Clinical usefulness and safety in the early phase after a newly designed rotating-platform total knee arthroplasty: A prospective multicentre cohort study with a 2-year follow up.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the clinical results and safety of a newly designed rotating-platform posterior-stabilised total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in the early postoperative phase, within 2 years of follow up. METHODS: This prospective, multicentre cohort study included 100 consecutive patients who underwent rotating-platform posterior-stabilised (PS) TKA (Vanguard PSRP). After excluding dropouts, 93 patients were analysed. The objective Knee Society Score (KSS)-2011, subjective KSS-2011, knee range of motion, EuroQol 5 Dimension index, complications, and survival rates were assessed before TKA and at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years postoperatively. The scores at each time-point were compared, and the survival rate was assessed with revision as the endpoint. To demonstrate non-inferiority, the clinical outcomes of patients who underwent rotating-platform PS TKA were compared with those collected retrospectively from 50 patients who underwent fixed-PS TKA (Vanguard PS), defined as the control group. RESULTS: All clinical outcomes at the final follow up significantly improved compared with their preoperative values (P < 0.001). The objective KSS-2011 was 90.0 ± 8.2 points, subjective KSS-2011 satisfaction was 30.7 ± 8.6 points, expectation was 10.4 ± 2.1 points, and functional activity was 74.0 ± 18.5 points at 2 years postoperatively. Complications included knee dislocation in one patient and surgical site infection in one patient. The survival rate was 99% at 2 years postoperatively. Clinical outcomes, complications, and survival rates of newly designed TKA were not statistically different compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: The newly designed rotating-platform PS TKA showed good clinical results and suitable safety during the early postoperative phase in this prospective multicentre cohort study.

Risk indicators for marginal bone resorption around implants in function for at least 4 years: A retrospective longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: Marginal bone stability is considered one of the most important issues in implant dentistry. It is essential to understand how various factors influence bone resorption around implants. The purpose of this retrospective longitudinal study was to identify potential risk indicators associated with marginal bone resorption around implants in function for at least 4 years. METHODS: Several systemic-related, intraoral-related, implant-related factors were collected. Marginal bone level change (MBLC) was determined by comparing intraoral radiographs taken at baseline (1 year after prosthesis delivery), and at follow-up (over 3 years from baseline). A hierarchical regression analysis using liner mixed-effects models was performed to examine correlations between MBLC and various factors. RESULTS: Overall, 514 patients with 1535 implants were analyzed. The mean age of the participants was 62.9 years. Mean annual MBLC was 0.048 mm, and mean functional time was 5.96 years. The result showed that the following explanatory variables had significant effects on MBLC: functional time, plaque control record > 20%, Eichner index C1-3, maxilla, cement-retained superstructure, and keratinized mucosa width < 2 mm. We did not find statistically significant associations between bone resorption and some variables known as risk factors, such as diabetes, smoking, and history of periodontitis. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limits of this study, longer functional time, poor oral hygiene, loss of occlusal support, location in the maxilla, cement-retained superstructure, and less keratinized mucosa should be considered as risk indicators for bone resorption around implants.

Effects of ethyl-α-d-glucoside on human dermal fibroblasts.

Ethyl α-d-glucoside (α-EG) is a glycoside present in sake, Japanese rice wine. Previous studies have reported that α-EG suppresses skin roughness after ultraviolet B irradiation, transepidermal water loss, and hepatic function disorder, and has a skin moisturizing effect. In this study, 0.48 µM of α-EG was found to increase the proliferation of normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF) by 121.0%, and the amount of collagen I produced by NHDF increased by 159.6% at an α-EG concentration of 0.048 µM, compared to those in cells cultured without α-EG. In NHDF cultured in α-EG-supplemented medium, the expression of fibroblast growth factor I and VII mRNA increased by 148.8 and 153.1%, at an α-EG concentration of 4.8 and 0.048 µM, respectively, as measured by a quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Transcript levels of type I collagen genes, COL1A1 and COL1A2, increased by 152.4 and 129.7%, respectively, and that of a type III collagen gene, COL3A1, increased by 131.8% at an α-EG concentration of 0.48 µM. These findings supported the possibility that α-EG was involved in the maintenance and improvement of skin homeostasis and moisturizing functions.

Characterization of Aspergillus oryzae glycoside hydrolase family 43 beta-xylosidase expressed in Escherichia coli.

This is the first report of glycoside hydrolase family 43 beta-xylosidase from Aspergillus oryzae. To characterize this enzyme, the recombinant enzyme was expressed in Escherichia coli. Unlike known beta-xylosidases from fungal origins, the enzyme did not show substrate ambiguity and was stable at alkaline pH.

Production of Xylanase with a transformant of Aspergillus oryzae RIB40 in a Liquid-Surface Immobilization (LSI) System.

Xylanase production by a XynF1 (33 kDa)-transformant of Aspergillus oryzae RIB40 was compared between submerged cultivation (SmC) and liquid-surface immobilization (LSI) systems. While the accumulation of xylanase in the SmC decreased by prolonged incubation, LSI system enabled the continuation of xylanase production to afford 4.5-fold xylanase production compared with the SmC system.

Acrylamide degradation by filamentous fungi used in food and beverage industries.

Filamentous fungi (24 strains) used in food and beverage industries were investigated for acrylamide-degradation ability: Aspergillus oryzae KBN1010 showed the highest ability. Little acrylic acid was produced but no glycidamide was detected during AA degradation in roasted green tea; therefore, A. oryzae could be used for reducing the AA concentration.

Ethyl alpha-D-glucoside increases urine volume and causes renal morphologic changes in rats.

Ethyl alpha-D-glucoside (alpha-EG) is a peculiar component in sake, a traditional Japanese alcoholic beverage. In this study, morphological changes in kidney and effects on urine excretion by alpha-EG ingestion were investigated. After the rats were fed with pellet diets containing 100% or 20% alpha-EG dietary level, alpha-EG was detected in urine and urine volume showed significant increase (p<0.05). Kidney weights were increased (p<0.05) and renal tubules were dilated in the rats by alpha-EG ingestion, whereas there was no detectable histopathological damage to renal cells. Plasma uric acid and urea levels were not affected. In conclusion, ingested alpha-EG was excreted in urine, increasing urine volume. Increase in kidney weight related to renal tubule dilation was observed with alpha-EG ingestion without deteriorate changes in the renal cells or functions.

Ethyl alpha-D-glucoside was absorbed in small intestine and excreted in urine as intact form.

OBJECTIVE: Ethyl alpha-D-glucoside (alpha-EG) is a peculiar component in sake. We investigated how alpha-EG was absorbed, hydrolyzed, and excreted in urine when it was ingested orally by rats. METHODS: Hydrolyzing activity for alpha-EG was determined by incubating it with crude enzyme solutions prepared from several rat organs, and absorption activity for alpha-EG was determined by incubating rat small intestinal everted sac in sodium or potassium Krebs-Ringer buffer that contained alpha-EG. alpha-EG solution was fed to rats, and urine volume and plasma alpha-EG, glucose and insulin and urinary alpha-EG were determined. RESULTS: alpha-EG was hydrolyzed by crude enzyme solutions prepared from rat small intestinal mucosa and kidney, and these hydrolyzing activities were lower than those for maltose. alpha-EG absorbed into everted rat intestinal sacs in potassium Krebs-Ringer buffer reduced almost completely compared with that in sodium Krebs-Ringer buffer. When alpha-EG was ingested orally by rats, it was absorbed into the bloodstream and more than 60% was excreted in urine, and urine volume increased. CONCLUSIONS: In rats, alpha-EG was absorbed in small intestine and excreted intact in urine without affecting blood glucose and insulin and thus was a diuretic, insulin-independent, and low-nutritive glucoside that could be safely applicable to food.

Effect of ingested concentrate and components of sake on epidermal permeability barrier disruption by UVB irradiation.

Daily topical applications of the concentrate of sake (CS) have been shown to reduce epidermal barrier disruption in murine skin caused by ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation, while one of the components of sake, ethyl alpha-D-glucoside (alpha-EG), also reduces barrier disruption. We confirmed the effect of oral ingestion of various doses of CS on epidermal barrier disruption caused by UVB irradiation in hairless mice. Then, to identify the effective components, we quantitatively analyzed alpha-EG, organic acids, and glycerol, the main components of CS, and examined the effect of various concentration of each on barrier disruption. alpha-EG and organic acids showed comparable results to CS itself, and transepidermal water loss levels in murine skin were significantly decreased as compared with the control. Furthermore, an investigation of the dose dependency of these agents was performed and the results showed the significant effectiveness of alpha-EG. In addition, red wine concentrate (WC) and beer concentrate (BC) were examined in order to confirm the unique effects of CS. Similar effects were not found with WC and BC.

Effects of ovariectomy and estrogen replacement on rat oral mucosa.

OBJECTIVE: Although a close relationship between the oral discomfort and the menopause is suggested, it is not clear if the alteration of sex steroids would cause any histological or even pathological change in the oral mucosa. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible effect of sex steroid deficiency on the rat oral mucosa as well as the effect of its replacement. METHODS: The oral mucosa of ovariectomized rats was compared to that of sham-operated rats both histologically and immunohistochemically. The same evaluation was also performed after hormone replacement therapy for the ovariectomized rats. RESULTS: The ovariectomized animals presented reduced thickness of the mucosal epithelium with an irregular corneal (keratinised) surface. Partial disappearance of lingual papilla with irregular lete-peg was also noted. The corneal (keratinised) layer in the sublingual region was significantly thinner in ovariectomized animals. The results from immunohistochemistry showed the possibility that the turnover period was prolonged in ovariectomized rats. Estrogen replacement could compensate for the reduction in mucosal thickness in the animal model. CONCLUSIONS: The overall results suggest that sex steroids have a specific role in the maintenance of normal oral mucosa, and its deficiency possibly leads to the onset of oral discomfort in postmenopausal women.

Translation efficiency mediated by the 5' untranslated region greatly affects protein production in Aspergillus oryzae.

We demonstrate that the 5' untranslated region (5'UTR) plays an important role in determining translation efficiency in Aspergillus oryzae, using a model beta-glucuronidase (GUS) expression system. Alterations in the 5' UTR resulted in an increase in GUS activity of up to eight-fold, without affecting mRNA levels. Moreover, using the most effective 5'UTR construct, we could achieve remarkable intracellular overproduction of GUS protein; and the GUS level reached more than 50% of the total soluble protein. This is the first experimental evidence indicating the feasibility of improving recombinant protein yield by promoting translation initiation in filamentous fungi.