Film thickness effect on structural, optical and electrical properties of indium oxide (In2O3) thin films grown via sol-gel method

In this work, we investigated the effect of the thickness on structural, morphological, optical, and electrical properties of In2O3 thin films synthesized via by sol–gel spin coating technique. The prepared samples were characterized by various techniques including X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectra, UV-Vis-NIR spectrophotometer as well as the electrical measurements via the four-probe technique. The XRD analysis reveals that the films have a cubic crystalline structure, with (222) preferential orientation. The crystallite size values of the films were varied from 14 to 27 nm. The (SEM) images indicated that the homogenous and smooth surface with better adherent to the substrate surface. The EDX spectrum reveals the presence of In and O element necessary for In2O3 films for film formation. Excess of oxygen is observed due to the substrate contribution. The transmittance results exhibit that the films are highly transparent, more than 75% in the visible range from 400 nm to 800 nm is measured. The estimated band gap energy is found to increase with increasing film thickness (3.37–3.7 eV). The electrical resistivity of the In2O3 thin films substantially decreases with the increasing film thickness from 1.48×10-4 to 1.3×10-3 Ω.cm.

Primary liposarcoma of the fibular head: A rare location for a rare tumor: A case report

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This article aims to present a rare tumor due to its nature and location. Which will allow professionals a rapid recognition and adequate management of this type of tumor.

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It also presents the peculiarities of histological diagnosis.

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Our work talks about the specificity of the management of fibular head tumors.

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Finally it deals with the stability of the knee post-surgery.

Introduction

Primary bone liposarcoma are extremely rare tumors and their location in the fibular head is exceptional.

Case report

A 19 year-old patient with a pain on the lateral of the proximal leg. The X-ray found an osteolytic lesion; MRI of the knee revealed a proximal epiphyseal-metaphyseal lesion process of the right fibula contours with cortical lysis and local medullary damage. The pathological study, follow by the immunohistochemical exam and the FISH concluded in an amplification of MDM2 (Murine double minute 2) confirming the presence of a liposarcoma.

Discussion

The primary bone localization of liposarcomas remains rare. Their localization at the level of the fibular head is exceptional. The proximal fibula is mainly affected by benign tumors, in particular giant cell. Malignant tumors localized to the head of the fibula as well as aggressive benign tumors most often require en bloc resection.

Conclusion

Although rare, primary liposarcomas can localize to the head of the fibula. It is necessary to establish a clinical, radiological and histological diagnosis for adequate management.

Compression of the peroneal nerve by a neurofibroma originating from collaterals of the peroneal nerve: a case report

BACKGROUND

Paralysis of the external popliteal sciatic nerve is a frequent pathological condition that occurs after trauma. However, etiologies other than trauma, such as tumors, are also possible. The sensory collaterals of the external popliteal sciatic nerve have a small territory of innervation at the knee, and tumors involving these nerves become symptomatic after compression of the motor nerves. We here describe the first reported case of this phenomenon.

CASE PRESENTATION

This case involved a lesion compressing the origin of the external popliteal sciatic nerve of a 13-year-old Moroccan boy diagnosed with a neurofibroma. He developed functional impairment of his left lower limb during a football game, and examination revealed a steppage gait. The initial diagnosis was stretching of the peroneal nerve. The definitive diagnosis of a neurofibroma was revealed by imaging and confirmed by surgery and pathology. Treatment involved total removal of the tumor; however, our patient's steppage gait persisted.

CONCLUSIONS

Our patient developed compression of the external popliteal sciatic nerve from a tumor growing on a collateral nerve. Early diagnosis is an absolute necessity in such cases. Trauma and tumors of sensory nerves can distort the diagnosis, as in this case. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging can contribute to an accurate diagnosis in patients with neuropathy in the absence trauma or tomacula.

Floating thumb metacarpal in a motorcyclist: A case report

We present a case of simultaneous dislocation of the carpometacarpal and the metacarpophalangeal joints of the thumb (floating thumb metacarpal) in a 47-year-old motorcyclist. The treatment consisted of closed reduction of both joints with cast immobilization. After 24 months, the functional result was excellent. The mechanism of this rare injury and its therapeutic management are discussed.

Parametric investigations on proton conducting membrane by radiation induced grafting of 4-vinylpyridine onto poly(vinylidene fluoride) and phosphoric acid doping

Proton conducting membrane composed of grafted basic moiety doped with phosphoric acid (PA) was studied. The membrane denoted as PVDF-g-4-VP/PA was prepared by radiation induced grafting of 4-vinylpyridine (4-VP) onto poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) films followed by doping with PA. The effect of grafting conditions on the degree of grafting (G%) was investigated. The acid doping conditions (G%, time and PA concentration) were also investigated with respect to doping level. The grafted precursors and the acid doped membranes were characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The membranes showed a thermal stability up to a temperature of ∼ 160 ℃, above which they undergo a multi-step degradation pattern due to decomposition of the protonated functions, poly(4VP) grafts and PVDF matrix, respectively. The proton conductivities of the membranes were found to increase with the increase in G% ( doping level) and the temperature with a maximum proton conductivity of 62 mS cm−1 achieved at 100 ℃ without any humidification. The results of the present study show that the prepared membrane has a potential to be proposed for operating polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell above 80 ℃.

Dislocation of the elbow with ipsilateral forearm fracture. Six particular cases

Elbow dislocation associated with ipsilateral radial shaft fracture is an infrequent injury (nine cases reported in the literature). We present six new cases observed between 2006 and 2012, with an average age of 31 years and a mean follow-up of 18 months. The forearm fracture and ipsilateral dislocation of the elbow were probably caused by forearm hypersupination with extension of the elbow. The dislocation was reduced by manipulation before open reduction and osteosynthesis of the forearm fracture. Four elbows were stable after reduction; two markedly unstable elbows necessitated temporary humero-ulnar external fixation; one case needed a ligamentoplasty several months later. Despite the complexity of the traumatic lesion, the clinical and radiological outcomes were acceptable.

Conservative management of a high output enterocutaneous fistula in abdominal tuberculosis

A 25-year-old lady with a high-output, tuberculous, entero-cutaneous fistula was managed successfully by conservative means in a teaching hospital in Nairobi, Kenya.

[The digital external fixator, new equipment (24 cases report)]

Phalangeal fractures and osteoarticular infections can be challenging injuries to manage, and their treatment is frequently complicated by deformity and stiffness. External fixation techniques have a well-established role in the treatment of these injuries. The mini-Hoffman external fixator is a particularly simple apparatus in design and in application. We report a technique of digital external fixator with a new original material developed in the service. It is an inexpensive and simple technique with good stability. The technical procedure is simple, consisting of two joints, Kirchner pins, 4mm diameter screwdrivers and a motor. Between 2001 and 2006, we used this method to treat 24 patients in a prospective study. The mean age was 35 years (range 16 to 68 years) with a male predominance, left hand predominance (14 cases), and carpenter's hand was the most frequent indication (11 cases). Mean duration of follow-up was two years (6 months to 5 years). Functional results were excellent in 12 cases and bad in six cases. Complications included a case of ischemic necrosis of the finger, two cases of secondary displacement, three cases of sepsis, two cases of algodystrophy and a case of pseudoarthrosis.

Morphology of human myocardial bridges and association with coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND

The functional significance of myocardial bridging remains controversial. The bridge morphology and structure of the tunneled vessels may modify its ultimate clinical effects.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the morphological characteristics of myocardial bridges and their influence on coronary histology.

DESIGN

A descriptive cross-sectional study.

METHODS

One hundred and nine formalin-fixed adult hearts were evaluated by dissection for these data: prevalence, site, lengths and depths of myocardial bridges. Vessel segments proximal and distal to the bridged portion were also processed for histology and stained to elaborate smooth muscle, collagen and elastic fibers. Stereology was also employed to compare the relative sizes of the tunica intima and the vessel wall to lumen ratios.

RESULTS

Myocardial bridges were found in 40.4% of the hearts, most commonly in the left anterior descending artery (LAD). The average length of the bridges was 22.66 +11.94 mm while the depth was 1.83+ 0.98mm, with only 11% being long (34.87mm - 50mm) and 9% of them being deep (3.46mm - 5.00mm). The tunica intima was thickest proximal to and thinnest under the myocardial bridge. The intima of the proximal segment was also more elastic. An elaborate perivascular 'cushion' of adipose tissue intervened between the intramural coronary and the surrounding myocardium.

CONCLUSIONS

Most myocardial bridges are superficial and short. Tunica intima under myocardial bridges is spared from "atherogenesis". The thick perivascular space around the bridged segment may protect it from extreme compression.

[Rare localization of an aggressive epithelioid sarcoma in an adolescent]

Epithelioid sarcoma is a rare soft-tissue sarcoma affecting mostly young adult males. It is exceptional under the age of 20. Diagnosis is by histiochemistry. Treatment is mainly wide surgical excision. The normal evolution is local spread followed by generalized metastasis. We report a case of epithelioid sarcoma of the left arm in a 16-year old adolescent of 8 months duration.

Anatomical variations of the carotid arteries in adult Kenyans

OBJECTIVE

To describe the topography and anatomical variations of the carotid arteries among Kenyans.

DESIGN

A descriptive cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Department of Human Anatomy, University of Nairobi.

SUBJECTS

Eighty carotid arteries of forty cadavers were dissected.

RESULTS

The bifurcation of the commonest carotid artery was high (above the reference points) in 63.8% of vessels and the external carotid was antero-lateral to the internal carotid artery in 30% of the vessels. A linguo-facial trunk was the most common variation of the external carotid artery. The origin of the right common carotid artery was high and low in 10% and 2.6% of vessels respectively.

CONCLUSION

The carotid arteries show important variability and thus emphasise caution for clinicians during surgical procedures in the neck.

Gender-associated violence at a women's hospital in Nairobi, Kenya

OBJECTIVE

To describe the pattern of gender-associated violence amongst adult survivors.

DESIGN

Descriptive case analysis of prospectively collected data.

SETTING

The gender violence and recovery centre (GVRC), a shelter and violence treatment facility for the gender-associated violence at the Nairobi Women's hospital (NWH).

SUBJECTS

Data on 663 consecutive adult patients who presented to GVRC between February 2003 and April 2004 were evaluated.

RESULTS

The patients age ranged from 18 to 74 years (mean 27.7 years). Four hundred and eight patients (61.5%) presented following sexual assault. Most of assaults were perpetrated at night. A stranger was the assault perpetrator in 75.1% and 2% of sexual and non-sexual assault respectively. An intimate partner was the perpetrator in majority (86.5%) of nonsexual violence. Most physical injuries were minor bruises and swellings. The rate of positive spermatozoa from high vaginal swabs was only 15.9% in cases of sexual assault. Sexual assault was significantly associated with single status of the victim and assault by more than one assailant.

CONCLUSIONS

Violence against women is a common public health problem in the city of Nairobi. Women are vulnerable both in and out of the home. More efforts, including massive public education, are needed to protect this vulnerable population.

An unusual abdominal mass: case report

The causes of intra-abdominal masses associated with chronic abdominal pain range from the benign to malignant; common to bizarre and some raise major medical-legal issues. We present a case of a 40-year old African lady who presented with chronic right-sided abdominal pain with an associated mass on the right mid-abdomen. She had had a Caesarian section one year prior to presentation. Antecedent history of surgery and typical imaging features enabled a preoperative diagnosis of abdominal mass secondary to retained surgical gauze. The case illustrates the fallibility of the men and women in the operating theatres and the vital role of correct instrument and sponge counts.

Ostéome ostéoïde du lunatum: à propos d'un cas

The Osteoid Ostéome is a benign tumour which affects the young subjects and is electively located on the level of the long bones. We report a hyperalgic form of the lunatum in a young student with which surgical excision with bone-graft allowed the cure.

Perforated Meckel's diverticulitis presenting as a mesenteric abscess: case report

Only 2% of patients with Meckel's diverticulae (MD) will manifest clinical problems. Diverticulitis occurs in approximately 10-20% of patients with symptomatic MD and more often in the elderly population. We report a case of Meckels diverticulitis presenting with perforation and mesenteric abscess in a young African man. The authors present information on diagnostic pitfalls and advise a lower threshold for consideration of MD as a differential diagnosis of acute right iliac fossa pain especially when the CT scan denotes a normal appendix in a male patient.

[Ewing's sarcoma of the hand: a case report]

Ewing's sarcoma of the hand is rare. This tumor was first described in 1921, since then, only a few cases with hand involvement have been reported. We report a case of Ewing's sarcoma of the left hand, presenting as a swelling of the hand gradually enlarging over six months. Plain radiographs showed marked osteolysis of the second, third and fourth metacarpals. Histological confirmation was made following biopsy. Despite amputation and post-operative chemotherapy, death occurred two months later due marrow aplasia.

[Cubital tunnel syndrome and heterotopic ossification. Eight case reports]

INTRODUCTION

The occurrence of cubital tunnel syndrome during heterotopic ossification is infrequent. Entrapment of the nerve requires early decompression whereas definitive elbow release is often delayed to reduce the risk of recurrence of periarticular ossification. The pathophysiology and treatment of these two conditions are discussed.

METHOD

The authors report a retrospective study of eight men (average age 37 years), all with previous head injury. The nerve entrapment was severe in two cases, moderate in four and mild in two. The elbow was ankylosed with a mean flexion deformity of 96 degrees (77 degrees-123 degrees). Management consisted of early decompression and neurolysis with anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve. In four cases elbow release was postponed until maturation of the ossification.

RESULTS

The neurolysis results were assessed according to the score of KLEIMAN modified by TEOH. They were excellent in two cases, good in five and bad in one.

DISCUSSION

Entrapment of the ulnar nerve in the context of heterotopic ossification seems related to compression and tension on the ulnar nerve. The compression may be due to prolonged pressure of the medial edge of the elbow on the bed of the nerve, or to a periarticular bony bridge and the initial inflammatory reaction of the heterotopic ossification. Ulnar nerve tension seems to be due to prolonged flexion of the elbow joint and to movements of the shoulder and the wrist, on either side of the ankyrozed elbow. Treatment should be by early decompression of the nerve and we recommend, in addition, anterior transposition to reduce the tension on the nerve. The elbow release can be combined with the neurolysis or delayed according to the state of activity of the heterotopic ossification.

[Hand trauma from table saw: best prevention]

OBJECTIVE

Trauma to the hand from a circular saw table is a common occurrence in developing countries. It tends to occur in young people, leading to psychologic- and socio-economic disability and loss.

METHOD AND RESULTS

In this series of 834 patients. The mean age was 25 years. The left hand was involved in 88%. The authors report on the epidemiologic features of these lesions. These accidents are correlated with postprandial somnolence. The most frequent causes are absence of security systems and heterogeneity of the wood.

DISCUSSION

The authors emphasize the importance of information for workers, using consciousness raising campaigns. They also stress the necessity of improvement of the conditions of work. Professional formation must be mandatory for young woodworkers and the laws concerning utilization of dangerous machines must be rigorously enforced, in order to lower the incidence of these accidents.

Le traitement cœliochirurgical des tumeurs des annexes de l’utérus après le premier trimestre de la grossesse

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

To study the feasibility, advantages and risks of laparoscopic management of adnexal tumors in the course of the last two trimesters of the pregnancy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Retrospective study of a series of 25 cases of adnexal tumors operated by laparoscopy in the course of the second and the third trimester of pregnancy, during a period of 49 Months from 1st January 1999 to 30 January 2003.

RESULTS

Mean gestational age at surgery was 16 weeks 3 days (range 12-29 weeks). The adnexal tumor was an ovarian cyst in 24 cases and in a paratubal cyst in a single case. Conversion was necessary in only one case due to difficult hemostasis. One revision required for borderline malignancy cystadenoma was performed laparoscopically during the same pregnancy. No operative complication was noted. Average post-operative stay was 36 hours (range 24-72 hours). There was one situation of eminent abortion in early the postoperative period but no thromboembolic complications. The pregnancy progress was normal after laparoscopy.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic treatment of adnexal tumors is feasible in the course of the last two trimesters of the pregnancy in the hands of an experienced surgeon using advanced techniques. The well-known advantages of laparoscopy are particularly important during the pregnancy.

[Uterine rupture of the unscarred uterus. About 28 cases]

OBJECTIVES

To determine the etiologic factors explaining the appearance of uterine rupture on unscarred gravid uterus and to value the maternal and foetal prognosis of this complication.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The authors report a study of 28 cases of uterine rupture on unscarred gravid uterus, recorded between January 1989 and December 1997, at the department of obstetrics and gynecology, Farhat Hached University Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia.

RESULTS

Out of the 72283 deliveries during the study period, there were 28 ruptured uteri of unscarred uterus giving a hospital incidence of one in 2581 deliveries. Multiparity, neglected labour dystocia and obstetric procedure were the common etiologic factors accused in the occurring of this complication. To be added to these factors: the low socio-economic status of the patients and lack of antenatal care. The surgical management was conservative (repair) in 19 cases (67.9%); hysterectomy was indicated in nine cases (32.1%). Maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality were important: we deplore two maternal deaths (7.1%) and seven fetal deaths (24.1%).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Uterine rupture on unscarred uterus is a relatively rare complication of the pregnancy. However, its incidence remains high in developing countries. Its occurrence is significantly associated with grandmultiparity, lack of antenatal care and low socio-economic status of the patients.

[Value of cerebral tomodensitometry in Behcet's disease with neurological manifestations (50 cases)]

The authors report a retrospective study of 50 CT Scan made for patients suffering from Behçet's disease with neurological manifestations. Neuro-Behçet can affect all the central nervous system structures with particular predilection to the brain stem, internal capsula and basal brain ganglia. The authors emphasize on the importance of CT Scan for the diagnosis, the severity evaluation of the neurological impairment and for the Neuro-Behcet's prognosis.

Characterisation of the protein matrix of quality control sera by a high resolution two-dimensional electrophoresis technique

A high resolution two-dimensional electrophoresis technique (Iso-Dalt) has been employed to characterise the protein components of freshly drawn human serum and various human- and animal-based quality control sera. This technique allows a direct comparison to be made between the protein components of different materials. Similarities have been demonstrated between the protein components (protein matrix) of freshly drawn human serum and human-, equine- and bovine-based control sera, though some differences existed between sera from these three sources, mainly in the acidic high molecular weight quadrant and the lipoprotein and haptoglobin regions. The Iso-Dalt technique also revealed differences in the protein matrices of the various human-based quality control sera tested. Differences attributable to manufacturing technique were also discernible by inspection of the two-dimensional maps of the protein matrices. Although characterisation and comparison of protein components of the matrix of serum is difficult, the Iso-Dalt technique has proved a valuable tool in this characterisation and the subsequent assessment of the similarity of quality control sera to human serum. This type of information is valuable when considering the suitability of human- or animal-based sera for use in internal and external quality control procedures.

Alkaline phosphatase activity in lyophilised quality control serum

The rise in alkaline phosphatase activity has been studied after reconstitution of 16 commercial preparations of lyophilised quality control material. The effects of storage temperature and analytical method on the rise in activity have also been studied, with a view to producing a reconstitution protocol suitable for recommendation to participants in external quality control surveys. Great differences were found in the magnitude of this rise in activity; these differences can be reduced to negligible levels if the material is mixed for 30 minutes at ambient temperature after reconstitution and then stored for not more than 4 hours at 4 degrees C before assay.