Polymorphic microsatellite markers for the Mojave desert tortoise, Gopherus agassizii.

We describe primers and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) conditions to amplify 14 tri- and tetranucleotide microsatellite loci for the Mojave desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii). Across three populations (87 individuals) located in the Mojave Desert, USA, the markers yielded a range of four to 33 alleles and an average observed heterozygosity of 0.733 (range 0.

CLCN7 polymorphisms and bone mineral density in healthy premenopausal white women and in white men.

Introduction: Mutations in the chloride channel 7 gene (CLCN7) cause osteopetrosis, and polymorphisms of CLCN7 in the non-disease allele are associated with penetrance of the autosomal dominant osteopetrosis (ADO) phenotype. Studies have also shown an association between CLCN7 polymorphisms and bone mineral density (BMD) in women. However, there is no study to date that has examined whether CLCN7 polymorphisms underlie normal variation of peak BMD in healthy premenopausal white women and in white men.

Vitamin D status and calcium metabolism in adolescent black and white girls on a range of controlled calcium intakes.

Background: There are limited data in adolescents on racial differences in relationships between dietary calcium intake, absorption, and retention and serum levels of calcium-regulating hormones.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate these relationships cross-sectionally in American White and Black adolescent girls.

Methods: Calcium balance studies were conducted in 105 girls, aged 11-15 yr, on daily calcium intakes ranging from 760-2195 mg for 3-wk controlled feeding periods; 158 observations from 52 Black and 53 White girls were analyzed.

Determination of log D via automated microfluidic liquid-liquid extraction.

A method for log D (pH 7.4) measurement was developed using microfluidic liquid-liquid extraction. Values were determined for 26 compounds and compared to results obtained via shake-flask methods.

Identification of a linkage disequilibrium block in chromosome 1q associated with BMD in premenopausal white women.

Osteoporosis is a complex disease with both genetic and environmental risk factors. A major determinant of osteoporotic fractures is peak BMD obtained during young adulthood. We previously reported linkage of chromosome 1q (LOD = 4.

Influence of matrix-suspended demineralized bone on osseous repair using a critical-sized defect in the rat (Rattus norvegicus) calvarium.

Demineralized freeze-dried bone (DFDB) in matrix form must be rehydrated with a carrier medium which allows for easy manipulation during periodontal surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate how human DFDB suspended in a polyol matrix affects new bone formation in the rat calvarium critical-sized defect (CSD) model. Fifty-five adult male Harlan Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to 1 of 5 treatment groups: polyol, 100% DFDB, 47% DFDB/polyol, 47% DFDB, or an unfilled control.

Association studies of ALOX5 and bone mineral density in healthy adults.

Unlabelled: Animal studies suggest that arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase (encoded by ALOX5) may be a genetic determinant of bone mineral density. We tested this hypothesis in a sample of healthy men and women and did not find consistent evidence for an association between variation in this gene and either lumbar spine or femoral neck BMD.

Introduction: Phenotypic variation in bone mineral density (BMD) among healthy adults is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors.

Cinacalcet hydrochloride reduces the serum calcium concentration in inoperable parathyroid carcinoma.

Background: Management of inoperable parathyroid carcinoma presents a challenge because until recently, effective medical therapy was not available. Morbidity and mortality result primarily from severe hypercalcemia. We assessed the ability of the calcimimetic cinacalcet HCl to reduce serum calcium in patients with parathyroid carcinoma as well as its effect on PTH concentrations, bone turnover markers, safety, and health-related quality of life variables.

Naphthalen-1-yl-(4-pentyloxynaphthalen-1-yl)methanone: a potent, orally bioavailable human CB1/CB2 dual agonist with antihyperalgesic properties and restricted central nervous system penetration.

Selective activation of peripheral cannabinoid CB1 receptors has the potential to become a valuable therapy for chronic pain conditions as long as central nervous system effects are attenuated. A new class of cannabinoid ligands was rationally designed from known aminoalkylindole agonists and showed good binding and functional activities at human CB1 and CB2 receptors. This has led to the discovery of a novel CB1/CB2 dual agonist, naphthalen-1-yl-(4-pentyloxynaphthalen-1-yl)methanone (13), which displays good oral bioavailability, potent antihyperalgesic activity in animal models, and limited brain penetration.

Racial differences in skeletal calcium retention in adolescent girls with varied controlled calcium intakes.

Background: Higher bone mass in blacks than in whites has been related to greater calcium utilization efficiency. Dietary calcium requirements for maximal skeletal calcium accretion during puberty may differ between the races.

Objective: This study compared the relation between calcium intake and calcium retention in black and white adolescent girls.

Meta-analysis of genome-wide scans provides evidence for sex- and site-specific regulation of bone mass.

Unlabelled: Several genome-wide scans have been performed to detect loci that regulate BMD, but these have yielded inconsistent results, with limited replication of linkage peaks in different studies. In an effort to improve statistical power for detection of these loci, we performed a meta-analysis of genome-wide scans in which spine or hip BMD were studied. Evidence was gained to suggest that several chromosomal loci regulate BMD in a site-specific and sex-specific manner.

Effect of 1-year dairy product intervention on fat mass in young women: 6-month follow-up.

Objective: Previous results from this laboratory suggest that a 1-year dairy intake intervention in young women does not alter fat mass. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of the 1-year dairy intervention 6 months after completion of the intervention.

Research Methods And Procedures: Previously, normal-weight young women (n = 154) were randomized to one of three calcium intake groups: control (<800 mg/d), medium dairy (1000 to 1100 mg/d), or high dairy (1300 to 1400 mg/d) for a 1-year trial (n = 135 completed).

Soy isoflavones do not affect bone resorption in postmenopausal women: a dose-response study using a novel approach with 41Ca.

Introduction: The purpose of this 3-way crossover study was to identify the effective dose of soy protein isolate enriched with isoflavones for suppressing bone resorption in postmenopausal women using a novel, rapid assessment of antibone resorbing treatments.

Methods: Thirteen postmenopausal women (>or=6 yr since menopause) were predosed with 41Ca iv. After a 200-d baseline period, subjects were given 43 g soy protein/d that contained 0, 97.

Calcium retention in adolescent boys on a range of controlled calcium intakes.

Background: National calcium requirements in the United States for boys are based on data from girls. On average, boys develop larger skeletons than do girls, yet it is unknown whether the additional skeletal accretion in boys requires additional dietary calcium intake.

Objective: The objective was to determine calcium retention in adolescent boys in response to a range of controlled intakes and to compare the intake needed for maximal retention in boys with that needed in adolescent girls studied under the same conditions.

Heritability of changes in bone size and bone mass with age in premenopausal white sisters.

Unlabelled: Femoral neck area expands and BMD decreases in premenopausal women. We used longitudinal DXA measurements on 388 premenopausal white sisters to show significant heritability of the rates of change in femoral neck area, BMC, and BMD.

Introduction: Bone mass and structure are highly heritable.

Gingival recession treatment with connective tissue grafts in smokers and non-smokers.

Background: Cigarette smoking can adversely affect the results of many periodontal procedures. The purpose of this study was to determine whether cigarette smoking affects wound healing of subepithelial connective tissue grafts.

Methods: Seventeen systemically healthy patients with 22 Miller Class I or II mucogingival defects were divided into a non-smoker group or smoker group.

The effect of residual calcium in decalcified freeze-dried bone allograft in a critical-sized defect in the Rattus norvegicus calvarium.

Demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft (DFDBA), a widely used graft material in periodontal regenerative procedures, is processed with hydrochloric acid in the attempt to expose proteins located within the bone matrixes that are capable of inducing new bone formation. However, the degree of DFDBA demineralization varies between tissue banks, which may have an effect on clinical regeneration. This study uses the critical-sized defect (CSD) model to evaluate the wound-healing response to the residual calcium of donor bone.

Inhibition of caspase-9 reduces chondrocyte apoptosis and proteoglycan loss following mechanical trauma.

Objective: Chondrocyte death, a notable feature of osteoarthritis, may play a role in the initiation of cartilage degeneration. The present study was aimed at uncovering the nature and involvement of cell death in the initiation of cartilage degeneration induced by mechanical trauma.

Methods: Articular cartilage discs obtained from healthy skeletally mature horses were subjected to a single-impact load (500 g from 50 mm) using a simple drop-tower device and cultured in vitro for 48 h.

Human ALOX12, but not ALOX15, is associated with BMD in white men and women.

Unlabelled: The Alox15 gene was recently identified as a negative regulator of peak BMD in mice. Polymorphisms in human ALOX12, but not ALOX15, were significantly associated with spine BMD in white men and women, suggesting that ALOX12 may contribute to normal variation in BMD.

Introduction: Osteoporosis is a complex disease with both genetic and environmental risk factors.

Effect of a hydroxyapatite tricalcium phosphate alloplast on osseous repair in the rat calvarium.

Background: Bony defects caused by periodontitis are often treated by regenerative therapy using autografts and/or allografts. Alloplasts, such as hydroxyapatite or ceramics, are also used as osteoconductive materials that serve as a scaffold for new bony ingrowth. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of hydroxyapatite tricalcium phosphate (HA-TCP) on osseous repair in the rat calvarium.

Sensitivity of fibroblast growth factor 23 measurements in tumor-induced osteomalacia.

Context: Tumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO) is a paraneoplastic syndrome of hypophosphatemia, decreased renal phosphate reabsorption, normal or low serum 1,25-dihydryxyvitamin-D concentration, myopathy, and osteomalacia. Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is a phosphaturic protein overexpressed in tumors that cause TIO and is, at least partly, responsible for the manifestations of TIO.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the sensitivity of FGF23 measurements in TIO.

Denosumab in postmenopausal women with low bone mineral density.

Background: Receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL) is essential for osteoclast differentiation, activation, and survival. The fully human monoclonal antibody denosumab (formerly known as AMG 162) binds RANKL with high affinity and specificity and inhibits RANKL action.

Methods: The efficacy and safety of subcutaneously administered denosumab were evaluated over a period of 12 months in 412 postmenopausal women with low bone mineral density (T score of -1.