Bone Abstracts

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 ...

Objectives: Bone disease is a long-term complication in patients with thalassaemia and therefore current UK guidelines recommend biannual bone density assessment from the age of 10 years. The aim of this study was to evaluate bone health in children with thalassaemia major.Methods: Twenty-nine patients (11 boys) with a mean (S.D.) age of 13.07 year (2.29) with thalassaemia major had measurement of lumbar spine BMAD (L2-L4) and of total bod...

Objectives: Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) is commonly used to monitor changes in bone mineral density (BMD). Small changes in BMD can be clinically meaningful; therefore precision-error calculations are needed to estimate true changes in BMD. The few published studies of precision errors in children with cerebral palsy (CP) are diverse in terms of ethnicities and medical comorbidities. Application of these estimates is inappropriate to our particular Midwest American ...

Objectives: Children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) receiving long-term glucocorticoid (GC) therapy are at risk for osteoporosis and fragility fractures. Recent studies showed that cortical thickness and areas were associated with increased fracture risk. Digital X-ray measurement of the cortical thickness of the metacarpal bones has a potential role as a marker for bone health in children, but has not been evaluated in DMD. The aim of this study was to compare bone ag...

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...