Impact of loading protocol of a mandibular single implant-supported complete denture on oral health-related quality of life over a period of 5 years: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to assess the long-term course of OHRQoL and the impact of the loading protocol in patients receiving a single mandibular implant supporting a complete denture over a period of five years. METHODS: In this multicenter RCT, a total of 158 edentulous patients were initially included and were randomly allocated immediately after placement of a mandibular midline implant to either immediate loading (IL) or to conventional loading (CL) with submerged healing. The assessment of OHRQoL was performed with the 49-item Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) at baseline and 1, 4, 12, 24, and 60 months after loading. At 5-year follow-up, 100 patients (mean age: 69.2 years; 45.0% female) with completed OHIP were available for analyses. A mixed-effects model with patients as random effect and an unstructured covariance matrix was developed to address repeated outcome measurement. RESULTS: The OHRQoL improved substantially after loading, indicated by a decrease of mean OHIP summary scores from 51.0 points at baseline, by 14.2 (95%-CI: 9.4 - 19.1; p<0.001) points to 37.2 points at 1-month follow-up, and by continuous improvement to 20.4 OHIP points at final follow-up. Considering constant treatment effects, the loading protocol had no significant effect on OHIP scores (-3.7, 95%-CI: -9.4 - 2.2; p = 0.204). Time effect was statistically significant with -0.21 (95%-CI: -0.28 - -0.15; p<0.001) points per month. CONCLUSION: Both the immediate and conventional loading of a single mandibular midline implant supporting a complete denture offer long-lasting high levels of OHRQoL, with no significant or clinically relevant long-term differences. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The study firstly presents long-term data for OHRQoL by investigating the loading protocol of single mandibular implant-supported complete dentures. Since immediate loading has been associated with a reduced implant survival rate for this concept, information on patient benefits is essential for evidence-based decision making.

Retrospective determination of fallout radionuclides and 236U/238U, 233U/236U and 240Pu/239Pu atom ratios on air filters from Vienna and Salzburg, Austria.

137Cs and 241Pu (via 241Am) concentrations were measured γ-spectrometrically on air filters from the early 1960s (mainly from 1964-66) from Vienna, Austria, and an alpine station in Salzburg, Austria. Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) was used to determine 240Pu/239Pu, 236U/238U and 233U/236U atom ratios as well as 236U, 239Pu and 240Pu atom concentrations. The maximum 236U/238U atom ratio of these unique undisturbed global fallout samples was (1.19 ± 0.31) × 10-5 in spring 1964. The 233U/236U atom ratios were found within (0.15-0.49) × 10-2 and indicate that the weapons tests of the early 1960s can be excluded as 233U source. The 236U/239Pu atom ratios were calculated in the range of 0.22-0.48.

Combined Atomic Force Microscope and Volumetric Light Sheet System for Correlative Force and Fluorescence Mechanobiology Studies.

The central goals of mechanobiology are to understand how cells generate force and how they respond to environmental mechanical stimuli. A full picture of these processes requires high-resolution, volumetric imaging with time-correlated force measurements. Here we present an instrument that combines an open-top, single-objective light sheet fluorescence microscope with an atomic force microscope (AFM), providing simultaneous volumetric imaging with high spatiotemporal resolution and high dynamic range force capability (10 pN - 100 nN). With this system we have captured lysosome trafficking, vimentin nuclear caging, and actin dynamics on the order of one second per single-cell volume. To showcase the unique advantages of combining Line Bessel light sheet imaging with AFM, we measured the forces exerted by a macrophage during FcɣR-mediated phagocytosis while performing both sequential two-color, fixed plane and volumetric imaging of F-actin. This unique instrument allows for a myriad of novel studies investigating the coupling of cellular dynamics and mechanical forces.

Improved betulinic acid biosynthesis using synthetic yeast chromosome recombination and semi-automated rapid LC-MS screening.

Synthetic biology, genome engineering and directed evolution offer innumerable tools to expedite engineering of strains for optimising biosynthetic pathways. One of the most radical is SCRaMbLE, a system of inducible in vivo deletion and rearrangement of synthetic yeast chromosomes, diversifying the genotype of millions of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells in hours. SCRaMbLE can yield strains with improved biosynthetic phenotypes but is limited by screening capabilities. To address this bottleneck, we combine automated sample preparation, an ultra-fast 84-second LC-MS method, and barcoded nanopore sequencing to rapidly isolate and characterise the best performing strains. Here, we use SCRaMbLE to optimise yeast strains engineered to produce the triterpenoid betulinic acid. Our semi-automated workflow screens 1,000 colonies, identifying and sequencing 12 strains with between 2- to 7-fold improvement in betulinic acid titre. The broad applicability of this workflow to rapidly isolate improved strains from a variant library makes this a valuable tool for biotechnology.

Effect of Sustained Joint Loading on TMJ Disc Nutrient Environment.

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc nutrient environment profoundly affects cell energy metabolism, proliferation, and biosynthesis. Due to technical challenges of in vivo measurements, the human TMJ disc extracellular nutrient environment under load, which depends on metabolic rates, solute diffusion, and disc morphometry, remains unknown. Therefore, the study objective was to predict the TMJ disc nutrient environment under loading conditions using combined experimental and computational modeling approaches. Specifically, glucose consumption and lactate production rates of porcine TMJ discs were measured under varying tissue culture conditions (n = 40 discs), and mechanical strain-dependent glucose and lactate diffusivities were measured using a custom diffusion chamber (n = 6 discs). TMJ anatomy and loading area were obtained from magnetic resonance imaging of healthy human volunteers (n = 11, male, 30 ± 9 y). Using experimentally determined nutrient metabolic rates, solute diffusivities, TMJ anatomy, and loading areas, subject-specific finite element (FE) models were developed to predict the 3-dimensional nutrient profiles in unloaded and loaded TMJ discs (unloaded, 0% strain, 20% strain). From the FE models, glucose, lactate, and oxygen concentration ranges for unloaded healthy human TMJ discs were 0.6 to 4.0 mM, 0.9 to 5.0 mM, and 0% to 6%, respectively, with steep gradients in the anterior and posterior bands. Sustained mechanical loading significantly reduced nutrient levels (P < 0.001), with a critical zone in which cells may die representing approximately 13.5% of the total disc volume. In conclusion, this study experimentally determined TMJ disc metabolic rates, solute diffusivities, and disc morphometry, and through subject-specific FE modeling, revealed critical interactions between mechanical loading and nutrient supply and metabolism for the in vivo human TMJ disc. The results suggest that TMJ disc homeostasis may be vulnerable to pathological loading (e.g., clenching, bruxism), which impedes nutrient supply. Given difficulties associated with direct in vivo measurements, this study provides a new approach to systematically investigate homeostatic and degenerative mechanisms associated with the TMJ disc.

[Palliative care of patients receiving opioid substitution therapy]. / Palliativversorgung von Patienten in Opioidsubstitutionsbehandlung.

Patients with opioid use disorder survive longer and reach higher ages due to harm reduction and maintenance programs. Therefor and because of concomitant comorbidities there is an increased incidence of life-limiting diseases. Thus, increasing numbers of patients with opioid use disorder or in maintenance programs will require palliative care. However, both inpatient and outpatient service providers are uncertain about providing palliative care for these patients. Home-care teams and inpatient hospices have been known to refuse admission for patients with opioid use disorder. Providing medical care to patients receiving substitution therapy can be challenging because maintenance programs require strict compliance with their rules and regulations; however, an individualized approach with knowledge of basic legal requirements enables good palliative care. In this manner, it is possible to ensure healthcare for these aging patients.

[Psychological stressors, resources and well-being of surgeons in Germany : A cross-sectional study]. / Psychische Belastungen, Ressourcen und Wohlbefinden von Chirurgen in Deutschland : Eine Querschnittsstudie.

BACKGROUND: Psychological stress at work is associated with detrimental and health-impairing consequences for employees. OBJECTIVE: In this study major stress factors and the resource job control at the workplace of surgeons and facets of mental health were examined and compared to benchmark results of a large reference sample. METHOD: Data were collected by a representative online survey among surgeons throughout Germany who were contacted via the Professional Association of German Surgeons. In total 643 surgeons from different organizations and different disciplines completed the questionnaire that was developed using well-validated instruments. RESULTS: Time pressure was the most meaningful stress factor for surgeons. Moreover, the results for medical assistants showed adverse stress combinations of high goal uncertainty and low job control as well as high emotional exhaustion and low job satisfaction. In addition, the results indicated that surgeons in single and group practices as well as in outpatient healthcare centers have less stressors and more job resources. CONCLUSION: The survey results suggest high levels of burnout risk for German surgeons, especially among medical assistants and medical specialists from large hospitals. In order to maintain a high quality in the surgical disciplines, a concerted effort by all players in the healthcare system is necessary.

Overexpression of miR-489 derails mammary hierarchy structure and inhibits HER2/neu-induced tumorigenesis.

Although it has been demonstrated that transformed progenitor cell population can contribute to tumor initiation, factors contributing to this malignant transformation are poorly known. Using in vitro and xenograft-based models, previous studies demonstrated that miR-489 acts as a tumor suppressor miRNA by targeting various oncogenic pathways. It has been demonstrated that miR-489 directly targets HER2 and inhibits the HER2 signaling pathway; however, its role in mammary gland development and HER2-induced tumor initiation hasn't been studied. To dissect the role of miR-489, we sorted different populations of mammary epithelial cells and determined that miR-489 was highly expressed in mammary stem cells. MMTV-miR-489 mice that overexpressed miR-489 in mammary epithelial cells were developed and these mice exhibited an inhibition of mammary gland development in early ages with a specific impact on highly proliferative cells. Double transgenic MMTV-Her2-miR489 mice were then generated to observe how miR-489 overexpression affects HER2-induced tumorigenesis. miR-489 overexpression delayed HER2-induced tumor initiation significantly. Moreover, miR-489 overexpression inhibited tumor growth and lung metastasis. miR-489 overexpression reduced mammary progenitor cell population significantly in preneoplastic mammary glands of MMTV-Her2 mice which showed a putative transformed population in HER2-induced tumorigenesis. The miR-489 overexpression reduced CD49fhiCD61hi populations in tumors that have stem-like properties, and miR-489 overexpression altered the HER2 signaling pathway in mammary tumors. Altogether, these data indicate that the inhibition of HER2-induced tumorigenesis by miR-489 overexpression was due to altering progenitor cell populations while decreasing tumor growth and metastasis via influencing tumor promoting genes DEK and SHP2.

Correction: Overexpression of miR-489 derails mammary hierarchy structure and inhibits HER2/neu-induced tumorigenesis.

In the published version of this paper the author A. Awgulewitsch's surname was incorrectly given as Awagulerwitsch instead of Awgulewitsch. This has now been corrected in the HTML version of the paper, the PDF was correct at the time of publication.

Swallow strength training exercise for elderly: A health maintenance need.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown high prevalence of oropharyngeal dysphagia associated with frailty- and age-related muscle weakness. Strength training exercises have been advocated for locomotive health maintenance in the elderly and have shown positive outcomes. As muscles involved in oropharyngeal phase of swallowing are also comprised of striated muscles, the aim of this study was to determine biomechanical effect of a novel resistance exercise program, Swallowing Against Laryngeal Restriction (SALR), on pharyngeal phase swallowing in the healthy elderly. METHODS: A total of 28 volunteers (75 + 7 years; 17 females) with no complaint of dysphagia were studied using video fluoroscopy before and after 6 weeks of the swallow strength training exercise. Eighteen of these volunteers also underwent high-resolution pharyngeal manometry non-concurrent with fluoroscopy. Ten additional volunteers (81 + 6 years; 9 females) were studied by videofluoroscopy before and after 6 weeks of a sham exercise. KEY RESULTS: Swallow resistance exercise but not the sham exercise resulted in a significant increase in maximum upper esophageal sphincter opening (P < .01), superior and anterior laryngeal excursion (P < .01) as well as posterior pharyngeal wall thickness (P < .01). Resistance exercise but not sham exercise also resulted in a significant increase in deglutitive pharyngeal contractile integral (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: Strength training of muscles involved in the pharyngeal phase of swallowing using the swallowing against laryngeal restriction technique is feasible and significantly improves key physiologic features of the pharyngeal phase of swallowing. These findings provide the basis for consideration of developing an exercise-based swallow health maintenance program for the elderly swallow health maintenance program for the elderly.

Ultra-broadband EPR spectroscopy in field and frequency domains.

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) is a powerful technique to investigate the electronic and magnetic properties of a wide range of materials. We present the first combined terahertz (THz) field and frequency domain electron paramagnetic resonance (HFEPR/FDMR) spectrometer designed to investigate the electronic structure and magnetic properties of molecular systems, thin films and solid state materials in a very broad frequency range of 85-1100 GHz. In this paper, we show high resolution frequency-field (Zeeman) maps (170-380 GHz by 0-15 T) recorded on two single-molecule magnets, [Mn2(saltmen)2(ReO4)2] and [Mn2(salpn)2(H2O)2](ClO4)2, which give direct access to the field-dependence of the energy level diagram. Furthermore, supression of standing waves in the described system and the sensitivity in field and frequency domain operations is evaluated and discussed.

Survival and Complications of Single Dental Implants in the Edentulous Mandible Following Immediate or Delayed Loading: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

It was the aim of this 24-mo randomized controlled clinical trial to investigate whether the survival of a single median implant placed in the edentulous mandible to retain a complete denture is not compromised by immediate loading. Secondary outcomes were differences in prosthetic complications between the loading principles. Each of the 158 patients who received an implant was randomly assigned to the immediate loading group ( n = 81) or the delayed loading group ( n = 77). Recall visits were performed 1 mo after implant placement (for only the delayed loading group) and 1, 4, 12, and 24 mo after implant loading. Nine implants failed in the immediate loading group, all within the first 3 mo of implant loading, and 1 implant failed in the delayed loading group prior to loading. Noninferiority of implant survival of the immediate loading group, as compared with the delayed loading group, could not be shown ( P = 0.81). Consistent with this result, a secondary analysis with Fisher exact test revealed that the observed difference in implant survival between the treatment groups was indeed statistically significant ( P = 0.019). The most frequent prosthetic complications and maintenance interventions in the mandible were retention adjustments, denture fractures, pressure sores, and matrix exchanges. There was only 1 statistically significant difference between the groups regarding the parameter "fracture of the denture base in the ball attachment area" ( P = 0.007). The results indicate that immediate loading of a single implant in the edentulous mandible reveals inferior survival than that of delayed loading and therefore should be considered only in exceptional cases (German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00003730).

Repin1 deficiency in adipose tissue improves whole-body insulin sensitivity, and lipid metabolism.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Replication initiator 1 (Repin1) gene encodes for a zinc-finger protein and has been implicated in the regulation of adipocyte cell size and glucose transport in vitro. Here, we investigate the consequences of reduced adipose tissue (AT) Repin1 expression in vivo. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We have inactivated the Repin1 gene in adipose tissue (iARep-/-) at an age of 4 weeks using tamoxifen-inducible gene targeting strategies on the background of C57BL/6NTac mice. Furthermore, we differentiated human primary adipocytes derived from subcutaneous AT in vitro and knocked down REPIN1 using siRNA technique to measure glycerol release. RESULTS: Conditional Repin1 inactivation results in decreased AT mass, smaller adipocytes in both, subcutaneous and epigonadal AT compared to controls. Compared to controls, iARep-/- mice were more insulin sensitive, had better glucose tolerance and lower LDL-, HDL- and total cholesterol. Significantly lower AT expression of the Repin1 target genes Cd36 and Lcn2 may contribute to the phenotype of iARep-/- mice. Knockdown of REPIN1 in human in vitro differentiated adipocytes revealed an increased glycerol release. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, deficiency of Repin1 in AT causes alterations in AT morphology and function, which may underlay lower body weight and improved parameters of insulin sensitivity, glucose and lipid metabolism.

Characterization of pharyngeal peristaltic pressure variability during volitional swallowing in healthy individuals.

BACKGROUND: Recent technological advances incorporated in high resolution manometry have justifiably heightened interest in manometric evaluation of the pharynx. Despite this interest, from both physiologic and clinical perspective there remain a number of unanswered questions regarding the magnitude of variability of pharyngeal pressure phenomena. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to characterize in healthy individuals the inter-subject and recording-site specific variability of pharyngeal peristaltic pressure phenomena. METHODS: We studied 32 healthy subjects (age: 21-83 years,20 under 35 years) during dry,5 and 10 mL water swallows ×3. Pharyngeal peristaltic pressures were recorded using a high resolution (HR) manometric system and a catheter assembly with 36 circumferential sensors spaced at 1 cm intervals positioned trans-nasally to traverse the pharynx, UES and proximal esophagus. KEY RESULTS: Both site-specific pressure data and the Pharyngeal contractile integral (PhCI) showed wide dispersion ranging between values under 50 mm Hg to over 300 mm Hg and 100-600 mm Hg/cm/s,respectively. There was also wide range of dispersion of data for both the standard deviations and the coefficient of variation for all sites (P=.001). The coefficient of variation for PhCI ranged between 0.02 and 0.25 representing data dispersion of 2-25 percent of the mean among subjects (P=.001). Position, age and volume of swallowed fluid did not influence the magnitude of variability. CONCLUSIONS: Deglutitive Pharyngeal peristalsis generates pressures with significant degree of site-related and inter-subject variability. This variability is not influenced by age, position and volume of swallowed fluid.

Pain and discomfort following immediate and delayed loading by overdentures in the single mandibular implant study (SMIS).

OBJECTIVES: This randomized clinical trial compares immediate and delayed loading of single implants to support mandibular overdentures. The aim of this preliminary analysis is to test the hypothesis whether patients with immediate loading will experience less pain and discomfort through the intervention than patients with delayed loading. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Edentulous patients in nine German dental schools received a midline implant with a length of 11 mm. Implants with a minimum insertion torque of 30 Ncm and an implant stability quotient of ≥60 were randomly allocated to group A for immediate loading using ball attachments or to group B for delayed loading after 3 months. Patients completed questionnaires with 100-mm visual analogue scales about the items pain, pain during chewing, swelling, bleeding, and perception of the intervention at the day of surgery and 1, 2, 3, and 7 days, thereafter. Groups were compared by Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney tests (P ≤ 0.05). RESULTS: The questionnaires of 81 patients in group A and 74 patients in group B were completed. The medians for pain and discomfort were moderate (<30). Participants of group A felt significantly more pain from the first day and more swelling from the third day after implantation than participants of group B. The individual perception of interventions showed no significant differences between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Immediate loading evoked more postoperative pain and swelling than the two stages of delayed loading. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Immediate loading of a single mandibular midline implant supporting overdentures should be carefully considered.

Single mandibular implant study - denture satisfaction in the elderly.

To investigate whether there are differences in patients' denture satisfaction when an implant placed in the midline of the edentulous mandible is loaded either immediately or three months later, after second-stage surgery. One hundred and fifty-eight edentulous patients received a single implant in the midline of the mandible. After randomisation, it was loaded either immediately after implant placement (N = 81, group A) or three months later, after a submerged healing phase and a second-stage surgery (N = 77, group B). Patients' denture satisfaction aspects were assessed, using visual analogue scales (VAS), before treatment, one month after implant placement during the submerged healing phase (only group B) and one and four months after implant loading. The statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank and rank-sum tests. One month after loading, a significant improvement in comfort, function and stability of the mandibular denture could be observed in both groups (P ≤ 0·05). A slight but not significant improvement was found between one and four months after loading. Patients with second-stage surgery and delayed loading rated the stability and fit of the mandibular denture as significantly better than patients who had immediate loading. A single implant in the edentulous mandible significantly increased patients' denture satisfaction. After four months, stability and fit of the mandibular denture were considered better when a delayed loading protocol had been followed. A single mandibular implant in the edentulous mandible significantly increases patients' denture satisfaction, regardless of the loading protocol.

Novel genes on rat chromosome 10 are linked to body fat mass, preadipocyte number and adipocyte size.

BACKGROUND: The genetic architecture of obesity is multifactorial. We have previously identified a quantitative trait locus (QTL) on rat chromosome 10 in a F2 cross of Wistar Ottawa Karlsburg (WOKW) and Dark Agouti (DA) rats responsible for obesity-related traits. The QTL was confirmed in congenic DA.WOKW10 rats. To pinpoint the region carrying causal genes, we established two new subcongenic lines, L1 and L2, with smaller refined segments of chromosome 10 to identify novel candidate genes. METHODS: All lines were extensively characterized under different diet conditions. We employed transcriptome analysis in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) by RNA-Seq technology to identify potential underlying genes in the segregating regions. Three candidate genes were measured in human paired samples of VAT and subcutaneous (SC) AT (SAT) (N=304) individuals with a wide range of body weight and glucose homeostasis parameters. RESULTS: DA.WOKW and L1 subcongenic lines were protected against body fat gain under high-fat diet (HFD), whereas L2 and DA had significantly more body fat after high-fat feeding. Interestingly, adipocyte size distribution in SAT and epigonadal AT of L1 subcongenic rats did not undergo typical ballooning under HFD and the number of preadipocytes in AT was significantly elevated in L2 compared with L1 and parental rats. Transcriptome analysis identified three candidate genes in VAT on rat chromosome 10. In humans, these candidate genes were differentially expressed between SAT and VAT. Moreover, HID1 mRNA significantly correlates with parameters of obesity and glucose metabolism. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest novel candidate genes for obesity that map on rat chromosome 10 in an interval 102.2-104.7 Mb and are strongly associated with body fat mass regulation, preadipocyte number and adipocyte size in rats. Among those genes, AT head involution defective (HID1) mRNA expression may be relevant for human fat distribution and glucose homeostasis.

Implant placement under existing removable dental prostheses and its effect on masticatory performance.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this within-subject study was to evaluate the outcome with implant-tooth-supported removable partial dental prostheses (RPDP group) and implant-supported removable complete dental prostheses (edentulous group) in terms of masticatory performance and self-assessment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty patients participated in this prospective clinical study (RPDP group: n = 12; edentulous group: n = 18). The prostheses were supported in strategically advantageous regions by placing implants with ball attachments and corresponding matrices in the existing dentures. The masticatory performance was evaluated with the Swallowing Threshold Test Index (STTI), the number of chewing strokes, and the time needed until swallowing at pre-treatment and 6 weeks after integration of ball attachments. Additionally, patients scored chewing satisfaction before and after implantation on a visual analogue scale. RESULTS: The STTI increased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) after implant therapy in the edentulous group but not in the RPDP group. Furthermore, the STTI was significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) in the RPDP group than in the edentulous group at pre-treatment, however, not after therapy (P > 0.05). All patients were very satisfied after therapy concerning ability of speaking, chewing, and stability of their prosthesis. CONCLUSIONS: Patients of the edentulous group benefit more from strategically placed implants under the existing dentures than patients from the RPDP group. However, according to the subjective assessment, the chewing satisfaction generally increased for both groups after implant therapy. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Patients with a strongly reduced dentition and edentulous patients benefit from strategically placed implants under the existing removable dentures.

The effect of two doses of dried plum on bone density and bone biomarkers in osteopenic postmenopausal women: a randomized, controlled trial.

UNLABELLED: Daily consumption of 50 g of dried plum (equivalent to 5-6 dried plums) for 6 months may be as effective as 100 g of dried plum in preventing bone loss in older, osteopenic postmenopausal women. To some extent, these results may be attributed to the inhibition of bone resorption with the concurrent maintenance of bone formation. INTRODUCTION: The objective of our current study was to examine the possible dose-dependent effects of dried plum in preventing bone loss in older osteopenic postmenopausal women. METHODS: Forty-eight osteopenic women (65-79 years old) were randomly assigned into one of three treatment groups for 6 months: (1) 50 g of dried plum; (2) 100 g of dried plum; and (3) control. Total body, hip, and lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) were evaluated at baseline and 6 months using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Blood biomarkers including bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP-5b), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and sclerostin were measured at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Osteoprotegerin (OPG), receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL), calcium, phosphorous, and vitamin D were measured at baseline and 6 months. RESULTS: Both doses of dried plum were able to prevent the loss of total body BMD compared with that of the control group (P < 0.05). TRAP-5b, a marker of bone resorption, decreased at 3 months and this was sustained at 6 months in both 50 and 100 g dried plum groups (P < 0.01 and P < 0.04, respectively). Although there were no significant changes in BAP for either of the dried plum groups, the BAP/TRAP-5b ratio was significantly (P < 0.05) greater at 6 months in both dried plum groups whereas there were no changes in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm the ability of dried plum to prevent the loss of total body BMD in older osteopenic postmenopausal women and suggest that a lower dose of dried plum (i.e., 50 g) may be as effective as 100 g of dried plum in preventing bone loss in older, osteopenic postmenopausal women. This may be due, in part, to the ability of dried plums to inhibit bone resorption. This clinical trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02325895 .