Objective: Preservation of the periodontal ligament (PDL) is vital to the success of tooth autotransplantation (TAT). Increased PDL volumes and facilitated tooth extraction have been observed upon orthodontic preloading. However, it is unclear whether any changes occur in the expressions of bone biomolecules in the increased PDL volumes. This study aimed to determine the expressions of runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL), and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in PDL upon preloading. Methods: Seventy-two premolars from 18 patients were randomly assigned to experimental groups that received a leveling force for 1, 2, or 4 weeks or to a control unloaded group. Following extraction, PDL volumes from 32 premolars of eight patients (21.0 ± 3.8 years) were evaluated using toluidine blue staining. The expressions of the biomolecules in the PDL from 40 premolars of ten patients (21.4 ± 4.0 years) were analyzed via immunoblotting. Results: The median percentage of stained PDL was significantly higher at 2 and 4 weeks after preloading than in the unloaded condition (p < 0.05). The median RUNX2 and ALP expression levels were significantly higher at 2 and 4 weeks after preloading than in the unloaded condition (p < 0.05), whereas the median RANKL/OPG ratios were significantly higher at 1 and 4 weeks after preloading (p < 0.05). Conclusions Orthodontic preloading for 4 weeks enhances PDL volumes as well as the expressions of RUNX2, ALP and the RANKL/OPG ratio in the PDL, suggesting this loading period is suitable for successful TAT.

Background/Aims: Asymptomatic esophageal eosinophilia (aEE), characterized by eosinophil infiltration in the esophagus without clinical symptoms, has been reported as a precursor of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). Nevertheless, no report exists on the long-term clinical course of the disease. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the long-term clinical course of aEE over 5 years, including the symptomatic conversion rate and the effect of treatments. Methods: We reviewed 28 patients with aEE who had been followed up for over 5 years with endoscopic monitoring. The basal characteristics of patients were compared with those of 58 patients diagnosed with EoE during the same period. Patients’ clinicopathological findings were collected and examined. Results: No significant differences in basal characteristics and histopathological findings were observed between the patients with aEE and those with EoE. The median follow-up duration was 64 months. Among the 28 patients with aEE, seven were treated with proton pump inhibitor or potassium-competitive acid blocker and the remaining 21 opted for follow-up with no medication.Among the treated patients, six (85.7%) exhibited endoscopic and pathologic improvements.Among the cases followed up without medication, the findings worsened in two (9.5%), improved spontaneously in seven (33.3%), and were unchanged in 12 (57.1%), and three (14.3%) developed symptoms at a mean time of 40 months. Symptoms developed in cases where endoscopic and pathologic findings remained unchanged or worsened during follow-up. Conclusions Some patients with aEE had improved findings without treatment, whereas others developed symptoms, emphasizing the importance of long-term monitoring and individualized treatment decisions.

Background/Aims: Asymptomatic esophageal eosinophilia (aEE) is considered to be a potential precursor of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). However, there are few clinical parameters that can be used to evaluate the disease. Therefore, we aimed to clarify the factors involved in the symptoms of EoE by examining the clinicopathological differences between aEE and EoE. Methods: We reviewed 41 patients with esophageal eosinophilia who underwent endoscopic ultrasonography and high-resolution manometry. They were divided into the aEE group (n=16) and the EoE group (n=25) using the Frequency Scale for the Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease score. The patients’ clinicopathological findings were collected and examined. Results: The median Frequency Scale for the Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease score was 3.0 in the aEE group and 10.0 in the EoE group. There was no significant difference in patient characteristics, endoscopic findings and pathological findings. The cutoff value for wall thickening was 3.13 mm for the total esophageal wall thickness and 2.30 mm for the thickness from the surface to the muscular layer (total esophageal wall thickness: 84.0% sensitivity, 75.0% specificity; thickness from the surface to the muscular layer: 84.0% sensitivity, 68.7% specificity).The high-resolution manometry study was abnormal in seven patients (43.8%) in the aEE group and in 12 (48.0%) in the EoE group. The contractile front velocity was slower in the EoE group (p=0.026). Conclusions The esophageal wall thickening in the lower portion of the esophagus is an important clinical factors related to the symptoms in patients with EoE.

BACKGROUND: Slow-motion training, an exercise marked by extremely slow movements, yields a training effect like that of a highly intense training, even when the applied load is small. This study evaluated the effects of low-intensity bodyweight training with slow movement on motor function in frail, elderly patients. METHODS: Ninety-seven elderly men and women aged 65 years or older, whose level of nursing care was classified as either support required (1 and 2) or long-term care required (care level 1 and 2), volunteered to participate. Two facilities were used. Participants in the first facility used low-intensity bodyweight training with slow movement (the LST group, n = 65), and participants in another facility used machine training (the control group, n = 31). Exercises were conducted for 3 months, once or twice a week, depending on the required level of nursing care. Changes in motor function were examined. RESULTS: Post-exercise measurements showed significant improvements from the pre-exercise levels after 3 months, based on the results of the Timed Up and Go test (p = 0.0263) and chair-stand test (p = 0.0016) in the low-intensity exercise with slow movement and tonic force generation (LST) group. Although the ability to stand on one leg with eyes open tended to improve, no significant change was found (p = 0.0964). CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed that carrying out LST bodyweight training for 3 months led to improvements in ambulatory function and lower-limb muscle strength. In this way, it is possible that LST training performed by holding a bar or by staying seated on a chair contributes to improved motor function in elderly patients within a short time. TRIAL REGISTRATION UMIN000030853 . Registered 17 January 2018. (retrospectively registered).
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Frail Elderly ; Humans ; Long-Term Care ; Male ; Motor Activity ; Movement ; Prospective Studies ; Resistance Training ; methods