Proteins incorporating artificial moieties such as fluorophores and drugs have enjoyed increasing use in chemical biology and drug development research. Preparation of such artificial protein derivatives has relied mainly on native chemical ligation in which peptide/protein thioesters chemoselectively react with N-terminal cysteine (Cys) peptides to afford protein molecules. The protein thioesters derived from expressed proteins represent thioesters that are very useful for the preparation of artificial proteins by native chemical ligation with synthetic peptides with N-terminal Cys. We recently have developed a traceless thioester-producing protocol using carboxypeptidase Y (CPaseY) which is compatible with an expressed protein. The traceless character is ensured by CPaseY-mediated hydrazinolysis of C-terminal Xaa (X)-Cys-proline (Pro)-leucine (Leu)-OH sequence followed by an auto-processing of the Cys-Pro (CP) dipeptide unit, affording the corresponding X-thioester (X-SR). However, hydrazinolysis of the amide bond in the prolyl leucine junction depends significantly on the nature of X. In the case of hydrophobic X residues, the hydrazinolysis overreacts to give several hydrazides while the reaction of hydrophilic X residues proceeds slowly. In this research, we attempted to develop an X-independent CPaseY-mediated protocol and found that the incorporation of a triple CP sequence into the C-terminal end (X-(CP)3-Leu-OH) allows for efficient X-SR formation in a manner that is independent of X.

This study investigated the impact of the renewal of a removable prosthesis on the masticatory function by subjective and objective measures and its variation among the types of occlusal support.

Seventy-eight patients who received newly fabricated removable denture patients participated in this study. For the objective assessment, masticatory performance was measured using test gummy jelly. For the subjective assessment, standardized questionnaires about food acceptability and the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) were used. Pre- and post-insertion assessments were performed for each subject. Subjects were divided into three groups according to their posterior occlusion with posterior occlusion (w/PO), without posterior occlusion (w/o PO) and edentulous. Wilcoxon’s signed rank test was used to compare the pre- and post-treatment measurements of each assessment. The analysis of covariance and a multiple comparison were used to assess the effect of new dentures and differences due to occlusal support.

The masticatory performance, OHRQoL and food acceptability following prosthodontic treatment were significantly improved by new denture insertion. The masticatory performance among groups varied to a relative degree. The rate of masticatory performance improvement for edentulous subjects was twice that in w/PO subjects. The OHRQoL was significantly lower in the w/o PO and edentulous groups with old denture than patients w/PO. The food acceptability improved most markedly in the edentulous group.

The improvement in the masticatory performance by new denture insertion varied among types of occlusal support. Re-establishing the occlusal support of edentulous patients may help restore their OHRQoL and improve food acceptability.

The improvement in the masticatory performance by new denture insertion varied among types of occlusal support. Re-establishing the occlusal support of edentulous patients may help restore their OHRQoL and improve food acceptability.

Patients with facial prostheses face challenges such as maintenance of the prosthesis in place, especially around the margins, because of movement of surrounding facial skin. Conventional facial prostheses are fabricated on stationary models based on two points neutral expression and smiling expression. We developed four-dimensional (4D) facial expression models which shape facial expressions that change over several points in time using a morphing technique. We fabricated facial prostheses using 4D models and evaluated their accuracy and fit compared with prostheses generated with the two-expression technique.

Seven patients with nasal defects or nasal deformities participated in this study. Facial expression morphing prostheses were fabricated based on the 4D scanned data of each patient, using five points between neutral expression (0%) and smiling (100%). Five nasal prostheses, one for each point, were evaluated in each patient objectively and subjectively for accuracy and fit.

On subjective evaluation, the nasal prostheses fabricated using the 4D facial expression models had better marginal sealing over the range from the neutral expression to smiling, and showed better attachment during facial movement on objective evaluation.

Facial prostheses fabricated using 4D facial expression models provided better marginal sealing than those fabricated using conventional two-point modeling.

Facial prostheses fabricated using 4D facial expression models provided better marginal sealing than those fabricated using conventional two-point modeling.

The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to investigate the long-term outcome of metal- and all-ceramic resin-bonded fixed dental prosthesis (RBFDP) up to 17 years, and to evaluate potential factors influencing the risk for complications.

Patients who were treated with RBFDP to replace teeth in the anterior or first premolar region in an university setting were identified from electronic records. Taurochenodeoxycholic acid mw Data collection comprised dental and periodontal parameters, periapical radiographs, and assessment of the RBFDP. Patient-reported satisfaction was evaluated on visual analog scales (VAS), and 5-year cumulative survival and success rates were calculated. Cox regression models were used to compare metal- versus all-ceramic RBFDPs.

Seventy-one patients with RBFDP replacing 65 anterior teeth and 6 premolars were included with a mean observation period of 56.1 (±42.7) months. RBFDP cumulative survival rate was 86.7% and cumulative success rate 71.7% after 5 years, with no significant difference between metal-and all-ceramic RBFDPs. The risk for RBFDP failure was significantly higher with more than one pontic (OR 6.1; p=0.033), or negative pulp vitality testing of abutments (OR 7.3; p=0.042), while complications tended to be increased with two-wings compared to one-wing RBFDP (OR 5.4; p=0.054).

Metal- and all-ceramic RBFDPs facilitated good long-term results, particularly with one-wing, one-cantilever, and vital abutment teeth.

Metal- and all-ceramic RBFDPs facilitated good long-term results, particularly with one-wing, one-cantilever, and vital abutment teeth.