Is There an Association Between Postoperative Internal Rotation and Patient-reported Outcomes After Total Shoulder Arthroplasty?

Background: Deficient internal rotation after shoulder arthroplasty can inhibit specific essential activities of daily living that require behind-the-back arm positioning. Although postoperative internal rotation deficits occur, their impact on outcomes of total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) is not well established. Previous authors have validated the Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) as a patient-reported assessment of acceptable outcomes of TSA.

Does surgical intervention alter the natural history of degenerative rotator cuff tears? Comparative analysis from a prospective longitudinal study.

Background: The natural history of rotator cuff tears often involves progressive pain development, tear enlargement, and advancing muscle fatty degeneration. Both surgery and conservative management have proven to be effective treatments. Our study purpose was to compare the short- to mid-term effects of rotator cuff repair on shoulder function, progression of tear size, and muscle degeneration compared to controls with asymptomatic tears that developed pain and were managed nonoperatively.

Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes and Graft Incorporation Rate Assessed by CT Scan After Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty With Glenoid Structural Bone Graft Reconstruction.

Introduction: Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) with structural bone graft has been described as a technique in addressing glenoid bony defects. Studies have demonstrated acceptable outcomes with structural autograft or allograft. However, most of these studies are relatively small and rarely evaluate bone graft incorporation with CT scan.

Factors associated with genetic markers for rotator cuff disease in patients with atraumatic rotator cuff tears.

For atraumatic rotator cuff tears, genetics contributes to symptomatic tear risk and may influence rotator cuff healing after surgical repair. But little is known about how genetic factors influence rotator cuff tear patient characteristics at presentation. We collected saliva samples for genotyping from atraumatic rotator cuff tear patients.

Predictors of pain development for contralateral asymptomatic degenerative rotator cuff tears based on features of an ipsilateral painful cuff tear: a prospective longitudinal cohort study.

Background: Prior rotator cuff disease natural history studies have focused on tear-related factors that predict disease progression within a given shoulder. The purpose of this study was to examine both patient- and tear-related characteristics of a painful rotator cuff tear that predict future pain development and functional impairment in a shoulder with a contralateral asymptomatic cuff tear.

Methods: This was a prospective longitudinal cohort study of patients aged ≤65 years who underwent surgery for a painful degenerative rotator cuff tear and possessed an asymptomatic contralateral tear.

Evaluation of survivorship of asymptomatic degenerative rotator cuff tears in patients 65 years and younger: a prospective analysis with long-term follow-up.

Background: The purpose of this prospective study is to describe the mid- to long-term natural history of untreated asymptomatic degenerative rotator cuff tears in patients 65 years and younger.

Methods: Subjects with an asymptomatic rotator cuff tear in one shoulder and a contralateral painful cuff tear aged 65 years or younger were enrolled in a previously described prospective longitudinal study. Annual physical and ultrasonographic evaluations and surveillance for pain development were performed using independent examiners for the asymptomatic shoulder.

Clinical outcomes after reverse shoulder arthroplasty in patients 60 years old and younger; medium-term results.

Background: Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) has been well-described as a surgical solution to manage rotator cuff tear arthropathy in elderly, low demand paitents. As experience has increased along with improvements in technique and implant design, RTSA has become increasingly used to manage more varied pathologic conditions of the shoulder in younger, more active patients. This study evaluates outcomes in a consecutive series of patients aged 60 years old and younger after undergoing RTSA.

Active physical therapy does not improve outcomes after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty: a multi-center, randomized clinical trial.

Objective: To compare range of motion (ROM) and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) between a structured home exercise program (HEP) and active, supervised physiotherapy (PT) after primary Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) by performing a multicenter randomized clinical trial.

Methods: Patients undergoing primary RTSA at 2 centers were randomized to either a HEP group, in which they were given a handout and a rope pulley, or a PT group, in which they were given a standardized prescription. Surgical technique and implants were standardized.

Feasibility and Acceptability of an Interactive Cancer-Communication Video Program Using African American Breast Cancer Survivor Stories.

To examine the feasibility and acceptability of an interactive video program of African American breast cancer survivor stories, we explored story reactions among African American women with newly diagnosed breast cancer and associations between patient factors and intervention use. During a randomized controlled trial, patients in the intervention arm completed a baseline/pre-intervention interview, received the video intervention, and completed a post-intervention 1-month follow-up interview. Additional video exposures and post-exposure interviews occurred at 6- and 12-month follow-ups.

Prevalence and risk factors for development of subscapularis and biceps pathology in shoulders with degenerative rotator cuff disease: a prospective cohort evaluation.

Background: The prevalence of subscapularis and long head of biceps (LHB) in relation to the presence and severity of posterosuperior (PS) rotator cuff disease is not known.

Methods: Subjects with asymptomatic rotator cuff tears were enrolled for this prospective longitudinal study (n = 354) and followed annually with shoulder ultrasonography and clinical evaluations to assess for the presence of subscapularis, LHB, and PS rotator cuff pathology and pain development.

Results: Subscapularis pathology developed in 14% of shoulders over a median follow-up of 5 years, with partial-thickness tearing occurring most commonly (83%).

Factors associated with choice for surgery in newly symptomatic degenerative rotator cuff tears: a prospective cohort evaluation.

Background: The patient-related factors for the perceived need for surgery for degenerative rotator cuff tears are not known. The purpose of this study is to examine patient- and tear-specific factors leading to surgery in newly painful degenerative rotator cuff tears.

Methods: Asymptomatic, degenerative rotator cuff tears were followed prospectively to identify the onset of pain and tear enlargement.

Improving Adherence to Colorectal Cancer Screening: A Randomized Intervention to Compare Screener vs. Survivor Narratives.

Interventions are needed to increase colorectal cancer screening (CRCS) uptake. Narratives may have advantages over didactic information. We tested different narratives for increasing CRCS intentions and behaviors, and examined their mechanisms of influence.

Influence of neighborhood-level factors on social support in early-stage breast cancer patients and controls.

Rationale: Low social support has been linked to negative health outcomes in breast cancer patients.

Objective: We examined associations between perceived social support, neighborhood socioeconomic deprivation, and neighborhood-level social support in early-stage breast cancer patients and controls.

Methods: This two-year longitudinal study in the United States included information collected from telephone interviews and clinical records of 541 early-stage patients and 542 controls recruited from 2003 to 2007.

A novel intervention using interactive technology and personal narratives to reduce cancer disparities: African American breast cancer survivor stories.

Purpose: There has been a paucity of interventions developed for African American women to address persistent health disparities between African American and Caucasian breast cancer patients. We developed and piloted a technologically innovative, culturally targeted, cancer-communication intervention for African American breast cancer patients using African American breast cancer survivor stories.

Methods: We rated 917 clips from a video library of survivors' stories for likability, clarity and length, and emotional impact (scaled responses) and categorized each clip by theme (Coping, Support and Relationships, Healthcare Experiences, Follow-up Care, Quality of Life, and Treatment Side Effects).

The association between chronic disease burden and quality of life among breast cancer survivors in Missouri.

Greater chronic disease burden may decrease quality of life (QOL) of breast cancer survivors. Our objective was to investigate the association between chronic disease burden and QOL in breast cancer survivors at 1 year post-diagnosis. We analyzed cross-sectional data collected 1 year post-diagnosis from a sample of female breast cancer survivors identified from the Missouri cancer registry.

Factors associated with lymph node assessment in ductal carcinoma in situ: analysis of 1988-2002 seer data.

Background: Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) represents 20-30% of mammographically detected breast cancers, but the role of lymph node assessment (LNA) in women with DCIS remains unclear.

Methods: Using the 1988-2002 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program data, we conducted a case-control study to identify variables associated with (1) LNA in DCIS patients and (2) use of axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) compared with sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). Using separate multivariable logistic regression models, we identified patient and tumor-related factors associated with LNA (1988-2002) and with the method used (recorded only in 1998-2002).

Loss of cell wall alpha(1-3) glucan affects Cryptococcus neoformans from ultrastructure to virulence.

Yeast cell walls are critical for maintaining cell integrity, particularly in the face of challenges such as growth in mammalian hosts. The pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans additionally anchors its polysaccharide capsule to the cell surface via alpha(1-3) glucan in the wall. Cryptococcal cells disrupted in their alpha glucan synthase gene were sensitive to stresses, including temperature, and showed difficulty dividing.