Understanding the langmuir and Langmuir-Schaefer film conformation of low-bandgap polymers and their bulk heterojunctions with PCBM.

Low-bandgap polymers are widely used as p-type components in photoactive layers of organic solar cells, due to their ability to capture a large portion of the solar spectrum. The comprehension of their supramolecular assembly is crucial in achieving high-performance organic electronic devices. Here we synthezed two exemplar low-bandgap cyclopentadithiophene (CPDT):diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP)-based polymers, with either a twelve carbon (C12) or a tri etyleneglycol (TEG) side chains on the DPP units (respectively denoted PCPDTDPP_C12 and PCPDTDPP_TEG).

Minimally invasive total knee replacement: techniques and results.

In this review, we outlined the definition of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) in total knee replacement (TKR) and described the different surgical approaches reported in the literature. Afterwards, we went through the most recent studies assessing MIS TKR. Next, we searched for potential limitations of MIS knee replacement and tried to answer the following questions: Are there selective criteria and specific patient selection for MIS knee surgery? If there are, then what are they? After all, a discussion and conclusion completed this article.

Is it worth screening elective orthopaedic patients for carriage of Staphylococcus aureus? A part-retrospective case-control study in a Scottish hospital.

Background: With recent focus on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) screening, methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) has been overlooked. MSSA infections are costly and debilitating in orthopaedic surgery.

Prevalence and characteristics of noise in a series of 282 ceramic-on-ceramic total hip arthroplasties.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of noise with ceramic-on-ceramic (COC) bearings in total hip arthroplasty (THA). We evaluated if patients wished be counseled about this and its potential consequences preoperatively.

Methods: Two hundred eighty-two primary cementless THAs were performed in 260 patients (124 males and 136 females), with a mean age 68.

The ethical and practical challenges of patient noncompliance in orthopaedic surgery.

A fifty-five-year old man attends a trauma follow-up clinic six weeks after undergoing primary repair of a zone-II finger flexor tendon laceration. The patient has a history of substance abuse and has been noncompliant with postoperative treatment. He has not attended any postoperative outpatient or physiotherapy appointments, he removed his splint immediately on discharge, and he admits to moving the finger freely without restrictions, against advice.

Outcome after sequential hip fracture in the elderly.

Background: Hip fracture is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in the elderly. As the risk factors for hip fracture often persist after the original injury, patients remain at risk for sequential fractures. Our aim was to report the incidence, epidemiology, and outcome of sequential hip fracture in the elderly.

Outcome after short intramedullary nail fixation of unstable proximal femoral fractures.

In this study we assess the clinical and radiological outcomes after surgical fixation of unstable, extracapsular fractures of the proximal femur using two designs of short intramedullary nail. We reviewed 158 patients of which 131 had fixation using the Intra Medullary Hip Screw (IMHS original Richards Compression Hip Screw design) and 27 with the original design Proximal Femoral Nail (PFN Synthes). Outcome measures including non-union, peri-implant fracture, post-operative function and mortality were similar between groups.

The vastus medialis obliquus insertion: a classification system relevant to minimally invasive TKA.

When performing minimally invasive total knee arthroplasty, the level of the vastus medialis obliquus (VMO) insertion is important, as a distal insertion may prevent a true quadriceps-sparing approach. We have previously reported a variable VMO insertion to the patella. In this article we propose a simple classification system to describe the level of insertion of the VMO, the purpose of which is to enable accurate documentation during minimally invasive approaches to the knee.

Variation of the vastus medialis obliquus insertion and its relevance to minimally invasive total knee arthroplasty.

The aim of the study was to assess population variation of the vastus medialis obliquus (VMO) insertion to the patella. Sixty-five magnetic resonance imaging studies and 18 cadaver specimens were studied. The VMO insertion was expressed as a percentage of patellar length.

Relearning the lesson -- amelanotic malignant melanoma: a case report.

Although not as common as the other melanomas, amelanotic melanoma often evades diagnosis by masquerading as other pathology. A high index of suspicion is therefore required for early and appropriate intervention. We present a patient who was diagnosed and managed as having paronychia of the middle finger while in actual fact he had a subungual amelanotic melanoma.

Using navigation intraoperative measurements narrows range of outcomes in TKA.

Unlabelled: Computer-assisted technology creates a new approach to total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The primary purpose of this technology is to improve component placement and soft tissue balance. We asked whether the use of navigation techniques would lead to a narrow range of implant alignment in both coronal and sagittal planes and throughout the flexion-extension range.

A cadaveric study to assess the accuracy of computer-assisted surgery in locating the hip center during total knee arthroplasty.

Computer-assisted technology allows the accurate location of inaccessible landmarks such as the center of the hip in total hip arthroplasty. Using 7 fresh normal cadaveric hips, we conducted 2 studies. The first study compared iliac (A) vs no iliac (B) tracking.

Computer-assisted dynamic total knee arthroplasty using Whiteside's line for alignment.

Computer-assisted navigation enables surgeons to measure and assess knee behavior during surgery, allowing real-time monitoring of the knee ranging from extension to flexion. Documenting passive motion before and after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) enabled the authors to analyze knee kinematics. Passive knee motion cannot predict full weight bearing knee behavior, the "crucial moment of truth" for TKA.

Minimally invasive navigated knee surgery: a European perspective.

European surgeons and North American surgeons have different approaches to minimally invasive total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Computer-assisted navigation emphasizes these differences. In this article, the author rethinks what surgeons are trying to achieve and notes that quality control is demanded by patients and surgeons.

Doctor, can I drive with this plaster? An evidence based response.

The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of the commonly used below elbow plaster casts on driving ability. The position of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency and five motor insurance companies is established. The study aims to help doctors decide whether or not a patient is fit to drive with a plaster cast.