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A comprehensive study of the Li-rich phase boundary of the intermediate Li 17 Sn 4 compound is given based on thermochemical and electrochemical investigations. From the results a partial phase diagram showing the homogeneity range of this phase could be constructed. Using these results, the defect mechanism for the compound Li 17 Sn 4 could also be clarified. Galvanostatic coulometry with potential limitation (GCPL) was performed using 2032 coin cell equipment. This allowed for the determination of the amount of Li insertion on special crystallographic sites at 25 °C, which is 0.41 ± 0.04 at.%. The respective Li loss mechanisms (solid electrolyte interface formation, Li plating, Li trapping) are discussed. Irreversible capacity according to Li trapping could be excluded due to the limited voltage window of the experiments. Moreover, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was carried out on two individual Tian-Calvet type calorimeters. The Li-rich boundary of the Li 17 Sn 4 compound was determined at 81.31 ± 0.04 (C-80) and 81.28 ± 0.05 at.% Li (M-HTC) at 427 °C. In addition, the latter results were compared to the change of lattice parameters of alloys with compositions Li 17+x Sn 4 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: We present a large study of patients with proximal fibula resection. Moreover we describe a new classification system for tumour resection of the proximal fibula independent of the tumour differentiation.Methods: In 57 patients the functional and clinical outcomes were evaluated. The follow-up ranged between six months and 22.2 years (median 7.2 years). The indication for surgery was benign tumours in ten cases and malignant tumours in 47 cases. In 13 of 45 patients, where a resection of the lateral ligament complex was done, knee instability occurred. In 32 patients a resection of the peroneal nerve with resulting peroneal palsy was necessary.Results: Patients with peroneal resection had significantly worse functional outcome than patients without peroneal resection. An ankle foot orthosis was tolerated well by these patients. Three of four patients with pathological tibia fracture had local radiation therapy. There was no higher risk of tibia fracture in patients with partial tibial resection.Conclusions: Resection of tumours in the proximal fibula can cause knee instability, peroneal palsy and in cases of local radiation therapy, a higher risk of delayed wound healing and fracture. Despite the risks of proximal fibula resection, good functional results can be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to present the clinical and functional results of revision surgery after failed hip endoprostheses using the Modular Universal Tumour And Revision System (MUTARS®). Functional results of the hip endoprostheses were recorded by applying the Harris hip score. The extent of the presurgical radiological bone defect was measured according to the classification system of the German orthopaedic association (DGOOC). Indications for revision surgery on 45 patients (21 female, 24 male) were aseptic loosening (19 patients), infection (16 patients), or periprosthetic fracture (Vancouver classification B2, B3 and C, in nine patients). Revision surgery was performed after 8.6 years on average (min. 0.6; max. 14.25 years). Large defects of the proximal femur (80% medial or lateral diaphysis; 20% meta-diaphysis according to DGOOC classification) were adequately reconstructed. The average follow-up was 38.6 months. Complications occurred in eight patients: one luxation, two aseptic loosenings, and five reinfections were diagnosed. The Harris hip score (presurgical 30; postsurgical 78) showed significant improvement after revision surgery. Regarding the extent of the patients' bone defects, good functional results were achieved. The comparatively low number of luxations and loosenings is due to the high modularity of the prosthesis with arbitrary antetorsion in the hip joint. However, high reinfection rates in mega-implants still constitute a problem and should be the subject of further studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To determine the prognostic significance of β-catenin in aggressive fibromatosis and to identify potential molecular markers for new targeted therapies. Methods and results: A tissue microarray of 37 cases of deep aggressive fibromatosis was constructed and subjected to immunohistochemical analysis for β-catenin, p53, smooth muscle actin (SMA), desmin, Ki67, c-erbB2, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), c-kit, CD34 and S100. Complete clinical follow-up was available for 23 patients. Nuclear β-catenin expression was associated with an increased rate of local tumour recurrence (60.0% 1-year and 0% 5-year event-free survival; P < 0.05). Furthermore, p53 expression was associated with an increased risk of tumour recurrence (50% 1-year event-free survival rate and 0% 5-years event-free survival rate, P < 0.05). The coexpression of p53 and β-catenin was significantly correlated ( P < 0.05). No statistically significant association was seen between MIB1 and p53 or β-catenin expression, respectively. No expression of EGFR, c-erbB2 or c-kit was seen. Conclusions: The overexpression of β-catenin and p53 is associated with a decreased event-free survival in deep aggressive fibromatosis. Further studies are required to establish whether these findings can lead to an improvement in the treatment of this rare neoplasm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Infection associated with prosthesis used after tumor resection is a common and serious complication. The purpose of the current retrospective study was to describe the course of infection in patients with a tumor endoprosthesis and the determination of risk factors associated with failed limb salvage. Material and Methods: 30 patients with an infection associated with a tumor endoprosthesis were investigated with regard to treatment strategies, number and type of revision operations, duration of hospital stay, determination of risk factors associated with failed limb salvage and final outcome. Results: Limb salvage related to the complication infection was achieved in 19 patients (63.3%). Two-stage reimplantation of an endoprosthesis was successful in 14 patients but subsequently failed in one patient. Out of 11 patients where limb salvage failed, an amputation was performed in 6 patients, a rotationplasty in 4, and stump lengthening procedure in 1 patient. A poor soft tissue condition was a significant ( P<0.05) risk factor for failed limb salvage. No patient receiving chemotherapy with a poor soft tissue condition had limb salvage surgery. The mean number of revision operations per patients was 2.6. The mean duration of hospital stay was 68 days. Conclusion: Infection associated with prosthesis is a serious complication and is involved with long hospitalization. Limb salvage failed mostly in the case of a poor soft tissue condition. In these cases repeated revision surgery should be avoided and ablative surgery recommended at an early stage. Rotationplasty is an alternative to amputation in the case of an infection of the proximal or distal part of the femur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Bladder carcinoma is the most common urological malignancy in China. Gene mutation may be one of causes of carcinogenesis in the cancer. We therefore investigated the mRNA expression of RTKN gene in clinic malignant bladder carcinoma and explored the relationship between the novel gene and the cancer. Methods: Total RNA was extracted from 33 surgically resected specimens of bladder carcinoma and 19 specimens of tumor-free bladder tissues. After the optimal reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction condition was established, the mRNA expression levels of the RTKN gene in the lesions and tumor-free bladder tissues were examined semiquantitatively, and the relationships between expression levels of RTKN and clinical patho- logical features were analyzed. Results: The expression of RTKN gene mRNA in 33 human bladder carcinoma tissues was significantly higher than that in 19 human tumor-free bladder tissues (0.93 7 ± 0.103 vs. 0.350 ± 0.082). The average ratio of RTKN expression in neoplasms to that in tumor-free bladder tissues was 0.350 ± 0.164. Based on this ratio the 33 patients were divided into three groups: a downregulated expression group (n 2), an up regulated expression group (n 22), and an unchanged group (n 9). Although the x2 test demonstrated a statistically nonsignificant differences in RTKN expression between tumor stages Ta, T1, and T2 overall in the 33 human bladder carcinoma, the t test showed that there were statistically significant differences between solitary and multiple tumors, between the paired group aged younger or older than 70 years in 27 denovo bladder carcinoma patients, and between the groups with tumor larger or smaller than 2.25 cm3. Conclusions: These results suggest that the RTKN gene is involved in bladder carcinogenesis and progression in bladder carcinoma, indicating that RTKN gene could be a molecular target in cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Limb salvage after resection of a pelvic sarcoma that involves the acetabulum represents a surgical challenge. The ideal method of reconstruction after acetabular resection remains a subject of controversy, and the outcome in terms of the impact of therapy is still unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of surgery on health-related quality of life and function after acetabular resection.Methods: Eighty-one patients with a pelvic sarcoma underwent acetabular resection at a single institution. Functional evaluation and quality-of-life examination were performed in forty-five patients, and these patients comprised the study group. Quality of life was assessed with use of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer core quality-of-life questionnaire. Function was assessed with use of the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society system.Results: The median age of the patients was 30.4 years at the time of the acetabular resection and 35.7 years at the time of follow-up. The median time interval from the index operation to the latest follow-up was sixty-nine months. At the latest follow-up evaluation, the mean functional status score was 14.5 points of a maximum of 30 points. In a comparison of endoprosthetic replacement and hip transposition following resection, significantly better functional results (p = 0.017) and a lower number of complications were found in patients who had a hip transposition. Quality-of-life assessment results were also better in patients with a hip transposition, especially in role functioning (p = 0.043).Conclusions: On the basis of the low complication rate and the good functional and quality-of-life results, hip transposition after acetabular resection seems to be the optimal technique for treating patients with a pelvic sarcoma involving the acetabulum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Limb salvage after resection of a pelvic sarcoma that involves the acetabulum represents a surgical challenge. The ideal method of reconstruction after acetabular resection remains a subject of controversy, and the outcome in terms of the impact of therapy is still unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of surgery on health-related quality of life and function after acetabular resection. Methods: Eighty-one patients with a pelvic sarcoma underwent acetabular resection at a single institution. Functional evaluation and quality-of-life examination were performed in forty-five patients, and these patients comprised the study group. Quality of life was assessed with use of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer core quality-of-life questionnaire. Function was assessed with use of the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society system. Results: The median age of the patients was 30.4 years at the time of the acetabular resection and 35.7 years at the time of follow-up. The median time interval from the index operation to the latest follow-up was sixty-nine months. At the latest follow-up evaluation, the mean functional status score was 14.5 points of a maximum of 30 points. In a comparison of endoprosthetic replacement and hip transposition following resection, significantly better functional results (p = 0.017) and a lower number of complications were found in patients who had a hip transposition. Quality-of-life assessment results were also better in patients with a hip transposition, especially in role functioning (p = 0.043). Conclusions: On the basis of the low complication rate and the good functional and quality-of-life results, hip transposition after acetabular resection seems to be the optimal technique for treating patients with a pelvic sarcoma involving the acetabulum. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction To improve the functional outcome after proximal and/or total humerus replacement, we combined the surgical procedures described by Bateman and Gerber. Materials and met/wa's I n three patients after wide tumor resection, endoprosthetic replacement with a modular tumor endoprosthesis (MUTARS System) was performed. In addition to a capsular and muscular reconstruction using the Trevira tube, a trapezius transfer onto the Trevira tube in combination with a latissimus dorsi transfer onto the Trevira tube was performed. The patients were immobilized for 6 weeks after surgery with an abductor cast. Results After a follow-up of 1 year, there was no significant improvement of the shoulder function in comparison with patients who did not undergo the combined muscle transfer (control group n 16: mean abduction 37.5°; mean anteversion 35.0°; mean internal rotation 15.2°; mean external rotation 25.2°). Conclusion In our patients, the combination of the Gerber and the Bateman procedures did not improve the shoulder function in patients with proximal and/or total humerus replacements. Therefore, the functional results do not justify two separate approaches and a prolonged operation time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reduce the disability after hip disarticulation, we developed a special surgical procedure in patients having a proximal femoral tumor with a large tumor involving the sciatic nerve or neoplasms involving the tibia and femur. The hip was disarticulated, but we preserved a musculocutaneous flap. A modular endoprosthesis was then placed in the acetabulum or, in case of an extraarticular resection of the hip joint, it was placed in the iliac bone. A trevira tube was used for reconstruction of the joint capsule and fixation of soft tissues. We performed this procedure in 5 patients who had a good functional outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A very rare case of a bone metastasis to the talus as a primary symptom of the disease is described in a 64-year-old female. Staging revealed that the primary lesion was a transitional carcinoma localized in the kidney basin. The surgical treatment consisted of bone curettage, reconstruction with PMMA and an arthrodesis of the ankle joint with two screws. Postoperatively a radiotherapy was performed with 45 gray. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]