[MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES OF GASTRIC MUCOSA AFTER INSERTION OF INTRAGASTRIC BALLOON].

Morphological changes in gastric mucosa were studied, optimal terms of bariatric operations performance after intragastric balloon (IGB) insertion were determined. Before the IGB insertion in 10 (35.7%) patients, in accordance to histological investigations, the changes in gastric mucosa were not revealed, and in 18 (64.3%) - chronic gastritis was established. In accordance to endoscopic investigation results, immediately after the IGB removal in 23 (82.1%) patients a pronounced erythematous gastropathy was noted, and in 5 (17.9%) - erosive gastropathy. While investigating the gastric mucosa biopsies in all the patients a prominent inflammatory changes were revealed, including significant edema, pronounced lymphocytic infiltration. In accordance to esophagogastroduodenoscopy data on the 14-th day of endoscopic monitoring in 6 (21.4%) patients pathological changes of gastric mucosa were not revealed, in 22 (78.6 %) - erythematous gastropathy was noted, and in accordance to histological investigation - chronic gastritis. Persistence of IGB in gastric cavity during 6 mo caused a morphological changes in gastric mucosa - a significant inflammation, what was confirmed by endoscopic and histological investigations data. The gastric mucosa structure normalization was observed in 14 days after the IGB removal, that's why a radical bariatric intervention is recommended to perform not earlier the term established.

Hominid enamel thickness: I. The Krapina Neandertals.

Dental x-rays were taken of isolated and in situ adult molar teeth of the Krapina Neandertal (n = 63) and of recent and contemporary molars (n = 423). The radiographs were digitized at high resolution (1,024 x 1,520 x 8 bits) with a 35 mm solid state scanner. Ratios of enamel cap area to the underlying dentinal-pulpal area were determined and comparisons were made between average ratios for the Neandertal and contemporary molars. Neandertal molars had significantly smaller ratios than did contemporary teeth (P < 0.05). It is suggested that the smaller ratios represent relatively thinner enamel for Neandertals and that the thin enamel may have been caused by a metabolic depression that resulted in reduced enamel quantity (hypoplasia). Alternatively, the observed differences may be related to expanded pulps seen in various stages of taurodontism.

Dental arch shape and tooth wear variability.

The rapid rate of tooth wear frequently reported among certain contemporary aboriginal populations has often been attributed to dietary form and abrasives. Several investigators have reported a close correlation between food bulk and the wear planes formed over the dental arches, i.e., steep oblique wear vs. flat horizontal planes. In this investigation we demonstrate that arch shape is an additional and a significant factor influencing the distribution of wear facets and exposed dentin over occlusal surfaces. We examined 64 dental stone casts of Aboriginals from Yuendumu, Central Australia, born between 1900 and 1940. These casts offer a record of the variety of tooth wear and arch forms and their interrelationships. This group of individuals, some subsisting on abrasive and some on soft diets, have dentition which exhibit various wear rates and wear patterns probably due to the diversity of arch shape, size, and occlusal relationships. Hypsiloid or U-shaped maxillas had a more buccally directed wear in contrast to the parabolic or hyperbolic forms, which exhibit a heavier lingual loading. Varying occlusal conditions also contribute to differing wear patterns over the arches. Individuals with alternate intercuspation, for example, have a more horizontally directed wear. These and other conditions of shape, size, and occlusion emphasize the importance of morphological factors in the production of tooth wear rates and patterns in addition to dietary abrasives.

Tooth wear rates among contemporary Australian Aborigines.

Most reports of Aboriginal tooth wear have been descriptive, and few have dealt with the question of wear rate. This study records cusp heights of dental casts taken from individuals during a growth study of Aboriginal children from ages six to 18. Their rates of wear were greater than those of Europeans, and the most rapid rate was recorded among Aboriginal males. These differences are due to the quantity of dietary abrasives.