Bone Abstracts

Metabolic bone disease (MBD) of prematurity is a well-recognized complication of preterm birth. Yet there is limited evidence for the optimal assessment, monitoring, and subsequent bone health management.Retrospective audit of 171 infants born <32 weeks’ gestation between November 2012 and January 2014 at three Monash Health neonatal units (Melbourne, Australia) was undertaken. Infants had mean gestational age (GA) 28.6±2.1 weeks and birth ...

Introduction: Insulin sensitising agents are reported to have a diverse range of effects on bone with metformin exerting positive effects and thiazolidinenediones (TZDs) exerting negative effects. 5’AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) plays a critical role in cellular energy homeostasis. It is widely expressed in the body and can be activated by metformin.Objective:: We investigated the role of AMPK pathway in mediating the effects of metformin on t...

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Breast cancer is the most frequent malignancy in women and frequently results in osteolytic bone metastases. Amino-bisphosphonates are a standard bone protective therapy and, similarly to statins, inhibit the mevalonate pathway that is crucial for posttranslational protein modifications (farnesylation and geranylation). Direct anti-tumor effects of amino-bisphosphonates and statins have been suggested but high concentrations are necessary to achieve meaningful effects. Our stu...

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...

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...

Background, subjects and methods: Vitamin D insufficiency in older people in the UK is common and may cause secondary hyperparathyroidism and bone loss. In a randomised, double blind intervention trial to optimise “Vitamin D status in Older People’ (VDOP) three oral dosages of vitamin D3 (12 kIU, 24 kIU or 48 kIU/month) were given for 12 months to 375 participants aged over 70 years (ANOVA) adjustment for covariables with results below presented in ascendi...

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.<...

Purpose: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare inflammatory rheumatic disease that has been associated with an increased risk of low bone mineral density (BMD). However, data on risk factors associated with bone loss in SSc are scarce. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of and the risk factors for low BMD in patients with SSc.Methods: Cross-sectional data of 61 patients with SSc were collected. BMD in the lumbar spine, total hip a...

We recruited 60 healthy volunteers ages 5 to 21 to perform scan-rescan precision tests on the XtremeCT II. Participants were positioned in a carbon fiber immobilization cast. iPad-based video content was used to facilitate motion-free compliance. Distal radius and tibia scans were acquired starting 2 mm proximal to the proximal margin of the growth plate or growth plate remnant. Diaphyseal radius and tibia scans were centered at an offset from the same landmark, corresponding ...