Dietary inferences through buccal microwear analysis of middle and upper Pleistocene human fossils.

Buccal microwear has been studied in a sample of 153 molar teeth from different modern hunter-gatherer, pastoralist, and agriculturalist groups, with different diets (Inuit, Fueguians, Bushmen, Australian aborigines, Andamanese, Indians from Vancouver, Veddahs, Tasmanians, Lapps, and Hindus), preserved at museum collections. Molds of an area of the buccal surface have been obtained and observed at 100x magnification in a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The length and orientation of each striation have been determined with a semiautomatic program of an image analyzer system (IBAS).

Amplifying dinucleotide microsatellite loci from bone and tooth samples of up to 5000 years of age: more inconsistency than usefulness.

We have studied the feasibility of using dinucleotide-repeat microsatellites in the analysis of DNA from ancient bones and teeth. We have used three microsatellites (IVS8CA, IVS17BTA, and IVS17BCA) within the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene in 28 DNA samples from bones and teeth of up to 5000 years of age. PCR amplification was successful in 71.

Intraindividual and intragroup variability of buccal tooth striation pattern.

Intrapopulational tooth striation variability has been studied in a sample of 99 individuals from the medieval agricultural population of La Olmeda (Palencia, Spain). The number, length, and orientation of all observed striations were recorded using a scanning electron microscope and an image analyzer system. Tooth striations were observed at 100x magnification on the buccal surface of Pm4 and M1 teeth.

Hypomagnesemic hypocalcemia in chronic renal failure.

Hypomagnesemic hypocalcemia in chronic renal disease is a rare finding. Controversy remains regarding the role of decreased magnesium in producing impaired parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion versus target organ unresponsiveness to PTH. We describe six patients with severe chronic renal disease in whom hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia were detected.

Does testosterone influence the post-stimulatory levels of calcitonin in normal men?

We have analysed the sex difference of calcitonin (CT) levels after combined stimulation with calcium and pentagastrin (Ca-PG) in the normal population, and the relationship of the post-stimulatory CT levels with free testosterone (FT). We have also studied the correlation between CT values and the anthropometric parameters, body mass index (BMI) and body surface area (BS), as well as the relationship between CT levels and calcium. A positive and statistically significant correlation was found between post-stimulatory CT and the increment over the base-line of CT and basal FT, and with the anthropometric parameters.

Acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis (Sweet's syndrome) associated with post-myocardial infarction syndrome (Dressler's syndrome).

A case of Sweet's syndrome (acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis) occurred in a patient with post-myocardial infarction syndrome (Dressler's syndrome). Although Sweet's syndrome has been described in association with leukemias, other malignant disorders, and a variety of chronic inflammatory disorders, it has not been reported associated with Dressler's syndrome. Sweet's syndrome is reviewed with regard to its associations and to its pathogenesis.