Evaluation of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Related to Osteoporosis and Correlates of Perceived High Risk among People Living in Two Main Districts of Lebanon.

Background: The prevalence of osteoporosis is increasing in Lebanon.

Aim: We evaluated the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to osteoporosis and correlates of its perceived high risk among people living in Beirut and Mount Lebanon districts of Lebanon.

Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study which consisted of 376 participants that were selected from the two districts within two or three households after two geographical areas were randomly selected from each stratum classified by education and altitude.

[Quantitative PCR (qPCR) and the guide to good practices MIQE: adapting and relevance in the clinical biology context].

The qPCR has been introduced in clinical and biomedical research for over 10 years from now. Its use in trials and diagnostics is continuously increasing. Due to this heavy use, the question of relyability and relevance of qPCR results has to be asked.

Xylo-oligosaccharide (XOS) in combination with inulin modulates both the intestinal environment and immune status in healthy subjects, while XOS alone only shows prebiotic properties.

The purpose of the present study was to establish the prebiotic effect of a new xylo-oligosaccharide (XOS) and of an inulin-and-XOS mixture (INU-XOS) and to determine their effect on endotoxaemia (lipopolysaccharides (LPS)) and immune parameters. In this randomised, parallel, placebo-controlled, double-blind study, sixty healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to three groups, receiving either 5 g XOS, INU-XOS (3 g inulin +1 g XOS) or an equivalent weight of wheat maltodextrin (placebo) during 4 weeks. Faecal samples were collected to assess the effects of these products on microbiota, as well as SCFA composition, enzymatic activities and secretory IgA production.

Nutriose, a prebiotic low-digestible carbohydrate, stimulates gut mucosal immunity and prevents TNBS-induced colitis in piglets.

Background: We investigated a prebiotic low-digestible carbohydrate (LDC) as a possible food ingredient to stimulate bowel functions in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. The study aimed to assess a fermentable dextrin fiber (Nutriose) and its relationship to the immune management of the disease and the microbiota profile in colitis-bearing piglets.

Methods: In a randomized placebo-controlled parallel blind preclinical study, 32 male piglets were fed LDC (4% Nutriose) or dextrose placebo for 44 days before being challenged with trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) to induce colitis.