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BACKGROUND Osteoporosis is a global disease burden for aging society. The role of quantitative ultrasound (QUS) in the prediction for osteoporosis in a dose-response manner is hardly addressed. AIM We aimed to show the dose-response of QUS measurement in the prediction for osteoporosis by a community-based study. DESIGN A prospective cohort study. METHODS Participants were recruited between 2000 and 2004. Demographic data and heel QUS measurement were collected at baseline. Diagnosis of osteoporosis was ascertained by the follow-up of this cohort over time. In order to reduce the imbalance of baseline characteristics in the observational study, we applied propensity score by using proportional odds regression analysis to match the quintiles of QUS T-score. RESULTS A total of 44 957 subjects composed of 17 678 men (39.3%) and 27 279 women (69.7%) were recruited. After adjustments for propensity score, an increase in one unit of QUB T-score led to 7% reduction in the risk for osteoporosis [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.93, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.89-0.96, P

Orlistat is a gastrointestinal lipase inhibitor approved for use in obesity. So far, no evidence has been reported on the use of orlistat in obese patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).To investigate the effect of orlistat on body weight and lipid profiles in obese patients with CAD and hypercholesterolemia.Thirty non-diabetic patients with CAD, body mass index (BMI)or = 25 kg/m(2) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)or = 2.6 and4.1 mmol/L were put on diet for 12 weeks. Those still having a BMIor = 25 kg/m(2) received orlistat 120 mg thrice daily for another 24 weeks.BMI was significantly reduced by 1.7% after 12 weeks of dietary treatment. The 24-week orlistat treatment resulted in further significant reduction in BMI (-2.8%) and LDL-C (-7.0%).Diet and orlistat treatment significantly reduced BMI and improved LDL-C in obese patients with CAD and hypercholesterolemia.

The coronary artery is examined with angioscopy in addition to coronary arteriogram to evaluate the potential clinical benefit of angioscopy. Changes in the coronary artery can be visualized which might not have been recognized before.Coronary angioscopy was applied with Inoue coronary angioscope system, in cases with coronary artery disease. In case of angioplasty, a similar procedure was repeated after intervention.Twenty-one cases of coronary artery disease were examined with angioscopy. Successful visualization was obtained in 15 of them, with the rate to be 71.7%. The coronary angioscopy provided useful information about the coronary tree such as severity of atherosclerosis and integrity of endothelium and intraluminal thrombosis. Angioscopic change was even more remarkable after angioplastic intervention. Almost all cases had intimal abrasion. Damage to atheroma was observed in 77% of the cases, 38.5% had an intimal flap on dilatation site, and more thrombi were observed.Coronary angioscopic examination is valuable in the observation of coronary atherosclerosis and is especially helpful to evaluate cases of coronary angioplasty and to survey the results of therapy and severity of damage in the management of coronary artery stenosis.