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Trigger finger is a stenosing tenosynovitis of flexor tendons with consecutive conflict with the A1 pulley. Quinnell defined 4 grades according to the clinical manifestation of the conflict. Studies focused on grade 2 and 3 for conservative treatment. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) is a conservative method to receive extensive attention in the musculoskeletal pathology. Researchers analyzed the effects of ESWT on trigger finge, aiming at defining its effects, dosing and side reactions. We reviewed the only 7 published studies in the literature, one retrospective, three before-after interventional studies and three randomized controlled studies. The most prescribed form was radial ESWT, with variable dosing, with clinical and functional improvement mainly on medium and long term. ESWT and corticosteroid injections led to similar improvement, with more rapid analgesia for corticosteroids and a lower rate of recurrence for ESWT. Focused ESWT with high-energy was more effective than low-energy, counting for a dose-effect relation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proton radioactivity of neutron-deficient nuclei with atomic numbers Z = 5 1 –91 and mass number 104–211 is investigated using the analytical super-asymmetric fission (ASAF) model — a model used to study α -decay and cluster radioactivity since 1984. The experimental Q p values are compared with calculated ones based on WS4 (Y. Z. Wang et al., 2014–2015), and in few cases KTUY05 (H. Koura et al., 2005) mass models. Proton drip-line and neutron drip-line are determined using the WS4 mass model. We compare the calculated results with experimental half-lives, showing good agreement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated cluster radioactivity and alpha decay of some superheavy nuclei with atomic numbers Z = 119, 120, which may be produced in the future. Two models are used to calculate the halflives against cluster radioactivity: ASAF (Analytical Super-Asymmetric Fission) and UNIV (Universal Formula). For α decay half-lives we are based on four models: ASAF, UNIV, semFIS (semi-empirical formula based on Fission Theory) and AKRA (first author Akrawy). The Q-values are calculated using the theoretical model of atomic masses WS10, which sometimes is called W4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Burden of disease (BoD) as measured by Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) is one of the criteria for priority-setting in health care resource allocation. DALYs incorporate disability weights (DWs), which are currently expert-derived estimates or non-existent for most pediatric surgical conditions. The objective of this study is to establish DWs for a subset of key pediatric congenital anomalies using a range of health valuation metrics with caregivers in both high- and low-resource settings. Method: We described 15 health states to health professionals (physicians, nurses, social workers, and therapists) and community caregivers in Kenya and Canada. The health states summaries were expert- and community-derived, consisting of a narrated description of the disease and a functional profile described in EQ-5D-5 L style. DWs for each health state were elicited using four health valuation exercises (preference ranking, visual analogue scale (VAS), paired comparison (PC), and time trade-off (TTO)). The PC data were anchored internally to the TTO and externally to existing data to yield DWs for each health state on a scale from 0 (health) to 1 (dead). Any differences in DWs between the two countries were analyzed. Results: In total, 154 participants, matched by profession, were recruited from Kijabe, Kenya (n = 78) and Hamilton, Canada (n = 76). Overall calculated DWs for 15 health states ranged from 0.13 to 0.77, with little difference between countries (intra-class coefficient 0.97). However, DWs generated in Kenya for severe hypospadias and undescended testes were higher than Canadian-derived DWs (p = 0.04 and p < 0.003, respectively). Conclusions: We have derived country-specific DWs for pediatric congenital anomalies using several low-cost methods and inter-professional and community caregivers. The TTO-anchored PC method appears best suited for future use. The majority of DWs do not appear to differ significantly between the two cultural contexts and could be used to inform further work of estimating the burden of global pediatric surgical disease. Care should be taken in comparing the DWs obtained in the current study to the existent list of DWs because methodological differences may impact on their compatibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Normal healing of fractures is a complex process that relies heavily on a cascade of consecutive activations of immune cells and mediators. This mechanism somewhat overlaps with all processes related to bone metabolism, from the absence of unions to heterotopic ossifications and osteoporosis. We aimed to review and describe this intricate process of bone metabolism with particular focus on abnormal function and to exemplify it with a series of clinical cases which could justify their practical importance. The elbow has great potential for fracture healing but it is very sensitive to prolonged immobilization which can easily lead to intra-articular adherences and stiffness. In addition, the interosseus membrane facilitates communication between the regenerative environments when both radius and ulna are fractured. Such extensive injuries, around the proximal forearm, can lead to heterotopic ossifications and synostosis, which decrease sagittal range of motion through impingement and even block rotational movement through bone bridges. Increased knowledge and awareness of the biological mechanism of fracture healing, will have great improvement in the pharmacological adjuvant treatment of elbow injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calculations of half-lives of superheavy nuclei (SH) show an unexpected result: For some of them heavy particle radioactivity (HPR) dominates over α decay (branching ratios larger than 1). The new mass table AME11 and the theoretical KTUY05 and FRDM95 masses are used to determine Q-values. For Z = 124 we found isotopes with half-lives in the range of ns to ps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calculations of half-lives of superheavy (SH) nuclei show an unexpected result: for some of them cluster radioactivity (CR) dominates over a decay. We changed the concept of CR to allow emitted particles with Ze > 28 from parents with Z > 110 (daughter around 208Pb). We find a trend toward shorter half-lives and larger branching ratios relative to α decay for heavier SHs. A table of measured masses along with theoretical tables are used to determine Q values [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of heavy-particle radioactivity (HPR) is changed to allow emitted particles with Ze > 28 from parents with Z> 110 and daughter around 208Pb. Calculations for superheavy (SH) nuclei with Z = 104-124 are showing a trend toward shorter half-lives and larger branching ratio relative to a decay for heavier SHs. It is possible to find regions in which HPR is stronger than alpha decay. The new mass table AME1 1 and the theoretical KTUYO5 and FRDM95 masses are used to determine the released energy. For 124 we found isotopes with half-lives in the range of ns to PS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One single line of universal (UNIV) curve for a decay and cluster radioactivities is obtained by plotting the sum of the decimal logarithm of the half-life and cluster preformation probability versus the decimal logarithm of the penetrability of external barrier. This fission-like theory is compared to the universal decay law (UDL) derived using α-like R-matrix theory. The experimental data on heavy cluster decay in three groups of even-even, even-odd, and odd-even parent nuclei are reproduced with comparable accuracy by both types of universal curves, UNIV and UDL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neutral short and long spheroidal cap clusters have been investigated within the liquid drop model. Analytical results have been obtained for the deformation-dependent surface and curvature energies. A large variety of experimentally determined shapes (both oblate and prolate) are explained by simulating the interaction energy with the substrate with a modified surface tension of the base, and by changing the missing or extended height of the cap, d. The results are illustrated for Na56 and Na148 atomic clusters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A formula describing the proton density dependence on macroscopic deformation energy for different fusion-like shape configurations is derived. As a consequence, the influence of intermediary atomic numbers of fusioning nuclei on the macroscopic deformation-dependent terms of the potential energy in the Yukawa-plus-exponential model is studied. For the same target–projectile pair, at the same distance between their centers, macroscopic fusion barriers differ by energy amounts up to 5 MeV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]