Evidence That Microorganisms at the Animal-Water Interface Drive Sea Star Wasting Disease.

Sea star wasting (SSW) disease describes a condition affecting asteroids that resulted in significant Northeastern Pacific population decline following a mass mortality event in 2013. The etiology of SSW is unresolved. We hypothesized that SSW is a sequela of microbial organic matter remineralization near respiratory surfaces, one consequence of which may be limited O availability at the animal-water interface.

[Renaissance of fluorides and calcium in the treatment of osteoporosis].

After the initial enthusiasm for fluorides in the treatment of osteoporosis there was a regression after some time and a "campaign" against fluorides. Recently in particular after the introduction of monofluorophosphate instead of NaF there is a revival of the use of fluorides in the treatment of osteoporosis, along with Ca, vitamin D and exercise as the classical combination of four. This can be supplemented by HRT in women, thyrocalcitonin, alendronate and other drugs with individual consideration of the optimal combination of these drugs.

[Treatment of Crohn's disease].

Dietetic treatment of Crohn's disease has the objective to calm down the gut either by a polymeric or elemental diet. In superacute conditions also total parenteral nutrition can be used. In the quiescent stage the patient must have an adequate energy intake and a low-residue (low-fibre) diet.

[Bone demineralization in Crohn's disease, its diagnosis, therapy and prevention].

In 20-60% of patients with Crohn's disease bone demineralization is found, usually osteoporosis, but also osteoporosis with malatic features. The cause is the reduced calcium intake (loss of appetite, lactose intolerance and malabsorption), reduced vitamin D intake and corticoid therapy. Nowadays the diagnosis is facilitated by the use of densitometers (ultrasonic and DEXA) and markers of osteoresorption and new bone formation.