Dear Readers of the Osteological BulletinReview articles

P. Broulík

Clin Osteol 2007; 12(4): 143

The history of Paget's disease of boneReview articles

T. Hála

Clin Osteol 2007; 12(4): 144-147

Paget's disease of bone was first described by SirJames Paget who considered it to be a newly described disease entity. However, archaelogical findings suggest that the disease had been present in humans long before that, with localization of the defect similar to that commonly found in modern times. The text also contains a description of a patient written byJames Paget himself, proving his abili­ ties as a diagnostician and physician.

Effect of vitamin A on bone metabolismCase reports

I. Raška, O. Raška, P. Broulík

Clin Osteol 2007; 12(4): 148-150

Vitamin A is a generic term for a large group of chemically related substances exhibiting retinoid activity. In the human organism, they participate in the regulation of many essential functions. The most important retinoid is apparently retinoic acid synthesized from vitamin A in essentially all cell types including osteoblasts, osteoclasts and chondrocytes. Through retinoic acid receptors, retinoids play a major role in regulating gene expression, inhibition of cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Lack of vitamin A leads to congenital malformations of the eye, heart, gonads and lungs. The short communication deals with the effects of...

Osteomalacia in a patient with unrecognized coeliac diseaseCase reports

L. Franeková

Clin Osteol 2007; 12(4): 152-155

Coeliac disease, involving the mucosa of the small intestine, is manifested by malabsorption syndrome of various severity. This auto­ immune disease is caused by the gliadin fraction of gluten in genetically predisposed individuals. The diagnosis of coeliac disease is made by biopsy detection of intestinal changes. Typically, these are various degrees of mucosal atrophy and round-cell infiltration, an increased number of intraepithelial lymphocytes and crypt hyperplasia. In the patients' serum, gliadin antibodies (AGA), endomysial antibodies (EmA) and tissue tranglutaminase antibodies (anti t-TG) are detected. Examination of the antibodies may detect...

Case report - prolonged hypercalcaemia with an elevated ALP level - the risks and implications for the patientCase reports

F. Šenk

Clin Osteol 2007; 12(4): 156-163

The report presents a case of prolonged hypercalcaemia due to advanced primary hyperparathyroidism, with significantly negative implications for the patient, and the initially misleading differential diagnosis of the condition. Hypercalcaemia is a severe mineral imbalance with potentially fatal consequences for patients. The symptoms and signs include: ne­ urological and muscle dysfunction, mental changes, impaired renal function with all the consequences including renal failure, nep­ hrolithiasis, extraosseous calcifications, digestive tract diseases, hypertension and, last but not least, myocardial dysfunction potenti­ ally leading to systolic cardiac...

Alendronate: effectiveness in the range of metabolic diseasesShort communications

J. Rosa

Clin Osteol 2007; 12(4): 166-171

Alendronate is the first aminobisphosphonate widely used for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. With respect to its me­ chanism of action based on bone turnover suppression mediated by inhibition of osteoclastic resorption, the effect of alendronate has also been analyzed in other forms of osteoporosis (glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis, male osteoporosis), prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women as well as in other less frequent metabolic bone diseases (Paget's disease, primary hyperparathyroidism, posttransplant conditions). The article focuses on its use in both current and potential indications, and concludes that alendronate...

Professor Broulik - septuagenerianNews

Clin Osteol 2007; 12(4): 172

M. Bayer IOF Osteoporosis Diagnosis Course with Densitometry Certification in Luhačovice 27.-28. 10. 2007News

Clin Osteol 2007; 12(4): 173

10th International Congress of Czech and Slovak OsteologistsNews

Z. Málek

Clin Osteol 2007; 12(4): 174

Report from Fourth International Conference on Children's Bone Health, 21.-24. 6. 2007 in MontrealInformations

S. Kutilek

Clin Osteol 2007; 12(4): 175

Osteology BrnoInformations

J. Šlesinger

Clin Osteol 2007; 12(4): 176

ECTS grants and awardsInformations

Clin Osteol 2007; 12(4): 177

Call for fellowship applicationsInformations

Clin Osteol 2007; 12(4): 178

To reviewers and authors Osteological BulletinInformations

M. Bayer, S. Kutilek

Clin Osteol 2007; 12(4): 179

News from around the worldLiterature

Clin Osteol 2007; 12(4): 180-183

Congress AnnouncementsInformations

Clin Osteol 2007; 12(4): 184