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Purpose To compare clinical and radiographic outcomes of using a variable-angle volar locking plate (VAVLP) with those of using a fixed-angle volar locking plate (FAVLP) for treating unstable intra-articular fractures of the distal radius . Methods One hundred twenty patients with unstable intra-articular fractures of the distal radius were randomized to open reduction and internal fixation with a VAVLP (n = 60) or an FAVLP (n = 60). Supplementary methods (eg., Kirschner wire fixation) were required in 4 patients with a VAVLP and 9 with an FAVLP. Clinical outcomes were evaluated at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after surgery. Posteroanterior and lateral radiographs were used to measure standard radiographic parameters before surgery, in the immediate postoperative period , and at 1 year. Plate prominence and articular congruity were quantified using computed tomography at 6 months. Results There were no significant differences in any clinical outcome between the groups at any follow-up time. Volar tilt was significantly greater in patients treated with a FAVLP in the immediate postoperative period (8° vs 6°) and at 1 year (8° vs 5°). Although significant differences were not found in articular gap or stepoff between the 2 plates, the distal and volar prominence of the VAVLP was significantly greater than that of the FAVLP at 6 months. Significantly more patients treated with a VAVLP had a complication (38% vs 19%). However, most secondary surgeries were performed for hardware removal, and no patients from either group had complex regional pain syndrome or tendon rupture . Conclusions Patients with intra-articular distal radius fractures can expect good functional and radiographic outcomes with VAVLP or FAVLP fixation. The VAVLP may be more prone to technical errors, leading to complications, whereas the FAVLP is more likely to require supplementary fixation. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic I

The lateral capitello-humeral angle (LCHA), which is an index of sagittal alignment of the elbow, has gradually been adopted for the postoperative assessment of radiographic results. However, the normal values and ranges of the LCHA remain unclear. A retrospective cohort study was performed to evaluate the normal values and ranges of the LCHA in a sample of healthy children with even distributions of age, sex and laterality. A total of 168 radiographs of the elbows of healthy children (age range, 0-11 years) with even distributions of age, sex and laterality were reviewed. The primary aim was to analyze the normal values and ranges of the LCHA categorized by age, sex and laterality. The secondary aim was to assess the association of the LCHA with increasing age. The LCHA between sex or laterality in each age category was also compared. The mean LCHA of the 168 patients was 47.1° (range, 27°-63°). There was a weak association between the LCHA and increasing age (r = 0.41). The mean LCHA in females (49.1°) was significantly larger than that in males (45.1°). Significant sex-related differences were observed in age categories between 2 and 7 years. Results of this study will be useful in the postoperative radiographic assessment of sagittal alignment of the elbow in children.

Background Abscess formation in the subscapularis muscle is a rare clinical condition. Few reports are available regarding the treatment methods and surgical approaches for subscapularis intramuscular abscesses. Here, we describe a case of subscapularis intramuscular abscess that was treated successfully via surgical drainage using a new approach, the “dorsal subscapularis approach”. Case presentation A 67-year-old woman presented to our hospital with complaints of fever and disturbance of consciousness. Two days prior to visiting our hospital, right shoulder pain and limited range of motion in the shoulder were noted. Cerebrospinal fluid examination and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) imaging on admission revealed a right subscapularis intramuscular abscess with concomitant bacterial meningitis. The patient’s clinical symptoms improved after antibiotic administration for 3 weeks, but the right shoulder pain persisted. Contrast-enhanced CT imaging performed after antibiotic administration revealed an abscess in the right shoulder joint space, in addition to a capsule of the abscess in the right subscapularis muscle. We performed open surgical drainage for the abscess, which had spread from the subscapularis muscle to the glenohumeral joint. Using the deltoid-pectoral approach, we detected exudate and infected granulation tissue in the joint cavity. Furthermore, we separated the dorsal side of the subscapularis muscle from the scapula using a raspatory and detected infected granulation tissue in the subscapularis muscle belly. We performed curettage and washed as much as possible. After surgery, antibiotic administration continued for 2 weeks. The patient’s right shoulder pain subsided and CT performed 2 months after surgery revealed no recurrence of infection. Conclusions The present case indicated that a subscapularis intramuscular abscess could lead to severe concomitant infections of other organs via the hematogenous route. Thus, early detection and treatment are necessary. Moreover, in this case, surgical drainage using a dorsal subscapularis approach was beneficial to treating the abscess, which had spread from the subscapularis muscle to the glenohumeral joint.

Background Superior shoulder dislocation is a rare type of shoulder dislocation. Its occurrence is thought to be associated with rupture of the deltoid; however, few reports are available on the mechanism of onset and the treatment of a superior shoulder dislocation. Here we describe a case of dislocation in the direction of the posterior acromion, referred to as posterosuperior shoulder dislocation, caused by the traumatic rupture of deltoid posterior fibers. Case presentation An 83-year-old woman who fell on her right elbow in the hospital presented to our department with complaints of right shoulder pain. She had been undergoing conservative treatment for a massive rotator cuff tear and a rupture of the long head of biceps tendon 5 years previously. X-ray radiography images at the time of the trauma revealed that the right humeral head was dislocated upwards and in the direction of the posterior acromion. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed newly ruptured deltoid posterior fibers, in addition to the massive rotator cuff tear. Closed reduction was performed and the shoulder joint was held in external rotation at 30 degrees for 6 weeks. However, re-dislocation was observed at an early stage after the removal of the orthosis and marked instability remained. Conclusions This is the first case of posterosuperior shoulder dislocation. It suggests that rupture of the deltoid posterior fibers contributes to the onset of posterosuperior shoulder dislocation in patients with a massive rotator cuff tear. Moreover, in superior shoulder dislocation, conservative treatment may result in continuing instability which requires surgical treatment.

[1]Benzoseleno[3,2-b]benzoselenophene (BSBS) derivatives are known as high-performance transistor materials. Novel and highly conductive charge-transfer (CT) complexes, (BSBS)2XF6 (X = As and Sb), have been prepared, and their transport properties are investigated. At room temperature, these complexes exhibit conductivities larger than 600 S cm–1. The chemical pressure effect originating from the counter anion size is estimated to be 0.3 kbar. The thermoelectric (TE) power is 15–17 μV K–1, demonstrating that the BSBS complexes have remarkably large transfer integrals of 310 meV, as observed in the highly conductive benzothienobenzothiophene (BTBT) complexes. From both molecular orbital calculations and experiments, it is demonstrated that the BTBT skeleton has the property of forming a very large energy bandwidth. The TE power of metallic CT complexes based on organic transistor molecules is useful for experimentally determining the intermolecular transfer integrals of charged semiconductor molecules.

Surgical treatment for humeral shaft fractures has been reported to yield satisfactory results; however, there may be complications, such as delayed bone union, nonunion, iatrogenic radial nerve injury, and infection. The risk factors for postoperative complications remain largely unknown. This study aimed to investigate the influence of timing of surgery on the incidence of postoperative complications of acute humeral shaft fractures. We retrospectively reviewed 43 patients who underwent osteosynthesis for acute humeral shaft fractures between 2006 and 2020. The patients were divided into early (21 patients) and delayed (22 patients) treatment groups based on the timing of the surgical intervention (within or after four days). Outcomes were the incidences of complications (delayed union, nonunion, iatrogenic radial nerve injury, and infection) and postoperative fracture gaps. We evaluated the outcomes using plain radiographs and clinical notes. In addition, we performed subgroup analyses on outcomes in a subgroup of patients who underwent intramedullary nailing and one who underwent plate fixation. The frequency of delayed union was significantly higher in the delayed group ( P = 0.046 ), and the postoperative fracture gap size was also significantly greater in the delayed group ( P = 0.007 ). The subgroup analyses demonstrated a significant association between the increased incidence of delayed union and delayed surgical interventions only in the intramedullary nailing subgroup ( P = 0.017 ). This study suggests that performing surgery within four days after acute humeral shaft fracture is recommended to reduce the occurrence of delayed union, particularly in cases requiring intramedullary nailing fixation.

Smoking is thought to be a risk factor for osteoporosis development; however, the consequences of stopping smoking for bone homeostasis remain unknown. Here we conducted two separate human studies and show that bone mineral density was significantly lower in smokers than in non-smokers. The first was an observational study of pre- and post-menopausal healthy female smokers and non-smokers; the second included 139 current smokers determined to stop smoking. In the second study, levels of bone formation markers such as osteocalcin and uncarboxylated osteocalcin significantly increased after successful smoking cessation, as verified by significantly reduced levels of serum cotinine, a nicotine metabolite. Moreover, nicotine administration to mice reduced bone mineral density and significantly increased the number of osteoclasts in bone. Reduced bone mass phenotypes seen in nicotine-treated mice were significantly increased following nicotine withdrawal, an outcome accompanied by significantly reduced serum levels of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, a bone resorption marker. Taken together, our findings suggest that bone homeostasis is perturbed but can be rescued by smoking cessation.

The association between carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting edema (RS3PE) syndrome, an elderly onset rheumatic disease, is not fully understood. Here, we describe a case of acute CTS caused by RS3PE syndrome. An 84-year-old man visited the hospital with sudden onset of severe neuralgia in the median nerve and pitting edema in both hands. Computed tomography showed low-density areas around the flexor tendons and median nerve compression in the carpal tunnel. Rapidly progressing intolerable neuralgia and paralysis required urgent carpal tunnel release in the left hand. After surgery, we considered the possibility of RS3PE syndrome and started the administration of prednisolone. The pitting edema and neuralgia improved. In this case, imaging and intraoperative findings suggest that the effusion generated from flexor tenosynovitis associated with RS3PE syndrome increased the internal pressure in the carpal tunnel rapidly, which led to acute CTS and urgent surgery.

Background Intraosseous suture-button devices have been used for acromioclavicular joint reconstruction due to its relative simplicity compared with other procedures. However, the complications of acromioclavicular joint reconstruction using a suture-button are not fully understood. Here, we describe a case of a clavicle fracture at the suture hole following acromioclavicular joint reconstruction using a suture-button and hook plate. Case presentation A 28-year-old man presented at our hospital after a fall from his bicycle. The patient had a history of acromioclavicular joint reconstruction with a suture-button and a hook plate for right acromioclavicular joint dislocation, seven months ago at another hospital. The hook plate had been removed four months ago, while X-ray radiography before removal had shown the widening of a suture hole. In the current fall from the bicycle, X-ray radiography revealed a clavicle fracture through the previous drill hole for suture-button. We removed the suture-button and performed an open reduction and internal fixation for the clavicle fracture. Conclusion The present case indicated that a clavicle fracture at the suture hole, although rare, is one of the complications after an acromioclavicular joint reconstruction using a suture-button. This case suggested that drilling to the necessary minimum when making suture holes and paying attention to the widening of suture holes are important to prevent a postoperative clavicle fracture.

The temperature dependence of thermoelectric power is investigated down to low temperatures for oriented thin films of organic conductors. In addition to the evaporated films, highly oriented films consisting of nanoparticles are fabricated by the solution method for tetrathiafulvalene:tetracyanoquinodimethane (TTF)(TCNQ) and (TTF)[Ni(dmit)2]2 (dmit: 1,3-dithiole-2-thione-4,5-dithiolato). The resulting films show n-type thermoelectric power, whose temperature dependence is similar to the single-crystal result along the most conducting axis. Owing to the ordered orientation and nanostructures, the thermoelectric power factor is considerably improved in comparison with the ordinary organic films.

Finger Gestural Interface (FGI) is a novel lightweight natural interface. Magic Ring is a kind of wearable finger gesture input device. It is desired to perform the evaluation work on such kind of interface in some realistic scenario. In this paper, we set up a multiple home appliances control system as the test bed and perform the usability evaluation experiment on Magic Ring over 18 subjects. The appliance control process is divided into several steps. Novice Expert ratio Method (NEM) is adopted to observe the different time cost on each step between the expert user (the developer) and novice user (the subjects). The cons and pros are heighted through the quantitative experiment analysis.