A sensitive and reliable biomarker of zinc status has yet to be identified, but observational research suggests that the exchangeable zinc pool (EZP) size may be a possible biomarker. This randomized, placebo-controlled trial aimed to compare the change in EZP size from baseline to endline in 174 children who were preventatively supplemented with 10 mg of zinc as part of a multiple micronutrient power (MNP) or as a standalone dispersible tablet for 24 weeks versus a placebo powder. The effects of systemic inflammation on EZP size were also evaluated. Zinc stable isotopes were administered intravenously to children at baseline and endline, and the EZP was measured by the urine extrapolation method. A total of 156 children completed the study with the zinc dispersible tablet group having the greatest increase in EZP (14.1 mg) over 24 weeks when compared with the MNP group (6.8 mg) (p < 0.01) or placebo group (2.0 mg) (p < 0.001). Median EZP size was not different between children with normal or elevated serum inflammatory markers. EZP size was responsive to longitudinal zinc supplementation and reflected the expected difference in bioavailability for two forms of supplementation. The apparent absence of an effect of inflammation on EZP size may offer an advantage for use as a biomarker for group comparisons between different interventions.

'ютерне моделювання імплантату для армування стегнової кістки. Пропонується рішення задачі тривимірного моделювання за розробленими кресленнями експериментальних імплантатів для армування стегнових кісток з можливістю варіації їх параметрів згідно з індивідуальними антропометричними особливостями кожного пацієнта. Побудовано тривимірні моделі імплантату, використовуючи 3D-скан стегнової кістки, проведено розрахунок міцності імплантату під впливом ваги людини, з використанням програм Autodesk 3DsMax 2015 та Inventor. Тривимірні моделі імплантатів дають можливість фахівцям медичних закладів підлаштовувати всі необхідні розміри деталі під індивідуальні антропометричні особливості кожного пацієнта. Побудова моделі дає наочне уявлення про те, як саме буде виглядати імплантат з урахуванням тих чи інших параметрів. Тривимірне моделювання може дати корисну інформацію про поведінку імплантату і взаємодіючих з ним структур організму в «нештатних» ситуаціях, обумовлених, наприклад навантаженням та деформацією, що веде до перелому. Ця інформація дозволяє сформулювати додаткове, до медичних, «технічне» обґрунтування правильного вибору та точної установки імплантату.Ключові слова: тривимірне моделювання, проксимальний відділ стегнової кістки, профілактичне армування, імплантати, аналіз на міцність, розрахунок навантажень O. Savelyeva, I. Prokopovich, A. Pavlyshko, A. Matveev, T. Starushkevitch. Computer modeling of implant for femur reinforcement. The decision of the problem of three-dimensional modeling according to the developed drawings of experimental implants for the reinforcement of femoral bones with the possibility of variation of their parameters according to individual anthropometric features of each patient is proposed. Three-dimensional models of the implant were constructed using a 3D scan of the femur. The calculation of the strength of the implant under the influence of human weight, using the programs Autodesk 3DsMax 2015 and Inventor was carried out. Three-dimensional implant models enable medical professionals to adjust all the required dimensions of the item to the individual anthropometric features of each patient. The construction of the model gives a clear idea of how the implant will look, taking into account those or other parameters. Three-dimensional modeling can provide useful information on the behavior of the implant and the interacting structures of the body in the "unusual" situations caused by the load and deformation leading to a fracture. This information allows us to formulate an additional medical "technical" justification for the correct choice and accurate installation of the implant.

The paper is dedicated to the pilot study of the surgical ways of preventing fractures of the hip among elderly patients suffering from various diseases that cause destructive‐dystrophic changes of the bony tissue (osteoporosis, cancer, cartilage and fibrous dysplasia, etc.) and are the cause of pathological fractures. The research involves the identification of people at risk, the development of preventive techniques and original reinforcement implant designs, the definition of a methodology for mathematical modeling and bench tests to determine the strength of the original implant reinforced hip. Studies have shown that the index of strain in the bone is considerably lower than on its surface (closer to longer‐term cortical layer), and when the load increases, it results in the development of a fracture. As a result of the reinforcement of the bone with different implants the index of strain at critical points is increases up to 11.6% ‐12.1. The bench tests proved that the preventive reinforcement to prevent fractures in low‐energy trauma can increase the strength of bone‐implant, depending on the type, design, quality, implant and method of its introduction up to 23‐93%.

Purpose. Improvement of surgical treatment results in patients with benign bone and joint tumors and tumor-like diseases.Materials and methods.Evaluation of the efficacy of plastic collagen containing material for bone defect plasty was performed in 58 Chinchilla rabbits (3-4 kg). In animals from study group the bone defect was filled with collost. Histological examination of the samples was performed in 14, 30, 60 and 90 days after operation. During the period from 2007 to 2015 ninety eight patients, aged 14-75 years, with benign bone and joint tumors and tumor-like diseases were operated on. In all cases postresection defect (1-50 см_) plasty was performed by the proposed combined method that included the use of frozen allograft and collost. During subsequent follow up the potentiality of pathologic process relapse was determined as well as the dynamics of bone structure restoration, extremity function and bone anatomic shape were assessed.Results.Pathomorphologic picture of experimental samples showed that collast accelerated the bone regenerate maturity in the place of a defect. In 1 year after surgery 74 patients (75%) showed good results - in 8 (11.2%), satisfactory - in 62 (84.1%), poor - in 3 (4.7%) cases and in 3 years after operation (57 patients) - 28 (49.1%), 28 (49.1%) and 1 (1.7%) case respectively. Examination of 56 patients (57.1%) in 5 years after intervention revealed good results in 48 (85.4%) and poor - in 8 (14.6%) cases.Conclusion.Study results allow recommending the proposed method of plasty using the allograft and collost for the substitution of vast postresection defects in patients with benign bone and joint tumors and tumor-like diseases.

A comparative analysis was made of various EHF therapy treatments applied in chronic prostatitis patients. The therapeutic efficiency of these treatments was assessed on a large number of patients. Besides general clinical examination, we employed ultrasonography, seminal analysis, local immununoassay, and the Voll diagnosis technique. It was found that, when millimeter waves were tuned to bioresonance, rectal treatment provided the highest clinical efficiency.