Korea Pharma (South Korea)

The effects of different posterosuperior rotator cuff tear patterns, ranging from isolated supraspinatus tears to partial or complete infraspinatus involvement, on glenohumeral joint contact mechanics in reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate how varying levels of posterosuperior cuff tear (PCT) severity affect three-dimensional center-of-pressure (COP) trajectories, joint contact forces (JCFs), and muscle-tendon forces using a musculoskeletal shoulder model of RTSA. Three-dimensional marker trajectory data from eleven male participants were collected during 120° of shoulder abduction in the coronal plane and used as consistent inputs for the RTSA model. Model simulations were performed for various stages of PCT severity. For comparison with each stage of the model, an intact cuff model of RTSA was also simulated. As PCTs progressed, the COP trajectories increasingly shifted in the superior (P < 0.001), anterior (P < 0.001), and medial (P < 0.001) directions. Additionally, the peak inferior and posterior JCFs decreased by 5.6% (P = 0.02) and 20.0% (P = 0.002), respectively (i.e., the contact area moved in a more anterosuperior direction). Conversely, preserving more posterosuperior cuffs increased muscle-tendon forces in the subscapularis and pectoralis major. Preserving the middle-inferior infraspinatus can restore joint contact mechanics and mitigate increased muscle-tendon forces in RTSA. These findings can help orthopedic surgeons in deciding whether to repair the rotator cuff during RTSA to mitigate increased muscle-tendon forces and restore the transverse force couple between the anterior and posterior cuffs, thereby improving glenohumeral joint stability.

ABSTRACT Background Emery–Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD) is a progressive genetic myopathy that mainly affects the muscles used for movement (skeletal muscles) and the heart (cardiac muscles). The disease is frequently associated with mutations in genes encoding nuclear envelope proteins, most notably LMNA, which encodes lamin A—a critical structural component of the nuclear lamina. Lamin A plays a pivotal role in maintaining nuclear architecture and mechanotransduction. In contrast to most other cell types, nuclei in healthy skeletal muscle fibres are typically localized at the periphery of the myofiber. However, muscle biopsies from EDMD patients often reveal aberrant nuclear morphology and ectopic nuclear positioning, with nuclei clustered or mislocalized toward the centre of the myofiber. Despite these characteristic nuclear abnormalities, the molecular mechanisms underlying nuclear mispositioning in EDMD remain incompletely understood. In particular, the interaction networks between EDMD‐related mutant lamin A and other nuclear and cytoskeletal components that govern nuclear positioning are poorly characterized in the current literature. Methods EDMD‐related lamin A variants (L35V, L38F or Y45C), which are located within the Coil‐1a domain, were overexpressed in RD cells. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were generated by redifferentiating induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which were derived from fibroblasts of an EDMD (L35P) patient. To investigate morphological and molecular abnormalities caused by mutations, immunofluorescence imaging, immunoblotting and subcellular fractionation were performed. Functional consequences of these morphological alterations were evaluated by assessing mechanotransduction signalling and cell viability. Results EDMD‐related LMNA mutations (L35V, L38F, Y45C) in the Coil‐1a domain induced multilobular nuclear morphology, accompanied by a decrease in nuclear contour ratio (1.9–3.0‐fold vs. WT, p &lt; 0.0001). Similarly, patient‐derived MSCs (L35P‐MSCs) exhibited a ~2.28‐fold decrease in contour ratio relative to healthy subject‐derived MSCs. Abnormal nuclear shape was associated with structural alterations in nuclear‐cytoskeletal proteins and nuclear positioning regulators. Mechanosensing activity, assessed by YAP1 nuclear translocation, was increased (~1.72‐fold vs. Nor‐CTRL, p &lt; 0.01), and nuclear fragility under physical stress was elevated by ~20% (vs. Nor‐CTRL, p &lt; 0.0001). Treatment with mutation‐specific ASOs in patient‐derived MSCs restored the contour ratio (~1.97‐fold vs. NC‐CTRL, p &lt; 0.01), normalized nuclear‐cytoskeletal organization, reduced mechanosensing response (~1.65‐fold vs. NC‐CTRL, p &lt; 0.01) and decreased nuclear fragility by ~11% (vs. NC‐CTRL, p &lt; 0.0001). Conclusions Our findings indicate that nuclear morphological alterations contribute to the impaired nuclear‐cytoskeletal integrity and nuclear positioning, which are closely linked to cellular mechanics and function. Mutation‐specific ASO treatment alleviated these nuclear defects, suggesting that ASO‐based therapeutic strategies may provide a mutation‐targeted approach to correcting nuclear abnormalities in EDMD.

The paper presents a follow-up on the subject of the use of thermal analysis for the generation of fraction solid evolution in cast alloys, particularly in aluminum—silicon alloys. It discusses in detail the importance of correctly determining the characteristic temperatures of the cooling curve, including the beginning of solidification, the eutectic temperature, and the end of solidification. It demonstrates the importance of the smoothing techniques applied to the experimentally recorded temperature (cooling curve). Newtonian and Fourier analyses are used to generate the evolution of fraction of solid and the latent heat on cups of different diameters, to assess the effect of cooling rate for Al-7.5%Si alloys. Calculation results are compared with the literature data. It was found that the maximum temperature of the alloy in the cup affected the overall results.

In this paper, the evaluation of different digital filtering techniques, which are used to supress the vibrations in load cells, are presented. The spectral analysis of input signal is evaluated using Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), by which noise components at specific frequencies are pointed, following the attenuation of selected frequencies. The digital filters are implemented using windowing methods like Rectangular, Triangular, Hamming, Hanning, Blackman, Kaiser, along with optimization methods like Parks-McClellan, Least Square and Frequency sampling methods. The filters are designed based on the frequency response, stopband attenuation, passband attenuation, cutoff frequency and complexity. All mentioned methods are designed and evaluated using MATLAB. The results will provide a comparative analysis of all methods, by which we can decide the filter for the suppression of load cell vibration.

[Purpose]This study aimed to evaluate the validity of the 5-minute running test (5RFT) as a field-based assessment of aerobic fitness by examining its correlation with maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) measured using the Bruce protocol.[Methods]Twenty-one healthy male participants majoring in physical education at S University completed both the 5RFT and a laboratory-based VO2max test using the Bruce protocol. During the 5RFT, oxygen consumption was measured using a portable metabolic gas analyzer (K5, COSMED, Italy). VO2max values from the 5RFT were compared with laboratory-based measurements to determine validity.[Results]The 5RFT showed a strong positive correlation with VO2max measured using the Bruce protocol (r = 0.675, p < 0.05). Additionally, a significant correlation was observed between the 5-minute oxygen consumption measured by K5 and the 5RFT (r = 0.621, p < 0.01). However, mean difference analysis indicated that the 5RFT estimation values were higher than both the K5 and Bruce protocol results (p < 0.001).[Conclusion]The findings suggest that the 5-minute running test, in combination with portable metabolic gas analysis, is a valid and practical method for estimating aerobic fitness in field settings. While the 5RFT may overestimate VO2max values compared to laboratory testing, its strong correlations support its applicability as a convenient alternative assessment tool.

Rationale:Post-polypectomy perforation (PPP) is an uncommon complication, usually occurring within 24 hours of colonoscopic polypectomy. Delayed perforation beyond several days is extremely rare.Patient concerns:A 65-year-old man underwent colonoscopic removal of a 6-mm sessile tubular adenoma in the descending colon using a hot snare.Diagnoses:Six hours later, he developed abdominal pain with computed tomography findings consistent with post-polypectomy electrocoagulation syndrome and improved after conservative management. Fifty-four days later, he re-presented with severe abdominal pain; computed tomography revealed free intraperitoneal air and colonic necrosis.Interventions:Emergency subtotal colectomy confirmed PPP.Outcomes:The patient recovered well and remained asymptomatic at 6-month follow-up.Lessons:This case highlights that PPP can occur several weeks after polypectomy and may initially mimic post-polypectomy electrocoagulation syndrome. Clinicians should remain alert to late complications in patients with recurrent or persistent abdominal symptoms after polypectomy.

We first investigate the dynamical behavior of an active Brownian particle influenced by a viscoelastic memory effect characterized by a power-law kernel, under the effects of thermal and active noises. We then analyze the dynamics of an active Brownian particle confined in a harmonic trap in the presence of the same noise sources. To derive the Fokker–Planck equation for the joint probability density of the active particle, we obtain analytical solutions for the joint probability density and its moments using double Fourier transforms in the limits t≪τ, t≫τ, and τ=0. As a result, the mean squared displacement of an active Brownian particle driven by thermal noise exhibits a super-diffusive scaling of t2h+1 in the short-time regime (t≪τ). In contrast, for a particle in a harmonic trap driven by active noise, the mean squared velocity scales linearly with t when τ=0. Moreover, the higher-order moments of an active Brownian particle in a harmonic trap with thermal noise scale with t4h+2 in the long-time limit (t≫τ) and for τ=0, consistent with our analytical results.

Using used serviceable material (USM), recycled and upcycled, for aircraft is environmentally and financially beneficial in helping the aviation industry achieve sustainability. This study aims to identify determinants of aircraft USM value and assess their significance using the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) to gain insights for making the USM market more active. Sixteen factors in four categories are selected based on literature and focus group interviews. A survey to analyze factor priority is conducted with 118 industry experts. The results show that maintenance requirements, airworthiness directive status, and maintenance status from the technical category are the most critical determinants of aircraft USM value, followed by traceability, former operator, and former aviation authority from the operational category and new part value. The technical category corresponds to “must-be” traits in the Kano model, requiring compliance by sellers, whereas new part value information can help buyers’ decisions. The implementation of an internationally agreed mutual accreditation system for approved maintenance organizations and a standard for aircraft dismantling is proposed to improve technical and operational determinants to achieve fewer uncertainties in USM valuation. This study aims to offer a new guideline for evaluating USM value to market participants. Price modeling of USM is left for future studies.

Objectives: Cyclosporin A (CsA) is an immunosuppressive drug that is highly effective. CsA, similar to other drugs with limited oral bioavailability due to poor membrane permeability, requires the use of absorption enhancers in its formulations. Phe-Cys-Ile-Gly-Arg-Leu (FCIGRL-OH), a peptide fragment of Zonula occludens toxin (ZOT), has been studied for its potential to enhance drug absorption by regulating intercellular tight junctions. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of four novel modified peptides, which have been substituted or dimerized at the C-terminus or cysteine moiety of FCIGRL-OH, as improved versions of FCIGRL-OH on the intestinal permeation of CsA. Methods: The four modified peptides used were FCIGRL-NH2 (Pep-1), homo-dimer peptides derived from FCIGRL-OH and Pep-1 (Pep-2, Pep-3), and a peptide in which the cysteine in Pep-1 was replaced with N3-substituted dipropionic acid (Pep-4). Pharmacokinetic analysis was performed following intraduodenal administration of CsA with each of four peptides in the presence of levan and benzalkonium chloride (BC) in rats. Results: Results showed that each of Pep-2, Pep-3, and Pep-4 significantly increased intestinal absorption of CsA in the presence of levan and BC. In particular, the area under the curve (AUC0–360min) for CsA was significantly enhanced by 2.01-fold (p < 0.01) and 2.03-fold (p < 0.05) when treated with Pep-3 and Pep-4, respectively, at a dose of 10 mg·kg−1. Additionally, the maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) of CsA increased by 2.46-fold (p < 0.01) with Pep-3 and by 2.37-fold (p < 0.01) with Pep-4. Conclusions: These study findings indicate that Pep-2, particularly Pep-3 and Pep-4, are involved in tight junction opening as novel absorption enhancers for intestinal delivery of CsA.