Skilled reaching test for shoulder function assessment in a rat model of rotator cuff tear: a pilot study.

Background: Functional assessments are crucial to evaluate treatment outcomes in clinical and animal studies on rotator cuff injuries. While gait analysis is commonly used to assess animal models of rotator cuff tears, it is less relevant for human patients as the human shoulder is typically assessed in a non-weight-bearing condition. The present study introduces the skilled reaching test as a shoulder functional assessment tool for rats, which allows for evaluation without weight bearing.

Vitamin D as an intervention for improving quadriceps muscle strength in patients after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: study protocol for a randomized double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Background: The goal of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is to restore the preinjury level of knee function to return to play (RTP). However, even after completing the rehabilitation programme, some patients may have persistent quadriceps muscle weakness affecting knee function which ultimately leads to a failure in returning to play. Vitamin D has been long recognized for its musculoskeletal effects.

Optimized design of an enthesis-mimicking suture anchor-tendon hybrid graft for mechanically robust bone-tendon repair.

Repair of functionally graded biological interfaces requires joining dissimilar materials such as hard bone to soft tendon/ligament, with re-injuries/re-tears expected to be minimized by incorporating biomimicking, stress-reducing features within grafts. At bone-tendon interfaces (entheses), stress can be reduced via angled insertion, geometric flaring, mechanical gradation, and interdigitation of tissues. Here, we incorporated enthesis attributes into 3D in silico and physical models of a unique suture anchor-tendon hybrid graft (SATHG) and investigated their effects on stress reduction via finite element analyses (FEA) studies.

Assessments of early patellofemoral joint osteoarthritis features after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Persistent anterior knee pain and subsequent patellofemoral joint (PFJ) osteoarthritis (OA) are common symptoms after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Quadriceps weakness and atrophy is also common after ACLR. This can be contributed by arthrogenic muscle inhibition and disuse, caused by joint swelling, pain, and inflammation after surgery.

Investigation on the site of coronal deformities in Hallux valgus.

Hallux valgus (HV) is a common foot deformity that is more prevalent in females, characterised by abnormal adduction of the first metatarsal (MT) and valgus deviation of the phalanx on the transverse plane. Increasing evidence indicates that HV is more than a 2D deformity but a 3D one with rotational malalignment. Pronation deformity is seen during clinical examination for HV patients, but the exact origin of this rotational deformity is still unknown.

Elucidating the inherent features of IS to better understand idiopathic scoliosis etiology and progression.

Idiopathic Scoliosis (IS) is a relatively common condition and is estimated to affect as many as 3 % of youth aged 10-17 years (in the United States an estimated approximately 1.4 million otherwise healthy individuals). A clear understanding of the etiology will better direct optimization of evaluation, treatments and therapies, especially early treatments with less invasive methods.

Tibial cutting guide (resector) holding pins position and subsequent risks of periprosthetic fracture in unicompartmental knee arthroplasty: a finite element analysis study.

Background: Periprosthetic fracture of the tibia after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty has been reported to be associated with excessive pin holes created for stabilization of the cutting guide. However, fractures have also been reported in cases using two pins as in the method suggested by the manufacturer. It is currently unclear whether variations in pinhole positions make a difference in proximal tibial fracture risk.

The impact of maternal gestational weight gain on cardiometabolic risk factors in children.

Aims/hypothesis: Accumulating evidence suggests an impact of gestational weight gain (GWG) on pregnancy outcomes; however, data on cardiometabolic risk factors later in life have not been comprehensively studied. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between GWG and cardiometabolic risk in offspring aged 7 years.

Methods: We included a total of 905 mother-child pairs who enrolled in the follow-up visit of the multicentre Hyperglycemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome study, at the Hong Kong Centre.

Prevention and Care Programs Addressing the Growing Prevalence of Diabetes in China.

According to a 2010 national survey, 11 % of adults in China have diabetes, affecting 109.6 million individuals. The high prevalence of diabetes has been attributed to the aging of the population, the rapid adoption of energy-dense foods, and a reduction in physical activity.

The discriminatory capability of existing scores to predict advanced colorectal neoplasia: a prospective colonoscopy study of 5,899 screening participants.

We evaluated the performance of seven existing risk scoring systems in predicting advanced colorectal neoplasia in an asymptomatic Chinese cohort. We prospectively recruited 5,899 Chinese subjects aged 50-70 years in a colonoscopy screening programme(2008-2014). Scoring systems under evaluation included two scoring tools from the US; one each from Spain, Germany, and Poland; the Korean Colorectal Screening(KCS) scores; and the modified Asia Pacific Colorectal Screening(APCS) scores.

Targeted screening for colorectal cancer in high-risk individuals.

The idea of targeted screening for colorectal cancer based on risk profiles originates from its benefits to improve detection yield and optimize screening efficiency. Clinically, it allows individuals to be more aware of their own risk and make informed decisions on screening choice. From a public health perspective, the implementation of risk stratification strategies may better justify utilization of colonoscopic resources, and facilitate resource-planning in the formulation of population-based screening programmes.

Identification of subjects at risk of proximal advanced neoplasia for colorectal cancer screening.

Flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS) and colonoscopy are two commonly used screening tools for colorectal cancer (CRC), and FS mainly detects distal lesions. Colonoscopy resource is limited, yet there is no definite evidence on when flexible sigmoidoscopy is suitable as a screening alternative. This study evaluated the optimal cut-off score from a validated risk stratification system which best predicts proximal advanced neoplasia (PAN) by comparing the sensitivity, specificity and relative risk of PAN according to various cut-off scores.