Yeoju University

Background: Depression is a common mental health concern among older adults.This study investigated whether the mediating role of social participation on the relationship between age-friendly environments and depression differs across household typesliving alone, living with a spouse, or living with adult children. Methods:This cross-sectional secondary data analysis included 9,956 community-dwelling adults aged 65 years who participated in the 2020 National Survey of Older Koreans.Household types were categorized as living alone (n=3,137), living with a spouse (n=5,131), or living with children (n=1,688).All the participants completed a questionnaire that assessed demographic characteristics, age-friendly environments, social participation, and depression.Mediation analysis was conducted using Model 4 of the PROCESS Macro with 5,000 bootstrap iterations, adjusting for all control variables.Results: Social participation significantly mediated the relationship between age-friendly environments and depression among older adults living alone (=-0.01;95% confidence interval [CI], -0.02--0.01)and those living with children (=-0.01;95% CI, -0.01--0.00).Conversely, the indirect mediation effect was not significant in older adults living with a spouse (=0.00;95% CI, -0.00-0.00). Conclusion:Strategies to promote social participation among older adults living alone and those living with adult children may alleviate depression.Tailored community interventions that consider the characteristics of each household type are warranted.

PurposeTo evaluate the clinical outcomes of lower trapezius tendon (LTT) transfer using an Achilles tendon allograft in patients with failed superior capsular reconstruction (SCR).MethodsA retrospective therapeutic review was conducted on patients who underwent LTT transfer using an Achilles tendon allograft after SCR failure between January 2018 and May 2020. The inclusion criteria encompassed both structural and functional failures of SCR in patients with minimal glenohumeral arthritis and a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Exclusion criteria were insufficient clinical data or loss to follow-up. Clinical outcomes were assessed preoperatively and at final follow-up using the visual analog scale (VAS), subjective shoulder value (SSV), Constant score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, and range of motion (ROM).ResultsEighteen patients were included, with a mean follow-up of 42.5 months (range: 24-62 months). All outcome measures demonstrated statistically significant improvement: VAS scores improved from 5.9 ± 1.3 to 1.8 ± 1.4; SSV scores improved from 18.0 ± 9.1 to 61.4 ± 18.5; Constant score improved from 33.3 ± 5.3 to 65.5 ± 17.4; and ASES score improved from 38.5 ± 5.2 to 67.1 ± 17.7 (all P < .001). On the basis of the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) using a 0.5 SD distribution-based method, clinically meaningful improvements were observed in 88.9% of patients for VAS and ASES scores, and 94.4% for Constant and SSV scores. ROM gains included forward elevation (73° to 120°), abduction (57° to 93°), and external rotation (−22° to 40°). At final follow-up, 77.8% of patients had resumed occupational activities, and 61.1% returned to sports. Four patients (22.2%) required conversion to reverse shoulder arthroplasty.ConclusionsLTT transfer using an Achilles tendon allograft following failed SCR yields significant improvements in pain relief, functional outcomes, and ROM. LTT transfer using an Achilles tendon allograft following failed SCR may offer a potential treatment option, particularly in younger, active patients who seek to preserve native shoulder anatomy and function.Level of EvidenceLevel IV retrospective case series.

Irreparable isolated musculotendinous lesions of the infraspinatus are infrequently reported, yet they significantly impair shoulder function. These lesions are characterized by rapid architectural changes in the infraspinatus, with advanced atrophy and high fatty infiltration, rendering treatment particularly challenging. With its biomechanical and anatomical advantages over conventional latissimus dorsi transfer in external rotation, lower trapezius tendon transfer has demonstrated promising clinical outcomes in cases of posterior-superior irreparable rotator cuff tears. A case report of two patients (A 57-year-old female and a 66-year- old male) with irreparable isolated musculotendinous lesion in the infraspinatus who underwent lower trapezius tendon transfer. Lower trapezius transfer effectively alleviated pain and restored active external rotation in both patients, in contrast to attempts of direct repair or augmentation with allografts previously described in the literature. Case report.

This study evaluated the properties of 3D-printed Onyx-fiberglass composites. These composites were 3D-printed with zero, one, two, three, and four layers of fiberglass. Ten samples of each configuration were printed for the tensile and flexural tests. The average tensile strength of the Onyx specimens was calculated to be 44.79 MPa, which increased linearly by approximately 20-25 MPa with each additional fiberglass layer. The elastic moduli calculated from the micromechanics models were compared with the experimental values obtained from the tensile tests. The experimental elastic modulus increased more significantly than the model prediction when more fiberglass layers were added. The flexural modulus of Onyx was 17.6 GPa, which increased with each additional fiberglass layer. This quantitative analysis of composites fabricated using 3D printing highlights their potential for commercialization and industrial applications.

This study aimed to identify the correlation between digital capacity, health promotion participation, and active aging of older people living in rural areas in South Korea to assess the factors influencing participation in programs for health promotion and active aging. Data were collected through a 1:1 face-to-face survey using a structured questionnaire from 13 February to 24 February 2023 during the older individuals' visits in the senior citizen welfare centers and senior citizen centers in the region. The Measuring Digital Skills questionnaire used to assess the digital competence of South Korean individuals was employed in this study. To confirm the structural relationship between digital capacity and health promotion participation and active aging in the older population aged 65 years and older based on the collected data, a structural equation modeling analysis was performed. Active health promotion participation had a positive effect on active aging. The pathway that older adults in Korea can led to participation in health promotion and active aging in the current situation is not mainly through the digital competency whereas mobile internet skill showed positive influneces. In the digital era and super-aged society, various programs are provided to older individuals to enhance the utilization of smartphones. However, education and programs for strengthening digital capacity should be organized to explain the advantages of digital use and to inform of the dangers of addiction to ensure healthy aging through social participation and exchange both online and offline.

Individualized exercise programs based on personal impairment could lead to successful rehabilitation. An effective way to train spine stability is to find exercises that take advantage of the synergistic relation between local and global stabilization systems. This study aimed to investigate synergistic relationship between the muscles of the local and global systems during three modified side bridge exercises compared with traditional side bridge (TSB). Twenty healthy participants performed TSB, both leg lift while side-lying (BLLS), torso lift on a 45∘ bench while side-lying (TLBS), and pelvic lift on side-lying (PLS) in random order. Surface electromyography data were analyzed. The results indicate that PLS was effective as TSB on trunk muscle activity. However, BLLS and TLBS demonstrated significantly less rectus abdominal (RA) muscle activity compared to TSB (p< .001). Additionally, BLLS and TLBS had a higher internal oblique (IO)/RA muscle activity ratio than TSB (p< .001). PLS could be a suitable alternative exercise for individuals who are unable to perform TSB, as it can effectively activate trunk muscles. BLLS and TLBS may be appropriate for training the local stability system, while limiting activation of the RA.

In this study, preliminary simulations were performed to manufacture thermoplastic composites that can be processed by injection. For analysis, a basalt particulate-polymer composite model was manufactured and its elastic modulus, shear modulus, thermal expansion coefficient, and thermal conductivity were predicted using finite-element analysis (FEA) and micromechanics. Polypropylene (PP), polyamide 6, polyamide 66, and polyamide (PA) were employed as the polymer matrix, with the variations in their properties investigated based on the volume fraction of basalt. The polymer-basalt composite's properties were analyzed effectively using FEA and the micromechanics model. FEA was performed by constructing a 3D model based on the homogenization technique to analyze the effective properties. The micromechanics model was analyzed numerically using the mixture rule, and the Mital, Guth, and Halpin-Tsai models. As a result, it is best to analyze the effective properties of polymer-basalt composites using the Halpin-Tsai model, and it is necessary to conduct a comparative analysis through actual experiments. In the future, actual composite materials need to be developed and evaluated based on the findings of this study.