Applied Plasma Research

Contains reports on two research projects.National Science Foundation (Grant GK-28282X1)National Science Foundation (Grant GK-33843)U. S. Army - Research Office - Durham (Contract DAHC04-72-C-0044

Engaging men to promote and support exclusive breastfeeding: a descriptive review of 28 projects in 20 low- and middle-income countries from 2003 to 2013

Background: Lay support has been associated with improved breastfeeding practices, but studies of programs that engage men in breastfeeding support have shown mixed results and most are from high-income countries. The purpose of our research is to review strategies to engage men in exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) promotion or support in 28 project areas across 20 low- and middle-income countries. This information may be used to inform program implementers and policymakers seeking to increase EBF. Methods: We tested the difference between baseline and final EBF proportions using Pearson\u2019s chi-square (a = 0.05) and identified project areas with a significant increase. We categorized male engagement strategies as low- and high-intensity, using information from project reports. We looked for patterns by intensity and geography and described strategies used to engage men in different places. Results: Twenty-eight projects were reviewed; 21 (75%) were in areas where a statistically significant increase in EBF was observed between the beginning and end of the project. A variety of high- and low-intensity male engagement strategies was used in areas with an increase in EBF prevalence and in all geographic regions. High-intensity strategies engaged men directly during home or health visits by forming men\u2019s groups and by working with male community leaders or members to promote EBF. Low-intensity strategies included large community meetings that included men, and radio messages, and other behavior change materials directed towards men. Conclusion: Male engagement strategies took many forms in these project areas. We did not find consistent associations between the intensities or types of male engagement strategies and increases in EBF proportions. There is a gap in understanding how gender norms might impact male involvement in women\u2019s health behaviors. This review does not support the broad application of male engagement to improve EBF practices, and we recommend considering local gender norms when designing programs to support women to EBF

Engaging men to promote and support exclusive breastfeeding: a descriptive review of 28 projects in 20 low- and middle-income countries from 2003 to 2013

Abstract Background Lay support has been associated with improved breastfeeding practices, but studies of programs that engage men in breastfeeding support have shown mixed results and most are from high-income countries. The purpose of our research is to review strategies to engage men in exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) promotion or support in 28 project areas across 20 low- and middle-income countries. This information may be used to inform program implementers and policymakers seeking to increase EBF. Methods We tested the difference between baseline and final EBF proportions using Pearson’s chi-square (a = 0.05) and identified project areas with a significant increase. We categorized male engagement strategies as low- and high-intensity, using information from project reports. We looked for patterns by intensity and geography and described strategies used to engage men in different places. Results Twenty-eight projects were reviewed; 21 (75%) were in areas where a statistically significant increase in EBF was observed between the beginning and end of the project. A variety of high- and low-intensity male engagement strategies was used in areas with an increase in EBF prevalence and in all geographic regions. High-intensity strategies engaged men directly during home or health visits by forming men’s groups and by working with male community leaders or members to promote EBF. Low-intensity strategies included large community meetings that included men, and radio messages, and other behavior change materials directed towards men. Conclusion Male engagement strategies took many forms in these project areas. We did not find consistent associations between the intensities or types of male engagement strategies and increases in EBF proportions. There is a gap in understanding how gender norms might impact male involvement in women’s health behaviors. This review does not support the broad application of male engagement to improve EBF practices, and we recommend considering local gender norms when designing programs to support women to EBF

Mastectomy versus radiotherapy as treatment for stage I-II breast cancer: A prospective randomized trial at the National Cancer Institute

In 1979, the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland initiated a randomized, prospective trial to compare surgery versus radiation therapy in the treatment of stages I and II breast cancer. Surgical treatment consists of total mastectomy with axillary lymph node dissection (modified radical mastectomy) and breast reconstruction; radiation treatment consists of gross tumor excision, axillary lymph node dissection, and comprehensive irradiation including a boost dose to the tumor bed. All patients with pathologically positive axillary nodes receive 11 cycles of adjuvant Adriamycin ® /Cytoxan ® chemotherapy. As of December 1984, there have been 175 patients entered in the study. Twenty-three patients have developed disease recurrence (12 mastectomy, 11 radiation), but it is too early to obtain definitive treatment-related results. En 1979 l'Institut National du Cancer de Bethesda a lancé une étude prospective randomisée permettant de comparer les résultats respectifs de la chirurgie et de la radiothérapie en ce qui concerne les stades I et II du cancer du sein. Le traitement chirurgical consiste en la mastectomie totale complétée par le curage ganglionnaire axillaire (mastectomie totale modifiée); le traitement dit radiothérapique consiste en l'exérèse large de la tumeur associée au curage ganglionnaire axillaire et à l'administration d'une dose élevée de rayons au niveau du lit tumoral. Toutes les opérées dont les ganglions sont envahis reçoivent en outre 11 cycles d'une combinaison d'Adriamycine et Cytoxan. De 1979 à Décembre 1984, 175 malades ont fait l'objet de cette étude. Vingt-trois ont accusé une récidive (12 après mastectomie et 11 après traitement dit radiothérapique) mais il est encore trop tôt pour tirer des conclusions définitives de ces résultats. El Instituto Nacional de Cáncer de Bethesda inició en 1979 un ensayo prospectivo y aleatorio orientado a comparar el tratamiento quirúrgico versus radioterapia en el manejo del cáncer mamario en estados I y II. El tratamiento quirúrgico consistió de mastectomía total con disección ganglionar axilar (mastectomía radical modificada) y reconstrucción mamaria; el manejo radioterapéutico consistió de resección del tumor, disección de los ganglios linfáticos axilares e irradiación comprensiva incluyendo una dosis de refuerzo al lecho tumoral. Todos los pacientes con ganglios axilares histológicamente positivos recibieron 11 ciclos de quimioterapia adyuvante con Adriamicina/Citoxán. Hasta diciembre de 1984, 175 pacientes habían entrado al estudio. Veintitrés pacientes han desarrollado recurrencia de la enfermedad (12 mastectomía, 11 irradiación), pero es todavía muy temprano para derivar resultados definitivos.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/41319/1/268_2005_Article_BF01655179.pd

Design concepts for a next generation light source at LBNL

The NGLS collaboration is developing design concepts for a multi-beamline soft x-ray FEL array powered by a superconducting linear accelerator, operating with a high bunch repetition rate of approximately 1 MHz. The CW superconducting linear accelerator design is based on developments of TESLA and ILC technology, and is supplied by an injector based on a high-brightness, highrepetition- rate photocathode electron gun. Electron bunches from the linac are distributed by RF deflecting cavities to the array of independently configurable FEL beamlines with nominal bunch rates of ∼100 kHz in each FEL, with uniform pulse spacing, and some FELs capable of operating at the full linac bunch rate. Individual FELs may be configured for different modes of operation, including self-seeded and external-laser-seeded, and each may produce high peak and average brightness x-rays with a flexible pulse format, and with pulse durations ranging from femtoseconds and shorter, to hundreds of femtoseconds. In this paper we describe current design concepts, and progress in RandD activities. Copyright © 2013 CC-BY-3.0 and by the respective authors

Troponin T-release associates with cardiac radiation doses during adjuvant left-sided breast cancer radiotherapy

Background Adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) for left-sided breast cancer increases cardiac morbidity and mortality. For the heart, no safe radiation threshold has been established. Troponin T is a sensitive marker of myocardial damage. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of left-sided breast cancer RT on serum high sensitivity troponin T (hscTnT) levels and its association with cardiac radiation doses and echocardiographic parameters. Methods A total of 58 patients with an early stage, left-sided breast cancer or ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) who received adjuvant breast RT without prior chemotherapy were included in this prospective, non-randomized study. Serum samples were taken before, during and after RT. An increase of hscTnT >30 % was predefined as significant. A comprehensive 2D echocardiograph and electrocardiogram (ECG) were performed before and after RT. Dose-volume histograms (DVHs) were generated for different cardiac structures. Results The hscTnT increased during RT from baseline in 12/58 patients (21 %). Patients with increased hscTnT values (group A, N = 12) had significantly higher radiation doses for the whole heart (p = 0.02) and left ventricle (p = 0.03) than patients without hscTnT increase (group B, N = 46). For the left anterior descending artery (LAD), differences between groups A and B were found in volumes receiving 15 Gy (p = 0.03) and 20 Gy (p = 0.03) Furthermore, after RT, the interventricular septum thickened (p = 0.01), and the deceleration time was prolonged (p = 0.008) more in group A than in group B. Conclusions The increase in hscTnT level during adjuvant RT was positively associated with the cardiac radiation doses for the whole heart and LV in chemotherapy-naive breast cancer patients. Whether these acute subclinical changes increase the risk of excessive long-term cardiovascular morbidity or mortality, will be addressed in the follow-up of our patients.BioMed Central open acces