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The relation between vitamin-D (VD) status and healing after hip fracture had not been sufficiently addressed. Currently serum total 25-hydroxy-VD (t-25OHD) is the most widely used indicator of VD status. It is unclear whether free or bioavailable VD are better markers of 25OHD availability for tissues. Validity of overall cut-off values of t-25OHD is limited. Objectives: (1) Assess serum levels of circulating forms of 25OHD in patients with hip fracture (PwHF: N = 199) compared to active controls without history of fracture (N = 102); (2) determine relationship between 25OHD fractions and functional performance after surgery (FPAS) and survival. The t-25OHD; VD binding protein and albumin levels were measured. Comorbidities; lifestyle; FPAS and survival were recorded at seven months. VD deficiency occurred more frequently in PwHF than in controls (72% vs. 38%). Patients with better FPAS showed higher 25OHD in all fractions than with poor FPAS. Controlled by lifestyle; 25OHD levels were independent predictive factors (p < 0.001). Good FPAS values forecasted longer survival (OR: 6.5CI:3.2–13.3; p < 0.0001). All 25OHD forms showed a tendency to predict survival. Mortality rate decreased to 8% in individuals with t-25OHD levels of >22.6–39.5 nmol/L and increased to 14% with >40 nmol/L. These observations highlight the importance of serum 25OHD assessment and moderate VD substitution for healing and survival.

Mesenchymal stem cells, which reside in adult bone marrow are multipotent, have an excellent regeneration potential for tissue repair. These cells are able to differentiate in cell culture not only into mesodermal lineages but also into other lineages of ectodermal and endodermal cells. This regenerative process is assisted by application of bioactive molecules, specific growth factors and biomaterials (scaffolds). The cell therapy is successfully used in the treatment of bone defects, nonunions, osteoblasts formed from the mesenchymal stem cells. At present, there are encouraging data in the clinical practice. The mesenchymal stem cell seems to be successful in the regeneration of articular cartilage. There are further promising data for the application of mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of myocardial infarction, neurologic diseases, liver and kidney diseases and injuries and diabetes mellitus. The aim of this review is to survey the molecular characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells and specific growth factors using the data of preclinical investigations and to call attention to their possible clinical application.

Surgically removed nodules from ten patients with recurrent Dupuytren’s disease were studied by electron microscopy. Myofibroblasts were found in eight cases in the active (involutional) stage. The distinctive ultrastructural features were similar to those of the original Dupuytren’s disease. We believe that, in addition to other factors, myofibroblasts have a non-specific but important role in the pathology of recurrent Dupuytren’s disease.

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