OBJECTIVES: To compare the dimensions of mandibular anatomical landmarks of human mandibles of three different chronological periods and seven different geographic regions. METHODS: Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images were acquired fromhuman mandibles of three different chronological periods (Neolithic, Medieval and 19-20th Century). The 19-20th Century consisted of seven human mandibular samples from different geographic locations. Image analysis consisted of comparing anatomic variability and dimensions of the mandibular, lingual and incisive canals, mental foramen and their relationship to specific reference teeth as such to determine geographic region and historic period variabilities. RESULTS: Therewere statistically significant differences between the 19-20th Century group andthe Medieval and Neolithic groups. The 19-20th Century group differed significantly in mandibular canal diameter, tooth root length, length of the lateral lingual canal. In addition, the group also differed from the Medieval sample for the lateral lingual foramen diameter and the midline lingual canal length. Furthermore, the prevalence of anatomic variations was significantly different for the geographic samples tested, with double mental foramina significantly more present in the Congolese sample, and significantly more lateral lingual canals noted in Indonesian and Greenland Eskimo samples. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that mandibular neurovascularisation may show some geographic as well as historic variation. Further studies on larger data samples are needed to verify this statement, as such that it can be potentially used in anthropology and forensic dentistry. More research is also needed to address whether the geographic and historic variations are linked, as well to investigate evolutionary trends in these structures.
Located in
Library
/
RBINS Staff Publications
The """"Old Friends Hypothesis"""" suggests insufficient exposure to symbionts hinders immune development, contributing to increased immune-related diseases in the Global North. The microbiome is often the focus; helminths, potentially also offering health benefits, lack attention. Infection and effect of helminths are influenced and perhaps determined by microorganisms. Mechanisms behind parasite-microbiome interactions are poorly understood, despite implications on host health. These interactions are typically studied for single helminth species in laboratory animal models, overlooking helminth diversity. Reviewing research on relationships between helminth and microbial diversity, yielded 27 publications; most focused on human or other mammalian hosts, relying on natural exposure rather than experimental helminth inoculation. Only about half investigated host health outcomes. This understudied potential warrants considering additional candidate model systems. Given the high helminthiasis burden and species diversity of helminths, we propose seeking models in the Global South, where a considerable proportion of research on diversity aspects of helminth-microbiome interactions took place. Low availability of genomic resources for helminths in the Global South, however, necessitates more integrative helminthological research efforts. Given substantial similarities in immune systems, several fishes are models for human health/disease. More effort could be done to establish this for cichlids, whose representatives in the African Great Lakes provide a well-delineated, closed natural system relevant to human health in view of fish-borne zoonoses and other water-borne parasites. A good baseline exists for these cichlids' genomics, parasitology, and microbiology. We suggest exploring African Great Lake cichlids as model hosts for interactions between microbial diversity, helminth diversity, and host health.
Located in
Library
/
RBINS Staff Publications 2025
