Links between Atherosclerosis and Osteoporosis in Middle Aged and Elderly Men.

Background: Although the incidences of osteoporosis and atherosclerosis increase with age, there is growing evidence that the coincidental occurrence of both diseases may be independent of age. In general, studies in men are scarce and results are inconsistent.

Objective: to investigate the relationship between atherosclerosis and bone mineral density, and the influence of insulin sensitivity and low grade inflammation on this relationship in 332 men without CVD.

Etidronate for Prevention of Ectopic Mineralization in Patients With Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum.

Background: In pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE), low pyrophosphate levels may cause ectopic mineralization, leading to skin changes, visual impairment, and peripheral arterial disease.

Objectives: The authors hypothesized that etidronate, a pyrophosphate analog, might reduce ectopic mineralization in PXE.

Methods: In the Treatment of Ectopic Mineralization in Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum trial, adults with PXE and leg arterial calcifications (n = 74) were randomly assigned to etidronate or placebo (cyclical 20 mg/kg for 2 weeks every 12 weeks).

Osteoporosis and osteopenia are not associated with T-cell activation in older cART-treated HIV-infected patients.

Background: A higher risk of developing osteopenia/ osteoporosis has been seen in HIV-infected patients. We compared HIV-infected patients, all treated with combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), with a low bone mineral density (BMD) (T-score < -1) to those with a normal BMD (T-score > -1), examining the relation with T-cell activation and bone turnover markers (c-terminal telopeptide (CTX) and procollagen type 1 amino-terminal propeptide (P1NP)).

Methods: In this single visit pilot study, bone turnover markers, T-cell activation (CD38 + HLA - DR +) and senescence (CD57+) of T cells were measured in patients who had previously undergone dual energy X-ray absorptiometry scanning.

Accuracy of bone mineral density quantification using dual-layer spectral detector CT: a phantom study.

Objectives: To investigate the accuracy of bone mineral density (BMD) quantification using dual-layer spectral detector CT (SDCT) at various scan protocols.

Methods: Two validated anthropomorphic phantoms containing inserts of 50-200 mg/cm calcium hydroxyapatite (HA) were scanned using a 64-slice SDCT scanner at various acquisition protocols (120 and 140 kVp, and 50, 100 and 200 mAs). Regions of interest (ROIs) were placed in each insert and mean attenuation profiles at monochromatic energy levels (90-200 keV) were constructed.

Bone density loss on computed tomography at 3-year follow-up in current compared to former male smokers.

Objectives: Cigarette smoking negatively affects bone quality and increases fracture risk. Little is known on the effect of smoking cessation and computed tomography (CT)-derived bone mineral density (BMD) decline in the spine. We evaluated the association of current and former smoking with BMD decline after 3-year follow-up.

Bisphosphonates for cardiovascular risk reduction: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Aims: Bisphosphonates might be effective in reducing cardiovascular events due to their ability to reduce calcification in arterial walls. We aimed to investigate the effects of treatment with bisphosphonates on the prevention of atherosclerotic processes and cardiovascular disease.

Methods: Pubmed, Embase and the Cochrane Library were systematically reviewed by two independent investigators for randomized controlled studies published up to January 2016, in which the effect of bisphosphonates on arterial wall disease, cardiovascular events, cardiovascular mortality or all-cause mortality were reported.

Opportunistic screening for osteoporosis on routine computed tomography? An external validation study.

Objectives: Opportunistic screening for osteoporosis using computed tomography (CT) examinations that happen to visualise the spine can be used to identify patients with osteoporosis. We sought to verify the diagnostic performance of vertebral Hounsfield unit (HU) measurements on routine CT examinations for diagnosing osteoporosis in a separate, external population.

Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent a CT examination of the chest or abdomen and had also received a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) test were retrospectively included.

Vertebral fractures on routine chest computed tomography: relation with arterial calcifications and future cardiovascular events.

Osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease often coexist. Vertebral fractures incidentally imaged in the course of routine care might be able to contribute to the prediction of cardiovascular events. Following a case-cohort design, 5,679 patients undergoing chest CT were followed for a median duration of 4.

Mild chronic kidney disease is associated with cognitive function in patients presenting at a memory clinic.

Objective: In dialysis-dependent and severe chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, cognitive impairment is found in 16-29%. In community-dwelling population without dementia mixed results have been observed. We investigated the relationship between renal function and cognition in patients from a memory clinic.

Osteoporosis markers on low-dose lung cancer screening chest computed tomography scans predict all-cause mortality.

Objectives: Further survival benefits may be gained from low-dose chest computed tomography (CT) by assessing vertebral fractures and bone density. We sought to assess the association between CT-measured vertebral fractures and bone density with all-cause mortality in lung cancer screening participants.

Methods: Following a case-cohort design, lung cancer screening trial participants (N = 3,673) who died (N = 196) during a median follow-up of 6 years (inter-quartile range: 5.

Intravenous contrast injection significantly affects bone mineral density measured on CT.

Objective: The objective is to evaluate the effect of intravenous contrast media on bone mineral density (BMD) assessment by comparing unenhanced and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) examinations performed for other indications.

Methods: One hundred and fifty-two patients (99 without and 53 with malignant neoplasm) who underwent both unenhanced and two contrast-enhanced (arterial and portal venous phase) abdominal CT examinations in a single session between June 2011 and July 2013 were included. BMD was evaluated on the three examinations as CT-attenuation values in Hounsfield Units (HU) in the first lumbar vertebra (L1).

Optimizing fracture prevention: the fracture liaison service, an observational study.

Unlabelled: The response rate to the invitation to the fracture liaison service and reasons for non-response were evaluated in 2,207 fragility fracture patients. Fifty-one percent responded; non-responders were most often not interested (38 %) or were hip fracture patients. After 1 year of treatment, 88 % was still persistent and 2 % had a new fracture.

Prevalent vertebral fractures on chest CT: higher risk for future hip fracture.

Subclinical or undiagnosed vertebral fractures on routine chest computed tomography (CT) may be useful for detecting patients at increased risk of future hip fractures who might benefit from preventive interventions. We investigated whether prevalent vertebral fractures on routine chest CT are associated with future hip fractures. From a source population of 5679 patients ≥40 years old undergoing chest CT in one of three Dutch hospitals between 2002 and 2005, patients hospitalized for hip fractures (n = 149) during a median follow-up of 4.

Vitamin D and muscle function: is there a threshold in the relation?

Objectives: First, to determine the association between serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) concentration and muscle mass, strength, and performance. Second, to explore if there is a threshold in the association.

Design: Cross-sectional, single-center study.

The association between vitamin D and cognition: a systematic review.

Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency are a major health care problem. The association between vitamin D levels and cognitive function is still under debate. We conducted a systematic review to assess the association between levels of vitamin D and cognition.

Determinants of vitamin D status in healthy men and women aged 40-80 years.

Objectives: To determine the contribution of life style and health related factors on vitamin D status in middle-aged and older men and women.

Study Design: A cross-sectional single-center study in 400 male subjects (40-80 years) and 402 postmenopausal female subjects (56-73 years), conducted in a University Medical Center in the central part of the Netherlands (52 degrees northern latitude).

Main Outcome Measures: Medical history, vitamin D, calcium and alcohol intake, physical activity, Body Mass Index, Blood pressure, smoking, total fat body mass and total lean body mass were measured using DEXA.

Parkinson's disease and osteoporosis.

Background: patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) have a high risk of sustaining osteoporotic fractures as a result of falls and reduced bone mass.

Objective: to summarise the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of bone loss in PD by reviewing the available literature.

Methods: a Medline search was performed for articles published between January 1975 and January 2011, using the keywords 'bone mineral density', 'bone loss', 'bone metabolism', 'osteoporosis', 'osteopenia', 'Parkinson's disease' and 'Parkinsonism'.

Bone mineral density and vitamin D status in Parkinson's disease patients.

Bone loss is more common in Parkinson's disease (PD) than in the general population. Several factors may be involved in the development of bone loss, including malnutrition, immobilization, low body mass index, decreased muscle strength, vitamin D deficiency and medication use. This study investigates the prevalence of osteoporosis and possible risk factors associated with bone loss in early stage PD.

WITHDRAWN: Determinants of vitamin D status in healthy men and women aged 40-80 years.

This article has been withdrawn at the request of the author(s) and/or editor. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. The full Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at http://www.

The association of chronic kidney disease with brain lesions on MRI or CT: a systematic review.

Background And Purpose: This review reports on the association between chronic kidney disease (CKD) established with glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and brain lesions established with MRI or CT.

Methods: Literature was searched combining synonyms of kidney function, brain lesions and terms for the definitions thereof, and MRI or CT. This resulted in 1507 articles, of which 20 were finally included.

Therapeutic challenges in elderly patients with symptomatic hypercalcaemia caused by primary hyperparathyroidism.

Background: Hypercalcaemia resulting from primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) can cause a wide range of symptoms, including cognitive disorders, psychiatric symptoms and muscle weakness. Parathyroid surgery is the only definite cure for PHPT. When surgery is contraindicated or patients decide against it, several non-surgical treatment options are available.

Trisomy greatly enhances interstitial crossing over in a translocation heterozygote of Secale.

Chromosomal rearrangements, including reciprocal translocations, may prevent recombinational transfer of genes from a donor genotype to a recipient, especially when the gene is located in an interstitial segment. The effect of trisomy of chromosome arm 1RS on recombination was studied in translocation heterozygote T248W of rye ( Secale cereale ), involving chromosome arms 1RS and 6RS. (Pro)metaphase I configuration frequencies were analyzed.

Geriatric conditions in acutely hospitalized older patients: prevalence and one-year survival and functional decline.

Background: To study the prevalence of eighteen geriatric conditions in older patients at admission, their reporting rate in discharge summaries and the impact of these conditions on mortality and functional decline one year after admission.

Method: A prospective multicenter cohort study conducted between 2006 and 2008 in two tertiary university teaching hospitals and one regional teaching hospital in the Netherlands. Patients of 65 years and older, acutely admitted and hospitalized for at least 48 hours, were invited to participate.

[The effectiveness of falls clinics in the Netherlands].

Recently, two articles are published about the effectiveness of a multifactorial fall prevention programme performed by two falls clinics in the Netherlands. Both studies have shown negative results. The question is if those two studies are representative for the real situation in most falls clinics in the Netherlands.

Raloxifene and tibolone in elderly women: a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, placebo-controlled trial.

Objectives: The authors' first aim was to study the effects of raloxifene and tibolone on body mass density, handgrip strength, and other secondary frailty components. The secondary aim was to compare the effects of raloxifene and tibolone and their safety in older women.

Design/setting/participants: A randomized, double-blind, double- dummy, placebo-controlled trial conducted in an academic hospital in the Netherlands among 318 community living women aged >70 were randomized; 290 received the allocated intervention: 97 placebo, 101 raloxifene, and 92 tibolone.