The effects of parathyroid hormone peptides on the peripheral skeleton of postmenopausal women. A systematic review.

Given current developments in anabolic therapy for bone, we wished to document the effects of the only currently available anabolic therapy, parathyroid hormone (PTH) peptides, on the peripheral skeleton of postmenopausal women. We undertook a systematic review of English articles using MEDLINE, Scopus and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (final update 28th March 2016). Additional studies were identified through searches of bibliographies. Studies included those comparing PTH peptides with placebo, with anti-osteoporotic treatments and in combination therapies. Participants had to be postmenopausal women and outcomes included areal or volumetric bone mineral density (BMD) and measurements of bone microarchitecture at peripheral sites, such as the forearm and tibia. Data were extracted independently and reviewed by EMcC and LMM. Data on study design were also collected for methodological risk of bias assessment. The heterogeneity between studies, regarding the drug dose and duration, and the site measured, prevented grouped meta-analysis. There were no significant differences in areal BMD between PTH peptides and placebo at peripheral skeletal sites at 12months. A decrease in aBMD occurred with PTH(1-34) (larger dose) and PTH(1-84) treatment at 18months follow-up in comparison to the placebo arms. Anti-resorptives seemed to attenuate losses of aBMD at peripheral sites when compared to PTH peptides monotherapy, likely mediated by lower cortical porosity. Finally, PTH peptides combined with bisphosphonates or denosumab attenuated peripheral BMD losses in comparison to PTH peptide monotherapy, with evidence of increased BMD at ultradistal peripheral sites when PTH(1-34) was combined with denosumab or hormone replacement therapy. This summary should act as a reference point for the comparison of new anabolic therapies, specifically in comparison to PTH(1-34)

A vitamin D, calcium and leucine-enriched whey protein nutritional supplement improves measures of bone health in sarcopenic non-malnourished older adults: The PROVIDE study

Alterations in musculoskeletal health with advanced age contribute to sarcopenia and decline in bone mineral density (BMD) and bone strength. This decline may be modifiable via dietary supplementation. To test the hypothesis that a specific oral nutritional supplement can result in improvements in measures of bone health. Participants (n 380) were participants of the PROVIDE study, a 13-week, multicenter, randomized, controlled, double-blind, 2 parallel-group study among non-malnourished older participants (≥ 65 years) with sarcopenia [determined by Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB; 0-12) scores between 4 and 9, and a low skeletal muscle mass index (SMI; skeletal muscle mass/BW × 100) ≤ 37% in men and ≤ 28% in women using bioelectric impedance analysis] Supplementation of a vitamin D, calcium and leucine-enriched whey protein drink that comprises a full range of micronutrients (active; 2/day) was compared with an iso-caloric control. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], parathyroid hormone (PTH), biochemical markers of bone formation (osteocalcin; OC, procollagen type 1 amino-terminal propeptide; P1NP) and resorption (carboxy-terminal collagen crosslinks; CTX), insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and total-body BMD were analysed pre- and post-intervention. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations increased from 51.1 ± 22.9 nmol/L (mean ± SD) to 78.9 ± 21.1 nmol/L in the active group (p < 0.001 vs. control). Serum PTH showed a significant treatment difference (p < 0.001) with a decline in the active group, and increase in the control group. Serum IGF-1 increased in the active group (p < 0.001 vs. control). Serum CTX showed a greater decline in the active group (p = 0.001 vs. control). There were no significant differences in serum OC or P1NP between groups during the intervention. Total body BMD showed a small (0.02 g/cm2; ~ 2%) but significant increase in the active group after supplementation (p = 0.033 vs. control). Consuming a vitamin D, calcium and leucine-enriched whey protein supplement for 13 weeks improved 25(OH)D, suppressed PTH and had small but positive effects on BMD, indicative of improved bone health, in sarcopenic non-malnourished older adults

Ozone as a Remediation technique for the treatment of Hydrocarbons in post-industrial sites in Glasgow

The study was designed to examine the feasibility of the use of ozone as a remediation technique for the treatment of soils contaminated with hydrocarbons. The site selected for study is a post-industrial site that has been identified for remediation and reuse for housing within the Glasgow region. The site is contaminated as a result of production and storage of aviation fuel with a range of hydrocarbons and derivatives including hexane, benzene, toluene and naphthalene presenting varying degrees of environmental and health risks if left untreated prior to the sites reuse. This study involves taking samples of soil from across the study site, treatment of the samples with ozone over a period of time within a purpose made reactor, and analysing the Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) content and composition utilising GC/FID. The level and nature of the TPH contamination will be tracked in order to allow a degradation profile for the aromatic and aliphatic compounds within the contamination to be identified. The impact of varying lengths of soil treatment with ozone on the microbial soil population will be assessed through the monitoring of respiration as an indicator of microbial activity within the soil with the aim of understanding the effects of the use of ozone remediation for this site and the impact it will have on the microbial population which potentially have a role to play in the sites remediation. The resulting data will be used to confirm the viability of ozone as a remediation technique for the site and from this conclusion a calculation for the optimum length of treatment for the site while considering the impact on the natural soil microbial population, depending upon hydrocarbon combination, will be determined. The study will also assess the viability of gravimetric techniques in general as a means of providing a low-cost method for assessing the effectiveness of ozone remediation and its potential for use within a non-laboratory based environment

Acceleration of tributyltin biodegradation by sediment microorganisms under optimized environmental conditions

The capability of a sediment culture (SED) and bacterial isolate Enterobacter cloacae strain TISTR1971 (B3) to degrade tributyltin (TBT) were optimized by biostimulation; respiration conditions, pH of the media and ambient temperature were studied for more efficient treatment process. Three respiration conditions were investigated; aerobic with/without aeration and anaerobic with 0.1 g NO3 L1. Among the three conditions, only aeration which provided excess dissolved oxygen, extensively improved the degradation, giving half-lives of 4.08 and 3.16 days for SED and B3, respectively. Variations in the pH of the media (pH 6, 7 and 7.5) moderately affected the degradation rate, mainly at the early stage of log phase. Appropriate pH increased bioavailability by altering Kd and Kow values, and characteristic of TBT. The shortest half-life for SED was 3.53 days at pH 7.5, and 3.10 days for B3 at pH 7. The study of ambient temperature indicated strong uncertainty of degradation from seasonal variation. The half-lives were minimised at 37 C (3.22 days) for SED and at 28 C (3.12 days) for B3. Significant variation was shown between 10 and 28 C, but slightly increased at the higher temperature. This suggests appropriate temperature control at 28 C for industrial scale treatment. Investigation of these factors together for the optimum conditions lead to modification of the environment, the consequence of which was more efficient biodegradation of TBT in contaminated sediment and water