Assessment of morphological changes degree on the articular surfaces of the temporomandibular joints on the historical skeleton material.

BACKGROUND: The aging process in the temporomandibular joints (TMJs) is related, more or less, with degenerative processes. Despite the rich literature on morphology and anatomy and the functioning of the components of the TMJs, there is much less research studies on the anatomy and diseases of these joints on historical populations. The aim of the study was to analyse the frequency and intensity of morphological and dysfunctional changes within the TMJ. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The research material included skeleton material from three chronologically and geographically diverse archaeological series located in Poland in the cities: Strzelce Krajenskie (n = 86), Santok (n = 86) and Wroclaw ('Kuronia' collection) (n = 70). The examination of the skeletal material was based on the macroscopic analysis of the articular surfaces of the TMJ. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The difference in the frequency of degenerative changes observed on the articular surfaces of the TMJs between the examined skeletal series from selected cities was insignificant (Santok: 81.4%, Strzelce Krajenskie: 72.1%, 'Kuronia': 68.6%). However, the obtained results showed a difference in the intensity of changes in the TMJ between individuals representing the early medieval population from Santok and individuals from the beginning of the 20th century collection 'Kuronia'.

Mild anemia during pregnancy upregulates placental vascularity development.

The connection between maternal hematological status and pregnancy outcome has been shown by many independent researchers. Attention was initially focused on the adverse effects of moderate and severe anemia. Interestingly, some studies revealed that mild anemia was associated with optimal fetal development and was not affecting pregnancy outcome. The explanation for this phenomenon became a target for scientists. Hemodilution, physiologic anemia and relative decrease in hemoglobin concentration are the changes observed during pregnancy but they do not explain the reasons for the positive influence of mild anemia on a fetomaternal unit. It is hypothesized that hemodilution facilitates placental perfusion because blood viscosity is reduced. Subsequently, it may lead to a decline in hemoglobin concentration. Anemia from its definition implies decreased oxygen carrying capacity of the blood and can result in hypoxemia and even hypoxia, which is a common factor inducing new blood vessels formation. Therefore, we raised the hypothesis that the lowered hemoglobin concentration during pregnancy may upregulate vascular growth factor receptors expression such as VEGFR-1 (Flt-1) and VEGFR-2 (FLK-1/KDR). Consecutively, increased fetoplacental vasculogenesis and angiogenesis provide further expansion of vascular network development, better placental perfusion and hence neither fetus nor the mother are affected.

Decrease in expression of histamine H2 receptors by human amniotic epithelial cells during differentiation into pancreatic beta-like cells.

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: Considering the role of histaminergic pathway in the differentiation of stem cells, we compared expression patterns of H(1) and H(2) receptors in the human amniotic epithelial cells (HAEC) culture at different stages of nicotinamide-induced differentiation into PBLC with the control HAEC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: HAEC isolated after term pregnancies (N = 12) were cultured in vitro. Altogether, 72 cultures were established. The culture medium in the studied group was supplemented on Day 5 with nicotinamide (10 mM). C-peptide concentration in the medium collected every 3 days for 15 days was determined immunoenzymatically as a marker of differentiation. At the same intervals the cultures were formalin-fixed and paraffinembedded for H(1) and H(2) receptors immunostaining. Quantitative immunohistochemistry was applied for evaluation of H(1) and H(2) expression. RESULTS: C-peptide was detected on Day 6 and the levels were kept gradually increased until Day 12, then stayed at almost the same level, 3.7-fold higher than initially. Expression of H(2) was unchanged until Day 9 after nicotinamide addition, then was significantly (p < 0.05) decreased and amounted (mean % value for the measurements performed on Day 12 and Day 15, +/-SEM) 49.73 +/- 11.03 of the reference value obtained in control HAEC. CONCLUSION: Variable expression of H(2) during nicotinamide-induced differentiation of HAEC into PBLC may define a time-point, indicating involvement of histamine at the earlier stages.