Bone Abstracts

Diabetes is associated with increased risk of fracture, although type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by normal bone mineral density (BMD). Thus, diabetes may be associated with a reduction of bone strength that is not reflected in the measurement of BMD. It is very problematic to measure the bone quality in daily practice. Trabecular bone score (TBS) iNsight® is one of these tools, now available for routine clinical practice, that allows for refinement of mic...

Genetic skeletal diseases (GSDs) are an extremely diverse and complex group of rare genetic diseases that primarily affect the development and homeostasis of the osseous skeleton. There are more than 450 unique and well-characterised phenotypes that range in severity from relatively mild to severe and lethal forms. Although individually rare, as a group of related genetic diseases, GSDs have an overall prevalence of at least 1/4000 child. Qualitative defects in cartilage struc...

Biographical DetailsMichael D Briggs obtained his PhD at the MRC Clinical Research Centre, Harrow, studying the genetic basis of osteogenesis imperfecta. He undertook postdoctoral work at UCLA identifying the genetic basis of chondrodysplasias. In 1996 Mike moved to Manchester as an AR-UK Fellow to continue studying disease mechanisms in chondrodysplasia. In 2004 he was awarded a Wellcome...

Metastases to the bone are the incurable final outcomes of cancer, reducing both length and quality of life in an aggressive way. Despite the discoveries of many factors involved, no cure has been found. Metastatic outgrow starts in interaction with the bone micro-environment. The first attachment in bone is with the osteoblasts lining the endosteal surface. Our aim is to study the role of the osteoblasts in metastatic tumor spread and growth.We used an ...

Objective: To investigate whether patients with secondary osteoporosis or other metabolic bone disease (SECOB) have a higher re-fracture or mortality risk.Method: Patients with a recent non-vertebral fracture who visited the Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) of a hospital were prospectively followed for 2 years. Pearson Chi-square, Fisher’s Exact test, independent samples T-test, and Cox regression models were used.Results: In to...

Background: In pediatric osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), bisphosphonates (BPs) are considered the best treatment option to increase bone density and reduce fracture rate. Pamidronate (PAM) is regarded as standard care for moderate to severe OI. The most recent added BP is intravenous zoledronate (ZOL). ZOL has practical advances over PAM, however research on its efficacy and safety is scarce.Objectives: To investigate the efficacy and safety of treatment w...

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...

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...

The healing of bone fractures is a tightly regulated process where released growth factors and cytokines interplay within an inflammatory environment in order to reestablish the functional bone. Recent studies have suggested that endothelial cells may dedifferentiate into mesenchymal multipotent cells via a mechanism called endothelial-to-mesenchymal-transition (EndoMT). Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) plays a critical role inducing EndoMT. Subsequent differenti...

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 ...