Stabilizing effect of total ankle arthroplasty by distal translation and lateralization of talus in varus ankle deformity.

BACKGROUND: In end-stage arthritis indicated for total ankle arthroplasty (TAA), full-thickness cartilage damage, subchondral bone defect/shaving, and fluttering of the talar dome occur, shortening the distance between the tibial and talar insertions of ligaments and leading to laxity of ligaments surrounding the ankle joint. Under such conditions, medial ligaments (including the deltoid ligament) would not be expected to function properly. To stabilize the ankle joint during the stance phase, medial ligament function under tension is important. This study therefore examined whether TAA contributes to lengthening of the medial tibio-talar joint as evaluated radiographically, as a preferable method for achieving tensile effects on medial ligaments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four feet with end-stage varus deformity of the ankle joint that underwent TAA were retrospectively investigated, excluding cases with any malleolar osteotomy or fracture. Distance between proximal and distal insertions of medial ligaments, lateralization of the talus, and talar tilt angle under valgus/varus stress condition were evaluated pre- and postoperatively. RESULTS: Distance between proximal and distal insertions of medial ligaments was significantly elongated after TAA. At the same time, the talus showed significant lateralization. Furthermore, talar tilt under valgus/varus stress conditions was also significantly reduced after TAA. CONCLUSION: TAA affects distal translation and lateralization of the talus in cases of varus ankle deformity. These effects might contribute to re-providing tensile force on lax medial ligaments, improving ligament function.

Art engagement and psychological well-being among community-dwelling older adults in Japan: an observational cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: Art engagement, which includes individual art activities and museum and gallery visits, potentially contributes to improving psychological well-being. However, there is insufficient evidence of its effects on the older population, and few reports are from Asia, including Japan. This study examined the association between art engagement and psychological well-being among older adults in Japan. STUDY DESIGN: An observational cross-sectional study design was used. METHODS: Community-dwelling older adults aged ≥60 years were recruited from the visitors to public facilities (including community centres, sports centres and cultural centres) in Aichi, Japan, in 2022, and completed questionnaires. The psychological well-being assessment included five domains according to Seligman's PERMA framework: Positive emotion, Engagement, Relationship, Meaning and Accomplishment. Regarding art engagement, the frequencies of active art engagement (e.g. activities by individuals and participation in groups, such as music and painting) and receptive art engagement (e.g. visiting museums, galleries and the theatres) were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 522 participants were included in the analysis (mean age = 74.1 years; 78.0% females). Results from the multivariable linear regression analysis, which adjusted for demographic and socio-economic factors, revealed that higher frequencies of active art engagement were significantly associated with higher scores in all five PERMA domain scores. Higher frequencies of receptive art engagement were significantly associated with higher levels of Positive emotion, Engagement and Meaning domain scores, but were only marginally associated with the Accomplishment domain and were not associated with the Relationships domain. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that art engagement has the potential to enhance psychological well-being among older adults. National and local government strategies to increase accessibility to art and cultural activities for older adults are recommended.

Effects of prior osteoporosis treatment on the treatment response of romosozumab followed by denosumab in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis.

In patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis, prior osteoporosis treatment affected the bone mineral density increase of following treatment with 12 months of romosozumab, although it did not affect that of following treatment with 12 months of denosumab after romosozumab. PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of prior osteoporosis treatment on the response to treatment with romosozumab (ROMO) followed by denosumab (DMAb) in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis. METHODS: In this prospective, observational, multicenter study, treatment-naïve patients (Naïve; n = 55) or patients previously treated with bisphosphonates (BP; n = 37), DMAb (DMAb; n = 45) or teriparatide (TPTD; n = 17) (mean age, 74.6 years; T-scores of the lumbar spine [LS] - 3.2 and total hip [TH] - 2.6) were switched to ROMO for 12 months, followed by DMAb for 12 months. Bone mineral density (BMD) and serum bone turnover markers were evaluated for 24 months. RESULTS: A BMD increase was observed at 12 and 24 months in the following patients: Naïve (18.2% and 22.0%), BP (10.2% and 12.1%), DMAb (6.6% and 9.7%), and TPTD (10.8% and 15.0%) (P < 0.001 between the groups at both 12 and 24 months) in LS and Naïve (5.5% and 8.3%), BP (2.9% and 4.1%), DMAb (0.6% and 2.2%), and TPTD (4.3% and 5.4%) (P < 0.01 between the groups at 12 months and P < 0.001 at 24 months) in TH, respectively. The BMD increase in LS from 12 to 24 months was negatively associated with the levels of bone resorption marker at 24 months. Incidences of major fragility fractures for the respective groups were as follows: Naïve (5.5%), BP (16.2%), DMAb (11.1%), and TPTD (5.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Previous treatment affected the BMD increase of following treatment with ROMO, although it did not affect that of following treatment with DMAb after ROMO.

Interobserver Reliability on Intravoxel Incoherent Motion Imaging in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Noninvasive perfusion-weighted imaging with short scanning time could be advantageous in order to determine presumed penumbral regions and subsequent treatment strategy for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Our aim was to evaluate interobserver agreement and the clinical utility of intravoxel incoherent motion MR imaging in patients with acute ischemic stroke. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied 29 patients with AIS (17 men, 12 women; mean age, 75.2 [SD, 12.0 ] years; median, 77 years). Each patient underwent intravoxel incoherent motion MR imaging using a 1.5T MR imaging scanner. Diffusion-sensitizing gradients were applied sequentially in the x, y, and z directions with 6 different b-values (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 1000 seconds/mm2). From the intravoxel incoherent motion MR imaging data, diffusion coefficient, perfusion fraction, and pseudodiffusion coefficient maps were obtained using a 2-step fitting algorithm based on the Levenberg-Marquardt method. The presence of decreases in the intravoxel incoherent motion perfusion fraction and pseudodiffusion coefficient values compared with the contralateral normal-appearing brain was graded on a 2-point scale by 2 independent neuroradiologists. Interobserver agreement on the rating scale was evaluated using the κ statistic. Clinical characteristics of patients with a nondecreased intravoxel incoherent motion perfusion fraction and/or pseudodiffusion coefficient rated by the 2 observers were also assessed. RESULTS: Interobserver agreement was shown for the intravoxel incoherent motion perfusion fraction (κ = 0.854) and pseudodiffusion coefficient (κ = 0.789) maps, which indicated almost perfect and substantial agreement, respectively. Patients with a nondecreased intravoxel incoherent motion perfusion fraction tended to show recanalization of the occluded intracranial arteries more frequently than patients with a decreased intravoxel incoherent motion perfusion fraction. CONCLUSIONS: Intravoxel incoherent motion MR imaging could be performed in < 1 minute in addition to routine DWI. Intravoxel incoherent motion parameters noninvasively provide feasible, qualitative perfusion-related information for assessing patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Pebbles and sand on asteroid (162173) Ryugu: In situ observation and particles returned to Earth.

The Hayabusa2 spacecraft investigated the C-type (carbonaceous) asteroid (162173) Ryugu. The mission performed two landing operations to collect samples of surface and subsurface material, the latter exposed by an artificial impact. We present images of the second touchdown site, finding that ejecta from the impact crater was present at the sample location. Surface pebbles at both landing sites show morphological variations ranging from rugged to smooth, similar to Ryugu's boulders, and shapes from quasi-spherical to flattened. The samples were returned to Earth on 6 December 2020. We describe the morphology of >5 grams of returned pebbles and sand. Their diverse color, shape, and structure are consistent with the observed materials of Ryugu; we conclude that they are a representative sample of the asteroid.

Association between Decreased Social Participation and Depressive Symptom Onset among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Longitudinal Study during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

OBJECTIVES: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has imposed restrictions on people's social behavior. However, there is limited evidence regarding the relationship between changes in social participation and depressive symptom onset among older adults during the pandemic. We examined the association between changes in social participation and the onset of depressive symptoms among community-dwelling older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN: This was a longitudinal study. SETTING: Communities in Minokamo City, a semi-urban area in Japan. PARTICIPANTS: We recruited community-dwelling older adults aged ≥ 65 years using random sampling. Participants completed a questionnaire survey at baseline (March 2020) and follow-up (October 2020). MEASUREMENTS: Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Two-Question Screen. Based on their social participation status in March and October 2020, participants were classified into four groups: "continued participation," "decreased participation," "increased participation," and "consistent non-participation." RESULTS: A total of 597 older adults without depressive symptoms at baseline were analyzed (mean age = 79.8 years; 50.4% females). Depressive symptoms occurred in 20.1% of the participants during the observation period. Multivariable Poisson regression analysis showed that decreased social participation was significantly associated with the onset of the depressive symptoms, compared to continued participation, after adjusting for all covariates (incidence rate ratio = 1.59, 95% confidence interval = 1.01-2.50, p = 0.045). CONCLUSION: Older adults with decreased social participation during the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated a high risk of developing depressive symptoms. We recommend that resuming community activities and promoting the participation of older adults, with sufficient consideration for infection prevention, are needed to maintain mental health among older adults.

Role of non-face-to-face social contacts in moderating the association between living alone and mental health among community-dwelling older adults: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: We examined the association between living alone and mental health and the moderating effects of face-to-face and non-face-to-face social contacts, among community-dwelling older adults. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: This cross-sectional study recruited Japanese adults older than 60 years, who attended health check-ups held in a suburban town hall in July and August of 2018 and 2019. As mental health outcomes, depression was assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale 15-items, loneliness was assessed using the University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale 3-items, and happiness was self-rated on a 10-point scale. Face-to-face social contacts were evaluated by participants' frequency of meetings with relatives or friends, whereas non-face-to-face contacts were measured by the frequency of interactions via letter, telephone or e-mail. Multivariable linear regression analysis was conducted to examine the association between living alone with each mental health outcome and the effect modifications of having face-to-face and non-face-to-face social contacts. RESULTS: Data from 300 older adults were analysed. The participants' mean age was 73.0 years, 51.3% were female, and 16.0% lived alone. Living alone was significantly associated with poorer mental health. Regarding loneliness and low happiness, having face-to-face and non-face-to-face contacts more than once a week alleviated the adverse association of living alone (loneliness: face-to-face contacts, P = 0.020; non-face-to-face contacts, P = 0.028; happiness: face-to-face contacts, P = 0.020; non-face-to-face contacts, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that non-face-to-face, as well as face-to-face social contacts have a moderating effect on the adverse association of living alone with loneliness and happiness.

Organic matter and water from asteroid Itokawa.

Understanding the true nature of extra-terrestrial water and organic matter that were present at the birth of our solar system, and their subsequent evolution, necessitates the study of pristine astromaterials. In this study, we have studied both the water and organic contents from a dust particle recovered from the surface of near-Earth asteroid 25143 Itokawa by the Hayabusa mission, which was the first mission that brought pristine asteroidal materials to Earth's astromaterial collection. The organic matter is presented as both nanocrystalline graphite and disordered polyaromatic carbon with high D/H and 15N/14N ratios (δD = + 4868 ± 2288‰; δ15N = + 344 ± 20‰) signifying an explicit extra-terrestrial origin. The contrasting organic feature (graphitic and disordered) substantiates the rubble-pile asteroid model of Itokawa, and offers support for material mixing in the asteroid belt that occurred in scales from small dust infall to catastrophic impacts of large asteroidal parent bodies. Our analysis of Itokawa water indicates that the asteroid has incorporated D-poor water ice at the abundance on par with inner solar system bodies. The asteroid was metamorphosed and dehydrated on the formerly large asteroid, and was subsequently evolved via late-stage hydration, modified by D-enriched exogenous organics and water derived from a carbonaceous parent body.

The 3MTM CavilonTM barrier prevents erasure of surgical skin markings with removal of povidone iodine adhesive draping.

The 3M Cavilon barrier is a no-sting film which acts as a physical barrier to protect the skin from friction and contamination.The 3M Cavilon barrier prevents erasure of surgical skin markings with removal of povidone iodine adhesive draping.

Neighbourhood relationships moderate the positive association between family caregiver burden and psychological distress in Japanese adults: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: Family caregiver burden is associated with higher psychological distress. However, little is known about the impact of neighbourhood relationships on caregivers' psychological distress. We examined whether neighbourhood relationships of caregivers moderate the association between family caregiver burden and psychological distress. STUDY DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study. METHODS: We recruited 5321 Japanese adults who participated in the Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort Study in the Okazaki area between 2013 and 2017. Participants completed self-reported questionnaires to measure psychological distress (Kessler 6: K6), subjective caregiver burden, and neighbourhood relationships. We performed a multivariable linear regression analysis in which caregiver burden was designated as an independent variable and the K6 score as a dependent variable, adjusting for demographics. The interaction term between caregiver burden and neighbourhood relationships was also included in the analysis. RESULTS: Data from a total of 5069 participants were included (mean age [standard deviation]: 63.1 years [10.3 years]; 2226 [43.9%] female). Caregiver burden was significantly and positively associated with psychological distress (compared with no burden, mild burden: ß = 0.24, P = 0.197; severe burden: ß = 0.60, P < 0.01; P for trend < 0.01). There was a significant negative interaction effect of caregiver burden × neighbourhood relationship on psychological distress (severe burden × good neighbourhood relationship: ß = -3.29, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: A higher caregiver burden was associated with higher psychological distress, and neighbourhood relationships moderated this association. Our findings suggest that good neighbourhood relationships can buffer caregiving-associated psychological distress.

Surgical strategy for long-standing dislocation of the temporomandibular joint: experience with 16 medically compromised patients.

We evaluated the surgical outcomes in 16 patients with long-standing dislocation of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ): eight men and eight women, mean (range) age 72 (21-94) years. They all had multiple underlying diseases, either dementia or a mental disorder, and the joint had been dislocated for four weeks or longer. Manual reduction had been ineffective. They were operated on after assessments by the Department of Geriatric Medicine. The procedures were successful in 14 of the 16 patients: eminectomy (n = 5), eminectomy and discectomy or condylectomy (n = 2), eminectomy, discectomy, and condylectomy (n = 3), release of the lateral pterygoid muscle (n = 3), and curettage of a fibrotic scar in the mandibular fossa (n = 1). Reduction was "easy" (n = 4), "moderately difficult" (n = 3), or "very difficult" (n = 9). Complete reduction could not be achieved for two of the "very difficult" patients. After reduction, three patients had the mandibular condyle tethered to the mandibular fossa. Operation was successful in 12 of the 16 patients. Two patients died, one of cardiopulmonary arrest, and one of chronic pulmonary insufficiency, while reduction was incomplete in two. There were no recurrences. The difficulty of reducing the joint in most of our patients suggests that detailed preoperative surgical planning is essential, patients at risk should be carefully selected, and indications for techniques to prevent recurrence should be carefully evaluated.

Peripheral administration of κ-opioid receptor antagonist stimulates gonadotropin-releasing hormone pulse generator activity in ovariectomized, estrogen-treated female goats.

Pulsatile gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion is indispensable for reproduction in mammals. Kisspeptin neurons in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC), referred to as KNDy neurons because of the coexpression of neurokinin B and dynorphin A, are considered as components of the GnRH pulse generator that produces rhythmic GnRH secretion. The present study aimed to investigate if peripheral administration of PF-4455242, a κ-opioid receptor (KOR, a dynorphin A receptor) antagonist, facilitates pulsatile luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion and GnRH pulse generator activity in estrogen-treated ovariectomized Shiba goats to determine the possibility of using KOR antagonists to artificially control ovarian activities. PF-4455242 was intravenously infused for 4 h (1 or 10 µmol/kg body weight/4 h) or as a single subcutaneous injection (1 or 10 µmol/kg body weight). In a separate experiment, the same KOR antagonist (10 µmol/kg body weight/4 h) was intravenously infused during the recording of multiple unit activity (MUA) in the ARC that reflects the activity of the GnRH pulse generator to test the effects of KOR antagonist administration on GnRH pulse generator activity. Intravenous infusion and single subcutaneous injection of the KOR antagonist significantly increased the frequency of LH pulses compared with controls. Intravenous infusion of KOR antagonist also significantly increased the frequency of episodic bursts in the MUA. The present study demonstrates that peripherally administered KOR antagonist stimulates pulsatile LH secretion by acting on the GnRH pulse generator, and peripheral administration of PF-4455242 can be used to facilitate pulsatile LH secretion, which in turn facilitates ovarian activities in farm animals.

Thermal and impact histories of 25143 Itokawa recorded in Hayabusa particles.

Understanding the origin and evolution of near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) is an issue of scientific interest and practical importance because NEAs are potentially hazardous to the Earth. However, when and how NEAs formed and their evolutionary history remain enigmas. Here, we report the U-Pb systematics of Itokawa particles for the first time. Ion microprobe analyses of seven phosphate grains from a single particle provide an isochron age of 4.64 ± 0.18 billion years (1σ). This ancient phosphate age is thought to represent the thermal metamorphism of Itokawa's parent body, which is identical to that of typical LL chondrites. In addition, the incorporation of other particles suggests that a significant shock event might have occurred 1.51 ± 0.85 billion years ago (1σ), which is significantly different from the shock ages of 4.2 billion years of the majority of shocked LL chondrites and similar to that of the Chelyabinsk meteorite. Combining these data with recent Ar-Ar studies on particles from a different landing site, we conclude that a globally intense impact, possibly a catastrophic event, occurred ca. 1.4 Ga ago. This conclusion enables us to establish constraints on the timescale of asteroid disruption frequency, the validity of the crater chronology and the mean lifetime of small NEAs.

Evaluation of postoperative changes in vascularized iliac bone grafts used for mandibular reconstruction.

Vascularized iliac bone grafts are used for mandibular reconstruction, but the factors affecting graft maintenance are unknown. This study explored the postsurgical changes in vascularized iliac bone grafts in patients who had undergone mandibular reconstruction after segmental resection. The study involved 24 patients (16 men and eight women) with oral tumours or osteoradionecrosis. Thirteen patients required bare bone grafting (BBG) and 11 patients required reconstruction with soft tissue coverage (six with a skin paddle and five with direct closure). The bone graft maintenance rate (with regard to the height of the centre of the graft) was calculated immediately after surgery and at 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36months after surgery. The maintenance rate was significantly lower in the BBG group than in the soft tissue coverage group at 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36months, and in those who were fitted with dentures compared to those who were not at 6, 12, 24, and 36months. Local infection also influenced the maintenance rate, but not significantly so. These findings indicate that the reconstruction technique and denture use can affect the bone graft maintenance rate after mandibular reconstruction with vascularized iliac bone grafts.

Mandibular reconstruction with free fibula flaps in the elderly: a retrospective evaluation.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate surgical outcomes in elderly patients who had undergone free fibula flap transfer for malignant head and neck tumours. A retrospective chart review was performed to identify patients who had undergone free fibula flap transfer for mandibular reconstruction after malignant tumour resection at Jichi Medical University Hospital between May 2009 and April 2015. Enrolled patients were divided into an elderly group (≥80years old) and a younger group (<80years old). Seventeen patients met the inclusion criteria and were included in the elderly group. Age at surgery ranged from 80 to 92years. Thirteen patients (76.5%) experienced postoperative complications. Surgical site complications occurred in seven patients. The success rate of free fibula flap transfer was 100%. Systemic complications occurred in nine patients, most commonly delirium (n=6). No perioperative mortality was encountered. The overall 1-year survival rate was 94.1% (16/17). No patient reported gait disturbance as a donor site complication or any other major complication. The incidence of postoperative complications did not differ significantly between the elderly and younger groups. Almost no difference in postoperative course was seen between the groups. Elderly patients appear to tolerate free fibula flap reconstruction just as well as younger patients.

Robust water desalination membranes against degradation using high loads of carbon nanotubes.

Chlorine resistant reverse osmosis (RO) membranes were fabricated using a multi-walled carbon nanotube-polyamide (MWCNT-PA) nanocomposite. The separation performance of these membranes after chlorine exposure (4800 ppm·h) remained unchanged (99.9%) but was drastically reduced to 82% in the absence of MWCNT. It was observed that the surface roughness of the membranes changed significantly by adding MWCNT. Moreover, membranes containing MWCNT fractions above 12.5 wt.% clearly improved degradation resistance against chlorine exposure, with an increase in water flux while maintaining salt rejection performance. Molecular dynamics and quantum chemical calculations were performed in order to understand the high chemical stability of the MWCNT-PA nanocomposite membranes, and revealed that high activation energies are required for the chlorination of PA. The results presented here confirm the unique potential of carbon nanomaterials embedded in polymeric composite membranes for efficient RO water desalination technologies.

Assessing the progression of chronic periodontitis using subgingival pathogen levels: a 24-month prospective multicenter cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of the progression of periodontitis presently depends on the use of clinical symptoms (such as attachment loss) and radiographic imaging. The aim of the multicenter study described here was to evaluate the diagnostic use of the bacterial content of subgingival plaque recovered from the deepest pockets in assessing disease progression in chronic periodontitis patients. METHODS: This study consisted of a 24-month investigation of a total of 163 patients with chronic periodontitis who received trimonthly follow-up care. Subgingival plaque from the deepest pockets was recovered and assessed for bacterial content of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans using the modified Invader PLUS assay. The corresponding serum IgG titers were measured using ELISA. Changes in clinical parameters were evaluated over the course of 24 months. The sensitivity, specificity, and prediction values were calculated and used to determine cutoff points for prediction of the progression of chronic periodontitis. RESULTS: Of the 124 individuals who completed the 24-month monitoring phase, 62 exhibited progression of periodontitis, whereas 62 demonstrated stable disease. The P. gingivalis counts of subgingival plaque from the deepest pockets was significantly associated with the progression of periodontitis (p < 0.001, positive predictive value = 0.708). CONCLUSIONS: The P. gingivalis counts of subgingival plaque from the deepest pockets may be associated with the progression of periodontitis.

Oxygen ultra-fine bubbles water administration prevents bone loss of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in mice by suppressing osteoclast differentiation.

Oxygen ultra-fine bubbles (OUB) saline injection prevents bone loss of glucocorti\coid-induced osteoporosis in mice, and OUB inhibit osteoclastogenesis via RANK-TRAF6-c-Fos-NFATc1 signaling and RANK-p38 MAPK signaling in vitro. INTRODUCTION: Ultra-fine bubbles (<200 nm in diameter) have several unique properties, and they are tested in various medical fields. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of oxygen ultra-fine bubbles (OUB) on glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIO) model mice. METHODS: Prednisolone (PSL, 5 mg) was subcutaneously inserted in 6-month-old male C57BL/6J mice, and 200 µl of saline, OUB-diluted saline, or nitrogen ultra-fine bubbles (NUB)-diluted saline was intraperitoneally injected three times per week for 8 weeks the day after operations. Mice were divided into four groups; (1) control, sham-operation + saline; (2) GIO, PSL + saline; (3) GIO + OUB, PSL + OUB saline; (4) GIO + NUB, PSL + NUB saline. The effects of OUB on osteoblasts and osteoclasts were examined by serially diluted OUB medium in vitro. RESULTS: Bone mass was significantly decreased in GIO [bone volume/total volume (%): control vs. GIO 12.6 vs. 7.9; p < 0.01] while significantly preserved in GIO + OUB (GIO vs. GIO + OUB 7.9 vs. 12.9; p < 0.05). In addition, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive cells in the distal femur [mean osteoclasts number/bone surface (mm-1)] was significantly increased in GIO (control vs. GIO 6.8 vs. 11.6; p < 0.01) while suppressed in GIO + OUB (GIO vs. GIO + OUB 11.6 vs. 7.5; p < 0.01). NUB did not affect these parameters. In vitro experiments revealed that OUB significantly inhibited osteoclastogenesis by inhibiting RANK-TRAF6-c-Fos-NFATc1 signaling, RANK-p38 MAPK signaling, and TRAP/Cathepsin K/DC-STAMP mRNA expression in a concentration-dependent manner. OUB did not affect osteoblastogenesis in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: OUB prevent bone loss in GIO mice by inhibiting osteoclastogenesis.