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Background: Recently, a polypropylene mesh has been introduced and reported to improve clinical outcomes after superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) using a fascia lata autograft (FLA). However, mesh-related events such as a foreign body response may trigger inflammation, which might affect graft healing and remodeling. Purpose/Hypothesis: The aim was to investigate whether the healing and remodeling of an FLA were affected by the use of a mesh by comparing the signal intensity of an FLA-alone group vs an FLA + Mesh group on postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The hypothesis was that the use of a mesh would decrease the MRI signal intensity of FLA during the early postoperative phase. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Patients who had undergone SCR using an FLA with or without a mesh between March 2013 and August 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Follow-up MRI was performed at 3 months. A total of 78 patients (24 in the FLA group and 54 in the FLA + Mesh group) with intact grafts were included. Graft remodeling was evaluated by analyzing the signal-to-noise quotient (SNQ) at the humeral, mid-substance, and glenoid sites. Theoretically, lower SNQ ratios indicate higher strength and better healing of the graft. Results: The mean SNQ was 30.603 (range, 11.790-72.710) in the FLA group and 18.367 (range, 4.464-69.500) in the FLA + Mesh group ( P < .001). Furthermore, significant differences were found between the 2 groups at the humeral and mid-substance sites (37.863 [range, 5.092-81.187] vs 15.512 [range, 1.814-80.869], P < .001; and 29.168 [range, 6.103-73.900] vs 16.878 [range, 2.454-92.416], P = .003; respectively). However, there was no difference between the 2 groups at the glenoid site (25.346 [range, 7.565-86.353] vs 20.354 [range, 3.732-88.468], P = .057). Conclusion: At the 3-month follow-up, the FLA + Mesh group showed a lower MRI signal intensity than the FLA group. The healing and remodeling of an FLA may be enhanced when a mesh is used.

Superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) using fascia lata autograft has been performed for irreparable rotator cuff tear recently. The signal-to-noise quotient (SNQ) of the graft on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may reflect the degree of graft maturity and healing. However, how SNQ changes with graft remodelling and time and whether this change correlates with postoperative clinical outcomes after SCR remain unknown. This study aimed to explore the correlation between SNQ of the fascia lata autograft and clinical functional outcomes after SCR.Patients with irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tear undergoing SCR using fascia lata autograft between 2013 and 2017 were retrospectively analysed. For clinical outcomes, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Constant-Murley score, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain and range of motion (ROM; forward flexion and external rotation) were evaluated at postoperative 6 and 12 months. Signal intensity of the humeral, mid-substance, and glenoid sites and background were measured to calculate the SNQ values on follow-up MRI at 3 and 12 months. The correlations between clinical outcomes and SNQ at different time points were then analysed.A total of 15 patients were enrolled in the study. The mean postoperative VAS score significantly increased at postoperative 6 months and significantly decreased at postoperative 12 months. Except for forward flexion, all other functional outcomes were improved at postoperative 6 months. Analysis of MRI showed SNQ at the humeral (SNQh), mid-substance, and glenoid sites decreased from postoperative 3 to 12 months with a statistical significance detected in SNQh (P 0.01). Correlation analyses showed that the SNQh values negatively correlated with VAS, ASES, Constant-Murley score, SANE, ROM (forward flexion), and ROM (external rotation) (all P 0.05).SNQ of the fascia lata autograft decreased with time in patients receiving SCR. SNQ at the humeral site was negatively correlated with clinical outcomes.III.

To compare the absorbable and nonabsorbable suture knots on the tendon on bone-to-tendon healing during the early phase in a rat rotator cuff tear (RCT) model.Fifty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats (10 weeks old; mean weight, 380 g) were used in this study, and 51 of them were randomly assigned into three groups: absorbable suture group (ASG, n = 22), nonabsorbable suture group (NSG, n = 22), and sham surgery group (SSG, n = 7), and the remaining rat was used to take surgical pictures. Bilateral supraspinatus tendon tears were created and repaired immediately in ASG and NSG. Three rats from ASG and NSG were killed for Western blot and histological evaluation at 3 days, 1 week, and 4 weeks after surgery. At 4 weeks, four rats from each group were killed for biomechanical test, and three rats from SSG were used for histological evaluation.Absorbable suture knots on the tendon completely degraded at 4 weeks. However, nonabsorbable suture knots remained intact between the tendon and articular side. ASG showed a stronger inflammatory reaction at 3 days and 1 week, but a weaker reaction at 4 weeks as confirmed by gross observation and Western blot. Besides, ASG showed superior biomechanical properties in terms of maximum load to failure and stiffness at 4 weeks. Modified Bonar score revealed superior maturity for tissue healing in ASG to that in NSG at 4 weeks. Furthermore, inferior bone-to-tendon interface and weakest link formation were observed in NSG on histologic images.Absorbable suture knots on the tendon contributed to better mechanical properties compared with the nonabsorbable one after rotator cuff repair.

Background: Superior capsule reconstruction (SCR) was developed as an alternative treatment for irreparable rotator cuff tears to restore superior stability of the glenohumeral joint. Although fatty infiltration (FI) of the rotator cuff muscles, especially the infraspinatus, has been implicated as a predictor of outcomes and graft integrity after rotator cuff repair, it has not been fully investigated in cases of SCR. Purpose: To evaluate the effect of FI of the infraspinatus muscle on clinical and radiological outcomes after SCR. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 55 consecutive patients with irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tears who underwent SCR between January 2013 and August 2020 were included retrospectively. Preoperative and postoperative clinical and radiological findings (median follow-up of >2 years), including magnetic resonance imaging results, were thoroughly reviewed. The patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1 with mild FI of the infraspinatus (Goutallier grades 0-2) and group 2 with severe FI of the infraspinatus (Goutallier grades 3-4). The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, Constant score, visual analog scale score for pain, and range of motion were evaluated. Acromiohumeral distance and rotator cuff tear arthropathy using the Hamada classification were assessed on plain radiography. Postoperative graft integrity was evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging. Graft failure was defined as complete discontinuity. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate clinical and radiological findings that might be associated with successful SCR. Results: Clinical and radiological outcomes significantly improved after SCR. Graft failure was noted in 15 (27.3%) patients and was more frequent in group 2 than in group 1 (50.0% vs 14.3%, respectively; P = .004). Univariate analysis indicated a significant association between severe FI in the infraspinatus (group 2) and graft failure after SCR (odds ratio, 6.00 [95% CI, 1.65-21.80]; P = .006). Multivariable analysis indicated that FI of the infraspinatus was the only factor associated with graft failure (odds ratio, 6.37 [95% CI, 1.63-24.90]; P = .008). Conclusion: Severe FI of the infraspinatus muscle was a factor indicating a poor prognosis for graft integrity after SCR. Preoperative evaluation of FI in the rotator cuff muscles can help predict postoperative outcomes and may help guide therapeutic options.

Background: Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS), minimal clinically important difference (MCID), and substantial clinical benefit (SCB) have rarely been assessed after arthroscopic superior capsular reconstruction (ASCR) with fascia lata autograft. Purpose: (1) To investigate PASS, MCID, and SCB values for pain visual analog scale (pVAS), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Constant score, and Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) after ASCR with fascia lata autograft, (2) to investigate factors for achieving PASS, MCID, and SCB. Study Design: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. Methods: We retrospectively collected data from patients who underwent ASCR between June 2013 and October 2020. A total of 88 patients were included, and anchor questions for deriving PASS, MCID, and SCB values were applied at a minimum 1-year follow-up postoperatively. PASS, MCID, and SCB were derived using sensitivity- and specificity-based approaches. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to determine factors for achieving PASS, MCID, and SCB. Results: Based on receiver operating characteristic curves, all 4 scores had acceptable area under the curve values (>0.7) for PASS, MCID, and SCB values. The PASS, MCID, and SCB values were 1.5, 2.5, and 4.5 for pVAS; 81.0, 19.0, and 27.5 for the ASES score; 60.5, −0.5, and 5.5 for the Constant score; and 75.0, 27.5, and 32.5 for SANE, respectively. Poor preoperative scores were related to significantly higher odds ratios (ORs) for achieving MCID and SCB. Wide acromiohumeral distance and dominant side were related to higher ORs for achieving PASS for the ASES score, and subscapularis tear was related to lower ORs for achieving PASS for pVAS and SCB for the Constant score. Conclusion: Reliable PASS, MCID, and SCB values were achieved for at least 1 year after ASCR surgery. Poor preoperative score, wide acromiohumeral distance, and dominant side all demonstrated higher ORs for at least one value, but a subscapularis tear demonstrated lower ORs for achieving PASS for pVAS and SCB for the Constant score.

Background: Arthroscopic osteocapsular arthroplasty (OCA) achieves significant medium-term outcomes in patients with primary elbow osteoarthritis (OA); however, outcomes after revision arthroscopic OCA are not well known. Purpose: To assess clinical outcomes after revision arthroscopic OCA as compared with those after primary surgery in patients with OA. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Patients who underwent arthroscopic OCA attributed to primary elbow OA between January 2010 and July 2020 were enrolled. Range of motion (ROM), visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, and Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) were assessed. Operation time and complications were assessed by chart review. Clinical outcomes between the primary and revision surgery groups were compared, and subgroup analysis for radiologically severe OA was performed. Results: Data from 61 patients were analyzed (primary, n = 53; revision, n = 8). The mean ± SD age was 56.3 ± 8.5 and 54.3 ± 8.9 years in the primary and revision groups, respectively. The primary group had significantly better ROM arcs preoperatively (89.9°± 20.3° vs 71.3°± 22.3°; P = .021) and postoperatively (112.4°± 17.1° vs 96.9°± 16.5°; P = .019) than the revision group; however, the degree of improvement was comparable ( P = .445). Postoperative VAS pain score ( P = .164) and MEPS ( P = .581) were comparable between the groups, as were the degrees of improvement in VAS pain score ( P = .691) and MEPS ( P = .604). The revision group required a significantly longer operative time than the primary group ( P = .004) and had a nonsignificant higher complication rate ( P = .065). Subgroup analysis showed that radiologically severe cases in the primary group had significantly better preoperative ( P = .010) and postoperative ( P = .030) ROM arcs than the revision group and a comparable postoperative VAS pain score ( P = .155) and MEPS ( P = .658). Conclusion: Revision arthroscopic OCA is a favorable treatment option for primary elbow OA with recurrent symptoms. Postoperative ROM arc was worse after revision surgery as compared with primary surgery; however, the degree of improvement was comparable. Postoperative VAS pain score and MEPS were comparable with primary surgery.

Background: Arthroscopic osteocapsular arthroplasty (OCA) shows promising short-term outcomes for primary elbow osteoarthritis (OA). However, serial changes in clinical outcomes for medium-term follow-up are not well known. Purpose: To evaluate clinical outcomes after arthroscopic OCA in primary elbow OA from preoperative to short- and medium-term follow-up and to analyze the correlation between the time from short- to medium-term follow-up and the changes in clinical outcomes between the periods. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Patients with primary elbow OA who were treated with arthroscopic OCA between January 2010 and April 2020 were evaluated. Elbow range of motion (ROM), visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, and Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) were assessed preoperatively and at short-term (3-12 months) and medium-term (≥2 years) follow-up. The correlation between the time from short- to medium-term follow-up and the changes in clinical outcomes was analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: Included were 56 patients who underwent short-term follow-up (mean [range], 5.9 [3-12] months) and medium-term follow-up (62.2 [24-129] months) after arthroscopic OCA. When compared with preoperative values, significant improvements were seen at short-term follow-up: ROM (from 89.4° to 111.7°; P < .001), VAS for pain (from 4.9 to 2.0; P < .001), and MEPS (from 62.3 to 83.7; P < .001). From short- to medium-term follow-up, ROM decreased (from 111.7° to 105.4°; P = .001) while VAS for pain (from 2.0 to 1.4; P = .031) and MEPS (from 83.7 to 87.8; P = .016) improved. All outcomes improved significantly at medium-term follow-up as compared with preoperative values ( P < .001 for all). The time between short- and medium-term follow-up had a significant positive correlation with decreased ROM ( r = 0.290; P = .030) and a significant negative correlation with improvement in MEPS ( r = –0.274; P = .041). Conclusion: Serial assessment of patients with primary elbow OA who underwent arthroscopic OCA showed that the clinical outcomes improved from preoperative assessment to short- and medium-term follow-up, although ROM decreased between short- and medium-term follow-up. VAS for pain and MEPS showed continued improvement until medium-term follow-up.

Background: In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), preoperative glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is associated with outcomes after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR); however, the relationship between outcomes and postoperative serum glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) after ARCR has not been investigated. Purpose: To evaluate outcomes after ARCR in patients (1) with and without DM and (2) with DM according to their pre- and postoperative HbA1c levels. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Method: Included in this study were 148 patients without DM and 35 patients with type 2 DM who underwent ARCR between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2019. Clinical and radiological outcomes were evaluated preoperatively and at the latest clinical follow-up. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging was performed after 12 months. In patients with type 2 DM, HbA1c levels were evaluated preoperatively as well as 6 and 12 months postoperatively; patients with an HbA1c level of ≥7% were defined as having uncontrolled DM. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the factors for retears after ARCR. Results: The retear rates after ARCR were 22.9% (8/35) and 16.9% (25/148) in patients with and without DM, respectively. The retear rates were significantly higher in the 6-month postoperative uncontrolled DM group than in the controlled DM and non-DM groups (50% vs 8.7% and 16.8%; P < .05). The odds ratio for retears in the postoperative uncontrolled DM group was 5.555 ( P =0.01) compared with the non-DM group. Among the patients with DM, in the uncontrolled DM group, 6-month postoperative hyperglycemia was superior in accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity for predicting retears after ARCR than preoperative hyperglycemia (77.1% vs 62.9%, 75% vs 37.5%, and 77.8% vs 70.4%, respectively). Conclusion: This study demonstrated the association between uncontrolled postoperative DM and an increased risk of retears compared with no DM or controlled DM. Furthermore, postoperative HbA1c values were correlated more closely with the risk of retears than preoperative HbA1c values.

Upgrading the energy performance of the UK’s entire building stock is the central pillar of any credible and cost-effective strategy to meeting net zero. This research aims to open up the revenue of using thermal infrared data from satellites to assist in processes on building energy performance improvement. High-resolution thermal infrared data output from space offers the potential for fast and effective monitoring provision that can cover large areas and targeted buildings or sites. We have interviewed a set of stakeholders from government, industry and community groups to build the specific use cases and find out detailed user requirements.

Additional file 1: Appendix S1. COVID-19 remote model.

© 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. Energy savings from building retrofits often fall short due to occupant behaviour. Current retrofit guidance may be significantly undermined due to standardised behavioural assumptions used in modelling calculations. This paper investigated the impact of household behaviour on the effectiveness and optimum ranking of domestic retrofit measures. It compared the energy saving potential from eight single retrofit measures across five household behavioural patterns, using a case study dwelling and dynamic building simulation modelling. The results confirmed that behavioural impact is significant in optimising retrofit strategies, suggesting tailoring domestic retrofit by incorporating occupant behaviour is vital for realising the energy saving potential.

Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture at ear and body acupoints for the instant fasting blood glucose of model machins with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods For 10 machins with type 2 diabetes, the electroacupuncture was applied at “Zusanli”( ST 36), “Sanyinjiao”( SP 6) and three “Jiangtangdian”( ) in the ear continuously for 5 days, with the frequency of 2/15 Hz (The 2 Hz and the 15 Hz were transferred every second) and current of 2 mA. The treatment was given once every day for 30 min. The fasting blood glucose was measured before acupuncture, after acupuncture for 15 min and 30 min in the 5 days. Results On the first day, after 30-minute acupuncture the fasting blood glucose was reduced obviously compared with that before treatment (P Conclusion The electroacupuncture at ear and body acupoints can reduce the instant fasting blood glucose of T2DM machins apparently. There is time effect on instant fasting blood glucose of T2DM machins treated by electroacupuncture. The efficacy of 30-minute stimulation is superior to that of 15-minute acupuncture. After acupuncture continuously for 4 days, the effect is better than that with acupuncture for 3 days successively.

Domestic energy retrofit has significant potential in reducing carbon emission and energy demand. However, the actual energy saving from retrofit projects often falls short of expectations. One of the main reasons for this is occupant behaviour being addressed inadequately in energy models. Large variations in occupant behaviour may not have been considered (or are averaged) when making predictions of retrofit savings, and occupants may exploit energy efficiency to improve their comfort by increasing the use of heating and appliances. Unfortunately, Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), as one of the main platforms to provide retrofit advice in the UK, use the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) with standard behavioural input to generate retrofit recommendations. This research has developed a modelling approach incorporating household archetypes to improve the reliability of retrofit advice and offer more targeted retrofit strategies that consider occupants’ behavioural variations. It developed five household archetypes using statistical analyses of data obtained from a questionnaire survey. It showed that retrofit effectiveness vary significantly, distinguished by the use of household archetypes. It also illustrated that using household archetypes can yield higher savings compared with the conventional method in EPCs at urban level. The results suggested that energy retrofits on an urban scale using such tailored approach with household archetypes could save a further 20% of the annual energy costs and reduces the payback by typically 2 years. This research demonstrates that using a modelling approach with household archetypes for energy retrofit design can significantly improve overall saving potential while maintaining occupant comfort.

In this paper, we proposed a fault diagnosis method based on logistic regression model through the analysis of direct-drive wind power generation set under five conditions, normal condition, wind wheel mass imbalance, wind wheel aerodynamic imbalance, yaw and blade break. In the training process of logistic regression, we created a characteristic parameter matrix and set the probability value, then we calculated the logic regression parameter matrix using the method of Newton-Raphson to diagnose the state of wind turbine.

Acupuncture is an oldest somato stimulus medical technique. As the most representative peripheral nerve stimulation therapy, it has a complete system of theory and application and is applicable to a large population. This paper expounds the bionic origins of acupuncture and analyzes the physiological mechanism by which acupuncture works. For living creatures, functionally sound viscera and effective endurance of pain are essential for survival. This paper discusses the way in which acupuncture increases the pain threshold of living creatures and the underlying mechanism from the perspective of bionics. Acupuncture can also help to adjust visceral functions and works most effectively in facilitating the process of digestion and restraining visceral pain. This paper makes an in-depth overview of peripheral nerve stimulation therapy represented by acupuncture. We look forward to the revival of acupuncture, a long-standing somato stimulus medicine, in the modern medical systems.

Variations in household behaviour often lead to a mismatch between actual and estimated energy performance at home. More detailed information on behavioural variables could help in improving the prediction of energy consumption and enabling policy interventions responding to different household groups. This research aims to identify household archetypes and behavioural patterns in order to allow a targeted approach in energy-saving policy and retrofit improvement. It employed a statistical approach to cluster households based on empirical data collected from a household survey in Cambridge, UK. Factor analysis was used to identify behavioural factors. Based on the commonalities of variables under each factor, five factors were defined: (1) main space heating, (2) auxiliary space use, (3) main space use, (4) auxiliary space heating and (5) use of appliances. Statistical pattern analysis was then applied to develop behavioural patterns. These patterns were derived based on their factor scores. Finally, non-parametric correlation analysis was carried out in order to determine the relationship between behavioural factors and the following: household or dwelling characteristics, comfort and energy use for creating household archetypes. After significant correlations were found between behavioural factors and other variables, five archetypes were identified: (1) active spenders, (2) conscious occupiers, (3) average users, (4) conservers and (5) inactive users. Among these archetypes, households with a larger house, higher energy use and more complex household composition tended to have longer hours of main space heating, while larger and more complex households tended to use the main space of their dwellings for longer. Using these archetypes allows for a better integration of occupant behaviour into the technically oriented efficiency paradigm. This tailored approach provides a gateway to developing more effective policies and low energy strategies geared towards specific households.

Conventionally, publicly accessible retrofit recommendations use calculations based on standardised occupant behaviour. However, studies have shown that occupant behaviour can have a significant impact on energy consumption and subsequent retrofit savings. This paper assesses the impact of a differentiated retrofit approach using household archetypes grouped according to similar behavioural patterns, dwelling and household characteristics. The results showed that distinguishing between different household groups can significantly improve overall retrofit effectiveness. The ambition is to enable better home retrofits for a sustainable housing stock, while meeting the UK Government’s goal of carbon emissions reduction.