Synthesis and Spectroscopy of Buckminsterfullerene Cation C60+ in a Cryogenic Ion Trapping Instrument

The assignment of several diffuse interstellar bands in the near-infrared to C60+ ions present at high abundance in space has renewed interest in the astrochemical importance of fullerenes and analogues. Many of the latter have not been produced in macroscopic quantities, and their spectroscopic properties are not available for comparison with astronomical observations. An apparatus has been constructed that combines laser vaporisation synthesis with spectroscopic characterisation at low temperature in a cryogenic trap. This instrument is used here to record the electronic absorptions of C60+ produced by laser vaporisation of graphite. These are detected by (helium tagged) messenger spectroscopy in a cryogenic trap. By comparison with spectra obtained using a sublimed sample of Buckminsterfullerene, the observed data show that this isomer is the dominant C60+ structure tagged with helium at m/z=724, indicating that the adopted approach can be used to access the spectra of other fullerenes and derivatives of astrochemical interest.

Role of carbon dioxide laser in the treatment of oral leukoplakia

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the treatment results of carbon dioxide (CO2) laser vaporisation in the well-defined cohort patients with oral leukoplakia. The group consisted of 20 patients. Before treatment, a clinical photograph and an incisional biopsy were performed in all the cases. Also, post treatment results were documented with clinical photographs. The mean follow-up period was 12 months. 18 out of 20 patients treated for cure (90%) achieved local control after one treatment. The remaining 2 patients required (10%) 2nd and 3rd vaporisations. The rate of malignant transformation after CO2 laser treatment is found to be 2.27% which is comparable to the other studies. CO2 laser vaporisation in the treatment of oral leukoplakia lesions is an excellent procedure in not only preventing the local recurrence and the malignant transformation but also in preventing the post-operative dysfunction. It is a time saving procedure with a negligible intra operative bleeding. The wound healing procedure after CO2 laser is extremely good causing the least post procedure morbidity.

Risk and life cycle assessment of nanoparticles for medical applications prepared using safe- and benign-by-design gas-phase syntheses

Laser vaporisation is a promising technology for the industrial manufacturing of spherical, oxidic nanoparticles, including crystalline, less-agglomerated ferromagnetic maghemite and superparamagnetic silica coated iron oxide composite nanoparticles.

Surgical Treatment of Chronic Osteomyelitis

Introduction. In this study, we analysed the results of applying various surgical methods in the combined treatment of inflammatory diseases of bones and joints.Materials and methods. The work was based on data from a multi-dimensional cohort study using non-concurrent (historical) control. A retrospective study included the analysis of medical records covering the period of 2009–2016 (1059 patients). A prospective study consisted in analysing the effectiveness of modern surgical methods in the combined treatment of inflammatory diseases of bones and joints in patients hospitalised to the Septic Surgery Department of the G.G. Kuvatov Republican Clinical Hospital (Ufa, Russia) in 2017–2018 (285 patients).Results and discussion. An analysis of the authors’ own data revealed that injuries (73.21%) and infectious complications after receiving surgery on bones and joints (15.03%) are the most common causes of osteomyelitis. In most cases, the following list of measures is optimal for diagnosing suspected osteomyelitis of various etiologies: X-ray, general clinical tests supplemented by the fistulography or CT of the affected area prior to surgery, as well as the examination of surgical material after surgery. The use of modern methods for surgical debridement and surgical repair of bone defects in the combined treatment of patients with chronic osteomyelitis can significantly reduce the relapse rate. It is recommended that patients with osteomyelitis be treated at large in-patient surgical facilities, which include a specialised department for the treatment of surgical infections and corresponding support services.Conclusion. Apparently, there is no one most optimal method for treating osteomyelitis. The optimal effect in the treatment of osteomyelitis is achieved through a personalised set of therapeutic measures using the following methods: laser vaporisation, negative-pressure wound therapy, ultrasonic cavitation in the focus of inflammation, as well as surgical repair of the post-trepanation bone defect or wound.

Efficacy of bipolar ‘button’ plasma vaporisation of the prostate compared to green laser vaporisation for benign prostatic obstruction

Objective: Our objectives were to evaluate the efficiency of transurethral bipolar plasma vaporisation of the prostate (BPVP) using the button electrode and compare it to green laser vaporisation of the prostate (GLVP). Patients and methods: During the period March 2012 to January 2017, 155 patients with benign prostatic obstruction (BPO) were enrolled in our study. Overall, 80 patients underwent BPVP and 75 GLVP. All International Prostate Symptom Scores (IPSS), quality of life (QOL), uroflow Qmax, Qave and post-void residual (PVR) urine samples were evaluated 24 hours preoperatively and at three months postoperatively. Operative time, hospital stay, catheterisation time, and complications were reported. Mean serum haemoglobin, haematocrit and serum sodium changes were reported preoperatively and within 24 hours postoperatively in both groups. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS program version 20 for Windows. Results: Mean age at surgery was 62.8 ± 4 (53–82) years and 63 ± 6.6 (54–86) years for the BPVP and GLVP groups respectively. Mean prostatic volume was 45 ± 10 (36–90) and 43 ± 9 (32–85) in each group, respectively. Patients from both series had similar preoperative characteristics. The mean operative duration was 58 ± 21 (range: 20–70) minutes and 57 ± 13 (range: 24–75) minutes, hospital stay was 12.2 ± 6.4 (12–60) hours vs 7 ± 3.3 (6–48) hours ( p = 0.01), and catheterisation period was 48 ± 1.28 (24–72) hours vs 6 ± 6.2 (6–7) hours ( p = 0.001). Conclusions: Both BPVP and GLVP offer good options for management of BPO with less bleeding, one-day surgery, less catheterisation time with significant improvement of IPSS, QOL score and uroflow postoperatively. However, more studies comparing the cost of both techniques are needed for a solid conclusion. Level of evidence: Not applicable for this multicentre audit.