Does strength deficit correlate with shoulder function in patients with rotator cuff tears? Characteristics of massive tears.

BACKGROUND: The correlation between shoulder strength deficits and function in rotator cuff tears remains uncertain. This study aimed to determine the correlation between shoulder strength deficits and shoulder function evaluated by various clinical scoring systems. METHODS: A total of 262 patients (mean age, 59.67 years [standard deviation, 8.06 years]) who underwent full-thickness rotator cuff repair were included. Patients in group I (n = 188) had small to large rotator cuff tears, whereas those in group II (n = 74) had massive rotator cuff tears. Demographic factors, isokinetic test results, and shoulder function evaluated using various scoring systems were obtained. Correlation differences according to severity of the rotator cuff tear were evaluated. RESULTS: We found weak correlations between shoulder strength deficits (peak torque and total work) and clinical outcomes in patients with rotator cuff tears (r = -0.288). For patients in group I (nonmassive tears), we found a weaker correlation (r = -0.242) according to the tear pattern. However, shoulder strength deficits in group II patients (massive tears) were strongly correlated with American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (r = -0.598), Constant (r = -0.582), and Short Form 36 (r = -0.511) scores, especially regarding internal rotator strength deficits. CONCLUSIONS: Shoulder strength deficits measured via isokinetic testing and shoulder function were weakly correlated in patients with rotator cuff tears. However, shoulder strength deficits in patients with massive tears considerably worsened shoulder function and systemic disability, but not regional disability. In particular, internal rotator strength deficits were strongly correlated with poor shoulder function.

Development of the Korean Firefighter Performance Battery: Job-Related Physical Fitness Assessment.

OBJECTIVE: The Candidate Physical Capability Test (CPAT) has been used in many countries to assess the fitness levels of firefighters, but it requires a special facility with a space of at least 900 square m 2 and expensive equipment. Because it can be difficult to have both money and space at smaller gas stations, we have developed the Korean Firefighter Performance Battery (KFPB). METHODS: To verify the validity and reliability of the developed KFPB, this study consists of three parts, a validation test, reliability test, and evaluation criterion. RESULTS: As a result of the analysis, the KFPB met all of the criteria as a valid evaluation. Furthermore, the KFPB seems to compensate for the shortcomings of CPAT. CONCLUSIONS: In locations where the CPAT is difficult to administer, the KFPB is expected to be used as a firefighting job-related physical fitness evaluation.

Correction: Biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy according to nadir prostate specific antigen value.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249709.].

Predictive Factors for Achieving Superior Pentafecta Outcomes Following Robot-Assisted Partial Nephrectomy in Patients with Localized Renal Cell Carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To examine the perioperative outcomes following robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) in patients with localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and to identify the predictors of Pentafecta achievement following RAPN. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the data from 362 patients with RCC who underwent RAPN from 2008 to 2016. The criteria for Pentafecta achievement were defined as the Trifecta [warm ischemic time (WIT) ≤25 minutes, negative surgical margin, and no significant perioperative complications]; with the addition of renal function preservation, including over 90% preservation of the estimated glomerular filtration rate (e-GFR); and no stage upgrade of chronic kidney disease at 1 year after surgery. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the predictors of the Pentafecta outcomes. RESULTS: Among 362 patients, 82.3% (n = 298) had clinical T1a tumors. The median tumor size was 2.9 cm [interquartile range (IQR) = 2.1-3.6] and median nephrometry score was 7 (IQR = 6-8). The median operative time was 220 minutes (IQR = 185-270) and median estimated blood loss was 150 mL (IQR = 100-200). The median WIT was 20 minutes (IQR = 16-26). The overall rate of postoperative complications was 18.8% (n = 68). The rates of Trifecta and Pentafecta achievement were 66.6% (n = 241/362) and 33.9% (n = 121/303), respectively. Notably, the preoperative e-GFR, hypertension, tumor size, L-component of the R.E.N.A.L score, and surgeon's experience were identified as the significant predictors of Pentafecta achievement. Additionally, patients with T1a tumors showed higher rates of Pentafecta achievement (45.7% vs 25.9%) compared with those of patients with T1b tumors. However, there was no significant difference in the Pentafecta accomplishment rates between the transperitoneal and retroperitoneal approaches. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, our data highlighted that tumor size and nephrometry score, which are tumor-related factors, as well as the surgeon's experience, a surgeon-related factor, appear to be the critical predictive factors for Pentafecta achievement following RAPN.

Immunohistochemical staining of ERG and SOX9 as potential biomarkers of docetaxel response in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

We aimed to evaluate ERG and SOX9 as potential biomarkers of docetaxel response in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients. Seventy-one mCRPC patients were evaluated. Tissue microarrays were constructed and immunohistochemistry was performed. Treatment response was assessed by prostate specific antigen (PSA) response rate, PSA progression-free survival (PSA-PFS), clinical/radiologic PFS (C/R-PFS) and overall survival (OS). ERG and SOX9 were found in 13 (18.3%) and 62 (87.3%) patients, respectively. ERG-positive had lower PSA response rates than negative (15.4% vs 62.1%, p = 0.004), and SOX9 showed a same trend (46.8% vs 100.0%, p = 0.003). ERG positivity correlated with a lower PSA-PFS (3.2 mos vs 7.4 mos, p < 0.001), C/R-PFS (3.8 mos vs 9.0 mos, p < 0.001) and OS (10.8 mos vs 21.4 mos, p < 0.001). SOX9 positivity also showed a lower PSA-PFS, C/R-PFS and OS (p =0.006, p =0.012 and p =0.023, respectively). On multivariate analysis, ERG positivity was a significant risk factor for a lower PSA-PFS, C/R-PFS and OS (p < 0.001, p < 0.001 and p =0.001, respectively). SOX9 expression was also a risk factor for a lower PSA-PFS, C/R-PFS and OS (p = 0.018, p = 0.025 and p =0.047, respectively). These findings indicate that ERG and SOX9 is potential biomarkers for prediction to docetaxel treatment in mCRPC patients.

Probe diagnostics in the far scrape-off layer plasma of Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research tokamak using a sideband harmonic method.

Plasma characteristics in the far scrape-off layer region of tokamak play a crucial role in the stable plasma operation and its sustainability. Due to the huge facility, electrical diagnostic systems to measure plasma properties have extremely long cable length resulting in large stray current. To overcome this problem, a sideband harmonic method was applied to the Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research tokamak plasma. The sideband method allows the measurement of the electron temperature and the plasma density without the effect of the stray current. The measured plasma densities are compared with those from the interferometer, and the results show reliability of the method.

FGFR3 overexpression is prognostic of adverse outcome for muscle-invasive bladder carcinoma treated with adjuvant chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Alterations in fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of urothelial carcinoma. However, its clinicopathological significance has not been clearly established, especially in muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study was to investigate the mutation and overexpression of FGFR3 in MIBC cases from radical cystectomy and to analyze the prognostic and predictive significance in the groups with or without adjuvant chemotherapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Study cohorts included 72 cases of MIBC including 42 patients who were treated with adjuvant chemotherapy. The mutation status of FGFR3 exons 7, 10, and 15 was investigated and protein expression was evaluated. The findings were analyzed for the association with relevant clinicopathological findings. RESULTS: FGFR3 mutations were found in 7 patients (9.7%) and were correlated with a pattern of papillary growth, moderate histologic grade (G2 vs. G3), and moderately advanced TNM stage (II-III vs. IV). FGFR3 protein overexpression was detected in 33 cases (45.8%) but was not associated with the relevant clinicopathological parameters. In patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy, FGFR3 overexpression was correlated with shorter disease-free survival (P = 0.067, 95% confidence interval: 14.8-29.6, marginal significance) and overall survival (P = 0.035), remaining as a significant independent prognostic factor for disease-free survival and overall survival in multivariate analysis using Cox proportional hazards model. In patients without adjuvant chemotherapy, FGFR3 mutation or overexpression did not have prognostic significance in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: We report the FGFR3 alterations in MIBCs, and discuss their biological implication in subsets of patients. FGFR3 overexpression was predictive of adverse outcome in patients with adjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy after radical cystectomy. The utility of FGFR3 as a therapeutic target is suggested.

Changes in detrusor and urinary growth factors according to detrusor function after partial bladder outlet obstruction in the rat.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the changes in detrusor and urinary growth factors according to detrusor function after partial bladder outlet obstruction in the rat. Growth factors have been reported to play a role in the remodeling of the bladder after obstruction. METHODS: Female rats (n = 40) were used and divided into three groups: sham-operated control, 2-week mild obstruction, and 2-week severe obstruction. The voided urine was collected and the detrusor contractility to electrical stimulation recorded. mRNA expression and the urinary concentration of transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-beta1) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) were analyzed. RESULTS: The contractile response to electrical stimulation was increased in the mild obstruction group (P <0.05) but decreased in the severe obstruction group (P <0.05). The detrusor mRNA expression of TGF-beta1 in the mild obstruction group was not different from that in the control group. However, in the severe obstruction group, the mRNA expression of TGF-beta1 increased. The detrusor mRNA expression of bFGF was gradually increased in the mild and severe obstruction groups. The urinary concentration of TGF-beta1 in the mild obstruction group was not significantly different from that in the control group. However, in the severe obstruction group, the concentration of TGF-beta1 was significantly increased (P <0.05). The concentration of urinary bFGF was too small to compare the results in each group. CONCLUSIONS: Growth factors such as TGF-beta1 and bFGF change in mRNA expression according to bladder function, and urinary TGF-beta1 reflects the change of detrusor mRNA. Thus, changes in TGF-beta1 may be a marker to evaluate detrusor function.