A simulation of diffractive liquid crystal smart window for privacy application.

Using a single substrate, we demonstrate a simple two-dimensional (2-D) phase grating cell with an octothorp electrode. Owing to the large spatial phase difference in any direction, the proposed grating cell has a high haze value in the opaque state (76.7%); Moreover, it has the advantages of a one-dimensional (1-D) phase grating cell, such as high fabricability, fast response time, and low operating voltage. Furthermore, the proposed grating cell has a faster response time than the 2-D grating cell (comparable to a 1-D grating cell). All the electro-optic parameters have been calculated using a commercial modeling tool. Consequently, we expect our proposed grating cell to find applications in virtual reality (VR)/augmented reality (AR) systems or window displays with fast response times.

Construct Validity of a Simple Laparoscopic Ovarian Cystectomy Model Using a Validated Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the construct validity and interrater reliability of a laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy simulator using a global rating scale. DESIGN: Prospective blinded observational study (Canadian Task Force classification II.3). SETTING: Academic teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 26 postgraduate year (PGY) 1 to 4 gynecology and obstetrics residents were recruited (15 junior residents, postgraduate year PGY 1-2 and 11 senior residents, PGY 3-4). INTERVENTION: We developed a simple, low-cost laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy simulator and incorporated it into our simulation curriculum. The simulation was directed at junior residents with instruction and immediate feedback in a scheduled simulation session once during the academic year. At the end of the year resident skills assessment, all levels were recorded with video using this model to assess the construct validity between junior and senior residents. Resident performance was later evaluated and scored by 2 blinded, experienced laparoscopists using a validated Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS). MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS: Each resident received a unique identification number and the simulated laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy procedure was filmed during the end of the year assessment. Two blinded raters evaluated the video of each resident with the modified Global Rating Scale (OSATS), using 5 of the 7 domains (respect for tissue, time and motion, instrument handling, flow of operation and knowledge of specific procedure). An average of the 2 ratings was computed for each domain, and comparisons were made using the Mann-Whitney U test. Interrater reliability was calculated using the Kendall tau ß correlation coefficient. Construct validity was determined by comparing the rank scores of the junior to senior residents in each domain. Construct validity and interrater reliability was demonstrated in all of the measured domains except for respect for tissue. CONCLUSION: This simple, low-cost model can be used to teach important laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy skills. Construct validity discriminating between junior and senior residents was demonstrated using this model.

Epithelioid sarcoma of the vulva and its clinical implication: A case report and review of the literature.

•We present a case of vulva epithelioid sarcoma, and review the articles.•The rarity of this disease causes delay in diagnosis and lack of guideline for optimal treatment.•Physicians should have high suspicions in diagnosing this vulvar disease using prompt biopsy without delay.

Does the type of hysterectomy affect the prognosis in clinical stage I endometrial cancer?

AIM: To determine whether clinical outcomes show a benefit from extended hysterectomy in patients with early endometrial cancer. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 101 patients who had endometrial cancer with clinical stage I disease. All the patients were surgically staged, and two types of hysterectomy, simple hysterectomy (SH) or extended hysterectomy (EH), were performed by surgeon's preference. The postoperative pathology findings, recurrence rate and disease-free survivals (DFS) between the two groups were compared. RESULTS: Sixty-six patients and thirty-five patients underwent SH and EH, respectively. At subsequent surgical staging, seven patients (10.6%) in the SH and four (11.4%) in EH group were upgraded to stage II or III disease. The surgical and pathological features were not different between the groups. Though the recurrence rate was lower in the EH group (9.09% for SH vs 2.86% for EH), it showed no statistical significance (P = 0.241). The 5-year DFS (88.2% for SH vs 96.0% for EH) showed no statistically significant difference between the groups either (P = 0.242). CONCLUSION: Compared to SH, EH did not have any prognostic benefit in clinical stage I endometrial cancer. Until the therapeutic role of the EH is determined by further studies using a larger sample size, SH remains the treatment of choice in patients with early endometrial cancer, and surgeons should not perform extended operation without definite evidence of the disease.

Photodynamic therapy with recombinant adenovirus AdmIL-12 enhances anti-tumour therapy efficacy in human papillomavirus 16 (E6/E7) infected tumour model.

Immunotherapy with photodynamic therapy (PDT) offers great promise as a new alternative for cancer treatment; however, its use remains experimental. Here we investigated the utility of adenoviral delivery of interleukin-12 (AdmIL-12) as an adjuvant for PDT in mouse tumour challenge model. PDT was performed by irradiating Radachlorin in C57BL/6 mice transplanted with TC-1 cells. PDT plus AdmIL-12 treatment for tumour suppression as well as specific immune responses were evaluated with the following tests: in vitro and in vivo tumour growth inhibition, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) assay, and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) assay. Direct intratumoral injection of AdmIL-12 resulted in a significant suppression of tumour growth compared to the control group. Treatment of PDT along with AdmIL-12 further enhanced antitumour effects significantly higher than either AdmIL-12 or PDT alone. This combined treatment resulted in complete regression of 9-mm sized tumour in every animal. We also evaluated immune responses induced by these treatments. Combined treatment significantly increased the production level of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha compared with that by AdmIL-12 or PDT alone. PDT plus AdmIL-12 enhanced antitumour immunity through increased expansion of the CTL subset mediated by CD8+ T cells. Taken together, these results indicate that the high anti-cancer activity of PDT with AdmIL-12 is a powerful tool against cancer therapy and is a promising subject for further investigation.

The increasing frequency of cervical cancer in Korean women under 35.

PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to determine the clinical and epidemiological trends of cervical cancer in young Korean women. Social behavior including sexual habits has changed in Korean women, with sexual activity commencing at a younger age. These changes are likely to influence certain risk factors of cervical cancer, resulting in changing trends in the occurrence of the disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The incidence of cervical cancer in women less than 35 years-old between January 1990 and December 2006 was analyzed, and available medical records from January 1996 to December 2006 were reviewed. The clinical, pathological and epidemiologic characteristics and changing trends among these young patients were analyzed. RESULTS: Over the last two decades, the incidence of young (< 35 years) cervical cancer patients increased, more patients had an aggressive form of the disease, and there was a higher rate of women with more advanced education. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection was detected in 94.0% of the women (63/67) tested. HPV 16 (82.5%) and HPV 18 (12.7%) were the two most common viral infections detected throughout the study period. CONCLUSIONS: The changing trends and risk factors identified suggest a need for more active education of young women about cervical cancer prevention strategies. In addition, young women are strongly recommended to undergo a regular screening test and HPV vaccination.