Trends in management of proximal humerus fractures in the United States : 1998-2009

Proximal humerus fractures (PHFs) are common but they do not have a standard of treatment. Historically, surgeons have opted for closed reduction percutaneous pinning (CRPP) or open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) for simple fractures and hemiarthroplasty (HA) for more complex fractures. ORIF has become increasingly popular because of its expanded utility with locking plates. The use of CRPP has declined and been limited to simple fractures with recent literature showing unexpectedly higher complication rates. Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) was introduced in the U.S. in 2003 and has been used to treat complicated shoulder problems such as cuff tear arthropathy, revision, and 4-part PHFs. The aim of this study was to analyze the shifting emphasis between operative modalities for displaced PHFs. We hypothesized that the rate of total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) would increase after the introduction of RTSA

Multiple Application Propfan Study (MAPS): Advanced tactical transport

This study was conducted to ascertain potential benefits of a propfan propulsion system application to a blended wing/body military tactical transport. Based on a design cruise Mach no. of 0.75 for the design mission, the results indicate a significant advantage in various figures of merit for the propfan over those of a comparable technology turbofan. Although the propfan has a 1.6 percent greater takeoff gross weight, its life cycle cost is 5.3 percent smaller, partly because of a 27 percent smaller specific fuel consumption. When employed on alternate missions, the propfan configuration offers significantly improved flexibility and capability: an increase in sea level penetration distance of more than 100 percent, or in time-on-station of 24 percent, or in deployment payload of 38 percent

Review of Maxillary Expansion Appliance Activation Methods: Engineering and Clinical Perspectives

Objective. Review the reported activation methods of maxillary expansion devices for midpalatal suture separation from an engineering perspective and suggest areas of improvement. Materials and Methods. A literature search of Scopus and PubMed was used to determine current expansion methods. A U.S. and Canadian patent database search was also conducted using patent classification and keywords. Any paper presenting a new method of expansion was included. Results. Expansion methods in use, or patented, can be classified as either a screw- or spring-type, magnetic, or shape memory alloy expansion appliance. Conclusions. Each activation method presented unique advantages and disadvantages from both clinical and engineering perspectives. Areas for improvement still remain and are identified in the paper

Women Scientists and the Freshwater Biological Association, 1929-1950

In the early to mid-twentieth century, women had limited opportunities to develop and practice as scientists and were subject to being seen as extraordinary women precisely because of their scientific commitment rather than on equal terms as their male counterparts. Opportunities in freshwater science arose in England in a number of interconnected institutions centred on the Freshwater Biological Association (FBA) founded in 1929. Several women scientists pioneering in their fields were nurtured by the FBA, such as early freshwater researchers, Penelope Jenkin, Marie Rosenberg and Winifred Frost, the last two being the first professional women naturalists at the FBA. Other researchers who achieved distinction in their field were also products of the FBA and its imperial and university network: Rosemary Lowe, Winifred Pennington, Kate Ricardo, Carmel Humphries and Maud Godward, for example

“Appreciate the Little Things”: A Qualitative Survey of Men’s Coping Strategies and Mental Health Impacts During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a suite of circumstances that will simultaneously affect mental health and mobilize coping strategies in response. Building on a lack of research specifically exploring men’s mental health impacts during the COVID-19 pandemic, this study presents the results of a qualitative survey exploring men’s self-reported aspects of the pandemic giving rise to mental health challenges, alongside their diverse coping strategies applied during this time. The sample comprised 555 men from North America (age M = 38.8 years; SD = 13.5 years), who participated via an online survey with two open-ended qualitative questions assessing, respectively, the aspects of the pandemic affecting their mental health, and the strategies used to manage these challenges. Free-text responses were coded using inductive content analysis. Results pertaining to the mental health impacts of COVID-19 were categorized into two overarching themes: far-reaching ramifications of COVID-19 encompassing consequences for lifestyle, work, and functioning, alongside novel anxieties related to health risks and daily uncertainty. In addition, coping strategies reported were categorized into two broad themes: efforts to avoid, dull or distract oneself from distress, alongside adapting and doing things differently, which encompassed largely approach-oriented efforts to flexibly ameliorate distress. Results signal the far-reaching impacts of COVID-19, alongside profound flexibility and diverse enactments of resilience among men in adapting to unprecedented challenges. Findings have implications for mental health promotion that should aim to leverage men's adaptive coping to encourage opportunities for social connectedness in response to the mental health impacts of the various psychosocial challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic

Safety and convenience of once-weekly somapacitan in adult GH deficiency: a 26-week randomized, controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: Somapacitan is a reversible albumin-binding growth hormone (GH) derivative, developed for once-weekly administration. This study aimed to evaluate the safety of once-weekly somapacitan vs once-daily Norditropin. Local tolerability and treatment satisfaction were also assessed. DESIGN: 26-week randomized, controlled phase 3 safety and tolerability trial in six countries (Nbib2382939). METHODS: Male or female patients aged 18-79 years with adult GH deficiency (AGHD), treated with once-daily GH for ≥6 months, were randomized to once-weekly somapacitan ( = 61) or once-daily Norditropin ( = 31) administered subcutaneously by pen. Both treatments were dose titrated for 8 weeks to achieve insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) standard deviation score (SDS) levels within the normal range, and then administered at a fixed dose. Outcome measures were adverse events (AEs), including injection site reactions; occurrence of anti-somapacitan/anti-GH antibodies and change in treatment satisfaction, assessed using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication-9 (TSQM-9). RESULTS: Mean IGF-I SDS remained between 0 and 2 SDS throughout the trial in both groups. AEs were mostly mild or moderate and transient in nature. The most common AEs were nasopharyngitis, headache and fatigue in both groups. More than 1500 somapacitan injections were administered and no clinically significant injection site reactions were reported. No anti-somapacitan or anti-GH antibodies were detected. The TSQM-9 score for convenience increased significantly more with somapacitan vs Norditropin ( = 0.0171). CONCLUSIONS: In this 26-week trial in patients with AGHD, somapacitan was well tolerated and no safety issues were identified. Once-weekly somapacitan was reported to be more convenient than once-daily Norditropin