Search

Osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder characterized by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue with consequent increase in bone fragility and fracture risk. Bone mineral density (BMD), the major determinant of osteoporotic fracture risk, has a particular genetic background. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) is implicated in the regulation of bone mineral density. The present study evaluates the association between Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms Fok I (rs2228570), Cdx-2 (rs11568820), bone mineral density and fracture risk in Slovak postmenopausal women. A total of 403 unrelated Slovak postmenopausal women aged 43-86 years were genotyped using TaqMan®SNP Genotyping Assays. Lumbar spine, femoral neck and total hip BMD/T-score were detected by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). We found the Fok I and Cdx-2 polymorphism in the VDR gene to be associated with osteoporotic fractures (non-vertebral fractures: Fok I p = 0.001; Cdx-2 p = 0.0000; all fractures: Fok I p = 0.0001; Cdx-2 p = 0.0000) (Fok I: OR = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.35-0.71; Cdx-2: OR = 0.25, 95% CI = 0.17-0.37). The present data suggest that VDR gene Fok I and Cdx-2 polymorphisms contribute to the determination of BMD in Slovak postmenopausal women and can probably be used with other genetic markers together to identify individuals at high risk of osteoporosis.

Several bone cements were prepared in two ways of mixing (manual and vacuum bowl). Wear behavior, friction coefficient were studied by ball on disc method. Nano-hardness and Young`s modulus was studied by instrumented indentation. Obtained results were summarized by taking into account their way preparation, antibiotics content and testing conditions. There was found no significant time dependence of saline acting on Young`s modulus and nano-hardness values. Friction coefficient in saline was less than half in compare to dry sliding conditions

Osteoporosis is a common disease that is characterized by low bone mineral density (BMD), deterioration in bone microarchitecture, and increased fracture risk. Due to its important role in bone biology, the TNFRSF11B gene, coding for OPG, has been considered as a candidate gene for osteoporosis. In this study, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) A163G, T245G, and G1181C (rs3102735, rs3134069, and rs2073618, respectively) within the TNFRSF11B gene were studied for association with BMD and fracture incidence in a cohort of 327 postmenopausal Slovak women. Genomic DNA was extracted and purified from peripheral blood leukocytes by the commercial kit JetQuick (Genomed GmbH, Germany) using a standard protocol. Genotyping was performed using the Custom TaqMan® SNP Genotyping Assays. The lumbar L1-L4 spine BMD (g/cm(2)) and T-score in the subgroup of Slovak postmenopausal women with osteoporotic fractures were significantly lower than those in the subgroup of women without fracture (p = 0.0025; p = 0.0009). We identified the T245G (rs3134069) polymorphism in the TNFRSF11B gene associated with osteoporotic fractures (vertebral fractures: p = 0.0320; non-vertebral fractures: p = 0.0005; all fractures: 0.0000). The polymorphism T245G (rs3134069) in the TNFRSF11B gene could be used together with other genetic markers to identify individuals at high risk of osteoporotic fractures. The results from the present study provided more evidence to reveal the role of TNFRSF11B gene polymorphisms in BMD and the risk of osteoporotic fractures.

Improving of bone cements properties is possible by research of variables influencing exothermal behaviour and mechanical properties. Paper deals with exothermal behaviour experimental evaluation of bone cements used for medical purposes. Specimens were prepared by a conventional manual mixing technique. The work addresses primary risk factor associated with application of bone cement to femoral canal. Different size samples of bone cement has been created with diameter d = 2; 5;12,5 mm fixed in dentacryl. As an experimental material, Palacos R+G high viscosity, radiopaque bone cement containing Gentamicin and Radiopaque bone cement Antibiotic Simplex with Tobramycin, was used. Thermal effect during exothermic polymerisation was measured with period 1 minute. Evaluated factors were mass and thickness of bone cement. Significant influence of bone cement mass on temperature has been found.