Janka Poracova

TNFRSF11B gene polymorphisms, bone mineral density, and fractures in Slovak postmenopausal women

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/cm2) 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.

Phylogenic study of denaturation of lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes from different species by high and low temperature.

We studied the influence of storage at different temperatures on lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27; LD) isoenzymes from different tissues and different species, and analysed biochemical and biophysical mechanisms of denaturation during storage. Isoenzymes obtained from tissue extracts of mammals, poultry, reptiles, amphibians and fish were shown to have their own denaturation ranges at low temperatures by post-treatment assays and transition temperature analysis. These ranges were between − 10 and − 20°C for most vertebrate LD isoenzymes. Circular dichroism analysis indicated that the denaturation of LD isoenzymes was probably caused by a change in the hydrophobic interactions in the molecule. At higher temperatures, LD-1 isoenzyme was more thermostable than LD-5 from the same animal species, except for rats, the LD-5 activity of which was more thermostable than the LD-1 activity. These findings indicate that variable effects of storage of samples and reference materials at low temperatures should be considered, and that it is necessary to establish LD isoenzyme standards for animal clinical laboratory investigations.

Antioxidant responses in the earthworm Aporrectodea caliginosa of eastern Slovakia: application of principal component analysis as a tool to identify metal contaminated areas

The soil of Slovak Republic is severely contaminated with heavy metals, creating hazards to soil health. In order to assess the current status with the prospect of selecting the appropriate treatment methods and land use, this investigation aimed to determine a panel of complementary and ecologically relevant biomarkers that reflect adverse biological responses towards terrestrial pollutants. To attain this objective, the concentration of reduced glutathione and enzymes of glutathione antioxidant system were assessed in clitellate earthworm, Aporrectodea caliginosa sampled from selected sites of eastern Slovakia along with the pH and total metal concentration (As, Cd, Pb, Cr, Hg, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn) of soils. Positive, significant (p < 0.05) induction of glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione-S-transferase activities and depletion of reduced glutathione level (negative correlation) were associated with the increased soil metal concentrations. Metal interference was found in the detoxification process and antioxidant defense mechanism does not efficiently counteract the oxidative stress induced by chronic metal exposure. The tested biomarkers confirmed sensitive and affective response to the pollution of soil contaminants, in this case metals. This has a potential use in ecotoxicological field monitoring. The proposed principal component analysis is a multivariate model of data analysis that represents a cost-effective approach to differentiate metalliferous soils of eastern Slovakia with different health status.

Relationship between A163G osteoprotegerin gene polymorphism and other osteoporosis parameters in Roma and non‐Roma postmenopausal women in eastern Slovakia

The study was focused on evaluating the possible correlation between biochemical, anthropometric, and genetic indicators of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. The frequency of genotypes and differences in measured parameters were evaluated within two ethnically different groups of women in Slovakia.

A Survey Into Basic School Pupil Lifestyle

The article studies key areas of lifestyle by basic school pupils of adolescent age. The aim of the study was to discover whether an appropriately applied physical activity helps to develop an appropriate nutritional and physical behavior and whether it minimizes the occurrence of the addictive behavior by the pupils. Pupils of schools with expanded curricula showed better nutritional and physical behaviors and less smoking or drinking alcohol. The study questioned 204 basic and grammar schools pupils through an anonymous questionnaire consisting of 15 questions with close-ended answers. Of the sample of respondents, 89 were students of schools with expanded physical education curricula and 115 were students of schools with regular curricula. The questionnaire consisted 15 questions. A P<0.001 (x2) was statistically significant. As a result, we could claim that a process of preventing an appropriate lifestyle from negative factors may be significantly empowered by an existence of expanded physical education curriculum. Increasing the amount of physical activities within regular basic schools curricula, the children’ health and their addiction resistance may be positively enhanced. (WoS:000285400800865)