Surgical resection and orbital iodine-125 brachytherapy for orbital malignancy: a novel treatment for orbital lymphoma.

OBJECTIVES: Orbital lymphoma is one of the most common adult orbital malignancies, accounting for approximately 10% of all orbital tumors. This study aimed to analyze the effects of surgical resection and orbital iodine-125 brachytherapy implantation for orbital lymphoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study. Clinical data of 10 patients were collected from October 2016 to November 2018 and followed up to March 2022. Patients underwent the primary surgery for maximal safe removal of the tumor. After a pathologic diagnosis of a primary orbital lymphoma was established, iodine-125 seed tubes were designed based on the tumor size and invasion range, and direct vision was placed into the nasolacrimal canal or/and under the orbital periosteum around the resection cavity during the secondary surgery. Then, follow-up data, including the general situation, ocular condition, and tumor recurrence, were recorded. RESULTS: Of the 10 patients, the pathologic diagnoses included extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (6 cases), small lymphocytic lymphoma (1 case), mantle cell lymphoma (2 cases), and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (1 case). The number of seeds implanted ranged from 16 to 40. The follow-up period ranged between 40 and 65 months. All patients in this study were alive and well had tumors that were completely controlled. No tumor recurrences or metastases occurred. Three patients had dry eye syndrome and two patients had abnormal facial sensation. No patient had radiodermatitis involving the skin around the eye, and no patient had radiation-related ophthalmopathy. CONCLUSIONS: Based on preliminary observations, iodine-125 brachytherapy implantation appeared to be a reasonable alternative to external irradiation for orbital lymphoma.

An effective formaldehyde gas sensor based on oxygen-rich three-dimensional graphene.

Three-dimensional (3D) graphene with a high specific surface area and excellent electrical conductivity holds extraordinary potential for molecular gas sensing. Gas molecules adsorbed onto graphene serve as electron donors, leading to an increase in conductivity. However, several challenges remain for 3D graphene-based gas sensors, such as slow response and long recovery time. Therefore, research interest remains in the promotion of the sensitivity of molecular gas detection. In this study, we fabricate oxygen plasma-treated 3D graphene for the high-performance gas sensing of formaldehyde. We synthesize large-area, high-quality, 3D graphene over Ni foam by chemical vapor deposition and obtain freestanding 3D graphene foam after Ni etching. We compare three types of strategies-non-treatment, oxygen plasma, and etching in HNO3solution-for the posttreatment of 3D graphene. Eventually, the strategy for oxygen plasma-treated 3D graphene exceeds expectations, which may highlight the general gas sensing based on chemiresistors.

Study on Behavior of Steel Hoop Connections for Raw Bamboo Members.

Bamboo structures have various types of connections, such as bolting and lashing. One crucial issue in bamboo structures is that the connection with bolts and nails has a lower load-carrying capacity associated with the bamboo failure resulting from the bolt or nail invading them. This paper focuses on the connection for raw bamboo members with steel hoops (BHC), of which the two semi-circular steel hoops are fastened to the raw bamboo with high-strength bolts. The sliding friction is controlled by the interfacial pressure, which can be increased by tightening the bolts. A push-out experiment on thirty-six specimens was conducted considering the following two parameters: the different surface conditions of raw bamboo (with or without the epidermis) and the different interfacial pressure. The test results mainly showed the two failure modes of specimens under certain conditions: continuous longitudinal slip after the vertical load reached the peak; and the steel hoop stuck in the bamboo skin after a period of slip. It is found that the sliding friction was controlled by the interfacial pressure, and the difference in the anti-sliding capacity between the epidermal bamboo specimen and the non-epidermal bamboo specimen was magnified with the increase of interfacial pressure. The contact stress on the surface of bamboo is approximately uniformly distributed based on the finite element analyses. The interfacial pressure can be predicted by the torque value of the digital electronic torque wrench and the equations established by mechanical analysis, respectively. Moreover, the design formulae of bearing capacity for BHC under three guaranteed rates (50%, 95%, and 99.9%) were developed based on probability theory, while the fourth design formula was derived by regression analysis. The reliability indices of the four design formulae were up to 0.07, 1.44, 3.09, and 0.97, respectively, and the resistance partial coefficients were suggested accordingly.

Graphene Biodevices for Early Disease Diagnosis Based on Biomarker Detection.

The early diagnosis of diseases plays a vital role in healthcare and the extension of human life. Graphene-based biosensors have boosted the early diagnosis of diseases by detecting and monitoring related biomarkers, providing a better understanding of various physiological and pathological processes. They have generated tremendous interest, made significant advances, and offered promising application prospects. In this paper, we discuss the background of graphene and biosensors, including the properties and functionalization of graphene and biosensors. Second, the significant technologies adopted by biosensors are discussed, such as field-effect transistors and electrochemical and optical methods. Subsequently, we highlight biosensors for detecting various biomarkers, including ions, small molecules, macromolecules, viruses, bacteria, and living human cells. Finally, the opportunities and challenges of graphene-based biosensors and related broad research interests are discussed.

Iodine-125 interstitial brachytherapy for malignant lacrimal sac tumours: an innovative technique.

OBJECTIVES: Primary malignant tumours of the lacrimal sac are rare, surgery and radiotherapy may induce substantial side effects for patients. Here, this article reports an innovative technique of interstitial brachytherapy developed for the treatment of malignant lacrimal sac tumours. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Four patients (male 3, female 1), with an average age of 52.7 years (range 41-72 years), were individually diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma and lymphoma. All patients received Iodine-125 interstitial brachytherapy after surgical resection for malignant lacrimal sac tumours. Visual function examination (vision, intraocular tension, fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography) and CT/MRI/PET-MRI were performed to look for signs of recurrent tumours or metastasis. RESULTS: Four patients were followed for an average of 28 months (range, 23-37 months). All patients were free from local disease. Their visual function was normal, and CT/MRI did not reveal any tumour recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Iodine-125 interstitial brachytherapy can be used as an alternative to wide excision or exenteration of these tumours. There was good local control, reasonable maintenance of vision, and good cosmesis.

Metastatic retinoblastoma of the parotid and submandibular glands: a rare case report.

BACKGROUND: Retinoblastoma is the most common intraocular malignancy occurring in children. It can metastasize to the regional lymph nodes, central nervous system and distant organs usually the bones and bone marrow and very rarely to the soft tissue. Here, we report a case of unilateral retinoblastoma in a 4-year-old girl accompanied by a large metastasis of the parotid and submandibular glands that developed about 6 months previously and gradually increased in size 5 months after enucleation of the left eye. CASE PRESENTATION: A 4-year-old girl with a history of unilateral retinoblastoma presented with a large, painful and worsening mass (about 20 × 23 cm) of the left side of the neck. Following surgery, the orbital tumour was completely resected, and the large tumour invasion range in the left side of the neck was not resected completely. Histopathological examination revealed retinoblastoma of the orbit and the parotid and submandibular glands. After chemotherapy and additional local radiotherapy on the parotid and submandibular glands, the tumour was inactive and stable. CONCLUSIONS: Delayed detection and inappropriate management contribute to poor outcomes. Fundus examinations, education regarding the early signs of RB, and optimization of the therapeutic strategy for RB may play important roles in ocular health.