Adipocyte differentiation defect in mesenchymal stromal cells of patients with malignant infantile osteopetrosis.

Background: Malignant infantile osteopetrosis (MIOP) is a disorder of osteoclasts characterized by defective bone resorption and death in infancy. The multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) and their progeny (osteoblasts) are major components of the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment and are found in close contact with cells of hematopoietic origin, including osteoclasts. We hypothesized that MSC defects may be associated with osteoclast dysfunction and osteopetrosis phenotype.

Open treatment of stage III Kienböck's disease with lunate revascularization compared with arthroscopic treatment without revascularization.

Purpose: The goal of this study was to compare the results of open scaphocapitate fusion and revascularization with the results of arthroscopic scaphocapitate fusion and capitate pole excision.

Type Of Study: Prospective randomized study.

Methods: Between April 1997 and January 2000, 16 consecutive patients (5 men and 11 women with a mean age of 31 years [range, 18 to 61]) presenting with Kienböck's disease stage IIIA and stage IIIB were randomized to either open scaphocapitate fusion and lunate revascularization (group I) or fully arthroscopic scaphocapitate fusion and capitate pole excision (group II) groups.

Prevalence of obesity in adolescents and the impact of sexual maturation stage on body mass index in obese adolescents.

Objective: Puberty is a high-risk period for the development of obesity. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of obesity in adolescents admitted to an outpatient adolescent clinic and investigate the relationships between the increase of body mass index and sexual maturation stages in obese adolescents.

Material And Methods: We recruited 6,462 adolescents, aged 9-16 years, admitted to the outpatient clinic of our Adolescent Unit, between May 1999 and September 2000.

Osteocalcin. A biochemical marker of bone turnover during puberty.

During bone remodelling, osteocalcin is produced by osteoblasts and its level increases during the events characterized by rapid bone turnover. Osteocalcin is a bone matrix protein, which is specific for bone metabolism and it is not influenced by metabolic bone disorders. Osteocalcin is an important marker of bone turnover in physiological and pathological conditions.