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In this study, the spectral control of near-field radiation transfer between a metal-insulator-metal (MIM)-structured emitter and a metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM)-structured cell was studied for advanced nanogap thermophotovoltaic (TPV) power generation systems using the finite-difference time-domain method. Moreover, the mechanism of spectral control was investigated by the visualization of magnetic condition through the emitter/vacuum gap/cell. For the emitter side, an MIM emitter consisting of nickel and silicon dioxide was used for the spectral enhancement of near-field radiation. For the cell side, an MSM cell consisting of gold, as the electrode, and gallium antimonide, for the photovoltaic semiconductor, was proposed considering a thin-layered TPV cell. The simulation results demonstrated that by the adjustment of the size of the MIM and MSM structures, the near-field radiation can be transferred selectively aiming the target wavelength for the bandgap of GaSb, and those effects can be shown based on the comparison to the blackbody radiation transfer at the same temperatures of the emitter (1000 K). In addition, a unique magnetic resonance condition was appeared when sharper radiation spectral control with enhanced near-field radiation flux can be obtained by optimizing the surface electrode structure of the cell (300 K). Furthermore, the evaluation results show that the spectral efficiency and power ratio increase when the structured emitter and cell was applied. Consequently, using a thin semiconductor layer cell with a p-n junction, similar to conventional cells, an energy conversion system with higher power density can be developed through spectral-controlled radiation transfer between the MIM emitter and MSM cell. These results provide greater flexibility for the control and design of the emitter and cell for nano-gap TPV generation systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The aim of this study is to evaluate cases with locoregional recurrence after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for primary lung cancer. Methods We reviewed 248 patients with primary lung cancer who underwent lobectomy or segmentectomy with mediastinal lymph node dissection by VATS between January 2005 and December 2011. Locoregional recurrence is defined as per its occurrence in (1) bronchial stump or lung parenchymal cut end, (2) ipsilateral pleura, and (3) ipsilateral hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes, and we analyzed recurrence rate and significant associated factors for locoregional recurrence by logistic regression analysis. Results There were 47 cases of postoperative recurrence, which consisted of 26 distant, 6 locoregional and distant, and 15 locoregional recurrences. The locoregional recurrence rate was 6.0%. Of the 15 locoregional recurrence cases, there were two cases of bronchial stump and lung parenchyma cut end (0.4%), five cases of ipsilateral pleura (2.0%), and eight cases of ipsilateral hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes (3.2%). Pleural and lymphovascular invasion and advanced stages were significant associated factors in univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis revealed that advanced stages were only a significant associated factor for locoregional recurrence (p < 0.01, odds ratio: 3.3). Conclusion Although locoregional recurrence rates of our surgical treatments for primary lung cancer by VATS might be acceptable, we should explore more effective modalities against pathologically proven local advanced lung cancer for preventing not only distant but also locoregional recurrences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Purpose  To study the effects of smoking on the postoperative outcome of lung cancer surgery. Methods  The subjects were 571 patients who underwent surgery for primary lung cancer. The patients were divided into the following groups according to their smoking history: a nonsmoker group (n = 218), a former smoker group (n = 140), and a current smoker group (n = 213). Results  The 5-year survival rates were 56.2%, 40.9%, and 34.0% in the nonsmoker, former smoker, and current smoker groups, respectively. These differences were significant. According to a multivariable analysis, smoking was a significant factor affecting the postoperative prognosis of patients undergoing surgery for lung cancer. In analyzing the causes of death, there were more deaths caused by other diseases such as multiple organ cancer, respiratory disorder, cardiovascular disease, and surgery-related events in the former smoker and current smoker groups than in the nonsmoker group. Conclusions  Smoking was significantly predictive of a poor prognosis after lung cancer surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract??Pulmonary endometriosis is a disease in which uterine endometrial cells with stromal components grow in the pulmonary parenchymal tissues or pleura. Surgical resection is considered an effective and radical treatment for pulmonary endometriosis to avoid the adverse effects of long-term hormone therapy in young women of childbearing years with a localized abnormal lesion. We report a case of pulmonary endometriosis with catamenial hemoptysis, an uncommon result of this disease, which was diagnosed histologically and treated successfully by video-assisted thoracic surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laparoscopic total adrenalectomy has become a standard technique for small adrenal tumors; however, bilateral adrenalectomy results in postoperative adrenal insufficiency, necessitating lifelong steroid replacement. To preserve adrenocortical function in a 41-year-old woman with bilateral adrenocortical adenoma (BAA) causing Cushing's syndrome, we performed laparoscopic bilateral partial adrenalectomy. We based our preoperative diagnosis of bilateral adrenocortical tumors causing Cushing's syndrome on the results of endocrinological investigations and imaging findings. Thus, we performed lateral transperitoneal laparoscopic bilateral partial adrenalectomy, preserving the adrenal glands, which were normal. Pathological examination of both tumors confirmed the diagnosis of adrenocortical adenoma. The patient had no postoperative complications, and her adrenocortical function was normal without steroid replacement at her 10-month follow-up. This report shows that Cushing's syndrome resulting from bilateral adenomas can be effectively treated by laparoscopic bilateral partial adrenalectomy as a minimally invasive, adrenocortical-preserving operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  We performed thoracoscopic resection of a middle mediastinal noninvasive thymoma in a 69-year-old woman. Chest computed tomography on admission showed a tumor, 75 � 48 � 32 mm in size, and pathological examination revealed a spindle-cell, noninvasive thymoma, of type A according to the World Health Organization classification, and stage I according to the Masaoka staging system. Thymomas are prone to ectopic occurrence, and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of middle mediastinum tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]