Strontium and oxygen isotopes to trace mobility routes during the Bell Beaker period in the north of Spain.

Strontium and oxygen isotopes of individuals from El Hundido and Valdescusa (north of Spain) sites, corresponding to the Bell Beaker culture, were analysed in order to determine mobility patterns and provenance areas. Strontium and oxygen isotope ratios in three teeth from two individuals at El Hundido and two teeth from the five individuals at Valdescusa were studied. The analyses were performed in both dentine and enamel fractions. 87Sr/86Sr ratios of El Hundido individuals indicate one was of foreign origin and the other was local whereas at Valdescusa were all of foreign provenance. Calculated δ18Ow values of El Hundido suggest a provenance from the geographical area close to the site while the Valdescusa would come from a warmer region. The comparison of oxygen and strontium isotope signatures indicate the west of the Iberian Peninsula (Zamora or the east of Leon regions) as the provenance area for the foreign individual at El Hundido and southwest France (Garonne basin) as the region of provenance for the Valdescusa.

Association of polymyositis with rheumatoid arthritis.

The association of polymyositis (PM) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is described in a 40-year-old female Mexican patient who was studied for a long period of time. The characteristic changes of PM that preceded the onset of RA for 7 years included proximal symmetrical muscle weakness, increased creatine kinase activity, and distinctive electromyography and muscle biopsy results. The occurrence of RA during the final 4 years of the 11-year period was characterized by long-lasting deforming and symmetric polyarthritis, high positive rheumatoid factor, subcutaneous nodules, and erosive joint changes. Through observation, myopathic changes other than those from PM were excluded. Joint changes other than from RA were also ruled out. A review of the literature revealed few specific reports of the coexistence of both diseases.

[Correction of hyperkalemia with intravenous salbutamol in children with chronic renal insufficiency]. / Corrección de la hiperkalemia con salbutamol endovenoso en niños con insuficiencia renal crónica.

In order to evaluate the efficiency of albuterol sulfate (salbutamol) in lowering of potassium levels in uremic children with hyperkalemia, we intravenously administered salbutamol 30 micrograms/min (total doses 0.5 mg) to ten children with chronic renal failure (CRF) with high serum levels of potassium. Forty five minutes after administration, potassium serum levels were lower going from 6.79 +/- 0.57 mmol/L to 5.04 +/- 1.10 mmol/L; increasing levels were documented 6 hours later up to 5.76 +/- 0.66 mmol/L. Lowering in potassium serum levels was associated with disappearance of electrocardiographic manifestations of hyperkalemia. We observed moderated tachycardia in 90% of our patients and only one patient required withdrawal of this drug for high cardiac frequency rate. We conclude that salbutamol is a useful and safe choice in treatment of hyperkalemia in children with CRF.