Assessment of ecosystem services provided by livestock agroecosystems in the tropics: a case study of tropical island environment of Guadeloupe.

The present study aims to assess (1) the ecosystem services (ES) provided by LFS and (2) the differential ES between local (Creole) and exotic breeds from pig, cattle and goat. The ES are defined as the benefits that humans derive from LFS. They were summarized in 12 ES indicators that cover services related to provisioning, ecological and socio-cultural aspects and territorial vitality. A total of 106 LFS units that covers the five agroecological zones of Guadeloupe were analysed. Functional typologies of LFS per species were created from surveys. The effect of breed on the ES indicators was tested. Results showed that the 40 pig LFS units were separated into 3 clusters that were differentiated in ES according to provisioning ES (cluster 1), cultural use and sale to the neighborhood (cluster 2) and pork self-consumption (cluster 3). The typology of the 57 farms with cattle distinguished 4 clusters with differences in ES provided in self-consumption (cluster1), ecological ES (cluster 2), socio-cultural ES for racing or draught oxen (cluster 3) and ES associated with territory vitality (cluster 4). The 66 goat LFS units were classified into 3 clusters different in ES concerning self-consumption (cluster 1), cultural aspects (cluster 2) and provisioning ES (cluster 3). Our study highlights that ES indicators are not breed dependent (P > 0.10) but rather livestock farming system dependent. The ES rely more on the rearing management than on the breed type, and up to now, there are no specifications in Guadeloupe to differentiate management between breeds.

Baru almond improves lipid profile in mildly hypercholesterolemic subjects: a randomized, controlled, crossover study.

BACKGROUD AND AIM: The usual consumption of nuts reduces cardiovascular diseases (CVD) risk by improving serum lipids and oxidation status. Baru almonds (Dipteryxalata Vog.), a native species of Brazilian Savannah, have considerable contents of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), dietary fiber, vitamin E and zinc, which could exert positive effects in serum lipids and markers of oxidation. However, there is no study about the effect of their consumption on human health. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of baru almonds supplementation on lipid profile and oxidation of mildly hypercholesterolemic subjects. METHODS AND RESULTS: A randomized, crossover, placebo controlled study was performed with 20 mildly hypercholesterolemic subjects (total cholesterol (TC) mean ±SEM = 5.8 ± 0.2 mmol/L). The assay had 2 periods of 6 weeks each and a 4-week washout period between the treatments. Subjects were randomly allocated in alternated periods receiving the following treatments per period: supplementation with 20 g/day of baru almonds or placebo (1 corn starch capsule/day). Compared to placebo, supplementation of baru almonds reduced TC (-8.1 ± 2.4%, P = 0.007), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) (-9.4 ± 2.4%, P = 0.006) and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-c) (-8.1 ± 3.0%, P = 0.013). There were no significant changes on the oxidation biomarkers evaluated. CONCLUSION: Dietary supplementation of mildly hypercholesterolemic subjects with baru almonds improved serum lipid parameters, so that this food might be included in diets for reducing the CVD risk. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY: Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBEC) (website: http://www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br). Register number: RBR-4zdy9p.

Influence of trough versus pasture feeding on average daily gain and carcass characteristics in ruminants: a meta-analysis.

Quantitative meta-analysis was run on 108 publications featuring 116 experiments and 399 treatments dealing with the effect of trough or pasture feeding environment (FE) on ruminant performances. The objective was to compare the effect of trough or pasture FE on ADG, diet OM digestibility (OMD), various carcass characteristics, and the interaction between FE and complementation modalities. Live weight was adjusted to compare results between species. Results showed that trough-fed animals had higher ADG (+17.89%; P < 0.001), hot carcass yield (HYield; + 2.47%; P < 0.001) and carcass fat content (+ 24.87%; P < 0.001) than pasture-fed animals but lower carcass muscle and bone percentages (-1.60% [P = 0.010] and -7.63% [P = 0.003], respectively). Feeding environment had no effect on diet OMD (P = 0.818), but the number of observations was low. After considering the addition or not of concentrate in the diet (addiCO), FE effect persisted on ADG (P = 0.024) and carcass fat content (P = 0.027) but not on HYield (P = 0.078) or muscle and bone percentages (P = 0.119 and P = 0.581, respectively). After considering the nature of the concentrate (natCO), FE effect persisted on ADG (P < 0.001) and HYield (P = 0.004). Considering the percentage of concentrate in the diet (PCO) erased FE effect on ADG (P = 0.891) and HYield (P = 0.128). In contrast, considering the quantity of concentrate(QCO) erased FE effect on ADG (P = 0.084) but not on HYield (P = 0.006) or on carcass fat and muscle contents (P = 0.040 and P = 0.040, respectively) although the FE effect on carcass bone content persisted (P = 0.550). Animal species and physiological stage had no effect on any of the variables studied (P > 0.05) but experiment did (P ≤ 0.001). The increase in ADG was positively correlated to HYield in cattle (P = 0.002) and small ruminants (P = 0.003) and positively linked to carcass fat content (P = 0.007) but not carcass muscle content, which actually decreased (P = 0.001). Overall, this meta-analysis confirmed previous reports of FE effects and revealed how the differences generally reported result from a confounding effect of FE and nature of the diet. Indeed, in most of the studies used, trough-fed animals were supplemented with concentrate whereas pasture-fed animals were not. This research also highlighted the fact that pasture-fed animals have the potential to achieve the same performances as trough-fed animals when fed a similar diet.

Non-carious cervical lesions: influence of morphology and load type on biomechanical behaviour of maxillary incisors.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to measure the effect of simulating two different loads on maxillary incisors displaying eight morphological types of non-carious cervical lesions, unrestored and restored with an adhesive restoration, by quantifying the stress distributions generated using finite element analysis. METHODS: Virtual models of maxillary incisors were generated using the CAD software (RhinoCeros). After composing virtual dental and supporting structures with and without non-carious cervical lesions, each model was meshed using a control mesh device (ANSYS Finite Element Analysis Software). All of the virtual models were subjected to two load types, oblique load and vertical load, to simulate occlusal forces of 100 N each. Comparisons were made between simulated teeth with non-carious cervical lesions, with and without composite resin restorations, and a simulated sound tooth. Data summarizing the stress distributions were obtained in MPa using von Mises criteria. RESULTS: Oblique loading on simulated non-carious cervical lesions resulted in greater stress concentration compared with vertical loading, and non-carious cervical lesions with acute angles displayed higher stress concentrations at the depth of the lesion. Restoring the lesions with an adhesive restoration, such as composite resin, appeared to overcome this stress concentration. CONCLUSIONS: Restoring NCCLs with adhesive restorative materials, such as a nanohybrid composite resin, appears to recover the biomechanical behaviour similar to sound teeth.

Effects of feeding system and slaughter age on the growth and carcass characteristics of tropical-breed steers.

This study aimed to compare the growth performances and carcass characteristics of tropical-breed steers reared in 2 contrasted feeding systems (indoor vs. pasture) and slaughtered at different ages (early vs. late). A total of 309 Creole steers (growing at an initial BW of 173 ± 3 kg and an initial age of 252 ± 4 d) were used over a continuous 12-yr study. Indoor steers were housed in a cattle shed, fed fresh-cut grass plus concentrate, and slaughtered at 14.5 or 17.1 ± 0.1 mo of age. Pasture steers were pasture grazed without supplemental feed, and slaughtered at 17.6 and 21.2 ± 0.1 mo of age. Indoor-fed steers had a greater ADG (786 vs. 517 ± 29 g•d(-1); P < 0.0001) and more carcass fat (164 vs. 145 ± 4.5 g•kg(-1); P = 0.001) than pasture-fed steers. Late-slaughtered steers had decreased ADG (630 vs. 673 ± 27 g•d(-1); P = 0.001) but greater dressing percentages (hot dressing percentage = 55.7 vs. 54.7 ± 0.34%; chilled dressing percentage = 54.5 vs. 53.4 ± 0.34%; P < 0.0001) than early-slaughtered steers. The interaction between feeding system and slaughter age was significant for carcass tissue composition. Whole-carcass muscle content was greater in late-slaughtered steers than early-slaughtered steers, especially in pasture-fed steers (720 vs. 698 ± 6.0 g•kg(-1); P < 0.0001), but less so in indoor-fed steers (707 vs. 700 ± 5.9 g•kg(-1); P = 0.046). Furthermore, increasing slaughter age had no effect on carcass fat in indoor-fed steers (162 vs. 166 ± 4.8 g•kg(-1); P = 0.342), but decreased carcass fat in pasture-fed steers (150 vs. 140 ± 5.0 g•kg(-1); P = 0.014). The results showed that slaughter age and feeding system are 2 major factors that independently affect most of the growth and carcass traits of tropical-breed steers but jointly influence tissue deposition. Our study found that in tropical-breed steers that are grazing, late slaughtering grazing steers increased carcass muscle content without extra fat, thus yielding a carcass quality better suited to consumer choices.

Economic values of body weight, reproduction and parasite resistance traits for a Creole goat breeding goal.

A specific breeding goal definition was developed for Creole goats in Guadeloupe. This local breed is used for meat production. To ensure a balanced selection outcome, the breeding objective included two production traits, live weight (BW11) and dressing percentage (DP) at 11 months (the mating or selling age), one reproduction trait, fertility (FER), and two traits to assess animal response to parasite infection: packed cell volume (PCV), a resilience trait, and faecal worm eggs count (FEC), a resistance trait. A deterministic bio-economic model was developed to calculate the economic values based on the description of the profit of a Guadeloupean goat farm. The farm income came from the sale of animals for meat or as reproducers. The main costs were feeding and treatments against gastro-intestinal parasites. The economic values were 7.69€ per kg for BW11, 1.38€ per % for FER, 3.53€ per % for DP and 3 × 10(-4)€ per % for PCV. The economic value for FEC was derived by comparing the expected profit and average FEC in a normal situation and in an extreme situation where parasites had developed resistance to anthelmintics. This method yielded a maximum weighting for FEC, which was -18.85€ per log(eggs per gram). Alternative scenarios were tested to assess the robustness of the economic values to variations in the economic and environmental context. The economic values of PCV and DP were the most stable. Issues involved in paving the way for selective breeding on resistance or resilience to parasites are discussed.

Early profiles of clinical evolution after intravenous thrombolysis in an unselected stroke population.

BACKGROUND: Intravenous recombinant tissular plasminogen activator (rt-PA) is the only approved pharmacological treatment for acute ischaemic stroke. The authors aimed to analyse potential causes of the variable effect on early course and late outcome. METHODS AND RESULTS: 136 patients (42% women, 58% men) treated with intravenous rt-PA within 3 h of stroke onset in an acute stroke unit over a 3-year period, were included. Early clinical profiles of evolution at 48 h were divided into clinical improvement (CI) (decrease >4 points in the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)); clinical worsening (CW) (increase >4 points NIHSS); clinical worsening after initial improvement (CWFI) (variations of >4 points in the NIHSS). Patients with clinical stability (no NIHSS modification or <4 points) were excluded. The patients showed in 66.9% CI, 13.2% CW 8.1 % CWFI and 11.8% remained stable. Female sex, no hyperlipaemia and peripheral arterial disease were associated with CW. Male sex and smoking were associated with CI. Absence of arterial occlusion on admission (28.4%) and arterial recanalisation at 24 h were associated with CI. Main causes of clinical deterioration included symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage (sICH), persistent occlusion and cerebral oedema. 23.5% developed ICH, 6.6% of which had sICH. At 3 months, 15.5% had died. Mortality was increased in CW, mainly related to sICH and cerebral oedema. The outcome of CWFI was intermediate between CW and CI. CONCLUSIONS: Early clinical profiles of evolution in thrombolysed patients vary considerably. Even with CI, it is critical to maintain vessel permeability to avoid subsequent CW.

Production systems of Creole goat and their implications for a breeding programme.

The Creole goat is a local meat breed well adapted to the tropical environment of Guadeloupe, a French island in the Caribbean. A survey of 47 goat farmers was conducted in May 2008 to describe the Guadeloupean goat farming systems. It was the preliminary step for the implementation of a breeding programme for Creole goats. Farmers had 31 does on average. A small number (4%) kept only Creole goats. Most of them (62%) had a mixed herd of Creole and crossbreds. One-third of them (34%) reared only crossbred goats. Farmers appreciate the rusticity and resistance of the Creole goat but consider its growth as too slow. The most desired traits for goat selection were conformation and growth for males (77% of the answers). These traits were also important for females (30% of the answers). Maternal qualities were also frequently cited (maternal behaviour 23%, reproduction 20% and milk production 17%). Disease resistance was not seen as an important trait (10% and 7% of the answers for bucks and does, respectively). A typology constituted of five groups of farmers was also created. Farmers of three groups were retained to participate at a selection programme. They kept Creole goats and have expressed a strong willingness to join a selection programme. The results of the survey suggest that a breeding programme should mostly focus on the Creole goat as a maternal breed. Real consideration should be given to disease resistance. The Creole goat has indeed a key role to play in the sustainability of local farming systems.

Goat farming systems in Martinique: management and breeding strategies.

To be successful, initiatives to improve farmer's goat production should directly address the needs and objectives of the keepers while promoting rational use of local genetic resources. A survey was carried out to implement a genetic policy governing meat goat farming in Martinique (11,400 heads and 33,400 ha arable land). The questionnaire comprised a total of 27 items with 306 modalities, and included questions on farm structure, crop and animal productions, management of feeding, reproduction and health control. The sample consisted of 33 farmers with 644 ha and 2,680 goats (1,286 does and 52 bucks), 97% of does in the studied sample were crossbred, 56% of bucks were" imported" breeds (Boer or Anglo-Nubian). The number of goats per farm varied from 16 to 582. The feeding system was predominantly grazing, according to a rotation (55% of cases) or continuous grazing system (42%). On 62% of farms, the males remained with the females permanently, also 83% of farmers did not resort to methods of controlled-mating. The first criteria used for choosing animals (80 to 90% of answers) of both sex, were development and conformation. Assuming that adaptive together with productive traits are important in tropical zones, it is advisable to better define the maternal lineage of the local livestock (presently very sparse records), to improve reproduction management and culling strategies (poor and inadequate management practices do not support any genetic improvement programme), and to guide the farmers in their decisions by employing concerted interprofessional actions (choice of meat breed, market studies).

Progression of vascular calcifications is associated with greater bone loss and increased bone fractures.

UNLABELLED: In this prospective study, we found a positive relationship between the prevalence of aortic calcifications and age. Aortic calcifications at baseline were positively associated with osteoporotic fractures. In addition, progression of aortic calcifications was also positively associated with the rate of decline in BMD at lumbar spine. INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between the progression of abdominal aortic calcification and osteoporosis in a Spanish cohort of men and women older than 50. METHODS: Men and women (n=624) aged 50 and over underwent two lateral X-rays of thoracic and lumbar spine and a dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) study at lumbar spine and hip, and were followed during 4 years. Abdominal aortic calcifications were classified as absent, mild-moderate and severe. RESULTS: There was a positive relationship between the prevalence of aortic calcifications and age. In both sexes, prevalent severe aortic calcifications were positively associated with prevalent osteoporotic fractures [odds ratio (OR)=1.93 (1.02-3.65)]. The association was stronger when only vertebral fracture was considered [OR=2.45 (1.23-4.87)]. In addition, progression of aortic calcifications showed a positive association with the rate of decline in bone mineral density (BMD) at lumbar spine. CONCLUSIONS: Aortic calcifications at baseline were positively associated with osteoporotic fractures. The progression of aortic calcifications was also positively associated with the rate of decline in BMD at lumbar spine.

Oral candidiasis treatment with Brazilian ethanol propolis extract.

The Brazilian commercial ethanol propolis extract, also formulated to ensure physical and chemical stability, was found to inhibit oral candidiasis in 12 denture-bearing patients with prosthesis stomatitis candidiasis association.

Determinants of incidence of osteoporotic fractures in the female Spanish population older than 50.

It is well known that the adoption of preventive measures for osteoporosis may contribute to minimizing its impact as a result of bone fractures. However, there are well-recognized risk factors involved in the onset of osteoporosis that are not possible to modify. Better knowledge of these non-modifiable factors could aid prevention in subjects at high risk of fractures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the likely association between gynecological, reproductive and family history of hip fracture with the incidence of vertebral and nonvertebral osteoporotic fractures in women older than 50. We studied 255 women aged 50 and over, randomly selected from a Spanish population that had participated in a study of prevalence of vertebral fractures (EVOS study). This cohort was prospectively followed for 8 years by means of four postal questionnaires, in order to find out the incidence of nonvertebral fractures. Concerning the incidence of vertebral fractures, participants were invited to repeat the lumbar spine X-rays 4 years after the initial study. A total of 31 women had incident osteoporotic fractures. The analysis of gynecological variables showed that an increase in the age at menarche was a risk factor for all incident osteoporotic fractures [OR=1.57 (1.04-2.37)]. The presence of amenorrhea at any age during the fertile period was associated with higher incidence of all osteoporotic fractures [OR=6.30 (1.61-24.70)]. Among all the reproductive variables analyzed (pregnancy, number of live births and breast-feeding) only pregnancy was an important protective factor in preventing incident Colles fracture [OR=0.15 (0.03-0.62)]. A family history of hip fracture was associated with a higher incidence of all osteoporotic fractures [OR=3.59 (1.01-12.79)]. In summary, a late age at menarche, the presence of amenorrhea and having close relatives with hip fracture were all risk factors which, independently of bone mineral density (BMD) and age, were associated with higher incidence of all osteoporotic fractures. Pregnancy was an important protective factor for the incidence of Colles fractures.

Prevalence of osteoporosis in men and determinants of changes in bone mass in a non-selected Spanish population.

Osteoporotic studies conducted exclusively in men have been limited by the discrepancies in defining densitometric osteoporosis and, also, because osteoporosis has traditionally been associated only with women. The aims of this study were to describe the prevalence of low bone mineral density (BMD) and osteoporotic fractures as well as the rate of bone loss. The analysis of some risk factors for accelerated bone loss was also evaluated. Men aged 50 years and over, randomly selected from the Oviedo municipal register (n = 308), completed a questionnaire regarding risk factors related to osteoporosis; they underwent two lateral radiographs of the dorsal and lumbar spine and a dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) study at the lumbar spine and hip. In the 4th year of the follow-up period, participants were invited to undergo repeats of the same tests that had been carried out in the initial study. The prevalence of densitometric osteoporosis in men older than 50 years, standardized by age, was 8.1% with regard to at least one of the four studied bone areas, with a slight increase with age. The prevalence of osteoporotic fracture, standardized by age, was 24.4%, with a marked increase with age. Osteoporotic prevalent fracture was independently associated only with the rate of change in lumbar spine BMD. From all the osteoporotic risk factors analyzed, only low milk consumption and regular smoking were independently associated with loss of bone mass. In summary, prevalent osteoporotic fracture was independently associated with the rate of change in the lumbar spine BMD but not in the other segments studied. Avoiding smoking and ensuring an adequate milk intake might prevent the loss of bone mass in men.

Predominant African-derived mtDNA in Caribbean and Brazilian Creole cattle is also found in Spanish cattle (Bos taurus).

African-derived mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have been described in South American and Caribbean native cattle populations, which could have been introduced into America from Iberia or by direct importation from Africa. However, the similarity among described haplotypes is not known. We examined mtDNA variation in Guadeloupe Creole and Spanish cattle in an attempt to identify African-derived mtDNA haplotypes and compare them with those previously described. Eleven haplotypes clustered into the European taurine haplogroup (T3), two haplotypes into the African taurine (T1) haplogroup, and three haplotypes into the African-derived American haplogroup (AA). The AA1 and Eucons haplotypes were the most frequently observed. The presence of the AA haplogroup in Spanish cattle confirms historical records and genetic evidence of Iberian cattle as the main source of American native cattle origin. The possible origin of African-derived mitochondrial haplotypes in Iberian and Creole cattle is discussed, and the accumulated evidence does not support a founder effect from African ancestral cattle by direct importations. The presence of taurine AA and T3 haplotypes in Brazilian Nellore may indicate introgression by local European-derived cattle. Data presented in this work will contribute to the understanding of the origin of Guadeloupe Creole cattle.

Back pain, disability, and radiographic vertebral fracture in European women: a prospective study.

Vertebral fractures are associated with back pain and disability. There are, however, few prospective data looking at back pain and disability following identification of radiographic vertebral fracture. The aim of this analysis was to determine the impact of radiographically identified vertebral fracture on the subsequent occurrence of back pain and disability. Women aged 50 years and over were recruited from population registers in 18 European centers for participation in the European Prospective Osteoporosis Study. Participants completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire which included questions about back pain in the past year and various activities of daily living, and they had lateral spine radiographs performed. Participants in these centers were followed prospectively and had repeat spine radiographs performed a mean of 3.7 years later. In addition they completed a questionnaire with the same baseline questions concerning back pain and activities of daily living. The presence of prevalent and incident vertebral fracture was defined using established morphometric criteria. The data were analyzed using logistic regression with back pain or disability (present or absent) at follow-up as the outcome variable with adjustment made for the baseline value of the variable. The study included 2,260 women, mean age 62.2 years. The mean time between baseline and follow-up survey was 5.0 years. Two hundred and forty participants had prevalent fractures at the baseline survey, and 85 developed incident fractures during follow-up. After adjustment for age, center, and the baseline level of disability, compared with those without baseline prevalent fracture, those with a prevalent fracture (odds ratio [OR] = 1.4; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0 to 2.0) or an incident fracture (OR = 1.7; 95% CI, 0.9 to 3.2) were more likely to report disability at follow-up, though the confidence intervals embraced unity. Those with both a prevalent and incident fracture, however, were significantly more likely to report disability at follow-up (OR = 3.1; 95% CI, 1.4 to 7.0). After adjustment for age, center, and frequency of back pain at baseline, compared with those without baseline vertebral fracture, those with a prevalent fracture were no more likely to report back pain at follow-up (OR = 1.2; 95% CI, 0.8 to 1.7). There was a small increased risk among those with a preexisting fracture who had sustained an incident fracture during follow-up (OR = 1.6; 95% CI, 0.6 to 4.1) though the confidence intervals embraced unity. In conclusion, although there was no significant increase in the level of back pain an average of 5 years following identification of radiographic vertebral fracture, women who suffered a further fracture during follow-up experienced substantial levels of disability with impairment in key physical functions of independent living.

Health-related quality of life and radiographic vertebral fracture.

BACKGROUND: Vertebral fractures are associated with back pain and disability; however, relatively little is known about the impact of radiographic vertebral fractures on quality of life in population samples. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of a recent radiographic vertebral fracture on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). METHODS: Men and women aged 50 years and over were recruited from population registers in 12 European centers. Subjects completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire and had lateral spine radiographs performed. Subjects in these centers were followed prospectively and had repeat spinal radiographs performed a mean of 3.8 years later. Prevalent deformities were defined using established morphometric criteria, and incident vertebral fractures by both morphometric criteria and qualitative assessment. For each incident fracture case, three controls matched for age, gender, and center were selected: one with a prevalent deformity (at baseline) and two without prevalent deformities. All subjects were interviewed or completed a postal questionnaire instrument which included Short Form 12 (SF-12), the EQ-5D (former EuroQol), and the quality of life questionnaire of the International Osteoporosis Foundation (QUALEFFO). The median time from the second spinal radiograph until the quality of life survey was 1.9 years. Comparison between cases and their matched controls was undertaken using the signed rank test. RESULTS: 73 subjects with incident vertebral fracture (cases), mean age 64.8 years (of whom 23 had a baseline deformity), and 196 controls, mean age 63.9 years (of whom 60 had a baseline deformity), were studied. There were strong correlations between the domain scores for each of the three instruments. There was no statistically significant difference in any of the domain scores between cases and those controls with a prevalent deformity. However, compared with the controls without a prevalent deformity the cases had significantly impaired quality of life as determined using the total QUALEFFO score (38.2 vs 33.7), the physical component score of the SF-12 (39.9 vs 43.7) and the health status score of the EQ-5D (62.3 vs 69.9). When the analysis was repeated after stratification of the cases by baseline deformity status (i.e., cases with and without a prevalent deformity at baseline), cases with a prevalent deformity had impaired quality of life compared with their matched controls, both with and without a prevalent deformity. In contrast there was no significant difference in quality of life among the cases without a prevalent deformity and either control group. CONCLUSIONS: In this population-based study a recent vertebral fracture was associated with impairment in quality of life, though this was mainly among those who had sustained a previous vertebral deformity.

The effect of vertebral fracture as a risk factor for osteoporotic fracture and mortality in a Spanish population.

There is little data concerning the morbidity, mortality, and epidemiology of vertebral fracture. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of prevalent and incident vertebral fractures as risk factors for further osteoporotic fractures and mortality. The study was performed on a cohort of 316 women and 308 men older than 50 belonging to the EVOS study, randomly selected from our city register. At the beginning of the study and 4 years later, lateral dorsal and lumbar X-rays were performed. In addition, evaluation of the incidence of osteoporotic nonvertebral fractures was performed throughout 8 years. The incidence of all osteoporotic fractures was higher in women than in men (two-fold increase in vertebral fracture incidence and five-fold increase in Colles' and femur incidence). Vertebral fracture was a strong risk factor for a new vertebral fracture [RR=4.7 (1.8-11.9)], hip fracture [RR=6.7 (2.0-22.7)] and Colles' fracture [RR=3.0 (1.1-7.8)]. Prevalent and incident vertebral fractures were associated with a higher risk of having a hip fracture [RR=10.0 (2.0-50.2)] and Colles' fracture [RR=5.5 (1.3-23.4)]. In addition, in women, the vertebral fracture was associated with a higher mortality. By contrast, no association was found in men. These results demonstrate the association between a previous vertebral fracture with increments in the incidence of osteoporotic fractures of any type. In addition, we found a significantly higher mortality rate in women having vertebral fractures. These findings support the necessity of preventing the occurrence of vertebral fractures to limit their strong negative impact on mortality.

Hormonal replacement therapy in an animal model with chronic renal failure and ovariectomy: biochemical and densitometric study.

BACKGROUND: In spite of estrogen replacement therapy being extensively used in clinical and experimental studies without renal impairment, there are no long-term studies concerning estrogen replacement in chronic renal failure. METHODS: In this experimental study, six groups of nephrectomized and ovariectomized animals were treated with different doses of 17beta-estradiol, alone or in combination with calcitriol, to evaluate the effect of these treatments on bone metabolism. RESULTS: Biochemical results showed that estrogen alone did not have any effect neither on calcium nor on PTH serum levels. By contrast, in the groups treated with calcitriol, the levels of serum calcium were significantly higher, and the levels of iPTH were significantly lower than those observed in the control group. Animals receiving the combined treatment with estrogen and calcitriol showed the greater gain in uterus weight and a better bone mineral density at the lumbar site and the proximal and distal tibia sites. CONCLUSION: The combination of estrogen and calcitriol is the most effective therapy to prevent bone mass loss in animals with chronic renal failure and estrogen deprivation.

Juvenile xanthogranuloma: case report with immunohistochemical identification of early and late cytomegalovirus antigens.

Juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG) is a dermatological condition of unknown etiology that rarely affects the oral mucosa. There are conflicting reports suggesting that it may represent a reactive virally-induced lesion associated with cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. The present paper reports an additional case of oral JXG and discusses its possible association with CMV infection. The biotin-streptavidin system was used to detect early and late CMV antigens. Positive immunolabelling for both antigens was demonstrated in some histiocytes in the lesion. These findings suggest that JXG may be associated with CMV infection.