Sex-specific differences of craniofacial traits in Croatia: The impact of environment in a small geographic area

Background: Craniometric variation in humans reflects different genetic and environmental influences. Long-term climatic adaptation is less likely to show an impact on size and shape variation in a small local area than at the global level.

Aim: The aim of this work was to assess the contribution of the particular environmental factors to body height and craniofacial variability in a small geographic area of Croatia.

Subjects and methods: A total of 632 subjects, aged 18–21, participated in the survey. Body height, head length, head breadth, head height, head circumference, cephalic index, morphological face height, face breadth, and facial index were analysed regarding geographic, climatic and dietary conditions in different regions of the country, and correlated with the specific climatic variables (cumulative multiyear sunshine duration, cumulative multiyear average precipitation, multiyear average air temperatures) and calcium concentrations in drinking water. Significant differences between groups classified according to geographic, climatic or dietary affiliation, and the impact of the environmental predictors on the variation in the investigated traits were assessed using multiple forward stepwise regression analyses.

Results: Higher body height measures in both sexes were significantly correlated with Mediterranean diet type. Mediterranean diet type also contributed to higher head length and head circumference measures in females. Cephalic index values correlated to geographic regions in both sexes, showing an increase from southern to eastern Croatia. In the same direction, head length significantly decreased in males and head breadth increased in females. Mediterranean climate was associated with higher and narrower faces in females. The analysis of the particular climatic variables did not reveal a significant influence on body height in either sex. Concurrently, climatic features influenced all craniofacial traits in females and only head length and facial index in males. Mediterranean climate, characterized by higher average sunshine duration, higher average precipitation and higher average air temperatures, was associated with longer, higher and narrower skulls, higher head circumference, lower cephalic index, and higher and narrower faces (lower facial index). Calcium concentrations in drinking water did not correlate significantly with any dependent variable.

Conclusion: A significant effect of environmental factors on body height and craniofacial variability was found in Croatian young adult population. This effect was more pronounced in females, revealing sex-specific craniofacial differentiation. However, the impact of environment was low and may explain only 1.0–7.32% variation of the investigated traits.     

Level of Interleukin‐35 in Gingival Crevicular Fluid,Saliva, and Plasma in Periodontal Disease and Health

Background: A novel member of the interleukin (IL)‐12 family, IL‐35 is an important inhibitory cytokine released by regulatory T cells. The aim of this study is to evaluate gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), saliva, and plasma levels of IL‐35 in periodontal disease and health. Methods: Samples of GCF, whole saliva, and plasma were obtained from systemically healthy, non‐smoking individuals with gingivitis (n = 20) or chronic periodontitis (CP) (n = 20) and periodontally healthy individuals (n = 20). Full‐mouth clinical periodontal measurements, including probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing, gingival index, and plaque index (PI), were also recorded. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine IL‐35 levels in the samples. Data were tested statistically by analysis of variance and Pearson rank correlation test. Results: All clinical parameters were significantly higher in the CP group than the healthy and gingivitis groups (P <0.001). The GCF total amount of IL‐35 was significantly higher in the CP group than the other groups (P = 0.04), whereas the GCF concentration of IL‐35 was significantly higher in the healthy group than the other groups (P = 0.002). There were significant differences among the study groups in terms of salivary IL‐35 level (P <0.001), with the highest level observed in the healthy group and the lowest in the CP group. There was no statistical difference between groups in plasma levels of IL‐35 (P >0.05). There was a positive correlation between GCF total amount of IL‐35 and PD (r = 0.338, P = 0.03) and PI (r = 0.374, P = 0.005) parameters. Conclusions: IL‐35 could have an important role in suppressing periodontal inflammation and maintaining periodontal health. Additional studies are required to evaluate its role in periodontal diseases.     

Clinical and molecular analysis of combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinomas

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (HCC-CC) show dual hepatocellular and biliary epithelial differentiation. To better understand the relations between cholangiocarcinoma (CC), HCC-CC and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we screened for genetic alterations. METHODS: A series of nine CC, 15 HCC-CC and three separated HCC and CC lesions ('collision tumors') were screened for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) using 400 microsatellite markers and for p53 and beta-catenin mutations. A comparison with a previously characterized series of 137 HCC was performed. RESULTS: In six cases of CC and HCC-CC, we identified TP53 gene mutations. A CTNNB1/beta-catenin was identified in two patients presenting collision tumors, but no mutations were found in CC or in HCC-CC. A high level of chromosome instability in both CC and HCC-CC was found. Recurrent specific LOH were identified at 3p and 14q in more than 50% of the CC and the HCC-CC cases, whereas these chromosomal regions were deleted in less than 10% of the HCC cases (P<10(-5)). Minimal common regions of deletion (MCRD) were defined at 3p24-p14 and 14q24-q32, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that combined HCC-CC are genetically closer to CC than HCC and common carcinogenesis pathways may be altered in HCC-CC and CC.     

Evaluation of the resin cement thicknesses and push-out bond strengths of circular and oval fiber posts in oval-shapes canals

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the push-out bond strength varies between oval and circular fiber posts, and to examine the effect on the resin cement thicknesses around the posts.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighteen mandibular premolar roots were separated into two groups for oval and circular fiber posts systems. Post spaces were prepared and fiber posts were luted to the post spaces. Roots were cut horizontally to produce 1-mm-thick specimens. Resin cement thicknesses were determined with a metallographic optical microscope and push-out tests were done.

RESULTS

No significant differences were observed in terms of push-out bond strength between the oval and circular fiber posts (P>.05) The resin cement thicknesses of the oval posts were greater than those of the circular posts group in the coronal, middle and apical specimens (P<.05).

CONCLUSION

In the light of these results, it can be stated that resin cement thickness does not affect the push-out bond strength.     

Functional Anatomy of the Syrinx of the Chukar Partridge (Galliformes: Alectoris chukar) as a Model for Phonation Research

The phonation process of vertebrates is influenced by the material characteristics of the participating structures, ranging from molecular to macroscopic dimensions. Good animal models for phonation research are still lacking. Due to easy availability and relatively simple structure, the syrinx of birds might serve as a good animal model for this purpose. Our aim was therefore to determine structural features of the syrinx and obtain insights into its mucus layer characteristics. Epithelium and glands were analyzed using histological, histochemical, and immunohistochemical methods and conclusions were drawn on the use of the syrinx as a model for phonation research by comparing the epithelium and its mucus characteristics to human laryngeal secretions. Ten adult partridges were analyzed. The tympanum of the syrinx developed from the last two tracheal cartilages, whereas the caudal part of the syrinx was formed from eight pieces of bronchial cartilages. The tracheal and bronchial epithelia and the pessulus of the syrinx were lined by pseudo‐stratified columnar epithelium in which goblet cells and intraepithelial glands were localized. Collagen fibers were distributed in the lamina propria of all parts of the syringeal mucosa. Elastic fibers in the membranes of the syrinx showed evident distribution. All glandular epithelial cells and goblet cells were positive for neutral, acidic and carboxylated mucins were dominant in particular. Epithelium and glands revealed positive reactivity with antibodies to the mucins MUC1, MUC2, and MUC5AC. Of these, MUC2 and MUC5AC were dominant. The syrinx of partridge can serve as a good ex vivo model for phonation research. Anat Rec, 298:602–617, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.