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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Human and macaque mastication: a quantitative study.

Significant differences exist between human and Macaca fascicularis patterns of mandibular movement during mastication. Macaque patterns display less asymmetry, more uniformity, and limited lateral excursions when compared to humans for mastication of the same food. Different anatomical structures between the two species offer explanations of the different patterns that were observed. Researchers should use caution when using macaques as models for human mastication.

Animals

The absence of proprioceptive nerve endings in the human periodontal ligament: the role of periodontal mechanoreceptors in the reflex control of mastication.

A review of the literature was conducted to determine the presence or absence of proprioceptive nerve endings in the human periodontal ligament. A histologic review of the periodontal ligament innervation concluded that nerve endings found were those mediating pain, pressure, or touch and that there is no histologic evidence of any "classic" proprioceptive nerve ending in the periodontal ligament. A summary is given concerning the precise role of nerve endings in the periodontal membrane, their afferent pathways, and the role of masticatory muscle proprioception, jaw reflexes, and the temporomandibular joint in the coordinated control of mastication and mandibular proprioception.

Afferent Pathways

Mandibular function in Galago crassicaudatus and Macaca fascicularis: an in vivo approach to stress analysis of the mandible.

Single-element and/or rosette strain gages were bonded to mandibular cortical bone in Galago crassicaudatus and Macaca fascicularis. Five galago and eleven macaque bone strain experiments were performed and analyzed. In vivo bone strain was recorded from the lateral surface of the mandibular corpus below the postcanine tooth row during transducer biting and during mastication and ingestion of food objects. In macaques and galagos, the mandibular corpus on the balancing side is primarily bent in the sagittal plane during mastication and is both twisted about its long axis and bent in the sagittal plane during transducer biting. On the working side, it is primarily twisted about its long axis and directly sheared perpendicular to its long axis, and portions of it are bent in the sagittal plane during mastication and molar transducer biting. In macaques, the mandibular corpus on each side is primarily bent in the sagittal plane and twisted during incisal transducer biting and ingestion of food objects, and it is transversely bent and slightly twisted during jaw opening. Since galagos usually refused to bite the transducer or food objects with their incisors, an adequate characterization of mandibular stress patterns during these behaviors was not possible. In galagos the mandibular corpus experiences very little transverse bending stress during jaw opening, perhaps in part due to its unfused mandibular symphysis. Marked differences in the patterns of mandibular bone strain were present between galagos and macaques during the masticatory power stroke and during transducer biting. Galagos consistently had much more strain on the working side of the mandibular corpus than on the balancing side. These experiments support the hypothesis that galagos, in contrast to macaques, employ a larger amount of working-side muscle force relative to the balancing-side muscle force during unilateral biting and mastication, and that the fused mandibular symphysis is an adaption to use a maximal amount of balancing-side muscle force during unilateral biting and mastication. These experiments also demonstrate the effects that rosette position, bite force magnitudes, and types of food eaten have on recorded mandibular strain patterns.

Animals

Mandibular biomechanics and temporomandibular joint function in primates.

There is disagreement as to whether the mandibular condyles are stress-bearing or stress-free during mastication. In support of alternative models, analogies have been drawn with Class III levers, links, and couple systems. Physiological data are reviewed which indicate that maximum masticatory forces are generated when maxillary and mandibular teeth are in contact, and that this phase lasts for over 100 msec during many chewing strokes. During this period, the mandible can be modeled as a beam with multiple supports. Equations of simple beam theory suggest that large condylar reaction forces are present during mastication. With unilateral molar biting in man, the total condylar reaction force may be over 75% of the bite force. Analysis of a frontal projection demonstrates that up to 80% of the total condylar reaction force is borne by the contralateral (balancing side) condyle during unilateral molar biting. A comparison of human, chimpanzee (P. troglodytes), spider monkey (A. belzebuth), and macaque (Macaca sp.) morphology indicates that the frugivorous chimpanzee and spider monkey have a relatively lower condylar reaction force than the omnivorous macaque or man during molar biting. The percentage reaction force during incisal biting is lower in man than in the other primates, and lower in the frugivorous primates than in the macaque.

Animals

Discharge of spindle afferents from jaw-closing muscles during chewing in alert monkeys.

The discharge of muscle spindle afferents from monkey spindle afferents from monkey jaw-closing muscles was studied during mastication of natural foods by extracellular recording from the fibers or cell bodies of the tract and mesencephalic nucleus of the fifth nerve. In all, 39 muscle afferents were studied. The spindle associated with 18 of the afferents was positively identified by the afferent's response to gentle, localized palpation of either the temporalis or masseter muscle. Discharge patterns were observed during mastication, and in the majority of cases the qualitative passive response characteristics of the spindle afferent were determined. During steady chewing spindle afferent discharge typically paused briefly during the initial rapid upward part of the chewing cycle. Firing generally began as the jaw slowed its upward movement, and firing rates during the slow grinding portion of the upward movement were within the range of 50-80 spikes/s. All spindles exhibited a brisk discharge during the opening movement, typically within the range of 100-150 spikes/s. One-third of the spindle afferents exhibited a brief, high-frequency burst of firing at the very beginning of the opening movement, presumably as a result of stretch applied to a spindle just previously subjects to fusimotor excitation. Although the results of the study make it clear that spindles in jaw-closing muscles are coactived along with the extrafusal muscle fibers, the fusimotor bias does not seem capable of sustaining discharge in the face of rapid shortening of the muscle. Furthermore, the fact that discharge rate during opening, when the jaw-closing motoneurons are quiescent, is much higher than at any part of the closing cycle, when the motoneurons are active, suggests that the muscle spindles cannot provide the primary excitatory drive to the motoneurons.

Acoustic Stimulation

Impact of Chewing Behavior Change on Cognition and Cerebral Hemodynamics.

BACKGROUND: Impaired chewing ability is a recognized risk factor for cognitive decline in older adults, potentially due to reduced neural stimulation in cognition-related brain regions. While short-term studies have demonstrated transient increases in neural activity from chewing, the sustained cognitive and neurophysiological effects of encouraging thorough chewing habits in daily life remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: This randomized controlled trial investigated whether promoting thorough chewing during meals could improve cognitive function and cerebral hemodynamics in older adults. METHODS: Fifty participants aged 65 y or older were randomly assigned to either a 1-mo intervention group, which used a wearable device to monitor and increase chewing strokes during meals, or a control group that maintained usual chewing habits. Chewing behavior, cognitive performance (including memory and executive function via the color Stroop test), and cerebral hemodynamics in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) were measured at baseline and after 1 mo. Statistical analyses included t tests, chi-square tests, 2-way analysis of variance with post hoc tests, Pearson correlations, and generalized linear models to evaluate group differences and associations between chewing and cognitive outcomes. RESULTS: Significant time-by-group interactions were observed for memory, F(1, 48) = 6.24, P = 0.043, and hemodynamic responses in the left DLPFC, F(1, 48) = 6.19, P = 0.013. The intervention group showed increased chewing frequency (P = 0.017), improved memory performance, and reduced left DLPFC responses compared with controls. Chewing frequency was positively correlated with Stroop test scores (r = 0.53, P = 0.010) and negatively with hemodynamic changes in the left DLPFC (r = -0.30, P = 0.040). Although improvements in other cognitive outcomes and hemodynamic measures favored the intervention group, these differences did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Promoting intentional chewing habits for 1 mo may enhance memory-related cognitive performance and neural efficiency in the DLPFC during working memory tasks in older adults. This nonpharmacologic, low-burden strategy warrants further research with longer interventions to support cognitive health and dementia prevention. TRIAL REGISTRATION ID: UMIN000044280Knowledge Transfer Statement:This study demonstrates that promoting thorough chewing habits in older adults can improve memory and enhance neural efficiency in the brain. Encouraging intentional mastication is a simple, nonpharmacologic approach that may help maintain cognitive health and prevent dementia, providing a practical strategy for clinicians and policymakers to support healthy aging.

Humans

New approaches to the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer based on the protective action of saliva with special reference to roughage, vegetable fibre and fermented milk products.

Epidemiologic studies have shown differences in the prevalence of peptic ulcer disease among various communities to be related to variation in diet and eating patterns. Results of studies of the effect of diet and pattern of eating on saliva, on gastric juice, and on the amount of bile are reviewed. It is suggested that bile, and not hydrochloric acid, plays the causative role in pathogenesis of peptic ulceration. The role of saliva in the prevention of peptic ulcer is emphasized. The salivary mucus swallowed with food is protective because it decreases the flow rate of bile which, when held in the gall bladder longer, loses its alkalinity and therefore its ability to damage the mucous cells. Roughage, cellulose and vegetable fibres and fermented milk products act in a similar manner. When food is well masticated, containing plenty of vegetable fibres and fermented milk products such as ghee and yoghurt, resulting in an increase in the amount of salivary mucus, peptic ulceration may be prevented and cured and relapses may be prevented. This does not require a big change in the pattern of diet but only a change in the manner of eating so that hasty eating is avoided and good is chewed well. The pattern of diet, especially the relative dietary preponderance of short-chain fatty acids, such as those present in milk, yoghurt and other fermented milk products, have a protective action; the short-chain fatty acids retard gall bladder contraction and thus diminish the amount of bile entering the duodenal lumen.

Bile

The function of the disc of the temporomandibular joint.

A study of the structure of the discs of the temporomandibular joints of three mammals showed marked differences among them. Since the animals selected had different basic patterns of mastication, it may be that each disc has become modified to different functions in different mammals.

Animals

Reconstruction of the horizontal rami of the mandible following avulsion in childhood.

A 7-year-old boy was involved in a road traffic accident in October 1971, and apparently had been dragged along face downwards with resultant avulsion of the entire horizontal mandibular rami, and most of the mandibular alveolar soft tissue and teeth. Repair by metal implants was attempted but these proved unsatisfactory, and soft tissue replacement for the missing alveolus was carried out by flap raised from arm. Rib grafting was carried out on three occasions at almost yearly intervals, but each time, probably owing to vascular insufficiency, non-union (or more correctly non-replacement) occurred in the left canine region. To "import" a new blood supply, and free some of the scar tissue, a compound muscle/bone/skin flap bearing the clavicle and sternomastoid muscle was transposed to the mandibular bed. This form of grafting was used extensively in World War I to repair facial gunshot wounds, and the transposed blood supply enabled success in the pre-antibiotic period. Bony union is now satisfactory 5 years after injuries and dentures have been recently fitted; speech is normal, the child's facial contours acceptable, and mastication has been satisfactory during this period.

Bone Transplantation

Temporomandibular joint meniscectomy--effects on joint structure and masticatory function in macaca fascicularis.

The postoperative effects of unilateral temporomandibular joint meniscectomy on joint structure and masticatory function were evaluated in four mature Macaca fascicularis and compared with one control. Mandibular movement during mastication was monitored objectively with an optoelectronic tracking system within four months and again within twelve months postmeniscectomy in each animal. Temporomandibular joint structure was documented radiographically and histologically. Results showed that degenerative joint disease was produced in the postsurgical joint, and that the morphological changes were location-dependent. Fibrous ankylosis was observed histologically in three animals. The contralateral joints were not affected morphologically, except for bony resorption of the articular eminence noted microscopically in one animal. Radiographically, however, the joint appeared normal. Variable alterations in masticatory patterns were observed following unilateral meniscectomy. While there appeared to be an association between temporomandibular joint structure and masticatory function, radiographic and microscopic observation of morphological alterations in the joint did not result in predictable functional limitations in chewing pattern.

Animals

A preliminary scanning electron microscope examination of wear striation direction on primate teeth.

Wear striations experimentally produced on initially unworn teeth were examined at high magnification using a scanning electron microscope. Certain characteristics of individual wear striations on these teeth indicate the direction of motion that produced them. Other striations on worn teeth of American Indians and the Paleocene primate Phenocolemur show similar characteristics and correspond to mandibular movement during mastication.

Animals