(1) Background: both sarcopenia and osteoporosis are major health problems in postmenopausal women. The aim of the study was to evaluate the quality of life (QoL) and the associated factors for sarcopenia in osteoporotic postmenopausal women, diagnosed according to EWGSOP2 criteria. (2) Methods: the study sample comprised 122 osteoporotic postmenopausal women with low hand grip strength and was divided into two groups: group 1 (probable sarcopenia) and group 2 (sarcopenia). QoL was assessed using the validated Romanian version of SarQol questionnaire. (3) Results: the D1, D4, D5, D7 and total SarQoL scores were significantly lower in women from group 2 compared to group 1. In group 2, women older than 70 years had significant lower values for D1, D3, D4, D6 and total SarQoL scores. Age, history of falls and the presence of confirmed and severe sarcopenia were predictors for overall QoL. (4) Conclusions: the frequency of sarcopenia was relatively high in our sample, with body mass index and history of falls as predictors for sarcopenia. Older osteoporotic postmenopausal women, with previous falls and an established sarcopenia diagnosis (low muscle strength and low muscle mass), were more likely to have a decreased quality of life.

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Topical anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is of major interest because of their fewer side effects compared to oral therapy. The purpose of this study was to prepare different types of topical formulations (ointments and gels) containing synthetic and natural anti-inflammatory agents with different excipients (e.g.,: surfactants, gel-forming) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The combination of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), diclofenac sodium, a topical analgesic agent methyl salicylate, and a lyophilized extract of Calendula officinalis with antioxidant effect were used in our formulations. The aim was to select the appropriate excipients and dosage form for the formulation in order to enhance the diffusion of active substances and to certify the antioxidant, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory effects of these formulations. To characterize the physicochemical properties of the formulations, rheological studies, and texture profile analysis were carried out. Membrane diffusion and permeability studies were performed with Franz-diffusion method. The therapeutic properties of the formulations have been proven by an antioxidant assay and a randomized prospective study that was carried out on 115 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The results showed that the treatment with the gel containing diclofenac sodium, methyl salicylate, and lyophilized Calendula officinalis as active ingredients, 2-propenoic acid homopolymer (Synthalen K) as gel-forming excipient, distilled water, triethanolamine, and glycerol had a beneficial analgesic and local anti-inflammatory effect.

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Duplications of chromosome 8p lead to rare genetic conditions characterized by variable phenotypes. 8p21 and 8p23 duplications were associated with mental retardation but only 8p23 duplication was associated with heart defects. 8p22→ p21.3 duplications were associated with an autism spectrum disorder in several cases. We present a rare case with a de novo duplication of the entire 8p21.3→ p23.3 region, documented by karyotype, FISH, and array CGH, with t(4;8)(q35;p21.3) translocation in a 7 years-old girl. She was referred for genetic counseling at the age of 20 months due to mild dysmorphic facial features, psychomotor retardation, and a noncyanotic heart defect. Another examination carried out at the age of 5 years, enabled the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Upon re-examination after two years she was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, liminal intellect with cognitive disharmony, delay in psychomotor acquisitions, developmental language delay, an instrumental disorder, and motor coordination disorder. Cytogenetic analysis using GTG technique revealed the following karyotype: 46,XX,der(4),t(4;8)(q35;p21.3). The translocation of the duplicated 8pter region to the telomeric region 4q was confirmed by FISH analysis (DJ580L5 probe). Array CGH showed: arr[GRCh37]8p23.3p21.3(125733_22400607)×3. It identified a terminal duplication, a 22.3 Mb copy number gain of chromosome 8p23.3-p21.3, between 125,733 and 22,400,607. In this case, there is a de novo duplication of a large chromosomal segment, which was translocated to chromosome 4q. Our report provides additional data regarding neuropsychiatric features in chromosome 8p duplication. The phenotypic consequences in our patient allow clinical-cytogenetic correlations and may also reveal candidate genes for the phenotypic features.