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Affinity chromatographic purification of Vicia faba agglutinin (VFA) was performed with a Sephadex G-150 column according to the method of Allen and Johnson [Biochim. Biophys. Acta (1976)]. VFA has 10 tryptophanyl residues per molecule on the assumption that its molecular weight is 50,000 daltons. Equilibrium dialysis with methyl a-D-[glucose-14C(U)]glucopyranoside showed that VFA has two sugar binding sites per molecule with a binding constant of 220 M-1. Upon interaction with specific sugars, VFA induced UV-difference spectra which are typical of the perturbation of tryptophanyl residues. Therefore, the binding constants of VFA with specific sugars could be calculated from the intensity changes in the difference spectra induced by various concentrations of the sugars. The results obtained were in good agreement with the results of hemagglutination inhibition assays. 3-O-Methyl-D-glucose had the highest binding constant (1.9 x 10(3) M-1) among the sugars examined. The binding constants of VFA with glucose, mannose, methyl a-D-glucopyranoside, methyl a-D-mannopyranoside, and maltose were 290, 900, 220, 500, and 220 M-1, respectively, which are lower than those of concanavalin A. VFA did not bind with mucopolysaccharides containing 2-acetamide-2-deoxy-a-, or -beta-D-glucopyranosyl residues, such as heparin, heparan sulfate, and hyaluronic acid. The far UV-CD spectrum of VFA was similar to that of concanavalin A.

Background The appropriate loading protocol to improve masticatory performance (MP) is still unclear in elderly patients and two-implant overdentures (2-IODs) wearers. This study aimed to compare the long-term MP and maximum occlusal force of immediate loading (IL) and conventional loading (CL) of 2-IODs retained by magnetic attachments. Nineteen edentulous patients were randomly assigned to either an IL (n=10) or CL group (n = 9). In the IL group, the implant was loaded on the same day as insertion, whereas it was loaded 3 months after insertion in the CL group. Magnetic attachments were used to retain all overdentures to the implants. MP, measured by a piece of color-changeable chewing gum and a gummy jelly test, and maximum occlusal force, measured using an occlusal force measuring device, were assessed in both groups at baseline and at 3-, 4-, and 5-year follow-ups. Results No significant differences were observed in the MP and the maximum occlusal force between the IL and CL groups at any time point. However, a significantly higher MP was observed at the 3-year time point in the IL group (P = 0.036). The maximum occlusal force revealed a significant correlation with MP, both with the color-changeable chewing gum and gummy jelly at 5 years. Conclusion After long-term observation, no significant differences in MP and maximum occlusal force were observed between the IL and CL groups. However, compared to pre-implant insertion of the complete denture, the MP in the IL group significantly improved at 3 years. Furthermore, the maximum occlusal force was significantly correlated with MP at 5 years. Trial registration UMIN, UMIN000009889. Registered on 28 January 2013.

The conduction block of nerve is resulted generally from threshold elevation or action potential reduction, or by both combined in abnormal conditions.

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