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Purpose: The aim of the current study was to compare the diagnostic precision and reliability of different methods in measuring Hill–Sachs lesions (HSLs) using MRI and CT. Methods: A total of 80 consecutive patients with a history of anterior shoulder instability were retrospectively included. The preoperative CT and MRI scans of the affected shoulders were analysed. To investigate the ability of the Franceschi grading, Calandra classification, Richards, Hall, and Rowe grading scale, Flatow percentage and "glenoid track" assessment according to Di Giacomo et al. to quantify the extent of humeral bone loss, the results of each measurement method obtained with MRI were compared with those achieved with CT. In addition, the intra- and inter-rater reliabilities of each measurement method using CT and MRI were calculated and compared. Results: A significant difference was found between CT and MRI in the determination of the Hill–Sachs interval (HSI) (p = 0.016), but not between the results of any of the other measurement techniques. With the exceptions of the Franceschi grade and Calandra classification, all measurement methods showed good or excellent intra- and inter-rater reliabilities for both MRI and CT. Conclusions: While the determination of the HSI with MRI was more accurate, all other analysed techniques for measuring the amount of humeral bone loss showed similar diagnostic precision. With regard to the intra- and inter-rater reliabilities, all measurement techniques analysed, with the exception of the Franceschi and Calandra classifications, provided good to very good reliabilities with both CT and MRI. Level of evidence: III [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The Western Ontario Meniscal Evaluation Tool (WOMET) was developed in order to investigate the health-related quality of life of patients with meniscal pathologies. The aim of the present study was to translate and validate the WOMET into German.Methods: A standardized forward backward translation of the WOMET into German was first performed. One hundred ninety-two patients with isolated meniscal tears completed the German version of the WOMET as well as the Western Ontario McMasters University Arthritis Index, and the Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Score. Furthermore, reliability, construct validity, feasibility, internal consistency, ceiling, and floor effects were then calculated.Results: Excellent feasibility (85.4% fully complete questionnaire), internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.92), and test-retest reliability (ICC, r = 0.90) were found. The standard error of measurement and the minimal detectable change were ±4.6 and 12.7 points, respectively. All predefined hypothesises were confirmed. No floor or ceiling effects were found.Conclusions: The presented German version of the WOMET is a valid and reliable tool for investigating the health-related quality of life of German-speaking patients with meniscal pathologies.Level Of Evidence: Cross-sectional study, Level II. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the production of commercial Li-ion batteries, the active materials slurries are generally prepared using polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF) as binder because of its good adhesion properties and electrochemical stability. Unfortunately, there are some disadvantages related to the use of PVdF: the most important is the use of toxic and environmentally unfriendly solvents, such as N-methyl-pyrrolidone (NMP), and the second is the high costs. In the light of these considerations, it seemed straightforward to investigate the suitability of some water-soluble, inexpensive, and eco-friendly materials to test as alternative binders (sodium alginate, chitosan tragacanth gum, gelatin). The rheological properties of these materials have been investigated in addition to the electrochemical characterization. Furthermore, graphite electrodes with PVdF, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) binders have been considered for sake of comparison. We found that some of these water-soluble binders, besides good electrochemical performances, showed a high adhesion to the current collector and a good electrochemical stability under the experimental conditions employed, which makes them interesting for the next generation of Li-ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of total knee arthroplasty is, amongst others, the reconstruction of a physiological axis of the leg with a tibiofemoral angle in the frontal plane of an average of 6°. The aim of this study is to clarify how much of the bone length on the femur and tibia has to be reproduced on anteroposterior (AP) knee radiographs in order to determine the leg's alignment after a total knee arthroplasty.Materials and Methods: We analyzed the postoperative hip-to-ankle (HTA) radiographs of 100 patients who had undergone a total knee arthroplasty at our institution.Results: There were strong correlations between the measured values on HTA and 20 cm bone length [lateral distal femur angle (LDFA) r = 0.887, medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) r = 0.874, tibiofemoral angle (TFA) r = 0.888], but not between the measurements on HTA and 10 cm (LDFA r = 0.267, MPTA r = 0.102, TFA r = 0.161). There were significant differences between all measurements both on HTA and 20 cm and on HTA and 10 cm, with the exception of the LDFA between HTA and 10 cm (p = 0.085) and of the MPTA between HTA and 20 cm (p = 0.227). The intra- and inter-observer correlations were both high.Conclusion: If preoperatively crude axis deviations are excluded, the tibiofemoral angle on AP knee radiographs can be determined with an accuracy of ±2.6° if at least 20 cm length of bone is reproduced (measured from the femoral and tibial joint line). Due to the high 95 % confidence intervals and bearing in mind that deviations greater than 3° may lead to inferior clinical results, however, it appears inappropriate to determine lower limb alignment with anteroposterior radiographs.Level Of Evidence: Level 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The posterior tibial slope influences both the natural knee stability as well as the stability and kinematics after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Exact definition of the posterior tibial slope (PTS) requires lateral radiographs of the lower limb. Only lateral knee radiographs are routinely obtained after TKA, however. The purpose of the present study therefore was to analyse the relationship between PTS measurement results on short and expanded lateral knee radiographs. Methods: The PTS was measured on 100 consecutive lateral radiographs of the lower limb using the mechanical and three diaphyseal axes with various distances below the tibial plateau. Results: Significant differences between PTS results were found for all three diaphyseal axes, with the smallest differences and the strongest correlation for a diaphyseal axis at 16 and 20 cm below the tibial plateau. Using short distances below the tibial plateau (6 and 10 cm) resulted in an overestimation of the PTS of 3°, on average. Conclusion: The PTS measurements in long lateral knee radiographs are more accurate compared to short radiographs. On short lateral knee radiographs, only a estimation of the PTS can be carried out. Level of evidence: Diagnostic study, Level II. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article New eco-friendly low-cost binders for Li-ion anodes, written by D. Versaci, R. Nasi, U. Zubair, J. Amici, M. Sgroi, M. A. Dumitrescu, C. Francia, S. Bodoardo and N. Penazzi, was originally published electronically on the publisher's internet portal (currently SpringerLink). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]