Unexpectedly rapid evolution of mandibular shape in hominins.

Members of the hominins - namely the so-called 'australopiths' and the species of the genus Homo - are known to possess short and deep mandibles and relatively small incisors and canines. It is commonly assumed that this suite of traits evolved in early members of the clade in response to changing environmental conditions and increased consumption of though food items. With the emergence of Homo, the functional meaning of mandible shape variation is thought to have been weakened by technological advancements and (later) by the control over fire. In contrast to this expectation, we found that mandible shape evolution in hominins is exceptionally rapid as compared to any other primate clade, and that the direction and rate of shape change (from the ape ancestor) are no different between the australopiths and Homo. We deem several factors including the loss of honing complex, canine reduction, and the acquisition of different diets may have concurred in producing such surprisingly high evolutionary rates. This study reveals the evolution of mandibular shape in hominins has strong morpho-functional and ecological significance attached.

[Echographic monitoring of the endometrium with a transvaginal probe in the menopause. A clinical study of 185 women in the menopause]. / Monitoraggio ecografico dell'endometrio con sonda transvaginale in menopausa. Studio clinico su 185 donne in menopausa.

The aim of our study was to verify the efficacy of transvaginal ultrasound scanning as an indicator of the endometrial status in healthy menopausal women. One hundred eighty five healthy women in natural menopause were examined by vaginal sonography; the endometrial patterns were analyzed and the influence on it of body weight, menopausal age, and hormonal therapy was considered. The presence of irregular and the endometrial histology were related to the ultrasound findings. 38% of the women assumed estrogen plus progestin replacement treatment since one-two years, for menopausal complaints. 17% of all patients reported irregular bleeding during the last month. The majority of women (90%), regardless of the hormone assumption, presented en endometrial thickness less than 10 mm. 10% of untreated and treated women had an endometrial thickness between 10 and 20 mm. Among the subjects with elevated menopausal age is more frequent the imaging of endometrial layer minor than 5 mm in comparison with women in early menopause. 4% of untreated and 10% of treated women without irregular bleeding had an endometrial thickness higher than 10 mm, while 67% of women with irregular bleeding presented an endometrial layer higher than 10 mm. In treated group all women with endometrial thickness greater than 10 mm had amenorrhoea. 86% of patients had endometrial atrophy detected by biopsy; hyperplastic endometrium or endometrial cancer was not demonstrated. In conclusion, vaginal sonography is a simple and reliable method in the study of the endometrial pattern in healthy menopausal women.

[An embryological analysis of the variation in the lipid content of the dental pulp at different developmental stages]. / Analisi embriologica della variazione del contenuto lipidico della polpa dentaria in differenti stadi evolutivi.

The authors have considered the per cent differences of lipidic content in Bos taurus dental pulp taken from differently aged animals. The studies have been carried out on 6-7 months fetus, on 1-2 years old animals (deciduous erupted tooth and developing non erupted permanent teeth) and on 8-10 years old animals. Moreover the percentages of free and esterified cholesterol, fatty free acids, triglycerides as well as different phospholipids have been calculated.

[The embryological development of the nerve fibers of the tooth. An analysis of their formation and development correlated with the different evolutionary stages of the dental structures]. / Lo sviluppo embriologico delle fibre nervose del dente. Analisi della loro formazione e sviluppo correlata ai vari stadi di evoluzione delle strutture dentarie.

In this review the research on the growth and development of nerve fibers in the dental pulp have been summarized. The first part present the distribution, type, morphology and way of impulse transmission as well as the role of the pulpal nerves. The second part present the growth of the nerve fibers in the dental structures. Through the analysis of all the research done on this subjects two important thighs can be deduced: the developing innervation correlates with the stage of the development of individual teeth rather than the chronological age of the animal, and the dental pulp compared to other structures is relatively late in maturing. This is why the axons don't penetrate into the dental papilla until crown formation commences. Then the probable role of the pulpal nerves in tooth growth (dentinogenesis) has been analysed, but this activity, even though unessential, is evident only in developing final phases and not in the early ones; this is why the axons are separated from the early growing tissues. Concluding, our review shows the variation in number, type and function of the pulpal nerves from their developing period to their complete formation until senescence.