Transperineal laser ablation of the prostate as a treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer: The results of a Delphi consensus project

Objective: To evaluate transperineal laser ablation (TPLA) with Echolaser® (Echolaser® TPLA, Elesta S.p.A., Calenzano, Italy) as a treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa) using the Delphi consensus method.Methods: Italian and international experts on BPH and PCa participated in a collaborative consensus project. During two rounds, they expressed their opinions on Echolaser® TPLA for the treatment of BPH and PCa answering online questionnaires on indications, methodology, and potential complications of this technology. Level of agreement or disagreement to reach consensus was set at 75%. If the consensus was not achieved, questions were modified after each round. A final round was performed during an online meeting, in which results were discussed and finalized.Results: Thirty-two out of forty invited experts participated and consensus was reached on all topics. Agreement was achieved on recommending Echolaser® TPLA as a treatment of BPH in patients with ample range of prostate volume, from <40 mL (80%) to >80 mL (80%), comorbidities (100%), antiplatelet or anticoagulant treatment (96%), indwelling catheter (77%), and strong will of preserving ejaculatory function (100%). Majority of respondents agreed that Echolaser® TPLA is a potential option for the treatment of localized PCa (78%) and recommended it for low-risk PCa (90%). During the final round, experts concluded that it can be used for intermediate-risk PCa and it should be proposed as an effective alternative to radical prostatectomy for patients with strong will of avoiding urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction. Almost all participants agreed that the transperineal approach of this organ-sparing technique is safer than transrectal and transurethral approaches typical of other techniques (97% of agreement among experts). Pre-procedural assessment, technical aspects, post-procedural catheterization, pharmacological therapy, and expected outcomes were discussed, leading to statements and recommendations.Conclusion: Echolaser® TPLA is a safe and effective procedure that treats BPH and localized PCa with satisfactory functional and sexual outcomes.

GHz bursts in MHz burst(BiBurst) enabling high-speed femtosecond laser ablation of silicon due to prevention of air ionization

For the practical use of femtosecond laser ablation, inputs of higher laser intensity are preferred to attain high-throughput material removal. However, the use of higher laser intensities for increasing ablation rates can have detrimental effects on ablation quality due to excess heat generation and air ionization. This paper employs ablation using BiBurst femtosecond laser pulses, which consist of multiple bursts(2 and 5 bursts) at a repetition rate of 64 MHz, each containing multiple intra-pulses(2–20 pulses) at an ultrafast repetition rate of 4.88 GHz, to overcome these conflicting conditions. Ablation of silicon substrates using the BiBurst mode with 5 burst pulses and 20 intra-pulses successfully prevents air breakdown at packet energies higher than the pulse energy inducing the air ionization by the conventional femtosecond laser pulse irradiation(single-pulse mode). As a result, ablation speed can be enhanced by a factor of23 without deteriorating the ablation quality compared to that by the single-pulse mode ablation under the conditions where the air ionization is avoided.

The Antibacterial Activities of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles Synthesized Using Laser Ablation in Different Surfactants against Streptococcus mutans

Copper oxide nanoparticles(CuO NPs)were synthesised with laser ablation of a copper sheet immersed in deionized water(DW),cetrimonium bromide(CTAB),and sodium dodecyl sulphate(SDS),respectively.The target was irradiated with a pulsed Nd:YAG laser at 1064 nm,600 mJ,a pulse duration of 10 ns,and a repetition rate of 5 Hz.The CuO NPs colloidal were analyzed using UV–Vis spectroscopy,the Fourier transform infrared(FTIR)spectrometer,zeta potential(ZP),X-ray diffraction(XRD),transmission electron microscope(TEM)and field emission scanning electron microscopy(FESEM).The absorption spectra of CuO NPs colloidal showed peaks at 214,215 and 220 nm and low-intensity peaks at 645,650 and 680 nm for SDS,CTAB and DW,respectively.CuO NPs’colloidal results are(−21.6,1.2,and 80 mV)for negatively,neutrally,and positively charged SDS,DW,and CTAB,respectively.The XRD pattern of the NPs revealed the presence of CuO phase planes(110)(111),(20-2)and(11-1).The TEM images revealed nearly spherical NPs,with sizes ranging from 10–90,10–50,and 10–210 nm for CuO NPs mixed with DW,SDS and CTAB,respectively.FESEM images of all the synthesized samples illustrate the formation of spherical nanostructure and large particles are observable.The CuO NPs were tested for antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans by using the well diffusion method.In this method,CuO NPs prepared in DW at a concentration of 200μg/mL showed a greater inhibition zone against Streptococcus mutans.

Structural Analysis of TiC and TiC-C Core-Shell Nanostructures Produced by Pulsed-Laser Ablation

This paper reports on the ablation process of a pure Ti solid target immersed in a C-enriched acetone solution, leading to the production of titanium carbide (TiC) and Ti-C core-shell nanostructures. The used route of synthesis is generally called pulsed laser ablation in liquid (PLAL). The presence of carbon structures in the solution contributed to the carbon content in the produced Ti-based nanomaterials. The atomic composition of the produced nanostructures was analyzed using SEM-EDS, while TEM micrographs revealed the formation of spherical TiC and core-shell nanostructures ranging from 40 to 100 nm. The identification of atomic planes by HRTEM confirmed a 10 nm diameter C-shell with a graphite structure surrounding the Ti-core. Raman spectroscopy allowed for the identification of D and G peaks for graphite and a Raman signal at 380 and 600 cm−1, assigned to TiC. The results contribute to the state-of-the-art production of TiC and Ti-C core-shell nanostructures using the PLAL route.

Liquid vortexes and flows induced by femtosecond laser ablation in liquid governing formation of circular and crisscross LIPSS

Orientations of laser induced periodic surface structures(LIPSS)are usually considered to be governed by the laser polarization state.In this work,we unveil that fluid dynamics induced by femtosecond(fs)laser ablation in liquid(fs-LAL)can easily break this polarization restriction to produce irregular circular-LIPSS(CLIPPS)and crisscross-LIPSS(CCLIPSS).Fs laser ablation of silicon in water shows formation of diverse LIPSS depending on ablation conditions.At a high power of 700 mW(repetition rate of 100 kHz,pulse duration of 457 fs and wavelength of 1045 nm),single/twin CLIPSS are produced at the bottom of macropores of several microns in diameter due to the formation of strong liquid vortexes and occurrence of the vortex shedding effect.Theoretical simulations validate our speculation about the formation of liquid vortex with an ultrahigh static pressure,which can induce the microstructure trenches and cracks at the sidewalls for fs-LAL of Si and tungsten(W)in water,respectively.At a low power of 50 mW,weak liquid vortexes are produced,which only give birth to curved LIPSS in the valleys of grooves.Consequently,it is deduced that liquid vortex plays a crucial role in the formation of macropores.Mountain-like microstructures induce complex fluid dynamics which can cause the formation of CCLIPSS on them.It is believed that liquid vortexes and fluid dynamics presented in this work open up new possibilities to diversify the morphologies of LIPSS formed by fs-LAL.

In-situ surface decoration of RuO_(2) nanoparticles by laser ablation for improved oxygen evolution reaction activity in both acid and alkali solutions

Improving the OER activity of noble metal-based materials is of profound importance to minimize the usage of noble metals and lower the cost.Here,we report considerable improvement on the catalytic activity of RuO_(2) particles for OER in both alkali and acid environments.The RuO_(2) nanoparticles were treated with a method of pulse laser ablation.Numerous Ru and RuO_(2) clusters were generated at the surface of RuO_(2) nanoparticles after the laser ablation,forming a lychee-shaped morphology.The larger pulse energy RuO_(2) nanoparticles are treated with,the better the OER activity can be.DFT calculations shows that the surface tension induced by the lychee-shaped morphology benefits the OER performance.Our best sample gives an overpotential of 172 mV(at 10 mA cm^(-2))and a Tafel slope of 53.5 mV dec^(-1) in KOH,while an overpotential of 219 mV and a Tafel slope of 44.9 mV dec^(-1) in H_(2)SO_(4),which are of topclass results.This work may inspire a new way to develop high-performance electrocatalysts for OER.

A New Synthetical Model of High-Power Pulsed Laser Ablation

We develop a new synthetical model of high-power pulsed laser ablation,which considers the dynamicabsorptance,vaporization,and plasma shielding.And the corresponding heat conduction equations with the initial andboundary conditions are given.The numerical solutions are obtained under the reasonable technical parameter condi-tions by taking YBa_2Cu_3O_7 target for example.The space-dependence and time-dependence of temperature in targetat a certain laser fluence are presented,then,the transmitted intensity through plasma plume,space-dependence oftemperature and ablation rate for different laser fluences are significantly analyzed.As a result,the satisfactorily goodagreement between our numerical results and experimental results indicates that the influences of the dynamic absorp-tance,vaporization,and plasma shielding cannot be neglected.Taking all the three mechanisms above simultaneouslyinto account for the first time,we cause the present model to be more practical.

Disruption mitigation using laser ablation of high-Z impurities in HL-1M tokamak

A preliminary experiment triggering a plasma current quench by laser ablation of high-Z impurities has been performed in the HL-1M tokamak. The injection of impurities with higher electric charges into tokamak plasmas can increase the radiation cooling of the plasma. Resistive, highly radiating plasma formed prior to the thermal quench can dissipate both the thermal and magnetic energies, which is possibly a simple and potential approach to reducing significantly the plasma thermal energy and magnetic energy before a disruption thereby a safe plasma termination is obtained.

Liver-directed therapies for liver metastases from neuroendocrine neoplasms:Can laser ablation play any role?

Aggressive cytoreduction can prolong survival in patients with unresectable liver metastases(LM)from neuroendocrine neoplasms(NEN),and minimally invasive,liver-directed therapies are gaining increasing interest.Catheter-based treatments are used in disseminated disease,whereas ablation techniques are usually indicated when the number of LM is limited.Although radiofrequency ablation(RFA)is by far the most used ablative technique,the goal of this opinion review is to explore the potential role of laser ablation(LA)in the treatment of LM from NEN.LA uses thinner needles than RFA,and this is an advantage when the tumors are in at-risk locations.Moreover,the multi-fiber technique enables the use of one to four laser fibers at once,and each fiber provides an almost spherical thermal lesion of 12-15 mm in diameter.Such a characteristic enables to tailor the size of each thermal lesion to the size of each tumor,sparing the liver parenchyma more than any other liver-directed therapy,and allowing for repeated treatments with low risk of liver failure.A recent retrospective study reporting the largest series of LM treated with LA documents both safety and effectiveness of LA,that can play a useful role in the multimodality approach to LM from NEN.

Pulsed laser ablation in liquid of sp-carbon chains:Status and recent advances

This review provides a discussion of the current state of research on sp-carbon chains synthesized by pulsed laser ablation in liquid.In recent years,pulsed laser ablation in liquid(PLAL)has been widely employed for polyynes synthesis thanks to its flexibility with varying laser parameters,solvents,and targets.This allows the control of sp-carbon chains properties as yield,length,termination and stability.Although many reviews related to PLAL have been published,a comprehensive work reporting the current status and advances related to the synthesis of sp-carbon chains by PLAL is still missing.Here we first review the principle of PLAL and the mechanisms of formation of sp-carbon chains.Then we discuss the role of laser fluence(i.e.energy density),solvent,and target for sp-carbon chains synthesis.Lastly,we report the progress related to the prolonged stability of sp-carbon chains by PLAL encapsulated in polymeric matrices.This review will be a helpful guide for researchers interested in synthesizing sp-carbon chains by PLAL.

Optical near-field imaging and nanostructuring by means of laser ablation

In this review we consider the development of optical near-field imaging and nanostructuring by means of laser ablation since its early stages around the turn of the century.The interaction of short,intense laser pulses with nanoparticles on a surface leads to laterally tightly confined,strongly enhanced electromagnetic fields below and around the nano-objects,which can easily give rise to nanoablation.This effect can be exploited for structuring substrate surfaces on a length scale well below the diffraction limit,one to two orders smaller than the incident laser wavelength.We report on structure formation by the optical near field of both dielectric and metallic nano-objects,the latter allowing even stronger and more localized enhancement of the electromagnetic field due to the excitation of plasmon modes.Structuring with this method enables one to nanopattern large areas in a one-step parallel process with just one laser pulse irradiation,and in the course of time various improvements have been added to this technique,so that also more complex and even arbitrary structures can be produced by means of nanoablation.The near-field patterns generated on the surface can be read out with high resolution techniques like scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy and provide thus a valuable tool-in conjunction with numerical calculations like finite difference time domain(FDTD)simulations-for a deeper understanding of the optical and plasmonic properties of nanostructures and their applications.

Microwave Ablation versus Laser Ablation in Occluding Lateral Veins in Goats

Increasing number of endovenous techniques are available for the treatment of saphenous vein reflux and endovenous laser ablation（EVLA） is a frequently used method. A newly developed alternative, based on thermal therapy, is endovenous microwave ablation（EMA）. This study evaluated the effect of the two procedures, in terms of coagulation and histological changes, in occluding lateral veins in goats. Twelve animals were randomized into two group, with 6 treated with EMA（EMA group）, and the rest 6 with EVLA（EVLA group）. Results of coagulation, including coagulation, fibrinolysis and platelet activation, were assessed at three or four different time points： before, immediately after, 24 h（and 48 h） after ablation. The diameter change, a measure of efficacy, was ultrasonographically measured before and 1 month after the ablation. Histological changes were grossly and microscopically evaluated immediately, 1 and 3 month（s） after the ablation. The length of the ablated vein and preoperative average diameter were comparable between the two groups. In both EMA and EVLA groups, several coagulation parameters, fibrinolysis and platelet activation parameters only underwent slight changes. Ultrasound imaging displayed that the diameter reduction of the veins treated by EMA was significantly larger than by EVLA, in consistent with the results of macroscopic examination. Microscopic examination revealed necrosis and thickening of the vein wall, and occlusion of the lumen within 3 months after ablation in both EMA and EVLA groups. It is concluded that EMA is a minimally invasive therapy, which appears to be safe and effective for treatment of lateral veins in goats.

Laser Ablation ICP-MS Titanite U-Th-Pb Dating of the Tonglushan Cu-Fe-Au Skarn Deposit,Southeastern Hubei Province

Titanite(CaTi2SiO5) is an important accessory mineral not only in magmatic and metamorphic rocks,but also commonly in hydrothermal mineral deposits. It incorporates appreciable amounts(usually 10×10-6 s to 100×10-6 s) of U and Th into its structure and has a closure temperature of Pb diffusion higher than 660～700 ℃(Scott and St-Onge,1995) ,making it an ideal U-Th-Pb geochronometer. The Daye metallogenic district is located in the west of the giant Middle-Lower Yangtze River(MLYR) Cu-Fe-Au province,eastern China and is well endowed with Fe,Cu,and polymetallic skarn deposits.

Water oxidation electrocatalysis with iron oxide nanoparticles prepared via laser ablation

Iron oxide nanoparticles（FeOx NPs, 5–30 nm size） prepared via laser ablation in liquid were supported onto Indium Tin Oxide conductive glass slides by magnetophoretic deposition（MD） technique. The resulting Fe O x@ITO electrodes are characterized by a low amount of iron coverage of 16–50 nmol/cm^2,and show electrocatalytic activity towards water oxidation in neutral phosphate buffer pH 7 with 0.58 V overpotential and quantitative Faradaic efficiency towards oxygen production. XPS analysis on the oxygen region of the FeOx films reveals a substantial hydration of the surface after catalysis, recognized as a crucial step to access reactivity.

Grain refining in weld metal using short-pulsed laser ablation during CW laser welding of 2024-T3 aluminum alloy

The 2024 aluminum alloy is used extensively in the aircraft and aerospace industries because of its excellent mechanical properties.However,the weldability of 2024 aluminum alloy is generally low because it contains a high number of solutes,such as copper(Cu),magnesium(Mg),and manganese(Mn),causing solidification cracking.If high speed welding of 2024 aluminum alloy without the use of filler is achieved,the applicability of 2024 aluminum alloys will expand.Grain refining is one of the methods used to prevent solidification cracking in weld metal,although it has never been achieved for high-speed laser welding of 2024 aluminum alloy without filler.Here,we propose a short-pulsed,laser-induced,grain-refining method during continuous wave laser welding without filler.Bead-on-plate welding was performed on a 2024-T3 aluminum alloy at a welding speed of 1 m min−1 with a single mode fiber laser at a wavelength of 1070 nm and power of 1 kW.Areas in and around the molten pool were irradiated with nanosecond laser pulses at a wavelength of 1064 nm,pulse width of 10 ns,and pulse energy of 430 mJ.The grain-refinement effect was confirmed when laser pulses were irradiated on the molten pool.The grain-refinement region was formed in a semicircular shape along the solid–liquid interface.Results of the vertical section indicate that the grain-refinement region reached a depth of 1 mm along the solid–liquid interface.The Vickers hardness test results demonstrated that the hardness increased as a result of grain refinement and that the progress of solidification cracking was suppressed in the grain refinement region.

Functional nonlinear optical nanoparticles synthesized by laser ablation

Nonlinear optics is an important research direction with various applications in laser manufacturing,fabrication of nano-structure,sensor design,optoelectronics,biophotonics,quantum optics,etc.Nonlinear optical materials are the funda-mental building blocks,which are critical for broad fields ranging from scientific research,industrial production,to military.Nanoparticles demonstrate great potential due to their flexibility to be engineered and their enhanced nonlinear optical properties superior to their bulk counterparts.Synthesis of nanoparticles by laser ablation proves to be a green,efficient,and universal physical approach,versatile for fast one-step synthesis and potential mass production.In this review,the development and latest progress of nonlinear optical nanoparticles synthesized by laser ablation are summarized,which demonstrates its capability for enhanced performance and multiple functions.The theory of optical nonlinear absorption,experimental process of laser ablation,applications,and outlooks are covered.Potential for nanoparticle systems is yet to be fully discovered,which offers opportunities to make various types of next-generation functional devices.

Heat Transfer and Mode Transition for Laser Ablation Subjected to Supersonic Airflow

When laser ablation is subjected to supersonic flow, the influence mechanism of airflow on laser ablation behavior is still unclear. A coupled thermal-fluid-structure model is presented to investigate the influence of supersonic airflow on the development of a laser ablation pit. Results show that the aerodynamic convection cooling effect not only reduces the ablation velocity but also changes the symmetry morphology of the ablation pit due to the non-uniform convective heat transfer. Flow mode transition is also observed when the pit becomes deeper, and significant change in flow pattern and heat transfer behavior are found when the open mode is transformed into the closed mode.

Stabilization of cubic ordering of zirconium dioxide nanoclusters on silicon with laser ablation

Regimes of continuous and pulsed laser action on high-melting oxide compounds of ZrO2 were found with the aim of obtaining steady coatings on monocrystal silicon on laser ablation.X-ray phase analyses,scanning and atomic-force microscopy reveal that the coatings obtained are of nanocluster structure with the cubic ordering.In this case the nanoclusters reach several hundreds of nanometers in size.An assumption was made that on laser ablation of ZrO2 thermostabilization may take place where a minimum of the surface energy is attained just at cubic ordering.

Magnetic Properties of γ-Fe_2O_3 Nanoparticles Prepared by Laser Ablation

A new method of preparing nanoparticles by pulsed-laser ablation of a tiny wire was reported, and pure maghemite （ γ-Fe2 O3 ） nanoparticles were synthesized by this method in a mixed gas flux of N2 and O2 at atmospheric pressure. The obtained γ-Fe2 O3 nanopartiles were in the range of 5 to 80 run in diameter and largely spherical in shape. Structural characteristics and morphologies of the nanoparticles were characterized by XRD and TEM , respectively. Moreover, magnetic properties of the obtained 7- Fe, O3 nanopartiles in the temperature range of 300 to 773 K were investigated. The experimental results demonstrate that the squareness value of the hysteresis loop decreases with increasing temperature. Both the coercivity and the saturation magnetization of the γ-Fe2 O3 nanoparticles show a constantly decrensing trend with increasing temperature up to the occurrerwe of the transformation from γ-Fe2O3 to α-Fe2O3. Especially, at the temperature of 773 K, the γ-Fe, O3 begins to transform to the α-Fe2 O3 phase and the hysteresis loop becomes unclosed .

Influence of Carrier Gas on Analysis of MgO Powders by Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry （LA-ICP-MS） has been widely adopted for the direct multi-elemental analysis with high sensitivity. Especially analysis of fine ceramics by LA-ICP-MS without time-consuming sample decomposition process has been one of the most expecting application field. Small additive elements in MgO powders were analyzed by LA-ICP-MS. For precise and accurate analysis influence of carrier gas （Ar or He） was presented by the signal intensities of ICP-MS, relative standard deviation of signal intensities and ablated particle size distribution. Ablated particles were collected and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy （SEM） to investigate the particle size distribution, and the ablated sample surface was examined by camscope. In He gas atmosphere, the signal was more stable than in Ar gas atmosphere. The signal intensity was higher in Ar than in He. Examination of ablated particles and sample surface reveals that more particles were generated in Ar atmosphere and the distribution of particle size was larger.