3D fractures analysis and conservation assessment of wrought iron javelin through advanced non-invasive techniques.

3D imaging is a powerful tool of high resolution and non-destructive imaging technology for the study of ancient weapons and military technology, which reveals the original microstructures and corrosion patterns that threaten these artefacts. Here we report quantitative analysis of the 3D distribution and the orientation of fractures, and uncorroded metal particles within a wrought iron javelin unearthed at the Phoenician-Punic site of Motya, Italy. The study aimed to gain a better understanding of the relationship between corrosion and local stresses within the artifact and to evaluate its manufacturing technology, as well as the effects of post-treatment with Paraloid B72 on concretion and mineralized layers. The cracks were quantified in terms of content, size, and orientation. The condition of artefact storage was evaluated by a multi-analytical approach, including X-ray microscopy, field emission electron microscopy and micro-Raman spectroscopy. The results indicated that a specific technique was used to create a sturdy, lightweight javelin with a central shaft for piercing or thrusting. The fractures appear elongated in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the blade, showing the forging direction of the original metallic block. The study concluded that the artifact had not yet been stabilized due to the presence of lepidocrocite.

Genetic structure and differentiation from early bronze age in the mediterranean island of sicily: Insights from ancient mitochondrial genomes.

Sicily is one of the main islands of the Mediterranean Sea, and it is characterized by a variety of archaeological records, material culture and traditions, reflecting the history of migrations and populations' interaction since its first colonization, during the Paleolithic. These deep and complex demographic and cultural dynamics should have affected the genomic landscape of Sicily at different levels; however, the relative impact of these migrations on the genomic structure and differentiation within the island remains largely unknown. The available Sicilian modern genetic data gave a picture of the current genetic structure, but the paucity of ancient data did not allow so far to make predictions about the level of historical variation. In this work, we sequenced and analyzed the complete mitochondrial genomes of 36 individuals from five different locations in Sicily, spanning from Early Bronze Age to Iron Age, and with different cultural backgrounds. The comparison with coeval groups from the Mediterranean Basin highlighted structured genetic variation in Sicily since Early Bronze Age, thus supporting a demic impact of the cultural transitions within the Island. Explicit model testing through Approximate Bayesian Computation allowed us to make predictions about the origin of Sicanians, one of the three indigenous peoples of Sicily, whose foreign origin from Spain, historically attributed, was not confirmed by our analysis of genetic data. Sicilian modern mitochondrial data show a different, more homogeneous, genetic composition, calling for a recent genetic replacement in the Island of pre-Iron Age populations, that should be further investigated.

A comprehensive strategy for exploring corrosion in iron-based artefacts through advanced Multiscale X-ray Microscopy.

The best strategy to tackle complexity when analyzing corrosion in iron artefacts is to combine different analytical methods. Traditional techniques provide effective means to identify the chemistry and mineralogy of corrosion products. Nevertheless, a further step is necessary to upgrade the understanding of the corrosion evolution in three dimensions. In this regard, Multiscale X-ray Microscopy (XRM) enables multi-length scale visualization of the whole object and provides the spatial distribution of corrosion phases. Herein, we propose an integrated workflow to explore corrosion mechanisms in an iron-nail from Motya (Italy) through destructive and non-destructive techniques, which permit the extraction of the maximum information with the minimum sampling. The results reveal the internal structure of the artefact and the structural discontinuities which lead the corrosion, highlighting the compositional differences between the tip and the head of the iron nail.

Investigating Plant Micro-Remains Embedded in Dental Calculus of the Phoenician Inhabitants of Motya (Sicily, Italy).

Plant records reveal remarkable evidence about past environments and human cultures. Exploiting dental calculus analysis and using a combined approach of microscopy and gas chromatography mass spectrometry, our research outlines dietary ecology and phytomedicinal practices of the ancient community of Motya (Sicily, eight to sixth century BC), one of the most important Phoenician settlements in the Mediterranean basin. Micro-remains suggest use or consumption of Triticeae cereals, and animal-derived sources (e.g., milk and aquatic birds). Markers of grape (or wine), herbs, and rhizomes, endemic of Mediterranean latitudes and the East, provide insight into the subsistence of this colony, in terms of foodstuffs and phytotherapeutic products. The application of resins and wood of Gymnosperms for social and cultural purposes is hypothesized through the identification of Pinaceae secondary metabolites and pollen grains. The information hidden in dental calculus discloses the strong human-plant interaction in Motya's Phoenician community, in terms of cultural traditions and land use.

A Case of Spinal Cord Compression Due to Paraspinal Musculature After Cervical Laminectomy.

BACKGROUND: Only a few cases of spinal cord compression after cervical laminectomy have been reported. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report a case of tetraparesis after executing a C3-C6 anterior and posterior decompression and fusion. Cervical magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a spinal cord compression due to the impingement of the paraspinal muscles through the laminectomy. The patient experienced a spontaneous neurological recovery and the follow-up cervical magnetic resonance imaging showed resolution of the spinal cord compression. CONCLUSIONS: This rare complication should be considered among the others after executing a cervical laminectomy.

Ancient DNA of Phoenician remains indicates discontinuity in the settlement history of Ibiza.

Ibiza was permanently settled around the 7th century BCE by founders arriving from west Phoenicia. The founding population grew significantly and reached its height during the 4th century BCE. We obtained nine complete mitochondrial genomes from skeletal remains from two Punic necropoli in Ibiza and a Bronze Age site from Formentara. We also obtained low coverage (0.47X average depth) of the genome of one individual, directly dated to 361-178 cal BCE, from the Cas Molí site on Ibiza. We analysed and compared ancient DNA results with 18 new mitochondrial genomes from modern Ibizans to determine the ancestry of the founders of Ibiza. The mitochondrial results indicate a predominantly recent European maternal ancestry for the current Ibizan population while the whole genome data suggest a significant Eastern Mediterranean component. Our mitochondrial results suggest a genetic discontinuity between the early Phoenician settlers and the island's modern inhabitants. Our data, while limited, suggest that the Eastern or North African influence in the Punic population of Ibiza was primarily male dominated.

Delayed surgery in neurologically intact patients affected by thoraco-lumbar junction burst fractures: to reduce pain and improve quality of life.

BACKGROUND: This is a retrospective study on 18 patients affected by thoraco-lumbar junction burst fractures (TLJBF) A3 or A4 at computed tomography (CT) scan who referred to our hospital. To assess the surgical results in terms of pain and quality of life in a series of neurologically intact patients affected by TLJBF who underwent surgery after 3-4 months from the injury. In literature there is controversy if pain could be an indication for surgery in TLJBF and series of patients conservatively managed with success have been reported. METHODS: A retrospective study on 18 patients is reported. Patients included in this series were neurologically intact and affected by a TLJBF A3 or A4 at CT scan, the height of the burst vertebral body was >50%, spinal canal invasion was <30% and kyphosis deformity <30 degrees. Pain and quality of life were evaluated using graphic rating scale (GRS) and EuroQol (EQ-5D) scores on admission, at the clinical follow-up and in post-surgical period. RESULTS: Comparing pre- and post-operative EQ-5D, the scores had a statistically significant decrease after the operation (P<0.001) [pre-surgery EQ-5D was 2.60 (SD =0.67), post-surgery EQ-5D was 1.37 (SD =0.41)]. Also analyzing the EQ5D-VAS scores, the t-test revealed that surgery (P<0.01) improved the quality of life with statistically significance (EQ5D-VAS pre =43.89, SD =12.43 and EQ5D-VAS post =73.33, SD =10.84). Analyzing pre- and post-surgical GRS scores, the pain decreased significantly with the maximum mean difference among the 2nd and 3rd month before surgery and at 12 months after surgery (respectively D =5.444, P<0.001 and D =5.167, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Conservatively managed patients affected by TLJBF require a strict clinical follow-up since pain sometimes is present in the following months and it affects the quality of life. Surgery should be considered for these cases.

Total en-bloc spondylectomy through a posterior approach: technique and surgical outcome in thoracic metastases.

BACKGROUND: In 1981, Roy-Camille et al. have firstly reported the total en-bloc spondylectomy (TES) through a posterior approach for cases of malignant spine tumors in order to reduce the local recurrence and to increase the patient's survival. By then, this surgery has been increasingly gaining recognition. However, it requires a high level of technical ability and knowledge of spinal anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics. METHOD: Herein, we report the patient's selection and technique to execute the TES for cases of thoracic metastasis. CONCLUSION: This surgery is technically demanding so the patient's selection requires a careful pre-operative evaluation. However, it can be suggested for patients affected by intracompartmental lesions with a good prognosis since the tumor's progression is "limited" by local barriers as demonstrated by histological studies.

Static and dynamic cervical MRI: two useful exams in cervical myelopathy.

BACKGROUND: Cervical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the gold standard exam in the assessment of patients affected by cervical myelopathy and is very useful in planning the operation. Herein we present a series of patients affected by long tract symptoms who underwent dynamic MRI in addition to the static exam. METHODS: In the period between March 2010 and March 2012, three-hundred-ten patients referred to our department since affected by neck/arm pain or symptoms related to cervical myelopathy. Thirty-eight patients complained "long-tract symptoms" related to cervical myelopathy. This series of patients was enrolled in the study. All patients underwent clinical and neurological exam. In all the cases, a static and dynamic cervical MRI was executed using a 3.0-T superconducting MR unit (Intera, Philips, Eindhoven, Netherlands). The dynamic exam was performed with as much neck flexion and extension the patient could achieve alone. On T2-weigthed MRI each level was assessed independently by two neuroradiologists and Muhle scale was applied. RESULTS: According to Muhle's classification of spinal cord compressions, static MRI demonstrated 156 findings: 96 (61.54%) anterior and 60 (38.46%) posterior. Dynamic MRI showed 186 spinal cord compressions: 81 (43.5%) anterior and 105 (56.5%) posterior. The anterior compressions were: grade 1 in 23 cases (28.4%), grade 2 in 52 cases (64.2%), grade 3 in 6 cases (7.4%). The posterior compressions were: 32 (30.48%) of grade 1, 60 (57.14%) of grade 2, 13 (12.38%) of grade 3. CONCLUSIONS: The dynamic MRI demonstrated a major number of findings and spinal cord compressions compared to the static exam. Finally, we consider the dynamic exam able to provide useful information in these patients, but we suggest a careful evaluation of the findings in the extension exam since they are probably over-expressed.

C5 palsy after insertion of a winged expandable cervical cage: a case report and literature review.

C5 nerve root palsy is a well-known complication after anterior or posterior cervical decompression. Many theories have been proposed but the etiology is still unclear. The use of a winged expandable cage after single or multiple corpectomy is among the used techniques in reconstructing the cervical spine. Herein we report a case of C5 palsy after a three-level corpectomy and reconstruction using this device for the treatment of cervical spondylosis. In our case the preexisting foraminal stenosis, wide anterior decompression and partial improvement of cervical alignment were factors supposed contributing to the palsy.

A case of cervical tuberculosis with severe kyphosis treated with a winged expandable cage after double corpectomy.

In this case report, we demonstrate that the use of a winged expandable cage was able to obtain good clinical and radiological results in a case of cervical tuberculosis with severe kyphosis. However, case series will be necessary to affirm its validity as a stand-alone device for similar cases with high risk of instability.

Cervical reconstruction techniques. After adequate selection of the patient report of a series of 34 patients treated with winged expandable cages.

After single or multilevel cervical corpectomy for the treatment of different diseases, many surgical options have been proposed over the years. As a single device, a winged expandable titanium cage (WETC) has been developed. We report the use of this device and our clinical results at 24 months of follow-up in a prospective series of 34 patients who underwent single or multilevel corpectomy for the treatment of cervical spondylosis. Thirty-four consecutive patients underwent single or multilevel cervical corpectomy followed by the insertion of a WETC for the treatment of cervical spondylosis at Department of Neurology and Psychiatry "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy, from May 2011 to May 2013. Patients affected by cervical spondylosis with cervical lordosis >0° were included. Patients affected by cervical lordosis <0°, osteoporosis, or other cervical diseases were excluded. The mean postsurgical Nurick's grade was significantly lower than the mean presurgical Nurick's grade (mean = 0.98 for postsurgical Nurick's grade and mean = 2.42 for presurgical Nurick's grade). Four patients (11.7 %) presented subsidence respectively of 1, 2, 2, and 3 mm at 24 months of radiological follow-up. Postoperative complications occurred in five patients (14.7 %). Our case series at 24 months of follow-up demonstrates that the use of a WETC obtains good clinical results after single or multiple corpectomy in patients not affected by osteoporosis who do not require cervical lordosis correction. During the insertion of the device, an adequate preparation of the end plates is suggested and their over distraction should be avoided.