INTRODUCTION: SCF has been reported to improve calcium absorption. We investigated the long-term effect of SCF and calcium on bone indices of healthy preadolescent children aged 9-11 years old.
METHODS: In a double-blind, randomised, parallel arm study, 243 participants were randomised into four groups: placebo, 12-g SCF, 600-mg calcium lactate gluconate (Ca) and 12-g SCF + 600-mg calcium lactate gluconate (SCF + Ca). Total body bone mineral content (TBBMC) and total body bone mineral density (TBBMD) were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at baseline, 6 and 12 months.
RESULTS: At 6 months, SCF + Ca had a significant increase in TBBMC from baseline (27.14 ± 6.10 g, p = 0.001). At 12 months, there was a significant increase in TBBMC from baseline in the SCF + Ca (40.28 ± 9.03 g, p = 0.001) and SCF groups (27.34 ± 7.93 g, p = 0.037). At 6 months, the change in TBBMD in the SCF + Ca (0.019 ± 0.003 g/cm2) and Ca (0.014 ± 0.003 g/cm2) groups was significantly different (p calcium supplementation increased TBBMD at 6 months. Further work is needed to fully understand the mechanism and health benefits of prebiotics in this study population.
CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03864172.
PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of lactose intolerance, calcium intake and physical activity level and to investigate the association between these variables with bone health status among young adults.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study consisted of 300 Malay, Chinese and Indian students from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia with mean age of 22.5 ± 3.2 years. Determination of lactose tolerance status was performed using hydrogen breath test, lactose tolerance test and visual analogue scales. Calcium intake and physical activity level were evaluated using Food Frequency Questionnaire and International Physical Activity Questionnaire, respectively. Bone health status was assessed on calcaneal bone, using quantitative ultrasound.
RESULTS: Lactose intolerance was highly reported among the Malay subjects (72%) followed by Chinese (59%) and Indians (42%). The mean calcium intake was 542.9 ± 365.2 mg/day whilst the mean physical activity was 2757.6 ± 2007.2 MET-min/week. The bone assessment showed that 91% of the subjects had a low risk of developing osteoporosis. Only calcium intake showed a significant association with bone health status (β = 0.006; p = 0.033), whilst no association was shown for lactose intolerance and physical activity level.
CONCLUSIONS: Malaysian young adults showed a high prevalence of lactose intolerance. Calcium intake is associated with increased bone health status. In contrast, lactose intolerance and physical activity level did not directly influence bone health status. Nutrition education promoting adequate calcium intake should be implemented among young adults due to high lactose intolerance prevalence and low calcium intake among subjects.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A gypsum mold was coated with clear acrylic spray. The coated mold was then used to produce modified silicone experimental specimens (n = 35). The surface roughness of the modified silicone elastomers was compared with that of the control specimens, which were prepared by conventional flasking methods (n = 35). An atomic force microscope (AFM) was used for surface roughness measurement of silicone elastomer (unmodified and modified), and a scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to evaluate the topographic conditions of coated and noncoated gypsum and silicone elastomer specimens (unmodified and modified) groups. After the gypsum molds were characterized, the fabricated silicone elastomers molded on noncoated and coated gypsum materials were evaluated further. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis of gypsum materials (noncoated and coated) and silicone elastomer specimens (unmodified and modified) was performed to evaluate the elemental changes after coating was conducted. Independent t test was used to analyze the differences in the surface roughness of unmodified and modified silicone at a significance level of p < 0.05.
RESULTS: Roughness was significantly reduced in the silicone elastomers processed against coated gypsum materials (p < 0.001). The AFM and SEM analysis results showed evident differences in surface smoothness. EDX data further revealed the presence of the desired chemical components on the surface layer of unmodified and modified silicone elastomers.
CONCLUSIONS: Silicone elastomers with lower surface roughness of maxillofacial prostheses can be obtained simply by coating a gypsum mold.