From Ln2O2S to Ln10OS14: exploring the sulphur spectrum of trivalent lanthanoid oxysulphides.

While Ln2O2S oxysulphides have increasingly gained attention due to their structural and optoelectronic properties, an expansive compositional space lies beyond as the sulphur-to-oxygen ratio increases. In these oxysulphides, the compounded effect of the 4f states is manifold in the lanthanoid ions and the changing bonding and environment symmetry enables the tuning of their electronic structure and photophysical properties. Their challenging syntheses have made these materials largely unexplored, but recent efforts have been made to bridge the knowledge gap. In this article we present some of the structural characteristics and photophysical properties of the lanthanoid oxysulphide spectrum LnxOySz.

X-ray absorption spectroscopy insights on the structure anisotropy and charge transfer in Chevrel Phase chalcogenides.

The electronic structure and local coordination of binary (Mo6T8) and ternary Chevrel Phases (MxMo6T8) are investigated for a range of metal intercalant and chalcogen compositions. We evaluate differences in the Mo L3-edge and K-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure across the suite of chalcogenides MxMo6T8 (M = Cu, Ni, x = 1-2, T = S, Se, Te), quantifying the effect of compositional and structural modification on electronic structure. Furthermore, we highlight the expansion, contraction, and anisotropy of Mo6 clusters within these Chevrel Phase frameworks through extended X-ray absorption fine structure analysis. Our results show that metal-to-cluster charge transfer upon intercalation is dominated by the chalcogen acceptors, evidenced by significant changes in their respective X-ray absorption spectra in comparison to relatively unaffected Mo cations. These results explain the effects of metal intercalation on the electronic and local structure of Chevrel Phases across various chalcogen compositions, and aid in rationalizing electron distribution within the structure.

The role of prophylactic antibiotics in elective hand surgery.

The current literature has poorly defined the role of antibiotic agents in elective hand surgery. The reason for this may be due to a small number of well-designed studies specifically addressing the efficacy of antibiotics in hand surgery. Our purpose is to critically review the current literature in an attempt to more precisely define the role of prophylactic antibiotics in elective hand surgery.

A comparison of CT arthrography of the wrist to findings during wrist arthroscopy.

PURPOSE: To determine the accuracy of computed tomography after wrist arthrogram (CT arthrogram) compared with findings during wrist arthroscopy as interpreted by a musculoskeletal radiologist and a board-certified hand surgeon. METHODS: Seventy-six consecutive patients who had a wrist CT arthrogram and subsequent wrist arthroscopy were identified in the arthroscopic database of four hand surgeons working at a single institution between 2001 and 2006. Operative findings were obtained from the medical record. A single, blinded, musculoskeletal fellowship-trained radiologist prospectively read all CT arthrograms focusing on the following areas: scapholunate interosseous ligament (SLIL), lunotriquetral interosseous ligament (LTIL), peripheral and central triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC), and chondral surfaces. Computed tomography arthrograms were also read in a blinded, prospective fashion by a single hand surgeon. The results of both readings were compared with the findings at the time of wrist arthroscopy. RESULTS: Sixteen SLIL tears, 29 LTIL tears, 10 peripheral TFCC tears, and 33 central TFCC tears were identified at the time of wrist arthroscopy. Sensitivity and specificity of the CT arthrogram were calculated using arthroscopy findings as our reference standard. The radiologist's readings (sensitivity, specificity) revealed the following: SLIL (94%, 86%), LTIL (85%, 79%), peripheral TFCC (30%, 94%), and central TFCC (88%, 95%). Results of CT arthrogram readings by the hand surgeon were SLIL (94%, 82%), LTIL (97%, 81%), peripheral TFCC (40%, 97%), and central TFCC (91%, 85%). CONCLUSIONS: Computed tomography arthrogram of the wrist is highly accurate at detecting SLIL, LTIL, and central TFCC tears with high sensitivity and specificity. It is not as accurate at identifying peripheral tears.

Reconstruction of musculoskeletal defects following oncologic resection in 76 patients.

Between 1990 and 2002, 76 patients underwent 102 muscle flap reconstructions for extremity sarcomas. The patients had radical resection with immediate reconstruction. Reconstructions were performed by the Musculoskeletal Oncology and Plastic Surgery services. The mean age of our patients was 39.1 years. Patients were studied for a mean of 25.4 months. There were 79 pedicle flaps and 23 free flaps. Complications occurred in 23.7% of patients, including wound necroses, seromas, postoperative bleeding, postoperative infections, and flap loss. Five patients required a secondary flap procedure. The overall flap survival rate was 98%. Three patients had local recurrences. Sixteen patients (21.1%) have died of their disease. Five patients are alive with metastases. In 54 patients, Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) functional evaluation scores averaged 27.1 (range, 12-30). In this large series of patients, we have demonstrated that, although minor complications are common, functional limbs can be salvaged following oncologic resection from the extremities.