Topography of the mandibular canal in male human skulls originating from different time periods.

BACKGROUND: Dynamic advances in dentistry, especially in implantology has inspired researchers to carry out many studies investigating the topography of the mandibular canal and its ethnic differences. The aim of the study was a comparative analysis of variations in the position and topography of the mandibular canal based on radiographic images of human mandibles originating from modern and medieval skulls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Morphometric examination of 126 radiographs of skulls (92 modern and 34 medieval skulls) was included. The age and sex of individuals were determined based on the morphology of the skull, the obliteration of cranial sutures, and the degree of tooth wear. To define the topography of the mandibular canal on X-ray images, we took 8 anthropometric measurements. RESULTS: We observed significant differences in several parameters. The distance between the base of the mandible and the bottom of the mandibular canal, the distance between the top of the mandibular canal and the crest of the alveolar arch, and the height of the mandibular body. Significant asymmetry was found for two parameters of mandibles from modern skulls: the distance between the top of the mandibular canal and the crest of the alveolar arch at the level of the second molar (p < 0.05), and the distance between the mandibular foramen and the margin of the anterior mandibular ramus (p < 0.007). There were no significant differences between measurements taken on the right and left sides of the medieval skulls. CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed differences in the position of the mandibular canal between modern and medieval skulls, confirming the presence of geographical and chronological differences between populations. Knowledge of variability in the position of the mandibular canal between different local populations is fundamental for the correct interpretation of findings from diagnostic radiological studies used in dental practice and in forensic odontology or analysis of archaeological bone materials.

Limitations and potential of analyses of cremation remains - Anthropological analysis of bone remains from a Lusatian culture cremation cemetery in Paszowice (Lower Silesia, Poland).

The main aim of the study was to identify which components of the skeleton are best identifiable after cremation, because only few publications pay attention to the best-preserved bone structures in cremation burials. However, such knowledge offers potential for further analysis and methodology development. One of the most frequently and best-identifiable parts of the skeleton were fragments of vertebrae and long bones epiphyses. Similarly, well preserved are structures made of compact bone tissue, for instance, temporal bone pyramids considered as the hardest components of the mammalian skeleton. Analysed cremated human bones remains came from a Lusatian culture settlement burial site situated in Paszowice (Lower Silesia, Poland). The research has been carried out on material consisting of remains of at least 673 individuals found in 649 burial pits. Among them, 279 burials belonged to adults and 102 to children. It was possible to identify sex in the case of 25% of adult individuals - 40 males and 33 females. In the remaining cases, the attempts to determine the sex and age-at-death have failed. During the analysis some degenerative changes were noted. The analysed material also included 23 multiple burials, usually double and one triple. The study was also aimed at illustrating the elements of the funeral rite. The material excavated from 27 burials suggested that the remains had been retrieved from the pyre with particular care - in some of those urns, the arrangement of remains was modelled on the anatomical system of the human skeleton. The grade of combustion of most bones remains in the necropolis in Paszowice ranged from high to very high. In few cases in the grave were found burned animal remains.

Sleep-Disordered Breathing in Pregnancy.

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is a spectrum of abnormal respiratory events including habitual snoring and increased upper airway resistance and obstructive episodes. The uncertainties concerning the incidence and recognition of SDB during pregnancy and the importance of the issue for fetal and maternal health prompted us to screen pregnant women for SDB. The study included 312 women in the third trimester of pregnancy aged 17-46 of whom 51 were preselected, based on the results of SDB questionnaires, for a nighttime home screening using a portable ApneaLink Air device. We found that single or multiple episodes of apnea were present in 35 (69%) women. The mean apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) was 1.8 ± 1.8 episodes/h of sleep, which did not exceed the prevalence in the general young-adult female population. However, we noticed a substantial number of inspiratory airflow limitation (IFL) episodes most often accompanied by snoring and more frequent in pregnant women with a greater weight gain. IFLs, although not fulfilling the quantifiable criteria of hypopnea, raise the possibility of hardly recognizable oxygenation and cardiovascular disturbances in pregnancy, reflected in an increased risk index for SDB. We conclude that pregnancy encompasses the risk of revealing or intensifying pre-existing SDB which can jeopardize maternal and fetal health. The risk particularly applies to overweight women. We submit that women in late pregnancy should be carefully screened for possible SDB.

Diagnosis of Sleep-Disordered Breathing in the Home Environment.

Polysomnography, a gold standard for the diagnosis of sleep-disordered breathing, is a complex investigation requiring access to the sleep laboratory. Thus, sleep-disordered breathing could be underdiagnosed. The aim of this paper was to investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of self-performed investigation of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in the home setting, using a portable device, and to assess the comfort and simplicity of the procedure from the patient's perspective. The study included 68 middle-aged patients (21 women and 47 men), who were examined at home with the ApneaLink Air device in search for the underlying reason of reported nighttime snoring and occasionally disordered breathing pattern. The apnea-hypopnea index was quantified and matched with body mass index (BMI), age, and other characteristics. OSA was diagnosed in 37 patients (27 men and 10 women): 22 had mild, 4 had moderate, and 11 patients had severe OSA. All cases of severe OSA were present in men. Patients with severe OSA had significantly higher BMI than those from the other groups. All of the patients pointed to the comfort and ease of the diagnostic device. We conclude that home diagnosis of OSA is a relatively easy and cost-effective way to substitute for the hospital-linked polysomnography, particularly in severely ill patients who have a movement difficulty. A wider implementation of home-based diagnosis of OSA may substantially increase the number of patients investigated in a short time span, also leading to the plausibly upward correction of the disease prevalence.

Evaluation of Nocturnal Respiratory Complaints in Pregnant Women.

Snoring during pregnancy increases the risk of low Apgar score and low birth weight of newborns. Snoring women are twice as likely to be diagnosed as having preeclampsia when compared to non-snoring ones. Snoring may also be linked to, albeit it is not a prerequisite for, apneic events at sleep. The aim of this survey-type study was to evaluate the occurrence and severity of nocturnal respiratory complaints in a group of 312 pregnant women. Problems associated with snoring and other nasopharyngeal symptoms were reported by 60% of women. Complaints were more frequent in patients with a higher body mass index. The symptoms were significantly more frequent in the group of snorers. The results of this study suggest a pattern of basic features in pregnancy, such as snoring, overweight, and upper airway symptoms, which all ought to direct attention of care givers to the diagnostics of sleep-related breathing disorders. The early diagnosis would enable to undertake the measures to prevent preterm labor and to avoid postpartum complications in both mother and newborn.

Influence of physiological stress on the presence of hypoplasia and fluctuating asymmetry in a medieval population from the village of Sypniewo.

This study aims to estimate the levels of physiological stress in the medieval rural population of Sypniewo by evaluating patterns of fluctuating asymmetry (FA) and enamel hypoplasia (EH), and provide information on the influence of physiological stress during the prenatal and perinatal period on early childhood development. Stress is defined as any external or internal condition that challenges homeostasis of an organism. FA is associated with physiological stress occurring mainly during prenatal development and early childhood. The level of FA is thought to reflect the intensity of the stressor(s). EH is caused by physiological stress such as nutritional instability during the first years of life. The studied material consisted of 126 skulls from the village of Sypniewo (Poland). Cranial radiographs were taken in postero-anterior (P-A) and basal views. The images were scanned and calibrated. Measurements of the cranium were used to estimate FA. The presence of EH was assessed using standard anthropological methods The highest levels of FA were observed in the region of the cranial base. EH was observed in 29% of individuals from the rural skeletal series. There was no statistically significant correlation between FA and EH occurrence or between sex and the studied stress indicators.

[Evaluation of the dietary habits of polish medical students in their first year of studies]. / Ocena nawyków zywieniowych studentów polskich pierwszego roku medycyny.

INTRODUCTION: One of the most important factors involved in normal growth, maturation, physical activity and mental state is nutrition. Correct patterns formed in youth are necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The aim of the study was the evaluation of the dietary habits of medical students. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The material consisted of data collected from an anonymous survey distributed among first year students of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry (66 men and 177 women). The study used a questionnaire of our own design, consisting of open and multi-choice questions concerning the anthropometric data of subjects and nutritional habits. The questionnaire was developed based on the HBSC international standard questionnaire survey on health behaviour in adolescents. Data were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: The prevalence of obesity was generally not observed in the group of examined students. In most cases body mass index was in the range 18.5-24.99%. Obesity was observed only in men. There were no significant differences between the groups of men and women in terms of the frequency of regular meals during the week. Only about 50% of the study population declared regular consumption of the three main meals. Significantly more women than men used slimming diets, and significantly more men took action to control weight. Analysis of the results showed abnormal patterns in the structure of meals. CONCLUSIONS: It is extremely important to educate future doctors in healthy lifestyle, including correct nutrition, through educational programmes during studies.