Higher Vitamin D Levels Associated With Improved Lower Extremity Function

"Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) concentrations higher than 40 nmol/L are associated with improved lower extremity function in ambulatory patients aged 60 years and older, regardless of activity level, sex, age, race or ethnicity, and calcium intake, according to the results of a population-based survey published in the September issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
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Adjusting Enoxaparin by Weight for DVT Prophylaxis

"Enoxaparin sodium is a subcutaneously (SC) administered low-molecular-weight heparin approved in the United States for the inpatient or outpatient treatment of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in place of standard heparin infusion. It may also be used as DVT prophylaxis in patients undergoing general or orthopaedic surgery. The standard prophylactic dose of enoxaparin for orthopaedic surgery is 30 mg SC twice daily with the initial dose administered within 12-24 hours of surgery, or 40 mg once daily with the initial dose administered within 9-15 hours before surgery and continuing for 7-10 days or until the risk of DVT has diminished. For major general surgery, the recommended dose is 40 mg SC once daily with initial dose given 2 hours before surgery and continuing for about 7-10 days. Although there is no approved dose for weight-based enoxaparin for use as DVT prophylaxis, I would not recommend exceeding 0.5 mg/kg every 12 hours."

Ramipril Reduces Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Patients Without Heart Failure

"The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor ramipril decreases risk of sudden cardiac arrest and nonfatal serious arrhythmic events in patients without left ventricular dysfunction, according to an analysis of the Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation (HOPE) trial results published in the Sept. 14 issue of Circulation and posted online Sept. 7 as a rapid access publication"

Long-Term Safety of Low Carbohydrate Diet Questioned

"Too many questions remain unanswered regarding the long-term effects of low carbohydrate diets for clinicians to recommend them to their patients, according to a paper in the September 4th issue of The Lancet."

Drinking in Middle Age Linked to Cognitive Impairment

"People who drink alcohol frequently in middle age are twice as likely as less regular drinkers to develop mild cognitive impairment in later life, a report in this week's British Medical Journal shows."