The appearance of breast cancer metastases on dry bone: Implications for forensic anthropology

Breast carcinoma is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in women. The study of bone pathologies presents considerable potential in anthropology, paleopathology, forensic science and medicine. In this paper, we present and discuss metastatic lesions found in the skeletons of known individuals from the CAL Milano Cemetery Skeletal Collection, clinically diagnosed with breast cancer during life. Fourteen skeletons from a contemporary and identified collection were macroscopically studied and metastases were identified by comparison with clinical literature. As a result, bone metastases were observed in 43% of the study sample. They were located most commonly on the ribs (28.1%), pelvic girdle (19.8%), vertebrae (15.6%), skull (15.6%), scapulae (10.2%) as well as proximal segment of the femora (8.4%) and humeri (2.4%) respectively, favoring sites of high vascularization. The majority of the lesions were osteolytic, although osteoblastic and mixed metastases did occur. Osteolytic metastases appear as coalescent porosity or round to oval perforating lesions on bones with denticulated margins and pitted surrounding bone, whereas osteoblastic metastases thickened the existing trabecula (spongiosclerosis). Mixed metastases were perforating lytic lesions exposing the osteoblastic activity in the underlying trabecular bone. These results, consistent with the data from the literature, strengthen the diagnostic criteria for metastases and illustrate the aspect of bone metastases in breast carcinoma.     

Genetic markers in the Tuvan population of Todja, Siberia

Todja is a secluded region of northern Tuva situated in the Sayany Mountains, Siberia. The aboriginal population of Todja is Tuvan. A total of 128 healthy Tuvans living in Todja were typed for HLA-A, -B and -C antigens and several plasma and erythrocyte protein polymorphisms (Hp, Tf, Gc, ESD, ACP, PGM1, PGD and ADA). The observed frequencies of all 8 blood protein and HLA genotypes were in agreement with Hardy-Weinberg expectations. The most frequent HLA antigens in Todjans are A2 (0.36). A3 (0,24), A9 (0.50), B15 (0.34) and B40 (0.50). HLA haplotypes A2B5, A2B40, A9B15 and A9B40 are most common in this population. The observed frequencies of protein polymorphisms and HLA antigens and haplotypes in Todjans are similar to those of other Mongoloid populations. A comparison of HLA frequencies currently observed in Todjans with those obtained 20 years ago at the same locality showed minor changes attributable to the effect of migration.     

Aesthetics of feminizing the male face by craniofacial contouring of the facial bones

The forceful and macho look of a prototypical man may not be unduly appealing to others whom he meets. This forceful look might not even appeal to the individual himself. In order to soften this appearance, a series of operative procedures has been devised for use on the craniofacial skeleton. These surgical steps can be done in a single operation or as a series of multiple operative procedures. Moreover, the needs of some patients may require that only special segments of these procedures be performed. This article presents these operative procedures and describes the feasibility with which they can be performed. Complications and unfavorable outcomes, when they occur, are usually related to unrealistic expectations on the part of the patient. The surgical steps routinely performed are those that contour the forehead, orbits, malar eminence, cheeks, chin, angle of the mandible, and larynx. Three categories of patients are described: the female with a male face; the male with a forceful look; and the patient requesting a gender identity change. The psychosocial, psychological, and behavioral problems leading to the decision for surgery will be the basis of final patient selection.Presented at the 9th Congress of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, New York City, October 1987     

Culture-bound syndrome and a culturally sensitive approach: from a viewpoint of medical anthropology

Some aspects of the culture-bound syndrome are presented for discussion. From the psychiatric and medical anthropological viewpoints, kamidaari is described as an initiatory illness for seeing a shaman, and focus on clinical realities developing between different therapeutic subcultures in the same culture and the complementary practices of two epistemological ones, namely, the shamanistic and modern psychiatric system in the shamanistic climate. It is suggested that the culture-bound syndrome that reflects cultural influences on disease patterns and renders them difficult to place in a universal classificatory system should be seen as a vernacular bricolage or as tactics used by people within the web of their own local culture of origin. Therapists who treat patients in a cross-epistemological milieu should be aware of the subcultural-epistemological issues that may affect the clinical process. It should be recognized that, depending on the nature of a particular psychiatric crisis, the clinical encounter is straddling the boundaries of multiple clinical realities. At every stage in the clinical field, there is an intersection, consonance, or interruption of rejoinders in the open dialog by all those engaged in the clinical time. Aspects of climatic, culturally sensitive psychotherapy will be described, and the concept of the culture-bound syndrome will be reconsidered. Our approach could be seen as 'situation- and fudo-bound'.     

教育人学视野中我国药学本科教育现状分析及对策

通过教育人学理论分析得出我国药学本科教育现状,得出药学本科教育存在“人的缺失”和“科学世界的占领”两方面问题的结论,提出在药学拳科教育中要树立教育人学观念、推行跨学科教育、建立带教教师制度、改革药学教育内容、采用多样化教学方式、鼓励多方合作办学、使用多元化评价方式的对策。     

骨龄测评桡骨接近完全融合与融合遗迹的影像学鉴别探讨

目的探讨桡骨接近完全融合时与融合遗迹的影像学鉴别方法。方法18岁以下研究组31例，每1例均有同日同次2张左手腕部正位片和分别倾斜30。和45。2张斜位X线片，共124次曝光片。18．0岁以上对照组，每例有1张手腕部正位片，其中6例另有1张手腕部斜位片，共17次曝光片。合计42例141次曝光片。对比分析两组间桡骨远端缺口形态、与桡骨关系、低密度骺线是否存在及尺骨融合情况。结果研究组：桡骨未完全融合者其缺口均深入桡骨轮廓之内，尺骨茎突基底部均存在低密度骺线及缺口，多位置和多角度观察发现低密度骺线者8例。对照组桡骨远端缺口位于桡骨轮廓之外并能未深入桡骨轮廓之内，且缺口内缘为正常骨皮质封闭。桡骨致密融合线未见显示7例（64％），尺骨已完全融合。结论与融合遗迹不同，在多位置和多角度片中如能发现桡骨低密度骺线存在、明确缺口位于桡骨轮廓之内和尺骨茎突基底部尚未完全融合，即可确定桡骨尚未完全融合。     

Paleopathological study of a podal osteochondroma from the prehistoric Hypogeum of Calaforno (Sicily)

In this article, we report a case of isolated podal osteochondroma from the prehistoric Hypogeum of Calaforno (Giarratana, Ragusa, Sicily). Although the phalanx exhibiting the benign tumoral mass comes from a context featuring several commingled remains, the very good state of preservation of this bone allowed us to perform a comprehensive study of the neoplasm by applying a multidisciplinary approach encompassing archeology, morphology, stereomicroscopy, and radiology. The results from this very ancient specimen have been assessed in the light of the available paleopathological literature and clinical implications currently encountered in modern patients.     

Stature estimation for Saudi men based on different combinations of upper limb part dimensions

Estimating stature based on body/limb parts can help define the characteristics of unidentified bodies. The most studied upper limb part is the hand, although few studies have examined whether stature can be estimated using fingers plus other hand dimensions. Moreover, there is paucity in anthropometric studies that determined whether bilateral whole limb parts (e.g., arms, forearms, and hands) are related to stature among the living subjects.This prospective cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the relationship between different upper limb measurements and the stature of Saudi men. Furthermore, I assessed whether upper limb asymmetry was present, and developed regression models to estimate stature based on different available measurements. Stature and 13 upper limb parameters were measured for 100 right-handed Saudi men who were 18 to 24 years old.All measurements were positively correlated with stature (P < .001), and the best single predictor was the bilateral ulnar length. Asymmetry was more pronounced in the hand measurements. A multiparameter model provided reasonable predictive accuracy (±3.77–5.68 cm) and was more accurate than single-parameter models. Inclusion of the right-side fingers improved the model''s accuracy.This study developed potential models for estimating stature during the identification of bodies of Saudi men.     

Radiometry versus osteometry in sex assessment: a study of the Cretan radius

Sex estimation is vital for biological profiling, thus qualitative and quantitative methods have been developed for every skeletal part in humans. However, somehow the radius has been neglected. This study aims to develop a sex estimation method on radiographs of the radius applicable in situations when classical osteometry cannot be applied. A total of 103 left radii were used in this study. Three classical measurements (maximum length, head diameter and distal breadth) were taken on the dry bones. Digital radiographs of the same radii were taken using a portable X-ray machine (Technix TCA 4R PLUS). Eight landmarks are selected on the radiograph of the proximal and six on the radiograph of the distal radius, generating in total 43 linear distances. ANOVA detected three osteometric and 24 radiometric variables that differed significantly between males and females (p<0.05). Classical osteometry resulted in up to 91% classification accuracy while the best multivariate formula of the radiometric method gave 88% correct classification. The study proposes a rapid and inexpensive alternative method for sex screening based on digital radiographs of the radius, a method that could be particularly advantageous in cases of mass disasters with numerous mutilated and/or burnt bodies where maceration is not an option.