Bioinspired Hierarchical Soft Gripper with Hexagonal and Suction Interfaces for Strain-Guided Object Handling.

Bioinspired soft adhesive systems capable of stable and intelligent object manipulation are critical for next-generation robotics. In this study, a soft gripper combining an octopus-inspired suction mechanism with a frog-inspired hexagonal friction pattern was developed to enhance adhesion performance under diverse surface conditions and orientations. The hexagonal pattern, inspired by frog toe pads, contributed to improved stability against tilting and shear forces.

Comparative Efficacy of Initial Statin and Ezetimibe Combination versus Statin Monotherapy on Cardiovascular Outcomes in Diabetes Mellitus: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

Background: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of an initial combination therapy of statin and ezetimibe compared with statin monotherapy on major cardiovascular outcomes in individuals with diabetes.

Methods: In this population-based cohort study using National Health Insurance Service data (2010-2020), we included adults with diabetes who had not previously used any lipid-lowering medications. Those initiating statin monotherapy were matched 1:1 using propensity scores with patients starting combination therapy with a lower-potency statin and ezetimibe.

Hallux valgus interphalangeus is more common in juvenile-onset hallux valgus than in adult-onset hallux valgus.

Background: This study aimed to compare the prevalence of hallux valgus interphalangeus (HVI) in juvenile-onset hallux valgus and adult-onset hallux valgus and to analyze the correlation between the hallux interphalangeal angle (HIA) and other radiographic parameters in juvenile-onset hallux valgus.

Methods: This retrospective study included 640 feet and 320 patients with hallux valgus (160 juvenile-onset and 160 adult-onset cases). Eight radiographic parameters were measured: HIA, hallux valgus angle, intermetatarsal angle, talonavicular coverage angle, anteroposterior talocalcaneal angle, lateral talocalcaneal angle, lateral talo-first metatarsal angle, and calcaneal pitch.

Postoperative outcome of screw fixation with autogenous bone grafting for the management of hallux sesamoid fracture nonunion.

Introduction: Although sesamoid-preserving procedures have been attempted to complement sesamoidectomy for hallux sesamoid fracture nonunion, few reports document the results. Accordingly, the objective of this study was to review the outcomes of patients with hallux sesamoid fracture nonunion who underwent screw fixation with autogenous bone grafting.

Materials And Methods: Medical records of patients who underwent surgery between January 2013 and September 2022 were reviewed.

Association between Changes in Menarcheal Age and Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: An Analysis of 38,879 Patients over 20 Years.

Backgroud: Menarche has a significant impact on the progression of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS); however, studies in this area are insufficient. This study used large-scale school screening data to investigate the relationship between menarcheal age and AIS, especially the severity of scoliosis.

Methods: Of 2,326,577 students who participated in school screening for scoliosis (SSS) in South Korea from 2001 to 2021, 38,879 girls with AIS, who experienced menarche, were included.

Difference in association of carbohydrate intake with all-cause mortality between middle-aged and older Korean adults with and without diabetes mellitus: A prospective study.

Background & Aims: The relationship between diet and health, particularly the role of carbohydrates, has been extensively studied. However, carbohydrate intake based on individual health conditions remains unclear. Here, we aimed to investigate whether the association between carbohydrate intake and all-cause mortality varied between individuals with and without diabetes mellitus (DM).

Assessment of Temperature-Dependent Drug Release of Solubilizing Nanoformulations Using the SITUA.

The evaluation of temperature-dependent drug release for solubilizing nanoformulations uses a modification of the stable isotope ultrafiltration assay (SITUA). This method is specific to parenterally administered solubilizing nanomedicines and can be used to assess drug release from the total dosage form for regulatory purposes of lot release. The principle upon which this method is based is the relationship between drug solubility and temperature in a plasma simulating media, 4.

Two-Year Therapeutic Efficacy and Safety of Initial Triple Combination of Metformin, Sitagliptin, and Empagliflozin in Drug-Naïve Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients.

Backgruound: We investigated the long-term efficacy and safety of initial triple therapy using metformin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, and a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor, in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods: We enrolled 170 drug-naïve patients with glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level >7.5% who had started triple therapy (metformin, sitagliptin, and empagliflozin).

Reliability of Ultrasound Measurement of Plantar Fascia Thickness: A Systematic Review.

Background: Because ultrasound measurement of plantar fascia thickness is widely used in the diagnosis and evaluation of plantar fasciitis, it is important to understand and minimize the errors that occur with this measurement. The aim of this systematic review was to identify and synthesize studies reporting on intrarater and interrater reliability of ultrasound measurement of plantar fascia thickness.

Methods: After comprehensive searches in the MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases, 11 studies involving 238 healthy participants and 68 patients with pathologic foot disorders were included.

Hyaluronic Acid Nanoparticles as a Topical Agent for Treating Psoriasis.

Although conventional topical approaches for treating psoriasis have been offered as an alternative, there are still unmet medical needs such as low skin-penetrating efficacy and off-target adverse effects. A hyaluronic acid nanoparticle (HA-NP) formed by self-assembly of HA-hydrophobic moiety conjugates has been broadly studied as a nanocarrier for long-term and target-specific delivery of drugs, owing to their excellent physicochemical and biological characteristics. Here, we identify HA-NPs as topical therapeutics for treating psoriasis using skin penetration studies and psoriasis animal models.

Genetically defined individual reference ranges for tryptase limit unnecessary procedures and unmask myeloid neoplasms.

Serum tryptase is a biomarker used to aid in the identification of certain myeloid neoplasms, most notably systemic mastocytosis, where basal serum tryptase (BST) levels >20 ng/mL are a minor criterion for diagnosis. Although clonal myeloid neoplasms are rare, the common cause for elevated BST levels is the genetic trait hereditary α-tryptasemia (HαT) caused by increased germline TPSAB1 copy number. To date, the precise structural variation and mechanism(s) underlying elevated BST in HαT and the general clinical utility of tryptase genotyping, remain undefined.

Value of postoperative computed tomography for the diagnosis of lateral hinge fracture in medial opening-wedge supramalleolar osteotomy.

Introduction: It remains unclear whether computed tomography (CT) is superior to plain radiography in detecting lateral hinge fractures after medial opening-wedge supramalleolar osteotomy (SMO) of the ankle joint. This study aimed to evaluate the disparity between postoperative plain radiography and CT in detecting lateral hinge fractures after medial opening-wedge SMO and to identify the predictive factors of lateral hinge fractures.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study included 39 patients who underwent medial opening-wedge SMO.

The Influence of Ankle Position on Radiographic Diagnosis of Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture.

No previous study has demonstrated the relationship between the ankle position and radiographic diagnosis of acute Achilles tendon rupture. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of ankle position in the presence of diagnostic radiographic signs in acute Achilles tendon rupture. A retrospective review of 154 ankle lateral radiographs of acute Achilles tendon rupture was performed.

Incidence and risk factor of allergic contact dermatitis to 2-octyl cyanoacrylate and n-butyl cyanoacrylate topical skin adhesives.

Although the use of topical skin adhesives has increased as an alternative to conventional skin closure methods, studies on the incidence and risk factors of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) to topical skin adhesives have been limited. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence and risk factors of ACD after the use of 2-octyl cyanoacrylate and n-butyl cyanoacrylate topical skin adhesives. We retrospectively reviewed 1145 patients (739 patients with 2-octyl cyanoacrylate and 406 patients with n-butyl cyanoacrylate) who underwent skin closure with topical skin adhesives.

Clinical Impact of Metabolic Syndrome on Eccentric Exercises for Chronic Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy.

Metabolic syndrome is one factor known to contribute to the development of tendinopathies. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of eccentric calf-muscle exercise for treatment of chronic insertional Achilles tendinopathy in patients with or without metabolic syndrome. Twenty-eight patients with chronic insertional Achilles tendinopathy and metabolic syndrome who performed eccentric calf-muscle exercise were retrospectively compared with 28 age- and sex-matched controls without metabolic syndrome.

Learning curve of the Krackow suture technique for the repair of Achilles tendon rupture.

Introduction: Knowledge on the learning curve for the repair of Achilles tendon rupture is limited. The aim of this study was to quantify the learning curve for the Krackow suture technique for the repair of Achilles tendon rupture and to identify the correlation between the cumulative volume of cases and clinical outcome measures.

Materials And Methods: A total of 226 cases of Achilles tendon repair using the Krackow suture technique were reviewed.