Diode-wing-pumped electro-optically Q-switched 2 µm laser with pulse energy scaling over ten millijoules.

Characteristics of diode-wing-pumped highly efficient Tm:LuAG lasers running both in continuous wave (CW) and electro-optical Q-switching regimes have been investigated. Using a simple plane-plane cavity, a maximum CW output power of 8.5 W has been achieved with a corresponding slope efficiency of 44.5% by "wing pumping" at 790 nm. With a V-shaped cavity, a diode-wing-pumped MgO:LiNbO3 crystal based electro-optically Q-switched Tm:LuAG laser at 2022.9 nm delivered a maximum pulse energy of 10.8 mJ and a minimum pulse width of 52 ns at a corresponding repetition rate of 100 Hz. To the best of our knowledge, the achieved CW output power and Q-switched pulse energy have both set records for all-solid-state Tm:LuAG lasers, which well reveals an efficient way to generate high-power and high-energy lasers at 2 µm wavelength.

Mode-locked Tm,Ho:YAP laser around 2.1 µm.

A passively mode-locked Tm,Ho:YAP laser around 2.1 µm wavelength employing a semiconductor saturable absorber mirror is demonstrated. Stable continuous wave mode-locking operation was achieved at variable center wavelengths of 2036.5 nm, 2064.5 nm, 2095.5 nm, 2103.5 nm, and 2130 nm, respectively. Pulses as short as 40.4 ps were obtained at 2064.5 nm with a spectral FWHM of 0.5 nm at output powers of 132 mW and a repetition rate around 107 MHz. A maximum output power of 238 mW was obtained at 2130 nm with a pulse duration of 66 ps.

Diode-pumped continuous wave tunable and graphene Q-switched Tm:LSO lasers.

We have investigated the lasing characteristics of Tm:LSO crystal in three operation regimes: continuous wave (CW), wavelength tunable and passive Q-switching based on graphene. In CW regime, a maximum output power of 0.65 W at 2054.9 nm with a slope efficiency of 21% was achieved. With a quartz plate, a broad wavelength tunable range of 145 nm was obtained, corresponding to a FWHM of 100 nm. By using a graphene saturable absorber mirror, the passively Q-switched Tm:LSO laser produced pulses with duration of 7.8 µs at 2030.8 nm under a repetition rate of 7.6 kHz, corresponding to pulse energy of 14.0 µJ.

Passively Q-switched Nd:Sc0.2Y0.8SiO5 dual-wavelength laser with the orthogonally polarized output.

We have demonstrated a laser-diode pumped continuous-wave (CW) and passively Q-switched laser with a Nd:Sc(0.2)Y(0.8)SiO(5) (Nd:SYSO) crystal for the first time. In the CW operation, the laser was found to oscillate in tri-wavelength regime at 1074.8 nm, 1076.6 nm and 1078.2 nm, respectively. The maximum CW output power of 1.96 W was obtained, giving an optical-to-optical conversion efficiency of 35% and a slope efficiency of 39%. Using either Cr(4+):YAG or V(3+):YAG crystal as saturable absorber, stable passively Q-switched laser was obtained at dual-wavelength of 1074.8 nm and 1078.2 nm with orthogonal-polarization. The maximum average output power, pulse repetition rate, and shortest pulse width were 1.03 W, 50 kHz, and 24 ns, respectively. The passively Q-switched dual-wavelength laser could be potentially used as a source for generation of terahertz radiation.

Efficient continuous wave and passively mode-locked Tm-doped crystalline silicate laser.

An efficient continuous wave and passively mode-locked thulium-doped oxyorthosilicate Tm:LuYSiO5 laser is demonstrated. A maximum slope efficiency of 56.3% is obtained at 2057.4 nm in continuous wave operation regime. With an InGaAs quantum well SESAM, self-starting passively mode-locked Tm:LuYSiO5 laser is realized in the 1929 nm to 2065 nm spectral region. A maximum average output power of 130.2 mW with a pulse duration of 33.1 ps and a repetition rate of about 100 MHz is generated at 1984.1 nm. Pulses as short as 24.2 ps with an average output power of 100 mW are obtained with silicon prisms where used to manage the intracavity dispersion. The shortest pulse duration of about 19.6 ps is obtained with an average output power of 64.5 mW at 1944.3 nm.

Adenosine diphosphate-ribosylation factor-like 15 can regulate glycolysis and lipogenesis related genes in colon cancer.

This study was designed to investigate the potential key genes of ADP-ribosylation factor-like 15 (ARL15) regulating glycolysis and lipogenesis in colon cancer. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemistry were used to observe the expression of ARL15 in 10 normal colon tissues and 10 colon cancer tissues. Immunofluorescence staining was used to observe the expression position of ARL15 in normal human colorectal mucosa cells (FHC) and colon cancer cells (HCT116 and SW620) with a confocal microscope. The ARL15 plasmid and small interfering RNA (siRNA) were constructed. After transfection, the expression levels of glycolysis and lipogenesis regulatory enzymes and messenger RNA (mRNA) transcription of ARL15 in over-expressed and silenced colon cancer cells were detected by Western blotting and real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). High expression of ARL15 in colon cancer tissue and low expression in normal colon tissue, and all expression are in the cytosol. The expression position of ARL15 in the FHC, HCT116, and SW620 cells was consistent and mainly distributed in the cytosol. After the pCMV-3Tag-2-ARL15 plasmid was transfected in HCT116, the protein expressions of FASN, AKT, P-AKT, P-GSK, SREBP-1 (p125) (p<0.01), and AMPK (p<0.001) were higher than those in the control group. The mRNA transcription level of FASN, GSK, AMPKa1, and SREBP-1 gene was higher than control group after the over-expression of ARL15. After the ARL15-siRNA was transfected in HCT116, the protein expression levels of PKM2, PFK, FASN, AKT, P-AKT, P-GSK, and AMPK decreased compared with the control group, (p<0.05). The mRNA transcription level of FASN, GSK, AMPKα1 gene was lower than control group after the low-expression of ARL15 (p<0.05). After adding 2 µM JIB-04, ARL15 in HCT116 showed statistical differences compared with the control group at 12 h, 24 h and 36 h (p<0.05). After adding 2 µM JIB-04, the protein expression levels of AKT, p-GSK, FASN, AMPK and SREBP-1 in HCT116 cells decreased significantly after 24 h. It was also found that the expression levels of AKT, P-GSK, FASN, AMPK and SREBP-1 genes in the dose-adding group were significantly lower than those in the control group. In summary, ARL15 may promote the occurrence of colon cancer by increasing the expression of protein kinase B/AMP-activated protein kinase (AKT/AMPK) downstream regulatory enzymes for glycogenesis and lipogenesis. JIB-04 can target ARL15 and affect its expression as well as the expressions of glucose and lipid metabolity-related proteins in AKT and AMPK signaling pathways.

Comparative investigations on continuous wave operation of a-cut and b-cut Tm,Ho:YAlO3 lasers at room temperature.

The Tm,Ho:YAlO3 laser performance for two crystal orientations pumped by a wavelength tunable Ti:Sapphire laser is presented in this paper. An experimental investigation comparing a- and b-oriented Tm,Ho:YAlO3 crystals laser performance is demonstrated and discussed. Single- and multi-wavelength operations of Tm,Ho:YAlO3 lasers have been investigated in detail. The maximum output powers of 890 mW at 2119 nm for a-oriented Tm,Ho:YAlO3 crystal and 946 mW at 2103 nm for b-oriented Tm,Ho:YAlO3 crystal have been obtained, respectively. The two crystals show very similar performance in terms of output power and conversion efficiency, only that the b-cut Tm,Ho:YAP crystal demonstrates more regimes of multi-wavelength operations.

Cytogenetic and molecular characterization of a three-generation family with chromosome 5p terminal deletion.

Terminal or interstitial deletion on the short arm of chromosome 5 is associated with a genetic disorder, cri-du-chat syndrome (cat cry syndrome), which is characterized by a cat-like cry in infancy, facial dysmorphism, microcephaly, and mental retardation. There is a high degree of variation in clinical presentations of patients with cri-du-chat syndrome, which is usually associated with different sizes and locations of deletions in chromosome 5p. Most patients with a 5p deletion have de novo mutations; familial 5p deletion is rare in literature. Here, we report a three-generation family with a 5p terminal deletion. The terminal 5p deletion (5p15.2-pter) in this family was confirmed and characterized by karyotyping analysis, fluorescent in situ hybridization, array comparative genome hybridization, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Although the affected family members apparently share deletions of the same size, there are some variations in mental symptoms within this family. Two affected females manifest moderate mental retardation and psychotic symptoms such as delusion of persecution, auditory hallucination, self-talking, and self-laughing, which are rare in cri-du-chat syndrome. In contrast, the other three affected males express mild-to-moderate mental retardation but no psychotic symptoms. Our study suggests that other factors besides the size and location of 5p deletions may modify the mental presentations of patients with 5p deletions.

Primary glaucoma triple procedure in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma: the effect of mitomycin C in patients with and without prognostic factors for filtration failure.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of adjunctive mitomycin C on primary glaucoma triple procedure in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma with and without one or more of the prognostic factors for filtration failure of primary glaucoma triple procedure. Those factors include being of African-American race, having a preoperative intraocular pressure of 20 mm Hg or more on maximum tolerated medications, and being on two or more medications preoperatively. METHODS: Study patients consisted of 197 consecutive patients with primary open-angle glaucoma who were randomly assigned to receive either no adjunctive mitomycin C (101 eyes of 101 patients) or to receive adjunctive subconjunctival mitomycin C (96 eyes of 96 patients) during the primary glaucoma triple procedure. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis comparisons were made between respective subgroups with and without prognostic indicators for filtration failures using a relatively stringent set of criteria for filtration success of primary glaucoma triple procedure. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant (P = .117) difference in filtration success of primary glaucoma triple procedure between the control and mitomycin C groups. Adjunctive mitomycin C significantly (P < .05) improved the filtration outcome of the primary glaucoma triple procedure in the subgroups with each of the three prognostic factors for filtration failure of primary glaucoma triple procedure. On the other hand, in the subgroups without the prognostic factors, adjunctive mitomycin C did not significantly (P > .05) change the filtration outcome of the primary glaucoma triple procedure. CONCLUSION: These findings establish the basis for selective use of mitomycin C in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma undergoing primary glaucoma triple procedure.

Triangular transchamber suture.

A 64-year-old woman with a fibrous membrane at the lens plane after traumatic loss of all the iris and massive intraocular hemorrhage had posterior chamber intraocular lens (PCIOL) implantation anterior to the fibrous membrane with a triangular transchamber suture to prevent possible PCIOL-corneal touch and enhance the stability of the PCIOL. After 3 years, the PCIOL remained in a good position and visual rehabilitation was satisfactory and without complications.

Mitomycin-C supplemented trabeculectomy, phacoemulsification, and foldable lens implantation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcome of combined mitomycin-C filtering surgery, phacoemulsification, and foldable intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. SETTING: Wills Eye Hospital, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. METHODS: This retrospective study evaluated 182 eyes of 174 patients who had combined mitomycin-C trabeculectomy, phacoemulsification, and insertion of a foldable IOL through a 3.5 mm incision. Success of the combined procedure was defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) below 21 mm Hg, with or without medications, and no serious complication. Success rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier actuarial method. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 16.7 months +/- 5.4 (SD). The probability of success at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months was 98.3, 95.6, 90.6, and 88.0%, respectively. When compared with preoperatively, visual acuity improved one or more lines in 148 eyes (81.3%) and worsened one or more lines in 15 (8.2%); 111 eyes (61.0%) achieved visual acuity of 20/40 or better. The most frequent complication was posterior capsule opacification requiring capsulotomy, which occurred in 22 cases (12.0%). CONCLUSION: The 1 year and 2 year IOP control rate of combined mitomycin-C filtering procedures and phacoemulsification in glaucoma patients was high.

Extensive destruction of the eyeball by invasion of basal cell carcinoma of the eyelid.

BACKGROUND: Eyeball destruction caused by invasion of basal cell carcinoma of the eyelid. CASE: A 100-year-old woman showed extensive eyeball destruction caused by the invasion of basal cell carcinoma of the eyelid. Complete ophthalmologic examinations, including computed tomographic (CT) scans of the orbit, were performed. The patient underwent incisional biopsy and bacteriological examination of the exudate from the lesion. OBSERVATIONS: Orbital CT scan showed a mass in the extraconal space of the right orbit, with extension to the adjacent sinus cavity without brain involvement. The remnant of the eyeball was posteriorly displaced. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was identified by culture examination of the exudate. Histological study of the biopsy specimen showed basal cell carcinoma of the noduloulcerative type. CONCLUSIONS: Basal cell carcinoma of the eyelid had caused severe periorbital and eyeball destruction.

Combined secondary capsulorhexis and vitreous surgery in a case of anterior capsule contraction and vitreous hemorrhage.

A 59-year-old woman with diabetic vitreous hemorrhage and contracted anterior capsule opening received secondary capsulorhexis and trans pars plana vitrectomy in a single operation. The combined surgery was successful. In addition, the anterior capsule opening was enlarged by the procedure and no further vitreous hemorrhage occurred during the 6 month follow-up period in both eyes. When anterior capsule opening reduction is encountered in patients requiring vitreoretinal surgery, combining secondary capsulorhexis and vitreoretinal surgery together in a single operation maybe provide a good treatment alternative.

A new technique for repositioning a posteriorly dislocated intraocular lens.

Pars plana vitrectomy was performed to treat a complete posterior dislocation of an intraocular lens in seven patients. The method that the authors have developed appears to be safer and simpler than those previously described. The haptics are externalized for a secure tie at the proper site, and are then reinternalized back through the pars plana sclerotomies. Only two small needle perforations are made for the scleral fixation of the intraocular lens in the ciliary sulcus. Perfluorocarbon liquid is used to prevent intraoperative retinal damage.

A traumatic macular hole secondary to a high-energy Nd:YAG laser.

A case is reported of a traumatic macular hole caused by a high-energy Nd:YAG laser. The initial ocular examination revealed an explosive, crater-shaped, full-thickness macular hole surrounded by local edema and detachment. By the 12th day after the injury, the hole had shrunk progressively and was covered by a thin fibrin-like membrane. A thick epiretinal membrane covered the injured area 1 month after the injury. Nine months after the injury, the macular hole closed spontaneously with a partially detached epiretinal membrane. This case demonstrates one of the natural healing processes of a traumatic macular hole. Although the hole finally closed, the patient did not regain his vision because of the severe damage to the photoreceptors, retinal pigment epithelium, and choroid.

The efficacy of 0.2% brimonidine for preventing intraocular pressure rise following argon laser trabeculoplasty.

Brimonidine tartrate of 0.5% was identified as the most effective and safe dose for acute intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering. The efficacy of brimonidine tartrate 0.2% in preventing IOP elevation after an argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) was evaluated. Eighty patients were selected for a randomized, prospective study. Each patient was assigned to one of four treatment regimens: (1) brimonidine before and after ALT(B/B), (2) brimonidine before and placebo after ALT(B/P), (3) placebo before and brimonidine after ALT(P/B), (4) placebo before and after ALT(P/P). IOP elevation of 5 mmHg or greater occurred in 3.3% (2/60) of brimonidine-treated patients and in 30% (6/20) of placebo-treated patients. There was a mean decrease of IOP from baseline during the first 3 hours after ALT in all brimonidine-treated groups (7.1 +/- 3.4, 6.2 +/- 4.4, 3.5 +/- 2.9 mmHg for the B/B, B/P, P/B groups), but no change of mean IOP in the Placebo-treated group. Only one drop of brimonidine tartrate of 0.2% installed either before or after ALT was sufficient to prevent post-ALT IOP spike and minimize the undesired systemic adverse effects that two drop installation can produce.

Gene expression profiling of allogeneic islet grafts in an experimental mouse model before rejection or tolerance phenotypes arise.

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that an HY antigen-mismatched islet transplantation can induce peripheral tolerance. However, the factors that initiate the peripheral tolerance are not clear. This study was designed to examine which genes were most important for the induction of peripheral tolerance. METHODS: Islets from female Balb/c and male C57BL/6 mice were transplanted underneath the left perirenal capsule of female C57BL/6 recipient mice rendered diabetic by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. Before rejection or tolerance phenotypes arose, we harvested islet grafts for cDNA microarray analysis. RESULTS: Minor antigen-mismatched islets transplanted into recipient mice showed no rejection or tolerance phenotypes until 12 days posttransplantation. When we confirmed, decreased functional islet grafts and increased inflammatory cell infiltration. Gene expression profiles revealed differences in expression among groups. Major histocompatibility complex-mismatched islets induced upregulation of 209 genes and downregulation of 10 genes compared with the HY antigen-mismatched islet (2-fold; P < .05). Of these, 3 genes exhibited significant changes in expression levels in Balb/c donor islet grafts compared with C57BL/6 donor islet grafts: Gad1, Gdf10, and Scg2 (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggested that 3 genes showed a significant relationship to protection against graft rejection. The identification of these genes may help to understand signaling pathways, involved in the communication between transplanted islet grafts and recipients in vivo.

Paediatric retinal detachment: comparison of high myopia and extreme myopia.

AIMS: To compare the clinical features and surgical outcomes of paediatric retinal detachment (RD) in high myopia and extreme myopia. METHODS: The clinical charts of 107 children who experienced RD and had a spherical equivalent (SE) of at least 6.00 dioptres (D) were reviewed. The patients were separated into a high myopia group (SE -6.0 to -10.0 D) and extreme myopia group (SE >-10.0 D). RD characteristics and outcomes were compared between these two groups. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the two groups in total RD (p<0.001), the presence of posterior staphyloma (p<0.001) and some types of breaks. More eyes in the extreme myopia group required vitrectomy after the initial RD repair. In the high myopia group, retinal reattachment was achieved in 79 eyes (97.5%) at the end of the intervention, whereas in the extreme myopia group, retinal reattachment was achieved in 22 eyes (73.3%). Multiple logistic regression showed that a higher refractive error was the only negative predictor of surgical outcome (p = 0.026). CONCLUSION: Due to differences in aetiologies, clinical characteristics, required surgical procedure after initial repair, surgical and functional outcomes, paediatric RD with extreme myopia should be addressed differently from paediatric RD with high myopia.