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This study provides the first overview of dental pathologies in pycnodonts, a diverse group of fossil actinopterygians that existed from the end of the Middle Triassic to the end of the Eocene. We considered 100 pathological pycnodont specimens, 71 of which were studied by first-hand examination and 29 by consulting published descriptions. Diagnoses were performed based on macroscopic and microscopic observation and, where necessary, also with the help of radiographic and tomographic examinations. The 100 pathological specimens belong to 27 genera and 57 species, which represent 26.5% of all known genera and 10.2% of all known species. The most frequent anomalies are (i) tooth malpositions, (ii) supernumerary teeth and (iii) shape anomalies of single teeth, including microdotia and exceptional cases of macrodontia. Dental pathologies in pycnodonts are unevenly distributed over geological time: they were much more common in the Late Triassic and Jurassic, while they had become much rarer during the Cretaceous. In a single pycnodont population from the Eocene of Mali, 54.5% of the specimens are affected by dental anomalies, probably as the result of pathogenic drift in an isolated population. The uneven distribution of tooth anomalies over the long period of pycnodont evolution suggests that their dentition was initially not ordered into distinct dental rows; this order was acquired only in the most derived forms. To consolidate these hypotheses it will be necessary to expand the paleopathological statistics with more specimens.

Variations in the number, size and shape of the foramina transversaria of cervical vertebrae can affect the anatomical course of vital blood vessels and nerves, with the risk for pathological conditions, like vertebrobasilar insufficiency. This can result in compression of the vertebral artery during neck movements, which is characterised by headache, migraine, difficulties in swallowing, problems with speech and sight, balance disturbances and hearing disorders, among others. The aim of this study was to analyse the prevalence of the diverse anatomical variants of the foramen transversarium in 446 cervical vertebrae from the skeletal remains of 83 victims who died on the ancient beach of Herculaneum (Italy) during the eruption of Vesuvius Volcano in 79 CE. There were complete and incomplete double foramina transversaria in 20.6% of the vertebrae, and absence of foramen transversarium in an atlas (0.2%), a very rare condition in the literature. As the foramen transversarium is a key determinant for correct development of the vertebral artery, evaluations of variations in its number, size and shape provide useful information on the prevalence of these variations in the life and health conditions in the ancient population of Herculaneum.

Purpose. To report the safety and effectiveness of a sutureless human sclera donor patch graft covering the subconjunctival portion of glaucoma drainage implant tube to prevent its erosion throughout the overlying conjunctiva.Methods. This was a prospective pilot study. Fifteen eyes of 15 consecutive patients not responsive to medical and to not-implant surgical glaucoma treatment underwent Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implant surgery with sutureless human sclera donor patch graft. The surgical procedure included AVG implant placed 8 mm behind the corneal limbus and fixed to the sclera with two 9–0 black nylon sutures. The tube was passed through the scleral tunnel, parallel to the corneal limbus, and shortened at the desired length. The anterior part of the tube was covered with human donor scleral graft and kept in place with fibrin glue (Tissue Coll®) under the conjunctiva. Examinations were scheduled at baseline and then at 1 week and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery.Results. At 12-month follow-up, the best-corrected visual acuity did not significantly improve from baseline 0.78±1.2 logMAR, whereas mean intraocular pressure significantly decreased from preoperative values of 29.8 (SD 8.4) mmHg. In all cases, the scleral patch was found in place at each check during the follow-up period. No conjunctival erosion over the AGV tube nor sign of endophthalmitis was recorded at any time during the follow-up period.Conclusions. AVG implant surgery with sutureless human sclera donor patch graft represents an effective and relatively safe surgical procedure for complicated glaucomas, avoiding conjunctival erosions over the AGV tube.

AbstractWe report a case of bilateral Brown’s syndrome in a 4-year-old girl. Forced duction testing confirmed the clinical diagnosis. After 7 months we observed a spontaneous resolution in the right eye. The problem in her left eye did not show any significant change over 36 months of follow-up. Various spontaneous resolutions in bilateral cases are reviewed.Copyright © 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel

Castel di Guido near Rome is one of the few open air Middle Pleistocene European sites that has yielded hominid skeletal remains associated with fossil fauna and Acheulean implements. The fossil hominid bones include two femoral shafts, respectively designated Castel di Guido-1 (CdG-1) and CdG-2, an occipital fragment (CdG-3), a right maxilla lacking teeth (CdG-4), a portion of right parietal (CdG-5), a right temporal (CdG-6), and a fragment of left parietal vault (CdG-7). CdG-1 through CdG-4 were collected in 1979–1982 on the surface, together with fossil fauna, where ploughing incised fossiliferous tuffaceous sands. Excavations conducted in the same area from 1980 to 1990 led to the discovery of CdG-5, CdG-6 and CdG-7 within the tuffaceous sands, which were shown to overlay a bone-bearing paleosurface, with abundant evidence of hominid activities. The Castel di Guido hominid assemblage poses intriguing taphonomic questions. The analysis of the physical evidence offered by the bone surfaces, reported in the present study, indicates that the hominid skeletal remains were heavily fragmented before fossilization and exposed to carnivores and rodents, as well as to trampling and/or friction in abrasive sediment. Although definitive conclusions cannot be reached on the basis of the available evidene, it is possible that clusters of incisions localized on specific regions of the Castel di Guido fossil hominid bones might reflect deliberate human manipulations.

The author describes vertebral lesions observed in the skeletons of 16 adults who fled to the ancient beach at Herculaneum during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, where they were buried alive. In all cases the lesions present as the osteolysis of the superior vertebral angle. Though it is true that this region is generally affected by osteolytic activity in all the haematogenous vertebral osteomyelitises, because of the particular arterial circulation patterns of the vertebrae, several distinctive features of these lesions indicate they were caused by brucellosis. Of particular significance are the strong, frequent sclerotic reactions below the osteolytic areas and the non‐involvement of the small posterior intervertebral articulations. The sclerotic reactions are primarily due to endosteal activation, with thickening of the trabecular network produced by both an increase in the volume of the trabeculae and an increase in their number, which results in a consequent reduction of the marrow spaces. There is also periosteal activation due to the involvement of the periosteum; the anterior faces of the vertebrae struck by chronic phlogosis. Finally, there are ossifications at the centres of the anterior faces of the affected vertebral bodies that form as a result of the osseous metaplasia of the anterior longitudinal vertebral ligament, which is also involved in the progression of the disease. The bone neoformations attributable to these varying pathogenetic origins (endosteal, periosteal and metaplastic) combine to produce a sclerotic hemi‐ring, known as the brucellar sclerotic vertebral hemi‐ring, which can be quite dense, and surrounds the area of the osteolysis of the antero‐superior somatic angle from below and behind. The vertebral lesions are also restricted to characteristic sections of the spinal column (the dorso‐lumbar traict), the vertebrae (the antero‐superior angle) and the upper plate (the region below the impression of the anulus fibrosus).In 68.7% of the cases the vertebral lesions are associated with rib alterations that are likely attributable to the micronodular brucellar pleurisy that commonly strikes brucellosis victims. Vertebral lesions that correlate with melitococcic spondylitis were found in 16 subjects (about 17.4% of the adults) and are more common in men than in women (M/F ratio=3:1). The high frequency of the disease is supported by historic evidence; indeed, written sources mention that the Romans made considerable use of milk from sheep and goats. It was consumed directly, without cooking or other forms of treatment, and also as milk derivatives, including ovine‐milk yogurt and an impressive variety of fresh cheeses. The important role of ovine milk in the Roman diet could be behind the great frequency of brucellosis at the time. The data from the Herculaneum population provide the first concrete evidence in favour of a milk‐related source for the disease. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The author describes vertebral lesions observed in the skeletons of 16 adults who fled to the ancient beach at Herculaneum during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, where they were buried alive. In all cases the lesions present as the osteolysis of the superior vertebral angle. Though it is true that this region is generally affected by osteolytic activity in all the haematogenous vertebral osteomyelitises, because of the particular arterial circulation patterns of the vertebrae, several distinctive features of these lesions indicate they were caused by brucellosis. Of particular significance are the strong, frequent sclerotic reactions below the osteolytic areas and the non-involvement of the small posterior intervertebral articulations. The sclerotic reactions are primarily due to endosteal activation, with thickening of the trabecular network produced by both an increase in the volume of the trabeculae and an increase in their number, which results in a consequent reduction of the marrow spaces. There is also periosteal activation due to the involvement of the periosteum; the anterior faces of the vertebrae struck by chronic phlogosis. Finally, there are ossifications at the centres of the anterior faces of the affected vertebral bodies that form as a result of the osseous metaplasia of the anterior longitudinal vertebral ligament, which is also involved in the progression of the disease. The bone neoformations attributable to these varying pathogenetic origins (endosteal, periosteal and metaplastic) combine to produce a sclerotic hemi-ring, known as the brucellar sclerotic vertebral hemi-ring, which can be quite dense, and surrounds the area of the osteolysis of the antero-superior somatic angle from below and behind. The vertebral lesions are also restricted to characteristic sections of the spinal column (the dorso-lumbar traict), the vertebrae (the antero-superior angle) and the upper plate (the region below the impression of the anulus fibrosus). In 68.7% of the cases the vertebral lesions are associated with rib alterations that are likely attributable to the micronodular brucellar pleurisy that commonly strikes brucellosis victims. Vertebral lesions that correlate with melitococcic spondylitis were found in 16 subjects (about 17.4% of the adults) and are more common in men than in women (M/F ratio=3:1). The high frequency of the disease is supported by historic evidence; indeed, written sources mention that the Romans made considerable use of milk from sheep and goats. It was consumed directly, without cooking or other forms of treatment, and also as milk derivatives, including ovine-milk yogurt and an impressive variety of fresh cheeses. The important role of ovine milk in the Roman diet could be behind the great frequency of brucellosis at the time. The data from the Herculaneum population provide the first concrete evidence in favour of a milk-related source for the disease. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Osteoma is a poorly understood benign bone tumour, the truly neoplastic origin of which has been debated by several authors. Some scientists underline its relationship with hyperostosis. Other authors deny the existence of osteoma as an autonomous nosographic entity. Cranial osteoma, single or multiple, is frequently found in ancient human bones from archaeological excavations. To clarify the true nature of this pathologic osseous neoformation, the author examines the occurrence of osteomata in other extant vertebrates. Comparative pathology shows that it is particularly frequent in fishes. Palaeopathological examination of fossil animals documents the great antiquity of this pathology: in fact osteoma was demonstrated on the body of a cervical vertebra from a Cretaceous mosasaur. The author found evidence of osteomata in many fossil fishes of the Miocene and the Pliocene, and also in some mammal remains. Histologic and radiographic analyses demonstrate the presence of common morphologic characteristics in the lesions in different species and different time period. In conclusion, the study shows that human osteomata (mainly cranial) have a long history and are a pathology found in many other vertebrates. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

We developed an original method that allows the simultaneous molecular amplification and analysis of human chromosome X‐ and Y‐specific sequences from cortical compact bone using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The strategy is based on sequential amplification using external and internal primers. The targeted loci are SRYfor chromosome Y and DXZ4for chromosome X. Internal and external primer pairs for both loci were selected in order to allow the simultaneous amplification of short sequences of distinct molecular weight in the same reaction. Ethidium bromide stained PCR products were analysed on 2 per cent agarose gels. The presence of two distinct amplification bands permitted the fast and unequivocal identification of male bones, whereas female bones were identified by the presence of a single band. The technique was validated by comparative analysis of modern human DNAs of known sex and of DNAs from medieval bone samples whose sex could be determined using conventional anthropological methods. We then analysed bone samples from 40 burials found under the Church of St Maria Aprutiensis in Teramo, Abruzzo. These burials were dated to AD800–1200 by 14C accelerated mass spectrometry radiometric analysis. Molecular analysis allowed the unambiguous identification of sex in all the samples studied. These results indicate that molecular techniques represent useful and often critical additions to anthropological studies of ancient human remains. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A complex lesion, on a skull of a female cave bear (Ursus spelaeus) associated with perforations of the frontal sinus is described. Paleopathological analysis suggests that the lesion is attributable to complex cranial trauma, probably complicated by an infection which appears to have occurred following a fight, most likely with another bear or, possibly, a cave lion (Panthera leo spelaea); at least one of the perforations observed on the skull may have been produced by the canine of a large carnivore. This hypothesis is supported by the frequent intraspecific aggressiveness documented in modern bears, and by evidence suggesting interspecific fights between cave bears and cave lions. The case is discussed in the light of other evidence reported in the literature. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Osteoma is a poorly understood benign bone tumour, the truly neoplastic origin of which has been debated by several authors. Some scientists underline its relationship with hyperostosis. Other authors deny the existence of osteoma as an autonomous nosographic entity. Cranial osteoma, single or multiple, is frequently found in ancient human bones from archaeological excavations. To clarify the true nature of this pathologic osseous neoformation, the author examines the occurrence of osteomata in other extant vertebrates. Comparative pathology shows that it is particularly frequent in fishes. Palaeopathological examination of fossil animals documents the great antiquity of this pathology: in fact osteoma was demonstrated on the body of a cervical vertebra from a Cretaceous mosasaur. The author found evidence of osteomata in many fossil fishes of the Miocene and the Pliocene, and also in some mammal remains. Histologic and radiographic analyses demonstrate the presence of common morphologic characteristics in the lesions in different species and different time period. In conclusion, the study shows that human osteomata (mainly cranial) have a long history and are a pathology found in many other vertebrates. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

We developed an original method that allows the simultaneous molecular amplification and analysis of human chromosome X- and Y-specific sequences from cortical compact bone using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The strategy is based on sequential amplification using external and internal primers. The targeted loci are SRY for chromosome Y and DXZ4 for chromosome X. Internal and external primer pairs for both loci were selected in order to allow the simultaneous amplification of short sequences of distinct molecular weight in the same reaction. Ethidium bromide stained PCR products were analysed on 2 per cent agarose gels. The presence of two distinct amplification bands permitted the fast and unequivocal identification of male bones, whereas female bones were identified by the presence of a single band. The technique was validated by comparative analysis of modern human DNAs of known sex and of DNAs from medieval bone samples whose sex could be determined using conventional anthropological methods. We then analysed bone samples from 40 burials found under the Church of St Maria Aprutiensis in Teramo, Abruzzo. These burials were dated to AD 800–1200 by ¹⁴C accelerated mass spectrometry radiometric analysis. Molecular analysis allowed the unambiguous identification of sex in all the samples studied. These results indicate that molecular techniques represent useful and often critical additions to anthropological studies of ancient human remains. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A complex lesion, on a skull of a female cave bear (Ursus spelaeus) associated with perforations of the frontal sinus is described. Paleopathological analysis suggests that the lesion is attributable to complex cranial trauma, probably complicated by an infection which appears to have occurred following a fight, most likely with another bear or, possibly, a cave lion (Panthera leo spelaea); at least one of the perforations observed on the skull may have been produced by the canine of a large carnivore. This hypothesis is supported by the frequent intraspecific aggressiveness documented in modern bears, and by evidence suggesting interspecific fights between cave bears and cave lions. The case is discussed in the light of other evidence reported in the literature. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The palaeopathological study of a large skeletal collection of Ursus spelaeus from Italy indicates that the most frequent pathologies were diseases of the teeth and jaws and this indicates that the extinction of the large European bear, in large part, can be attributable to masticatory disadaptation. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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The palaeopathological study of a large skeletal collection of Ursus spelaeusfrom Italy indicates that the most frequent pathologies were diseases of the teeth and jaws and this indicates that the extinction of the large European bear, in large part, can be attributable to masticatory disadaptation. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.