No abstract

We investigated the cellular and humoral interactions between peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and human osteoblasts, leading to apoptosis of osteoblasts. Human osteoblastic cell line MG63 and human primary osteoblast-like cells obtained from biopsy specimens were used in this study. PBMCs were isolated from healthy donors and cultured with or without stimulation by recombinant interleukin-2 followed by 12-o-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate with ionomycin.

To elucidate the role of PTH in postmenopausal bone loss, we studied 33 postmenopausal patients who received total thyroidectomy due to thyroid carcinoma. Among these patients, 13 were patients with hypoparathyroid function (HPf), and 20 retained normal parathyroid function (NPf) after thyroidectomy. Bone mineral density (BMD), the rate of BMD loss, and incidence of spinal deformity as well as varying bone metabolic markers were analyzed in all patients. The age-matched BMD was clearly higher, and the incidence of spinal deformity was significantly lower in HPf than in NPf. The rate of BMD loss in HPf was significantly lower than in NPf during the early postmenopausal period (within 5 yr after menopause; mean +/- SD, -0.567 +/- 3.05% vs. -2.49 +/- 1.86%/yr, P < 0.05). In contrast, the rates were similar between the two groups during the late postmenopausal period (> 5 yr after menopause). Bone metabolic markers indicated that an accelerated bone turnover occurred during the early postmenopausal period in NPf, but not in HPf. These results suggest that the hypoparathyroid condition provides protection against age-related bone loss. This is due in part to attenuation of the high turnover bone loss that occurs early in menopause.

12 of 17, a significant frequency (71%), of untreated Graves' disease patients with no clinical ophthalmopathy showed extraocular muscle (EOM) enlargement by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Enlargement was bilateral in 41% and unilateral in 29% in these patients. Apparent enlargements of EOM were also detected, by MRI, in all of 11 Graves' disease patients with clinical ophthalmopathy, bilateral in 73% and unilateral in 27% of patients in this group. Both group showed the inferior rectus muscle as the most frequently involved (56% and 77% respectively). In 16 patients without autoimmune thyroid disorders or ophthalmopathy who served as normal controls, only 2 of these patients (12%) demonstrated mild EOM enlargement. The severity and patterns of EOM enlargement revealed no correlation with abnormalities in serum thyroid function tests or serum thyroidal autoantibodies. In conclusion, a high frequency of Graves' disease patients without clinical eye signs or symptoms harbor EOM abnormalities, as demonstrated by MRI. This suggests that present clinical examination methods are insufficient to diagnose varying degrees of ophthalmopathy in patients with autoimmune thyroid disorders who do not initially present with clinical ophthalmopathy.

The drying characteristics of a single coarse lignite particle in superheated steam are investigated. Spherical particles of Loy Yang lignite 30 mm in diameter were used. The particles were dried with superheated steam at temperatures ranging from 110 to 170°C under atmospheric pressure, and their weights and temperatures were measured with electronic balance, thermocouples and infrared thermograph. Condensation of water droplets on the surface was observed initially, then constant drying rate period (CDRP) and decreasing drying rate period (DDRP) were observed successively. A numerical model of the drying process was developed based on the results, taking into account transfer of free water inside the particle, equilibrium moisture content and shrinkage of the lignite particle itself.