[Osteoporosis prevalence in Croatian males--the results of calcaneus ultrasound]. / Ucestalost osteoporoze u muskaraca u hrvatskoj--rezultati ultrazvucne denzitometrije petne kosti.

The aim of the study was to establish the normative QUS data in a healthy sample of Croatian males and estimate the prevalence of osteoporosis. A total of 1002 male participants, aged 20-99, were recruited in seven study centers (Zagreb, Ivanic-grad, Koprivnica, Sibenik, Pula, Slavonski Brod, Vukovar). In each subject broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA), speed of sound (SOS) and quantitative ultrasound index (QUI) of the calcaneus were measured using the Sahara ultrasound device. Significant declining with age was found for all three parameters (p < 0.001). The peak SOS (1562.8 +/- 28.5 m/s) and QUI (103.6 +/- 16.5) values were observed in the third decade, whereas the peak BUA value (86.2 +/- 19.2 db/MHz) was observed in the fourth decade of life. Using the World Health Organization diagnostic criteria for DXA the rates of osteoporosis in the males aged 50 and older were 5.8%, 3.4 and 4.2% for QUI, BUA, and SOS respectively. However, when we used the cut-off value of the T < or = -l.8, prevalence of osteoporosis in Croatian males older than 50 years was 16.2%, 11.7% and 17.2%.

Topical propranolol cream in treatment of superficial infantile hemangiomas: a literature review and 4 years of clinical experience.

The clinical efficacy and safety profile of propranolol 1% cream in treatment of superficial infantile hemangiomas (IHs) were determined in a preliminary randomized group of eight infants. Five boys and three girls, 3 to 12 months old, with an IHs superficial capillary type on the forehead, posterior side of the neck, forearm, abdomen, or posterior side of the trunk were examined at our outpatient clinic between 2011 and 2014. Topical propranolol was applied twice daily for 10 months with clinical evaluation and photographic documentation performed every 1 to 2 months. Size, texture, and color changes were monitored. Therapeutic efficacy was evaluated using the Archauer system: Grade I (bad) reduction in size < 25%, Grade II (medium) reduction between 26% and 50%, Grade III (good) reduction between 51% and 75%, and Grade IV (excellent) reduction > 75%. The majority of hemangiomas treated, 62.5%, achieved Grade IV. A Grade III outcome was noticed in one patient with an IH (12.5%) and Grade II in 25% of patients with IHs on the abdomen. The treatment was well tolerated without side effects, which indicates that topical application of 1% propranolol is a safe, effective, and cheap therapeutic option for treating superficial IHs.