In vitro studies the influence of Nd: YAG laser on dental enamels.

The present work aimed at assessing chemical, topographical, and morphological changes induced by Nd : YAG laser treatment of dental enamels by means of energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Fifteen human enamel specimens were obtained, three of samples were kept untreated as a control while the others twelve samples were equally divided into four groups where each group have a three samples according to treating approach as: G1:(untreated);G2: (treated with Nd:YAG laser, 100 mJ/pulse,10 Hz/1064nm); G3(treated with Nd:YAG laser, 500 mJ/pulse, 10 Hz/1064nm); G4(treated with Nd:YAG laser 1000 mJ/pulse, 10 Hz/1064nm), and finally G5(treated with Nd:YAG laser, 1000 mJ/pulse, 10 Hz/532nm) respectively. Beside many craters and cracks, the AFM results showed fractures with depths of 19.23 nm, 174.7 nm, 216.9 nm, 207.4 nm and 156.5 nm and width of 559.2 nm, 833.4 nm, 1115 nm, 695.0 nm, and 5142 nm for all Groups respectively. The highest surface roughness was found in G5 with 111.4 nm while the lowest surface roughness was found in G1 to be 14.3 nm. The inside surface of the fissures was also rough. The SEM micrographs revealed modifications to the morphology. EDS was used to measure the phosphorous (P), calcium (Ca), oxygen (O), and carbon (C) percentages presented in crater areas and their surroundings, Ca, P, O, and C levels were observed to vary significantly at the crater and its rim, a lower percentage of C wt% were realized corresponding to laser treatment of 1000 mJ/Pulse laser energy. However, it was not feasible to recognize a specific chemical arrangement in the craters. It is also concluded that the higher depth and particular edge of ablated part when teeth were irradiated by laser with 1000 mJ/10Hz/1064nm.

The palaeopathology of industry, a perspective from Britain.

OBJECTIVES: This article considers the position of palaeopathology of ca. 1750AD onward within the subdiscipline of Industrial Archaeology, and reflects upon the relationship between skeletal palaeopathology and textual sources on disease prevalences. METHODS: It draws upon the author's experience in engaging with threat-led archaeology. It synthesises key elements of palaeopathological literature, emphasising contributions to the IJPP VSI 'Changes in Health with the Rise of Industry', and also the broader literature regarding Industrial Archaeology. RESULTS: Industrial Archaeology has seen a recent refocus to include not only a concentration upon technological aspects of industry but also increased emphasis the social context of industrialisation. This movement toward a placement of people as well as machines centre stage has resulted in an environment conducive for paleopathology to make a greater impact upon studies of the period. CONCLUSIONS: Palaeopathologists need to ensure that their biocultural work is orientated toward research goals of broader relevance if the impact of their work is to be maximised. We cannot directly align prevalence data generated from skeletal and and written sources; roles played by these two sources of evidence will depend, inter alia, upon the problems being investigated. SIGNIFICANCE: The success of 'Industrial Palaeopathology' will be measured by the extent to which human remains studies move toward centre stage within the broader discipline of Industrial Archaeology. LIMITATIONS: Multiple perspectives on disciplinary development are possible. Academic traditions, relationships between university- and threat led-sectors, and the opportunities and challenges engendered by working with human remains, differ in different countries.

The Role of Trp79 in ß-Actin on Histidine Methyltransferase SETD3 Catalysis.

Nτ -methylation of His73 in actin by histidine methyltransferase SETD3 plays an important role in stabilising actin filaments in eukaryotes. Mutations in actin and overexpression of SETD3 have been related to human diseases, including cancer. Here, we investigated the importance of Trp79 in ß-actin on productive human SETD3 catalysis. Substitution of Trp79 in ß-actin peptides by its chemically diverse analogues reveals that the hydrophobic Trp79 binding pocket modulates the catalytic activity of SETD3, and that retaining a bulky and hydrophobic amino acid at position 79 is important for efficient His73 methylation by SETD3. Molecular dynamics simulations show that the Trp79 binding pocket of SETD3 is ideally shaped to accommodate large and hydrophobic Trp79, contributing to the favourable release of water molecules upon binding. Our results demonstrate that the distant Trp79 binding site plays an important role in efficient SETD3 catalysis, contributing to the identification of new SETD3 substrates and the development of chemical probes targeting the biomedically important SETD3.

Is dietary deficiency of calcium a factor in rickets? Use of current evidence for our understanding of the disease in the past.

OBJECTIVE: Rickets is considered an indicator of vitamin D deficiency in palaeopathology, but a strand of biomedical thought maintains that dietary calcium deficiency may sometimes play a part in its causation. Our aim is to evaluate the extent to which low calcium intake should be considered as a factor in biocultural interpretations of rickets. METHODS: We assess published modern epidemiological studies that provide primary data to support claims for a role for dietary calcium deficiency in rickets. We also consider how we might identify, via indicators of calcium intake, populations at risk of calcium deficiency in the past. RESULTS: Support for dietary calcium deficiency as a cause of rickets is equivocal. Direct measurement of dietary calcium in the past is not possible, but exposure to risk factors for low calcium intake can to some extent be identified. CONCLUSION: Whilst there is little evidence to alter the view that rickets is essentially an indicator of a population's vitamin D status, occasionally, in very low calcium intake groups, dietary calcium deficiency may play a synergistic role by accentuating the need for vitamin D. SIGNIFICANCE: The notion that dietary calcium deficiency may be a cause of rickets appears to be gaining currency in bioarchaeological studies. This paper shows that it is unusual for this to be the case, and even then the role of vitamin D remains crucial. LIMITATIONS: This paper attempts to summarise the current state of biomedical study in an area that is subject to continuing investigation.

A rare complication of hemolacria after Le fort I osteotomy: a case presentation / 대한악안면성형재건외과학회지

Background@#Nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NDO) is a common pathology preventing the proper drainage of the tears, and its main symptom is epiphora. Secondary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction (SANDO) can be due to a variety of causes including infection, trauma, or neoplasms. It has been reported to occur with different forms of maxillofacial trauma, especially Le Fort II, Le Fort III, naso-orbital-ethmoidal, and orbital floor fractures.Case presentationA 20-year-old Egyptian female presented to correct a facial disharmony due to a cleft lip and palate defect. The patient reported a history of congenital NDO and had deficient lateral nasal walls. Bimaxillary surgery was planned, including a Le Fort I osteotomy for the maxilla and bilateral sagittal split osteotomy for the mandible. The surgery was uneventful, but the patient complained from bloody tears or hemolacria few days postoperatively. This complication began to cease spontaneously after 2 days and completely recovered after 4 days. @*Conclusion@#Hemolacria is an infrequent finding after maxillofacial surgeries and may be associated with CLP surgeries more than other surgeries. In this case, it was easily managed, and surgeons should be more aware of it to try to prevent its occurrence.

A content analysis by bibliometry of the first ten years of the International Journal of Paleopathology.

OBJECTIVES: The aim is to provide an overview of the nature of the content of palaeopathology articles in the International Journal of Paleopathology during the first ten years of publication (2011-2020), and to compare these results with those from other similar journals. METHODS: The method used is bibliometry of International Journal of Paleopathology plus nine other periodicals publishing in the field of osteoarchaeology / palaeopathology. In these ten journals, 2513 publications in human osteology are reviewed of which 1032 are devoted specifically or substantially to palaeopathology. RESULTS: International Journal of Paleopathology has attracted a large number of palaeopathology publications, but this has not been at the expense of extant journals. Its appearance appears to have coincided with an expansion of the discipline, and it may also act as a focus for publication for articles that would not previously have found a venue. Its output is distinctive from other journals assessed, with greater emphasis on review articles (including those focusing on method and theory in palaeopathology) and, especially, on case reports. SIGNIFICANCE: International Journal of Paleopathology acts as a focal point for publications from diverse areas of the field. The connection with the Paleopathology Association provides a conduit by which outcomes of debates within the profession concerning future priorities for the field (e.g. development of method and theory; the status of the case report within the discipline) can be reflected in journal policy. LIMITATIONS: Palaeopathology and other osteoarchaeology articles are published in venues other than those analysed in the current work.

A dual process model for paleopathological diagnosis.

OBJECTIVES: This paper aims to provide an explicit theoretical model for the cognitive processes involved in paleopathological diagnosis. METHODS: The approach adopted is a dual process model (DPM). DPMs recognize that cognition is a result of both Type 1 (intuitive) and Type 2 (analytical) processes. DPMs have been influential for understanding decision-making in a range of fields, including diagnosis in clinical medicine. Analogies are drawn between diagnosis in a clinical and a paleopathological setting. RESULTS: In clinical medicine, both Type 1 and Type 2 processes play a part in diagnosis. In paleopathology the role of Type 1 processes has been unacknowledged. However, like clinical diagnosis, paleopathological diagnosis is inherently a result of a combination of both Type 1 and Type 2 processes. A model is presented by which Type 1 processes can be explicitly incorporated into a scientific approach to diagnosis from skeletal remains, and in which diagnosis is formalized as a process of hypothesis testing. SIGNIFICANCE: Accurately modelling our diagnostic processes allows us to understand the biases and limitations in our work and potentially helps us to improve our procedures, including how we impart diagnostic skills in pedagogical settings. LIMITATIONS: This work provides a theoretical model for paleopathological diagnosis. However, such models are by their nature dynamic and developing rather than static entities; it is hoped that this work stimulates further debate and discussion in this important area.

The epidemiology of rickets in the 17th-19th centuries: Some contributions from documentary sources and their value to palaeopathologists.

This article considers the nature of written sources on the epidemiology of rickets in the post-Mediaeval period, and examines the value of these sources for palaeopathologists. There is a progression from 17th-18th century sources, which generally make ex cathedra, qualitative statements on rickets frequency to, in the 19th century, semi-quantitative geographical surveys of its occurrence, through to reports of percentage prevalence in various groups. Of course, even these latter cannot be directly compared with prevalences calculated from excavated skeletal remains, but there are also considerable difficulties in comparing them with one another, and this effectively precludes synthesis to provide reliable information on geographic and temporal trends at anything more than a very broad-brush level. Their problematic nature mandates a cautious approach when using written sources to shed light on the epidemiology of rickets. For palaeopathologists, a useful way of incorporating these sources into a biocultural approach may be to use them in order to formulate hypotheses that can then be evaluated using skeletal evidence.

Latitude, urbanization, age, and sex as risk factors for vitamin D deficiency disease in the Roman Empire.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of the study are to investigate the effects of latitude, settlement type, age, and sex on the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency disease in the Roman Empire using human skeletal remains from cemetery sites (1st to 6th cent. AD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from 2,787 individuals (1,143 subadults, 1,644 adults) from 18 cemeteries associated with 15 different settlements in the Mediterranean and north-western Europe were analyzed. Vitamin D deficiency disease (rickets, osteomalacia) was identified using standard paleopathological criteria. Multivariate statistical analysis was used analyze the effects of the variables of interest on the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of rickets in subadults (<20 years) was 5.7%, and 3.2% of adults showed osteomalacia and/or residual rickets. There was a positive association between rickets in subadults and latitude, with numerous cases of rickets among infants. There was no general association with sex or settlement type, although an elevated prevalence of rickets was observed at a cemetery associated with a settlement (Ostia, Italy), which had multi-storey buildings. DISCUSSION: The association of rickets with latitude may reflect care practices that, in more northerly locations where solar radiation is less intense, placed infants at increased risk of insufficient sunlight exposure to permit adequate vitamin D biosynthesis. The elevated level of vitamin D deficiency at Ostia may reflect, at least in part, the lack of sunlight due to dense occupation of multi-storey blocks that prevented direct sunlight from reaching living quarters and the streets between these closely spaced buildings.

Estimation of stature in archaeological human skeletal remains from Britain.

OBJECTIVES: For archaeological populations of northwest European origin, the Trotter and Gleser () "White" equations are generally used to estimate stature from long-bone length. The aim of this research is to investigate the reliability of these formulae for this purpose. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Stature estimated using the Trotter and Gleser formulae was evaluated by comparing estimates with anatomically reconstructed stature in adult skeletons (N = 40) from Mediaeval England. Performance of the Trotter and Gleser equations based on femur length was compared (using standard error of the estimate (SEE) and mean percentage error (%error)) with others that have been derived from archaeological and recent European ancestry populations. Performance of ordinary least squares (OLS) and reduced major axis (RMA) versions of some of the equations was also evaluated. RESULTS: 14 male and 11 female femoral equations were investigated. For females, the original (OLS) Trotter and Gleser "White" equations produced the lowest SEE and %error. For the males, the most reliable was the RMA version of the Trotter and Gleser "White" WWII equation; the Trotter and Gleser equations based on the Korean War dead performed poorly. DISCUSSION: In an archaeological target population, stature estimation equations devised using archaeological reference populations from a similar ecogeographic zone did not perform better than those based on recent populations. There was no indication that either the RMA or OLS approach produced consistently lower SEE and %error, but the former more faithfully represented the variation in anatomically reconstructed stature present in the study group.

Specifying Pathogen Associations of Amblyomma maculatum (Acari: Ixodidae) in Western Tennessee.

Amblyomma maculatum Koch (Acari: Ixodidae) is established in western Tennessee, a region with increased risk for Rocky Mountain spotted fever and ehrlichiosis. This tick transmits Rickettsia parkeri to humans, likely contributing to cases of rickettsiosis in the region. The objective was to determine pathogen associations within questing and host-collected A. maculatum, and identify ecological factors associated with pathogen infection that may increase the effectiveness of surveillance methods. Of 265 ticks tested, 60 (22.6%) were infected with R. parkeri, and 15 (5.7%) with Candidatus Rickettsia andeanae, a Rickettsia of unknown pathogenicity. Two deer-collected ticks tested positive for Ehrlichia ewingii. No ticks were positive for Anaplasma or Borrelia species. None of the ecological factors tested (collection month, collection source, sex, and habitat type) were associated with R. parkeri infection. This project developed baseline prevalence and incidence data for monitoring pathogen prevalence in A. maculatum populations, and identified an inexpensive method for distinguishing R. parkeri from Ca. R. andeanae.

Comparison of novel and conventional methods of trapping ixodid ticks in the southeastern U.S.A.

Tick-borne disease surveillance and research rely on resource-effective methods for tick collection. This study compared the respective performances of several trapping methods in a mixed grassland-forest habitat in western Tennessee. To test for temporal differences in effectiveness, sites were sampled monthly (April-August 2013) using dry ice, dragging, flagging, sweep netting, carbon dioxide (CO2 ) dragging and CO2 flagging methods. To evaluate the effect of habitat on method effectiveness, four methods (dragging, CO2 dragging, CO2 flagging and dry ice) were compared in four habitat types (bottomland deciduous, upland deciduous, coniferous and grassland) in June 2014. In the temporal comparison, ticks were found to be most abundant in April and May, and there was a significant sampling period and method interaction, such that method effectiveness varied across sampling period. Sweep netting was significantly less effective than the other methods. In the habitat comparison, dry ice trap collections represented the most effective method in upland deciduous and coniferous habitats. Flagging using CO2 was significantly less effective than CO2 dragging and dragging in bottomland deciduous habitats. The success of the various collection methods did not differ significantly within grassland habitats. Overall, dry ice trapping and dragging were the most effective methods for tick collection across time and habitat.

Survey of Ticks Collected from Tennessee Cattle and Their Pastures for Anaplasma and Ehrlichia Species.

Anaplasma marginale is the causative agent for bovine anaplasmosis (BA) and Ehrlichia ruminantium is the causative agent for heartwater, 2 devastating diseases of cattle. BA is common in the United States and frequently reported in western Tennessee cattle; however, cases of heartwater are not yet established in the continental United States. Because both pathogens are transmitted via the bites of infected ticks, the objective of this study was to survey cattle and pastures for ticks and for each pathogen. University of Tennessee AgResearch has 7 research and education centers (REC) located throughout the state at which they manage cattle. Ticks were collected from selected cattle (every fourth to sixth animal) and pastures (via dragging) associated with the herd from each REC during the summer of 2013. A total of 512 ticks were collected from cattle (n = 386) and pastures (n = 126) and were PCR-screened for Anaplasma and Ehrlichia using genus-specific primers. Collections consisted of 398 (77.7%) Amblyomma americanum, 84 (16.4%) Amblyomma maculatum, and 30 (5.9%) Dermacentor variabilis. Ticks were not recovered from pastures or cattle east of the Tennessee Plateau. The North American vectors for An. marginale and E. ruminantium were identified (D. variabilis and A. maculatum, respectively), but neither pathogen was recovered. A large proportion of ticks were collected from cattle and, of these, a majority were attached to their host (compared to questing on their host or engorged on the host). Four A. americanum were positive for Ehrlichia spp. (Ehrlichia ewingii, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, and Panola Mountain Ehrlichia), all in western Tennessee. With the identification of a few Ehrlichia infections in cattle-associated ticks and current A. marginale rates in Tennessee beef cattle nearing 11%, additional research is needed to establish baseline tick, Anaplasma, and Ehrlichia data for future management studies.

Mandibular morphology in two archaeological human skeletal samples from northwest Europe with different masticatory regimes.

Mandibular morphology, assessed osteometrically, is studied in two historic human skeletal series (N = 64 individuals) from northwest Europe, one from Zwolle, the Netherlands (19th century CE), the other from Wharram Percy, England (10th-19th century). Both groups show greater dental wear than modern Western populations, but the rate of wear is greater at Wharram Percy than at Zwolle, suggesting a more vigorous masticatory regime. The aim is to evaluate any differences in mandibular morphology between the two groups that might relate to the inferred difference in biomechanical loading upon the chewing apparatus consequent upon the different physical properties of the diets consumed. Results indicate that the mandibles from Zwolle are generally smaller than those from Wharram Percy, especially in the gonial and ramus region and in the height of the post-canine corpus. These differences are consistent with those predicted on biomechanical grounds. That clear differences were observed in two samples whose masticatory regimes were distinct but not very different is an indication of the sensitivity of mandibular morphology to biomechanical input, and supports its value for investigating differences in physical properties of diets in palaeopopulations.

Bilateral scapular fracture in a likely case of assault from Mediaeval Ipswich, England.

It has recently been proposed that bilateral scapular fracture in archaeological populations may be an indicator of assault by beating (Blondiaux et al., 2012). This proposal, whilst plausible, lacked empirical support. This article provides some empirical evidence in support of this suggestion. It describes a case of bilateral scapular fracture in a Mediaeval burial where there is independent evidence that the individual suffered beating by a mob.

The palaeopathology of scurvy in Europe.

Documentary sources on scurvy in early Europe are largely post-Mediaeval and portray it as affecting sailors, soldiers, or victims of famine. But is this an accurate assessment? This article conducts a meta-analysis of palaeopathological evidence for scurvy in Europe and explores how these data augment documentary perspectives and extend our knowledge of scurvy back into the more remote past. There is little evidence for scurvy in skeletal remains associated with European military campaigns, but there is evidence of scurvy as a maritime problem among whalers and in veterans of the British Royal Navy. It was also frequent in burials from the 19th century Great Irish Famine. Because of their greater propensity to form diagnostic skeletal scorbutic lesions, subadults are usually the focus of palaeopathological studies of attritional civilian cemeteries. In subadults from some large cemeteries dating from the 3rd to 19th centuries A.D. in the British Isles scorbutic changes are often rare or absent. This suggests that normal seasonal and year-to-year fluctuations in availability of vitamin C-rich foods were usually insufficient to produce an appreciable number of skeletal cases. Subadult scurvy occurs at higher prevalence in some populations, likely due to cultural factors associated with weaning and childhood diets.

An investigation of age-related changes at the acetabulum in 18th-19th century AD adult skeletons from Christ Church Spitalfields, London.

The age-markers described at the adult acetabulum by Rissech et al. (J Forensic Sci 51 (2006) 213-229) were scored in the Spitalfields collection of skeletons of documented age and sex (N = 161). The purpose of the work was as a contribution to the evaluation of the general utility of these markers for estimating age at death. To this end, their relationship both with age, and with some other factors, was investigated. The latter comprised sex, general tendency toward bone formation in periarticular soft tissue (as measured by the occurrence of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis), and occupation (as documented for some of the males). Of the seven Rissech et al. variables, only four were found to show a statistically significant relationship with age. The correlation between a composite score derived from a linear combination of these four variables, and age was similar to or greater than correlations between age and composite scores based on other age indicators reported in the literature for Spitalfields. Male acetabula aged at a greater rate than those of females. There was no relationship with the occurrence of DISH, but for occupation, those in nonmanual professions showed greater acetabular scores-for-age than those in manual trades.

Concha bullosa, a neglected condition in palaeopathology.

Abnormality of the structures of the nasal cavity has featured little in palaeopathology. Here we present a possible case of concha bullosa, the abnormal pneumatisation of the middle turbinate. Differential diagnosis for concha bullosa, and the potential importance of this condition in earlier populations are discussed.

Growth in an English population from the Industrial Revolution.

The rapid urbanization of the Industrial Revolution in 18th-19th century England presented new health challenges. Our aim is to investigate using English skeletal remains whether the living conditions for an urban working class group in the Industrial Revolution negatively impacted upon their skeletal growth compared with a population from a rural agrarian parish. The Industrial Revolution skeletal material is from St Martin's Churchyard, Birmingham (SMB), West Midlands. It dates primarily from the first half of the nineteenth century when Birmingham was a major manufacturing center. The rural group is from Wharram Percy (WP), North Yorkshire, and dates from 10th-19th century AD. The methodology involves plotting diaphyseal bone lengths versus dental age for subadults. No overall difference was found between the two populations in bone length-for-age among the 2- to 18-year cohort. However the younger parts of the SMB cohort were smaller than at WP; the opposite was true of the older parts of the cohort. Growth rate, as inferred from crosssectional data, appeared greater at SMB than at WP. The only result consistent with expectations is the larger bone dimensions in young children from WP, but this likely reflects prolonged breastfeeding at WP not differences in urban and rural environments. That the deleterious health effects that we know accompanied the major transition in human society from a rural agrarian to an urban industrialized living environment should be little manifest in skeletal endochondral growth data is discouraging for those who would use such methodology to monitor health in earlier populations.