Squaraine Planar-Heterojunction Solar Cells

The photovoltaic performance of squaraine-based organic solar cells is investigated. Two squaraine derivatives with extraordinarily high extinction coefficients are used as electron donors in bilayer heterojunctions with fullerene as electron acceptor. Due to the very strong squaraine absorption band in the red spectral domain, antibatic behavior due to light filtering is observed in the photocurrent spectrum for film thicknesses of 35 nm to 40 nm. At reduced film thicknesses of 20 nm, this filtering effect at maximum absorption can be alleviated and power conversion efficiencies under simulated AM 1.5 full sun irradiation of 0.59% and 1.01% are obtained for the two squaraine derivatives, respectively. The photovoltaic properties of these cells are investigated with respect to electrode materials and chemical doping.ISSN:1110-662XISSN:1687-529

Laparoscopic injury of the obturator nerve during fertility-sparing procedure for cervical cancer

Background: Intraoperative injury of the obturator nerve has rarely been reported in patients with gynecological malignancies undergoing extensive radical surgeries. Irreversible damage of this nerve causes thigh paresthesia and claudication. Intraoperative repair may be done by end-to-end anastomosis or grafting when achieving tension-free anastomosis is not possible. Case presentation: A 28-year-old woman with stage IB cervical cancer underwent fertility-sparing surgery, including conization and bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy. The left obturator nerve was damaged intraoperatively during pelvic dissection. Conclusion: Immediate laparoscopic repair was successful and there was no functional deficit in the left thigh for six months postoperatively

Extrapulmonary malignancies detected at lung cancer screening

PURPOSE: To retrospectively assess the detection rate, histologic characteristics, and clinical stage of screening-detected extrapulmonary malignancies in a population at high risk for lung cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this institutional review board-approved study, 5201 asymptomatic heavy smokers aged 50 years or older underwent annual low-dose computed tomography (CT) for 5 consecutive years. The 5-year cumulative effective dose was 5 mSv. Subjects with at least one "potentially significant extrapulmonary incidental finding" (PS-IF) were extracted from the study database. An extrapulmonary finding was classified as potentially significant if it required further diagnostic and/or clinical evaluation. In retrospect all clinically relevant information, including findings from diagnostic work-up and final diagnosis of the PS-IF, was collected. On the basis of the information collected, only histologically proved screening-detected extrapulmonary malignancies were eventually included in this study. The percentages of volunteers with extrapulmonary malignancies were calculated, along with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), on the basis of a binomial distribution. RESULTS: After 5 years of CT screening, 27 unsuspected extrapulmonary malignancies were diagnosed, representing 0.5% (27 of 5201 subjects; 95% CI: 0.34%, 0.75%) of volunteers enrolled and 6.2% (27 of 436 findings; 95% CI: 4.12%, 8.88%) of PS-IFs. Eight malignancies were diagnosed at the 1st year of screening, nine at the 2nd year, four at the 3rd year, two at the 4th year, and four at the 5th year. Twelve of the 27 extrapulmonary tumors (44%) were renal carcinomas (n = 7) or lymphomas (n = 5). Twenty-four of the 27 subjects with a malignancy were alive at the most recent follow-up. CONCLUSION: A considerable number of unsuspected extrapulmonary malignancies can be detected in lung cancer screening trials. A careful evaluation of extrapulmonary structures, with particular attention to the kidneys and lymph nodes, is recommended

Life-threatening bleeding after pelvic lymphadenectomy for cervical cancer: endovascular management of ruptured false aneurysm of the external iliac artery

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Late rupture of external iliac artery pseudo-aneurysm is an uncommon complication in patients who undergo extensive gynecologic radical surgeries. A 28-year-old woman with stage IB cervical cancer underwent pelvic lymphadenectomy and extrafascial trachelectomy. Two months after surgery, massive bleeding from ruptured pseudo-aneurysm of the external iliac artery occurred. Endovascular management with covered stent placement was feasible and safe to stop bleeding.</p