Bone Abstracts

Introduction: Osteopenia and osteoporosis are osteometabolics disorders characterized by decreased bone mineral density (BMD) with deterioration of bone microarchitecture. Since the beginning of the space age, there was a growing interest in trying to reproduce on Earth an environment that could simulate the effects of microgravity to induce bone, a state of osteopenia. The aim of this study was to present a new osteopenia induction model through the full body suspension.<...

In order to examine metabolic and biophysical parameters arising from obesity, male rats were given to drinking 30% sucrose (p/v) for 8 weeks. During the experimental period, animals in the control group (C) consumed higher amounts of food and water, but the body mass was smaller than the group receiving sucrose (S). In this group, the caloric load given to the animals for eight weeks resulted in increased energy consumption, in glycemia and in plasma leptin and abdominal fat....

Introduction: Recently reported high incidences of hip fractures emphasize the need of more effective methods for osteoporosis diagnosis, currently performed essentially by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) examinations of the proximal femur. However, high costs and radiation-related issues do not allow DXA employment for population mass screenings. Aim of this study is to carry out a preliminary clinical validation of a new ultrasound (US)-based method to perform femoral...

Introduction: Currently, the only available method to reliably predict osteoporotic fractures is represented by bone mineral density (BMD) measurements on proximal femur or spine, which require the use of X-rays. Aim of this study is to illustrate working principles and feasibility of a new ultrasound (US) method for bone densitometry and osteoporosis diagnosis applicable on both proximal femur and spine.Methods: A new fully automatic algorithm was devel...

Ancient Egyptians were well known for the art of embalming, performed in the belief that preservation of the body was essential for survival in the afterlife. During the mummification process, internal organs were removed and some of them (lungs, stomach, liver, and intestines) washed, dehydrated with natron, perfumed, and stored in so-called canopic jars, buried with the mummy. Each jar had established contents and its own protective deity. To date, a limited number of studie...

Introduction: Collagen induced arthritis (CIA) is a mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis marked by persistent inflammation and enhanced osteoresorption at the affected joints as well as systemic osteopenia due to increased activation of osteoclast progenitors (OCP). Abundantly secreted chemokines presumably attract OCPs to the inflamed sites. Our goal was to identify chemotactic signals important for OCPs recruitment in CIA.Methods: After obtaining approv...

Desbuquois dysplasia (DBQD) is a rare recessive chondrodysplasia, characterized by growth retardation, multiple dislocations and advanced carpal ossification. Two forms of DBQD have been described on the basis of the presence (type 1) or absence (type 2) of characteristic hand anomalies. DBQD type 1 is caused by mutations in the Calcium-Activated Nucleotidase 1 gene (CANT1), while DBQD type 2 is caused by mutations in the xylosiltransferase 1 gene.CANT1 ...

Bone is a complex tissue constituted by a mineral phase, hydroxyapatite, and an organic phase, mainly represented by collagen type I. Specialized cells are responsible for bone formation and remodeling. Osteoblasts represent the bone forming cells, osteocyte are the orchestrator of bone remodeling through regulation of the other bone cells activity, by functioning as endocrine cells and by acting as mechanosensor, and osteoclasts, the bone resorbing cells. Mesenchymal osteopro...

Objectives: Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) type XIV is a recessive OI form characterized by bone fragility, multiple fractures and growth retardation. It is caused by mutation in TMEM38B gene encoding the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) channel TRIC-B. This channel allows the transport of K+ across the ER membrane modulating Ca2+ flux. Defective ER Ca2+ impaires collagen type I synthesis, likely affecting the activity of ER enzymes involved in its post translational modification. To ...

The quantitative ultrasound (QUS) of the proximal phalanges has been used for the indirect evaluation of bone status. Furthermore, the relative simplicity and non-exposure to radiation, presents advantages for the use of QUS compared to other methods in children and adolescents. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of age and pubertal development on Amplitude Dependent Speed Sound (AD-SoS) assessed by QUS of proximal phalanges in girls and boys aged 10–15 ...