Craniofacial dysmorphism of osteogenesis imperfecta mouse and effect of cathepsin K knockout: Preliminary craniometry observations.

Objectives: In addition to bone fragility, patients with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) type III have typical craniofacial abnormalities, such as a triangular face and maxillary micrognathism. However, in the osteogenesis imperfecta mouse (oim), a validated model of OI type III, few descriptions exist of craniofacial phenotype. Treatment of OI mostly consists of bisphosphonate administration.

Assessment of functional respiratory complaints and related factors in people with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: Cross-sectional study.

Background: Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) is the most common type of EDS. Apart from joint symptoms, people with hEDS have systemic manifestations as a chronic modification of the breathing pattern (functional respiratory complaints (FRCs)) and mental disorders. However, the prevalence of FRCs, and its relationship with mental disorders, have not yet been estimated for this population.

Knockout of hyaluronidase Spam1 reduces age-related bone and cartilage changes in mouse knee.

Objective: To investigate the role of Spam1 hyaluronidase in age-related bone and cartilage changes in the mouse knee.

Design: Spam1 and WT mice were euthanised at different ages from 10 to 52 weeks. The right hindlimbs were dissected, scanned with peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography (pQCT) and then decalcified for histological analysis (modified Mankin score).

Sclerostin-Antibody Treatment Decreases Fracture Rates in Axial Skeleton and Improves the Skeletal Phenotype in Growing oim/oim Mice.

In osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), vertebrae brittleness causes thorax deformations and leads to cardiopulmonary failure. As sclerostin-neutralizing antibodies increase bone mass and strength in animal models of osteoporosis, their administration in two murine models of severe OI enhanced the strength of vertebrae in growing female Crtap mice but not in growing male Col1a1 mice. However, these two studies ignored the impact of antibodies on spine growth, fracture rates, and compressive mechanical properties.

Inspiratory muscle strength training improves lung function in patients with the hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: A randomized controlled trial.

As exertional inspiratory dyspnea is a common disabling complaint in hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) often also known as joint hypermobility syndrome (JHS), we investigated inspiratory muscle (IM) strength in patients with hEDS, and we assessed the effects of IM training (IMT) on IM strength, lung function, and exercise capacity. A prospective evaluation of IM strength followed by a randomized controlled trial of IMT was performed in women with hEDS. Sniff nasal inspiratory pressure (SNIP) was used to routinely measure IM strength and IMT was carried out using a pressure threshold device.

[Severe Mast Cell Activation Syndrome in a 15-year-old patient with an hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome].

We report the history of a 15-year old patient with a hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) (his mother, his two brothers and his sister have the same phenotype as him). He suffers mainly from a severe mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) with an overreaction of the skin to any kind of contact (water of the shower, clothes, bed sheets) but he has also fatigue, headaches, and rash. This impressive rash is exacerbated after the shower and he has the urge to rest («shower's sign»).

CT arthrography of adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder: Are MR signs applicable?

Objective: To determine if diagnostic signs of adhesive capsulitis (AC) of the shoulder at Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and arthrography (MRA) are applicable to CT arthrography (CTA).

Methods: 22 shoulder CTAs with AC were retrospectively reviewed for features described in MR literature. The control group was composed of 83 shoulder CTA divided into four subgroups 1) normal (N = 20), 2) omarthrosis (N = 19), 3) labral injury (N = 23), and 4) rotator cuff tear (N = 21).

Dermal ultrastructure in low Beighton score members of 17 families with hypermobile-type Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

The distinction between the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome hypermobile type (EDSH) and the benign joint hypermobility syndrome (BJHS) is unclear. The aim of the present study was to compare skin ultrastructural abnormalities of EDSH and BJHS among different families. Skin of 23 EDSH, 27 BJHS, and 41 asymptomatic subjects from 17 families was examined using transmission electron microscopy.

Biologicals in osteoporosis: teriparatide and parathyroid hormone in women and men.

Osteoporosis is characterized by the occurrence of a host of fractures. According to densitometric values, an operational definition for osteoporosis corresponds to a loss of 25% to 30% (-2.5 T-scores) compared with the mean values of bone mineral density of young premenopausal women.

Urban tropospheric ozone increases the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among Belgian postmenopausal women with outdoor activities during summer.

Context: By absorbing sunlight UVB and thereby reducing cutaneous vitamin D photosynthesis, ozone, a common urban pollutant, could cause hypovitaminosis D.

Objectives: The objective of the study was to establish the characteristics and percentage of subjects with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] less than 75 nmol/liter among postmenopausal women engaging in outdoor activities in either Brussels or the countryside.

Design/setting: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in a university research hospital.

Zoledronic acid for treatment of Paget's disease of bone.

Paget's disease of bone is characterised by a focal increase in bone resorption and bone formation. This anarchic metabolism leads to disorganised bone, with bone pain, fragility, deformity and compression of the peripheral or CNS according to the involved site. Quality of life of sufferers is dramatically impaired.

Oral salmon calcitonin reduces Lequesne's algofunctional index scores and decreases urinary and serum levels of biomarkers of joint metabolism in knee osteoarthritis.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of oral salmon calcitonin (sCT) on Lequesne's algofunctional index scores and on biomarkers of joint metabolism in knee osteoarthritis.

Methods: In this randomized, double-blind trial, patients received either placebo (n = 18), 0.5 mg of sCT (n = 17), or 1 mg of sCT (n = 18) daily for 84 days.

Inulin and fructo-oligosaccharides differ in their ability to enhance the density of cancellous and cortical bone in the axial and peripheral skeleton of growing rats.

Although dietary fructans improve calcium absorption and bone mineral content (BMC) in rats, their effect on calcium bioavailability and bone density may vary with their degree of polymerization. Therefore, for a 3-month period, growing rats received either a control diet or a diet enriched with either oligofructose (OLF) or inulin. At sacrifice, body weight, lean body mass and appendicular bone length were similar in the 3 groups.

Rationale for the potential use of calcitonin in osteoarthritis.

This review provides evidence that osteoarthritis (OA) or a major subset of OA is not only a disease of cartilage but also a disorder of subchondral bone. This review also discusses the potential efficacy of a bone and cartilage active agent, calcitonin, and discusses how calcitonin might be useful in the pharmaceutical treatment of OA.

Comparative effect of nimesulide and ibuprofen on the urinary levels of collagen type II C-telopeptide degradation products and on the serum levels of hyaluronan and matrix metalloproteinases-3 and -13 in patients with flare-up of osteoarthritis.

Background And Aim: Because in vitro studies have shown that nimesulide not only preferentially inhibits COX-2 but also reduces the action/release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, down-regulates the synthesis and/or activity of collagenase(s), and releases reactive oxygen species and other toxic substances from neutrophils, this study investigated whether nimesulide and ibuprofen could affect levels of biochemical markers of joint inflammation and collagen catabolism in patients with flare-up of knee or hip osteoarthritis.

Methods: Ninety patients were included in this randomised, prospective, single- blind study. They received either nimesulide (n = 45) or ibuprofen (n = 45) for a 4-week treatment period.

Effect of nimesulide on the serum levels of hyaluronan and stromelysin-1 in patients with osteoarthritis: a pilot study.

This prospective preliminary single-blind study was conducted in patients suffering from osteoarthritis (OA) and requiring non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to determine to what extent nimesulide (200 mg/day) and ibuprofen (1200 mg/day) could induce significant changes in the serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), tissue inhibitor-1 of MMPs (TIMP-1), hyaluronan (HA) and YKL-40 after a therapeutic time period of 28 days. The four biochemical parameters were assessed by using immunoassays. Nimesulide significantly reduced the serum levels of both HA and MMP-3, whereas ibuprofen increased moderately but significantly the serum concentrations of MMP-3 and had no effect on the serum concentrations of HA.

Chondrocytes, synoviocytes and dermal fibroblasts all express PH-20, a hyaluronidase active at neutral pH.

Hyaluronan (HA), an important component of connective tissues, is highly metabolically active, but the mechanisms involved in its catabolism are still largely unknown. We hypothesized that a protein similar to sperm PH-20, the only mammalian hyaluronidase known to be active at neutral pH, could be expressed in connective tissue cells. An mRNA transcript similar to that of PH-20 was found in chondrocytes, synoviocytes, and dermal fibroblasts, and its levels were enhanced upon stimulation with IL-1.

Role of alendronate in therapy for posttraumatic complex regional pain syndrome type I of the lower extremity.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of the antiresorptive agent alendronate at a daily oral dose of 40 mg in patients with posttraumatic complex regional pain syndrome type I (CRPS I) of the lower extremity.

Methods: Forty patients were enrolled in this 8-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of alendronate therapy for CRPS I, a condition associated with regional osteoclastic overactivity. An optional 8-week open extension of alendronate therapy (weeks 12-20) was available after a 4-week period without therapy.

Treatment with calcitonin prevents the net loss of collagen, hyaluronan and proteoglycan aggregates from cartilage in the early stages of canine experimental osteoarthritis.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of calcitonin (CT) on the histology and biochemistry of articular cartilage from unstable operated and nonoperated knee in a canine model of experimental osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: Eighteen dogs underwent anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) of the right knee and were randomly distributed into three groups of six dogs each. From day-1 after surgery until sacrifice 84 days post-ACLT, each dog received a daily nasal spray that delivered the placebo, 100 units of CT or 400 units of CT.

Effects of calcitonin on subchondral trabecular bone changes and on osteoarthritic cartilage lesions after acute anterior cruciate ligament deficiency.

Unlabelled: Because SBM may contribute to cartilage breakdown in OA, experimental OA was induced in dogs by transecting the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee and treating with either CT or a placebo. CT significantly reduced both SBM and cartilage lesions. This study supports the use of CT in the treatment of canine experimental OA.