Aims To see the effects of obesity on risk fracture, bone density (BMD), and vitamin D levels in a group of postmenopausal women, and consider how comorbid type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) modifies them. Methods 679 postmenopausal women were grouped into obese and non-obese. Obese women were grouped into those with T2DM and those without. 25(OH)-vitamin D, PTH and BMD were measured, and prevalent fragility fractures were gathered. Results Obese women had higher prevalence of T2DM, than non-obese women. Levels of 25(OH)-vitamin D were lower and those of PTH higher in obese women, BMD values were higher in obese women. Diabetic-obese women had a higher prevalence of non-vertebral fractures than non-diabetic-obese. Multivariate logistic regression model showed association of fragility fractures with age, total hip BMD, BMI and T2DM. Obese women have higher BMD and lower 25(OH)-vitamin D values (and higher PTH) than non-obese, without diabetes. Conclusions T2DM confers an increased risk of non-vertebral fractures in postmenopausal obese women.

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Yellow-bellied slider turtles (Trachemys scripta scripta) are increasingly being used as animal models for experimental purposes. The aim of this work was to generate some seasonal haematological information for captive yellow-bellied slider turtles as a useful and complementary tool for research trials. Blood samples from 30 healthy adult yellow-bellied turtles (13 males and 17 females) were obtained in winter and summer, and complete blood counts were performed. Within each season, the medians for males and females were compared using the Wilcoxon test for independent data. Likewise, the medians for both seasons were compared by means of the Wilcoxon test for paired data. All P-values were corrected using the Bonferroni multiple comparisons procedure. The concordance of the two methods used to determine the thrombocyte count (haemocytometer and smear estimation) was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficients. The effects of sex were not statistically significant in either season (Bonferroni correction). However, values of heterophils, lymphocytes, basophils, and thrombocytes (haemocytometer method), when compared between seasons, exhibited differences that remained statistically significant after Bonferroni correction. Whereas heterophils were the most numerous leukocytes in summer for both sexes, basophils were the most numerous leukocytes in winter. In addition, lymphocyte percentages were also higher in winter for both sexes. Smear thrombocyte estimations did not show any significant differences between sexes and between seasons. However, when using the haemocytometer method, summer values were significantly higher than winter ones. The concordance between the two methods for measuring the thrombocyte count was not statistically significant in winter, but there was significant concordance in summer. Although the two techniques can be complementary, we recommend smear estimation as an easier and more reliable method. The haematological values obtained in this study may be useful as a complementary profile for researchers carrying out experimental procedures with this turtle subspecies.

Objetive: Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is a recently reported disease whose origin and development are unknown, although prolonged bisphosphonate treatment has been attributed, among other causes. While ONJ is a localized condition, the action of bisphosphonates is widespread and affects all bones. No studies show the general bone status of patients with ONJ. Our study examines the general condition in patients with ONJ using quantitative measurements and qualitative estimates of bone by means of bone mineral density (BMD) and trabecular bone score (TBS) and ultrasound parameters in the calcaneus (QUS), along with other diseases and the taking of drugs (especially bisphosphonates) in patients with ONJ who may be involved in the pathogenesis. Material and method: Observational and cross-sectional study of cases and controls, conducted in 304 patients of both sexes, in which the case group (group I) was formed by 24 patients who had suffered ONJ. The control group (group II) contained 280 patients who did not present ONJ and who received bisphosphonates over at least 5 years for various reasons. All of them underwent bone densitometry (DXA, Hologic 4500 Discovery ®) in the lumbar spine and proximal femur. In addition, TBS measurements were made in the lumbar spine, as well as ultrasound parameters in the calcaneus (Hologic, Sahara ®) in the dominant foot (QUS). Results: Patients suffering ONJ presented greater comorbidity than controls, with a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, hyperthyroidism, heart disease, arrhythmias, heart failure and hypercholesterolemia. Therefore, the consumption of corticosteroids, (oral and inhaled), anticoagulants, hypnotics, bisphosphonates i.v. (zoledronate), and antineoplastic chemotherapy was also higher among patients with ONJ than control patients. However, among the patients with ONJ the percentage taking oral bisphosphonates was lower. Densitometric values (BMD measured in lumbar spine L2-L4, femoral neck and total hip) were higher in patients with ONJ compared to those in controls. The TBS showed no statistically significant differences between the two groups, and the ultrasound showed higher values of QUI and SOS in patients with ONJ than in controls. The prevalence of fragility fractures was similar in both groups. Conclusions: Patients with ONJ in our study presented greater comorbidity and a higher consumption of drugs than the patients in the control group, except for oral bisphosphonates. On the other hand, both BMD and ultrasound showed higher values in patients with ONJ than in controls. If we consider DXA as a technique for measuring the amount of bone mass, and TBS and calcaneal ultrasound estimating qualitative aspects of bone, we could assume that neither bone quantity nor quality in general seems to be affected in ONJ, and that its etiopathogenic mechanism is probably another. Oral bisphosphonates do not appear to be among the drugs involved in ONJ's origin and development, but the most potent and intravenously administered bisph...

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