Incidence of caries and abscesses in archeological Eskimo skeletal samples from point hope and Kodiak Island,Alaska

The incidence of caries and abscesses in 246 archeologically derived skeletal specimens from the Ipiutak and Tigara levels at Point Hope, Alaska, and 79 specimens excavated from Jones Point, Kodiak Island, Alaska were investigated. All three collections span long periods of time. Only pre-white contact specimens were used. Each specimens was sexed and aged in five year groupings, using standard techniques. Caries and abscesses were recorded by type and degree of severity and correlated with age, sex, and site of origin. All samples displayed very low caries rates and few abscesses per tooth and per individual (both observed frequencies, and frequencies corrected for postmortem loss of teeth). DMF scores were tabulated using both observed and corrected frequencies. Very heavy occlusal wear in all three samples could account for the majority of abscesses and pulp exposures, while the low caries rates are attributable to traditional diets totally devoid of refined sugars, starches, and food additives.     

Periodontal disease in the prehistoric Ipiutak and Tigara skeletal remains from Point Hope,Alaska

Two large groups of prehistoric Eskimo skeletons from Point Hope, Alaska, were evaluated for dental wear and several measures of periodontal disease. Occlusal attrition was found to increase steadily with increasing age. Crown height decreased proportionately. Assessing periodontal disease by inspecting apparent alveolar recession was judged ineffective due to possible supereruption. Infrabony pockets, the result of severe localized periodontal disease indicated that in Ipiutak people between the ages of 25 and 30, and Tigara people between 35 and 40, more dental sites were affected by periodontal disease than were not. This suggests a cultural, genetic, or dietary difference between the two groups. Male/female differences were slight in all parameters studied.     

August diet of age-0 Pacific halibut in nearshore waters of Kodiak Island,Alaska

Synopsis The objective of this study was to describe the diet of age-0 Pacific halibut,Hippoglossus stenolepis, for the inshore waters of Kodiak Island, Alaska during August 1991. Stomach contents were identified from 170 age-0 halibut captured inshore of the eastern and southern coasts of Kodiak Island, and were analyzed in relation to halibut size, location, depth and substrate of capture. One hundred sixty-eight of 170 fish had eaten crustaceans, of which the predominant prey taxa were Mysidacea (34.3%), Cumacea (33.1%), Gammaridea (26.6%) and Caridea (3.9%). In five of six capture locations, mysids and amphipods were predominant prey. In the remaining area, Sitkinak Strait, cumaceans were the primary food source. At depths less than 10 m, mysids were the predominant prey taxa. Gammarid amphipods were of primary importance at depths of 10–30 m. Halibut captured from 30–70 m fed mainly on cumaceans. Cumaceans and gammarid amphipods were consumed by halibut caught on gravel substrate. Fish caught on substrates of sand and mud fed mainly on mysids and amphipods. Cumaceans were also consumed on sandy substrates. Fish 45 mm fed on cumaceans. An ontogenetically related shift in diet occurred at 46–55 mm TL, at which size the halibut's primary prey began to shift from cumaceans to mysids. Fish of 46–75 mm consumed increasingly greater proportions of mysids, amphipods and shrimps. The diet of age-0 Pacific halibut along the Kodiak coast during August was related to predator size, and location, depth, and substrate type of capture.     

Pattern of tooth loss in an elderly population from Ibadan, Nigeria

Objectives: To determine tooth loss, edentulousness, causes of tooth loss and pattern of tooth loss in the elderly in South East Local Government area (SELGA) in Ibadan. Background data: SELGA is one of the largest in Oyo State, Nigeria and has a population of 225 800. Design: A cross‐sectional survey. Methodology: A total of 690 elderly individuals who were 65 years and above living in various wards in SELGA were interviewed by two interviewers and examined by two trained and calibrated examiners whilst two record clerks recorded all the findings of the examination. Result: Forty‐eight per cent of the subjects in the study had not lost any teeth. The mean tooth loss was 4.5 ± 7.6. Percentage edentulousness was 1.3% and this was higher in males than in females. This difference was not statistically significant (χ² = 0.07 p = 0.7). The total number of teeth lost was 3102, 14% of the total number of teeth examined. The study showed that caries was not a major cause of tooth loss. Only 22 (0.7%) teeth were lost as a result of caries, 19 (0.6%) were lost because of trauma and periodontal disease contributed to loss of 3061 (98.7%) teeth. Mandibular teeth exhibited a higher rate of retention than maxillary teeth. The percentage of elderly individuals with tooth loss increased with age. Conclusion: The study highlights the high life expectancy of a tooth among the elderly in SELGA. Despite the different cause of tooth loss in this area, in comparison with developed countries, the pattern of tooth retention appeared similar.     

Relative contribution of caries and periodontal disease in adult tooth loss among patients reporting to the Institute of Dental Sciences,Belgaum, India

Objectives: To examine the reasons for tooth loss in an adult population. Methods: Patients who reported to the department of prosthodontics in Institute of Dental Sciences, Belgaum, located in the north‐western part of the state of Karnataka, in the southern region of India over a period of 2 months, with at least one missing tooth (excluding third molars) constituted the sample size. There were a total of 365 patients (185 females and 180 males) within the age group of 16–84 years (mean age 51.06 ± 16.47 years) who fulfilled this criterion. Socio‐demographic profile was recorded along with a clinical examination for assessing the number and pattern of tooth loss. The reasons for tooth loss were recorded according to the history reported by the patient. Results: In the present study of 365 patients, 58.9% of the patients were completely edentulous, 41% were partially dentate, of which 20.8% had lost their teeth from caries, 11% from periodontal disease and 9.3% from a combination of reasons. More females had lost their teeth because of dental caries whereas more males had lost their teeth because of periodontal disease, this being statistically significant. (χ² = 16.53, p = 0.001). Highly significant results were obtained for age and reasons for tooth loss. (χ² = 150.39, p < 0.001). Irrespective of the socio‐economic status, dental caries was the most common cause for tooth loss in partially dentate patients though it was not statistically significant (χ² = 13.62, p = 0.325). Mandibular first molars were the teeth most frequently lost due to dental caries. The maxillary left central incisor was most frequently lost due to periodontal disease, followed by the maxillary right central incisor. Conclusions: Since both dental caries and periodontal disease contributed to tooth loss at different ages, risk indicators need to be identified.     

Relationship between nutritional status and tooth loss in an older population from Sri Lanka

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2011.00518.x Relationship between nutritional status and tooth loss in an older population from Sri Lanka Objective: To determine the relationship between tooth loss and nutritional status in older individuals in Sri Lanka. Background: In developing countries, both the prevalence of malnutrition and oral disease are high among older individuals. Materials and methods: Four hundred and eighty subjects aged 60 years and above were selected to be included in the sample, of which 437 responded giving an overall response rate of 91%. Data were collected by means of an interviewer administered questionnaire, an oral examination and a physical examination to determine height and weight to calculate the body mass index (BMI). Results: Based on the WHO cut‐offs for BMI, 62, 20 and 18% of the sample were normal, under‐ and over‐weight, respectively. A multinomial logistic regression analysis with normal weight as the reference category revealed that missing teeth and denture status were associated with being underweight but not with being overweight. Conclusion: In older individuals, tooth loss is significantly associated with being underweight.     

Age at death of the Neanderthal child from Devil's Tower, Gibraltar and the implications for studies of general growth and development in Neanderthals

This study combines traditional methods of assessing dental developmental status based upon modern human standards with new techniques based upon histological observations in order to reassess the age at death of the Gibraltar child from Devil's Tower. The results indicate that the most likely age of this individual at death was 3 years of age. This result is in agreement with an independent assessment of the age of the temporal bone of this specimen (Tillier, AM [1982] Z. Morphol. Anthropol. 73:125-148) and is concordant with dental developmental ages given for modern humans. Moreover, the fact that this specimen appears at the low end of the age scale for calcification stages in modern humans is also supportive of the findings of Legoux (Legoux, P [1970] Arch. Inst. Paleontol. Hum. Mem. 33:53-87) and Wolpoff (Wolpoff, MH [1979] Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 50:67-114) that dental eruption schedules in Neanderthals were also accelerated. If the cranial bones from Devil's Tower are associated with the dental material, as we believe, they indicate a remarkably precocious brain growth in this individual, which is consistent with what is known about general growth and development in Neanderthals.     

Association of total tooth loss with smoking, drinking alcohol and nutrition in elderly Japanese: analysis of national database

Objective: Various factors may be associated with edentulism in elderly people. Association of total tooth loss with smoking, alcohol intake and nutrition in non‐institutionalised elderly Japanese was assessed utilising national database. Materials and methods: Records of independent surveys, the Survey of Dental Diseases (SDD) and the National Nutrition Survey (NNS) in 1999 were electronically linked using the household identification number. Results: Among the records of 6903 subjects in the SDD and 12 763 subjects in the NNS, 6805 records were successfully linked. Overall, prevalence of total tooth loss in adults was very similar in males and females at approximately 7.0%, and the smoking rate was 47.6% and 9.9% respectively. Total tooth loss was a rare phenomenon (<2%) in age groups of <60 years. According to the multiple logistic regression analysis involving 2200 subjects aged 60 years or older, significant variables were age, current smokers and vitamin C intake in males, and age and current smokers in females. The variable for current drinkers was significant in females but the odds ratio was <1.0. No significant relationship was detected with respect to former smokers and drinkers, body mass index, vitamin E intake and blood glucose level. Conclusions: Current smoking was associated with total tooth loss, although smoking rate was low in females. Gender difference in the association was suggestive with respect to drinking alcohol and vitamin C intake.     

Study of dentition in lizards from Gran Ganaria Island (Canary Islands) and its ecological and evolutionary significance

The dentition of Gallotia stehlini from one extant and two subfossil populations dated as 4000 and 2000 years before present was studied. Body measurements were similar in the two subfossil populations, but much greater than the largest sizes observed today in G. stehlini. The morphology of the dental cusps in this G. stehlini differs greatly from that of other Lacertidae, including other congeneric Canarian species; this has been connected with a vegetarian diet. A decrease in heterodonty with size of the animal is also seen which contrasts strongly with the models observed in the Mediterranean lacertid lizards.     

Age and menopause affect the expression of specific cytokines/chemokines in plasma and cervical lavage samples from female sex workers in Nairobi,Kenya

Background

Aging of the immune system, known as immunosenescence, is associated with profound changes in both innate and adaptive immune responses, resulting in increased susceptibility to infection and a decreased ability to respond to vaccination. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of age and menopause on the expression of 22 different cytokines/chemokines in both plasma and cervical lavage samples from female sex-worker cohort from Nairobi, Kenya (age range 20–65).

Results

Cytokine/chemokine levels were measured using a Miliplex multiplex assay (Millipore). We found that age positively correlated with MCP-1 (p?=?0.0002) and IP-10 (p?=?0.03) systemic cytokine expression, and that women over 50 expressed the highest levels of these cytokines, but also had elevated expression of MIG (ANOVA p?=?0.0096) and MIP-3β(ANOVA p?=?0.0434). We also found that IL-8 (p?=?0.047) and sCD40L (p?=?0.01) systemic expression negatively correlated with age. Further, MIG (p?=?0.0081) and MCP-1 (p?=?0.0157) were present at higher levels in post-menopausal women suggesting a potential estrogen dependant systemic regulation of these cytokines. In cervical lavage samples, age did not directly correlate with the expression of any of the tested cytokines/chemokines, however sIL-2Rα (ANOVA p?=?0.0170) and IL-15 (ANOVA p?=?0.0251)were significantly higher in women over 50. Menopause was shown to have a more profound effect on cytokine expression in the cervical mucosa with MIG (p?=?0.0256), MIP-3α (p?=?0.0245), IL-1β (p?=?0.0261), IL-6 (p?=?0.0462), IL-8 (p?=?0.007), IP-10 (p?=?0.0357) and MCP-1 (p?=?0.0427) all significantly under-expressed in post-menopausal women.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that aging and menopause-associated hormonal changes are associated with significant changes in systemic and mucosal cytokine/chemokine expression, which may have implications for the age-related decline in the ability to fight against infections.

     

Osteoporosis,the risk of vertebral fracture,and periodontal disease in an elderly group in Mexico City

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2009.00342.x
Osteoporosis, the risk of vertebral fracture, and periodontal disease in an elderly group in Mexico City Objectives: The aims of this study were to identify the possible association of osteoporosis, fracture risk and periodontitis, and consider the role of pharmacological treatment of osteoporosis and the periodontal condition. Methods: Patients aged 60 and older from the Mexican National Medical Science and Nutrition Institute Salvador Zubirán participated in the study. DXA was used to assess osteoporosis and risk of vertebral fracture. A modified version of the extent and severity index (ESI) was applied to evaluate periodontitis (cut‐off point for attachment loss ≥ 4 mm) and all teeth were examined. Results: One hundred and sixty‐six patients were examined, 88.6% were females, 47.0% had osteoporosis and 38.6% showed a high risk of fracture. The modified ESI was 5.13 mm (SD 1.4), 57.8% (SD 29.7). The model for periodontitis severity showed an association with oral hygiene (OR = 1.85) and use of osteoporosis medication (OR = 0.43). The model for the extent of periodontitis identified an association with smoking (OR = 2.37), osteoporosis (OR = 1.82) and osteoporosis medication (OR = 0.36). The model for tooth loss detected an association with fracture risk (OR = 3.02) and osteoporosis medication (OR = 0.33). Conclusion: Periodontitis extent was associated with osteoporosis, and tooth loss with fracture risk.     

Inter-decadal patterns of population and dietary change in sea otters at Amchitka Island, Alaska

After having been hunted to near-extinction in the Pacific maritime fur trade, the sea otter population at Amchitka Island, Alaska increased from very low numbers in the early 1900s to near equilibrium density by the 1940s. The population persisted at or near equilibrium through the 1980s, but declined sharply in the 1990s in apparent response to increased killer whale predation. Sea otter diet and foraging behavior were studied at Amchitka from August 1992 to March 1994 and the data compared with similar information obtained during several earlier periods. In contrast with dietary patterns in the 1960s and 1970s, when the sea otter population was at or near equilibrium density and kelp-forest fishes were the dietary mainstay, these fishes were rarely eaten in the 1990s. Benthic invertebrates, particularly sea urchins, dominated the otter’s diet from early summer to mid-winter, then decreased in importance during late winter and spring when numerous Pacific smooth lumpsuckers (a large and easily captured oceanic fish) were eaten. The occurrence of spawning lumpsuckers in coastal waters apparently is episodic on a scale of years to decades. The otters’ recent dietary shift away from kelp-forest fishes is probably a response to the increased availability of lumpsuckers and sea urchins (both high-preference prey). Additionally, increased urchin densities have reduced kelp beds, thus further reducing the availability of kelp-forest fishes. Our findings suggest that dietary patterns reflect changes in population status and show how an ecosystem normally under top-down control and limited by coastal zone processes can be significantly perturbed by exogenous events. Received: 23 March 1999 / Accepted: 19 January 2000     

The land fauna of Ascension Island: new data from caves and lava flows,and a reconstruction of the prehistoric ecosystem

Abstract. Terrestrial arthropods were investigated in 1990 and 1995 on Ascension, a young and extremely isolated volcanic island in the equatorial Atlantic. Three new genera (of Araneae, Oribatida and Psocoptera) were discovered and the number of apparently endemic species was increased from fourteen to about twenty-nine. Some 311 species of land animals (a few now extinct) are known to have established themselves on the island; in a few groups there may be significant numbers of unrecorded species. About ninety-five endemic and non-endemic species are considered to be native (including two marine turtles, twelve seabirds and two extinct landbirds); seventy-eight are of doubtful status; and at least 138 were probably introduced by humans. Natural colonists arrived mainly by air (drifting with the wind during migratory movements) but some evidently travelled on floating objects or attached to birds or other animals. Natural colonization was almost entirely from Africa. Before the arrival of humans, Ascension had an early successional ecosystem. The fauna in the lava and cinder deserts of the lowlands—both on the surface and in subterranean cracks and caves—was dominated by taxonomically varied scavengers and mainly arachnid predators. The scattered angiosperms here and in the foothills supported some host-specific herbivores with associated predators; they were also exploited (especially after exceptional rains) by a number of Orthoptera, Hemiptera and Lepidoptera derived from migratory African populations and perhaps reinforced at intervals by additional groups of colonists. The more extensive and largely cryptogamic vegetation on the central peak had a poor fauna probably composed mainly of micro-arthropods. Along coasts, on islets and in the extensive seabird colonies there were additional arthropod species and also a flightless rail and a night heron (both now extinct). Invertebrate stocks that colonized Ascension underwent a variety of evolutionary changes including phyletic evolution leading to endemic status, adaptation to subterranean life (Araneae, Pseudoscorpiones, Collembola and Psocoptera), character release (phorid Diptera), and probably splitting of lineages (speciation) within the island (Isopoda, Collembola and gryllid Orthoptera). The relatively high diversity of Pseudoscorpiones (five species in five genera) and their 100% apparent endemicity is notable. The indigenous fauna of Ascension provides a view of an early stage in the processes of colonization, adaptive evolution and radiation which—over much longer periods—give rise to the richer and more distinctive faunas of older oceanic islands such as Ascension's nearest neighbour, St Helena, where a few invertebrate clades have undergone repetitive speciation and some adaptive radiation.     

Participation of book lungs in evaporative water loss in Paraphysa parvula, a migalomorph spider from Chilean Andes

Small animals need efficient water conservation mechanisms for survival and reproduction, which is relevant for the spiders that have large book lungs with large respiratory surface. If lung evaporation is relevant to limit water loss, adjustments of the spiracle opening to metabolic demands should be expected. In this study, we measured the metabolic rate and total evaporative water loss mediated by the opening of the spiracles in the migalomorph spider Paraphysa parvula, a resident of fluctuating Mediterranean environments of the mountains of central Chile. We found that the metabolism of P. parvula was similar to other Theraphosidae and low compared to other arthropods. Carbon dioxide production and evaporative water loss increased with temperature, particularly at 40 °C. The total evaporative water loss at 40 °C increased dramatically to about 10 times that found with the lower temperatures. Thus, 40 °C will be the limit temperature for this species after which evaporative water loss starts to become damaging, so it has to avoid it. The exposition to hypercapnic environments had as a consequence an increase in evaporative water loss and the involvement of the book lungs in this loss was about 60%. The possibility of losing water could condition this species to seek temperate and oxygenated shelters under rocks.     

Phytolith and starch analysis of sediment samples from two archaeological sites on Dauar Island,Torres Strait,northeastern Australia

Current archaeological research suggests that first human occupation of the Torres Strait Islands occurred sometime between 2500 and 3000 cal b.p., and evidence indicates that the development of agricultural mound-and-ditch systems occurred there after 1200 cal b.p. Although archaeological remains testify to the existence of a marine based subsistence economy prior to 1200 cal b.p., the potential presence of earlier prehistoric horticultural signatures has yet to be adequately examined. This study investigates such evidence through a preliminary application of fossil phytolith and starch grain analysis using excavated sediments from two archaeological sites on Dauar Island, eastern Torres Strait. The results show the early presence of yam (Dioscorea sp.), and Musa species not endemic to the island. The occurrence of these edible plant types in association with carbonised phytoliths and anthropogenic shell and bone deposits may be indicative of a combined insular horticultural and marine subsistence system on Dauar Island. We suggest that with a larger and appropriate phytolith reference set for the research area, there is a potential to more clearly define human induced changes to vegetation and patterns of subsistence in the Torres Strait Islands.     

Embryonic loss in mares: Pregnancy rate, length of interovulatory intervals, and progesterone concentrations associated with loss during days 11 to 15

Pregnancy rates, length of interovulatory intervals, and progesterone concentrations were examined in mares which had ultrasonically detected collections of fluid in the uterine lumen and in mares which lost the embryonic vesicle during Days 11 to 15 and did not become pseudopregnant. In mares with embryonic loss, the loss rate for mares with re-established pregnancies (9 18 ) was greater (P<0.05) than the loss rate for all pregnancies (38 154 ), indicating repeatability. Pregnancy rates were higher (P<0.01) in controls (100 177 ) than in mares with intrauterine fluid collections (2 34 ) or mares with embryonic loss (10 33 ), excluding the pregnancy associated with embryonic loss. The mean length (days) of the interovulatory interval was reduced (P<0.05) in mares with intrauterine fluid collections (20.4 +/-0.9) and in mares with embryonic loss both for the intervals in which loss occurred (19.6 +/-0.7) and for intervals in which pregnancy was not detected (21.0 +/-1.0; controls, 23.5 +/-0.6). Mean progesterone concentration (ng/ml) on Day 7 was lower (P<0.05) in mares with intrauterine fluid collections (8.8 +/-1.8) and in mares with embryonic loss (12.1 +/-1.1) than in pregnant controls (17.2 +/-0.9) and nonpregnant controls (17.5 +/-0.1). The embryonic loss seemed attributable to uterine-induced luteolysis in association with uterine inflammation, but the possibility of involvement of a primary luteal inadequacy or other factors in at least some of the mares was not eliminated.     

Carbon loss from the roots of tomato and pea seedlings grown in soil

Tomato and pea seedlings were grown for 14d and 28d with shoots in constant specific activity¹⁴CO₂ and the amounts and distribution of carbon within the plants and of that released into the soil from the roots were measured. The estimates of carbon loss were derived from measurements of¹⁴CO₂ respired from both the root and the accompanying microbial population and from the root derived¹⁴C-labelled organic carbon compounds in the soil. The relationship between plant growth and the loss of carbon and distribution of carbon within the plants are discussed.     

福建东山岛西埔湾港养斑鲦的年龄、生长和生殖力研究

本文研究福建东山岛西埔湾港养1099尾斑(鱼祭)的鳞片年轮、渔获年龄结构和体长频率分布,并结合周年逐月的生物学资料,对其体长与鳞长、体长与体重、肥满度、相对增长率和生长指标以及个体绝对生殖力和相对生殖力作了分析。生长参数拟合的生长方程能够反映其生长规律。依据生活史生态学参数,斑(鱼祭)应归属于r选择型。文中还讨论了西埔湾港养斑(鱼祭)资源的合理利用和增养殖措施。