Bone and Mineral Research Annual

The Bone and Mineral Research series tradition of presenting up-to-date reviews of exciting research, both basic and clinical, is carried on in this, the sixth volume of the series. The main topics covered in this volume are the following: # the origin of the osteoclast - a thorough, critical review is provided # the multiplicity of peptides identified as local regulators of bone cell growth, specialization or both - reviewed # the discovery, characterization and biological significance of bone morphogenetic protein - described in detail # the impact of thyroid hormones on bone and mineral metabolism - timely review presented # the impact of mechanical forces on bone tissue - critically reviewed # an extensive study of hypophosphatasia, from genetic, clinical and mechanistic standpoints provided # aluminum-related disorders of bone and mineral metabolism - specific discussion presented, following on from the detailed review presented on renal osteodystrophy in Volume 5 # the biology of calcitonin and the regulation of its secretion by C cells - thorough discussion presented # predictive strategy on who will develop osteoporosis - thorough description of this development provided