Unilateral duplication of the acromioclavicular joint: case report and literature review

Clavicle duplication is a rare anatomical variation of the scapular belt: only seven cases have been reported in the literature to date, and only one took note of the existence of a duplication of the acromioclavicular joint. Two hypotheses have been proposed to interpret this variation: genetic factors, or trauma occurred in the growth period. Clavicle duplication should not be mistaken for a quite frequent coracoclavicular joint widely described. The authors report the case of a left acromioclavicular joint duplication in a 51-year-old male patient presenting with left shoulder pain. This case was the first of literature providing 3D CT-scan images.     

A retrospective analysis of autotransplanted teeth including an evaluation of a novel surgical technique

Clinical Oral Investigations - To assess survival rates and frequency of complications for immature and mature autotransplanted teeth after at least 1 year in function. All consecutive patients who...     

Solid state interdigitated Sb2S3 based TiO2 nanotube solar cells

TiO₂ nanotubes generated by anodization of metallic titanium sputter-coated on indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates are used as a conductive scaffold for all solid-state Sb₂S₃-sensitized extremely thin absorber (ETA) solar cells. A blocking layer of TiO₂ placed between Ti and ITO in combination with optimized Ti deposition and anodization conditions enables the formation of crack-free layers of straight, cylindrical TiO₂ nanotubes of tunable length and diameter. ALD (atomic layer deposition) is subsequently used to coat this substrate conformally with a highly pure Sb₂S₃ light absorber layer under an inert atmosphere. The high absorption coefficient of Sb₂S₃ as compared to molecular dyes allows for the utilization of very short nanotubes, which facilitates the infiltration of the organic hole transport material and formation of a p–i–n heterojunction in an interdigitated and tunable geometry. We investigate the influence of nanotube length and of the absorber thickness to enhance the photocurrent value to twice that of planar reference structures.

TiO₂ nanotubes generated by anodization of metallic titanium sputter-coated on indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates are used as a conductive scaffold for all-solid-state Sb₂S₃-sensitized extremely thin absorber (ETA) solar cells.     

Augmentation index predicts mortality in patients with aortic stenosis: an echo-tracking study

The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - Aortic valve stenosis (AS) shares similarities with the atherosclerotic process but little is known about the effect of the mechanical...     

Simultaneously modulated accelerated radiation therapy reduces severe oesophageal toxicity in concomitant chemoradiotherapy of locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

Objective:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of simultaneously modulated accelerated radiation therapy (SMART) to reduce the incidence of severe acute oesophagitis in the treatment of unresectable locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (LANSCLC).

Methods:

21 patients were treated with SMART and concomitant platinum-based chemotherapy. The prescribed doses were limited to 54 Gy at 1.8 Gy per day to the zones of presumed microscopic extent while simultaneously maintaining doses of 66 Gy at 2.2 Gy per day to the macroscopic disease. The whole treatment was delivered over 30 fractions and 6 weeks. Dosimetric parameters of SMART and the standard technique of irradiation [intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)] were compared. Acute toxicity was prospectively recorded.

Results:

The highest grade of oesophagitis was 62% (13 patients) grade 1, 33% (7 patients) grade 2 and 5% (1 patient) grade 3. Three (14%) patients experienced acute grade 2 pneumonitis. There was no grade 4 oesophageal or pulmonary toxicity. Doses to the organs at risk were significantly reduced in SMART compared with IMRT [oesophagus: V_50Gy, 28.5 Gy vs 39.9 Gy (p = 0.003); V_60Gy, 7.1 Gy vs 30.7 Gy (p = 0.003); lung: V_20Gy, 27.4 Gy vs 30.1 Gy (p = 0,002); heart: V_40Gy, 7.3 Gy vs 10.7 Gy (p = 0.006); spine: D_max, 42.4 Gy vs 46.4 Gy (p = 0.003)]. With a median follow-up of 18 months (6–33 months), the 1-year local control rate was 70% and the disease-free survival rate was 47%.

Conclusion:

SMART reduces the incidence of severe oesophagitis and improves the whole dosimetric predictors of toxicity for the lung, heart and spine.

Advances in knowledge:

Our study shows that SMART optimizes the therapeutic ratio in the treatment of LANSCLC, opening a window for dose intensification.