Subacute stroke: bladder and bowel dysfunctions and possible associated factors.

Purpose: Bladder and bowel dysfunctions negatively impact patients' health. Stroke-related characteristics associated to these dysfunctions are poorly known. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of bladder and bowel dysfunctions, characterize their associated factors, and describe the dysfunctions' clinical approach.

Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency amongst soccer athletes and effects of 8 weeks supplementation.

Background: High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is well known around the world in risk populations. Although less is known about the athletic population, some studies report vitamin D deficiency amongst athletic population and adequate vitamin D levels are crucial for athletic population as they can prevent injuries such as stress fractures and might even have ergogenic effects for example on muscle function. The main objectives were to evaluate the basal serum levels of 25(OH)D and calcium in professional soccer athletes on the latitude 40°N, to evaluate the effects in 25(OH)D and calcium serum levels following supplementation of 1667 IU/day of cholecalciferol during a period of 8 weeks and evaluate eventual toxicity arising from it.

[Devic's disease].

Devic's disease, also known as Neuromyelitis Optica, is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, with selective involvement of the spinal cord and optic nerves. The authors describe a clinical case of acute myelitis, initially approached in the context of a nonspecific syndrome gripal, with subsequently sudden bilateral amaurosis, which leads to the diagnosis hypotesis of Devic's disease, a disease with poor prognosis in optic-spinal function and adequate symptomatic treatment.