Long-term outcomes of the mayo conservative hip system in patients aged 30 years or less with osteonecrosis of the femoral head: mean follow-up of more than 10 years.

INTRODUCTION: Historically, total hip arthroplasty (THA) in very young patients has been associated with lower survivorship. However, the long-term outcomes of THA using short stems for osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) in very young patients remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the long-term outcomes of the Mayo conservative hip system, a short metaphyseal stabilised stem, in patients with ONFH aged ≦30 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 104 joints in 76 patients with ONFH who underwent THA using the Mayo conservative hip system with a minimum follow-up of 8 years. The mean follow-up period was 12.5 (range, 8-19) years. Patients were categorised into two age groups (≦30 years, n = 21 and > 30 years, n = 83). Radiographic evaluation was used to assess stem sinking, stress shielding, and spot welds. The clinical evaluations were performed using the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) hip score. Postoperative major complication and revision surgery rates were also assessed. RESULTS: The patient characteristics were similar between the two groups, except for the age. Revision surgeries were performed in five cases, with similar implant survival rates between the groups. Dislocations occurred in the older age group alone (four joints). One case of intra-operative periprosthetic femoral fracture was found in the younger age group. Stem sinking of > 3 mm occurred in one and seven joints in the younger and older age groups, respectively. Spot welds were observed in most joints (93.2%) in modified Gruen zones 2 and 6 without significant differences between the groups. Stress shielding showed no significant differences in the frequency of occurrence or location between the two groups. Furthermore,the JOA score showed no significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The use of short stems in patients aged ≤ 30 years with ONFH showed favourable long-term outcomes.

Residual deformity after femoral neck fracture affects the location of osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

Aims: The localization of necrotic areas has been reported to impact the prognosis and treatment strategy for osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). Anteroposterior localization of the necrotic area after a femoral neck fracture (FNF) has not been properly investigated. We hypothesize that the change of the weight loading direction on the femoral head due to residual posterior tilt caused by malunited FNF may affect the location of ONFH. We investigate the relationship between the posterior tilt angle (PTA) and anteroposterior localization of osteonecrosis using lateral hip radiographs. Methods: Patients aged younger than 55 years diagnosed with ONFH after FNF were retrospectively reviewed. Overall, 65 hips (38 males and 27 females; mean age 32.6 years (SD 12.2)) met the inclusion criteria. Patients with stage 1 or 4 ONFH, as per the Association Research Circulation Osseous classification, were excluded. The ratios of anterior and posterior viable areas and necrotic areas of the femoral head to the articular surface were calculated by setting the femoral head centre as the reference point. The PTA was measured using Palm's method. The association between the PTA and viable or necrotic areas of the femoral head was assessed using Spearman's rank correlation analysis (median PTA 6.0° (interquartile range 3 to 11.5)). Results: We identified a negative correlation between PTA and anterior viable areas (rho -0.477; p = 0.001), and no correlation between PTA and necrotic (rho 0.229; p = 0.067) or posterior viable areas (rho 0.204; p = 0.132). Conclusion: Our results suggest that residual posterior tilt after FNF could affect the anteroposterior localization of necrosis.

Optical multi-context scrubbing operation on a redundant system.

This paper presents a proposal of the world-first optical multi-context scrubbing operation on a redundant system that can maintain the state of a sequential circuit and the operation continuously without any interruption on a radiation-hardened optically reconfigurable gate array even after a permanent failure suddenly happens on the sequential circuit or a flip-flop by radiation. Up to now, a high-speed optical scrubbing operation has been demonstrated on a radiation-hardened optically reconfigurable gate array. In addition, a multi-context scrubbing operation based on the high-speed optical scrubbing operation has already been demonstrated. Although the multi-context scrubbing operation presents the benefit that it can treat both soft-errors and permanent failures caused by radiation simultaneously, the conventional contributions have never presented how to maintain the state of a sequential circuit after a permanent failure occurs on flip-flops. Therefore, in the conventional multi-context scrubbing operation, all the operations must be restarted from the initial condition each time a permanent failure occurs on a programmable gate array. As a result, conventional multi-context scrubbing operations could not be applied for real-time systems. The proposed optical multi-context scrubbing method that can solve the issue has been experimentally evaluated on a radiation-hardened optically reconfigurable gate array.

High-degree posterior rotational osteotomy for extensive collapsed femoral head osteonecrosis in teenagers: remodeling and results with a mean of 10-year follow-up.

INTRODUCTION: This study evaluated the effectiveness of high-degree posterior rotational osteotomy for teenagers with extensively collapsed femoral head osteonecrosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 40 hips in 35 patients with severely collapsed femoral head osteonecrosis treated by this procedure with a mean follow-up period of 9.7 years (range 5-25 years). Thirteen hips had a history of steroid administration. Nine had slipped capital femoral epiphysis. Nine had femoral neck fracture. Two had traumatic dislocation and fracture. Seven had no apparent risk factors. The mean age of the patients (18 women and 17 men) was 14.8 years. All femoral heads were extensively collapsed below the acetabular roof, and 20 hips showed preoperative joint space narrowing (ARCO stage 4). Lateral radiographs of the femoral head revealed extensive lesions from the posterior to anterior portion. The mean degree of posterior rotation was 118° with intentional varus positioning [mean: 19° (range 10-30)]. The pre- and postoperative extent of the viable area of the femoral head was assessed using conventional anteroposterior radiographs and 45-degree flexion radiography. Further collapse, joint space narrowing, femoral head morphology, and congruency with the acetabulum based on the Stulberg classification were assessed using conventional anteroposterior radiographs. The clinical assessment was conducted using the Merle d'Aubigné hip scores at the last follow-up. RESULTS: The viable area of the femoral head on the loaded portion was seen during a short period after operations. The necrotic lesions were gradually improved postoperatively. The mean extent of viable bone below the acetabular roof was 48% at less than 6 months after surgery and 92% at the final follow-up. The mean extent on 45° flexion radiography was 54% at less than 6 months after surgery and 89% at the final follow-up. Further collapse was prevented in 38 hips (95%). In 19 of 20 hips with preoperative narrowing of the joint space, the joint space was first improved, but narrowing progressively observed in 9 of 40 hips at the final follow-up. Thirty-four hips had excellent or good clinical outcomes, whereas 6 had fair or poor outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that this procedure is effective at delaying the progression of degeneration if adequate area of viable bone can be moved under the loaded portion of the acetabulum in teenagers with severe femoral head osteonecrosis.

Mechanism for exercise-mediated prevention against muscle wasting on extensor digitorum longus muscle in Spontaneously Diabetic Torii fatty rats.

We previously reported the significant increase in limb muscle strength and cross-sectional area of the type IIb muscle fibers in the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle in a type 2 diabetic animal model, with Spontaneously Diabetic Torii (SDT) fatty rats (n = 6) undergoing regular treadmill exercise from 8 to 16 weeks of age compared with sedentary SDT fatty rats (n = 6). This study investigated the mechanism by which exercise training prevented skeletal muscle wasting in the EDL muscle of the SDT fatty rats. The endurance exercise for 8 weeks downregulated the expression of muscle RING-finger protein-1 (an E3 ubiquitin ligase) and upregulated the expression of CD31, insulin receptor substrate-2, and phosphorylated endothelial nitric oxide synthase in the EDL muscle of 16-week-old SDT fatty rats.Endurance exercise training might reduce muscle wasting by preventing muscle degradation and increasing the angiogenic response in the EDL muscle in type 2 diabetes.

Angiotensin II type 1a receptor deficiency alleviates muscle atrophy after denervation.

The study aim was to determine if suppressed activation of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1) prevents severe muscle atrophy after denervation. The sciatic nerves in right and left inferior limbs were cut in AT1a knockout homo (AT1a-/-) male mice and wild-type (AT1a+/+) male mice. Muscle weight and cross-sectional areas of type IIb muscle fibers in gastrocnemius muscle decreased at 7 and 21 days postdenervation in both AT1a-/- mice and AT1a+/+ mice, and the reduction was significantly attenuated in the denervated muscles of AT1a-/- mice compared to the AT1a+/+ mice. Gene expressions in the protein degradation system [two E3 ubiquitin ligases (muscle RING-finger protein-1 and Atrogin-1)] upregulated at 7 days postdenervation in all denervated mice were significantly lower in AT1a-/- mice than in AT1a+/+ mice. Activations of nuclear factor κB and Forkhead box subgroup O1, and protein expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 were significantly suppressed in the AT1a-/- mice compared with those in the AT1a+/+ mice. In addition, suppressed apoptosis, lower infiltration of M1 macrophages, and higher infiltration of M2 macrophages were significantly observed at 21 days postdenervation in the AT1a-/- mice compared with those in the AT1a+/+ mice. In conclusion, the AT1 receptor deficiency retarded muscle atrophy after denervation.

Appropriate Amounts and Activity of the Wilms' Tumor Suppressor Gene, wt1, Are Required for Normal Pronephros Development of Xenopus Embryos.

The Wilms' tumor suppressor gene, wt1, encodes a zinc finger-containing transcription factor that binds to a GC-rich motif and regulates the transcription of target genes. wt1 was first identified as a tumor suppressor gene in Wilms' tumor, a pediatric kidney tumor, and has been implicated in normal kidney development. The WT1 protein has transcriptional activation and repression domains and acts as a transcriptional activator or repressor, depending on the target gene and context. In Xenopus, an ortholog of wt1 has been isolated and shown to be expressed in the developing embryonic pronephros. To investigate the role of wt1 in pronephros development in Xenopus embryos, we mutated wt1 by CRISPR/Cas9 and found that the expression of pronephros marker genes was reduced. In reporter assays in which known WT1 binding sequences were placed upstream of the luciferase gene, WT1 activated transcription of the luciferase gene. The injection of wild-type or artificially altered transcriptional activity of wt1 mRNA disrupted the expression of pronephros marker genes in the embryos. These results suggest that the appropriate amounts and activity of WT1 protein are required for normal pronephros development in Xenopus embryos.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, liraglutide, attenuated retinal thickening in spontaneously diabetic Torii fatty rats.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate the effect of the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) liraglutide on retinal pathological findings as compared with insulin and hydralazine using an animal model of type 2 diabetes with obesity, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. METHODS: Male spontaneously diabetic Torii (SDT) fatty rats at 8 weeks of age were randomly assigned to three groups: the liraglutide group (SDT-lira, n = 6) received a subcutaneous injection of liraglutide from the age of 8 to 16 weeks, the SDT-ins-hyd group (n = 6) was provided both insulin against hyperglycemia and hydralazine against hypertension to match levels of both blood glucose and blood pressure to those of the liraglutide group, and the control group of SDT fatty rats (SDT-vehicle, n = 7) and a nondiabetic control group of Sprague-Dawley rats (SD, n = 7) were injected with vehicle only. Both eyeballs of all groups were collected at the age of 16 weeks. RESULTS: Retinal thickness, which was found in the SDT-vehicle group, was significantly prevented to similar levels in both the SDT-lira and SDT-ins-hyd groups. Immunohistological analysis revealed that GLP-1 receptor was not expressed in the retina of all rats. The ocular protein expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, which causes a proinflammatory situation, was significantly upregulated in all SDT fatty rats as compared to SD rats, but the expression levels were similar between all SDT fatty rats. With regard to neovascularization in the eyes, there were no significant differences in protein expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor, CD31, or endothelial nitric oxide synthase in all rats. CONCLUSIONS: The present study indicates that liraglutide prevents retinal thickening, dependent on blood glucose and blood pressure levels in SDT fatty rats without ocular neovascularization. However, the effects did not improve the ocular proinflammatory state.

Prenatal glucocorticoid administration enhances bilirubin metabolic capacity and increases Ugt1a and Abcc2 gene expression via glucocorticoid receptor and PXR in rat fetal liver.

AIM: Jaundice is especially common in premature infant born before 35 weeks. Because the premature infant liver is not fully developed at birth it may be incomplete the bilirubin metabolism. The purpose was to evaluate the metabolism and the excretion of bilirubin in the premature infant rat liver following prenatal glucocorticoid (GC) administration. METHODS: Dexamethasone (DEX) was administered subcutaneously to pregnant Wistar rats for two consecutive days on gestational days 17 and 19. The fetus were delivered by cesarean section in gestational days 19 and 21. The mRNA levels and protein levels of bilirubin-metabolic enzymes and transporters in the fetal liver tissues were analyzed using RT-PCR immunohistochemistry staining and ELISA, respectively. We evaluated that the effect of bilirubin-metabolic enzymes in the primary fetal rat hepatocytes treated with DEX after pretreated with glucocorticoid receptor (GR, Nr3c1) and Pxr (Nr1i2) siRNA. RESULTS: Ugt1a1 and Bsep (Abcb11) mRNA levels were significantly increased in the fetuses by prenatal GC administration. The mRNA levels of nuclear transcription factors Nr1i2, Car (Nr1i3), and Rxrα (Nr2b1) were also significantly increased in the fetuses by prenatal GC administration. In addition, DEX increased Nr1i2, Ugt1a1, and Abcc2 (Mrp2) mRNA levels in the primary fetal hepatocytes. The Nr3c1 or Nr1i2 siRNA-mediated knockdown suppressed the increases of Ugt1a1, and Abcc2 mRNA levels induced by DEX, indicating that DEX are mediated by GC receptor and PXR in primary fetal hepatocytes. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that prenatal GC administration increases bilirubin-metabolic ability, in the premature liver, which may prevent jaundice in neonates.

Prenatal glucocorticoid administration accelerates the maturation of fetal rat hepatocytes.

BACKGROUND: Prenatal glucocorticoid (GC) is clinically administered to pregnant women who are at risk of preterm birth for the maturation of cardiopulmonary function. Preterm and low-birth-weight infants often experience liver dysfunction after birth because their livers are immature. However, the effects of prenatal GC administration on the liver remain unclear. We aimed to investigate the effects of prenatal GC administration on the maturation of liver hepatocytes in preterm rats. METHODS AND RESULTS: Dexamethasone (DEX) was administered to pregnant Wistar rats on gestational days 17 and 19 before cesarean section. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to determine the mRNA levels of albumin, hepatocyte nuclear factor-4 alpha (HNF4α), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), thymus cell antigen 1 (Thy-1), cyclin B, and Cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) in the liver samples. Immunohistochemical staining and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were performed to examine protein production. The hepatocytes enlarged because of growth and prenatal DEX administration. Albumin, HNF4α, and HGF levels increased secondary to growth and prenatal DEX administration. The levels of the cell cycle markers cyclin B and CDK1 gradually decreased during growth and with DEX administration. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that prenatal GC administration leads to hepatocyte maturation via expression of HNF4α and HGF in preterm fetuses.

Differences in preoperative function and outcome of patients with versus without sarcopenia after total hip arthroplasty.

[Purpose] Public attention regarding sarcopenia has increased in recent years. Patients with sarcopenia reportedly show worse return home rates and activities of daily living at discharge. However, no reports have described the function and outcomes of hip osteoarthrosis patients with sarcopenia after total hip arthroplasty. This study aimed to clarify differences in preoperative physical function and outcomes of hip osteoarthrosis patients with versus without sarcopenia after total hip arthroplasty. [Participants and Methods] Twenty-five patients with hip osteoarthrosis who underwent total hip arthroplasty were included. Evaluation items were preoperative skeletal muscle mass of the extremities, isometric strength of the lower extremities (hip abduction and knee extension), grip strength, and the 10-m timed gait test results. [Results] The prevalence of sarcopenia was 8% (2/25 patients). The sarcopenic group displayed lower skeletal muscle mass index, grip strength, and 10-m timed gait test values. The sarcopenic group showed lower muscle mass in the upper and lower limbs and trunk and lower hip abductor strength than the non-sarcopenic group. [Conclusion] Eight percent of patients developed sarcopenia after total hip arthroplasty. Due to the low average age (66.0 ± 9.5 years), the prevalence was lower than that of other orthopedic diseases.

Endurance Exercise Training-Attenuated Diabetic Kidney Disease with Muscle Weakness in Spontaneously Diabetic Torii Fatty Rats.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate protective effects of endurance exercise training against diabetic kidney disease (DKD) with muscle weakness by using male spontaneously diabetic Torii (SDT) fatty rats as type 2 diabetic animal models with obesity, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. METHODS: Eight-week-old SDT fatty rats (n = 12) and Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (n = 10) were randomly divided into exercise (Ex; SDT-Ex: n = 6, SD-Ex: n = 5) and sedentary groups (SDT-Cont: n = 6, SD-Cont: n = 5), respectively. Each group underwent regular treadmill exercise 4 times a week from ages 8-16 weeks. RESULTS: The exercise attenuated hypertension and hyperlipidemia and prevented increases in renal parameter levels without affecting blood glucose levels. In the SDT fatty rats, it prevented induction of renal morphological abnormalities in the interstitium of the superficial and intermediate layers of the cortex. Downregulated expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in the glomerulus of the SDT fatty rats was significantly upregulated by the exercise. The exercise upregulated the renal expressions of both medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α related to fatty acid metabolism. It increased muscle strength and both muscle weight and cross-sectional area of type IIb muscle fibers in the extensor digitorum longus muscle in the SDT fatty rats. CONCLUSION: Endurance exercise training in type 2 diabetes ameliorates DKD by improving endothelial abnormality and enhancing fatty acid metabolism in addition to attenuated hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and muscle weakness independently of blood glucose levels.

Identification of interleukin-16 production on tumor aggravation in hepatocellular carcinoma by a proteomics approach.

BACKGROUND: Cytokines play an important role in the immune response, angiogenesis, cell growth, and differentiation in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). OBJECTIVE: We performed a comprehensive study to identify tumor-related cytokines and pathways involved in HCC pathogenesis. METHODS: Cytokine production was evaluated in human HCC tissues and adjacent non-tumor tissues using an antibody-based protein array technique. We compared cytokine expression in HCC tissues with that of hepatic hemangioma (HH), liver metastasis of colorectal cancer, and noncancerous liver tissues from transplantation donors. The protein levels and localization of the candidate cytokines were analyzed by western blotting and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Increased expression of interleukin (IL)-1 receptor antagonist, macrophage migration inhibitory factor, and IL-16 was observed in HCC and paired adjacent non-tumor tissues compared with noncancerous livers. In addition, there were increased IL-16 levels in HCC tissues compared with HH. IL-16 treatment significantly increased cell proliferation in vitro. The expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 and cyclin D1 was markedly increased in cells from two HCC cell lines, Huh7 and HepG2, in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Phosphorylated to total ERK1/2 ratio was increased in Huh7 cells following IL-16 50 ng/ml, but not HepG2 cells. ERK phosphorylation have occurred earlier than protein accumulation at 48 h. Pretreatment with the ERK inhibitor, FR18024, or an anti-IL-16 antibody reduced the increase in IL-16 production in HCC cells. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that cell proliferation induced by IL-16 is mediated through the ERK pathway, thus, we identified a new factor associated with HCC tumor growth.

Application of the RNA interference technique to Xenopus embryos: Specific reduction of the ß-catenin gene products by short double-stranded RNA produced by recombinant human Dicer.

RNA interference (RNAi) is a technique for suppressing the function of specific genes and is widely used in many organisms, including yeast, nematodes, flies, plants, mice, and cultured mammalian cells. As of date, this technique has not been successfully applied to Xenopus laevis embryos. In this study, we applied RNAi to Xenopus embryos using ß-catenin as a model gene. Injection of long double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) corresponding to the 3'-untranslated region of ß-catenin mRNA into embryos induced embryonic lethality without any specific phenotype. However, injection of short dsRNA, generated from long dsRNA by treatment with recombinant human Dicer, into embryos resulted in decreased expression of endogenous ß-catenin mRNA and protein, as well as decreased Wnt signaling activity in the embryos. The decrease in ß-catenin mRNA and protein levels was observed only after mid-blastula transition. Embryos injected with short dsRNA showed a characteristic phenotype of enlarged anterior structures and loss of posterior structures. These phenotypes, as well as the increased expression of the anterior gene and decreased expression of the posterior gene, suggest that RNAi against the ß-catenin gene suppresses the "late Wnt signaling" involved in proper anterior-posterior patterning of Xenopus embryos. The effect of RNAi on Xenopus embryos was also found to be sensitive to temperature. These results strongly suggest that the RNAi technique can be applied to Xenopus embryos using short dsRNAs, appropriate temperature control, and proper selection of target genes.

Angiotensin II type 1a receptor loss ameliorates chronic tubulointerstitial damage after renal ischemia reperfusion.

We investigate whether suppressing the activation of the angiotensin II type 1a receptor (AT1a) can ameliorate severe chronic tubulointerstitial damage (TID) after renal ischemia reperfusion (IR) using AT1a knockout homozygous (AT1a-/-) male mice. To induce severe chronic TID after renal IR, unilateral renal ischemia was performed via clamping of the right renal pedicle in both AT1a-/- and wild-type (AT1a+/+) mice for 45 min. While marked renal atrophy and severe TID at 70 days postischemia was induced in the AT1a+/+ mice, such a development was not provoked in the AT1a-/- mice. Although the AT1a+/+ mice were administered hydralazine to maintain the same systolic blood pressure (SBP) levels as the AT1a-/- mice with lower SBP levels, hydralazine did not reproduce the renoprotective effects observed in the AT1a-/- mice. Acute tubular injury at 3 days postischemia was similar between the AT1a-/- mice and the AT1a+/+ mice. From our investigations using IR kidneys at 3, 14, and 28 days postischemia, the multiple molecular mechanisms may be related to prevention of severe chronic TID postischemia in the AT1a-/- mice. In conclusion, inactivation of the AT1 receptor may be useful in preventing the transition of acute kidney injury to chronic kidney disease.

Radiation-hardened configuration context realization for field programmable gate arrays.

In space environments and at nuclear power plants, data can be destroyed by radiation, even data recorded on flash memories. To realize a radiation-hardened configuration context for field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) under such radiation environments, this paper presents a proposal of a method to increase the radiation tolerance of configuration contexts used for FPGAs by introducing a holographic memory technology and a new FPGA architecture. When reading a configuration context from holographic memory, the context robustness depends on the number of bright bits on the configuration context. Our proposed method exploits that holographic memory property and uses a new FPGA architecture to fit the property to increase the radiation tolerance of configuration contexts from holographic memory. This paper presents simulation results and an experimental demonstration result.

Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural evaluation of matrix components in mandibular condylar cartilage in comparison with growth plate cartilage in cartilage calcification insufficient rats.

Matrix components of growth plate cartilage and mandibular condylar cartilage were immunohistochemically analyzed in cartilage calcification insufficient (CCI) rats, a model for dwarf rats. Reduction in total tibial length, elongation of growth plate, and appearance of noncartilaginous regions in the growth plate were observed in CCI rats. Immunoreactivity for type I collagen and hyaluronic acid (HA) staining were observed in the noncartilaginous region. However, weak immunoreactivity was observed for aggrecan, collagen types II and X, and decorin in this region. Transmission electron microscopy indicated that the noncartilaginous region showed a loose network of thin collagen fibrils, indicating that HA is predominantly involved in capturing space of the noncartilaginous region in the growth plate. Meanwhile, the mandibular condylar cartilage in CCI rats also showed elongation of the cartilaginous region and had a noncartilaginous region, predominantly comprising thick collagen fibrils. The structural difference between the two types of cartilages in CCI rats may be due to the presence of the fibrous cell zone and the fibrocartilaginous nature of the normal condylar cartilage. Additionally, the reduction in mandibular length was relatively less than the reduction in tibial length. The outline of the condylar process showed only slight abnormality. These results suggest that the condylar cartilage compensated its growth by supplying the characteristic noncartilaginous region effectively and may adapt to severe structural changes observed in CCI rats.

Effect of exercise therapy combined with branched-chain amino acid supplementation on muscle strength in elderly women after total hip arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Many patients develop a prolonged decrease of muscle strength after total hip arthroplasty (THA) despite their reconstructed hip joint. Physical exercise combined with branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplementation has been reported to improve muscle strength in elderly persons with sarcopenia. However, the effect of BCAA supplementation in patients after THA is unknown. This study examined the effects of BCAA supplementation combined with exercise therapy on the improvement of physical function in elderly patients after THA. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: The subjects were 31 elderly women who underwent THA. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups: BCAA (n=18) and control (n=13). The combined therapy was carried out for one month after THA. For the exercise intervention, a 3-set physical exercise program was conducted. For the nutritional intervention, the participants consumed 3.4 g of BCAA supplement or 1.2 g of starch immediately after the exercise intervention. RESULTS: BCAA supplementation combined with muscle strengthening exercises had a significant effect on knee extension strength of the contralateral side and on upper arm cross-sectional area. The improvement ratio of knee extension strength before and after intervention on the operated side was also significantly higher in the BCAA group. CONCLUSIONS: BCAA supplementation is effective for patients to improve the strength of some muscles when combined with physical exercises, but hip abductor muscle strength of the operated leg did not improve. A future study is needed to determine the efficacy of this combined therapy for hip abductor muscle strength.

Involvement of Myt1 kinase in the G2 phase of the first cell cycle in Xenopus laevis.

During cleavage of Xenopus laevis, the first mitotic cell cycle immediately following fertilization is approximately 90 min and consists of S, G2, and M phases. In contrast, the subsequent eleven cell cycles are approximately 30 min and consist mostly of S and M phases. The balance between Cdc25 and Wee1A/Myt1 is thought to be crucial for Xenopus first cell cycle progression; however, the role of Myt1 in this period has not been fully investigated. In this study, we examined the roles of Myt1, Wee1A, and Cdc25A in the first cell cycle of Xenopus laevis. Inhibition of Cdc25A with antisense morpholino oligonucleotides lengthened the duration of the first cell cycle to some extent, whereas it was slightly shortened by ectopic Cdc25A expression, suggesting that the low concentration of Cdc25A during the first cell cycle does not fully account for the long duration of this cycle. Using the Wee1A antisense morpholino oligonucleotide and neutralizing antibody against Myt1, we found that Myt1 phosphorylates and inhibits Cdk1 much more effectively than Wee1A during the first cell cycle in Xenopus. Taken together, these results suggest that the activity of Myt1 is predominantly responsible for the duration of the long G2 phase in the first mitotic cell cycle in Xenopus.