Association of ADIPOR1 polymorphisms with bone mineral density in postmenopausal Korean women

Adiponectin may affect bone through interactions with two known receptors, adiponectin receptors (ADIPOR) 1 and 2. We examined the association between polymorphisms of ADIPOR1 and ADIPOR2 and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal Korean women. Six polymorphisms in ADIPOR1 and four polymorphisms in ADIPOR2 were selected and genotyped in all study participants (n = 1,329). BMD at the lumbar spine and femur neck were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Lateral thoracolumbar (T4-L4) radiographs were obtained for vertebral fracture assessment and the occurrence of non-vertebral fractures examined using self-reported data. P values were adjusted for multiple testing using Bonferroni correction (P(corr)). ADIPOR1 rs16850799 and rs34010966 polymorphisms were significantly associated with femur neck BMD (P(corr) = 0.036 in the dominant model; P(corr) = 0.024 and P(corr) = 0.006 in the additive and dominant models, respectively). Subjects with the rare allele of each polymorphism had lower BMD, and association of rs34010966 with BMD showed a gene dosage effect. However, ADIPOR2 single nucleotide polymorphisms and haplotypes were not associated with BMD at any site. Our results suggest that ADIPOR1 polymorphisms present a useful genetic marker for BMD in postmenopausal Korean women.     

Micro-CT参数对骨质疏松性椎体压缩性骨折术后复发的预测价值

本研究探讨Micro-CT参数对骨质疏松性椎体压缩性骨折(OVCF)患者术后复发的预测价值。选取OVCF患者127例,根据术后6个月骨折复发情况分为复发组(n=41)与未复发组(n=86)。患者均接受Micro-CT检查,对比两组Micro-CT参数,即骨体积分数(BV/TV)、骨小梁厚度(Tb.Th)、骨小梁间隙(Tb.Sp)、结构模型指数(SMI),以及骨密度(BMD)、骨矿含量(BMC),分析各参数与BMD、BMC及术后复发相关性,并评价各参数对术后复发的预测价值。结果显示,复发组骨体积分数(BV/TV)、骨小梁厚度(Tb.Th)低于未复发组,骨小梁间隙(Tb.Sp)、结构模型指数(SMI)高于未复发组(P<0.05);BV/TV、Tb.Th与骨密度(BMD)、骨矿含量(BMC)呈正相关,Tb.Sp、SMI与BMD、BMC呈负相关(P<0.05);将年龄、BMD、BMC等其他因素控制后,BV/TV、Tb.Sp、Tb.Th、SMI与OVCF术后骨折复发显著相关(P<0.05);BV/TV、Tb.Sp、Tb.Th、SMI联合预测OVCF术后骨折复发的曲线下面积(AUC)最大,为0.888(P<0.05)。提示Micro-CT参数在OVCF患者中呈异常表达,采用Micro-CT检查可为临床预测OVCF术后骨折复发提供科学指导。     

Association of Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) polymorphisms with osteoporotic fracture risk in postmenopausal Korean women

There is increasing evidence of a biochemical link between lipid oxidation and bone metabolism. Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) prevents the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and metabolizes biologically active phospholipids in oxidized LDLs. Here, we performed association analyses of genetic variation in PON1 to ascertain its contribution to osteoporotic fractures (OFs) and bone mineral density (BMD). We directly sequenced the PON1 gene in 24 Korean individuals and identified 26 sequence variants. A large population of Korean postmenopausal women (n=1,329) was then genotyped for eight selected PON1 polymorphisms. BMD at the lumbar spine and femoral neck was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Lateral thoracolumbar (T4-L4) radiographs were obtained for vertebral fracture assessment, and the occurrence of non-vertebral fractures (i.e., wrist, hip, forearm, humerus, rib, and pelvis) was examined using self-reported data. Multivariate analyses showed that none of the polymorphisms was associated with BMD at either site. However, +5989A>G and +26080T>C polymorphisms were significantly associated with non-vertebral and vertebral fractures, respectively, after adjustment for covariates. Specifically, the minor allele of +5989A>G exerted a highly protective effect against non-vertebral fractures (OR=0.59, P=0.036), whereas the minor allele of +26080T>C was associated with increased susceptibility to vertebral fractures (OR=1.73, P=0.020). When the risk for any OFs (i.e., vertebral or non-vertebral) was considered, the statistical significance of both polymorphisms persisted (P=0.002-0.010). These results suggest that PON1 polymorphisms could be one of useful genetic markers for OF risk in postmenopausal women.     

Methionine synthase reductase polymorphisms are associated with serum osteocalcin levels in postmenopausal women

Homocysteine (Hcy) is thought to play an important role in the development of osteoporosis and fracture. Methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) is an enzyme involved in the conversion of Hcy to methionine. We hypothesized that certain genetic polymorphisms of MTRR leading to reduced enzyme activity may cause hyperhomocysteinemia and affect bone metabolism. We therefore examined the associations of the A66G and C524T polymorphisms of the MTRR gene with bone mineral density (BMD) and serum osteocalcin levels in postmenopausal women. Although we did not detect any significant associations between MTRR polymorphisms and BMD or serum osteocalcin levels, we found that the 66G/524C haplotype, which has reduced enzyme activity, was significantly associated with serum osteocalcin levels in a gene-dose dependent manner (P = 0.002). That is, the highest osteocalcin levels (34.5 +/- 16.8 ng/ml) were observed in subjects bearing two copies, intermediate osteocalcin levels (32.6 +/- 14.4 ng/ml) were observed in subjects bearing one copy, and the lowest levels of osteocalcin (28.8 +/- 10.9 ng/ml) were observed in subjects bearing no copies. These results suggest that the 66G/524C haplotype of the MTRR gene affect bone turn over rate.     

基于MRI的绝经后女性腰椎退行性病变程度与骨质疏松的相关性研究

本研究探讨基于磁共振成像(MRI)的绝经后女性腰椎退行性病变程度与骨质疏松的关系。选取经骨密度检查确诊的骨质疏松绝经后女性患者50例为骨质疏松组、非骨质疏松症绝经后妇女50例作为对照组,两组妇女均接受MRI检查。结果显示,骨质疏松组的L1/L2、L2/L3、L3/L4、L4/L5、L1~S1椎间盘Pfirrmann分级评分均高于对照组,差异均具有统计学意义(P<0.05);骨质疏松组患者的腰椎L1/L2、L2/L3、L3/L4、L4/L5、L1~S1之间的BMD与椎间盘Pfirrmann分级评分呈显著的正相关关系(P<0.05);多元线性回归模型结果显示:绝经时间、年龄、腰椎BMD值与患者椎间盘Pfirrmann分级评分呈显著的正相关关系(P<0.05)。绝经后女性采用MRI检查评估的腰椎退行性病变程度Pfirrmann分级评分与骨质疏松程度有关,同时与患者的年龄、绝经时间长度有关。     

Sex as a Risk Factor for Solar Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure?–Dosimetry in Danish Outdoor Workers

Solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure is a known risk factor for the development of skin cancer. Heterogeneity in solar UVR exposure may explain the diversity in skin cancer incidence between men and women. This, however, has not previously been investigated in Danish outdoor workers using UVR dosimetry. The aim of this study was to evaluate sex differences in solar UVR dosimetry in Danish outdoor workers on working and leisure days. A cross-sectional design was used to collect dosimetry data during the Danish summer season (May to September). Analysis was based on an electronic questionnaire and dosimetry data from 450 outdoor workers (88 women, 362 men). Dosimetry data were reported as standard erythema dose (SED). The daily median SED (Interquartile range) on working days was 1.6 (2.5) in men and 1.5 (2.1) in women while on leisure days it was 0.5 (1.4) in men and 0.6 (1.3) in women. Analysis by multiple linear regression did not show any association between daily median SED and sex on either working or leisure days. In conclusion, solar UVR exposure in Danish outdoor workers did not vary according to sex.     

氢质子MR波谱及双回波同反相位成像评价腰椎骨质疏松的研究

为探究氢质子MR波谱(MRS)的脂肪分数(FF)、脂水比(LWR)及双回波同反相位信号比值(SIR)与腰椎定量CT(QCT)骨矿物质密度(BMD)的相关性,并评估MRS、双回波同反相位成像对腰椎骨质减低及骨质疏松的诊断价值,本研究对因腰腿痛就诊的120名患者资料进行了回顾性分析,根据QCT分类标准将患者分为正常组、骨量减少组和骨质疏松组。所行MRI检查包括MRS和双回波同反相位成像,测量腰2~4椎体FF、LWR及双回波同反相位SIR。结果发现,FF、LWR、SIR与BMD呈负相关;FF、LWR与SIR呈正相关。FF、LWR、SIR、BMD在骨量正常组、骨量减少组和骨质疏松组任意两组间差异均有显著性(P<0.001)。本研究表明MRS及双回波同反相位成像可通过无创无辐射检测骨髓脂肪组织而间接反映骨代谢情况。     

环境及遗传因素对温州地区绝经女性骨质疏松影响的研究

为探讨温州地区绝经后女性骨质疏松症（Postmenopausal osteoporosis,PMOP）与雌激素受体基因（Estrogen receptor,ERa）多态性及相关因素的关联性,将203例观察对象按骨质疏松症诊断标准分为骨量正常组、骨量减少组与PMOP组,分别检测各组观察对象的腰椎L1~4正位骨密度、PvuⅡ、XbaⅠ基因型并调查其膳食行为与运动习惯等项目。结果显示：（1）年龄越大、文化程度越低、身材矮小及BMI低者、妊娠次数越多、产次越多者易罹患PMOP;经常饮用牛奶、豆浆、茶,经常食用水产品、豆类、肉类、蛋类、水果、坚果及每月运动次数较多者与高骨密度有关;在校正年龄、文化程度、BMI等干扰因素之后,饮茶、食用水果、坚果类的次数与BMD呈正相关。（2）该研究未发现PvuⅡ与XbaⅠ基因型与PMOP间有关联。提示该地区膳食行为、环境因素与PMOP关系密切,但雌激素受体α多态性与骨密度间关系尚不明确,其对骨质疏松的预测价值尚待深入研究。     

The influence of daylight exposure on platelet 5-HT levels in patients with major depression and schizophrenia

Platelet serotonin (5-HT) can be used as a limited, peripheral model for the central 5-HT synaptosomes. Altered platelet 5-HT concentrations have been associated with psychiatric disorders like depression and schizophrenia. The aim of the present study was to compare platelet 5-HT concentrations during long, medium and short period of natural daylight exposure in a large number of medication-free male and female schizophrenic and depressed patients and sex-matched healthy controls. Platelet 5-HT concentration was determined spectrofluorimetrically in 240 (97 female, 143 male) schizophrenic and 258 (153 female, 105 male) nonpsychotic, nonsuicidal depressed medication-free patients and 328 (149 women, 179 men) healthy subjects during periods with short (<12), long (>12) and medium (average 12) hours of the natural daylight. Platelet 5-HT concentration was significantly lower in women compared to men in all groups. Healthy male subjects had significantly higher (p=0.011) platelet 5-HT concentrations during long compared to medium period. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in platelet 5-HT concentration between different periods in healthy women. The significant increase in platelet 5-HT values were found in female (p=0.01) and male (p=0.029) depressed patients during long compared to short period. There were no significant associations between platelet 5-HT concentrations and different periods in both male and female schizophrenic patients. The results indicate the sex-related differences in the serotonergic system. The alterations of platelet 5-HT concentrations, observed across period with different durations of daylight exposure, point to a direct or indirect effect of light on peripheral 5-HT system that could be related to different sensitivity of the pineal gland to light and/or melatonin influence on 5-HT metabolism.     

Age-dependent dichotomous effect of superoxide dismutase Ala16Val polymorphism on oxidized LDL levels

We investigated the association between superoxide dismutase (SOD) Ala16Val polymorphism and the levels of oxidized LDL lipoprotein-C (ox-LDL-C) in two age-different Greek cohorts. Four hundred fifteen middle-aged (n=147 females: 43.2+/-13 years, n=268 males: 43.3+/-14 years) Caucasian Greek subjects consisted the middle aged cohort. One hundred seventy five elderly (n=88 females: 79.9+/-4 years; n=87 males: 80.6+/-4 years) were selected from the elderly cohort. Genotype data were obtained for all of them. Multiple linear regression analysis, stratified by gender and adjusted for age, smoking habits and body mass index as covariates, showed higher ox-LDL-C levels for the middle aged men with the Val/Val genotype, compared to the other allele (Ala/Ala and Ala/Val) carriers (65.9+/-25.7 vs. 55.7+/-20.5 mg/dl; standardized beta coefficient=0.192, P=0.012). On the contrary, elderly women with the Val/Val genotype occurred with lower ox-LDL-C levels compared to the Ala/Ala or Ala/Val genotype (74.2+/-22.1 vs. 86.5+/-26.6 mg/dl; standardized beta coefficient= -0.269, P=0.015). The same trend was also recorded in elderly men, however without reaching statistical significance (standardized beta coefficient= -0.187, P=0.077). Moreover, elderly men and women with the Ala/Ala or Ala/Val genotype presented higher triglycerides levels compared to Val/Val (women: 145.2+/-68.7 vs. 114.3+/- 34.3 mg/dl, P= 0.027; men: 147.8+/-72.4 vs. 103.7 +/-38.0 mg/dl, P=0.002). Additionally, middle aged men with the Val/Val genotype had higher HDL-C levels compared to the Ala allele carriers. The results suggest that SOD Ala16Val polymorphism is an age-dependent modulator of ox-LDL-C levels in middle-aged men and elderly women.     

广州地区健康儿童及成人发硒含量调查

测定了广州地区52名健康儿童及72名健康成人的发硒含量。儿童平均年龄6.4±3.3岁,儿童男性发硒含量为(0.44±0.14)×10-6,女性为(0.40±0.15)×10-6。成人平均年龄53.3±14.7岁,成人男性发硒含量为(0.49±0.12)×10-6,女性为(0.51±0.12)×10-6。儿童及成人发硒含量男女之间不存在显著性差异,男性儿童与男性成人发硒含量不存在显著性差异,但女性儿童发硒含量显著低于女性成年人。     

Sex and age related Ca/P ratio in cortical bone of iliac crest of healthy humans

The mechanical strength of bone depends first of all on the condition of the cortical bone. In the present study the Ca/P ratio was estimated in intact cortical bone samples from iliac crest of healthy humans, 36 women and 44 men, aged from 15 to 55 years using INAA. No statistically significant differences (p>0.05) were observed of age- or sex-related Ca/P ratio. The mean value (M±SD) of the Ca/P ratio for the whole group studied, 2.21±0.29, was within the range of published data and close to the median value. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Nanoproteomic Approach for Isolation and Identification of Potential Biomarkers in Human Urine from Adults with Normal Weight,Overweight and Obesity

In this work, previously synthesized and characterized core-shell silica nanoparticles (FCSNP) functionalized with immobilized molecular bait, Cibacron blue, and a porous polymeric bis-acrylamide shell were incubated with pooled urine samples from adult women or men with normal weight, overweight or obesity for the isolation of potential biomarkers. A total of 30 individuals (15 woman and 15 men) were included. FCSNP allowed the capture of a variety of low molecular weight (LMW) proteins as evidenced by mass spectrometry (MS) and the exclusion of high molecular weight (HMW) proteins (>34 kDa) as demonstrated by SDS-PAGE and 2D SDS-PAGE. A total of 36 proteins were successfully identified by MS and homology database searching against the Homo sapiens subset of the Swiss-Prot database. Identified proteins were grouped into different clusters according to their abundance patterns. Four proteins were found only in women and five only in men, whereas 27 proteins were in urine from both genders with different abundance patterns. Based on these results, this new approach represents an alternative tool for isolation and identification of urinary biomarkers.     

Bone mineral density of lumbar spine and proximal femur in healthy males

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between BMD and age at lumbar spine and proximal femur in Turkish males. Two hundred ninety healthy males (aged 20-59 years) were investigated. BMD of the lumbar spine had its peak at ages 30-39, however, the peak for the proximal femur was between the ages of 20 and 29. There was a significant decrease in BMD at proximal femur after these peak values with increasing age. In conclusion, there was a significant correlation between age and the proximal femoral BMD in males and age has a strong predictive power on proximal femur BMD score. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A Crossed Immunoelectrophoretic Technique for the Detection of the Down's Syndrome Protein

Abstract

The sera of seventy-one women and twenty-six men of various ages were examined by a two dimensional (crossed) immunoelectrophoresis technique which was modified to detect a protein (the Down's Syndrome protein) originally found in the sera of mothers of trisomy 21 children. The sensitivity of the method is reported to be 0.1 to 1.0 mg/L. Modifications included use of a Tris-Tricine buffer, high voltage in the second dimension, and relatively low antibody concentration to allow easy detection of the Down's Syndrome (DS) protein.

Of twenty-eight mothers and twelve fathers of trisomy 21 children, eighteen mothers and five fathers were positive, while of forty-three women and fourteen men having unaffected or no children, only seven women and two men were positive for the DS protein.

Since the presence of the Down's Syndrome protein may indicate a propensity for giving birth to a trisomy 21 affected child, this crossed immunoelectrophoretic technique may be used as a screening procedure for the DS protein and, therefore, as a tool in genetic counseling.     

Fracture energy of automotive clearcoats—I. Experimental methods and mechanics

The fracture energy of five automotive clearcoats was measured using fracture mechanics methods originally developed for measuring the fracture energy of brittle inorganic thin films. The fracture energy of the clearcoats ranged from 12 J m⁻² to 140 J m⁻². A discrepancy between the actual fracture energy and the ‘apparent’ fracture energy was observed and attributed to differences in the tensile stress-strain behavior of the materials, in particular the yield strength. Correcting for differences in their tensile stress-strain behavior, the apparent fracture energy of the films ranged from 13 J m⁻² to 330 J m⁻². Contrary to expectations, the fracture energy of the clearcoats did not decrease with increasing cross-link density. This was ascribed to differences in chemical architecture and additives in these commercial materials. Measuring the toughness in this manner shows promise for evaluating the long-term cracking resistance of automotive clearcoats.     

Comparative mechanical property characterization of three indirect composite resin materials compared with two direct composites

Various new indirect composite materials have been developed with required advantages. In this study three indirect composite material (Artglass, Belleglass HP, Targis) were tested for flexural strength, fracture toughness, wear resistance and hardness against Filtek P60 and Z‐100. Five specimens of each material were fabricated according to the manufacturer's directions. The flexural strength and fracture toughness was measured using the bending test. The wear test was performed to accelerated wear in a toothbrushing apparatus. Vickers hardness was measured for each of the tested materials. The statistical tests used for flexural strength, fracture toughness, wear and hardness were One‐way ANOVA and Kruskal–Wallis test. The level of statistical significance chosen was p = 0.05. Results of the study showed that Filtek P60 was superior to the other composites in all tests. Significant differences were found among the materials. The differences in flexural strength, fracture toughnes, wear and hardness may have been due to differences in chemistry or method of polymerization of the composites. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A probabilistic theory on the time to fracture of amorphous crosslinked polymers

The energy probability theory of fracture proposed by Valanis has been extended to apply to the global fracture of a large material region and has been generalized to take into account the probabilistic distribution among bonds of the free energy of the region. In contrast to the theory of fracture initiation of the first author, it is assumed, in the present paper, that global fracture is brought about by the fracture of a critical number N_cr of primary bonds. Whereas this condition alleviates some of the problems encountered in the application of the theory to fracture initiation and propagation—such as determination of the local energy field at the root of a developed crack—it introduces the difficulty that N_cr may, in general, depend on the geometry of the specimen and the directionality of the stress field, though it was found to be relatively insensitive to the rate of deformation, as corroborated in this paper. The theory is used in this work to predict the time of global fracture, under conditions of constant load, constant strain, and constant strain rate.     

INAA application in the age dynamics assessment of Ca, Cl, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P and Sr in the cortical bone of human femoral neck

The effect of age and sex on eight elements in cortical bone of femoral neck of 78 relatively healthy 15-55 years old women (n = 33) and men (n = 45) was studied. Mass fraction of Ca, Cl, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, and Sr in intact bone samples were determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis using short-lived radionuclides. The obtained results were in good agreement with the literature data with the exception of Mn and Sr. The mean value of Mn mass fraction was an order of magnitude lower and Sr mean mass fraction was in 1.5-5 times higher than the reference values. No age- and sex-related differences in bone composition were detected. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.