Bone Abstracts

High resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) in combination with micro finite element analysis (μFEA) is a promising tool to assess longitudinal changes in bone mechanical properties during the fracture healing process in the distal radius. In the present study we investigate if these changes can be detected as well when using images with lower resolutions, comparable to clinical QCT images.Postmenopausal women with a stable...

Titanium (Ti) surface with nanotopography induces osteoblast differentiation, at least in part, by upregulating the expression of α1/β1 integrins. Thus, we hypothesized that other potential candidates from the integrin signalling pathway may be involved in the osteogenic potential of nanotopography. In this context, the aim of this study was to compare the expression of integrin family members of cells grown on nanotopography with machined surface. Machined Ti discs ...

Activins belong to the transforming growth factor-β superfamily, and they regulate bone formation by controlling both osteoclast and osteoblast behaviour. We have previously shown that activin-A strongly inhibited matrix mineralization in osteoblast cultures, and that activin A-signalling was most effective before the onset of mineralization.The aim of this study was therefore to investigate how an early activin-A pulse affected osteoblast mineraliz...

Osteoclasts resorb bone matrix through a specific adhesion structure called the sealing zone or actin ring, which is based on a belt of podosome. Much remains to be uncovered regarding the molecular mechanisms driving podosome organization into superstructures in particular the osteoclast podosome belt. Proteomic analyses in osteoclasts revealed the adaptor protein tensin 3 as a partner of Dock5, a Rac exchange factor necessary for podosome belt formation and bone resorption. ...

Osteoclasts are multinucleated bone-resorbing cells and can be cultured from different monocytic precursors. It is unknown whether osteoclasts derived from different precursors are phenotypically different. One of the aspects not known is the life span of the different osteoclasts and the effect of IL-1β hereupon. Here, we studied this using time-lapse microscopy. Bone marrow cells were isolated from 6-week-old male mice. Early blasts (CD31hiLy-6C-),...

Background: Osteoclasts (OCs) are bone-degrading cells that differentiate from the monocyte/macrophage lineage. In human, three monocyte subsets have been identified: classical, intermediate and non-classical monocytes. We have previously demonstrated that comparable numbers of OCs can be generated from these subsets on plastic, but that the number of OCs significantly differs when the monocytes are cultured on bone. It is plausible that the observed differences are associated...

Background: An inadequate intake of nutrients, low levels of physical activity, and chronic diseases contribute to reduce muscle mass and physical performance in elderly. WHO reported that number of individuals aged ≥60 years will triple in 2050, with the sub-population aged >85 years that will grow faster than the others. Market of nutraceuticals and dietary supplements is growing in Italy, in particular aimed to improve health in elderly. Objective of this scoping ...

Background: Post-menopausal women generally present reduced serum levels of vitamin D, reduced VDR expression in skeletal muscle cells, and a gradual loss of muscle mass and muscle function. The relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D3] levels and muscle strength has been extensively investigated, even though there is no agreement in literature. Therefore, aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of vitamin D on 25(OH)D3 levels, muscle strength, and physica...

Introduction: Cranialfacial fibrous dysplasia (CFD) presents with pain, facial asymmetry and/or neurological complications. It has been suggested that patients with CFD respond favourably to treatment with bisphosphonates, by a decrease in pain and arrest of progression. Therefore, we performed a retrospective study of 56 patients with CFD in our center.Methods: We assessed clinical characteristics and disease course. Furthermore, clinical and biochemica...

Background: Bone involvement in patients with β-thalassemia is well known, but only few studies have analyzed bone microarchitecture and the prevalence of intervertebral disc calcifications (IDCs) in these patients. The aim of our study was to evaluate the bone quality in a group of patients with β-thalassemia in terms of geometry and microarchitecture properties; moreover, we evaluated the presence of IDCs in these patients.Material and method...