specimen is one of the most complete fossil hominins in Europe and its state of preservation is exceptional, although it is stuck in calcareous concretions and the bones are mostly covered by calcite depositions. Nevertheless, it is possible to carry out some observations on craniodental features that have not previously been described. In this work, we present an account of the oral cavity, made possible by the use of a videoscope, which allowed us to reach some hidden parts of the mandible and palate. This is the first detailed overview of the teeth and maxillary bones of the Neanderthal skeleton from Altamura. The dentition is almost complete. However, two teeth (upper right P3 and upper left M1) were lost ante mortem and four teeth (lower right I1 and P3 and lower left I1 and I2) were lost most probably post mortem. Dental wear is marked. The erupted M3s and the inversion of the compensating curve of Wilson in the M1s and M2s but not in the M3s suggest that the individual is fully adult, but not old. Although most of the teeth have their roots exposed for several millimeters, the periodontal bone appears to be in good condition overall, except in correspondence of the two ante-mortem tooth losses. X-rays of the anterior teeth show a periapical lesion, probably linked to the advanced dental wear. We also observed a weak expression of taurodontism in the posterior dentition and the presence of a retromolar space, features consistent with an attribution to the Neanderthal hypodigm; this attribution is also supported by aspects of the cranial morphology, the morphometric analysis of the scapula and preliminary mtDNA data. There is also a well-developed palatine torus, to the best of our knowledge a feature not previously described in Neanderthals

Exploring directional and fluctuating asymmetry in the human palate during growth

open24siObjectives: Palate morphology is constantly changing throughout an individual's lifespan, yet its asymmetry during growth is still little understood. In this research, we focus on the study of palate morphology by using 3D geometric morphometric approaches to observe changes at different stages of life, and to quantify the impact of directional and fluctuating asymmetry on different areas at different growth stages. Materials and Methods: The sample consists of 183 individuals (1–72 years) from two identified human skeletal collections of 19th and early 20th Century Italian contexts. A 3D-template of 41 (semi)landmarks was applied on digital palate models to observe morphological variation during growth. Results: Asymmetrical components of the morphological structure appears multidirectional on the entire palate surface in individuals <2 years old and become oriented (opposite bilateral direction) between 2 and 6 years of age. Specifically, directional asymmetry differentially impacts palate morphology at different stages of growth. Both the anterior and posterior palate are affected by mild alterations in the first year of life, while between 2 and 6 years asymmetry is segregated in the anterior area, and moderate asymmetry affects the entire palatal surface up to 12 years of age. Our results show that stability of the masticatory system seems to be reached around 13–35 years first by females and then males. From 36 years on both sexes show similar asymmetry on the anterior area. Regarding fluctuating asymmetry, inter-individual variability is mostly visible up to 12 years of age, after which only directional trends can be clearly observed at a group level. Discussion: Morphological structure appears instable during the first year of life and acquires an opposite asymmetric bilateral direction between 2 and 6 years of age. This condition has been also documented in adults; when paired with vertical alteration, anterior/posterior asymmetry seems to characterize palate morphology, which is probably due to mechanical factors during the lifespan. Fluctuating asymmetry is predominant in the first period of life due to a plausible relationship with the strength of morphological instability of the masticatory system. Directional asymmetry, on the other hand, shows that the patterning of group-level morphological change might be explained as a functional response to differential inputs (physiological forces, nutritive and non-nutritive habits, para-masticatory activity as well as the development of speech) in different growth stages. This research has implications with respect to medical and evolutionary fields. In medicine, palate morphology should be considered when planning orthodontic and surgical procedures as it could affect the outcome. As far as an evolutionary perspective is concerned the dominance of directional asymmetries in the masticatory system could provide information on dietary and cultural habits as well as pathological conditions in our ancestors.embargoed_20220511Oxilia G.; Menghi Sartorio J.C.; Bortolini E.; Zampirolo G.; Papini A.; Boggioni M.; Martini S.; Marciani F.; Arrighi S.; Figus C.; Marciani G.; Romandini M.; Silvestrini S.; Pedrosi M.E.; Mori T.; Riga A.; Kullmer O.; Sarig R.; Fiorenza L.; Giganti M.; Sorrentino R.; Belcastro M.G.; Cecchi J.M.; Benazzi S.Oxilia G.; Menghi Sartorio J.C.; Bortolini E.; Zampirolo G.; Papini A.; Boggioni M.; Martini S.; Marciani F.; Arrighi S.; Figus C.; Marciani G.; Romandini M.; Silvestrini S.; Pedrosi M.E.; Mori T.; Riga A.; Kullmer O.; Sarig R.; Fiorenza L.; Giganti M.; Sorrentino R.; Belcastro M.G.; Cecchi J.M.; Benazzi S

Early Alpine occupation backdates westward human migration in Late Glacial Europe

Before the end of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM, ∼16.5 ka ago) set in motion major shifts in human culture and population structure, a consistent change in lithic technology, material culture, settlement pattern, and adaptive strategies is recorded in Southern Europe at ∼18–17 ka ago. In this time frame, the landscape of Northeastern Italy changed considerably, and the retreat of glaciers allowed hunter-gatherers to gradually recolonize the Alps. Change within this renewed cultural frame (i.e., during the Late Epigravettian phase) is currently associated with migrations favored by warmer climate linked to the Bølling-Allerød onset (14.7 ka ago), which replaced earlier genetic lineages with ancestry found in an individual who lived ∼14 ka ago at Riparo Villabruna, Italy, and shared among different contexts (Villabruna Cluster). Nevertheless, these dynamics and their chronology are still far from being disentangled due to fragmentary evidence for long-distance interactions across Europe. Here, we generate new genomic data from a human mandible uncovered at Riparo Tagliente (Veneto, Italy), which we directly dated to 16,980–16,510 cal BP (2σ). This individual, affected by focal osseous dysplasia, is genetically affine to the Villabruna Cluster. Our results therefore backdate by at least 3 ka the diffusion in Southern Europe of a genetic component linked to Balkan/Anatolian refugia, previously believed to have spread during the later Bølling/Allerød event. In light of the new genetic evidence, this population replacement chronologically coincides with the very emergence of major cultural transitions in Southern and Western Europe.The research was supported by the European Union through the European Research Council under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme (grant agreement no. 724046 – Success awarded to S.B., http://www.erc-success.eu; grant agreement no. 803147 Resolution awarded to S.T., https://site.unibo.it/resolution-erc/en) as well as through the European Regional Development Fund (project no. 2014–2020.4.01.16–0030 to C.L.S. and T.S.) and projects no. 2014-2020.4.01.16-0024 and MOBTT53 (L.P.), by the Estonian Research Council personal research grant (PRG243; C.L.S.), and by UniPd PRID 2019 (L.P.).Peer reviewe

New aspects of the interaction of the antibiotic coralyne with RNA: coralyne induces triple helix formation in poly(rA)•poly(rU)

The interaction of coralyne with poly(A)•poly(U), poly(A)•2poly(U), poly(A) and poly(A)•poly(A) is analysed using spectrophotometric, spectrofluorometric, circular dichroism (CD), viscometric, stopped-flow and temperature-jump techniques. It is shown for the first time that coralyne induces disproportionation of poly(A)•poly(U) to triplex poly(A)•2poly(U) and single-stranded poly(A) under suitable values of the [dye]/[polymer] ratio (CD/CP). Kinetic, CD and spectrofluorometric experiments reveal that this process requires that coralyne (D) binds to duplex. The resulting complex (AUD) reacts with free duplex giving triplex (UAUD) and free poly(A); moreover, ligand exchange between duplex and triplex occurs. A reaction mechanism is proposed and the reaction parameters are evaluated. For CD/CP> 0.8 poly(A)•poly(U) does not disproportionate at 25°C and dye intercalation into AU to give AUD is the only observed process. Melting experiments as well show that coralyne induces the duplex disproportionation. Effects of temperature, ionic strength and ethanol content are investigated. One concludes that triplex formation requires coralyne be only partially intercalated into AUD. Under suitable concentration conditions, this feature favours the interaction of free AU with AUD to give the AUDAU intermediate which evolves into triplex UAUD and single-stranded poly(A). Duplex poly(A)•poly(A) undergoes aggregation as well, but only at much higher polymer concentrations compared to poly(A)•poly(U)

Kinetic and Thermodynamic Studies on Ga3+/PAR Complex Formation in SDS Surfactant Solutions

In recent years, owing to the awareness on environmental hazards in the wide use of organic solvents for metal ion extraction, selective extraction and concentration of toxic and precious metals from aqueous streams and liquid wastes by new smart technologies has been the object of intense studies. Between these new strategies, micellar media were found to have significant advantages over a two-phase water-organic solvent system for the extraction process.1,2 In addition of lower environmental impact, the micelles are distributed uniformly through the medium as very small (nano-sized) aggregates, therefore avoiding mixing problems due to unhomogeneity. In the presence of a negatively charged surface, such as is provided by the head groups of the surfactant, the metal ion will be electrostatically attracted to the micelle surface and the extractant will concentrate in the hydrophobic core of the micelle. Under these conditions the extent of extraction will be enhanced as the result of a local concentration effect on both reactants.A study on the kinetics and thermodynamics of the reaction between Ga(III) and ligand 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol (PAR) has been done in sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) surfactant solutions, by means of the stopped-flow technique and by UV-vis spectroscopy. A rate promotion effect is found for the forward reaction and for the equilibrium constant in the presence of micelles. The maximum catalysis effect is found when the surfactant concentration is just above the cmc (critical micellar concentration), followed by a decrease at higher SDS concentrations. The kinetic constant of complex formation in SDS solutions at pH=4 is much lower that the one measured at pH=6. In fact, under the latter pH conditions, the neutral PAR species prevails. Such a neutral molecule will have lower tendency to condensate on the negative micelle surface than the protonated H3PAR+ species. Further mechanistic details will be discussed

The Gallium (III)/4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol System in Water and SDS Solution: Kinetics and Thermodynamic

The equilibria and kinetics of the complex formation and dissociation reaction between gallium(III) and PAR [4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol] have been investigated in water and in the presence of SDS micelles. The reactive form of Ga(III) is GaOH2+ in both cases. The addition of SDS results in an increase of both the binding affinity and velocity, the maximum accelerating effect being observed just above the cmc value of SDS that, under the conditions of the experiments, is 5.6 10-3 M. At pH ) 3.2, the maximum value of the equilibrium constant ratio Kapp(SDS)/Kapp(H2O) is 27.4, whereas that of the binding rate constants kf(SDS)/kf(H2O) is 16. The results are interpreted in terms of increased concentrations of the reactants on the micelle surface and on competition of PAR and SDS for GaOH2+