Elsevier IncActa Medica Okayama002192582972021A structural model for (GlcNAc)2 translocation via a periplasmic chitooligosaccharide-binding protein from marine Vibrio bacteria101071ENYoshihitoKitaokuSchool of Biomolecular Science and Engineering (BSE), Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology (VISTEC)TamoFukamizoSchool of Biomolecular Science and Engineering (BSE), Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology (VISTEC)SawitreeKumsaoadSchool of Biomolecular Science and Engineering (BSE), Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology (VISTEC)PrakayfunUbonbalSchool of Biomolecular Science and Engineering (BSE), Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology (VISTEC)Robert C.RobinsonResearch Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama UniversityWipaSugintaSchool of Biomolecular Science and Engineering (BSE), Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology (VISTEC)VhCBP is a periplasmic chitooligosaccharide-binding protein mainly responsible for translocation of the chitooligosaccharide (GlcNAc)2 across the double membranes of marine bacteria. However, structural and thermodynamic understanding of the sugar-binding/-release processes of VhCBP is relatively less. VhCBP displayed the greatest affinity toward (GlcNAc)2, with lower affinity for longer-chain chitooligosaccharides [(GlcNAc)3–4]. (GlcNAc)4 partially occupied the closed sugar-binding groove, with two reducing-end GlcNAc units extending beyond the sugar-binding groove and barely characterized by weak electron density. Mutation of three conserved residues (Trp363, Asp365, and Trp513) to Ala resulted in drastic decreases in the binding affinity toward the preferred substrate (GlcNAc)2, indicating their significant contributions to sugar binding. The structure of the W513A–(GlcNAc)2 complex in a ‘half-open’ conformation unveiled the intermediary step of the (GlcNAc)2 translocation from the soluble CBP in the periplasm to the inner membrane–transporting components. Isothermal calorimetry data suggested that VhCBP adopts the high-affinity conformation to bind (GlcNAc)2, while its low-affinity conformation facilitated sugar release. Thus, chitooligosaccharide translocation, conferred by periplasmic VhCBP, is a crucial step in the chitin catabolic pathway, allowing Vibrio bacteria to thrive in oceans where chitin is their major source of nutrients.No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.Elsevier Inc.Acta Medica Okayama187887501562021Comparative Study of Bilateral Dual Sacral-Alar-Iliac Screws versus Bilateral Single Sacral-Alar-Iliac Screw for Adult Spine Deformitiese300e306ENKojiUotaniDepartment of Orthopaedic surgery, Okayama Rosai HospitalMasatoTanakaDepartment of Orthopaedic surgery, Okayama Rosai HospitalSumeetSonawaneDepartment of Orthopaedic surgery, Okayama Rosai HospitalSameerRuparelDepartment of Orthopaedic surgery, Okayama Rosai HospitalYoshihiroFujiwaraDepartment of Orthopaedic surgery, Okayama Rosai HospitalShinyaAratakiDepartment of Orthopaedic surgery, Okayama Rosai HospitalTaroYamauchiDepartment of Orthopaedic surgery, Okayama Rosai HospitalHaruoMisawaDepartment of Orthopaedic surgery, Okayama University HospitalObjective<br>
To evaluate the feasibility of O-arm navigation of bilateral dual sacral-alar-iliac (SAI) screws compared with conventional bilateral single SAI and S1 pedicle screws for pelvic anchors in cases of adult spinal deformity. <br>
Methods<br>
This retrospective, comparative study included 39 patients who underwent corrective fusion using SAI screws from T10 to the pelvis. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the number of SAI screws placed during adult spinal deformity surgery: single SAI screw (group S, 17 cases) and dual SAI screws (group D, 22 cases). The incidence of rod breakage, proximal junctional kyphosis, screw loosening, reoperation, and global alignment in each group was estimated. Postoperative patient-reported outcomes were measured using the Oswestry Disability Index, Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire, and visual analog scale. <br>
Results<br>
The incidence of SAI screw loosening was significantly lower in group D than in group S (23% vs. 65%, P = 0.011). The rod breakage incidence was 0% and 12% in groups D and S, respectively (P = 0.17). There were no significant differences in the postoperative global alignment and clinical outcomes between the 2 groups. <br>
Conclusions<br>
Dual SAI screws were associated with a significantly reduced incidence of screw loosening compared with single SAI screws. The bilateral dual SAI screws technique for pelvic anchors is feasible for the treatment of patients with adult spinal deformity.No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.Elsevier Inc.Acta Medica Okayama105017382021Who is at high-risk in J wave syndromes?1ENHiroshiMoritaGraduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama UniversityMasakazuMiyamotoDepartment of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical SciencesNo potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.Elsevier Inc.Acta Medica Okayama014929184392021Ivermectin for Coronavirus Disease 2019: Yet to Be Well Evaluated Before Clinical Use16221623ENHideharuHagiyaDepartment of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical ScienceFumioOtsukaDepartment of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical ScienceNo potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.Elsevier Inc.Acta Medica Okayama0009-91204132008Association of elevated plasma B-type natriuretic peptide levels with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in patients with nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy134139ENHirokoMatsuuraTakashiMurakamiKazuyoshiHinaKeizoYamamotoHiroshiKawamuraTaijiSogoRyokoShinohataShinichiUsuiYoshifumiNinomiyaShozoKusachi<p>Objectives: To investigate the relationship between the plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level and the occurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients.<br />
Methods: Patients (n=97) were classified into chronic AF (CAF; n=14), paroxysmal AF (PAF; n=18) and normal sinus rhythm (NSR; n=65) groups. The plasma BNP values were analyzed with logarithmic transformation.<br />
Results: The PAF group showed significantly higher plasma BNP levels than the NSR group [mean (range; -1 SD and +1 SD); 248.3 (143.5, 429.5) vs. 78.2 (27.9, 218.8 ng/L), p<0.0001]. The CAF group also showed significantly higher plasma BNP levels than the NSR group [291.1 (161.4, 524.8 ng/L), p<0.0001]. Multivariate analysis with other clinical factors selected association of PAF as one of the factors that increased the plasma BNP level.<br />
Conclusions: The present study indicated that plasma BNP level is clinically useful for identification of nonobstructive HCM patients who have a risk of PAF.</p>No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.