The present study investigated whether dietary n-3 very-long-chain PUFA (n-3 VLC-PUFA) could increase skin and bone mineralisation in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in vivo and examined their potential effects on human osteoblast proliferation and differentiation in vitro. Atlantic salmon were fed different dietary levels of n-3 VLC-PUFA, and changes in tissue n-3 VLC-PUFA composition, skeletal morphology, skin and bone mineral content, bone mineral density (BMD) and gene expression patterns were examined. Additionally, in vitro experiments using human foetal osteoblast cells were conducted to investigate the potential influence of n-3 VLC-PUFA supplementation on cell proliferation, osteogenic differentiation and cytokine expression. The results demonstrated that increasing the dietary levels of n-3 VLC-PUFA increased the mineral content of vertebrae and BMD in salmon, with subtle yet significant impacts on the expression of genes involved in bone-related processes. Furthermore, in vitro experiments showed a potential contextual influence of n-3 VLC-PUFA supplementation on gene expression of osteogenic markers and cytokine expression. Our findings indicate for the first time that n-3 VLC-PUFA may influence processes related to bone mineralisation.

During excavations of a Roman villa at Fordham, Essex, a remarkable series of decorated bone and antler veneer plaques were recovered from villa destruction deposits. They are datable to the later fourth or fifth centuries a.d. and probably once adorned a casket holding bathing equipment and jewellery. Spread through the three main rooms of the villa, fragments were recovered from at least 10 metres apart, so the object is likely already to have been broken when deposited. The plaques are decorated with ‘late antique’ style figural, zoomorphic, vegetal and architectural motifs on a cross-hatched background, with the best-preserved design probably relating to female bathing.

Osteoarthritis (OA), a disease with a multifactorial aetiology and an enigmatic root cause, affects the quality of life of many elderly patients. Even though there are certain medications utilised to reduce the symptomatic effects, a reliable treatment method to reverse the disease is yet to be discovered. Zinc is a cofactor of over 3000 proteins and is the only metal found in all six classes of enzymes. We explored zinc’s effect on the immune system and the bones as OA affects both. We also discussed zinc-dependent enzymes, highlighting their significant role in the disease’s pathogenesis. It is important to note that both excessive and deficient zinc levels can negatively affect bone health and immune function, thereby exacerbating OA. The purpose of this review is to offer a better understanding of zinc’s impact on OA pathogenesis and to provide clarity regarding its beneficial and detrimental outcomes. We searched thoroughly systematic reviews, meta-analysis, review articles, research articles and randomised controlled trials to ensure a comprehensive review. In brief, using zinc supplementation in the treatment of OA may act as a doubled-edged sword, offering potential benefits but also posing risks.

This study was conducted to determine the effect of reducing calcium (Ca) and available phosphorus (AvP) on performance, carcass yield, tibia traits and jejunum histomorphology in broilers. For this purpose, 480 one-day-old Ross 308 male chicks were distributed into four trial groups with eight subgroups. During the starter period, birds were fed with recommended or reduced Ca and AvP contents of 66.7 and 62.5 g/kg, respectively. Calcium and AvP contents of the groups were as follows: control: 8.70 g/kg Ca, 4.40 g/kg AvP for grower and 7.80 g/kg Ca, 3.90 g/kg AvP for finisher; LCP1: 8.30 g/kg Ca, 4.20 g/kg AvP for grower and 7.10 g/kg Ca, 3.50 g/kg AvP for finisher; LCP2: 7.90 g/kg Ca, 4.00 g/kg AvP for grower and 6.00 g/kg Ca, 3.00 g/kg AvP for finisher; LCP3: 7.00 g/kg Ca, 3.80 g/kg for grower and 5.00 g/kg Ca, 3.00 g/kg AvP for finisher. Performance variables have been calculated from the data of each period, and samples were obtained from the slaughtered birds on the final day of the trial (42nd day) for carcass and tibia traits and jejunum histomorphology. Reducing dietary Ca and AvP did not affect the broiler performance, carcass yield and mortality. Tibia ash decreased in LCP2 and LCP3 groups (P < 0.01). Villus width and villus surface area increased in LCP2 and LCP3. Overall, feeding with a diet 100 g/kg lower than the recommended Ca and AvP did not affect performance in broilers, but improved jejunal development.

This study investigated sex differences in Fe status, and associations between Fe status and endurance and musculoskeletal outcomes, in military training. In total, 2277 British Army trainees (581 women) participated. Fe markers and endurance performance (2·4 km run) were measured at the start (week 1) and end (week 13) of training. Whole-body areal body mineral density (aBMD) and markers of bone metabolism were measured at week 1. Injuries during training were recorded. Training decreased Hb in men and women (mean change (–0·1 (95 % CI –0·2, –0·0) and –0·7 (95 % CI –0·9, –0·6) g/dl, both P < 0·001) but more so in women (P < 0·001). Ferritin decreased in men and women (–27 (95 % CI –28, –23) and –5 (95 % CI –8, –1) µg/l, both P ≤ 0·001) but more so in men (P < 0·001). Soluble transferrin receptor increased in men and women (2·9 (95 % CI 2·3, 3·6) and 3·8 (95 % CI 2·7, 4·9) nmol/l, both P < 0·001), with no difference between sexes (P = 0·872). Erythrocyte distribution width increased in men (0·3 (95 % CI 0·2, 0·4)%, P < 0·001) but not in women (0·1 (95 % CI –0·1, 0·2)%, P = 0·956). Mean corpuscular volume decreased in men (–1·5 (95 % CI –1·8, –1·1) fL, P < 0·001) but not in women (0·4 (95 % CI –0·4, 1·3) fL, P = 0·087). Lower ferritin was associated with slower 2·4 km run time (P = 0·018), sustaining a lower limb overuse injury (P = 0·048), lower aBMD (P = 0·021) and higher beta C-telopeptide cross-links of type 1 collagen and procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide (both P < 0·001) controlling for sex. Improving Fe stores before training may protect Hb in women and improve endurance and protect against injury.

In two forensic cases, radiocarbon (14C) bomb-pulse datings of human bones have been performed and analyzed using detailed models to correct for collagen-carbon turnover rates and reservoir effects. The modeled corrections are discussed and the resulting 14C ages compared to later information on actual time of birth and death of the individuals. Simple time lag corrections of bone dates are found to be inadequate, whereas modeling based on age dependent turnover rates and bomb-pulse levels through life combined with substantial reservoir age corrections can explain the observed 14C results.

The small finds discovered during the 1948–1951 excavations by Katherine M. Kenyon and John B. Ward-Perkins at Sabratha were scattered after the 1950s and have taken some time to be re-assembled. The following report on the small objects includes material in silver, copper alloy, iron, lead, glass, semiprecious stones, clay and stone, with a separate report on the substantial bone artefact assemblage. As well as providing the basic data on the objects, some of which are unique to Roman Libya, efforts have been made to put them into their Empire-wide context.

Nutrition is a key determinant of bone health and attainment of peak bone mass. Excess oxidative stress induces bone loss while increasing antioxidant capacity promotes protective effects on bone. Nuts are rich in antioxidants; therefore, we tested the hypothesis that compared to a control diet high in fat (40 % energy) and cholesterol, diets containing isocaloric amounts of pistachios (8·1 % g/g) or mixed nuts (7·5 % g/g) for 8 weeks would result in greater bone health in male adolescent (3 weeks; a state of continued skeletal growth) Sprague-Dawley rats. We found no difference in bone mechanical properties among groups. Tibial apparent density was ~5 % higher in the pistachio and mixed nuts groups v. control (P < 0·05) with no clear difference detected for the femur. Expressions of genes known to impact bone turnover and serum bone turnover biomarkers were unaffected by either diet relative to control. Serum antioxidant capacity was ~2-fold higher in the pistachio and mixed nuts groups compared with control (P < 0·05) but were similar between groups. Therefore, pistachios and mixed nuts may increase tibial density, in part, due to increasing antioxidant capacity. Longer dietary interventions may be necessary to elicit detectable changes in other bones (e.g. femur) and to detect potential mechanisms for the possible bone protective effects of nuts.

Female athletes follow a strict diet and perform rigorous exercise to boost their performance, which induces health issues called the female athlete triad (FAT), defined as the combination of disordered eating, amenorrhoea and low bone mineral density. It is known to have a significant effect on bones. However, its effects on the small intestine, which is responsible for nutrient uptake into the body, remain unclear. In this study, we created an animal model of FAT to examine its effects on digestive and absorptive molecules in the small intestine. Thirty 5-week-old female Sprague-Dawley (sd) rats with an initial body weight of about 147 g were divided into control (Con, n = 7), exercise (Ex, n = 7), food restriction (FR, n = 8) and exercise plus food restriction (FAT, n = 8) groups. The rats were subjected to 4 weeks of wheel running (Ex, FAT) and 50–40 % food restriction (FR, FAT) to examine the effects on bone and typical digestive enzymes and transporters in the jejunum. Two-way ANOVA and the Kruskal–Wallis test were used for statistical analysis of normal and non-normal data, respectively. Four weeks of exercise and food restriction decreased bone weight (vs. other group P < 0·01) and bone breaking power (vs. other group P < 0·01). Villus height decreased in the jejunum (vs. other group P < 0·01), but the expression of typical macronutrients digestive enzyme and absorptive molecules remained unchanged. In contrast, sucrase-isomaltase gene (v. Ex P = 0·02) and protein expression were increased (vs. other group P < 0·05). The study findings show that FAT affects sucrase-isomaltase without histone methylation changes.

Machu Picchu, in Cuzco, is one of the most famous archaeological sites in South America. The precise dating of the monumental complex, however, relies largely on documentary sources. Samples of bone and teeth from individuals buried in caves at four cemeteries around Machu Picchu form the basis for a new programme of AMS radiocarbon-dating. The results show that the site was occupied from c. AD 1420–1532, with activity beginning two decades earlier than suggested by the textual sources that associate the site with Emperor Pachacuti's rise to power in AD 1438. The new AMS dates—the first large set published for Machu Picchu—therefore have implications for the wider understanding of Inca chronology.

We aimed to compare the efficacy of daily v. low dose depot oral vitamin D3 for treating nutritional rickets. We conducted a randomised controlled trial in the department of paediatrics of a tertiary care hospital catering to semi-urban and rural population in Delhi, India. We randomised sixty-six children aged 3 months to 5 years with nutritional rickets to receive either daily oral vitamin D3 drops (3–12 months: 2000 IU; > 12 months to 5 years: 4000 IU; n 33) for 12 weeks duration or a single oral depot dose of vitamin D3 granules (3–12 months: 60 000 IU; > 12 months to 5 years: 150 000 IU; n 33). Participants in both groups had comparable demographic characteristics, laboratory features and radiological severity of rickets. Thirty-three participants in each group received the assigned intervention and all were followed up till 12 weeks. At 12 weeks follow-up, children in both groups showed a significant improvement in all biochemical parameters (serum Ca, P, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), parathormone and 25(OH) vitamin D levels) as well as radiological healing. At 12 weeks, the mean serum 25(OH) vitamin D levels (nmol/l) were statistically comparable in both groups (daily: 120·2 (sd 83·2), depot: 108 (sd 74), P = 0·43) and 31 (93·9 %) children in each group had radiological healing (Thacher score < 1·5). Two children in each group persisted to have raised ALP, and one child each in the daily group continued to have hypocalcaemia and hypophosphataemia at 12 weeks. Low dose oral depot vitamin D3 is an effective alternative to daily oral vitamin D3 for nutritional rickets.

Adverse programming of adult non-communicable disease can be induced by poor maternal nutrition during pregnancy and the periconception period has been identified as a vulnerable period. In the current study, we used a mouse maternal low-protein diet fed either for the duration of pregnancy (LPD) or exclusively during the preimplantation period (Emb-LPD) with control nutrition provided thereafter and postnatally to investigate effects on fetal bone development and quality. This model has been shown previously to induce cardiometabolic and neurological disease phenotypes in offspring. Micro 3D computed tomography examination at fetal stages Embryonic day E14.5 and E17.4, reflecting early and late stages of bone formation, demonstrated LPD treatment caused increased bone formation of relative high mineral density quality in males, but not females, at E14.5, disproportionate to fetal growth, with bone quality maintained at E17.5. In contrast, Emb-LPD caused a late increase in male fetal bone growth, proportionate to fetal growth, at E17.5, affecting central and peripheral skeleton and of reduced mineral density quality relative to controls. These altered dynamics in bone growth coincide with increased placental efficiency indicating compensatory responses to dietary treatments. Overall, our data show fetal bone formation and mineral quality is dependent upon maternal nutritional protein content and is sex-specific. In particular, we find the duration and timing of poor maternal diet to be critical in the outcomes with periconceptional protein restriction leading to male offspring with increased bone growth but of poor mineral density, thereby susceptible to later disease risk.

Dietary electrolyte balance (dEB) is known to affect acid−base status and mineral metabolism, but is rarely considered in diet formulation for pigs. Yet, the use of a wide variety of local feedstuffs in Europe contributes to lowering the dEB and increasing the fibre content. Hence, mineral requirements may be modified and skeletal health affected. Therefore, the effects of a lower dEB and a higher dietary Ca level on acid−base balance and mineral status were assessed in young pigs fed a diversified diet. A total of twenty-four weaned pigs were fed a control moderate-dEB diet (C) or a diversified moderate-dEB (D), low-dEB (D-A) or low-dEB supplemented with Ca (D-CA) diet. Growth performance, venous blood gas and chemistry, urine pH, mineral balance and femur characteristics were determined. With an equivalent dEB compared with the C diet, the D diet caused an acidification of the urine and increased the excretion of P as a result of a higher dietary content of S. Low-grade metabolic acidosis occurred in piglets fed the D-A diet with changes at systemic and urine levels. A higher excretion of ammonia and P in urine was observed and some bone characteristics tended to be negatively affected. Ca supplementation partially counteracted the effects of low-grade acidosis. Urine excretion of P and ammonia was alleviated and bone characteristics improved. In conclusion, a higher Ca supply must be considered in more diversified diets to counteract the risk of evolving towards low-grade metabolic acidosis which can negatively affect bone.

Surface modification of titanium and titanium alloys is a common method to improve anchoring of bone tissue and implants in hard tissue engineering applications. In the current work, a combination of chemical and physical methods (anodization and physical vapor deposition) was used to roughen the titanium surface and deposit iron (Fe) on the surface of titanium at different thicknesses. The optimized thickness of 100 Å was selected for mechanical and biological characterization. We found that anodization increases the surface roughness of Ti from 21 ± 0 to 229 ± 9 nm, whereas Fe deposition does not change it significantly. Our results also showed that surface modification of Ti by anodization increases the proliferation of osteosarcoma cells at both time points, whereas Fe-deposited samples showed the lowest cellular activity. These results suggest that Fe-deposited Ti implants may be suitable candidates for patients with osteosarcoma, as the proliferation of malignant cells decreases in the presence of Fe.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a widely used group of antidepressants (ADs) with reported potential detrimental effects on bone mineral density (BMD) and increased fracture risk. Here, a comprehensive review of the in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies to date was carried out using the medical search engines MEDLINE (1950 to September 2010) and EMBASE (1980 to September 2010). Serotonin (5-HT) receptors have been identified on osteoclast, osteoblast and osteocyte cell lines. The effect of SSRIs on bone formation and resorption appears to be governed by the activation of a number of 5-HT receptors on osteoblasts and osteoclasts via endocrine, autocrine/paracrine and neuronal pathways. In vitro, in vivo and clinical collective data appears to indicate that SSRIs have a negative effect on bone at the therapeutic dose levels widely used for the treatment of depression in current clinical practice. Caution may therefore have to be employed with the use of SSRIs in patients at an increased risk of falls and osteoporosis. Further studies are needed in order to fully elicit the role of SSRIs in bone formation and their effects in the low oestrogen state.

Vitamin D deficiency has been commonly reported in elite athletes, but the vitamin D status of UK university athletes in different training environments remains unknown. The present study aimed to determine any seasonal changes in vitamin D status among indoor and outdoor athletes, and whether there was any relationship between vitamin D status and indices of physical performance and bone health. A group of forty-seven university athletes (indoor n 22, outdoor n 25) were tested during autumn and spring for serum vitamin D status, bone health and physical performance parameters. Blood samples were analysed for serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (s-25(OH)D) status. Peak isometric knee extensor torque using an isokinetic dynamometer and jump height was assessed using an Optojump. Aerobic capacity was estimated using the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test. Peripheral quantitative computed tomography scans measured radial bone mineral density. Statistical analyses were performed using appropriate parametric/non-parametric testing depending on the normality of the data. s-25(OH)D significantly fell between autumn (52·8 (sd 22·0) nmol/l) and spring (31·0 (sd 16·5) nmol/l; P < 0·001). In spring, 34 % of participants were considered to be vitamin D deficient (<25 nmol/l) according to the revised 2016 UK guidelines. These data suggest that UK university athletes are at risk of vitamin D deficiency. Thus, further research is warranted to investigate the concomitant effects of low vitamin D status on health and performance outcomes in university athletes residing at northern latitudes.

Giant cell tumor (GCT) of bone is a common benign lesion that causes significant morbidity due to the failure of modern medical and surgical treatment. Surface ultra-structures of giant cells (GCs) may help in distinguishing aggressive tumors from indolent GC lesions. This study aimed to standardize scanning electron microscopic (SEM) imaging of GC from GCT of bone. Fresh GCT collected in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium was washed to remove blood, homogenized, or treated with collagenase to isolate the GCs. Mechanically homogenized and collagenase-digested GCs were imaged on SEM after commonly used drying methodologies such as air-drying, tetramethylsilane (TMS)-drying, freeze-drying, and critical point-drying (CPD) for the optimization of sample processing. The collagenase-treated samples yielded a greater number of isolated GC and showed better surface morphology in comparison to mechanical homogenization. Air-drying was associated with marked cell shrinkage, and freeze-dried samples showed severe cell damage. TMS methodology partially preserved the cell contour and surface structures, although the cell shape was distorted. GC images with optimum surface morphology including membrane folding and microvesicular structures on the surface were observed only in collagenase-treated and critical point-dried samples. Collagenase digestion and critical point/TMS-drying should be performed for optimal SEM imaging of individual GCs.

The Danube region in Central Europe was one of the areas where several cultures appeared before moving further or being defeated during the Migration Period in the middle of the first millennium AD. The Lombards, who crossed the Danube in 505 AD, settled in the “Tullnerfeld” where the Maria Ponsee graveyard was excavated in 1965–1972. From the historical evidence about the temporal and spatial migration of the Lombards, it was concluded that the graveyard was in use between 505 and 568 AD by three groups of migrants. We processed and dated a new set of 23 bones, found in the Maria Ponsee site. The determined 14C dates fit well in the expected time interval, though discrimination between the grave groups could not be obtained. The dates were added to the chronological sequence, recording the Migration Period in Central Europe. The sequence lead to a good correlation of the modelled and historical data (Amodel = 87.6%). The results show differentiations of the respective tribes in the pre-Lombardic period. However, transitions between the Lombard phases were rather ambiguous, indicating that the Lombards set up new settlements while only partially abandoning the already inhabited ones before 546 AD.