Marta Zalewska

Dental caries and chemical analyses in reconstruction of diet, health and hygienic behaviour in the Middle Euphrates valley (Syria)

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to use two methods, biological and chemical, to examine changes in diet and health in individuals from the Middle Euphrates valley (Syria). We determined the frequency distribution of dental caries. Chemical analyses were concerned with the presence of elements such as strontium, barium, calcium and stable carbon isotopes ((13)C/(14)C). We chose three consecutive periods: Late Roman (2nd-4th century AD), Islamic (600-1200 AD) and Modern Islamic (1850-1950 AD). MATERIALS AND METHODS We analysed the dental remains of 145 individuals, with a total of 2530 teeth. We used visual research (magnifying glass/sharp dental probe) and radiography. The frequencies of caries were calculated on the basis of the proportional correction factor of Erdal and Duyar. We chose 39 permanent second molars for chemical analyses. RESULTS The frequency of carious lesions was similar in all three periods (6-8%). In the Modern Islamic and Islamic periods, occlusal surfaces were infected with caries most often, while the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ) and approximal surfaces were affected to a lesser degree. However, in the Late Roman period, the CEJ and approximal surfaces showed caries most frequently, in contrast to occlusal surfaces, which seldom showed signs of caries. Chemical analyses showed lower Sr/Ca ratios and Observed Ratio index values for the Modern Islamic and higher values for the Islamic and Late Roman periods. Mean stable isotope (δ(13)C) analyses demonstrated that the Modern Islamic period was strongly divergent from the other periods. DISCUSSION These data suggest a similar socio-economic status during the Late Roman and Islamic periods. The diet of the population living in the Late Roman and Islamic periods contained a larger number of products containing strontium than calcium. In the modern population these proportions have been reversed.

Comparison of positron emission tomography/computed tomography with classical contrast-enhanced computed tomography in the initial staging of Hodgkin lymphoma.

Abstract We compared initial computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET)/CT in 96 patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), assessing the role of baseline PET/CT in stage migration and treatment selection. The number of patients with stage I, II, III and IV disease based on CT versus PET/CT was: 5 vs. 7, 49 vs. 37, 28 vs. 22 and 14 vs. 30, respectively. In 33 (34%) patients, PET/CT changed HL stage: 27 (28%) were upstaged and six (6.3%) downstaged. Upstaging was caused by detection of new extranodal involvements (47 sites in 26 patients): bone marrow (10 patients), spleen (five patients) and lung (two patients). In nine patients ≥ 2 further coexisting locations were detected. Downstaging resulted from the absence of fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) uptake in enlarged nodes (> 15 mm) in the abdomen and pelvis. PET/CT modified HL stage in 34% of patients leading to treatment modification in the majority. Our results indicate that PET/CT should be mandatory in the initial staging of HL.

The prevalence of sensitization to inhalant allergens in children with atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND The role of sensitization to inhalant allergens in atopic dermatitis (AD) in children is uncertain. The aim of our study was to assess the relationship of AD symptoms with sensitization to aeroallergens in Polish children ages 6-7 and 13-14 years. MATERIAL AND METHOD Epidemiology of Allergic Disorders in Poland is a randomized study with medical examination according to the ECRHS II and the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood standards in nine selected regions of Poland. We studied 6-7-year-old (n = 4510) and 13-14-year-old children (n = 4721). A total of 1583 children (25%) had a medical examination and a skin-prick test (SPT) with the 15 most common aeroallergens. RESULTS AD was diagnosed in 235 children (8.9%) (8.7%, 6-7-year-old children; 9.0%, 13-14-year-old children; 8.6% boys and 9.1% girls). AD was more frequent in urban versus rural habitants (9.6% versus 3.7%; p < 0.05) and in participants with a positive atopy history versus those without atopy (9.4% versus 5.1%; p < 0.05). Positive SPT was found in 1165 children (43.9%) (38.5% boys, 49.5% girls) and 64.72% with AD versus 41.9% without AD (p < 0.05) and more common in the rural region versus urban setting among 6-7 year-olds (71.8% versus 35.0%; p < 0.05). The most frequent allergic reaction was Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (13.5%), Dermatophagoides farina (11.7%), and grasses/crop plants (11.8%). The same pattern was seen in participants with and those without AD. Children with AD had more frequent positive SPT for all aeroallergens (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION AD should be more frequent in children with a positive atopy history and in children who live in the city. Aeroallergens play an essential role in pathogenesis of eczema in children. House-dust mites and grass pollen proved to be the most common relevant aeroallergens.

Fluorescence methods (VistaCam iX proof and DIAGNODent pen) for the detection of occlusal carious lesions in teeth recovered from archaeological context.

Diagnosis of occlusal enamel caries in archaeologically derived collections remains a controversial problem because the accumulation of contaminants in fissures can interfere with diagnosis. Certain novel light-induced fluorescence methods, such as the DIAGNODent pen 2190 (DD) and VistaCam iX Proof (VC), have been used to detect dental caries in clinical settings. In this study, the abilities of DD and VC to detect initial enamel caries in archaeologically derived material is determined and compared with those of other methods (visual inspection, X-ray, histology, and micro-CT). Dental material encompassing the remains of 58 individuals, including a total of 380 teeth from each of three historical periods: modern Islamic (AD 1850-1950), Islamic (AD 600-1200) and late Roman (AD 200-400), obtained from two archaeological sites (Terqa and Tell Masaikh) located in the Middle Euphrates valley (Syria), were analyzed. VC was found to have excellent sensitivity (98), while DD obtained lower sensitivity (76) in detecting dental caries in its early stages. The results obtained by VC and micro-CT, considered the most reliable imaging technique, were not statistically significant (P = 0.3068). By contrast, results obtained by DD and micro-CT results, and DD and VC results were statistically significant (P < 0.0001, P = 0.0015, respectively). However the presence of dirt, stain, calculus, and plaque in the pits and fissures of the occlusal surface compromise correct diagnosis of caries by VC and DD. Consequently, for teeth recovered from archaeological contexts where staining, calculus and plaque are present, the best solution remains micro-CT.

Frequency and chronological distribution of linear enamel hypoplasia (LEH) in the Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age population from Żerniki Górne (Poland) – preliminary report

Abstract Linear enamel hypoplasia (LEH) is treated as a nonspecific indicator of stress, but even so, many authors consider it the most reliable tool stress in anthropological research. Its analysis allows the reconstruction of health related to the socio-economic status of the group. This study documents and interprets patterns of LEH in Żerniki Górne (Poland), a settlement which was functional in the Late Neolithic and the Early Bronze Age. We examined two successive cultures: the Corded Ware Culture (CWC; 3200-2300BC) and the Trzciniec Culture (TC; 1500-1300BC). In total, there were 1486 permanent teeth (124 adult individuals). The frequency of LEH in the examined cultures shows a small rising trend. In these series from Żernik Górne, males showed a higher occurrence of LEH (16.5%) than females (13.4%). The earliest LEH appeared at similar ages at about 2.0/2.2 years and the last LEH occurred at about 4.2 years of age in both cultures. However, it is worth noting that periods associated with physiological stress were more common but not very long (four months on average) in the CWC. Longer stress periods (nine months on average) were associated with the TC.

The prevalence of pulp stones in historical populations from the middle euphrates valley (Syria)

There are many reports in the literature concerning pulp stones in contemporary living populations, but there are no descriptions of cases of pulp stones and their prevalence in populations of the past. Here we present a study of pulp stones in a series of archaeologically derived samples from the Middle Euphrates Valley (Syria) obtained from two sites: Terqa and Tell Masaikh. The specimens were assigned to five periods: Early Bronze (2650-2350 BC); Middle Bronze (2200-1700 BC); late Roman (AD 200-400); Islamic (AD 600-1200); and Modern Islamic (AD 1850-1950). A total of 529 teeth representing 117 adult individuals of both sexes were examined. Pulp stones were identified by X-ray and 10 selected specimens were sectioned for histological study. Pulp stones were found in 99 of 117 individuals (85%) and in 271 of 529 (51%) teeth. Pulp stone prevalence was found to increase with age, for individuals of older age classes have more pulp stones than younger individuals. Intriguingly, the prevalence of single pulp stones was higher among older individuals (36-45, >46), while younger individuals (17-25, 26-35) more often possessed multiple stones. Individuals with moderate to highly advanced dental wear have pulp stones significantly more often than individuals whose tooth wear is limited to invisible or very small facets. Though there is no statistical significance in the prevalence of pulp stones across chronological periods, it appears that a high level of calcium in the diet is accompanied by a greater prevalence of pulp stones.

Proposed Classification of Auriculotemporal Nerve, Based on the Root System

The topography of the auriculotemporal nerve (ATN) root system is the main criterion of this nerve classification. Previous publications indicate that ATN may have between one and five roots. Most common is a one- or two-root variant of the nerve structure. The problem of many publications is the inconsistency of nomenclature which concerns the terms “roots”, “connecting branches”, or “branches” that are used to identify the same structures. This study was performed on 80 specimens (40 adults and 40 fetuses) to propose a classification based on: (i) the number of roots, (ii) way of root division, and (iii) configuration of interradicular fibers that form the ATN trunk. This new classification is a remedy for inconsistency of nomenclature of ATN in the infratemporal fossa. This classification system has proven beneficial when organizing all ATN variants described in previous studies and could become a helpful tool for surgeons and dentists. Examination of ATN from the infratemporal fossa of fetuses (the youngest was at 18 weeks gestational age) showed that, at that stage, the nerve is fully developed.

The Prevalence of Asthma and Declared Asthma in Poland on the Basis of ECAP Survey Using Correspondence Analysis

Results of epidemiological and public health surveys are often presented in the form of cross-classification tables. It is sometimes difficult to analyze data described in this way and to understand relations between variables. Graphical methods such as correspondence analysis are more convenient and useful. Our paper describes an application of correspondence analysis to epidemiological research. We apply the basic concepts of correspondence analysis like profiles, chi-square distance to medical data concerning prevalence of asthma. We aim at describing the relationship between asthma, region, and age. The data presented in this paper come from Epidemiology of Allergy in Poland (ECAP) survey in years 2006–2008. Correspondence analysis shows that there is a fundamental difference in the structure of age groups for people with symptoms compared to those who have declared asthma (regardless of the level of symptoms of asthma and the level of declaration). The variable which best differentiates declared asthma in all regions is “wheezing and whistling.” Correspondence analysis also shows significant differences between locations. Our analyses are performed in the R package “ca”.

Mechanical and chemical dental wear in historical population from the Syrian lower Euphrates valley

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was a comprehensive macro- and microanalysis of dental wear observed in the populations inhabiting the Syrian lower Euphrates valley. We may assume that social changes have had an important impact on the dietetic and hygienic habits of the local population. MATERIALS AND METHODS Six periods were chosen: Early Bronze (2650-2350 BC), Middle Bronze (2200-1700 BC), Neo-Assyrian (900-700 BC), late Roman (AD 200-400), Islamic (AD 600-1200), and modern Islamic (AD 1850-1950). The dental remains belong to 196 individuals, with a total of 3292 teeth. Mechanical dental wear was evaluated according to Smiths and Shykoluk & Lovells scale. Also, SEM technique was used to select teeth. RESULTS Individuals from both Bronze Ages were characterized by a large percentage of severe dental wear, contrary to the younger chronological periods. The rate of dental wear slowed down from the Middle Bronze Age. The frequency of deep scratches, punctures, and pits successively decreased with younger periods, while striae became more frequent. The highest number of teeth diagnosed with erosive loss was from the Neo-Assyrian period. DISCUSSION In the Early and Middle Bronze Ages the diet was rather hard and more contaminated. The diet in the Neo-Assyrian period was rich in products lowering the pH in the oral cavity. The frequency of dental erosion in two consecutive periods--Islamic and late Roman--took place at a similar level. Thus similar alimentary habits in these periods can be suggested.

Early treatment intensification with escalated BEACOPP in patients with Hodgkins lymphoma not responding to ABVD therapy

1 Gdynia Oncology Center, Gdynia, Poland, 2 Department of Nuclear Medicine, Oncology Center, Bydgoszcz, Poland, 3 Department of Positron Emission Tomography and Molecular Imagining, Nicolaus Copernicus University, CM Bydgoszcz, Poland, 4 Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, Medical University of Gda n sk, Gda n sk, Poland, 5 Department of the Prevention of Environmental Hazards and Allergology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland and 6 Department of Propedeutic Oncology, Medical University of Gda n sk, Gda n sk, Poland