Near-infrared mechanoluminescence sensor: A new method for on-site infrastructure detection.

Near-infrared mechanoluminescence is a phenomenon that produces high penetrating near-infrared light under external stimulation. Near-infrared light coincides with the biological window, lower optical loss, and the fact that the mechanoluminescence material is a medium that converts mechanical energy into light energy. The near-infrared mechanoluminescence material has potential application prospects in the fields of biological imaging, medical diagnosis, and monitoring of building materials. In this article, we report on a perovskite-type Sr3Sn2O7:Nd3+ near-infrared mechanoluminescence material, and its peaks locate in the first near-infrared window (800-1000 nm) and the second near-infrared window (1080, 1350 nm), respectively. Under the condition of pre-sintering with Li2CO3 as flux, the best sintering conditions are obtained, and the luminescence of material is in perfect agreement with the applied mechanical stress. In addition, a near-infrared mechanoluminescence sensor is proposed to solve the problem of building damage and timely maintenance.

[Mini-open repair for the treatment of acute closed achilles tendon ruptures].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of mini-open repair for the treatment of acute closed achilles tendon ruptures. METHODS: From April 2012 and October 2013,14 patients (14 feet) with acute closed achilles tendon ruptures were treated in our department. They were 9 males and 5 females, with an average age of 30.5 years old (ranged, 25 to 49 years old). The interval between injury and operation ranged from 1 to 13 days (8 days on average). A longitudinal incision approximately 1.5 to 2.0 cm in length was made around the ruptured achilles tendon for mini-open repair after insertion of oval clamp. Postoperative rehabilitation was carried out. RESULTS: The wounds healed at the first stage except 2 cases with slow recovery. All the patients were followed up for 6 to 24 months, with an average of 11 months. According to the ankle-hindfoot scoring system of American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS),the score was 92.71 ± 6.58 (82 to 100). CONCLUSION: The surgical treatment of acute achilles tendon rupture with mini-open repair has advantages of little invasion, a low rate of incision problems, quick function recovery, and simple operation, and it is suitable for primary hospital.

[The lateral superior genicular artery perforator iliotibial band flap for the treatment of scar contraction of popliteal fossa].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss clinical results of the lateral superior genicular artery perforator iliotibial band flap for the treatment of scar contracture of popliteal fossa. METHODS: Form January 1999 to December 2011, 11 patients with scar contraction of popliteal fossa were treated with the lateral superior genicular artery perforator iliotibial band flap. Among the patients, 7 patients were male and 4 patients were female,ranging in age from 24 to 58 years old,with an average of 33 years old. The operation time ranged from 3 months to 1 year after trauma. Eight patients had injuries in the right side and 3 patients had the injuries in the left. Five patients had the injuries caused by traffic,3 patients had the injuries caused by hot compression and other 3 patients suffered from burns. The flap area ranged from 7.0 cm x 4.0 cm to 20.0 cm x 8.0 cm. RESULTS: All the flaps survived. Three patients had epidermis necrosis. After 5 months to 2 years follow-up period,the knee function recovered,the flap shape was favorable and the skin firmness was moderated. CONCLUSION: The lateral superior genicular artery perforator iliotibial band flap is a practical, simple and an ideal donor in the reconstruction of popliteal fossa scar contracture.

[Effectiveness of modified extensor indicis proprius tendon transfer for reconstruction of spontaneously ruptured extensor pollicis longus tendon].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of modified extensor indicis proprius (EIP) tendon transfer for reconstruction of spontaneously ruptured extensor pollicis longus (EPL) tendon by comparing with the traditional EIP tendon transfer. METHODS: Between January 2009 and December 2011, 11 cases of spontaneously ruptured EPL tendon were treated by modified EIP tendon transfer to reconstruct extension function (modified group). On the base of traditional procedure, the proximal end of EPL tendon was sutured with EIP tendon and the distal end of EIP tendon was crossed round extensor pollicis brevis (EPB) tendon and sutured back with EPL tendon. A specific EI-EPL evaluation method (SEEM) was used to measure the EPL tendon function after transfer. The result was compared with that of the other 18 cases undergoing traditional operation (traditional group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, and injury causes between 2 groups (P > 0.05). RESULTS: All incisions healed by first intention. In traditional group, 5 cases were out of follow-up, and the other 24 cases were followed up 1 year and 6 months on average (range, 8 months-2 years and 6 months). At the last follow-up, according to the evaluation of SEEM, the thumb elevation and flexion deficits of modified group were significantly less than those of traditional group (P < 0.05). The independent elevation deficit of the index finger of modified group was similar to that of traditional group (P > 0.05). The effectiveness was excellent in 9 cases and good in 2 cases with an excellent and good rate of 100% in modified group, and was excellent in 5 cases, good in 6 cases, and fair in 2 cases with an excellent and good rate of 84.6%. The effectiveness of modified group was significantly better than that of traditional group (chi2 = 0.03, P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Reconstruction of EPL tendon function by modified EIP tendon transfer is effective and easy. It can increase strength of the transferred tendon and obtain satisfactory results, but the long-term effectiveness needs further follow-up.