No abstract

Notwithstanding the small total sample size and relative lack of older subjects in the UP group, the fact that almost twice as many BP patients showed more severe DWH suggests that patients with BP may be more vulnerable to develop these changes than UP patients and healthy controls.

Objectives: The aim of this project was to assess the clinical signi®cance of our low iodine excretions in terms of thyroid hormone status and thyroid volume in an adult population in a low soil iodine area of the South Island of New Zealand. Design and setting: Two-hundred and thirty-three residents of Otago, New Zealand collected two 24 h urine samples for assessment of iodine status. Thyroid status was determined from serum total T 4 , TSH and thyroglobulin, and thyroid volumes. Relationships between urinary iodide excretion and measures of thyroid status were determined and subjects were allocated to one of three groups according to low, medium and high iodide excretion, for comparison of thyroid hormones and thyroid volumes. Results: Signi®cant correlations were found for relationships between measures of urinary iodide excretion and thyroid volume and thyroglobulin. Multiple regression analysis of data for subjects divided into three groups according to 24 h urinary iodide excretion (`60, 60 ± 90; b90 mg iodideaday) or iodideacreatinine ratio (`40; 40 ± 60; b60 mgag Cr) showed signi®cant differences in thyroid volume (P 0.029; P 0.035, respectively) and thyroglobulin (P 0.019; P 0.005, respectively) among the groups. Conclusions: The results of this study con®rm the low iodide excretions of Otago residents, and indicate that the fall in iodine status is being re¯ected in clinical measures of thyroid status, including enlarged thyroid glands and elevated thyroglobulin. Our observations suggest the possible re-emergence of mild iodine de®ciency and goitres in New Zealand. This situation is likely to worsen should iodine intakes continue to fall and continued monitoring of the situation is imperative.

We studied an Egyptian mummy housed in the Otago Museum, Dunedin, New Zealand. Radiocarbon dating indicates that the age of the mummy is 2,358 BP, which is the period of the 30th Dynasty of Nakhthorhebe. Serial CT scans show that the heart had been removed, which is unusual among Egyptian mummies. In contrast, the brain had been left in situ. The orbital breadth suggests a degree of hypertelorism, being at the upper limit of the values recorded for ancient Egyptian males. There is extensive dental disease with excessive tooth wear and tooth loss, typical of Egyptian mummies. The wrapping material, examined under SEM, is probably a linen textile with a selvage.