Publications by authors named "N R Ploch"

Ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (LEDs) suffer from a low wall-plug efficiency, which is to a large extent limited by the poor light extraction efficiency (LEE). A thin-film flip-chip (TFFC) design with a roughened N-polar AlGaN surface can substantially improve this. We here demonstrate an enabling technology to realize TFFC LEDs emitting in the UVB range (280-320 nm), which includes standard LED processing in combination with electrochemical etching to remove the substrate.

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Fungal infections have increased considerably over the last decades, becoming progressively resistant to common drugs. UVC light has shown microbiological eradication effects, whereby the wavelength of 254 nm is strongly carcino- and mutagenic. Therefore, 222 and 233 nm, which do not significantly harm skin cells, were tested for their antifungal effects.

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Objective: To determine if prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is the most effective analyte for diagnosing, staging, and monitoring prostatic carcinoma.

Methods: This article reviews what PSA is and how it can be used to detect clinically significant carcinomas as well as its application in managing patients after radical prostatectomy, radiation therapy, and androgen deprivation therapy.

Results: PSA screening results in increased detection of localized disease.

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The advent of transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) and the Biopty instrument (Bard Urologic) has revolutionized prostate biopsy (PNB). Theoretically the systematic multiple biopsy approach offers the advantage of less sampling error with respect to presence of carcinoma, grade of carcinoma and sites of tumor within the gland. These parameters may be important in selecting the therapeutic approach and, if radical prostatectomy is contemplated, in modifying the operation as indicated based on tumor location.

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We report a case of a diabetic man who had bilateral prostatic abscesses after ultrasound guided biopsy of the prostate. As is typical of prostatic abscesses, the diagnosis was not evident at presentation. We discuss the morbidity of transrectal biopsy and recommend consistent antimicrobial prophylaxis.

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