Genetic and environmental factors affecting bone mineral density in large families

Microbial Degradation of Forensic Samples of Biological Origin: Potential Threat to Human DNA Typing

Forensic biology is a sub-discipline of biological science with an amalgam of other branches of science used in the criminal justice system. Any nucleated cell/tissue harbouring DNA, either live or dead, can be used as forensic exhibits, a source of investigation through DNA typing. These biological materials of human origin are rich source of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, trace elements as well as water and, thus, provide a virtuous milieu for the growth of microbes. The obstinate microbial growth augments the degradation process and is amplified with the passage of time and improper storage of the biological materials. Degradation of these biological materials carriages a huge challenge in the downstream processes of forensic DNA typing technique, such as short tandem repeats (STR) DNA typing. Microbial degradation yields improper or no PCR amplification, heterozygous peak imbalance, DNA contamination from non-human sources, degradation of DNA by microbial by-products, etc. Consequently, the most precise STR DNA typing technique is nullified and definite opinion can be hardly given with degraded forensic exhibits. Thus, suitable precautionary measures should be taken for proper storage and processing of the biological exhibits to minimize their decaying process by micro-organisms.

Interactions of Pri-miRNA-34b/c and TP53 Polymorphisms on the Risk of Osteoporosis

BACKGROUND

Osteoporosis (OP) is a common, multifactorial disorder. Here, we investigated the association between polymorphisms in pri-miR-34b/c (rs4938723) and TP53 (Arg72Pro) and the prevalence of OP.

METHODS

A total of 681 individuals were assessed in a case-control study, including 310 patients with OP and 371 controls. Variants in pri-miR-34b/c and TP53 were identified using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method.

RESULTS

The presence of the CC and CT/CC pri-miR-34b/c genotypes were associated with a significantly reduced risk of OP compared with the TT genotype (CC vs. TT: odds ratio [OR] = 0.32, 95% confidence intervals [CI] = 0.17-0.59; p < 0.001; CT/CC vs. TT: OR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.51-0.93; p = 0.016). The CC genotype was also associated with a significantly reduced OP risk compared with the TT/CT genotypes (OR = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.19-0.64; p < 0.001). Furthermore, compared with the carriers of the Arg72Pro GG genotype, carriers of the CC genotype had a 2.21-fold increased OP risk (95% CI = 1.45-3.37; p < 0.001) and CG/CC genotypes carriers had a 1.96-fold increased OP risk (95% CI = 1.39-2.76; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The present findings indicate that pri-miR-34b/c rs4938723 and TP53 Arg72Pro polymorphisms may contribute to the risk of OP.

Knowledge, health beliefs and health-related behaviours of first-degree relatives of women suffering from osteoporosis in Taiwan: a questionnaire survey

BACKGROUND

No previous study has examined knowledge, health beliefs and health-related behaviours in first-degree relatives (FDRs) of osteoporosis sufferers, especially focusing on Asian women.

AIM

This study explored osteoporosis knowledge, beliefs and behaviours of women with a family history of osteoporosis, and drew a comparison with women with no such history.

DESIGN

This study recruited women at a large public health centre in northern Taiwan. A questionnaire was applied on FDRs and non-FDRs women with a focus on osteoporosis knowledge, health beliefs and behaviours. Descriptive analysis was initially conducted. Differences between FDRs and non-FDRs were rated via Student's t-tests for continuous variables and the chi-squared test for categorical variables.

RESULTS

Overall, most of the participants were aware of some osteoporosis-related information but the proportions of correct responses to the questions that tested knowledge between FDRs and non-FDRs were only 44.0% and 42%, respectively. Meanwhile, participants in the FDRs group not only reported higher concern in developing the disease, but also perceived higher barriers compared with the non-FDRs group. As the study demonstrates, for health-related behaviours, the FDRs group did not undertake actual preventive behaviours, and only bone mineral density screening behaviour differed significantly from the non-FDRs group.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the inadequate information on osteoporosis and constraining beliefs of FDRs women. Additionally, as preventative behaviours for osteoporosis were not noted in FDRs group, community health nurses and researchers should make efforts to assist and encourage women to take practical preventative behaviours.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

This investigation reviews the knowledge, beliefs and behaviours of the FDRs group for Taiwanese women with osteoporosis. The results of this work can be used to provide effective implementation guidelines for preventing osteoporosis especially for women with a family history of the disease.

First-degree relatives of persons suffering from osteoporosis: beliefs, knowledge, and health-related behavior

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to compare the beliefs, knowledge, and health-related behaviors of first-degree relatives (FDRs) of osteoporotic women with a comparison group of women not having a FDR with osteoporosis.

RESEARCH DESIGN

Telephone interviews.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants were 172 women (48 FDRs and 124 comparisons), recruited by a systematic sampling from the list of all women aged 40+ attending an outpatient screening program at a large tertiary medical center in Israel.

METHODS

Information was collected regarding participants' perceived susceptibility to develop osteoporosis, perceived concerns, and perceived prevention optimism. Additionally, information was collected regarding knowledge about osteoporosis, and participation in screening and preventive behavior.

RESULTS

Participants in the FDR group reported higher perceived susceptibility and higher concerns about developing the disease than participants in the comparison group. A higher proportion of FDRs reported engaging in screening behavior, but no differences were found in preventive behaviors. Screening behavior was associated with perceived concerns and age for members of the comparison group, and with age for FDRs.

CONCLUSIONS

FDRs are characterized by greater perceived vulnerability and concerns. However, they are no more likely to engage in preventive behaviors or have more knowledge about the disease. These findings stress the importance of expanding efforts to increase the knowledge and awareness of at-risk persons.

Genetic aspects of osteoporosis

At a given age, bone mass represents the difference between the maximal amount of bone mineral mass gained during growth (peak bone mass) and post-menopausal and/or senile bone loss. Twins and parents-offspring models have shown a strong inheritance of peak bone mass and it is now known that familial resemblance in various bone mass constituents is detectable well before the pubertal growth spurt. Recent developments in the molecular epidemiology of osteoporosis have focused on the association between areal bone mineral density and common polymorphisms in several candidate genes. Among them, vitamin D receptor (VDR), estrogen receptor and collagen-1 -alpha-1 (COL1A1) genes have been the most extensively investigated. Although controversial results have been reported and osteoporosis cannot be predicted by any single polymorphic gene marker, recent advances in this field have emphasized the complexity of bone mineral mass determination, because of gene-gene and gene-environment interactions.