Association of dental occlusal support with the Prognostic Nutritional Index in patients with esophageal cancer who underwent esophagectomy

Background The Prognostic Nutritional Index is useful for predicting surgical risk and overall survival based on preoperative immunological and nutritional status in patients undergoing digestive organ cancer surgery. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between the Prognostic Nutritional Index and dental status in patients with esophageal cancer who underwent esophagectomy. Methods This retrospective case–control study included 73 patients who underwent resection of esophageal cancer (69 males, 4 females; age 36–83). General and dental status were evaluated. The Prognostic Nutritional Index was calculated based on the serum albumin concentration and the total lymphocyte count, and subjects were divided into two groups based on index scores: a higher group, characterized by scores ≥ 45 (n = 54); and a lower group, characterized by scores Results Total protein, C-reactive protein, the number of sound and total decayed, missing and filled teeth, and the rate of patients with poor dental occlusal support showed significant differences between the lower and higher Prognostic Nutritional Index groups (p  Conclusion Dental status, especially dental occlusal support and the number of sound teeth, showed a positive relationship with the Prognostic Nutritional Index in esophageal cancer patients who underwent esophagectomy

Peptide barcoding for one-pot evaluation of sequence–function relationships of nanobodies

遊離型抗体の構造活性相関解析を迅速に評価可能とする新手法を開発. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2021-11-08.Optimisation of protein binders relies on laborious screening processes. Investigation of sequence–function relationships of protein binders is particularly slow, since mutants are purified and evaluated individually. Here we developed peptide barcoding, a high-throughput approach for accurate investigation of sequence–function relationships of hundreds of protein binders at once. Our approach is based on combining the generation of a mutagenised nanobody library fused with unique peptide barcodes, the formation of nanobody–antigen complexes at different ratios, their fine fractionation by size-exclusion chromatography and quantification of peptide barcodes by targeted proteomics. Applying peptide barcoding to an anti-GFP nanobody as a model, we successfully identified residues important for the binding affinity of anti-GFP nanobody at once. Peptide barcoding discriminated subtle changes in KD at the order of nM to sub-nM. Therefore, peptide barcoding is a powerful tool for engineering protein binders, enabling reliable one-pot evaluation of sequence–function relationships

Oral hypofunction in the older population : Position paper of the Japanese Society of Gerodontology in 2016

Background: There is growing international interest in identifying the effects of ageing on oral health and on appropriate strategies for managing oral disorders. The Japanese Society of Gerodontology (JSG), as the official representative of researchers and clinicians interested in geriatric dentistry in Japan, makes several recommendations on the concept of “oral hypofunction.” Aims: This study proposes diagnostic criteria and management strategies to reduce the risk of oral hypofunction among older people. Conceptual Framework: We define oral hypofunction as a presentation of 7 oral signs or symptoms: oral uncleanness; oral dryness; decline in occlusal force; decline in motor function of tongue and lips; decline in tongue pressure; decline in chewing function; and decline in swallowing function. The criteria of each symptom were determined based on the data of previous studies, and oral hypofunction was diagnosed if the criteria for 3 or more signs or symptoms were met. Conclusions: We recommend that more evidence should be gathered from clinical studies and trials to clarify our diagnostic criteria and management strategies

Study protocol for a multi-center, randomized controlled trial to develop Japanese denture adhesive guidelines for patients with complete dentures : the Denture Adhesive Guideline trial : study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background: Denture adhesives, characterized as medical products in 1935 by the American Dental Association, have been considered useful adjuncts for improving denture retention and stability. However, many dentists in Japan are hesitant to acknowledge denture adhesives in daily practice because of the stereotype that dentures should be inherently stable, without the aid of adhesives. The aim of this study is to verify the efficacy of denture adhesives to establish guidelines for Japanese users. The null hypothesis is that the application of denture adhesives, including the cream and powder types, or a control (isotonic sodium chloride solution) would not produce different outcomes nor would they differentially improve the set outcomes between baseline and day 4 post-application. Methods: This ten-center, randomized controlled trial with parallel groups is ongoing. Three hundred edentulous patients with complete dentures will be allocated to three groups (cream-type adhesive, powder-type adhesive, and control groups). The participants will wear their dentures with the denture adhesive for 4 days, including during eight meals (three breakfasts, two lunches, and three dinners). The baseline measurements and final measurements for the denture adhesives will be performed on the first day and after breakfast on the fourth day. The primary outcome is a general satisfaction rating for the denture. The secondary outcomes are denture satisfaction ratings for various denture functions, occlusal bite force, resistance to dislodgement, masticatory performance, perceived chewing ability, and oral health-related quality of life. Between-subjects comparisons among the three groups and within-subjects comparisons of the pre- and post-intervention measurements will be performed. Furthermore, a multiple regression analysis will be performed. The main analyses will be based on the intention-to-treat principle. A sample size of 100 subjects per group, including an assumed dropout rate of 10 %, will be required to achieve 80 % power with a 5 % alpha level. Discussion: This randomized clinical trial will provide information about denture adhesives to complete denture wearers, prosthodontic educators, and dentists in Japan. We believe this new evidence on denture adhesive use from Japan will aid dentists in their daily practice even in other countries

Temporal proteome dynamics of Clostridium cellulovorans cultured with major plant cell wall polysaccharides

Background: Clostridium cellulovorans is a mesophilic, cellulosome-producing bacterium containing 57 genomic cellulosomal enzyme-encoding genes. In addition to cellulosomal proteins, C. cellulovorans also secretes non-cellulosomal proteins to degrade plant cell wall polysaccharides. Unlike other cellulosome-producing Clostridium species, C. cellulovorans can metabolize all major plant cell wall polysaccharides (cellulose, hemicelluloses, and pectins). In this study, we performed a temporal proteome analysis of C. cellulovorans to reveal strategies underlying plant cell wall polysaccharide degradation. Results: We cultured C. cellulovorans with five different carbon sources (glucose, cellulose, xylan, galactomannan, and pectin) and performed proteome analysis on cellular and secreted proteins. In total, we identified 1895 cellular proteins and 875 secreted proteins. The identified unique carbohydrate-degrading enzymes corresponding to each carbon source were annotated to have specific activity against each carbon source. However, we identified pectate lyase as a unique enzyme in C. cellulovorans cultivated on xylan, which was not previously associated with xylan degradation. We performed k-means clustering analysis for elucidation of temporal changes of the cellular and secreted proteins in each carbon sources. We found that cellular proteins in most of the k-means clusters are involved in carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid metabolism, translation, or membrane transport. When xylan and pectin were used as the carbon sources, the most increasing k-means cluster contained proteins involved in the metabolism of cofactors and vitamins. In case of secreted proteins of C. cellulovorans cultured either on cellulose or xylan, galactomannan, and pectin, the clusters with the most increasing trend contained either 25 cellulosomal proteins and five non-cellulosomal proteins or 8–19 cellulosomal proteins and 9–16 non-cellulosomal proteins, respectively. These differences might reflect mechanisms for degrading cellulose of other carbon source. Co-abundance analysis of the secreted proteins revealed that proteases and protease inhibitors accumulated coordinately. This observation implies that the secreted protease inhibitors and proteases protect carbohydrate-degrading enzymes from an attack from the plant. Conclusion: In this study, we clarified, for the first time, the temporal proteome dynamics of cellular and secreted proteins in C. cellulovorans. This data will be valuable in understanding strategies employed by C. cellulovorans for degrading major plant cell wall polysaccharides

A structural equation model to test a conceptual framework of oral health in Japanese edentulous patients with an item weighting method using factor score weights: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background To investigate Locker’s multidimensional model of oral health in Japanese edentulous patients with an item weighting method using factor score weights, which is more accurate than the sum scoring method. A previous study tested Locker’s model in edentulous elders in the UK, using empirical evidence from the Short-Form Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14). Investigating the model using the OHIP for edentulous subjects (OHIP-EDENT), which contains 19 items suitable for these patients, may complement that study. Testing Locker’s model in Japanese patients may support generalization of the model. Methods A total of 394 patients who were edentulous in both arches and visited the Dental Hospital of Tokyo Medical and Dental University for new complete dentures were recruited. This cross-sectional study had a non-probabilistic sampling design and included the following: data collection; application of the new item weighting method that involves hierarchical confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to derive factor score weights for each item, using the bootstrap method, to check the significance of the factor score weights; and empirical testing of Locker’s conceptual model of oral health in Japanese edentulous patients, using structural equation modelling analysis with the bootstrap method for precise estimations and model generation. Results Factor score weights derived from CFA were significant. After item weighting, the initial model was analyzed and found to have an inconsistent direct path (functional limitation to disability). This path was eliminated from the model and the modified model was re-run. All effects were significant. The model showed acceptable fit on indices including the model chi-squared, standardized root-mean-square residual, root mean-square error of approximation, goodness-of-fit index, comparative fit index, and P-value. Conclusions Our findings showed an empirical fit to Locker’s model in Japanese edentulous patients when using the item weighting method, which was more accurate than the sum scoring method. These results could contribute to the generalization of Locker’s model. Trial registration The experimental procedures were published in the University hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN) Center (UMINCTR Clinical Trial, Unique trial Number: UMIN000028711)

Treatment and evaluation of dysphagia rehabilitation especially on suprahyoid muscles as jaw-opening muscles

Summary: In our aging society, the number of patients with dysphagia, which is associated with disease and aging, is rapidly increasing. The swallowing reflex is a complex process that involves coordinated contractions of swallowing muscles. Many researchers have reported that age-related changes, such as frailty and sarcopenia, affect swallowing muscles and contribute to the decline in the swallowing function. Thus, simple, non-invasive evaluation methods and exercises for swallowing muscles in elderly patients with dysphagia are important.Anterior–superior hyolaryngeal elevation during swallowing results from contractions of the suprahyoid muscle, which plays a primary role in opening the upper esophageal sphincter, along with relaxation of the cricopharyngeal muscle and laryngeal closure. Thus, many researchers have studied methods for evaluating and augmenting suprahyoid muscles. On the other hand, some researchers have reported on dysphagia rehabilitation focused on jaw-opening actions, because hyolaryngeal elevation muscles correspond with jaw-opening muscles. In this study, we describe a new dysphagia evaluation method and an exercise that focuses on suprahyoid muscles with application of jaw-opening actions. Keywords: Dysphagia, Suprahyoid muscle, Swallowing, Hyoid, Jaw-opening, Agin

Neuronal subclass-selective proteomic analysis in Caenorhabditis elegans

単⼀神経細胞クラスのプロテオミクス解析を実現 --線⾍の神経細胞のプロテオームマップ構築に向けて--. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2020-08-17.Neurons are categorised into many subclasses, and each subclass displays different morphology, expression patterns, connectivity and function. Changes in protein synthesis are critical for neuronal function. Therefore, analysing protein expression patterns in individual neuronal subclass will elucidate molecular mechanisms for memory and other functions. In this study, we used neuronal subclass-selective proteomic analysis with cell-selective bio-orthogonal non-canonical amino acid tagging. We selected Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism because it shows diverse neuronal functions and simple neural circuitry. We performed proteomic analysis of all neurons or AFD subclass neurons that regulate thermotaxis in C. elegans. Mutant phenylalanyl tRNA synthetase (MuPheRS) was selectively expressed in all neurons or AFD subclass neurons, and azido-phenylalanine was incorporated into proteins in cells of interest. Azide-labelled proteins were enriched and proteomic analysis was performed. We identified 4, 412 and 1, 834 proteins from strains producing MuPheRS in all neurons and AFD subclass neurons, respectively. F23B2.10 (RING-type domain-containing protein) was identified only in neuronal cell-enriched proteomic analysis. We expressed GFP under the control of the 5′ regulatory region of F23B2.10 and found GFP expression in neurons. We expect that more single-neuron specific proteomic data will clarify how protein composition and abundance affect characteristics of neuronal subclasses