Ostanki velikih sesalcev holocenske starosti iz jame Stenašca/Grotta dell’Edera na Tržaškem Krasu (izkopavanja v letih 1990–2001)

The zooarchaeology and taphonomy of large mammal remains from Grotta dell’Edera (Trieste Karst, northern Italy) are presented in this paper. A Mesolithic (Sauveterrian) Preboreal assemblage testifies to a first human occupation, followed by a second longer Sauveterrian frequentation from the Boreal until the beginning of the Atlantic. The last Mesolithic groups are represented by a Castelnovian assemblage, in which the bones of domesticates were detected with wild games remains. The presence of weathered bones in this layer indicates possible slow sedimentation, which may have led to the formation of a palimpsest, but more geoarchaeological data are needed to clarify this context. Neolithic and Eneolithic layers are characterized by an overwhelming presence of caprines and by an increase in the domestic pig and cattle through time. A number of caprine foetal remains points to the presence of individuals accumulated due to natural death and to the caution needed in evaluating caprine age profiles from sites used as stables.Predstavljeni so rezultati zooarheološke in tafonomske analize ostankov velikih sesalcev iz jame Stenašca/Grotta dell’Edera) na Tržaškem Krasu. Najstarejše človekove sledi so datirane v mezolitik (sovterjen). Ljudje so se namreč v jami občasno zadrževali že v predborealu, intenzivneje pa so jo začeli obiskovati v borealu in v začetku atlantika. Zadnja faza prisotnosti mezolitskih skupin je časovno umeščena v kastelnovjen. Označujejo jo ostanki domačih in lovnih živali, pri čemer večji del kosti izkazuje sledi neposredne izpostavljenosti vremenskim pojavom. To bi lahko pričalo o razmeroma počasnem odlaganju omenjene plasti, ki je povzročilo nastanek palimpsesta, vendar bi dokončna razjasnitev problematike terjala več geoarheoloških podatkov. Za skupek živalskih ostankov iz neolitskih in eneolitskih plasti je značilna očitna prevlada kosti in zob drobnice, pa tudi postopna rast števila najdb domačega prašiča in goveda. Na podlagi prisotnosti posameznih kosti ovčjih in/ali kozjih zarodkov je mogoče sklepati na naraven pogin teh živali. Slednje kliče k previdnosti pri oceni starostnih profilov domestikatov z najdišč, ki so bila uporabljana kot staje

MicroCT imaging of long bones: archaeozoology and domestication from a digital perspective

X-ray microCT imaging offers the possibility to study interior structure of animal remains detecting agerelated changes of bone microstructure. In the present paper we analyse patterns in the development of diaphyseal structure in canids. In particular, the first metacarpal of present-day and archaeological red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and wolf (Canis lupus) individuals have been analysed. Variables describing bone structure were measured by inferring bone development through observation of cross-sections. Results show how bone structure changes through life and how this approach allows to separate young individuals from older ones. This is important both from a zooarchaeological perspective, since microCT imaging is a non-invasive tool to estimate the age at death of animal remains, and to discriminate taxa characterized by a close morphology but different adult body size

Geometric morphometrics reveal relationship between cut-mark morphology and cutting tools

The analysis of bone-surface modifications (BSM), such as butchering marks, is necessary to better understand how the exploitation of animal resources by past hominins influenced their biological and cultural evolution. In this paper, we try to quantify to what extent the depth of the cut marks influences the shape of their cross sections. This is of crucial importance for a valid interpretation of the shape data collected on archaeological BSMs. Two groups of slicing cut-mark cross sections were experimentally produced with two flint burins on a defleshed cattle innominate, and a set of butchering marks were produced with an unretouched flint flake. These were analysed by means of 3D microscopy and geometric morphometrics. The resulting sets of striae show different depths and different cross-sectional shapes. Shallower cross sections display less steep walls and, consequently, a wider opening angle. When the characteristics of the burin cutting edges were investigated, it was clear that the difference in shape between the two groups of striations was probably a function of the way in which the tool penetrated the bone. These results are taphonomically relevant since similar differences in cross-sectional shapes have been found in marks produced with different tools

Using X-ray Microtomography to Discriminate Between Dogs’ and Wolves’ Lower Carnassial Tooth

Dogs and wolves exhibit similar dental features since they belong to the same species. Here we explore a new method to discriminate between wild and domestic forms, based on the analysis of the internal structure of the teeth. We analysed the lower first molar of 21 dogs and 17 wolves. X-ray microtomographic analyses were performed and tooth tissue proportions were assessed by the proportion of the dentine volume. As a result, dog molars show a lower percentage of dentine than those of wolves. This analysis offers promising applications in the study of dog domestication origins

The cut runs deep: Linking the cut marks to the cutting tools

The analysis of bone surface modifications (BSM), such as butchering marks, is necessary to better understand how the exploitation of animal resources by past hominins influenced their biological and cultural evolution. Even if several studies have been carried out on this topic in the last decades, there are still some phenomena which need to be thoroughly understood. Here we try to quantify how can the depth of cut marks influence the shape of their cross-sections. This is of crucial important for a valid interpretation of shape data collected on archaeological BSMs. In particular, two groups of cut marks’ cross-sections experimentally produced with two flint burins on a cattle innominate are analysed in this paper by means of 3D microscopy and geometric morphometrics. The two sets of striae show a different depth and a different cross-sectional shape. In particular, shallower cross sections are characterized by less steep walls and consequently by a wider opening angle. If analysis moves to the characteristics of the cutting edge of the burins, it comes out that the different shape between the two groups of striations is probably a function of the way in which the tool penetrates into the bone. These results are relevant for taphonomy, since similar difference in cross-sectional shape were found between marks produced with different raw materials. This contribution highlights the importance of considering the characteristics of tool’s cutting edges in evaluating the meaning of shape variability of cut marks cross-sections. © 2019 International Conference on Metrology for Archaeology and Cultural Heritage

Using 3D Microscopy to Analyze Experimental Cut Marks on Animal Bones Produced with Different Stone Tools

This study uses a combination of digital microscopic analysis and experimental archaeology to assess stone tool cut marks on animal bones. We used two un-retouched flint flakes and two burins to inflict cut marks on fresh, boiled, and dry ungulate bones. The experiment produced three series of three engravings on each bone with each of the experimental tools. The first series involved one single stroke; the second, two strokes in the same direction; and the third, multiple strokes using a to-and-fro movement. We analyzed the striations using a Hirox 3D digital microscope (KH-7700) and collected metric and profile data on the morphology of the cut marks. In order to describe the shape of each cross section, we calculated the ratio between the breadth at the top and the breadth at the floor of cut marks. Preliminary results show that both the tool type and the method of creating the cut mark influence the shape of the resulting groove. In our experiment, morphological parameters can be used to differentiate between marks produced using un-retouched flint flakes and those produced using burins. However, neither morphological nor morphometric analysis allows us to identify the mechanical motion used to produce the cuts, nor the state of the bone (fresh, boiled, or dry) at the moment of marking

Analytical potential of 2D shape analysis to study Epigravettian lithic assemblages

In this paper we apply for the first time a 2D shape analysis to a sample of Epigravettian lithic artefacts with the aim of evaluating the potential of such approach. The lithic sample comes from layer 9c2 (Evolved Epigravettian, Upper Palaeolithic) of Grotta Paglicci (Apulia, southern Italy). After extracting the outline coordinates from highresolution images using the software DiaOutline, we conduct Elliptic Fourier Analysis, Principal Component Analysis, and Linear Discriminant Analysis in the R package Momocs to investigate the internal variability of the sample. The results of the analysis are extremely promising and highlight significant separation between common tools, laminar blanks, and backed tools. Furthermore, this analysis can be useful to evaluate the technical investment in the retouching of the blanks to manufacture backed points

Safety and efficacy of prophylactic treatment for hyperthyroidism induced by iodinated contrast media in a high-risk population

IntroductionThe use of iodinated contrast media (ICM) can lead to thyrotoxicosis, especially in patients with risk factors, such as Graves' disease, multinodular goiter, older age, and iodine deficiency. Although hyperthyroidism may have clinically relevant effects, whether high-risk patients should receive prophylactic treatment before they are administered ICM is still debated. Aim of the studyWe aimed to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of prophylactic treatment with sodium perchlorate and/or methimazole to prevent ICM-induced hyperthyroidism (ICMIH) in a population of high-risk cardiac patients. We ran a cost analysis to ascertain the most cost-effective prophylactic treatment protocol. We also aimed to identify possible risk factors for the onset of ICMIH. Materials and methodsWe performed a longitudinal retrospective study on 61 patients admitted to a tertiary-level cardiology unit for diagnostic and/or therapeutic ICM-procedures. We included patients with available records of thyroid function tests performed before and after ICM were administered, who were at high risk of developing ICMIH. Patients were given one of two different prophylactic treatments (methimazole alone or both methimazole and sodium perchlorate) or no prophylactic treatment. The difference between their thyroid function at the baseline and 11-30 days after the ICM-related procedure was considered the principal endpoint. ResultsTwenty-three (38%) of the 61 patients were given a prophylactic treatment. Thyroid function deteriorated after the administration of ICM in 9/61 patients (15%). These cases were associated with higher plasma creatinine levels at admission, higher baseline TSH levels, lower baseline FT4 levels, and no use of prophylactic treatment. The type of prophylaxis provided did not influence any onset of ICMIH. A cost-benefit analysis showed that prophylactic treatment with methimazole alone was less costly per person than the combination protocol. On multivariate analysis, only the use of a prophylactic treatment was independently associated with a reduction in the risk of ICMIH. Patients not given any prophylactic treatment had a nearly five-fold higher relative risk of developing ICMIH. ConclusionProphylactic treatment can prevent the onset of ICMIH in high-risk populations administered ICM. Prophylaxis is safe and effective in this setting, especially in cardiopathic patients. Prophylaxis with methimazole alone seems to be the most cost-effective option

Predictivity of clinical, laboratory and imaging findings in diagnostic definition of palpable thyroid nodules. A multicenter prospective study

Abstract PURPOSE: To assess the role of clinical, biochemical, and morphological parameters, as added to cytology, for improving pre-surgical diagnosis of palpable thyroid nodules. METHODS: Patients with a palpable thyroid nodule were eligible if surgical intervention was indicated after a positive or suspicious for malignancy FNAC (TIR 4-5 according to the 2007 Italian SIAPEC-IAP classification), or two inconclusive FNAC at a 653 months interval, or a negative FNAC associated with one or more risk factor. Reference standard was histological malignancy diagnosis. Likelihood ratios of malignancy, sensitivity, specificity, negative (NPV), and positive predictive value (PPV) were described. Multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) and logistic regression were applied. RESULTS: Cancer was found in 433/902 (48%) patients. Considering TIR4-5 only as positive cytology, specificity, and PPV were high (94 and 91%) but sensitivity and NPV were low (61 and 72%); conversely, including TIR3 among positive, sensitivity and NPV were higher (88 and 82%) while specificity and PPV decreased (52 and 63%). Ultrasonographic size 653\u2009cm was independently associated with benignity among TIR2 cases (OR of malignancy 0.37, 95% CI 0.18-0.78). In TIR3 cases the hard consistency of small nodules was associated with malignity (OR: 3.51, 95% CI 1.84-6.70, p\u2009<\u20090.001), while size alone, irrespective of consistency, was not diagnostically informative. No other significant association was found in TIR2 and TIR3. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of cytology with clinical and ultrasonographic parameters may improve diagnostic definition of palpable thyroid nodules. However, the need for innovative diagnostic tools is still high