Early Alpine occupation backdates westward human migration in Late Glacial Europe.

Before the end of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM, ∼16.5 ka ago)1 set in motion major shifts in human culture and population structure,2 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.3-6 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),7-11 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).9 Nevertheless, these dynamics and their chronology are still far from being disentangled due to fragmentary evidence for long-distance interactions across Europe.12 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.

Periodontal Pocket: An Ecologic Niche Promoting the Germination of a Plant Seed.

During a scaling and root planing procedure, a large, actively germinating seed was removed from a deep periodontal pocket. The histologic examination confirmed that it was a germinating tomato seed (Solanum lycopersicum). Since all seeds inside their fruits are in a quiescent stage, this seed was quiescent when the patient ate the tomato. Therefore, the germination occurred inside the periodontal pocket. This case led to a very interesting biologic finding: A periodontal pocket is not only a favorable environment for the development of periodontal microbiota, it is also an ecologic niche that can promote the germination and development of a plant seed.

Central odontogenic fibroma: a case report.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this case report was to analyze clinical and histological features of a central odontogenic fibroma followed up for 6 years after surgical excision. METHODS: A 26-year old Caucasian female was referred, reporting a painless gingival swelling in the buccal area of the maxillary right canine. There were no other symptoms and no recent history of pain. Her medical history was non-contributory. Radiographic evaluation showed the presence of a radiolucent area with well-defined margins. The lesion was surgically removed and histologically analysed. RESULTS: Histologic analysis showed a cellular fibroblastic tissue characterized by interwoven bundles of collagen densely packed and absence of odontogenic epithelium. The surgical site was monitored for 6 years after surgery with no signs of recurrence. CONCLUSION: The central odontogenic fibroma here reported displayed a prominent quantity of collagen and absence of odontogenic epithelium. The surgically removed lesion had a favourable prognosis and no recurrence for the 6 year follow-up period.