Direct radiocarbon dating and genetic analyses on the purported Neanderthal mandible from the Monti Lessini (Italy).

Anatomically modern humans replaced Neanderthals in Europe around 40,000 years ago. The demise of the Neanderthals and the nature of the possible relationship with anatomically modern humans has captured our imagination and stimulated research for more than a century now. Recent chronological studies suggest a possible overlap between Neanderthals and anatomically modern humans of more than 5,000 years. Analyses of ancient genome sequences from both groups have shown that they interbred multiple times, including in Europe. A potential place of interbreeding is the notable Palaeolithic site of Riparo Mezzena in Northern Italy. In order to improve our understanding of prehistoric occupation at Mezzena, we analysed the human mandible and several cranial fragments from the site using radiocarbon dating, ancient DNA, ZooMS and isotope analyses. We also performed a more detailed investigation of the lithic assemblage of layer I. Surprisingly we found that the Riparo Mezzena mandible is not from a Neanderthal but belonged to an anatomically modern human. Furthermore, we found no evidence for the presence of Neanderthal remains among 11 of the 13 cranial and post-cranial fragments re-investigated in this study.

Art in the hospital: its impact on the feelings and emotional state of patients admitted to an internal medicine unit.

OBJECTIVE: This descriptive pilot study aimed at assessing the impact of art contemplation on patients' adaptation to hospital confinement and the factors influencing this effect. STUDY DESIGN: Artistic photographs were hung on the walls of the ward. Two hundred and thirty-nine (239) consecutive non-bed-constrained patients who stayed in the ward for at least 3 days (original number enrolled in study were males/females: 148/96, age 19-89 years; 5 patients declined to fill out questionnaires) participated in the study. METHODS: Patients compiled two questionnaires exploring physical, psychologic, and social/family well-being, relative/friend support, and ward functioning. The self-perceived effect of photographs on the hospitalization distress was assessed. Clinical conditions were evaluated with the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status. RESULTS: Ninety-seven (97) (40.6%) patients belonged to ECOG stage 0, 101 (42.3%) to stage 1, 37 (15.5%) to stage 2, and 4 (1.7%) to stage 3. Two hundred and thirty-nine patients (239) (92%) looked at and 232 (85.5%) repeatedly contemplated the photographs. For most patients (72%), photographs made their stay in the hospital more pleasant. The ECOG performance status and self-perceived anxiety were the only independent modulators of the probability to obtain a restorative effect from the photographs. CONCLUSIONS: Embellishing clinical spaces with photographs has a positive effect on the adaptation to hospitalization in most patients. This effect is influenced by the patients' clinical status and self-perceived anxiety.

Fatty acid synthase expression in Paget's disease of the vulva.

We explored the immunohistochemical expression of fatty acid synthase (FAS) in Paget's disease of the vulva (PDV) and its association with clinico-pathological features. FAS is a recently discovered molecule involved in energy supply of normal cells. FAS is also overexpressed in neoplastic tissues because of their increased necessity of energy. Specimens from 20 patients with PDV were immunohistochemically evaluated; increased FAS expression was observed in 7 of 8 patients with invasive PDV (87%), in 3 of 4 patients with microinvasive PDV (75%), and in 1 of 8 patients with noninvasive PDV (12%). Statistical analysis revealed that increased FAS expression was associated with invasive PDV (p = 0.04). To our knowledge, this association of FAS in PDV is the first to be reported in literature. These observations reveal that FAS is a reliable marker of aggressiveness in PDV. The knowledge of FAS statistical association in invasive PDV is an important finding that may stratify these patients in different prognostic groups and determine therapeutic approaches for patient care.

Fatty acid synthase (FAS) is a marker of increased risk of recurrence in lung carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: We explored the expression of Fatty Acid Synthase (FAS) in lung carcinomas and its association with clinico-pathological features and prognosis. FAS is a recently discovered molecule involved in the energy supply of normal cells. FAS is also overexpressed in neoplastic tissues because of their increased necessity for energy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and six patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma were followed-up for an average period of 5 years. FAS expression was detected immunohistochemically. RESULTS: FAS staining was observed in 61 out of 106 cases (57.54%). Statistical analysis revealed that FAS had an overall low prognostic value (p = 0.14), while FAS-negative expression in stage I patients showed a trend for better survival (p = 0.10). PTNM stage (p < 0.0001) was the only significant prognostic marker for overall survival. CONCLUSION: FAS is a reliable marker of low-stage clinically aggressive lung carcinomas. The determination of FAS expression in lung carcinomas may stratify patients and determine therapeutic approaches for their care.