.Low vitamin D levels increase the risk of type 2 diabetes in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Maturitas http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas. 2017.02.016 This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. Highlights This is the first meta-analysis to investigate the relationship between vitamin D and diabetes in older adults. The meta-analysis included 28,258 older adults, followed for over 7.7 years. Lower levels of vitamin D were associated with a 31% higher risk of future diabetes  After adjusting for 11 confounders, the risk of diabetes was 16% higher among older adults with low levels of vitamin D. ABSTRACT Low serum levels of 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) (hypovitaminosis D) is common in olderadults and associated with several negative outcomes. The association between hypovitaminosis D and diabetes in older adults is equivocal, however. We conducted a meta-analysis investigating if hypovitaminosis D is associated with diabetes in prospective studies among older participants. Two investigators systematically searched major electronic databases, from inception until 10/07/2016.The cumulative incidence of diabetes among groups was estimated according to serum 25OHD levels. Random effect models were used to assess the association between hypovitaminosis D and diabetes at follow-up. From 4,268 non-duplicate hits, 9 studies were included; these followed 28,258 participants with a mean age of 67.7 years for a median of 7.7 years. Compared with higher levels of 25OHD, lower levels of 25OHD were associated with a higher risk of developing diabetes (6 studies; n= 13,563; RR=1.31; 95% CI: 1.11-1.54; I 2 =37%). The findings remained significant after adjusting for a median of 11 potential confounders in all the studies available (9 studies; n=28,258; RR=1.17; 95% CI: 1.03-1.33; p=0.02; I 2 =0%). In conclusion, our data suggest that hypovitaminosis D is associated with an elevated risk of future diabetes in older people. Future 3 longitudinal studies are required and should seek to confirm these findings and explore potential pathophysiological underpinnings.

Prophylactic oxytocics should be offered routinely in the third stage of labor in all women. The prophylactic use of uterotonics should be individualized.

Radical trachelectomy (RT) can be performed vaginally or abdominally (laparotomic, laparoscopic or robotic). The aim of this systematic review was to compare all techniques in terms of surgical complications, disease recurrence and subsequent fertility/pregnancy outcomes. A total of 1293 RTs were analyzed (FIGO-stage: IA1–IIA). The most frequent surgical complications do not differ from the ones of radical hysterectomy. The recurrence risk is approximately 3% (range 0–16.8%). The majority of women conceive spontaneously: 284 pregnancies with 173 live births. The most frequent pregnancy complication was miscarriage and chorioamnionitis. RT appears to be a safe option for eligible women who intend to maintain their future pregnancy desire.

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Raloxifene is the only selective estrogen receptor modulator approved for long-term treatment in the prevention of osteoporotic fractures and for the reduction of invasive breast cancer risk in post-menopausal women. The demonstrated beneficial effects on bone and mammalian tissue led clinical and molecular research to focus mainly on these organs, giving less attention to all other systemic effects. The aim of this review was to evaluate all described systemic effects of raloxifene, investigating its molecular and tissutal mechanism of action. A literature research was carried out in electronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, ScienceDirect, and the Cochrane Library in interval time between 2000 and 2012. Outcomes were considered in relation to positive/adverse effects concerning bone metabolism, lipid metabolism, coagulation pattern, menopausal symptoms, breast cancer onset, and endometrial cancer onset. Raloxifene acts as an estrogen agonist or antagonist depending on the tissue. This feature is related to specific actions on at least 2 distinct estrogen receptors, whose proportions vary according to tissue type. Raloxifene is a drug for the treatment of osteoporosis and for the prevention of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer because it guarantees a safety profile on the endometrium. Raloxifene is furthermore an effective therapy in women with increased levels of plasma cholesterol. Raloxifene treatment shifts the coagulation pattern toward prothrombosis, and the patients should be exhaustively informed about the risks associated with therapy. Raloxifene does not show to affect memory and cognition. Finally, it is noteworthy that quality-of-life studies demonstrated some favorable effects of raloxifene.

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Background: The etiology of age-related olfactory loss is still unclear, but it has been claimed that polypharmacotherapy may contribute to olfactory dysfunction, particularly in the elderly, who are more likely to need multiple drugs. The present pilot study investigated the relationship between smell and the number and type of drugs taken in a group of elderly. Methodology: 50 elderly volunteers (≥65 years old) who were healthy from the sinonasal standpoint (SNOT 22<1) and had no cognitive impairments [Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) > 18] were administered the Screening 12 test® and tested on their n-butanol olfactory threshold. Their olfactory performance was then connected with the number and type of drugs participants used. Results: The mean age of the included volunteers was 74±7 years. No association emerged between odor identification and number of drugs taken. The number of drugs taken correlated directly with a worse olfactory threshold and with a worse MMSE score, meaning a worse cognitive status. Odor identification significantly worsened with age. Comparing those volunteers taking only one drug known to not influence olfaction with another subgroup of volunteers taking five or more drugs, it was evident that subjects taking only one drug scored significantly better in olfactory threshold test and MMSE, and marginally better in olfactory identification test. For what concerns the difference between male and female volunteers, no difference in olfactory test result was shown, both for threshold and identification. Univariate analysis showed a direct correlation between the consumption of calcium channel blockers, ß-blockers, acetylsalicylic acid and olfactory threshold, meaning a worse sense of smell. Acetylsalicylic acid also correlated inversely with odor identification, meaning again a worse sense of smell, and so did potassium-sparing diuretics. Multivariate analysis showed that MMSE scores correlated with a better sense of smell, that is a lower olfactory threshold, and that α-blockers and acetylsalicylic acid negatively affected olfactory threshold, meaning a worse sense of smell. Acetylsalicylic acid also correlated inversely with odor identification, meaning again a worse sense of smell. Conclusions: The number of drugs taken demonstrated to be significantly correlated with a worse olfactory threshold and worse MMSE. Larger studies on elderly volunteers are needed to confirm these preliminary findings.

The aim of this report was to define the best diagnostic and therapeutic approach when secondary amenorrhea is related to undiagnosed Asherman syndrome. We present a single case of secondary amenorrhea with a previous diagnosis of alterated hypothalamic-hypophysary regulation, with a component of ovarian function in probable reduction, which was evaluated in our department and resulted affected by Asherman's syndrome IV stage. We describe step by step the diagnosis and treatment of a previously misdiagnosed case of severe Asherman's syndrome. An appropriate diagnosis and adequate treatment are mandatory to allow menses and fertility to be restored when severe Asherman's syndrome occurs.