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This research investigates the influence of temperature on the performance of Cadmium Selenium (CdSe) semiconductor-sensitized solar cells (SSSCs) with tin oxide (SnO2) deposition. CdSe thin films were synthesized at different temperatures (room temperature, 55 and 70 °C) and characterized for their optical and structural properties. The results reveal temperature-dependent variations in the bandgap energy and crystal structure of CdSe, with higher temperatures leading to a red shift in absorption spectra and increased crystallinity. The CdSe-coated SnO2 films showed enhanced nanoparticle density at higher bath temperatures, indicating improved particle binding and aggregation. Moreover, the elemental analysis confirmed the successful loading of CdSe onto SnO2 substrates without impurities. Solar cells constructed with these materials exhibited temperature-dependent efficiency, with maximum efficiency achieved at room temperature due to optimal bandgap characteristics and reduced recombination rates. The solar cell with the optimal SnO2:(FTO)/SnO2/CdSe/CuS nanostructure array electrode produced a short-circuit current density of 4.155 mA/cm2 and a power conversion efficiency of 0.26% when exposed to one sun's rays. These findings suggest that temperature control during CdSe synthesis plays a crucial role in optimizing the performance of SSSCs, highlighting the importance of understanding temperature effects in semiconductor-based solar cell technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Limited available data on prognostic significance of estimation of human papilloma virus (HPV) titres during pre-treatment and post-treatment (radiotherapy) surveillance, magnitude of viral load reduction and its impact on clinical outcomes in invasive cervical cancer patients. Purpose/Objective: To evaluate the clinical impact of HPV-DNA assay in patients with invasive cervical cancer after curative treatment and to correlate HPV persistent or re-infection with local recurrences. Materials and Methods: Between May 2010 and April 2012, histo-pathologically proven invasive cervical cancer patients receiving radical radio(chemo) therapy were prospectively accrued in this study. All patients underwent cervical biopsies/ brushings collection during pre treatment, at treatment conclusion, followed by 3 monthly visits upto 2 years for quantitative estimation of HPV 16 and 18 viral load using real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) targeting E6-E7 region. The HPV-DNA prevalence and viral load were correlated with treatment response. Quantification of persistence and re-infection of HPV during post treatment surveillance and its correlation with local recurrences was done. Results: Out of 150 patients accrued, 135 patients were considered for final analysis. Of them, 129 (95.5%) patients received concurrent chemo-radiation while 6 (4.5%) had radical radiation therapy. At baseline, 89 patients (66%) were HPV-16 only positive, 34 patients (25.1%) -HPV-16 & 18, 3 patients (2.2%) HPV-18 only while 9 patients (6.7%) were negative for HPV-16 & 18. The mean (+ SD) log HPV-16 and HPV-18 viral load was 4.7 (+ 2.5) DNA copies/10ng and 0.14 (+ 2.1) DNA copies/10ng, respectively which gradually reduced to -0.25 (+ 1.3) and -0.73 (+ 0.8) DNA copies/10ng by 24 months (p. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Definitive pelvic intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in cervical cancer is susceptible to geographic miss due to daily positional and volumetric variations in target and organs at risk. Hence, despite evidence of reduced acute and late treatment-related toxicities, implementation of image-guided IMRT (IG-IMRT) with a reasonable safety margin to encompass organ motion is challenging. In this prospective, nonrandomized phase 2 study, patients with cervical cancer International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (2009) stage IB2-IIIB between the ages of 18 and 65 years were treated with definitive pelvic chemoradiotherapy with a prespecified organ (bladder and rectum) filling protocol. Reproducibility of organ filling was assessed along with the implementation of daily comprehensive adaptive image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT), with a library of 3 IMRT (volumetric modulated arc therapy) plans with incremental expansions of clinical target volume (CTV) to planning target volume (PTV) (primary) margins (small, 0.7 cm; adequate, 1 cm; and large, 1.5 cm) and a backup motion robust 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy plan; the appropriate plan is chosen based on pretreatment cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) ("plan of the day" approach). Fifty patients with a median age of 49 years (IQR, 45-56 years) received definitive radiation therapy (45-46 Gy in 23-25 fractions to pelvis, with simultaneous integrated boost to gross nodes in 15 patients) with the aforementioned IGRT protocol. In the analysis of 1171 CBCT images (in 1184 treatment sessions), the mean planning computed tomography (CT) and CBCT bladder volumes were 417 and 373 cc, respectively. Significant interfractional variation in bladder volume was noted with a mean absolute dispersion of 29.5% with respect to planning CT; significant influential random factors were postchemotherapy sessions (P ≤.001), pre-CBCT protocol duration (P =.001), and grades of chemotherapy induced nausea vomiting (P =.001). Significantly higher variation in bladder filling was noted in patients with older age (P =.014) and larger planning CT bladder volume (P ≤.001). Time trend analysis of fraction-wise bladder volume revealed an absolute systemic reduction of 16.3% in bladder volume means from the first to the fifth week. Variation in rectal diameter was much less pronounced, with 19.2% mean dispersion and without any significant factors affecting it. Although in 19% and 2% of sessions large IMRT PTV and 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy were necessary to cover the primary target, respectively, reduction in treated volume was possible in 43% of sessions with small PTV selection instead of standard adequate PTV (36% sessions). Plan of the day selection had a moderate to strong correlation with nonabsolute dispersion of bladder filling (Spearman ρ =0.4; P =.001) and a weak (but significant) correlation with grades of acute toxicities. The planned protocol was well tolerated with no radiation-induced local grade 3 toxicity. Interfractional variation in organ filling (especially bladder) is inevitable despite fixed pretreatment protocol in definitive settings (intact cervix). Despite the logistical challenges, adaptive IGRT in the form of plan of the day based on incremental CTV-to-PTV margins is a relatively simple and feasible strategy to minimize geometric uncertainties in radical IG-IMRT of cervical cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metastasis of cervical carcinoma to the heart is uncommon. Most cases are found during autopsy. These type of metastasis occur mostly in epicardium and myocardium. We present a case report of a patient with carcinoma cervix stage IIIB who presented to the hospital with pitting edema of right lower limb, post 1 year of completion of treatment. PET-CT scan showed FDG avid inguinal, iliac and retroperitoneal lymph nodes, which were bulky on right side causing pedal edema. There was FDG avid uptake seen in right atrial wall and in the atrioventricular groove indicative of metastasis to the heart. Patient refused biopsy or further treatment and hence received best supportive care only. She had a disease free survival of 12 months, and survived for 11 months after being diagnosed with recurrence. Overall survival was 23 months.