Optical conductivity of the nonsuperconducting cuprate La(8-x)Sr(x)Cu(8)O(20)

La(8-x)Sr(x)Cu(8)O(20) is a non-superconducting cuprate, which exhibits a doubling of the elementary cell along the c axis. Its optical conductivity sigma (omega) has been first measured here, down to 20 K, in two single crystals with x = 1.56 and x = 2.24. Along c, sigma (omega) shows, in both samples, bands due to strongly bound charges, thus confirming that the cell doubling is due to charge ordering. In the ab plane, in addition to the Drude term one observes an infrared peak at 0.1 eV and a midinfrared band at 0.7 eV. The 0.1 eV peak hardens considerably below 200 K, in correspondence of an anomalous increase in the sample dc resistivity, in agreement with its polaronic origin. This study allows one to establish relevant similarities and differences with respect to the spectrum of the ab plane of the superconducting cuprates.Comment: Revised version submitted to Phys. Rev. B, including the elimination of Fig. 1 and changes to Figs. 4 and

High-intensity-focused ultrasound in the treatment of primary prostate cancer: the first UK series

BACKGROUND: The use of minimally invasive ablative therapies in localised prostate cancer offer potential for a middle ground between active surveillance and radical therapy. METHODS: An analysis of men with organ-confined prostate cancer treated with transrectal whole-gland HIFU (Sonablate 500) between 1 February 2005 and 15 May 2007 was carried out in two centres. Outcome data (side-effects using validated patient questionnaires, biochemical, histology) were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 172 men were treated under general anaesthetic as day-case procedures with 78% discharged a mean 5 h after treatment. Mean follow-up was 346 days (range 135-759 days). Urethral stricture was significantly lower in those with suprapubic catheter compared with urethral catheters (19.4 vs 40.4%, P = 0.005). Antibiotics were given to 23.8% of patients for presumed urinary tract infection and the rate of epididymitis was 7.6%. Potency was maintained in 70% by 12 months, whereas mild stress urinary incontinence (no pads) was reported in 7.0% (12 out of 172) with a further 0.6% (1 out of 172) requiring pads. There was no rectal toxicity and no recto-urethral fistulae. In all, 78.3% achieved a PSA nadir <= 0.5 mu g ml(-1) at 12 months, with 57.8% achieving <= 0.2 mu g ml(-1). Then, 8 out of 13 were retreated with HIFU, one had salvage external beam radiotherapy and four chose active surveillance for small-volume low-risk disease. Overall, there was no evidence of disease (PSA <0.5 mu g ml(-1) or negative biopsy if nadir not achieved) after one HIFU session in 92.4% ( 159 out of 172) of patients. CONCLUSION: HIFU is a minimally invasive, day-case ablative technique that can achieve good biochemical outcomes in the short term with minimal urinary incontinence and acceptable levels of erectile dysfunction. Long-term outcome needs further evaluation and the inception of an international registry for cases treated using HIFU will significantly aid this health technology assessment. British Journal of Cancer (2009) 101, 19-26. doi: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6605116 www.bjcancer.com Published online 9 June 2009 (C) 2009 Cancer Research U

ФОКУСИРОВАННАЯ ВЫСОКОИНТЕНСИВНАЯ УЛЬТРАЗВУКОВАЯ АБЛЯЦИЯ (HIFU) ПРИ ЛЕЧЕНИИ ПАЦИЕНТОВ С РАКОМ ПРЕДСТАТЕЛЬНОЙ ЖЕЛЕЗЫ: STATUS QUO 2014

Transrectal high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a new, non-invasive local treatment of prostate cancer with 17 years of clinical experience, during which about 32,000 patients underwent this treatment worldwide, including2700 intheMunichclinic Harlaching, and1000 inSamaraOncologyCenter. This article shows the current status of HIFU as a noninvasive local therapy for radical or palliative approach in patients with various stages of prostate cancer, and how HIFU fits into long-term conception of the coherent multimodal treatment. This article reflects the experience of 17 years of clinical practice in two centers and results of 3700 treated patients.Трансректальный высокоинтенсивный фокусированный ультразвук (HIFU) является новым, неинвазивным, местным лечением рака простаты с 17-летним клиническим опытом, в ходе которой было пролечено около 32000 пациентов по всему миру, из них 2700 в мюнхенской клинике Харлачинг и 1000 в Самарском онкологическом диспансере.  В данной статье показано текущее состояние HIFU в качестве неинвазивной местной терапии при радикальном или паллиативном подходе для больных с различными стадиями рака простаты, и как HIFU вписывается в долгосрочную концепцию последовательной  мультимодальной терапии. Эта статья отражает опыт 17-летней  клинический практики 2 центров и результаты 3700 лично пролеченных пациентов

Pediatric urolithiasis: the current surgical management

Children represent about 1% of all patients with urolithiasis, but 100% of these children are considered high risk for recurrent stone formation, and it is crucial for them to receive a therapy that will render them stone free. In addition, a metabolic workup is necessary to ensure a tailored metaphylaxis to prevent or delay recurrence. The appropriate therapy depends on localization, size, and composition of the calculus, as well as on the anatomy of the urinary tract. In specialized centers, the whole range of extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL), ureterorenoscopy (URS), and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) are available for children, with the same efficiency and safety as in adults