Teeth reveal juvenile diet, health and neurotoxicant exposure retrospectively: What biological rhythms and chemical records tell us.

Integrated developmental and elemental information in teeth provide a unique framework for documenting breastfeeding histories, physiological disruptions, and neurotoxicant exposure in humans and our primate relatives, including ancient hominins. Here we detail our method for detecting the consumption of mothers' milk and exploring health history through the use of laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) mapping of sectioned nonhuman primate teeth. Calcium-normalized barium and lead concentrations in tooth enamel and dentine may reflect milk and formula consumption with minimal modification during subsequent tooth mineralization, particularly in dentine. However, skeletal resorption during severe illness, and bioavailable metals in nonmilk foods, can complicate interpretations of nursing behavior. We show that explorations of the patterning of multiple elements may aid in the distinction of these important etiologies. Targeted studies of skeletal chemistry, gastrointestinal maturation, and the dietary bioavailability of metals are needed to optimize these unique records of human health and behavior.

Decline in FEV1 in patients with PiZ alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency: the Australian experience.

OBJECTIVE: Alpha-1-antitrypsin (alpha1antitrypsin) deficiency is a rare hereditary disorder which characteristically presents with emphysema at an early age. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the rate of decline of lung function in alpha1antitrypsin-deficient subjects in Australia was similar to that found elsewhere. METHODOLOGY: Patients registered with the Australian Alpha-1-Antitrypsin Replacement Program were studied. All patients (n = 50) had a serum alpha1antitrypsin concentration of < 0.3 g/L and had had spirometry measured over at least 2 years. They were compared with a group of normal volunteers (hospital staff, n = 107) with normal alpha1antitrypsin levels and phenotypes and with no clinical history of lung disease. All had spirometry measured for periods ranging from 2 to 6 years. The rate of decline of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) for each subject was calculated by least squares linear regression using FEV1 against the time from entry into the study. RESULTS: The group mean (+/- SD) rate of decline in FEV1 was significantly greater (P < 0.01) in the alpha1antitrypsin-deficient patients (88 +/- 71 mL/year) than for the normal controls (-15 +/- 48 mL/year). There was no difference in decline in FEV1 when the data was analysed for gender and for index versus non-index cases. CONCLUSION: The results confirm previous reports of an accelerated rate of decline of FEV1 in patients with alpha1antitrypsin deficiency. Our results indicate that the rate of decline of lung function in alpha1antitrypsin deficient subjects in Australia is similar to that found in reported series from elsewhere.