Impact of Draft Order on Stress Sonography of the Ulnar Collateral Ligament of the Elbow in Professional Baseball Pitchers: An 18-Year Study

Background: The MLB draft is a common route for players to enter professional baseball in the United States. Individuals taken in earlier rounds are typically higher-performing players. When looking at pitchers specifically, higher performance at the amateur level may be associated with increased frequency of adaptive change in the throwing elbow. Purpose/Hypothesis: To determine if players taken in earlier rounds of the MLB draft have a greater frequency or extent of pathological change in the elbow, as measured by dynamic stress ultrasound. Study Design: Retrospective Cohort Study Methods: Dynamic stress ultrasounds (SUS) were performed over an 18-year period on the dominant and nondominant arms of 651 professional pitchers. The 383 players who were drafted were grouped according to which round they were drafted in (rounds 1-5, 6-10, 11-20, 21+). Groups were compared with respect to “relative” ulnar collateral ligament thickness (dominant – nondominant), “relative” ulnohumeral joint laxity (joint space distance under stress – distance at rest), and the presence of pathology (calcifications, tears, hypoechoic foci, osteophytes). Additionally, a subgroup analysis was done to compare progression of SUS findings over a 3-year period in players for which data was available. Results: Draft round groups did not differ by age, number of prior spring trainings, or handedness. Comparing baseline measurements, there was no significant relationship between draft round and relative UCL thickness (P = .932), relative laxity (P = .996), or presence of pathology detectable on SUS (P = .642). However, increased relative UCL thickness was significantly associated with the presence of pathology on SUS (OR: 1.45, 95% CI [1.26-1.69], P \u3c .001). Longitudinally, there was no significant relationship between draft round and 3-year progression of relative laxity, relative UCL thickness, or clinical progression of pathology. Conclusion: Higher-performing pitchers are drafted earlier in the MLB draft. This may be attributable to peak pitch velocity, in-game performance, visibility gained during player showcases, or any number of other sport-specific variables. However, despite this, there was no significant relationship between draft round and adaptive changes to the elbow on SUS

Adaptive Changes of the Ulnar Collateral Ligament of Professional Baseball from Different Climates Over Multiple Seasons: An 18-Year Study

Background: The ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) is put under high levels of stress through the overhead throwing motion typical of professional baseball pitchers. In response to repetitive stress the UCL undergoes adaptive changes including thickening of the ligament and increased joint laxity under valgus stress. Studies examining the adaptive changes in the elbows of professional pitchers over multiple seasons are limited. Investigations such as this one offer insight into the changes in the UCL of professional pitchers over multiple years of professional play as well as the risk for injuries that may be associated with these changes. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to compare stress ultrasound findings between warm and cold climate pitchers and to assess for significant differences that may predispose players from either climate to future injury. Study Design: Retrospective Cohort Study Methods: Dynamic stress ultrasounds (SUS) of professional baseball pitchers were taken over an 18 year period. Player demographics were collected to determine climate of origin. SUS measurements of the same player taken 3 years apart were examined to determine changes in relative UCL thickness and laxity between the dominant and nondominant arms. The term ‘relative’ refers to (dominant – non-dominant), laxity (joint space distance under stress - joint space distance at rest). SUS were also examined at time of measurements for pathologic findings. Results: Players from colder and warmer climates did not differ from one another in the progression of relative UCL thickness (0.72 mm vs 0.55 mm, P = .748) of relative laxity (-0.01 mm vs 0.03 mm, P = .904). Both groups did not differ in rates of pathology development including calcifications (P = .412), hypoechoic foci (P = .084), osteophyte (P = .892). Conclusion: Adaptive changes of the UCL in professional baseball pitchers originating from colder and warmer climates did not significantly differ from one another. Although there is potential for those from warmer climates to throw year-round the effect may not be enough to cause noticeable changes over a 3 year period. Future studies should expand on this investigation with examination of injuries of players from different climates to determine if any correlation exists with UCL changes in an expanded cohort

Patient Satisfaction with Sutures Used in Knee Arthroscopy Portal Closure: Randomized Control Trial

Abstract: Introduction Both absorbable and non-absorbable sutures are routinely used for closure of arthroscopic portal incisions. However, current literature assessing patient satisfaction using either suture type in knee arthroscopic portal closure is limited. Purpose/Hypothesis The purpose of this study is to evaluate patient outcomes and satisfaction following wound closure with absorbable (Monocryl) versus non-absorbable (Nylon) sutures during knee arthroscopy. Study Design Randomized Controlled Trial (Level I) Methods Patients over 18 years undergoing primary knee arthroscopy were identified during procedure scheduling. Exclusion criteria included revision procedures, concomitant ligament reconstruction or meniscal repair surgery. Before surgery, enrolled patients were randomly assigned to undergo closure with either 3-0 Monocryl or 3-0 nylon sutures. Postoperative evaluation was performed at 2-, 6- and 12-weeks and included a Visual Analogue Cosmesis scale, a 10-point visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, patient scar assessment, and customized questionnaire assessing scar satisfaction. Results Two hundred seventy-four patients were included for analysis: 145 in the absorbable group and 129 in the non-absorbable group. There was no significant difference between groups in terms of age, sex, BMI, race, smoking status, or laterality of procedure. Patients in the non- absorbable group reported higher overall satisfaction ratings at week 6 follow-up (9.12 ± 1.85 vs. 8.44 ± 2.49, p=0.019) and week 12 follow-up (9.13 ± 1.76 vs. 8.54 ± 2.50, p=0.048). There was no difference in pain, swelling, itching, numbness, incisional pain, or burning at any time point. Patients in the non-absorbable group observed more skin discoloration at 2-week (3.00 ± 2.33 vs. 2.41 ± 1.80, p=0.026) and 6-week (3.74 ± 2.82 vs. 2.98 ± 2.45, p=0.032) follow-up with no significant difference at 12 weeks. Conclusion Despite reporting worse skin discoloration at early follow up, patients receiving non-absorbable sutures reported higher overall satisfaction than patients receiving absorbable sutures. Given that there was no difference in pain, swelling, itching, numbness, incisional pain, or burning, it is possible that non-queried variables such as time spent with patients (possibly increased in the non-absorbable group due to the time spent removing sutures) or frustration with the delayed resorption of absorbable sutures led to this difference

Latarjet Surgery Leads to Decreased Rates of Subjective Instability Compared to Bankart Repair with Concomitant Remplissage

Background: Predictive factors for performing remplissage concomitantly with arthroscopic Bankart repair include the presence of humeral or glenoid defects \u3e11% and/or revision surgery. International and societal consensus statements support these findings, as surgeons recommend the Latarjet procedure for patients with significant glenoid bone loss (\u3e15-20%) while remplissage is recommended for patients with off-track or engaging Hill-Sachs lesions without significant glenoid bone loss. While several studies have compared outcomes between Latarjet surgery and remplissage, these studies have only evaluated patients with engaging Hill-Sachs lesions, not consecutive patient cohorts indicated for each surgery. Purpose: To compare rates of recurrent instability, re-operation, revision, and return to play (RTP), as well as patient-reported outcomes including the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon Score (ASES), Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE), and Oxford Shoulder Instability Score (OSI) between Latarjet surgery and arthroscopic labral repair plus remplissage surgery (Remplissage) patients

Return to Recreational Sports Participation Following Rotator Cuff Repair in Adults Over 40 Years of Age: Outcomes and Return to Play Analysis

Background: Despite the high prevalence of rotator cuff (RTC) tears in older adults, there is limited literature evaluating the return to recreational sport after repair. The purpose of this study was (1) to assess the patient-reported outcomes and return to sport rates following rotator cuff repair in patients aged more than 40 years with minimum 2-year follow-up; (2) to compare baseline, preoperative and postoperative outcomes, and level of play following repair of self-reported athletes with nonathletes; and (3) to compare return to sport rates in overhead athletes compared to nonoverhead athletes. Methods: Patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair between January 2016 and January 2019 were screened for inclusion. Inclusion criteria included (1) age more than 40 years at the time of surgery, (2) arthroscopic repair of a full thickness RTC tear, and (3) preoperative American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score (ASES) available. Eligible patients were contacted and invited to fill out a custom return to sport and patient-reported outcome survey. Results: Overall, 375 of the 1141 eligible patients completed the survey instrument. There were 210 self- reported athletes (mean age 59.2 ± 9.55 years) and 165 nonathletes (mean age 62.0 ± 8.27 years) (P ¼ .003). Of the athletes, 193 (91.9%) returned to sport. The average age of athletes was 59.4 ± 9.33 years for those who returned to sport and 57.9 ± 12.0 years for those who did not (P ¼ .631). Athletes reported higher ASES scores than nonathletes both preoperatively (49.8 ± 20.3 vs. 44.8 ± 18.9, P ¼ .015) and postoperatively (87.6 ± 16.7 vs. 84.9 ± 17.5, P ¼ .036), but there was no difference in mean ASES improvement between groups (37.7 ± 23.0 vs. 40.3 ± 24.5, P ¼ .307). There was no difference in post- operative Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation scores when comparing self-reported athletes to nonathletes (85.4 ± 17.5 vs. 85.0 ± 18.7, P ¼ .836). After controlling for age, sex, body mass index, and smoking status using a multivariate analysis, there was no difference in mean ASES improvement when comparing athletes to nonathletes. Conclusion: There is a high rate of return to sport activities (\u3e 90%) in older adult recreational athletes following arthroscopic repair of full thickness RTC tears and rates of return to sport did not significantly differ for overhead and nonoverhead athletes. Self-reported athletes were noted to have higher baseline, preoperative, and postoperative ASES scores than nonathletes, but the mean ASES improvement following repair did not significantly differ between groups

A comprehensive review of techniques for natural fibers as reinforcement in composites::preparation, processing and characterization

Designing environmentally friendly materials from natural resources represents a great challenge in the last decade. However, the lack of fundamental knowledge in the processing of the raw materials to fabricate the composites structure is still a major challenge for potential applications.Natural fibers extracted from plants are receiving more attention from researchers, scientists and academics due to their use in polymer composites and also their environmentally friendly nature and sustainability. The natural fiber features depend on the preparation and processing of the fibers. Natural plant fibers are extracted either by mechanical retting, dew retting and/or water retting processes. The natural fibers characteristics could be improved by suitable chemicals and surface treatments. This survey proposes a detailed review of the different types of retting processes, chemical and surface treatments and characterization techniques for natural fibers. We summarize major findings from the literature and the treatment effects on the properties of the natural fibers are being highlighted

TRY plant trait database – enhanced coverage and open access

Plant traits - the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants - determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, and influence ecosystem properties and their benefits and detriments to people. Plant trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area of research spanning from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology, to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem and landscape management, restoration, biogeography and earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, the TRY database of plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented data coverage under an open access data policy and is the main plant trait database used by the research community worldwide. Increasingly, the TRY database also supports new frontiers of trait‐based plant research, including the identification of data gaps and the subsequent mobilization or measurement of new data. To support this development, in this article we evaluate the extent of the trait data compiled in TRY and analyse emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness. Best species coverage is achieved for categorical traits - almost complete coverage for ‘plant growth form’. However, most traits relevant for ecology and vegetation modelling are characterized by continuous intraspecific variation and trait–environmental relationships. These traits have to be measured on individual plants in their respective environment. Despite unprecedented data coverage, we observe a humbling lack of completeness and representativeness of these continuous traits in many aspects. We, therefore, conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements. This can only be achieved in collaboration with other initiatives

Robust estimation of bacterial cell count from optical density

Optical density (OD) is widely used to estimate the density of cells in liquid culture, but cannot be compared between instruments without a standardized calibration protocol and is challenging to relate to actual cell count. We address this with an interlaboratory study comparing three simple, low-cost, and highly accessible OD calibration protocols across 244 laboratories, applied to eight strains of constitutive GFP-expressing E. coli. Based on our results, we recommend calibrating OD to estimated cell count using serial dilution of silica microspheres, which produces highly precise calibration (95.5% of residuals <1.2-fold), is easily assessed for quality control, also assesses instrument effective linear range, and can be combined with fluorescence calibration to obtain units of Molecules of Equivalent Fluorescein (MEFL) per cell, allowing direct comparison and data fusion with flow cytometry measurements: in our study, fluorescence per cell measurements showed only a 1.07-fold mean difference between plate reader and flow cytometry data

Distribution of arsenic and other metals in crayfish tissues (Procambarus clarkii) under different production practices

Gedik, Kenan/0000-0001-8244-6935WOS: 000389090100033PubMed: 27639469Louisiana is one of the world's largest producer of crayfish. Arsenic (As) and other metals (Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) concentrations were determined in crayfish tissues, plant and soil samples collected from Louisiana paddy rice fields, where crayfish/rice rotation farming is a common practice. the samples were collected from November 2013 to April 2014 from three different crayfish farming systems. Concentration of As in rice grain, rice straw, and native vegetation ranged between 033 and 0.41, 3.14-4.93, and 326-5.89 mg kg(-1), respectively. the highest As levels in the crayfish external and internal body parts were found in gill (4.04 +/- 1.70 mg kg(-1)), followed by hepatopancreas (3.42 +/- 1.57 mg kg(-1)), exoskeleton (1.52 0.85 mg kg(-1)), and muscle (1.50 +/- 0.69 mg kg(-1)). Positive correlations between As levels in the crayfish muscle and the plant tissue on which they feed were found in all farming systems (r = 0.405-0.438). the biomagnification factor (BMF) of As in different tissues varied between 0.29 and 1.08, having gill and hepatopancreas were the highest As accumulation while the lowest biomagnification was observed in crayfish muscle tissues which is a food source for human. the As levels along with other metals in crayfish muscle tissue were in acceptable levels for human consumption under all crayfish/rice rotation practices. Further studies are needed in determining the percentage of organic and inorganic arsenic in crayfish tissue. Published by Elsevier B.V.Council of Higher Education of TurkeyMinistry of National Education - TurkeyWe would like to thank the Council of Higher Education of Turkey for supporting Kenan Gedik. We also thank William (Ray) McClain for suggestions and comments on the manuscript