Relationship between oral function and life-space mobility or social networks in community-dwelling older people: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to clarify the relationship between oral function and life-space mobility or social networks in order to explore approaches that prevent a decline in oral function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 113 community-dwelling older people (mean age; 75.7 ± 7.3 years) who participated in preventive long-term care projects aimed at the maintenance or improvement of physical and mental functions were included in this study. The life-space assessment (LSA) was used to evaluate life-space mobility, while the Lubben Social Network Scale-6 (LSNS-6) was employed to assess social networks. Oral function was measured by maximum voluntary tongue pressure, oral diadochokinesis, the repetitive saliva swallowing test, and lip pressure. Indices of frailty were grip strength and the Kihon Checklist score. Multiple regression analysis was performed to clarify whether the LSA, LSNS-6, and frailty are associated with oral function. RESULTS: The results of the Kihon Checklist showed that 63 participants (56%) were subjectively and at least slightly aware of a decline in oral function. LSA (B = 0.222, p < .001) and grip strength (B = 0.266, p = .003) associated with maximum voluntary tongue pressure. The goodness of fit of the predictive model was an adjusted R2 value of .486. Other oral functions were not associated with any factors and the goodness of fit of the model was poor (Adjusted R2 < .1). LSNS-6 was not associated with any oral function. CONCLUSIONS: Life-space mobility and grip strength were independent factors associating maximum voluntary tongue pressure, while social networks did not directly association oral function. This study suggests the necessity of a program that approaches both oral and physical functions through guidance for securing a certain amount of daily activity for older people at risk of or exhibiting a decline in maximum voluntary tongue pressure.

The novel bisphosphonate disodium dihydrogen-4-[(methylthio) phenylthio] methanebisphosphonate increases bone mass in post-ovariectomy rats.

The novel bisphosphonate (BP) disodium dihydrogen-4-[(methylthio) phenylthio] methanebisphosphonate (MPMBP) is a non-nitrogen-containing BP with an antioxidant side chain that possesses anti-inflammatory properties. We investigated the systemic effects of this compound on bone loss induced by ovariectomy (OVX) in adult rats. Micro-computed tomography revealed that MPMBP increased bone mass and density in both the metaphysis and diaphysis, and improved the structural properties important for mechanical strength of osteoporotic bone. Sequential bone labeling with tetracycline and calcein indicated that MPMBP decreased longitudinal growth of the primary spongiosa (PS), but stimulated cortical bone formation in the diaphysis. MPMBP increased type I collagen accumulation in the PS, and decreased the number and size of adipocytes in the bone marrow, suggesting inhibition of increased bone marrow adipogenesis induced by OVX. Furthermore, MPMBP reduced the number of bone resorbing cathepsin K-positive osteoclasts induced by OVX. These results suggest that MPMBP could improve bone loss induced by estrogen deficiency. Both stimulation of bone formation and inhibition of bone resorption might play a role in the increase in bone mass and bone density after MPMBP treatment.

Poly (ricinoleic acid) based novel thermosetting elastomer.

A novel bio-based thermosetting elastomer was prepared by the lipase-catalyzed polymerization of methyl ricinoleate with subsequent vulcanization. Some mechanical properties of the cured carbon black-filled polyricinoleate compounds were evaluated as a thermosetting elastomer. It was found that the carbon black-filled polyricinoleate compounds were readily cured by sulfur curatives to produce a thermosetting elastomer that formed a rubber-like sheet with a smooth and non-sticky surface. The curing behaviors and mechanical properties were dependent on both the molecular weight of the polyricinoleate and the amount of the sulfur curatives. Cured compounds consisting of polyricinoleate with a molecular weight of 100,800 showed good mechanical properties, such as a hardness of 48 A based on the durometer A measurements, a tensile strength at break of 6.91 MPa and an elongation at break of 350%.