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Spontaneous resolution of a spinoglenoid notch ganglion cyst (SGC) without surgical treatment has been rarely reported; however, we have encountered this phenomenon occasionally. Therefore, we aimed to describe a case series of consecutive patients with SGC in whom it spontaneously resolved without surgical treatment. We retrospectively reviewed 12 patients with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-confirmed SGC in whom it resolved without surgical treatment between January 2011 and March 2023. We included patients without abnormally increased signal intensity or muscle atrophy due to denervation from suprascapular neuropathy on MRI. Resolution of the SGC was confirmed via MRI or ultrasound at the follow-up visit, and suprascapular neuropathy was assessed using electromyography and nerve conduction studies when needed. For functional assessments, the visual analog scale for pain and active range of motion of the shoulder were used to compare pre and postresolution follow-ups. Eleven men and 1 woman with a median age of 54.0 years (interquartile range [IQR] 37.0-65.3) were included in this study. The SGCs resolved spontaneously at a median of 13.2 months with an IQR of 8.2-23.0 after initial evaluation using MRI. The SGCs were multiloculated cysts with superior labrum anterior and posterior II-IX lesions, with a median diameter of 2.5 cm (IQR 2.0-2.8). The median visual analog scale for pain (pre-resolution 5.0 [IQR 4.0-7.0] vs postresolution 1.0 [IQR 0.0-1.0], P =.002) and internal rotation at the back (preresolution 8.0 [IQR 7.0-10.3] vs postresolution 7.5 [IQR 7.0-8.0], P =.034) were significantly improved after the resolution. Surgical treatment may not be necessary in all cases of SGC. Nonsurgical treatment may be a viable option in the absence of suprascapular nerve involvement or superior labrum anterior and posterior-related physical findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The optimal management for massive rotator cuff tears (MRCTs) without osteoarthritis (OA) remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the clinical outcomes of reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) vs. rotator cuff repair (RCR) in patients with MRCTs without OA. We conducted a retrospective data analysis of 68 patients treated for MRCTs via RSA and 215 patients treated for MRCTs via arthroscopic RCR between January 2014 and April 2019. Through propensity score matching, patients were matched for sex, age, tear size, and global fatty degeneration index. Thirty-nine patients in each group were included, and all patients had completed minimal 2-year follow-up. Postoperative radiologic evaluations of healing failure were performed. The visual analog scale score for pain, range of motion, and functional outcome measures including the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, QuickDASH (short version of Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire) score, Simple Shoulder Test score, and Constant score were assessed and compared between the 2 groups. Healing failure was observed in 10 patients in the RCR group (32.3%). No statistically significant differences in preoperative range of motion and functional scores were found between the RCR and RSA groups. Both groups showed significant pain relief and functional improvement at final follow-up. Patients in the RCR group showed significantly greater forward elevation (156.4° ± 23.8° vs. 139.7° ± 22.4°, P <.001) and internal rotation (thoracic vertebra, T8.2 ± 1.2 vs. T9.7 ± 2.6, P =.001). The average American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score was 88.3 ± 12.2 in the RCR group and 81.8 ± 16.1 in the RSA group (P =.045). The QuickDASH score was significantly higher in the RCR group (P =.019). A significantly higher Simple Shoulder Test score (9.7 ± 2.8 vs. 8.1 ± 3.0, P =.01) and a significantly higher Constant score (67.2 ± 6.5 vs. 63.2 ± 7.1, P =.011) were seen in the RCR group. Both RSA and RCR are effective and reliable treatment options for MRCTs without OA. However, the RCR group showed better shoulder function improvement than the RSA group. Considering the possible implications of RSA, RCR should be referred to as a first-line treatment option for patients with MRCTs without OA with proper indications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A decreased acromiohumeral distance (AHD) is commonly detected in patients with massive rotator cuff tears (mRCTs). Most studies evaluating fixed humeral elevation have used preoperative or postoperative standardized radiography and not stress radiography. This study aimed to evaluate the predictive role of the preoperative AHD measured using stress radiography (AHD_stress) in rotator cuff healing and function after arthroscopic repair of mRCTs. The data of 113 patients who underwent arthroscopic repair of mRCTs were analyzed. Postoperative cuff integrity was evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging at 1 year, and shoulder function was evaluated at a mean of 34.9 ± 17.8 months (range, 24-92 months) postoperatively. Forty-seven patients showed healing failure. Propensity score matching (1-1) was performed between the healed group and healing failure group. Thirty-eight patients in each group were matched in the final analysis. The AHD and AHD_stress were defined as the shortest distances from the inferior acromion to the superior humerus on standard anteroposterior radiography and stress radiography (5.4-kg weight applied inferiorly in a neutral position), respectively. The AHD difference (AHD_diff) was defined as the difference between the AHD and AHD_stress values. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to determine cutoff values for significant variables. No difference in the mean preoperative AHD was found between the healed group (7.5 ± 2.0 mm) and healing failure group (6.9 ± 2.2 mm, P =.234). The AHD_diff value was significantly higher in the healed group (4.4 ± 2.1 mm) than in the healing failure group (3.0 ± 2.0 mm, P =.002; cutoff, 3.2 mm). Patients with an AHD_diff value ≥ 3.2 mm showed a lower healing failure rate (28.9% vs. 71.1%, P <.001) and higher functional scores than patients with an AHD_diff value < 3.2 mm. The AHD_diff value was higher in patients with an American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score ≥ 80 (4.9 ± 1.9 mm) than in those with an ASES score < 80 (3.1 ± 2.1 mm, P =.024). Among patients with healing failure, only the postoperative AHD showed a significant difference between those with an ASES score ≥ 80 (7.0 ± 2.5 mm) and those with an ASES score < 80 (4.8 ± 2.1 mm, P =.009; cutoff, 4.8 mm). A reducible AHD, which increased by ≥ 3.2 mm under stress radiography, can be a favorable predictor of rotator cuff healing and function after arthroscopic repair of mRCTs. Our findings suggest that this new and simple radiologic parameter should be considered preoperatively and would be helpful to determine appropriate treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anisotropic development of thermal conductivity in polymer composites was evaluated by measuring the isotropic, in-plane and through-plane thermal conductivities of composites containing length-adjusted short and long multi-walled CNTs (MWCNTs). The thermal conductivities of the composites were relatively low irrespective of the MWCNT length due to their high contact resistance and high interfacial resistance to polymer resins, considering the high thermal conductivity of MWCNTs. The isotropic and in-plane thermal conductivities of long-MWCNT-based composites were higher than those of short-MWCNT-based ones and the trend can accurately be calculated using the modified Mori-Tanaka theory. The in-plane thermal conductivity of composites with 2 wt% long MWCNTs was increased to 1.27 W/m·K. The length of MWCNTs in polymer composites is an important physical factor in determining the anisotropic thermal conductivity and must be considered for theoretical simulations. The thermal conductivity of MWCNT polymer composites can be effectively controlled in the processing direction by adjusting the length of the MWCNT filler. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Synthetic and/or stone filters should be applied to prevent riprap subsidence due to sediment winnowing or leaching between the riprap and sand bed layers when riprap protection is installed around the pier to prevent scour. However, riprap protection without filters is commonly constructed in the field due to the technical and economical difficulties of installing the filter layer. Riprap is also sometimes placed on the bed rather than flush with the bed, especially in the case of deep water and tidal conditions at marine structures. Hydraulic experiments were conducted in this study to quantify and analyze riprap subsidence without filters placed on sand beds for various riprap layer thicknesses, riprap and bed material sizes, riprap installation types, and hydraulic conditions. The experiments showed that, as the flow velocity was increased and the size of bed materials and thickness of the riprap layer were decreased, the subsidence of the riprap protection was increased. A dimensionless riprap subsidence equation was developed using the experimental results for two types of riprap installations (on and below the bed surface). The results of this study can be used to evaluate the subsidence stability of riprap protection without filters. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Numerous studies have been reported on thermal interface materials based on synergistic hybrid effects, however, most of them contain only fragmentary experimental results and the related model has been rarely proposed to explain the effects exactly. Herein, the thermal conductivities of the composites were systematically evaluated according to various filler contents and ratios. It was found that the fraction of the secondary filler inducing the maximum synergistic effect decreased as the total filler content increased. In addition, when the fraction was higher than the optimum fraction, the anti-synergistic effect occurred. At the optimum fraction, effective phonon transfer was induced due to the improved filler network formation of graphene nanoplatelet (GNP)-carbon nanotube (CNT), thereby achieving high thermal conductivity of 7.69 W/m·K at f GNP = 27.69 vol% and f CNT = 0.57 vol%. Moreover, the Kim-Jang-Lee (KJL) model for the synergistic effect was proposed by introducing filler-ratio variables into the critical percolation equation reported previously, and the KJL model for the anti-synergistic effect was proposed based on the rule of mixture of composites filled with the optimal connected filler network and filled with the excessive secondary filler. [Display omitted] • Optimum filler ratio determining hybrid effects was revealed. • Switching mechanism on synergistic and anti-synergistic effects was identified. • Synergistic increase in thermal conductivity was caused by the nano-bridge. • Excessive secondary filler in nanocomposites caused an anti-synergistic reduction. • New KJL model for the nano-bridge effect was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Identification of molecular alterations in biological fluids has been proposed as a powerful tool for cancer diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to identify cells that carry chromosomal alterations indicative of malignancy—specifically, gains in the loci 5p15.2 (D5S23, D5S721), 6p11∼q11, 7p12 (EGFR), and 8q24.12∼q24.13 (MYC)—for the detection of lung cancer using induced sputum. The overall sensitivity of the multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay from 52 lung cancer patients was 71% and the specificity was 100% (15 of 15). The most frequently detected gains were at 7p12 (EGFR) in 17 of 24 completely resectable early-stage (II+IIIA) non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) (71%). There was a statistically significant increase in the proportion of cases with gains of EGFR in squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), compared with adenocarcinomas (AC) (82 vs. 43%, respectively; P = 0.017), and a higher average EGFR gene copy number in the SCCs than in the ACs (5.04 vs. 3.78, respectively; P = 0.013) in 41 NSCLCs. Conversely, a gain at the 6p11∼q11 and 8q24.12∼q24.13 (MYC) regions appears to have a higher frequency of gain in the ACs (71 and 86%, respectively) than in the SCCs (48 and 56%, respectively). The results of this study showed the potential utility of the LAVysion FISH assay for the detection of lung cancer by a noninvasive technique based on the analysis of genetic alterations of induced sputum. Defining abnormalities in sputum specimens as FISH aneusomy may be a possible diagnostic method for the early detection of lung cancer in screening of high-risk populations and monitoring for recurrence. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Chromosomal imbalances resulting in altered gene dosage play a role in the molecular pathogenesis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but the target genes remain to be identified. To identify early-stage genetic events that drive progression of NSCLC, we conducted a high-resolution array comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) study, using an array of 4,046 bacterial artificial chromosome clones to screen for DNA copy number changes associated with individual genes in 36 tumors obtained from patients in early stages of NSCLC. Multiple early genetic events occurring on chromosome 5p were identified, with a minimal detection region at 5p15.33∼12. The most frequent finding involved gain of 5p15.33, observed in 15 of 19 stage I (A+B) cancers (79%) and in 28 of the total 36 NSCLC cases (78%). This locus harbors the genes TERT, SLC6A19, and SLC6A18 and is a telomeric boundary at bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clone 91_J20. Other potential candidate genes evidencing high numbers of genomic copy number changes (≥40% of patients) included the following genes, encountered in >50% of 19 stage I (A+B) cancers: CEP72 and TPPP (14 of 19; 74%); AHRR, EXOC3 (previously SEC6L1), SLC9A3, LOC442126, ZDHHC11, BRD9, and TRIP13 (13/19; 68%); and CLPTM1L (alias CRR9), SLC6A3 (previously DAT1), and LOC401169 (10/19; 53%). Fluorescence in situ hybridization validated the array CGH findings. The gain of 5p15.33 is thus one of the most consistent alterations in the early stages of lung cancer, and a series of genes in the critical 5p15.33 region may be used as novel biomarkers for the early detection and classification of lung cancer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Conventional urine cytology has a poor prognostic performance for detecting bladder cancer, particularly for low-grade tumors. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for chromosomes altered in bladder cancer and testing for antigens selectively expressed in tumors are promising alternatives. This study investigated the use of FISH for detecting aneuploidy of chromosomes 3, 7, 17, and 9p21 and reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) for the expression of melanoma associated antigen (MAGE) genes for the diagnosis of bladder cancer in voided urine specimens. The two techniques were compared with cystoscopic bladder biopsy results in 47 patients with urothelial cancer and 15 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. FISH detected cancer in 42 of 47 patients (89.4%). This was significantly higher than the detection rate 30 of 47 patients (64.3%) by MAGE RT-PCR (P < 0.001). The sensitivity of FISH increased with histologic grade and stage of the tumors, correctly identifying 77.8% of pTa and pTis, 94.1% of pT1, and 100% of Pt2–4 tumors. MAGE, however, showed a decreased sensitivity in high grade advanced tumors; it was positive in 66.7% of pTa and pTis, 70.6% of pT1, and 50% of Pt2–4 tumors. Together, the tests correctly identified urothelial cancer in 46 of 47 patients (97.9%). Combined FISH and MAGE RT-PCR testing may offer a promising alternative to conventional urine cytology in screening high-risk populations and in monitoring bladder cancer patients for recurrent tumor. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• A full-scale flow experiment using realistic vegetation field conditions is presented. • The flow resistance of vegetation patches was computed using inverse modelling. • Results show that undergrowth and reconfiguration greatly affect patch roughness. • Rigid cylinder roughness estimators underestimate patch roughness significantly. Vegetation is a key source of flow resistance in natural channels and floodplains. It is therefore important to accurately model the flow resistance to inform decision makers and managers. However, it is challenging to predict the resistance of real vegetation, because vegetation models are based on relatively small-scale lab experiments with mostly artificial vegetation. Experimental tests of real vegetation under field conditions are scarce. The purpose of this study is to measure the flow resistance of a submerged willow patch, where small herbaceous vegetation was allowed to grow in between the willow stems to simulate field conditions. Detailed flow velocity measurements were performed during an full scale experiment of flow around a submerged patch of willows. The parameter values of the willow vegetation model, as well as the friction coefficients of the vegetated banks and unvegetated channel bed, were computed simultaneously using Bayesian inference using a 2D hydrodynamic model. Results show that the presence of understory growth greatly affects flow patterns and the value of the effective vegetation density parameter. Measured flow velocities in the patch with understory growth were very low, and the patch has relatively high deflection. After removal of this undergrowth, flow velocities in the patch increased and deflection of the vegetation canopy decreased. We show that estimating vegetation density using an often-used rigid cylinder estimator based on vegetation sampling, underestimated the effective value by more than an order of magnitude. We argue that proposed extensions to existing vegetation models, which can take into account understory growth and reconfiguration, could be tested under field conditions using the approach followed in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to develop a nanocomposite film based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as an electromagnetic wave shielding material, we propose a solvent-free melting process for fabricating highly dispersed MWCNT-filled polymer composite films with high electrical conductivity and electromagnetic interference (EMI)-shielding properties. By observing aggregates (particles larger than 0.7 μm) using X-ray micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), the uniform dispersion of the MWCNT fillers in the composite films was confirmed. Furthermore, the electrical conductivity and EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) values calculated using percolation and Simon's equations, respectively, were confirmed to agree with experimental data, indicating excellent MWCNT dispersion. The fabricated composites exhibited excellent electrical conductivity, EMI SE, and EMI specific SE (SSE) values of 4.33 S/cm, 30 dB, and of 24.8 dBcm3g−1, respectively, and the EMI SSE value was as good as metal levels. The proposed solvent-free process can be contributed to the commercialization of EMI SE composite films based on MWCNTs. Image 1 • Based on in situ polymerization of CBT, one-step solvent-free fabrication for highly conductive composite film was proposed. • MWCNTs were uniformly dispersed in the composite films by the suggested process. • Enhanced electrical conductivity of the composite films was achieved by the suggested process. • Excellent EMI SE property of the composite films was expressed by the enhanced electrical conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Techniques for optimizing the dispersion of carbon nanotubes in composites by applying small amounts of additives in a simple manner are recognized as one of the most important core technologies in nanocomposite engineering. In this study, we reported the feasibility of phenyl glycidyl ether (PGE) as an effective noncovalent functionalization agent and suggested a facile and low-temperature process that applied high-speed rotation based on a planetary centrifugal mixer to improve the dispersion of multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) in the polyamide 6 (PA6) composite. PGE molecules were introduced on MWCNTs based on the π-π* interaction, resulting in enhanced MWCNT dispersion by preventing of the aggregation between the MWCNTs due to the van der Waals force. The tensile strength of the PA6 composite fiber filled with 1 wt% MWCNTs was improved up to 31.8% by the PGE treatment, indicating that PGE molecules were an effective noncovalent functionalization agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We prepared electrospun polymer nanofibers by the electrospinning method and investigated about their applications to dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Electrospun poly(vinylidenefluoride–co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF–HFP) and PVDF–HFP/polystyrene (PS) blend nanofibers were prepared and examined the uptake, the ionic conductivity, and the porosity by impedance measurement and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The best results of V oc, J sc, FF, and efficiency of the DSSC devices using the electrospun PVDF–HFP/PS(3:1) blend nanofibers were 0.76V, 11.8mA/cm2, 0.66, and 5.75% under AM 1.5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]