The integration of optical interconnects with silicon-based electronics can address the growing limitations facing chip-scale data transport as microprocessors become progressively faster. However, ...until now, material lattice mismatch and incompatible growth temperatures have fundamentally limited monolithic integration of lasers onto silicon substrates. Here, we use a novel growth scheme to overcome this roadblock and directly grow on-chip InGaAs nanopillar lasers, demonstrating the potency of bottom-up nano-optoelectronic integration. Unique helically propagating cavity modes are used to strongly confine light within subwavelength nanopillars despite the low refractive index contrast between InGaAs and silicon. These modes therefore provide an avenue for engineering on-chip nanophotonic devices such as lasers. Nanopillar lasers are as-grown on silicon, offer tiny footprints and scalability, and are thus particularly suited to high-density optoelectronics. They may ultimately form the basis of future monolithic light sources needed to bridge the existing gap between photonic and electronic circuits.
Since the initial recognition of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in 1981, an increased burden of cervical cancer was identified among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive women. ...Introduction of antiretroviral therapy (ART) decreased risks of opportunistic infections and improved overall survival. HIV-infected women are living longer. Introduction of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, cervical cancer screening and early diagnosis provide opportunities to reduce cervical cancer associated mortality. In line with 2030 Sustainable Development Goals to reduce mortality from non-communicable diseases, increased efforts need to focus on high burden countries within sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Despite limitations of resources in SSA, opportunities exist to improve cancer control. This article reviews advancements in cervical cancer control in HIV-positive women.
•The burden of cervical cancer and HIV-infection in women is concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa.•Cervical cancer control programs among HIV-positive women are highlighted in this review.•Gaps in knowledge exist in cervical cancer control in HIV-positive women.
This retrospective study used data from patients treated for uterine fibroids with ultrasound-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (USgHIFU) from April 2015 to April 2019. One hundred and seven ...patients with solitary fibroids were divided into two groups: (1) the L group with larger fibroids (≥10 cm) and (2) the S group with smaller fibroids (<10 cm). Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), we examined the efficacy of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation by comparing uterine and fibroid volumes before and three months after the procedure. The three-month follow-up clinical visit used a visual analog scale and a uterine fibroid symptom health-related quality of life questionnaire to evaluate clinical symptoms. Both the L and S groups had significant reduction in uterine and fibroid volumes, but the rate was significantly higher in the S group (p < 0.05). Both groups also had improvements in clinical symptoms, but there was no statistical difference. USgHIFU reduced the size of both large and small fibroids but was most effective on fibroids smaller than 10 cm. Both the L and S groups had improved dysmenorrhea symptoms and quality of life.
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the leading medical professional oncology society, is committed to lessening the burden of cancer and as such will promote underused interventions that ...have the potential to save millions of lives through cancer prevention. As the main providers of cancer care worldwide, our patients, their families, and our communities look to us for guidance regarding all things cancer related, including cancer prevention. Through this statement and accompanying recommendations, ASCO hopes to increase awareness of the tremendous global impact of human papillomavirus (HPV) -caused cancers, refocus the discussion of HPV vaccination on its likely ability to prevent millions of cancer deaths, and increase HPV vaccination uptake via greater involvement of oncology professionals in ensuring accurate public discourse about HPV vaccination and calling for the implementation of concrete strategies to address barriers to vaccine access and acceptance.
To compare the treatment efficacies of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), HIFU combined with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a), and HIFU combined with GnRH-a and ...levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) for adenomyosis.
We conducted a literature search in SCIENCE DIRECT, COCHRANE LIBRARY, WILLEY ONLINE LIBRARY, PUBMED, and TAYLOR FRANCIS. A total of 471 articles identified, 12 were included in a systematic review, and 11 of them deemed quantitively eligible included in the meta-analysis. The efficacies of the three treatment regimens were assessed using the dysmenorrhea and menstrual scores at 3, 6, 12, 24 months.
Of the three regimens, HIFU combined with GnRH-a and LNG-IUS provides the best outcome. On dysmenorrhea score at 6 months there was significantly different higher heterogeneity with P < 0.00001 (I2 = 100% WMD 21.44 6.34, 36.53) with statistical significance P = 0.005. At 12 months there was significantly different higher heterogeneity P < 0.00001 (I2 = 100% WMD 23.47 6.00, 40.94) with statistically significant P < 0.008. At 24 months there was significantly different higher heterogeneity P < 0.0005 (I2 = 92% WMD 6.05 4.81, 7.30) with statistical significance P < 0.00001. HIFU combined with GnRH-a and LNG-IUS on menstrual score at 3 months was significantly different higher heterogeneity with P < 0.00001 (I2 = 100% WMD 56.23 16.01, 96.45) with statistical significance P = 0.006. At 6 months there was significantly different higher heterogeneity P < 0.00001 (I2 = 99% WMD 93.86 64.15, 123.57) with statistical significance P < 0.00001. At 12 months there was significantly different higher heterogeneity P < 0.00001 (I2 = 99% WMD 97.13 67.81, 126.46) with statistical significance P < 0.00001 compared to treatments with only HIFU and HIFU combined with GnRH-a.
HIFU combined with GnRH-a and LNG-IUS treatment is more effective than only HIFU monotherapy and HIFU combined with GnRH-a.
Monolithic integration of III−V compound semiconductor devices with silicon CMOS integrated circuits has been hindered by large lattice mismatches and incompatible processing due to high III−V ...epitaxy temperatures. We report the first GaAs-based avalanche photodiodes (APDs) and light emitting diodes, directly grown on silicon at a very low, CMOS-compatible temperature and fabricated using conventional microfabrication techniques. The APDs exhibit an extraordinarily large multiplication factor at low voltage resulting from the unique needle shape and growth mode.
This study aimed to compare the outcomes of magnetic resonance-guided (MR-g) high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) with uterine artery embolization (UAE) for the treatment of uterine myoma.
A ...systematic literature review and meta-analysis was conducted using database searches of Medline, Cochrane, EMBASE, and Google Scholar. Articles were searched through March 25, 2020. Outcomes of interest were Symptom Severity Score (SSS), Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL), re-intervention rate, and rate of adverse reactions in patients with uterine myoma.
Four studies were included with a total of 207 patients with uterine myomas who received MR-g HIFU and 201 who received UAE. UAE was associated with a greater reduction in SSS, improved HRQoL, and a significantly lower re-intervention rate compared with MR-g HIFU in 3 of 4 included studies. No significant differences were found in the incidence and severity of adverse events between treatment arms in one study, but differences were observed in the percentage of adverse reactions in another.
Published evidence suggests that the efficacy of MR-g HIFU may not be superior to that of UAE in the treatment of uterine myoma.
Clinical outcomes of 500 high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)-treated uterine fibroids and adenomyosis are analyzed and presented.
This is a retrospective cross-sectional analysis from a single ...tertiary medical center. From April 2015 to October 2018, 546 cases were enrolled for the study. After excluding 46 patients with less than 3 months of follow-up period, there were 404 fibroids, 149 adenomyosis and 53 mixed conditions entered for analysis. The patients’ uterine fibroids and adenomyosis were treated by HIFU according to Chongqing Haifu protocol, with 12 cm diameter transducer of focal length 10–16 cm at 0.8 or 1.6 MHz T2-weight MRI imaging was rendered prior to and 3 month post treatment to assess lesion volume change using non-perfusion volume, which was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes including quality of life, subjective satisfaction, adverse events and pregnancy rate were determined using self-reported questionnaires. The mean follow up period ranged from 3 to 38 months with an average of 21 months.
Three months after HIFU-treated uterine fibroids and adenomyosis, the lesion size reduced 40.2% and 46.3%, respectively. Symptoms all improved with better quality of life for the fibroid group, while those with adenomyosis or combined diseases benefit the most from pain control. Serum CA125 decreased significantly for all studied groups, and LDH only showed improvement for fibroids group. Number of adverse events is comparable to Chongqing data (approximately 10.2%), with mostly mild and self-resolving conditions. No permanent sequelae or death was documented. Twelve pregnancies are reported in this cohort.
HIFU is safe and effective in treating uterine fibroids and adenomyosis. The results are reproducible if standardized treatment schedules are followed. It is a promising treatment alternative with the advantages of precision, non-invasiveness, rapid recovery and readiness for pregnancy.
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