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Cerrito P, Cherian BE, Hu B, Bromage TG. Population differences in dental cementum growth rates: Implications for using cementum thickness as a method for age estimation. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2024; 185:e24985. [PMID: 38864098 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.24985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Age at death estimation is a key element to many research questions in biological anthropology, archeology, and forensic science. Dental cementum is a tissue of choice for the estimation of age at death in adult individuals as it continues deposition for the entirety of an individual's life. Previous works have devised regression formulas correlating cementum thickness to age at death. However, interpopulation variances are unknown, and it is therefore not clear whether regressions based on a single population are applicable to individuals with different ancestries. MATERIALS AND METHODS Here, we use a sample (n = 52) of teeth from individuals with known age at tooth extraction/death of European, African, and East Asian ancestry to assess whether there are interpopulations differences in cementum growth rate. We measured growth rate in four different areas (2nd and 5th decile of both the lingual and buccal aspect of the root) of each tooth and used nonparametric tests to evaluate population differences in growth rate between homologous regions of the teeth. RESULTS The results of the analyses show that, even after controlling for tooth size, individuals of European ancestry have significantly lower growth rates than those of both African and East Asian ancestry across all four tooth areas. DISCUSSION These results call into question the applicability of the regression formulas derived from European ancestry individuals to individuals of other ancestries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Cerrito
- Department of Anthropology, New York University, New York, New York, USA
- New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Blessy E Cherian
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, New York, USA
| | - Bin Hu
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, New York, USA
| | - Timothy G Bromage
- New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, New York, USA
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Nava A, Lugli F, Lemmers S, Cerrito P, Mahoney P, Bondioli L, Müller W. Reading children's teeth to reconstruct life history and the evolution of human cooperation and cognition: The role of dental enamel microstructure and chemistry. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 163:105745. [PMID: 38825260 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Studying infants in the past is crucial for understanding the evolution of human life history and the evolution of cooperation, cognition, and communication. An infant's growth, health, and mortality can provide information about the dynamics and structure of a population, their cultural practices, and the adaptive capacity of a community. Skeletal remains provide one way of accessing this information for humans recovered prior to the historical periods. Teeth in particular, are retrospective archives of information that can be accessed through morphological, micromorphological, and biogeochemical methods. This review discusses how the microanatomy and formation of teeth, and particularly enamel, serve as archives of somatic growth, stress, and the environment. Examining their role in the broader context of human evolution, we discuss dental biogeochemistry and emphasize how the incremental growth of tooth microstructure facilitates the reconstruction of temporal data related to health, diet, mobility, and stress in past societies. The review concludes by considering tooth microstructure as a biomarker and the potential clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Nava
- Department of Odontostomatological and Maxillofacial Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, via Caserta 6, Rome 00161, Italy.
| | - Federico Lugli
- Institut of Geosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438, Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Frankfurt Isotope and Element Research Center (FIERCE), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Department of Chemical and Geological Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Giuseppe Campi, 103, Modena 41125, Italy
| | - Simone Lemmers
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., AREA Science Park, s.s. 14 km 163,500, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, 401 Park Drive, Boston, MA, USA; Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Paola Cerrito
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Patrick Mahoney
- School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent, Giles Ln, Giles Ln, Canterbury CT2 7NZ, UK
| | - Luca Bondioli
- Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Padua, Piazza Capitaniato, 7, Padua 35139, Italy
| | - Wolfgang Müller
- Institut of Geosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438, Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Frankfurt Isotope and Element Research Center (FIERCE), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Nicklisch N, Hinrichs C, Palaske L, Vach W, Alt KW. Variability in human tooth cementum thickness reflecting functional processes. J Periodontal Res 2024; 59:408-419. [PMID: 38126232 DOI: 10.1111/jre.13226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the thickness of acellular extrinsic fibre cementum (AEFC) at four root positions of anterior and posterior teeth with special focus on functional aspects. Furthermore, the correlations between cementum thickness and chronological age and sex are investigated. BACKGROUND While numerous studies confirm continuous cementum apposition with age, masticatory forces as well as physiological and orthodontically induced tooth movements also have the potential to affect tooth cementum thickness. MATERIALS AND METHODS Undecalcified teeth were embedded in resin and transverse-sectioned in the cervical third of the root. Two sections per root were selected, and digital images at four positions were obtained (mesial, distal, oral, and vestibular) using light microscopy. The AEFC thickness of 99 teeth (anterior = 66, posterior = 33, male = 54, female = 45) were measured in both sections. The differences in mean values between root positions and the association of root position variation with tooth type, age, sex, and subject as well as the overall effects of age and sex were analysed using a mixed model. RESULTS First incisors and canines showed the greatest mean AFEC thickness, in contrast to premolars which had the lowest values. Differences were found across the four root positions, with a pattern varying considerably between anterior and posterior teeth and between maxilla and mandible in the anterior teeth. An interaction between root position and subject pointed to the existence of an individual component in the variation of AEFC thickness across the four root positions. There was an age trend with an almost linear increase in cementum thickness of 1 μm per year. Overall, females tended to exhibit a significantly lesser AEFC thickness compared to males. CONCLUSIONS Distinct differences in the pattern of thickness values across the four root positions in anterior and posterior teeth support the assumption that the AEFC is strongly affected by functional processes. In addition to sex-specific differences and age-related trends, the root position variation of AEFC thickness varies from individual to individual.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Nicklisch
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Danube Private University, Krems, Austria
| | | | - Lukas Palaske
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Danube Private University, Krems, Austria
| | - Werner Vach
- Institute of Prehistory and Archaeological Science, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Kurt W Alt
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Danube Private University, Krems, Austria
- Institute of Prehistory and Archaeological Science, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Forshaw R. Windows into the past: recent scientific techniques in dental analysis. Br Dent J 2024; 236:205-211. [PMID: 38332093 PMCID: PMC10853062 DOI: 10.1038/s41415-024-7053-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Teeth are the hardest and most chemically stable tissues in the body, are well-preserved in archaeological remains and, being resistant to decomposition in the soil, survive long after their supporting structures have deteriorated. It has long been recognised that visual and radiographic examination of teeth can provide considerable information relating to the lifestyle of an individual. This paper examines the latest scientific approaches that have become available to investigate recent and ancient teeth. These techniques include DNA analysis, which can be used to determine the sex of an individual, indicate familial relationships, study population movements, provide phylogenetic information and identify the presence of disease pathogens. A stable isotopic approach can shed light on aspects of diet and mobility and even research climate change. Proteomic analysis of ancient dental calculus can reveal specific information about individual diets. Synchrotron microcomputed tomography is a non-invasive technique which can be used to visualise physiological impactful events, such as parturition, menopause and diseases in cementum microstructure - these being displayed as aberrant growth lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger Forshaw
- KNH Centre for Biomedical Egyptology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Stopford Building, Oxford Road, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
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Zazvonilová E, Brzobohatá H, Frolík J, Velemínský P, Brůžek J. Using cementochronology to assess the seasonality of catastrophic events in medieval mass graves (Kutná Hora-Sedlec, Czechia, 14th century): Preliminary results. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0295757. [PMID: 38091327 PMCID: PMC10718420 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
While season-of-death estimation using cementochronology is routine in archaeozoology, its use is much less frequent in bioarchaeology. Based on the character of the outermost increment (bright or dark), two seasons (spring/summer, autumn/winter) can be distinguished. Although many studies mention its potential and possible use in forensic anthropology or bioarchaeology, few exist with estimation results. This study aimed to apply cementochronology-a histological method based on counting and assessing regular circa-annual acellular cementum increments-to 42 individuals from medieval mass graves from Kutná Hora-Sedlec (Czechia, 14th century) to estimate the season-of-death. The mass graves belong to two stratigraphically distinct groups; written and archaeological sources relate them to two catastrophic events (the famine of 1318 and the plague epidemic of 1348-1350). Using cementochronology, we distinguished two distinct seasons corresponding to the two groups of graves, with individuals from the first group dying predominantly in spring/summer, while those from the second group died in autumn/winter. Taking into account the typical seasonal dynamics of epidemics, the results would be more in line with written sources. However, during the evaluation, we faced difficulties identifying the outermost increment and detecting the dark (thinner) increment; we recommend including only young and middle-aged adults in future studies, due to the difficulty of evaluation, and to consider the readability of the tissue (often affected by diagenesis). In conclusion, cementochronology has potential in the context of estimating the season-of-death, but the technical possibilities for enhancing the outermost increment need to be addressed, and the amount of data analysed expanded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliška Zazvonilová
- Institute of Archaeology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 1, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, Department of Anthropology and Human Genetics, Charles University, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Brzobohatá
- Institute of Archaeology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 1, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Frolík
- Institute of Archaeology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 1, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Velemínský
- Department of Anthropology, National Museum, Prague 1, Czech Republic
| | - Jaroslav Brůžek
- Faculty of Science, Department of Anthropology and Human Genetics, Charles University, Prague 2, Czech Republic
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Dean MC, Garrevoet J, Van Malderen SJM, Santos F, Mirazón Lahr M, Foley R, Le Cabec A. The Distribution and Biogenic Origins of Zinc in the Mineralised Tooth Tissues of Modern and Fossil Hominoids: Implications for Life History, Diet and Taphonomy. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1455. [PMID: 38132281 PMCID: PMC10740576 DOI: 10.3390/biology12121455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Zinc is incorporated into enamel, dentine and cementum during tooth growth. This work aimed to distinguish between the processes underlying Zn incorporation and Zn distribution. These include different mineralisation processes, the physiological events around birth, Zn ingestion with diet, exposure to the oral environment during life and diagenetic changes to fossil teeth post-mortem. Synchrotron X-ray Fluorescence (SXRF) was used to map zinc distribution across longitudinal polished ground sections of both deciduous and permanent modern human, great ape and fossil hominoid teeth. Higher resolution fluorescence intensity maps were used to image Zn in surface enamel, secondary dentine and cementum, and at the neonatal line (NNL) and enamel-dentine-junction (EDJ) in deciduous teeth. Secondary dentine was consistently Zn-rich, but the highest concentrations of Zn (range 197-1743 ppm) were found in cuspal, mid-lateral and cervical surface enamel and were similar in unerupted teeth never exposed to the oral environment. Zinc was identified at the NNL and EDJ in both modern and fossil deciduous teeth. In fossil specimens, diagenetic changes were identified in various trace element distributions but only demineralisation appeared to markedly alter Zn distribution. Zinc appears to be tenacious and stable in fossil tooth tissues, especially in enamel, over millions of years.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Christopher Dean
- Centre for Human Evolution Research, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Jan Garrevoet
- Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestraße 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany; (J.G.); (S.J.M.V.M.)
| | - Stijn J. M. Van Malderen
- Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestraße 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany; (J.G.); (S.J.M.V.M.)
| | - Frédéric Santos
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Ministère de la Culture, PACEA, UMR 5199, F-33600 Pessac, France; (F.S.); (A.L.C.)
| | - Marta Mirazón Lahr
- Leverhulme Centre for Human Evolutionary Studies, Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge, Fitzwilliam Street, Cambridge CB2 1QH, UK; (M.M.L.); (R.F.)
| | - Robert Foley
- Leverhulme Centre for Human Evolutionary Studies, Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge, Fitzwilliam Street, Cambridge CB2 1QH, UK; (M.M.L.); (R.F.)
| | - Adeline Le Cabec
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Ministère de la Culture, PACEA, UMR 5199, F-33600 Pessac, France; (F.S.); (A.L.C.)
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Brozou A, Mannino MA, Van Malderen SJM, Garrevoet J, Pubert E, Fuller BT, Dean MC, Colard T, Santos F, Lynnerup N, Boldsen JL, Jørkov ML, Soficaru AD, Vincze L, Le Cabec A. Using SXRF and LA-ICP-TOFMS to Explore Evidence of Treatment and Physiological Responses to Leprosy in Medieval Denmark. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:184. [PMID: 36829463 PMCID: PMC9952905 DOI: 10.3390/biology12020184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Leprosy can lead to blood depletion in Zn, Ca, Mg, and Fe and blood enrichment in Cu. In late medieval Europe, minerals were used to treat leprosy. Here, physiological responses to leprosy and possible evidence of treatment are investigated in enamel, dentine, and cementum of leprosy sufferers from medieval Denmark (n = 12) and early 20th century Romania (n = 2). Using SXRF and LA-ICP-TOFMS, 12 elements were mapped in 15 tooth thin sections, and the statistical covariation of paired elements was computed to assess their biological relevance. The results show marked covariations in the Zn, Ca, and Mg distributions, which are compatible with clinical studies but cannot be directly attributed to leprosy. Minerals used historically as a treatment for leprosy show no detectable intake (As, Hg) or a diffuse distribution (Pb) related to daily ingestion. Intense Pb enrichments indicate acute incorporations of Pb, potentially through the administration of Pb-enriched medication or the mobilization of Pb from bone stores to the bloodstream during intense physiological stress related to leprosy. However, comparisons with a healthy control group are needed to ascertain these interpretations. The positive correlations and the patterns observed between Pb and essential elements may indicate underlying pathophysiological conditions, demonstrating the potential of SXRF and LA-ICP-TOFMS for paleopathological investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Brozou
- Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies, Aarhus University, Moesgård Allé 20, 8270 Højbjerg, Denmark
- Department of Biology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Marcello A. Mannino
- Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies, Aarhus University, Moesgård Allé 20, 8270 Højbjerg, Denmark
| | - Stijn J. M. Van Malderen
- Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestraße 85, D-22607 Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Chemistry, Ghent University, Campus Sterre, Krijgslaan 281-S12, 9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Jan Garrevoet
- Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestraße 85, D-22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Eric Pubert
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, MCC, PACEA, UMR 5199, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Benjamin T. Fuller
- Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies, Aarhus University, Moesgård Allé 20, 8270 Højbjerg, Denmark
- Géosciences Environnement Toulouse, UMR 5563, CNRS, Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - M. Christopher Dean
- Department of Earth Sciences, Centre for Human Evolution Research, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Thomas Colard
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, MCC, PACEA, UMR 5199, F-33600 Pessac, France
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, University of Lille, Lille University Hospital, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Frédéric Santos
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, MCC, PACEA, UMR 5199, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Niels Lynnerup
- Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Frederik V’s Vej 11, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jesper L. Boldsen
- Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Marie Louise Jørkov
- Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Frederik V’s Vej 11, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Andrei Dorian Soficaru
- ‘Francisc I. Rainer’ Institute of Anthropology, Romanian Academy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Laszlo Vincze
- Department of Chemistry, X-ray Microspectroscopy and Imaging Research Group (XMI), Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 S12, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Adeline Le Cabec
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, MCC, PACEA, UMR 5199, F-33600 Pessac, France
- Department of Human Evolution, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany
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Cerrito P, Hu B, Kalisher R, Bailey SE, Bromage TG. Life history in primate teeth is revealed by changes in major and minor element concentrations measured via field-emission SEM-EDS analysis. Biol Lett 2023; 19:20220438. [PMID: 36651149 PMCID: PMC9846430 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2022.0438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Overcoming the non-specificity of histological accentuated growth lines in hard tissues is an ongoing challenge. Identifying season at death and reproductive events has profound implications for evolutionary, ecological and conservation studies. Dental cementum is a mineralized tissue with yearly periodicity that continues deposition from tooth formation until death, maintaining a record spanning almost the entire life of an individual. Recent work has successfully employed elemental analysis of calcified incremental tissues to detect changes in extrinsic conditions such as diet and climate and to identify two important life-history milestones: weaning and sexual maturity. Here, we employ field-emission scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis to measure the relative concentrations of calcium, phosphorous, oxygen, magnesium and sodium in the cementum of 34 teeth from seven male and female rhesus macaques with known medical and life-history information. We find that changes in relative magnesium concentrations correspond with reproductive events in females and breastfeeding in infants. Additionally, we observe seasonal calcium patterns in 77.3% of the samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Cerrito
- Department of Anthropology, New York University, New York, NY, USA
- New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, NY, USA
- Collegium Helveticum, ETH, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Bin Hu
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rachel Kalisher
- Joukowsky Institute for Archaeology and the Ancient World, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Shara E. Bailey
- Department of Anthropology, New York University, New York, NY, USA
- New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology, New York, NY, USA
| | - Timothy G. Bromage
- Department of Anthropology, New York University, New York, NY, USA
- New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, NY, USA
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The concordance of signals based on irregular incremental lines in the human tooth cementum with documented pregnancies: Results from a systematic approach. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0267336. [PMID: 36084086 PMCID: PMC9462792 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and objective
There is evidence from previous studies that pregnancies and diseases are recorded in the tooth cementum. This study aims to assess the degree of concordance between signals based on irregular incremental lines (ILs) and reported pregnancies.
Material and methods
23 recent and 24 archaeological human teeth with known birth history were included in this investigation. 129 histological sections of tooth roots were assessed for irregularities in appearance and width using a standardized protocol. Similarity of observed irregularities at the section level allowed us to define signals at the tooth level. The sensitivity of signals to detect pregnancies was determined and related to the signal prevalence.
Results
Pregnancy signals were frequently visually observed. However, applying a standardized process we could only reach signal sensitivities to identify pregnancies up to 20 percentage points above chance level.
Conclusions
Based on a standardized and reproducible method it could be confirmed that some pregnancies leave visible signals in the tooth cementum. The results show the potential of the tooth cementum to support reconstruction of life courses in paleopathology. However, it seems that not all pregnancies affect the cementogenesis in such a way that irregular ILs are identifiable. Further research is needed to better understand which type of pregnancies and other conditions are recorded in the tooth cementum.
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Migga A, Schulz G, Rodgers G, Osterwalder M, Tanner C, Blank H, Jerjen I, Salmon P, Twengström W, Scheel M, Weitkamp T, Schlepütz CM, Bolten JS, Huwyler J, Hotz G, Madduri S, Müller B. Comparative hard x-ray tomography for virtual histology of zebrafish larva, human tooth cementum, and porcine nerve. J Med Imaging (Bellingham) 2022; 9:031507. [PMID: 35372637 PMCID: PMC8968075 DOI: 10.1117/1.jmi.9.3.031507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Synchrotron radiation-based tomography yields microanatomical features in human and animal tissues without physical slicing. Recent advances in instrumentation have made laboratory-based phase tomography feasible. We compared the performance of three cutting-edge laboratory systems benchmarked by synchrotron radiation-based tomography for three specimens. As an additional criterion, the user-friendliness of the three microtomography systems was considered. Approach: The three tomography systems-SkyScan 2214 (Bruker-microCT, Kontich, Belgium), Exciscope prototype (Stockholm, Sweden), and Xradia 620 Versa (Zeiss, Oberkochen, Germany)-were given 36 h to measure three medically relevant specimens, namely, zebrafish larva, archaeological human tooth, and porcine nerve. The obtained datasets were registered to the benchmark synchrotron radiation-based tomography from the same specimens and selected ones to the SkyScan 1275 and phoenix nanotom m® laboratory systems to characterize development over the last decade. Results: Next-generation laboratory-based microtomography almost reached the quality achieved by synchrotron-radiation facilities with respect to spatial and density resolution, as indicated by the visualization of the medically relevant microanatomical features. The SkyScan 2214 system and the Exciscope prototype demonstrated the complementarity of phase information by imaging the eyes of the zebrafish larva. The 3 - μ m thin annual layers in the tooth cementum were identified using Xradia 620 Versa. Conclusions: SkyScan 2214 was the simplest system and was well-suited to visualizing the wealth of anatomical features in the zebrafish larva. Data from the Exciscope prototype with the high photon flux from the liquid metal source showed the spiral nature of the myelin sheaths in the porcine nerve. Xradia 620 Versa, with detector optics as typically installed for synchrotron tomography beamlines, enabled the three-dimensional visualization of the zebrafish larva with comparable quality to the synchrotron data and the annual layers in the tooth cementum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Migga
- University of Basel, Biomaterials Science Center, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Biomaterials Science Center, Department of Clinical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Georg Schulz
- University of Basel, Biomaterials Science Center, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Core Facility Micro- and Nanotomography, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Allschwil, Switzerland
| | - Griffin Rodgers
- University of Basel, Biomaterials Science Center, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Biomaterials Science Center, Department of Clinical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Melissa Osterwalder
- University of Basel, Biomaterials Science Center, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Biomaterials Science Center, Department of Clinical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christine Tanner
- University of Basel, Biomaterials Science Center, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Biomaterials Science Center, Department of Clinical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jan S. Bolten
- University of Basel, Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jörg Huwyler
- University of Basel, Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Gerhard Hotz
- Natural History Museum of Basel, Anthropological Collection, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Integrative Prehistory and Archaeological Science, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Srinivas Madduri
- University of Basel, Biomaterials Science Center, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Geneva, Department of Surgery, Geneva, Switzerland
- University Hospital Basel, Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Bert Müller
- University of Basel, Biomaterials Science Center, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Biomaterials Science Center, Department of Clinical Research, Basel, Switzerland
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11
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Hinrichs C, Nicklisch N, Mardare CC, Orechovski B, Hassel AW, Kleber C, Alt KW. Incremental lines in human acellular tooth cementum - new insights by SEM analysis. Ann Anat 2022; 243:151933. [PMID: 35307556 DOI: 10.1016/j.aanat.2022.151933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tooth cementum covers the surface of the root dentine and is produced and laid down in thin layers continuously throughout life. Functionally, different types of tooth cementum can be distinguished, which can be roughly divided into acellular (primary cementum) and cellular (secondary cementum) forms. One main type is acellular extrinsic fibre cementum (AEFC), which covers the cervical and middle third of the root. Light microscopic examinations of transverse sections of AEFC show lamellar patterns of alternating light and dark lines called growth or incremental lines. Following mammalian research, a seasonal rhythm of incremental line formation is also assumed in humans. Previous attempts at visualising incremental lines in the AEFC by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were not particularly successful. The aim of the present study was to detect incremental lines in the AEFC and to analyse their underlying structure by SEM. METHODS For this purpose, non-embedded and resin-embedded transverse and longitudinal sections of three single-rooted teeth obtained from different patients were investigated. The thin sections were not pre-treated (e.g. by etching, grinding or coating). RESULTS Lamellar structures, which could be identified as incremental lines, were detectable in both transverse and longitudinal sections, with transverse orientation in the cross-section and longitudinal orientation in the longitudinal section. The lamellar pattern was created by broad fibre-rich layers alternating with narrow fibre-poor layers. The orientation of the collagen fibres changed from layer to layer from transverse to radial direction. The visibility of the layered structure discovered varied significantly. CONCLUSIONS The study demonstrate that it is possible, in principle, to detect incremental lines in AEFC and to identify their basic structure using SEM. Our results suggest that the density and orientation of the fibres play an essential role in the formation of incremental lines. Functional aspects seem to be of particular importance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicole Nicklisch
- Danube Private University, Steiner Landstrasse 124, 3500 Krems-Stein, Austria.
| | - Cezarina C Mardare
- Danube Private University, Steiner Landstrasse 124, 3500 Krems-Stein, Austria; Institute of Chemical Technology of Inorganic Materials, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Altenberger Straße 69, 4040 Linz, Austria.
| | - Bernhard Orechovski
- Danube Private University, Steiner Landstrasse 124, 3500 Krems-Stein, Austria.
| | - Achim W Hassel
- Danube Private University, Steiner Landstrasse 124, 3500 Krems-Stein, Austria; Institute of Chemical Technology of Inorganic Materials, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Altenberger Straße 69, 4040 Linz, Austria.
| | - Christoph Kleber
- Danube Private University, Steiner Landstrasse 124, 3500 Krems-Stein, Austria; Institute of Chemical Technology of Inorganic Materials, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Altenberger Straße 69, 4040 Linz, Austria.
| | - Kurt W Alt
- Danube Private University, Steiner Landstrasse 124, 3500 Krems-Stein, Austria; Institute of Prehistory and Archaeological Science, University of Basel, Spalenring 145, 4055 Basel; Switzerland.
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12
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Cerrito P, Nava A, Radovčić D, Borić D, Cerrito L, Basdeo T, Ruggiero G, Frayer DW, Kao AP, Bondioli L, Mancini L, Bromage TG. Dental cementum virtual histology of Neanderthal teeth from Krapina (Croatia, 130-120 kyr): an informed estimate of age, sex and adult stressors. J R Soc Interface 2022; 19:20210820. [PMID: 35193386 PMCID: PMC8864341 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2021.0820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The evolution of modern human reproductive scheduling is an aspect of our life history that remains vastly uncomprehended. The present work aims to address this gap by validating a non-destructive cutting-edge methodology to infer adult life-history events on modern teeth with known life history and then applying it to fossil specimens. We use phase-contrast synchrotron X-ray microtomography to visualize the dental cementum of 21 specimens: nine contemporary humans; 10 Neanderthals from Krapina (Croatia, 130-120 kyr); one Neolithic Homo sapiens from Ajmana (Serbia); and one Mesolithic H. sapiens from Vlasac (Serbia). We were able to correctly detect and time (root mean square error = 2.1 years; R2 = 0.98) all reproductive (menarche, parturition, menopause) and other physiologically impactful events in the modern sample. Nonetheless, we could not distinguish between the causes of the events detected. For the fossil specimens, we estimated age at death and age at occurrence of biologically significant events. Finally, we performed an exploratory analysis regarding possible sexual dimorphism in dental cementum microstructure, which allowed us to correctly infer the sex of the Neolithic specimen, for which the true value was known via DNA analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Cerrito
- Department of Anthropology, New York University, New York, NY, USA
- New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alessia Nava
- Skeletal Biology Research Centre, School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
| | - Davorka Radovčić
- Department of Geology and Paleontology, Croatian Natural History Museum, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Dušan Borić
- Dipartimento di Biologia Ambientale, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Tricia Basdeo
- Department of Anthropology, Adelphi University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Guido Ruggiero
- Ruggiero-Piscopo Dental Practice, Naples, Italy
- Molise Regional Health Authority, Venafro, Italy
| | - David W. Frayer
- Department of Anthropology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Alexander P. Kao
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., 34149 Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Luca Bondioli
- Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Lucia Mancini
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., 34149 Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Timothy G. Bromage
- Department of Anthropology, New York University, New York, NY, USA
- New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, NY, USA
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13
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Lemmers SAM, Dirks W, Street SE, Ngoubangoye B, Herbert A, Setchell JM. Dental microstructure records life history events: A histological study of mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx) from Gabon. J Hum Evol 2021; 158:103046. [PMID: 34332420 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2021.103046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Accentuated lines in dental microstructure are hypothesized to correlate with potentially stressful life history events, but our understanding of when, how and why such accentuated lines form in relation to stressful events is limited. We examined accentuated line formation and life history events in the teeth of three naturally deceased mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx, Cercopithecidae), for whom we had detailed life history information. We determined the ages at formation of accentuated lines in histological tooth sections and used dates of birth and death to calibrate dental histology to calendar time and individual age. We found accentuated lines that matched their mother's resumption of sexual cycles in two individuals, and possibly in the third individual. The subjects also formed lines when their mothers were mate-guarded by males or wounded. Accentuated lines matched the birth of the next sibling in one of two cases. Both females formed accentuated lines when they experienced their own sexual swelling cycles, but lines did not match all sexual swelling cycles. Mate-guarding matched an accentuated line in one case, but not in another. Lines matched all three parturitions in the two females. Changes in alpha male and captures did not consistently coincide with accentuated line formation, but repeated captures were associated with lines. Using simulated data, we show that the observed number of matches between lines and events would be very unlikely under a null hypothesis of random line formation. Our results support the hypothesis that some life history events are physiologically stressful enough to cause accentuated line formation in teeth. They contribute to our understanding of how primate life histories are recorded during dental development and enhance our ability to use teeth to reconstruct life history in the absence of direct observation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone A M Lemmers
- Department of Anthropology, Durham University, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK; Science and Technology in Archaeology Research Center, The Cyprus Institute, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Wendy Dirks
- Department of Anthropology, Durham University, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Sally E Street
- Department of Anthropology, Durham University, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Barthélemy Ngoubangoye
- Centre de Primatologie, Centre Internationale de Recherches Médicales, Franceville, Gabon
| | - Anaïs Herbert
- Centre de Primatologie, Centre Internationale de Recherches Médicales, Franceville, Gabon
| | - Joanna M Setchell
- Department of Anthropology, Durham University, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK.
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14
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Gamulin O, Škrabić M, Serec K, Par M, Baković M, Krajačić M, Babić SD, Šegedin N, Osmani A, Vodanović M. Possibility of Human Gender Recognition Using Raman Spectra of Teeth. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26133983. [PMID: 34210090 PMCID: PMC8271900 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26133983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Gender determination of the human remains can be very challenging, especially in the case of incomplete ones. Herein, we report a proof-of-concept experiment where the possibility of gender recognition using Raman spectroscopy of teeth is investigated. Raman spectra were recorded from male and female molars and premolars on two distinct sites, tooth apex and anatomical neck. Recorded spectra were sorted into suitable datasets and initially analyzed with principal component analysis, which showed a distinction between spectra of male and female teeth. Then, reduced datasets with scores of the first 20 principal components were formed and two classification algorithms, support vector machine and artificial neural networks, were applied to form classification models for gender recognition. The obtained results showed that gender recognition with Raman spectra of teeth is possible but strongly depends both on the tooth type and spectrum recording site. The difference in classification accuracy between different tooth types and recording sites are discussed in terms of the molecular structure difference caused by the influence of masticatory loading or gender-dependent life events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozren Gamulin
- Department of Physics and Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (O.G.); (M.Š.); (M.K.); (S.D.B.); (N.Š.)
- Center of Excellence for Advanced Materials and Sensing Devices, Research Unit New Functional Materials, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marko Škrabić
- Department of Physics and Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (O.G.); (M.Š.); (M.K.); (S.D.B.); (N.Š.)
- Center of Excellence for Advanced Materials and Sensing Devices, Research Unit New Functional Materials, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Kristina Serec
- Department of Physics and Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (O.G.); (M.Š.); (M.K.); (S.D.B.); (N.Š.)
- Center of Excellence in Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Correspondence:
| | - Matej Par
- Department of Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Marija Baković
- Institute of Forensic Medicine and Criminalistics, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Maria Krajačić
- Department of Physics and Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (O.G.); (M.Š.); (M.K.); (S.D.B.); (N.Š.)
| | - Sanja Dolanski Babić
- Department of Physics and Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (O.G.); (M.Š.); (M.K.); (S.D.B.); (N.Š.)
- Center of Excellence in Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nikola Šegedin
- Department of Physics and Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (O.G.); (M.Š.); (M.K.); (S.D.B.); (N.Š.)
- Center of Excellence in Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Aziz Osmani
- Community Health Center “Kutina”, 44320 Kutina, Croatia;
| | - Marin Vodanović
- Department of Dental Anthropology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, University Hospital Centre, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
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15
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Cerrito P, Cerrito L, Hu B, Bailey SE, Kalisher R, Bromage TG. Weaning, parturitions and illnesses are recorded in rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) dental cementum microstructure. Am J Primatol 2021; 83:e23235. [PMID: 33522634 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Many open questions in evolutionary studies relate to species' physiological adaptations, including the evolution of their life history and reproductive strategies. There are few empirical methods capable of detecting and timing physiologically impactful events such as weaning, parturition and illnesses from hard tissue remains of either extant or extinct species. Cementum is an incremental tissue with post eruption annual periodicity, which covers the tooth root and functions as a recording structure of an animal's physiology. Here we test the hypothesis that it is possible to detect and time physiologically impactful events through the analysis of dental cementum microstructure. Our sample comprises 41 permanent and deciduous teeth from male and female rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) with known medical, lifestyle and life history information. We develop a semi-automated method of cementum histological analysis for the purpose of event detection and timing, aimed at significantly reducing the amount of intra- and interobserver errors typically associated with histological analyses. The results of our work show that we were able to detect known events including weaning, parturition, illness and physical trauma with high accuracy (false negative rate = 3.2%; n = 1), and to time them within an average absolute difference of 0.43 years (R2 = .98; p < .05). Nonetheless, we could not distinguish between the several types of stressful events underlying the changes in cementum microstructure. While this study is the first to identify a variety of life history events in macaque dental cementum, laying foundations for future work in conservation and evolutionary studies of both primates and toothed mammals at large, there are some limitations. Other types of analyses (possibly chemical ones) are necessary to tease apart the causes of the stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Cerrito
- Department of Anthropology, New York University, New York, New York, USA.,New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Molecular Pathobiology, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Bin Hu
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, New York, USA
| | - Shara E Bailey
- Department of Anthropology, New York University, New York, New York, USA.,New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology, New York, New York, USA
| | - Rachel Kalisher
- Joukowsky Institute for Archaeology and the Ancient World, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Timothy G Bromage
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, New York, USA
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