METHODS: This study reports baseline data from a longitudinal study that was conducted at a hospital in Vietnam. KTRs aged ≥18 years and >3 months post-transplantation were recruited. Assessments included sociodemographic and blood biomarkers. Dietary intake was estimated from 24-hour recalls. A Short Form-36 Health Survey, comprising physical (PCS) and mental component summaries (MCS), was administered to assess QoL. Multivariate linear regression models were performed.
RESULTS: The study included 106 patients (79 men) with a mean age of 43.2 years (± 11.9). Mean duration after kidney transplantation was 28.5 months (± 14.9). Patients with MetS had 6.43 lower PCS score (P < .05) and 3.20 lower MCS score (P < .05) than their counterparts without MetS. Calcium intake (β = -0.01; 95% CI, -0.03 to 0.00) and inadequate protein (β = -14.8; 95% CI, -23 to -6.65) were negatively associated with PCS score. MCS score was negatively associated with calcium intake (β = -0.02; 95% CI, -0.04 to -0.01) and inadequate protein intake (β = -15.1; 95% CI, -24.3 to -5.86), and positively associated with fat intake (β = 0.43, 95% CI, 0.02-0.85).
CONCLUSIONS: MetS and poor dietary intake are independently associated with the QoL of KTRs. Nutritional intervention plans developed specifically for the recipients will improve dietary intake, reduce the incidence of MetS, and help enhance QoL.
METHODS: This was a single-center cross-sectional study. We recruited 159 participants diagnosed with epilepsy on antiseizure medications (ASMs). We included those aged 18 years and above, excluding patients with long-term medical conditions that would affect vitamin D metabolism. Sociodemographic data and details of epilepsy were collated. Venous sampling was performed to analyze the levels of albumin-corrected calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D]. Serum 25(OH)D level is defined as deficient (<20 ng/ml), insufficient (20-29 ng/ml), and sufficient (≥30 ng/ml).
RESULTS: The study reported that 73 (45.9%) participants had vitamin D deficiency, 38 (23.9%) had vitamin D insufficiency, and 48 (30.2%) patients had sufficient vitamin D levels. The predictors identified were PWE aged 18 to 44 years old (p = 0.001), female gender (OR 3.396, p = 0.002), and ethnicity (p calcium, or the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency.
CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency among PWE is prevalent in our local population, suggesting that regular screening should be considered for those at risk. Early identification would allow intervention to reduce the risk of future complications.
METHODS: With REVO-S files up to SU/0.06 taper, 48 single-rooted premolar teeth were instrumented. The teeth were randomly divided into two main groups (n = 24) based on the two root canal sealers used (AH Plus and BioRoot RCS). All teeth were obturated with h matched-taper single-cone. Each main group was then subdivided into three subgroups (A, B, and C) (n = 8). Group A served as the negative control group (no-thermocycling aging). While groups B and C were subjected to thermal changes in a thermocycler machine (15,000 and 30,000 thermal cycles, respectively), followed by two different dynamic loading periods, 3 × 105 and 6 × 105 in a masticatory simulator with a nominal load of 5 kg at 1.2 Hz which represent roughly 1½ and 3 years of clinical function respectively. 2 mm slice at 3 levels, apical, middle, and coronal, to obtain 3 sections were prepared and subjected to push-out test using a universal testing machine. Statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by a Tukey post hoc comparisons test and an independent T-test. A significance level of 5% was used.
RESULTS: After thermal-mechanical cyclic aging, the two root canal sealers showed a significantly decreased in push-out bond strength (p
METHODS: The questionnaire comprised 3 sections. The first part comprised questions regarding demographic features. The second part comprised questions on how treatment plans change according to factors such as nature, location, number and size of the pulp exposure, and patients' age. The third part composed of questions on the common materials and techniques used in DPC. To estimate the effect size, the risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a meta-analysis software.
RESULTS: A tendency toward more invasive treatment was observed for the clinical scenario with carious-exposed pulp (RR = 2.86, 95% CI: 2.46, 2.32; P calcium silicate-based materials were preferred over calcium hydroxide-based materials (RR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.44, 0.76; P calcium silicate-based materials appears to have replaced calcium hydroxide-based materials.
METHODS: Four groups [WMTA, RMPC, fast-set WMTA (FS-WMTA) and fast-set RMPC (FS-RMPC)] were prepared. Initial setting time was evaluated using Vicat apparatus. The pH was measured at seven-day intervals. For discolouration potential, cements were packed in the pulp chamber of 46 extracted maxillary incisors. Spectrophotometric readings were obtained at seven-day intervals, and the rate of colour change (ΔE) was recorded. For the push-out bond strength testing, cements were applied in 48 sectioned root samples, and the test was performed using universal testing machine at crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min until bond failure. Statistical analysis was done according to the nature of each group of data using SPSS 26.
RESULTS: Addition of CaCl2.2H2O decreased the initial setting times of both RMPC and WMTA significantly (p<0.05). The pH values of FS-WMTA and FS-RMPC were comparable to their non-accelerated counterparts ranging from 10 to 12. Discolouration effect was more obviously observed with WMTA and FS-WMTA with time compared to RMPC formulations. Push-out bond strength of the two materials also showed an increase with the addition of the accelerator, however, only FS-WMTA showed statistically significant difference compared to WMTA (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION: The addition of CaCl2.2H2O improves the physical and mechanical properties of the newly formulated RMPC and WMTA. The RMPC formulation overcomes the discolouration potential of WMTA. (EEJ-2022-12-155).
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.
CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a 61-year-old Malay female with worsening bilateral limb weakness, paresthesia, and severe carpopedal spasm a week after receiving subcutaneous denosumab for osteoporosis. She had a history of gastric bypass surgery 20 years ago. Post gastric bypass surgery, she was advised and initiated on lifelong calcium, vitamin D, and iron supplementations that she unfortunately stopped taking 5 years after surgery. Her last serum blood tests, prior to initiation on denosumab, were conducted in a different center, and she was told that she had a low calcium level; hence, she was advised to restart her vitamin and mineral supplements. Laboratory workup revealed severe hypocalcemia (adjusted serum calcium of 1.33 mmol/L) and mild hypophosphatemia (0.65 mmol/L), with normal magnesium and renal function. Electrocardiogram showed a prolonged QTc interval. She required four bolus courses of intravenous calcium gluconate, and three courses of continuous infusions due to retractable severe hypocalcemia (total of 29 vials of 10 mL of 10% calcium gluconate intravenously). In view of her low vitamin D level of 33 nmol/L, she was initiated on a loading dose of cholecalciferol of 50,000 IU per week for 8 weeks. However, despite a loading dose of cholecalciferol, multiple bolus courses, and infusions of calcium gluconate, her serum calcium hovered around only 1.8 mmol/L. After 8 days of continuous intravenous infusions of calcium gluconate, high doses of calcitriol 1.5 μg twice daily, and 1 g calcium carbonate three times daily, her serum calcium stabilized at approximately 2.0 mmol/L. She remained on these high doses for over 2 months, before they were gradually titrated down to ensure sustainability of a safe calcium level.
CONCLUSION: This case report highlights the importance of screening for risk factors for iatrogenic hypocalcemia and ensuring normal levels before initiating denosumab. The patient history of bariatric surgery could have worsened the hypocalcemia, resulting in a more severe presentation and protracted response to oral calcium and vitamin D supplementation.