Bone Abstracts

Background: Bisphosphonates (BP) are widely used in osteoporosis treatment. By inhibiting the mevalonate pathway, bisphosphonates may affect cell function and survival, including the viability of tumor cells. Recently, a protective effect of bisphosphonates on breast cancer risk has been suggested by several studies, which were unable to exclude the possibility of a confounder effect due to low cumulative exposure to estrogen in osteoporotic women vs controls.<p class="abs...

Skeletogenesis is an intricate process controlled by numerous transcriptional factors, hormones and signalling pathways. Recently, microRNAs emerged as important players in skeletogenesis but, only few were identified and most of their targets remain unknown. Previous works showed that miR-199a-2/214 cluster is essential for skeletal development and that miR-214 inhibits bone formation in mammals. However, data regarding its skeletal role in other vertebrates is scarce and its...

Introduction: Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) is a major transcription factor essential for the regulation of osteoblast and chondrocyte differentiation, hence affecting skeletogenesis, bone and cartilage formation. The RUNX2 protein has unique consecutive polyglutamine and polyalanine repeats (Q/A) which are important for its transactivation function. Several variants within the RUNX2 gene have been implicated in osteoporosis and fracture susceptibility.<...

Introduction: Alcoholism can result in a compromised regenerative capacity of bone and delayed osteointegration of dental implants. One of the mechanisms is that the thereby overdosed all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), a main metabolite of alcohol, can significantly inhibit osteoblastogenesis. Bone morphogenetic proteins, potent osteinductive growth factors, can be applied to promote osteogenesis. We previously showed that heterodimerized BMP2/7 could promote osteoblastogenesis i...

Objective: This work investigated the changes of bone hip structural parameters in obese adolescents enrolled in a successful weight loss program.Methods: Thirty-one obese adolescents (age 13.61±1.27) enrolled in a 8-month weight loss program combining physical activity and nutrition were compared with normal-weight (NW) matched peers (age 15.9±0.43). Investigations were performed at baseline and 8 months. Bone geometric and strength indices we...

Objectives: Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is a rare hereditary disease, leading to deficits in bone and tooth mineralization, muscular as well as neurological abnormalities due to decreased enzymatic activity of the tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP, encoded by the alpl gene). In this project, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) will be established as a new and valuable animal model for HPP research. Consequently, endogenous TNAP expression should be analyzed in different zebrafi...

Introduction: Rickets is characterised by defective mineralisation of the growth plate and osteoid, caused by deficiency of vitamin-D and/or of dietary calcium. Rickets continues to be reported in the UK, especially in children from dark-skinned ethnic groups. Literature on the cost of management of rickets and cost-effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation is lacking worldwide.Methods: The analysis considers the cost-effectiveness of an intervention in...

Objectives: In the context of a lack of national consensus, the aim of this study was to identify the clinical impact of skull base imaging in children with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI).Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of case-notes and radiological images of children with severe, complex and atypical OI at a designated specialist centre, between 01/2012 and 08/2018. Patient demographics, clinical features at time of imaging and radiological...

Background and aims: Bone and joint infections like osteomyelitis and septic arthritis occur in ~3–12/100.000 children per year in high-income countries with predominance in males. The most common causative pathogen is Staphylococcus aureus, however, only in 50% pathogen detection succeeds. The aim of this study is to describe clinical characteristics of osteomyelitis and septic arthritis in children recruited within the EUCLIDS network (<a href="http://www.eucli...

Objectives: X-linked hypophosphataemia (XLH) is a rare inherited form of osteomalacia characterised by low blood phosphate levels which lead to inadequate mineralisation of bone and rickets. Burosumab is an anti-FGF23 fully human monoclonal-antibody, and the first treatment to target the underlying pathophysiology of XLH. Real-world evidence is important in validating the findings of clinical studies. We report relevant real-world biochemical data on children under five years ...