The possible role of long-chain, omega-3 fatty acids in human brain phylogeny.

I propose that one of the key factors in human encephalization was increased HUFA intake, especially long-chain, omega-3 fatty acids from aquatic and terrestial meat source. This provided the needed neural membrane fluidity and transmitter/receptor functions for rapid acquisition of more advanced human traits and allowed the expansion of H. erectus into more northern climates. The human brain initially could build ecophenotypically, or adaptive/directed mutationally upon previously evolved mammalian sensor/motor structures, and could rapidly expand cognitive functions within a few million years; as more niches were invaded, more brain diversity was needed to guarantee reproductive success. The metabolically expensive and expanding brain was nutritionally and biochemically set, as it were, for rapid accommodation to tool making, rock throwing, culture language, electronics, and the eventual endless discussion and writings about the brain itself, the evolution of consciousness, and the mid-bran problem [107]. All of this fits, no matter which theory of human evolution one adheres to--i.e., out of Africa, multiregional, etc.--or even the precis fossil chronology [108]. This proposal, based as it is on known facts and certain assumptions appears logical, simple, and satisfying, but it may be wrong. Yet Charles Darwin himself would have approved, because as he so aptly said: false facts are highly injurious to the progress of science, for they often endure long; but false views, if supported by some evidence do little harm for everyone takes a salutory pleasure in providing their falseness; and when this is done our path toward error is closed and the road to truth is often opened. [109].

Effects of long term 2% fish oil supplements on tissue fatty acids, phospholipids, cholesterol, and arterial histology in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

The effects of 2% olive oil (OO) or fish oil (FO) (Super epa500) dietary supplementation (9 months) on Japanese "SEA" quail was investigated. The animals were examined for tissue biochemical changes and possible blood vessel fatty deposition. The fatty acids of blood and tissue extracts from heart, liver and fat were analyzed by gas-chromatography/mass spectrometry. The ratio of arachidonic acid to eicosapentaenoic or docosahexaenoic acid was markedly decreased in FO treated animals compared to OO or control diet treated animals. Tissue cholesterol and total phospholipids were present in elevated amounts in the heart and liver of FO treated animals. After the 9-month regimen many animals had residual atherosclerotic lesions but the FO treated birds had considerably more fatty streaks and fatty deposition in their large vessels compared to control or OO treated animals. Although the lipid composition of tissues of FO treated animals would indicate that the purported cardioprotective omega-3 fatty acids are enriched in the various tissues examined compared to olive oil and control diet treated animals, the possible detrimental effect of saturated fat, cholesterol, or some other component of the fish oil preparations is suggested from the histological appearance of fatty deposition in the blood vessels (aortae) of these inbred animals. These results in quail are strikingly similar to that seen in the omega-3 FA treated WHHL rabbit (15).

Effects of long term consumption of fish oil (Maxepa) on serum lipids and arterial ultrastructure in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

Both random (U.C. Davis) and inbred ("Sea") Japanese quail were fed 8.6% dietary supplements of lard (SF) or fish oil (FO) Maxepa (38% of calories from fat) and 9 months later selected blood vessels were subjected to light and electron microscopy. Serum lipids were measured by means of automatic enzymatic analyses (Beckman Astra and Dupont ACA) following fasting (12-14 h) bleeding times taken at autopsy. VLDL and LDL were determined indirectly. Fatty acid profiles were done on pericardial fat from selected animals. All FO-fed quail averaged 22-48% increase in bleeding time when compared to diet controls or animals fed saturated fat (P less than 0.005). There was a 20% decrease in triacyglycerol (TG) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) in the random bred group (P less than 0.01). TG rose in the Sea Quail (NS). Low density lipoprotein (LDL) increased in both random (P less than 0.05) and inbred quail (P less than 0.05), but total cholesterol (TC) significantly increased only in the inbred birds (P less than 0.01). The HDL/LDL ratios in the FO groups were lower than in the controls. SF-fed animals had some fatty streak and/or fatty point formation in their coronary arteries and great vessels. FO-fed birds showed some fat deposits in their coronary arteries and greater accumulation (foam cells) within their great vessels with subendothelial protrusions into the lumen. It is suggested that these latter results may be a response to the relatively higher levels of cholesterol in FO (600 mg/100 g oil) versus SF (95 mg/100 g fat).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Clinical and anatomic observations on the relationship of the lingual nerve to the mandibular third molar region.

The position of the lingual nerve in the mandibular third molar region was measured and photographed in 34 cadaver dissections and 256 cases of third molar extraction. In 17.6% of the dissections the lingual nerve was found at the level of the alveolar crest or higher. Horizontally the nerve contacted the lingual plate of the third molar in 62% of the specimens. Of 256 patients, the nerve was visualized above the height of the lingual plate of the lower third molar in 12 (4.6%). These results document the vulnerability of the lingual nerve as it passes medially to the mandibular third molar.

Development of the secondary palate in the rat: a scanning electron microscopic study.

Normal palatogenesis was studied in the Sprague-Dawley rat, using fetuses of a precise, individually determined age (between 15 and 21 days of pregnancy) and scanning electron microscopy. Individual fetal age deviated markedly from gestational age determined by the vaginal smear method. Palatal closure, ie elevation and fusion of the anterior and remodeling of the middle zones as well as fusion of the posterior zone all occurred between 16.0 and 17.5 days of fetal age, ie earlier than in Wistar rat fetuses. Prior to fusion, the medial edges of palatal shelves revealed two distinct zones of initial surface alterations: one at the maximum anterior shelf convexity, the other at the caudal end of the posterior shelf portion. A similar zone was found at the free edge of the nasal septum. Subsequent oral aspects of palatogenesis including formation and fate of the midpalatal fusion line, the development and fusion of palatine rugae, the union between primary palate and the secondary palatal shelves, the development of palatine foraminae as well as the development of the soft palate following shelf closure are described in detail. It is suggested that (1) cobblestone appearance of surface cells reflects undifferentiated epithelial status rather than marks future fusion zones; (2) closure between primary and secondary palate involves two different mechanisms, ie furrow closure by growth lateral to and epithelial fusion between the palatine foraminae; and (3) fusion of the posterior shelf portions (soft palate) may occur independently from fusion in the anterior region.