Expression of measles virus nucleocapsid protein in osteoclasts induces Paget's disease-like bone lesions in mice.

We targeted the MVNP gene to the OCL lineage in transgenic mice. These mice developed abnormal OCLs and bone lesions similar to those found in Paget's patients. These results show that persistent expression of MVNP in OCLs can induce pagetic-like bone lesions in vivo. INTRODUCTION: Paget's disease (PD) of bone is the second most common bone disease. Both genetic and viral factors have been implicated in its pathogenesis, but their exact roles in vivo are unclear. We previously reported that transfection of normal human osteoclast (OCL) precursors with the measles virus nucleocapsid (MVNP) or measles virus (MV) infection of bone marrow cells from transgenic mice expressing a MV receptor results in formation of pagetic-like OCLs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Based on these in vitro studies, we determined if the MVNP gene from either an Edmonston-related strain of MV or a MVNP gene sequence derived from a patient with PD (P-MVNP), when targeted to cells in the OCL lineage of transgenic mice with the TRACP promoter (TRACP/MVNP mice), induced changes in bone similar to those found in PD. RESULTS: Bone marrow culture studies and histomorphometric analysis of bones from these mice showed that their OCLs displayed many of the features of pagetic OCLs and that they developed bone lesions that were similar to those in patients with PD. Furthermore, IL-6 seemed to be required for the development of the pagetic phenotype in OCLs from TRACP/MVNP mice. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that persistent expression of the MVNP gene in cells of the OCL lineage can induce pagetic-like bone lesions in vivo.     

Serum zinc and copper levels in healthy South African women at term and during the first year after childbirth

Serum zinc and copper levels were measured longitudinally in 55 healthy middle and upper socio-economic group white mothers living in Cape Town from the birth of the baby to 12 months after parturition. Mean maternal serum zinc levels showed a significant rise (P less than 0.05) from delivery (66.34 +/- 21.07 micrograms/100 ml) to 12 weeks (87.88 +/- 15.93 micrograms/100 ml), but no further changes were detected at 24, 36 and 52 weeks after parturition. The mean maternal serum copper levels decreased from 217.73 +/- 64.34 micrograms/100 ml at delivery to 141.65 +/- 45.60 micrograms/100 ml at 12 weeks (P less than 0.05); they remained constant at all the other sampling periods. No differences (P greater than 0.05) were noted at all the different sampling periods between mean serum zinc levels of primiparous and multiparous mothers, but mean serum copper levels were significantly higher (P less than 0.05) in the primiparas. The mean serum zinc and copper levels of healthy white South African mothers at delivery and 12 months after parturition correspond with those for Northern American mothers. Normal non-pregnant adult serum zinc and copper levels were attained within 12 weeks of delivery.     

Early Effects of Abaloparatide on Bone Formation and Resorption Indices in Postmenopausal Women With Osteoporosis

Anabolic osteoporosis drugs improve bone mineral density by increasing bone formation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the early effects of abaloparatide on indices of bone formation and to assess the effect of abaloparatide on modeling-based formation (MBF), remodeling-based formation (RBF), and overflow MBF (oMBF) in transiliac bone biopsies. In this open-label, single-arm study, 23 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis were treated with 80 μg abaloparatide daily. Subjects received double fluorochrome labels before treatment and before biopsy collection at 3 months. Change in dynamic histomorphometry indices in four bone envelopes were assessed. Median mineralizing surface per unit of bone surface (MS/BS) increased to 24.7%, 48.7%, 21.4%, and 16.3% of total surface after 3 months of abaloparatide treatment, representing 5.5-, 5.2-, 2.8-, and 12.9-fold changes, on cancellous, endocortical, intracortical, and periosteal surfaces (p < .001 versus baseline for all). Mineral apposition rate (MAR) was significantly increased only on intracortical surfaces. Bone formation rate (BFR/BS) was significantly increased on all four bone envelopes. Significant increases versus baseline were observed in MBF on cancellous, endocortical, and periosteal surfaces, for oMBF on cancellous and endocortical surfaces, and for RBF on cancellous, endocortical, and intracortical surfaces. Overall, modeling-based formation (MBF + oMBF) accounted for 37% and 23% of the increase in bone-forming surface on the endocortical and cancellous surfaces, respectively. Changes from baseline in serum biomarkers of bone turnover at either month 1 or month 3 were generally good surrogates for changes in histomorphometric endpoints. In conclusion, treatment with abaloparatide for 3 months stimulated bone formation on cancellous, endocortical, intracortical, and periosteal envelopes in transiliac bone biopsies obtained from postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. These increases reflected stimulation of both remodeling- and modeling-based bone formation, further elucidating the mechanisms by which abaloparatide improves bone mass and lowers fracture risk. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).     

Effects of reciprocal treatment with estrogen and estrogen plus parathyroid hormone on bone structure and strength in ovariectomized rats.

Intermittent administration of PTH has been found to be an effective anabolic agent in cancellous bone. We have reported previously that combined treatment with PTH and estrogen in estrogen-deficient rats was beneficial in correcting established osteopenia. To determine if the beneficial effects of PTH therapy can be preserved by estrogen alone and whether PTH therapy can be effective in treating osteopenic subjects stabilized with estrogen, we have undertaken a "crossover" study in the rat model of estrogen-deficiency induced osteopenia. Six-month-old female rats were ovariectomized and after 5 wk treated for 8 wk with vehicle, 30 micrograms/kg per day of rPTH(1-34) plus 15 micrograms/kg per day of 17 beta-estradiol or 17 beta-estradiol alone. One group from each treatment regimen was then sacrificed and for an additional 8 weeks the remaining rats were (a) maintained on their previous treatment; (b) "crossed over" to their reciprocal treatment; or (c) administered vehicle only. At the end of this second 8-wk treatment period all rats were sacrificed. Bone mineral density of the distal femur, histomorphometric measurements of the proximal tibia and mechanical testing of the distal femur and selected vertebral bodies were performed. Our results demonstrated that (a) the gains in bone mass, trabecular connectivity and mechanical strength induced by PTH can be maintained by estrogen alone, but are reversed when both agents are withdrawn; and (b) rats with established osteopenia, maintained on estrogen treatment alone, can derive the full beneficial effects from the addition of PTH to the treatment at a later date. These data indicate that combined and/or sequential use of antiresorptive and anabolic agents may be a promising approach to the treatment of osteoporosis.     

A Systematic Review of the Patient- and Carer-Related Factors Affecting the Experience of Pain for Advanced Cancer Patients Cared for at Home

Context

Effective pain management is a priority in the palliative care of advanced cancer patients. A body of research is emerging examining the factors that influence the management and experience of pain for such individuals. Identifying such factors should allow for the development of targeted interventions to improve pain management in the home while ultimately reducing unnecessary suffering for the patient.