Menier's Disease - Bone Density Study
Meniere DiseaseOsteoporosis3 moreMeniere's disease is a progressive and debilitating inner ear disease characterised by vertigo and hearing loss. Several studies have linked Menierws disease with lower bone density and lower vitamin D levels. In the current prospective study definite Meniere's patients will be followed over a period of 2 year, during which repetitive measurements of bone density, vitamin D plasma levels, blood pressure as well as hearing and vestibular tests will be made. Results will be compared to healthy controls.
The Impact of Glomerular Disorders on Bone Quality and Strength
Glomerular DiseaseBone Diseases2 moreThe primary objectives of this study are to: (1) determine the impact of glomerular disease on bone strength and (2) investigate the pathophysiologic underpinnings of impaired bone strength in glomerular disease.
Vitamin D and Health Outcomes in Preterm Born Population
Vitamin D3 DeficiencyPrematurity5 moreImproved survival of very preterm newborn population during the last decades has challenged us neonatologists to study and improve nutritional practices including vitamin D (VitD) supplementation. However, long term outcome in this aspect has not been researched in well documented preterm populations. As VitD has receptors in almost all human cells it modulates growth of many organs. Therefore I start to assess VitD supplementation practices and later health outcome (bones, teeth, muscles, heart, lungs) in two preterm population cohorts cared in Oulu University Hospital at the age of 5 years and 24 years (born 2014-2017 and 1994-1997).
Study of the Role of the Induced Membrane in the Reconstruction of Bone Loss in the Limbs
Bone LossMasquelet's induced membrane technique is a two-stage reconstructive surgery for severe bone fractures commonly used by military orthopedists. The particularity of this technique relies on the synthesis of a biological membrane induced by the transient implantation of a surgical cement (= 1st stage surgery). The presence of the induced membrane in the reconstruction space defines a microenvironment or "biological chamber" favourable to osteogenesis, positively influencing the repair of the lesion after implantation of an autologous bone graft (= 2nd stage of surgery). In view of the excellent clinical results obtained with this procedure, the Masquelet technique has gradually become a reference treatment in the field of orthopedic and trauma surgery. However, orthopedic surgeons sometimes observe failures in bone consolidation. To our knowledge, the role played by induced membrane in these therapeutic failures has never been studied.
Evaluation of Children With Endocrine and Metabolic-Related Conditions
Adrenal InsufficiencyGrowth Disorder4 moreBackground: Endocrine glands give off hormones. Researchers want to learn more about the disorders that affect these glands in children. These disorders might be caused by changes in genes. Genes contain DNA, which is the blueprint of how a cell works. Researchers want to identify the genes involved in endocrine and metabolic disorders. This might help develop new ways to diagnose and treat the disorders. Objective: To study the inheritance of endocrine or metabolism disorders. Eligibility: Children ages 3month-18 with known or suspected endocrine or metabolism disorders. Family members ages 3months-100. They may participate in the DNA part of the study. Design: Participants will be screened with a review of their medical records. Their parents or guardians will allow the records to be released. Participants will have a clinic visit. This may include a physical exam and medical history. Parents or guardians will give their consent for the study. Participants may have tests, surgery, or other procedures to help diagnose or treat their condition. These could include: Blood, urine, and saliva tests Growth hormone test Pituitary and adrenal function tests Picture of chromosomes Imaging tests. These may include X-ray, ultrasound, scans, or a skeletal survey. Genetic tests Sleep study Medical photographs If surgery is done, a tissue sample will be taken. Participants may have follow-up visits for diagnosis and treatment. Participating relatives will have one visit. This will include medical history and blood and saliva tests. The blood and saliva will be used for DNA testing.
CT-Based Changes in Bone and Marrow Among Patients on Oral Steroids
AsthmaBone Density2 moreThe goal of this study is to assess the feasibility of emerging CT-based tools to measure changes in central and peripheral bone density, micro-structure, and marrow adipose tissue (MAT) among patients treated with oral steroids.
Ultrasound Imaging-based Measurement of Intra-osseous Vascular Response
Blood Circulation DisorderBone Diseases1 moreBlood circulation within bone is thought to have a key role in bone growth, in fracture healing and in the development of bone diseases like osteoporosis. Current medical imaging techniques such as conventional ultrasonography fail to detect blood circulation within bone. The investigators propose to develop a new type of ultrasonography called intraosseous functional ultrasonography that will enable the detection and the characterization of blood circulation in solid bone tissue, marrow and soft tissues surrounding bone (muscle for instance). Because most soft tissues are essentially made of water, the speed of sound in soft tissues is close to that in water and it varies only a little between different types of soft tissues. For this reason, clinical ultrasound scanners used for ultrasonography assume that the speed of sound in the human body is the same for all types of soft tissues. This assumption is reasonable in soft tissues, but it does not hold in bone because solid bone tissue is much stiffer than soft tissues. Seismologists have extensive experience in producing images of the structure of the Earth based on the analysis of elastic waves which follow the same laws of Physics as ultrasound waves. The subsurface of the Earth contains layers of solid materials and liquids, consequently it is very similar to a region of the human body containing bone and soft tissues. Therefore the investigators will first work on the adaption of time-tested seismic imaging methods to make ultrasonography of bone possible. Once a correct image of bone is obtained, the investigators will use an ultrasound scanner dedicated to research to repeat this image hundreds of times per second, very much like a slow motion video. Because blood is moving while bone is still, the intensity in the image is being slightly changed where blood is moving. Thus the analysis of these changes makes it possible to detect and characterize blood flow within bone. In this way the investigators expect to be able to detect blood flowing with a speed as low as a few millimeters per second. Finally the sensitivity of the technique to detect and characterize blood circulation in bone will be evaluated in patients at the hospital and in healthy volunteers. The success of this work will help gaining knowledge on the role of blood circulation within bone. In the long term, it may help in the diagnosis of bone diseases.
Effects of Denosumab on the Pharmacokinetics of Etanercept
PostmenopausalOsteopenia2 moreThe primary objective of the study was to characterize the effects of a single dose of denosumab on the pharmacokinetics (PK) of etanercept in postmenopausal women with low bone mineral density (BMD) and rheumatoid arthritis based on area under the serum concentration-time curve (AUC) and maximum observed serum concentration (Cmax).
Circulating miRNAs and Bone Microstructure in Adults With Hypophosphatasia
HypophosphatasiaBone Diseases2 moreThe aim of the study is to accomplish a complete bone status of patients with HPP using new approaches to assess bone quality.
Low-Dose Hormone Replacement Therapy and Alendronate for Osteoporosis
OsteopeniaOsteoporosisOsteoporosis, a condition in which bones are fragile and break easily, is a major health problem for postmenopausal women. Research studies have shown that both estrogen/progestin replacement therapy (hormone replacement therapy, or HRT) and alendronate are effective in preventing and treating osteoporosis. However, because these drugs work in somewhat different ways, a combination of the two drugs might protect women from osteoporosis better than either drug alone. In this study we will test whether HRT and alendronate given together for 3.5 years to postmenopausal women with low bone mass will have a greater effect on bone than either HRT or alendronate given alone. We will also give every participant in this study calcium and vitamin D supplements.