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Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a rare bone fragility disorder caused by mutations in genes encoding collagen type I or that affect its processing. Alterations in osteoclasts were suggested to contribute to OI pathophysiology. We aimed to systematically identify studies reporting measures of osteoclast formation and function in patients and mouse models of OI, to quantify OI-induced changes. The systematic search of Medline, Ovid, and Web of Science identified 798 unique studies. After screening, we included 23 studies for meta-analysis, reporting osteoclast parameters in 310 patients with OI of 9 different types and 16 studies reporting osteoclast parameters in 406 animals of 11 different OI mouse models. The standardized mean difference with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used as the effect size, and random-effects meta-analysis was performed. In patients with OI, collagen degradation markers were significantly higher compared with age-matched controls, with an effect size of 1.23 (CI: 0.36, 2.10]. Collagen degradation markers were the most elevated in the 3- to 7-year-old age group and in patients with more severe forms of OI. Bone histomorphometry demonstrated the trends for higher osteoclast numbers (1.16; CI: −0.22, 2.55) and osteoclast surface (0.43; CI: −0.63, 1.49), and significantly higher eroded surface (3.24; CI: 0.51, 5.96) compared with age-matched controls. In OI mice, meta-analysis demonstrated significant increases in collagen degradation markers (1.59; CI: 1.07, 2.11), in osteoclast numbers (0.94; CI: 0.50, 1.39), osteoclast surface (0.73; CI: 0.22, 1.23), and eroded surface (1.31; CI: 0.54, 2.08). The largest differences were in OI mice with the mutations in Col1a1 and Col1a2 genes. There were no differences between males and females in clinical or animal studies. Quantitative estimates of changes in osteoclast indices and their variance for patients with OI are important for planning future studies. We confirmed that similar changes are observed in mice with OI, supporting their translational utility. Graphical Abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Pain is an understudied physiological effect of spaceflight. Changes in inflammatory and tissue degradation markers are often associated with painful conditions. Our aim was to evaluate the changes in markers associated with tissue deterioration after a short-term spaceflight. Patients and Methods: Plasma levels of markers for systemic inflammation and tissue degeneration markers were assessed in two astronauts before and within 24 h after the 17-day Axiom Space AX-1 mission. Results: After the spaceflight, C-reactive protein (CRP) was reduced in both astronauts, while INFγ, GM-CSF, TNFα, BDNF, and all measured interleukins were consistently increased. Chemokines demonstrated variable changes, with consistent positive changes in CCL3, 4, 8, 22 and CXCL8, 9, 10, and consistent negative change in CCL8. Markers associated with tissue degradation and bone turnover demonstrated consistent increases in MMP1, MMP13, NTX and OPG, and consistent decreases in MMP3 and MMP9. Conclusion: Spaceflight induced changes in the markers of systemic inflammation, tissue deterioration, and bone resorption in two astronauts after a short, 17-day, which were often consistent with those observed in painful conditions on Earth. However, some differences, such as a consistent decrease in CRP, were noted. All records for the effect of space travel on human health are critical for improving our understanding of the effect of this unique environment on humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Botulinum toxin‐A (BTX) is a potent neurotoxin that is emerging in the scope of dental practice for its ability to temporarily paralyse musculature and reduce hyperfunction. This may be desirable in diseases/disorders associated with hyperactive muscles such as the muscles of mastication, most implicated in painful temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). The use of BTX extends beyond its indications with off‐label use in TMD's and other conditions, while potential adverse effects remain understudied. BTX is well‐established hindlimb paralysis model in animals leading to significant bone loss with underlying mechanisms remaining unclear. The objective of this study is to systematically review the literature for articles investigating changes in mandibular bone following BTX injections and meta‐analyse available data on reported bone outcomes. Methods: Comprehensive search of Medline, Embase and Web of Science retrieved 934 articles. Following the screening process, 36 articles in animals and humans were included for quantitative synthesis. Articles in human individuals (6) and three different animal species (14) presented mandibular bone outcomes that were included in the meta‐analysis. Results: The masseter and temporalis muscles were frequently injected across all species. In humans, we observe a decrease of about 6% in cortical thickness of mandibular regions following BTX injection with no evident changes in either volume or density of bone structures. In animals, bone loss in the condylar region is significantly high in both cortical and trabecular compartments. Discussion: Our analysis supports the concept of BTX‐induced bone‐loss model in animal mandibles. Further, bone loss might be confined to the cortical compartments in humans. Most studies did not address the reality of repeated injections and excessive dosing, which occur due to the reversible action of BTX. More rigorous trials are needed to draw a full picture of potential long‐term adverse effects on bone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction:Formation of hydroxyapatite in bone, dentin, and enamel occurs at restricted molecular sites of specific extracellular matrix proteins and is controlled by multiple mineralization inhibitors. However, the role of physicochemical factors, such as the availability of required ions and the saturation status of the aqueous environment in biological mineralization, is not fully understood. The goal of this study was to use mathematical modeling to describe the complex physicochemical environment permissive to the precipitation of biological hydroxyapatite. Methods: We simulated the processes occurring in the bone interstitial fluid (ISF) defined as an aqueous environment containing seven chemical components (calcium, phosphate, carbonate, sodium, potassium, magnesium, and chloride) that form 30 chemical species. We simulated reversible equilibrium reactions among these chemical species, and calculated supersaturationfor hydroxyapatite and its precipitation rate using kinetic theory. Results and Discussion: The simulated ISF was of correct ionic strength and predicted the equilibrium component concentrations that were consistent with the experimental findings. Supersaturationof physiological ISF was ~15, which is consistent with prior findings that mineralization inhibitors are required to prevent spontaneous mineral precipitation. Only total calcium, total phosphate and to a lesser degree total carbonate affected ion availability, solution supersaturationand hydroxyapatite precipitation rate. Both calcium and phosphate levels directly affected hydroxyapatite precipitation, and phosphate was affected by pH, which additionally influenced hydroxyapatite precipitation. Integrating mathematical models capturing the physiochemical and biological factors regulating bone mineralization will allow in silico studies of complex clinical scenarios associated with alterations in ISF ion composition, such as rickets, hypophosphatemia, and chronic kidney disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]