Argon Laser Treatment of Retinal Lesions at the CHU-IOTA in Bamako, Mali

Introduction: There are many types of retinal lesions: exudative, degenerative and post-traumatic. Some can lead to retinal detachment (RD). The treatment indicated for these neovascular diseases of the eye is retinal photocoagulation with the Argon laser. The aim of this study was to investigate retinal lesions treated with the Argon laser at IOTA University Hospital. Patients and Method: This was a prospective cross-sectional study over a 9-month period. All patients seen at CHU IOTA during our study period who presented with a retinal pathology treated with the Argon laser or a retinal detachment with a giant tear in the contralateral eye and who had given their consent were included. One session consisted of treating the maximum surface area of half a retina. Results: We collected 263 cases. The age group 40 to 60 years was the most represented with 48.7%. Diabetes was the most frequent antecedent with 47.1%. Neovessels were the most common type of lesion, accounting for 68.4% of cases. Pan-retinal photocoagulation was performed in 74.5% of patients. Conclusion: Retinal lesions represent a major risk of functional visual loss. Physical treatment with retinal photocoagulation has a curative effect on ischaemic lesions and a preventive effect on retinal detachment.

Hybrid argon plasma coagulation for the treatment of Barrett’s esophagus:A prospective,multicenter study

BACKGROUND The incidence of Barrett’s esophagus(BE)in China is lower compared to the Western populations.Hence,studies conducted in the Chinese population has been limited.The current treatment options available for BE treatment includes argon plasma coagulation(APC),radiofrequency ablation and cryoablation,all with varying degrees of success.AIM To determine the efficacy and safety of HybridAPC in the treatment of BE.METHODS The study cohort consisted of patients with BE who underwent HybridAPC ablation treatment.These procedures were performed by seven endoscopists from different tertiary hospitals.The duration of the procedure,curative rate,complications and recurrent rate by 1-year follow-up were recorded.RESULTS Eighty individuals were enrolled for treatment from July 2017 to June 2020,comprising of 39 males and 41 females with a median age of 54 years(range,30 to 83 years).The technical success rate of HybridAPC was 100%and the overall curative rate was 98.15%.No severe complications occurred during the operation.BE cases were classified as short-segment BE and long-segment BE.Patients with short-segment BE were all considered cured without complications.Thirty-six patients completed the one-year follow-up without recurrence.Twenty-four percent had mild dysplasia which were all resolved with one post-procedural treatment.The mean duration of the procedure was 10.94±6.52 min.CONCLUSION Treatment of BE with HybridAPC was found to be a simple and quick procedure that is safe and effective during the short-term follow-up,especially in cases of short-segment BE.This technique could be considered as a feasible alternative ablation therapy for BE.

Argon激光治疗糖尿病视网膜病变的疗效

目的:探讨Argon激光治疗糖尿病视网膜病变(DR)的疗效和相关影响因素。方法:对1995/2002在我院实施Argon激光治疗糖尿病视网膜病变患者504例(613眼)就疗效和有关影响因素加以回顾性总结与分析。结果:单纯性和增殖性DR视力不变和增进者分别为84%和79%,下降者分别为16%和21%。单纯性DR视力下降以黄斑出血、渗出水肿和晶状体混浊加重为主;增殖性DR视力下降以玻璃体积血、持续黄斑水肿、晶状体混浊加重、新生血管性青光眼和牵引性视网膜脱离为主。伴有高血压、糖尿病性肾病者和Ⅰ型糖尿病患者光凝术后视力下降者居多(33%～85%)。眼底和荧光血管造影随访,单纯性DR83%视网膜水肿、渗出和出血吸收;增殖性DR51%视网膜水肿、渗出和出血吸收,新生血管退缩。16%单纯性DR和34%增殖性DR需要再次补充光凝。结论:DR光凝术应根据眼底和FFA改变确定光凝治疗范围,选择合适波长激光和灵活合理应用各项激光参数,以减少并发症和获得高比例的视网膜有效光斑,同时平稳控制血糖,积极改善患者全身状况,重视光凝术后定期的随访观察,必要时补充光凝。

糖尿病视网膜病变的Argon激光治疗

目的探讨糖尿病视网膜病变(diabetic retinopathy,DR)的Argon激光治疗方式及提高疗效、减少并发症的措施。方法对310例(511眼)DR患者行激光治疗,包括局部光凝、改良格栅样光凝、标准全视网膜光凝术、超全视网膜光凝术、次全视网膜光凝术,观察其疗效及并发症。随访6～48个月。结果增生前期糖尿病视网膜病变(preproliferative diabetic retinopathy,PPDR)视力提高和不变148眼(82.7%),非高危增生性糖尿病视网膜病变(proliferativediabeticretinopathy,PDR)视力提高和不变162眼(80.2%),高危PDR视力提高和不变82眼(63.1%);PPDR有效167眼(93.3%),非高危PDR有效182眼(90.1%),高危PDR有效86眼(66.2%)。PPDR28眼(15.6%)、非高危PDR92眼(45.5%)、高危PDR113眼(86.9%)需补充光凝。结论掌握适宜的激光方式及时机和操作技巧、定期随诊、及时补充光凝、全身治疗,是提高DR激光光凝术疗效、减少并发症的关键。

Argon激光治疗复发性倒睫24眼(英文)

目的:评价氩激光治疗复发性倒睫的疗效和安全性。方法:Argon激光治疗18例(24眼)复发性倒睫,光斑50～200μm,时间0.25～0.5s,能量400～800mW。部分倒睫用美蓝染色后治疗。治疗全过程无需麻醉,平均随访时间6.12mo。结果:经过1～4次氩激光治疗,其中83.33%痊愈。刺激症状消失或明显减轻。激光治疗次数与倒睫数量间明显相关。治疗6wk后所有患者无睑缘畸形和新生血管形成。结论:氩激光治疗复发性倒睫较其他治疗方法安全、有效、简便、副作用小。

Argon-Plasma对人工角膜支架材料组织相容性的影响

目的 探讨 3种人工角膜支架材料经 Argon- Plasm a处理后植入兔角膜对兔角膜组织的影响。方法 选用 3种支架材料 :材料 1:聚丙烯和聚丁烯 (80∶ 2 0 )化合而成的多孔材料 ;材料 2∶ Polyester多孔材料 ;材料 3:Expended polytetrafluoroethglene。上述 3种材料切成直径 6 mm的圆盘状 ,每种材料分为处理组和非处理组。处理组材料经 Argon-Plasma处理。选用 6 3只新西兰大白兔 ,共分为 7组 ,每组 9只 ,6组为实验组及对照组 (3组为处理组 ,3组为非处理组 ) ,1组为手术对照组。以显微手术的方法 ,将盘状支架材料植入囊袋内 ,手术对照组仅制备囊袋不植入材料。术后定期观察角膜水肿及新生血管的生长情况。术后 2 8、42、84d取角膜进行角膜组织学及免疫组织化学分析。结果 当材料经处理后角膜水肿较未处理明显减轻 ,8周后 3种材料中角膜水肿均消失。材料 1、2植入时新生血管出现延迟 ,范围也较小 ,同时炎细胞浸润明显减少。术后 6周纤维细胞迁徙入材料内 ,术后 12周空腔填充大量纤维细胞。材料处理与否不影响胶原蛋白的沉积。结论 Argon-Plasma处理可明显减轻兔角膜炎症反应 。

中心性浆液性脉络膜视网膜病变眼底荧光血管造影表现及Argon缘激光治疗

中心性浆液性脉络膜视网膜病变(简称中浆),为自限性眼病,但病程较长,自愈后易复发。文献报告约80％需3～6个月或更长方可恢复。本病目前无特殊治疗方法。眼底荧光血管造影,不但为中浆的诊断提供了可靠的证据,同时也为激光治疗本病提供了客观依据。现将我科自84年以来。

Study of Jargon in English language

Jargon in English language, part of culture, is a sub-culture. This paper illustrates its connotation, original facts, constructions, functions and characteristics. This study helps us fully recognize British and American societies from another angle, and understand diversity of their cultures to benefit English teaching and intercultural communication.

Efficacy and complications of argon plasma coagulation for hemorrhagic chronic radiation proctitis

BACKGROUND Chronic radiation proctitis(CRP) is a complication which occurs in 1%-5% of patients who undergo radiotherapy for pelvic malignancies. Although a wide range of therapeutic modalities are available, there is no literature to date showing any particularly appropriate therapeutic modality for each disease stage. Argon plasma coagulation(APC) is currently recommended as the firstchoice treatment for hemorrhagic CRP, however, its indication based on longterm follow-up is still unclear. On the hypothesis that the long-term efficacy and safety of APC are not fully understood, we reviewed APC treatment for patients with hemorrhagic CRP from a single center.AIM To assess the long-term efficacy and safety of APC for hemorrhagic CRP.METHODS This is a retrospective study of consecutive patients treated with APC for hemorrhagic CRP from January 2013 to October 2017. Demographics, clinical variables, and typical endoscopic features were recorded independently. Success was defined as either cessation of bleeding or only occasional traces of bloody stools with no further treatments for at least 12 mo after the last APC treatment.We performed univariate and multivariate analyses to identify factors associated with success and risk factors for fistulas.RESULTS Forty-five patients with a median follow-up period of 24 mo(range: 12-67 mo)were enrolled. Fifteen(33.3%) patients required blood transfusion before APC.Successful treatment with APC was achieved in 31(68.9%) patients. The mean number of APC sessions was 1.3(1-3). Multivariate analysis showed that APC failure was independently associated with telangiectasias present on more than50% of the surface area [odds ratio(OR) = 6.53, 95% confidence interval(CI): 1.09-39.19, P = 0.04] and ulcerated area greater than 1 cm^2(OR = 8.15, 95%CI: 1.63-40.88, P = 0.01). Six(13.3%) patients had severe complications involving rectal fistulation. The only factor significantly associated with severe complications was ulcerated area greater than 1 cm^2(P = 0.035).CONCLUSION The long-term efficacy of APC for hemorrhagic CRP is uncertain in patients with telangiectasias present on > 50% of the surface area and ulceration > 1 cm^2.

Potassium-argon/argon-40-argon-39 geochronology of Cenozoic alkali basalts from the South China Sea

Based on the isotopic chronologic results of Cenozoic alkali basalts from the South China Sea, the characteristics of volcanic activi- ty of the South China Sea after spreading were studied. The potassium - argon ages of eight alkali basalt samples from the South China Sea, and the argon - argon ages of two samples among them are reported. Apparent ages of the whole rock are 3.80 to 7. 91 Ma with an average value of 5.43 Ma （potassium- argon, whole rock）, and there is little difference among samples at the same location, e. g. , 4. 76 - 5.78 Ma for location S（M-12. The argon - argon ages for the two samples are 6.06 and 4. 71 Ma, which lie within the age scope of potassium - argon method. The dating results indicate that rock-forming age is from late Miocene to Pliocene, which is consistent with erupting event for alkali basalts from adjacent regions of the South China Sea. Volcanic activities occur after the cessation of spreading of the South China Sea, which are controlled by lithospheric fault and the spreading center formed during the spreading period of the South China Sea. These dating results, combined with geochemical characteristics of these basalts, the published chronological data for the South China Sea and its adjacent regions, and the updated geophysical data near Hainan Island, suggest that after the cessation of spreading of the South China Sea, there occur widely distributing magmatic activities which primarily is alkali basalt, and the volcanic activity continues to Quaternary. The activity may be relative to Hainan mantle plume originated from core/mantle boundary.

Long-term follow-up after complete ablation of Barrett's esophagus with argon plasma coagulation

AIM: To report the long-term outcome of patients after complete ablation of non-neoplastic Barrett's esophagus (BE) with respect to BE relapse and development of intraepithelial neoplasia or esophageal adenocarcinoma. METHODS: In 70 patients with historically proven non neoplastic BE, complete BE ablation was achieved by argon plasma coagulation (APC) and high-dose proton pump inhibitor therapy (120 mg omeprazole daily). Sixty-six patients (94.4%) underwent further surveillance endoscopy. At each surveillance endoscopy four-quadrant biopsies were taken from the neo-squamous epithelium at 2 cm intervals depending on the pre-treatment length of BE mucosa beginning at the neo-Z-line, and from any endoscopically suspicious lesion. RESULTS: The median follow-up of 66 patients was 51 mo (range 9-85 mo) giving a total of 280.5 patient years. A mean of 6 biopsies were taken during surveillance endoscopies. In 13 patients (19.7%) tongues or islands suspicious for BE were found during endoscopy. In 8 of these patients (12.1%) non-neoplastic BE relapse was confirmed histologically giving a histological relapse rate of 3% per year. In none of the patients, intraepithelial neoplasia nor an esophageal adenocarcinoma was detected. Logistic regression analysis identified endoscopic detection of islands or tongues as the only positive predictor of BE relapse (P= 0.0004). CONCLUSION: The long-term relapse rate of non neoplastic BE following complete ablation with high-power APC is low (3% per year).

Endoscopic ablation of Barrett's esophagus using high power setting argon plasma coagulation: A prospective study

AIM: This prospective study evaluated the effectiveness of 90 W argon plasma coagulation (APC) for the ablation of Barrett's esophagus (BE) that is considered to be the main risk factor for the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma.METHODS: The results from 25 patients, observed at the First Department of General Surgery, University of Verona, Italy, from October 2000 to October 2003, who underwent APC for histologically proven BE were prospectively analyzed.RESULTS: The ablation treatment was completed in all the patients but one (96%). The mean number of APC sessions needed to complete ablation was 1.6 (total number: 40). The eradication was obtained in the majority of cases by one session only (60%), two sessions were required in 24% of the cases and three or more in 16%.About 43% of the sessions were complicated. Retrosternal pain (22.5%) and fever (17.5%) were the most frequent symptoms. Only one major complication occurred, it was an hemorrhage due to ulcer formation on the treated esophagus that required urgent endoscopic sclerosis and admission. The follow-up was accomplished in all the patients with a mean period of 26.3 mo and 20 patients (84%) with a follow-up period longer than 24 mo. Only one patient showed a relapse of metaplastic mucosa 12 mo after the completion of ablation. The patient was hence re-treated and now is free from recurrence 33 mo later.CONCLUSION: High power setting (90 W) APC showed to be safe and effective. The effects persist at a mean follow-up period of two years with a comparable cost in term of complications with respect to standard power settings. Further studies with greater number of patients are required to confirm these results and to assess if ablation reduces the incidence of malignant progression.

Kinetics Characteristics and Bremsstrahlung of Argon DC Discharge Under Atmospheric Pressure

An improved self-consistent, multi-component, and one-dimensional plasma model for simulating atmospheric pressure argon glow discharge is presented. In the model, both the plasma hydrodynamics model and chemical model are considered. The numerical simulation is carried out for parallel-plate geometry with a separation of 0.06 cm. The results show that Ar＊ plays a major role in the discharge, which is mainly produced by ground state excitation reaction. The electron temperature reaches its maximum in the cathode sheath but maintains a low value （0.23 eV） in bulk plasma. Elastic collision is the dominant volumetric electron energy loss in atmosphere argon glow discharge, which is negligible in low pressure argon glow discharge. The metastable step-wise ionization is the main mechanism for electron production to sustain the discharge. However, the highest contribution to electron production rate is ground state ionization reaction. The bremsstrahlung power density is related to electric voltage. With the increase of the electric voltage, the bremsstrahlung power density increases, namely, the strength of ultraviolet radiation spectrum enhances in the cathode sheath.

Argon laser photocoagulation versus intrastromal voriconazole injection in treatment of mycotic keratitis

AIM： To compare argon laser photocoagulation and intrastromal injection of voriconazole as adjunctive treatment modalities in cases of resistant mycotic corneal ulcers. METHODS： Two groups each of them included 20 cases of resistant mycotic corneal ulcers. Both groups treated with local and systemic specific antimicrobial drugs guided with culture and sensitivity results. In one group argon laser photocoagulation was used as an adjunctive therapy to the specific antifungal drugs and in the other group, intrastromal injection of voriconazole was done besides the specific antifungal drugs. The 40 cases included in the study were proven according to culture and sensitivity to be 28 cases with pure fungal results and 12 cases with mixed （fungal and bacterial）. In argon laser group, argon laser irradiation of the corneal ulcer was performed using argon laser 532 nm wavelength （Carl Zeiss LSL 532s AG; Meditec, Inc.） after fluorescein staining. In the other group, voriconazole solution （500 pg/mL） was prepared and injected in the corneal stroma. All cases were followed up for 3mo after healing was achieved. RESULTS： Complete healing of the epithelial defect and resolution of stromal infiltration with no adverse effects were achieved in argon laser group in duration ranged from 2-4wk in 90% of cases. In voriconazole group 4 cases needed amniotic membrane graft due to thinning and 16 cases healed in duration ranged from 2- 6wk （80% of cases）. CONCLUSION： Argon superior to intrastromal treatment of resistant fungal laser photocoagulation is voriconazole injection in corneal ulcers.

Helium,Argon,and Xenon Isotopic Compositions of Ore-forming Fluids in Jinding-Baiyangping Polymetallic Deposits,Yunnan,Southwest China

The Jinding superlarge lead and zinc deposit has attracted the attention of geologists of the world and its metallogenesis has long been in dispute. This paper takes the Jinding deposit and the Baiyangping Cu-Ag-Co deposit which was recently found at about 30 km north of Jinding as one ore belt, and, based on researches on the helium, argon, and xenon isotopic compositions of primary inclusions in ore-forming solutions of the main stage, the authors have found that the 3He/4He ratio of the ore-forming fluid is 2.7×10?6 (varying from 0.19 to 1.97 Ra), the 4He/40Ar ratio (0.24–3.12) is close to the mantle characteristic ratio, and the xenon isotopic composition and evolution show characters of the mantle xenon. The above results reveal the characteristics of mantle source and crust-mantle fluid mixing (mantle helium reaching 32%) and the metallogenic contributions of the deep processes in the Jinding-Baiyangping ore belt.

MATHEMATICAL AND PHYSICAL MODELING OF INTERFACIALPHENOMENA IN CONTINOUS CASTING MOULD WITH ARGONINJECTION THROUGH SUBMERGED ENTRV NOZZLE

The study on the fluid flow, meniscus oscillation, slag entrapment in continuous casting mould was conducted mathematically and experimentally. The results show that the injection of argon into submerged nozzle enhances the meniscus oscillation, thus increases the probability of slag entrapment, and the critical argon blowing flow rate, which will give rise to slag entrapment, is around 10l/min. The trajectory of bubble is affected by the bubble diameter and the molten steel flow, and the bubble diameter is dominant. The bubble with diameter 1.4mm floats fastest with 0.47m/s terminal velocity.

Plasma Formed in Argon,Acid Nitric and Water Used in Industrial ICP Torches

Inductively coupled plasmas （ICPs） are used in spectrochemical analyses. The introduction of the sample by means of an aerosol are widely used. The introduction and the total evaporation of the aerosol is required in order to obtain a good repeatability and reproducibility of analyses. To check whether the vaporization of the aerosol droplets inside the plasma is completed, a solution could be used to compare the experimental results of the emission spectral lines with theoretical results. An accurate calculation code to obtain monatomic spectral lines intensities is therefore required, which is the purpose of the present paper. The mixtures of argon, water and nitric acid are widely used in spectrochemical analyses with ICPs. With these mixtures, we calculate the composition, thermodynamic functions and monatomic spectral lines intensities of the plasma at thermodynamic equilibrium and at atmospheric pressure. To obtain a self sufficient paper and also to allow other researchers to compare their results, all required data and a robust accurate algorithm, which is simple and easy to compute, are given.

Physical and Mathematical Modeling of the Argon-Oxygen Decarburization Refining Process of Stainless Steel

The available studies in the literature on physical and mathematical modeling of the argon oxygen decarburization (AOD) process of stainless steel have briefly been reviewed. The latest advances made by the author with his research group have been summarized. Water modeling was used to investigate the fluid flow and mixing characteristics in the bath of an 18 t AOD vessel, as well as the 'back attack' action of gas jets and its effects on the erosion and wear of the refractory lining, with sufficiently full kinematic similarity. The non rotating and rotating gas jets blown through two annular tuyeres, respectively of straight tube and spiral flat tube type, were employed in the experiments. The geometric similarity ratio between the model and its prototype (including the straight tube type tuyeres) was 1:3. The influences of the gas flow rate, the angle included between the two tuyeres and other operating parameters, and the suitability of the spiral tuyere as a practical application, were examined. These latest studies have clearly and successfully brought to light the fluid flow and mixing characteristics in the bath and the overall features of the back attack phenomena of gas jets during the blowing, and have offered a better understanding of the refining process. Besides, mathematical modeling for the refining process of stainless steel was carried out and a new mathematical model of the process was proposed and developed. The model performs the rate calculations of the refining and the mass and heat balances of the system. Also, the effects of the operating factors, including adding the slag materials, crop ends, and scrap, and alloy agents; the non isothermal conditions; the changes in the amounts of metal and slag during the refining; and other factors were all considered. The model was used to deal with and analyze the austenitic stainless steel making (including ultra low carbon steel) and was tested on data of 32 heats obtained in producing 304 grade steel in an 18 t AOD vessel. The changes in the bath composition and temperature during the refining process with time can be accurately predicted using this model. The model can provide some very useful information and a reliable basis for optimizing the process practice of the refining of stainless steel and control of the process in real time and online.

Computer simulation of the bombardment of a copper film on graphene with argon clusters

The process of graphene cleaning of a copper film by bombarding it with Ar_（13） clusters is investigated by the molecular dynamics method.The kinetic energies of the clusters are 5,10,20,and 30 eV and the incident angles are θ= 90°,75°,60°,45°,and 0°.It is obtained that the cluster energy should be in the interval 20 eV-30 eV for effective graphene cleaning.There is no cleaning effect at vertical incidence（θ =0°） of Ar_（13） clusters.The bombardments at 45° and 90° incident angles are the most effective on a moderate and large amount of deposited copper,respectively.

Rectal ulcer:Due to ketoprofen, argon plasma coagulation and prostatic brachytherapy

Prostatic brachytherapy with permanent seed implants is a recent and safe radiation therapy technique associated with radiation-induced digestive disease.Argon plasma coagulation procedure is a validated modality in the management of haemorrhagic radiation proctitis,which is known to occasionally induce chronic rectal ulcers.We report here an original case report of an acute painful rectal ulcer as a consequence of the combination of shortterm therapy with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs therapy,prostatic brachytherapy with malposition of seed implants and argon plasma coagulation procedure in a patient with haemorrhagic radiation proctitis.The description of this clinical observation is essential to recommend the discontinuation of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs therapy and the control of the position of seed implants in case of prostatic brachytherapy before argon plasma coagulation for radiation-induced proctitis.