SERPINA3: Stimulator or Inhibitor of Pathological Changes.

SERPINA3, also called α-1-antichymotrypsin (AACT, ACT), is one of the inhibitors of serine proteases, one of which is cathepsin G. As an acute-phase protein secreted into the plasma by liver cells, it plays an important role in the anti-inflammatory response and antiviral response. Elevated levels of SERPINA3 have been observed in heart failure and neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease or Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

Common therapeutic approaches in sleep and awake bruxism - an overview.

Bruxism, a common medical condition characterised by clenching or grinding of the teeth and/or by bracing or thrusting of the mandible, can occur during sleep, when it is known as sleep bruxism (SB), or during wakefulness, when it is known as awake bruxism (AB). Although bruxism often causes headaches, temporomandibular joint pain, masticatory muscle pain, mechanical tooth wear, prosthodontic complications and cracked teeth, there is still not enough data to define and support a standardised approach to its treatment. The aim of this review was to present the pathophysiology, consequences, types and treatment methods of bruxism in order to increase readers' knowledge of this topic.

Assessment of the Socioeconomic Status and Analysis of the Factors Motivating Patients to Apply for Prosthetic Treatment by Students of Dentistry at the Poznań University of Medical Sciences.

This study aimed to determine the motives for undertaking prosthetic treatment at the Prosthetics Clinic of the Poznan University of Medical Sciences (PUMS), pursued by fifth- and sixth-year medicine and dentistry students. The survey consisted of 18 questions, of which 1 to 11 concerned general patient data, while questions 12 to 18 concerned prosthetic treatment. The only open question in the questionnaire was one regarding the motives for the decision to receive treatment.

Symptoms of the Eruption of Permanent Teeth.

This prospective study examined a population of 520 urban and rural children aged 5 to 9 years. Every 2−4 weeks, the clinical symptoms accompanying primary tooth replacement such as a cough, a runny nose, pain, and body temperature were assessed in each child’s medical records. The authors were able to show in a statistically significant manner that the frequency, time, and type of cough were strongly related to the type of erupting teeth (p < 0.

Polymorphic variants in genes related to stress coping are associated with the awake bruxism.

Background: Chronic stress is one of the leading predisposing factors in bruxism aetiology, but the influence of genetic factors is also suggested. We aimed to study whether sequence variants in genes involved in stress regulation pathways: NTRK2 and BDNF, may be associated with awake bruxism susceptibility, clinical presentation, and patients' perceived stress level.

Methods: The study group included 104 patients with probable awake bruxism and 191 population controls.

Standardization of the ultrasound examination of the masseter muscle with size-independent calculation of records.

Background: As ultrasonography provides objective parameters and values, it is a reliable method of examining the structure and dimensions of the masseter muscle. Although the method is well known, there is no standardization in clinical examination and data analysis yet.

Objectives: The study aimed to measure masseter muscle thickness in designated areas to establish the most repeatable and clinically applicable method of ultrasound examination, and to assess differences in measurements in designated areas for clinical purposes by devising the size-independent parameter.

Application of auxological methods, including dental age estimation, in the assessment of delayed puberty in girls in gynecological practice.

Developmental gynecology uses methods practiced in auxology - the science of human ontogenetic development.An important and jointly used concept in gynecology and auxology is the concept of developmental age, which, unlikecalendar age, is a measure of the biological maturity of the organism, indicating the stage of advancement in the developmentof certain features or body systems. Developmental age assessment methods include: a) morphological (somatic)age - body height and weight, b) secondary sex characteristics - breast in girls, genitalia (penis and testes) in boys, andpubic hair in both sexes, c) bone age - hand and wrist x-ray, and d) dental age.

Psychosocial Predictors of Bruxism.

Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the psychosocial predictors of bruxism. The association of various psychosocial factors such as alexithymia, emotional processing, state and trait anxiety, and stress with awake bruxism was analysed.

Methods: The study involved 52 volunteers diagnosed with awake bruxism.

Sexual dimorphism of maxillary sinuses in children and adolescents - A retrospective CT study.

Background: In the postnatal period, some sexual dimorphism is observed from the moment of birth, but it is most pronounced from puberty. The aim of the study based on CT images was to assess possible sexual dimorphism of the maxillary sinus in children aged 0-18.

Methods: The retrospective analysis of CT images of the head (assessed as normal by radiologists) of 170 patients aged 0-18 (85 females and 85 males) was performed.

Computed Tomography versus Optical Scanning: A Comparison of Different Methods of 3D Data Acquisition for Tooth Replication.

Objectives: The study aimed to compare the accuracy of different methods of data acquisition and data reconstruction and to assess their usefulness for 3D printing of tooth replicas.

Methods: 3-dimensional models of molar and canine teeth obtain utilizing CBCT examination with different protocols, and optical scanning was compared with models derived from micro-computed (micro-CT) examination using Geomagic Studio Qualify software. A pairwise comparison of 3D models with analysis of standard deviation and the value of the mean distance of given surfaces was performed.

A Comparison between the Implant Stability Quotient and the Fractal Dimension of Alveolar Bone at the Implant Site.

Objectives: Fractal analysis of the radiographic pattern of bone has been used to evaluate its quantitative properties. However, the relation between initial implant stability and quality of bone remains unclear. The objective of this study was to evaluate RFA values in relation to the fractal dimension of bone where the implant was inserted.

The Association between Maxillary Sinus Dimensions and Midface Parameters during Human Postnatal Growth.

Objective: The aim of the study based on CT images was to assess the age-related changes in maxillary sinus diameters in relation to diameters of the facial skeleton.

Materials And Methods: The retrospective analysis of CT images of the head of 170 patients aged 0-18 years (85 females and 85 males) was performed. Specific orientation points (zy, zm, pr, ns, n, and P) were identified in every patient and the following distances were measured: zy-zy, maximum facial width; zm-zm, midfacial width; n-pr, upper facial height; ns-pr, alveolar facial height; and ns-P, distance not indicated in craniometry.

Introducing a simple method of maxillary sinus volume assessment based on linear dimensions.

Measuring sinus volume in a general practice clinic is a complex and time-consuming procedure, requiring experience in the use of radiological methods In the presented research, the automatically estimated maxillary sinus volume was compared with maxillary sinus volume assessed with mathematical formulas used to calculate the volume of spheres and pyramids. The starting point for the statistical analysis were specific measurements of the sinuses. We wanted to discover which geometric shape has the volume that is nearest to the automatically estimated volume.

Maxillary sinuses and midface in patients with cleidocranial dysostosis.

The cleidocranial dysplasia is general skeletal disorder with an autosomal dominant inheritance. It is manifested by many craniofacial abnormalities, of which the maxillary hypoplasia is the most evident. The aim of the study was to use CBCT to evaluate the volume of the maxillary sinuses and the dimensions of maxillae in patients with CCD and compare them with healthy individuals.

Analysis of human dentition from Early Bronze Age: 4000-year-old puzzle.

This paper presents the first ever paleodontological investigation of human remains from an archeological site in Central Europe dating from the Early Bronze Age and attributed to the Strzyzow Culture. It corroborates the knowledge gained from archeological, anthropological and genetical investigations. Our study aimed to assess dental status, dental morphology and dental pathologies as well as tooth wear and enamel hypoplasia based on visual inspection and stereomicroscopic investigation.

Development of the maxillary sinus from birth to age 18. Postnatal growth pattern.

Objectives: Anatomical and developmental descriptions of the maxillary sinus may be of great clinical importance. An understanding of age-related changes in the dimensions and volume of the normal maxillary sinus may help in the evaluation of radiographs and identification of sinus abnormalities. The aim of the present study was to define growth patterns of maxillary sinuses in children up to the age of 18 years and evaluate the correlation between normal age-related changes in dimensions and volume.

Accuracy of the anthropometric measurements of skeletonized skulls with corresponding measurements of their 3D reconstructions obtained by CT scanning.

Background: The anthropometric measurements of the skeletonized skull are crucial in the investigation of human remains, mostly for personal identification. The images of the skull are used if the superimposition or approximation of the facial appearance is to be performed. The aim of the study was to compare the accuracy of the anthropometric measurements of skeletonized skulls with corresponding measurements of their 3D reconstructions obtained by CT scanning.

[Causes of problems in multidisciplinary bitemark analysis].

Since a successful bitemark analysis depends on many factors, it is important that the phases preceding the analysis be carried out as thoroughly as possible. Interpretive errors in the analysis arise primarily from the complex nature of bitemarks, but also as a result of faulty research methodology, false assumptions or technical errors made during the identification and documentation process. The key role is played by qualifications, knowledge and experience of experts involved in the investigations.

Difficulties in personal identification caused by unreliable dental records.

This paper demonstrates a case of personal identification that initially seemed straightforward, mainly because complete and comprehensive antemortem dental records of a missing person were made available for analysis. Skeletal remains were found and the skull (most crucial for human identification) was delivered for analysis. Comparative analysis of antemortem and postmortem dental records excluded identification, while the results of superimposition (simultaneously performed by another team member) revealed sufficient concordant points to establish identity.

Body mass estimation in modern population using anthropometric measurements from computed tomography.

Forensic anthropologists are able to estimate the stature of a skeleton, its sex and biological age at death, with a relatively high degree of accuracy. Body mass estimation from the stature and bi-iliac (maximum pelvic) breadth and femoral head breadth can be useful in forensic investigations involving unidentified skeletal remains. Predicting the body mass of skeletal remains always involves significant inaccuracy, however when body mass extremes are disregarded average figures provide the best estimation.

Injuries due to human and animal aggression in humans.

Introduction: People breed animals, professionally take care of them, and work with them. To live with animals, however, it is necessary to know their behaviour and habits, as well as fears. Ignorance of this knowledge may lead to tragedy for the victim (a person), as well as for the beast (animal).

The conclusive role of postmortem computed tomography (CT) of the skull and computer-assisted superimposition in identification of an unknown body.

Computed tomography is commonly used in modern medicine, and thus, it is often helpful for medicolegal purposes, especially as part of the antemortem record. The application of postmortem computed tomography and 3D reconstruction of the skull in challenging cases is reported, and its valuable contribution to positive identification is discussed. This paper presents a case in which the body of an unknown individual is identified.

Anatomical classification of accessory foramina in human mandibles of adults, infants, and fetuses.

In the past few decades, a number of studies have reported that accessory foramina are located on the internal aspect of the mandible, indicating their potential importance for effective and successful clinical procedures. The aim of this study is to evaluate adult, infantile, and fetal human mandibles for occurrence of accessory foramina. To our knowledge, this is the first time that an attempt has been made to examine their particular co-location using a systematic approach and perspective.

The Meckel's cartilage in human embryonic and early fetal periods.

The Meckel's cartilage itself and the mandible are derived from the first branchial arch, and their development depends upon the contribution of the cranial neural crest cells. The prenatal development of the Meckel's cartilage, along with its relationship to the developing mandible and the related structures, were studied histologically in human embryos and fetuses. The material was obtained from a collection of the Department of Anatomy, and laboratory procedures were used to prepare sections, which were stained according to standard light-microscopy methods.