Atomic-resolved depth profile of strain and cation intermixing around LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interfaces.

Novel behavior has been observed at the interface of LaAlO3/SrTiO3 heterostructures such as two dimensional metallic conductivity, magnetic scattering and superconductivity. However, both the origins and quantification of such behavior have been complicated due to an interplay of mechanical, chemical and electronic factors. Here chemical and strain profiles near the interface of LaAlO3/SrTiO3 heterostructures are correlated. Conductive and insulating samples have been processed, with thicknesses respectively above and below the commonly admitted conductivity threshold. The intermixing and structural distortions within the crystal lattice have been quantitatively measured near the interface with a depth resolution of unit cell size. A strong link between intermixing and structural distortions at such interfaces is highlighted: intermixing was more pronounced in the hetero-couple with conductive interface, whereas in-plane compressive strains extended deeper within the substrate of the hetero-couple with the insulating interface. This allows a better understanding of the interface local mechanisms leading to the conductivity.

A new classification and guide for surgical treatment of spinal tuberculosis.

So far, there is no widely accepted classification system based on objective findings that can serve as a guide in selecting the treatment method for spinal tuberculosis. This retrospective study evaluates patients with spinal tuberculosis (Pott's disease) treated with different surgical procedures. Our aim was to outline a new classification of spinal tuberculosis. A retrospective review of 76 cases (55 male and 25 female patients) of spinal tuberculosis was conducted. Five of the patients were treated medically, and the others who were treated surgically were classified into three types (I, II and III) according to the new classification system for spinal tuberculosis. All 76 patients were classifiable by this new system. The most common complication observed was local kyphosis (maximum 8 degrees) in type-II patients, but none of the patients needed correction. No neurological deterioration was observed in any of the cases. This new classification system helps in differentiating the various manifestations of spinal tuberculosis and appears to correlate with the surgical treatment of spinal tuberculosis. We believe that this new classification system can be used as a practical guide in the treatment of Pott's disease.

Neglected patellar tendon rupture: a case of reconstruction without quadriceps lengthening.

Neglected rupture of the patellar tendon is a rare, can be easily missed in a group of patients. We present a 24 year old, male patient who sustained right femoral diaphyseal and tibial plateau fractures and a patellar tendon rupture following a motor vehicle accident. The fractures were treated by open reduction internal fixation but the patellar tendon rupture was missed and the diagnosis was delayed by 7 months. Patella was migrated proximally. It was moved distally to the original location and neglected patellar tendon rupture treated successfully with modified Ecker technique. Neither preoperative traction nor additional intraoperative procedures were performed to relocate the patella to its anatomic position in the extended knee and good functional result was achieved with intensive rehabilitation.

A rare cause of flank mass: psoas abscess due to extensive primary thoracolumbar tuberculous spondylodiskitis.

Psoas abscess secondary to tuberculous spondylodiskitis is usually a complication of thoracolumbar vertebrae disease. The psoas abscess may be difficult clinically to diagnose because of its rarity, insidious onset of the disease, and nonspecific clinical presentation. We report multidetector CT and MR imaging findings of a psoas abscess secondary to primary tuberculous spondylodiskitis of the spine from the T3 to L2 vertebrae, which presented as a flank mass.

Preliminary results of the use of Ilizarov fixation in clavicular non-union.

Although clavicular fractures are common, nonunion of clavicle is a rare complication. Clavicular nonunion that occurs due to insufficient stabilization is usually painful and necessitates operative treatment. Seven cases with oligotrophic clavicular nonunion that developed after a conservative process were treated with Ilizarov between January 2000 and December 2002. In all of them, the middle one-third of the clavicle was affected. Details of the cases regarding sex, age information, reason of fracture, previous treatment methods that were applied, nonunion area, nonunion, and duration of frame application were recorded. Two of the cases were female and five of them were male with age mean of 27.1 (19-32 years). Five of these cases had right clavicular injury and two of them had left clavicular injury. Mean nonunion duration was 18 months (range was 6-36 months). All nonunion were fixed and went through acute compression by means of Ilizarov's external fixators without grafting. The duration between the frame application and union was mean 2.7 months (range was 2.5-3.5 months). Mean follow-up period was 31 months (range was 22-48 months). Cases were evaluated in accordance with the Constant Scoring system. They were able to return to their normal daily activities in 10-15 days. All of them regained full shoulder movement and extension ability. Patients have also been evaluated by using Dash-Score. Union existed for all patients and none of them had any complaints of pain after treatment. Since circular external fixator allows acute compression, early shoulder movements, and requires no such additional procedure as grafting, it is an alternative method which can be used in treating nonunion of clavicle.

Treatment of tibial bone defects with the Ilizarov circular external fixator in high-velocity gunshot wounds.

One of the applications for circular external fixators is the treatment of large-bone defects which may be difficult to manage with conventional methods. Successful results have been reported with the use of circular external fixators, particularly in the treatment of infected tibial pseudoarthroses and those with bone loss. In this study, a total of 43 cases with tibial bone defects (18 infected) as a result of high-velocity gun-shot injuries were treated with circular external fixators between January 1, 1988 and December 31, 1995. The mean follow-up period was 50 months (range: 28-98 months) after the removal of the Ilizarov device. Satisfactory union was obtained in 40 cases without any major complication or additional surgical intervention, in spite of the large and in some cases infected defects. We conclude that this is a safe method for the treatment of infected or noninfected tibial bone defects.