High-quality GaN films have been grown on Si(111) substrate by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition using a SixNy inserting layer. Due to the large difference of lattice constant and thermal expansion coefficient between GaN and Si,GaN growth on Si(111) substrate usually leads to an initially high dislocation density and cracks. It is found that the SixNy inserting layer plays a very important role in the enhancement of crystal quality and surface morphology of GaN films. The crystalline quality of overlying GaN layer grown on SixNy inserting layer depends on the deposition time of SixNy inserting layer. The high-resolution x-ray diffraction results show that the dislocation density in GaN epilayer decreases with increasing SixNy growth time. It was confirmed that the misfit dislocations in the GaN films with 5min deposition time for SixNy inserting layer almost stop at the SixNy inserting layer by transmission electron microscope measurements.

BackgroundSubcapital femoral neck is known to cause many complications, such as avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head or nonunion, compared with other femoral neck fractures. The purpose of this study was to analyze the incidence of AVN and fixation failures in patients treated with internal fixation using cannulated screws for the subcapital femoral neck fractures.MethodsThis study targeted a total of 84 cases of subcapital femoral neck fractures that underwent internal fixation using cannulated screws. The average follow-up time after surgery was 36.8 months (range, 24 to 148 months).ResultsNine hips (10.7%) showing AVN of the femoral head and 6 hips (7.1%) showing fixation failures were observed. The factors affecting the incidence of AVN of the femoral head after sustaining fractures correlated well with fracture types in the Garden classification (p = 0.030). The factors affecting fixation failure were the degree of reduction (p = 0.001) measured by the Garden alignment index and firm fixation (p = 0.009) assessed using the technique of 3-point fixation through the inferomedial cortical bone of the femoral neck.ConclusionsThe complication rates for subcapital femoral neck fractures were lower than those previously reported; hence, internal fixation could be a primary treatment option for these fractures.

An image analysis processing method for the measurement of nanofiber diameter was developed. For the analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of electrospun fiber were prepared and applied to the individual measurement of the fiber diameter by using the developed and the traditional manual methods. Both methods provided a similar fiber distribution. The fiber average diameters were similar but the variance of the new method was larger than that of the manual method. The average diameters from the two methods exhibited a linear relationship with a high coefficient. The developed method can be used as a practical tool to estimate the fiber diameter of the electrospun web.

Rich in bioactive substances such as amino acids and peptides, Laennec (human placenta hydrolysate) has been widely used to control various types of musculoskeletal pain. However, the effects of Laennec on tendon and ligament injuries are not clearly understood. In the present study, Laennec was tested to identify its in vivo effects on ligament injury in an animal model and its in vitro effects on tendon-derived fibrocytes. A total of 99 Sprague Dawley rats were divided into the negative control (normal) group (n 11) and the ligament injury group (n 88). The ligament injury group was subdivided into normal saline-treated group, Laennec-treated group, polydeoxyribonucleotide-treated group, and 20% dextrose-treated group. Ligaments were collected at 1 week and 4 weeks after treatment. Histologic and biomechanical properties were analyzed. In vitro effects of Laennec and polydeoxyribonucleotide on fibrocytes were also analyzed. Although all other treatment groups showed increased inflammatory cells, the Laennec-treated group maintained cell counts and activated macrophage levels that were similar to the normal group. Unlike the saline-treated group and dextrose-treated group, the Laennec-treated group had low levels of degenerative changes at 4 weeks after treatment. Supportively, in vitro results showed that the Laennec-treated group had increased collagen type I, scleraxis (Scx) and tenomodulin (Tnmd) expression (p < 0.05). Our study demonstrates that Laennec treatment enhances wound healing of damaged ligament by suppressing immune responses and reducing degenerative changes of damaged ligament. In addition, we found that Laennec induces the gene expression of type I collagen, Scx and Tnmd in fibrocytes, suggesting that Laennec may facilitate regeneration of damaged ligaments. Therefore, we expect that Laennec can be a useful drug to treat injured ligament.

The drainage clamping method can be safer than IA-TXA administration in patients with risk factor of venous thromboembolic complication. Furthermore, the IA-TXA administration can be more optimal than drainage clamping in patients with high bleeding tendency or lateral retinacular release during TKR, who would be concerned about postoperative wound complication.