Nonlinear optical responses in two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide multilayer: WS2, WSe2, MoS2 and Mo0.5W0.5S2: publisher's note.

This publisher's note amends the Funding section of a recent publication [Opt. Express24, 20685 (2016].

Nonlinear optical responses in two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide multilayer: WS2, WSe2, MoS2 and Mo 0.5 W0.5 S2.

Synthetic two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides such as, tungsten disulphide (WS2), tungsten diselenide (WSe2), molybdenum disulphide (MoS2) as well as mixed molybdenum tungsten disulphide (Mo0.5W0.5S2) single crystals were grown by the chemical vapor transport method using halogens (bromine or chlorine) as transport agents. Multi- layer samples were cleaved from the single crystals, and their nonlinear optical (NLO) properties were obtained from both open aperture and closed aperture Z-scan measurements using a picosecond mode-locked Nd: YAG laser operating at a wavelength of 1064 nm, with pulse duration of 25 ps, and 20 Hz repetition rate. Both WS2 and MoS2 exhibited nonlinear saturable absorption (SA), whereas WSe2 and Mo0.5W0.5S2 showed nonlinear two-photon absorption (2PA). A large 2PA coefficient ß as high as + 1.91x10-8 cm/W was obtained for the Mo0.5W0.5S2, and an index of refraction coefficient γ = -2.47x10-9 cm2/W was obtained for the WSe2 sample.

Amplification of higher-order modes by stimulated Raman scattering in H2-filled hollow-core photonic crystal fiber.

We report a method for amplifying higher-order guided modes, synthesized with a spatial light modulator, in a hydrogen-filled hollow-core photonic crystal fiber. The gain mechanism is intermodal stimulated Raman scattering, a pump laser source in the fundamental mode providing amplification for weak higher-order seed modes at the Stokes frequency. The gain for higher-order modes up to LP31 is calculated and verified experimentally.

Generation of a phase-locked Raman frequency comb in gas-filled hollow-core photonic crystal fiber.

In a relatively simple setup consisting of a microchip laser as pump source and two hydrogen-filled hollow-core photonic crystal fibers, a broad, phase-locked, purely rotational frequency comb is generated. This is achieved by producing a clean first Stokes seed pulse in a narrowband guiding photonic bandgap fiber via stimulated Raman scattering and then driving the same Raman transition resonantly with a pump and Stokes fields in a second broadband guiding kagomé-style fiber. Using a spectral interferometric technique based on sum frequency generation, we show that the comb components are phase locked.

A novel mechanism for covalent attachment of fatty acid to SV40 large T antigen.

The plasma membrane associated subclass of simian virus 40 large T antigen is specifically acylated with palmitic acid in vivo. To further analyze possible biological functions of fatty acid acylation, we developed a target-bound cell free in vitro acylation assay, in which immunopurified large T, bound to protein A-sepharose, was incubated with [3H]fatty acid. In this assay, large T was efficiently labeled with [3H]palmitic acid, but not with [3H]myristic acid. Thus the specificity of the in vivo labeling was preserved in vitro, too. The specific acylation of large T in vitro seemed to occur by an autocatalytic reaction, since it was found to be independent of added acyltransferases and exogenous energy. The energy for this reaction must be provided by the large T molecule itself, probably by an energy-rich internal ester bond. Our results provide evidence for a novel mechanism for the covalent attachment of fatty acids to proteins, which might also operate in vivo.

Serum thyroxine and thyroxine-binding proteins in chronic renal failure without nephrosis.

Total serum thyroxine (T4), free thyroxine index (FTI), thyroxine binding globulin (TBG) binding capacity, serum albumin, alpha-globulins and urinary protein excretion were measured in 50 patients with chronic renal failure, but without nephrotic syndrome. 25 patients were undergoing chronic hemodialysis. T4 was within the normal range in most patients. There was a tendency to lower T4 values as compared to an age and sex-matched control group, but this did not reach statistical significance. TBG was normal in most patients. 4 patients showed elevated TBG concomitant with elevation of other alpha-globulins. Serum albumin was significantly decreased. No correlation existed between daily protein excretion and TBG or alpha-globulins, but the correlation between serum albumin and proteinuria was highly significant. T4 and proteinuria correlated with borderline significance. A highly significant correlation between T4 and TBG-albumin values was found. No correlation existed between FTI and TBG-albumin levels. The data suggest that T4 and TBG are normal in most patients with renal failure, even in the presence of significant proteinuria. Low T4 values, when found in renal insufficiency, may be secondary to low serum albumin and possibly prealbumin.

Corticotropic action of an intra-nasally applied synthetic ACTH derivative.

The corticotropic action of a synthetic ACTH derivative, D-Ser1 Lys17,18-1-18ACTH, after intranasal insufflation of 1 mg of the peptide was evaluated in 14 normal volunteers. Plasma cortisol and urinary 17-ketogenic steroids and 17-ketosteroids rose significantly over control values in all subjects (P less than 0.001). Plasma cortisol remained above the normal range for comparable clock times for 18 hr, but fell below 15 mug/100 ml after 12 hr. No evidence for suppression of the hypothalamo-pituitary axis was found the day after ACTH administration, as judged by normal plasma and urinary steroid values and normal diurnal variation. Intranasal administration of long-acting ACTH derivatives may provide a simple, painless and effective way to stimulate endogenous corticosteroid secretion.

Quinazolines and 1,4-benzodiazepines. 81. s-Triazolo[4,3-a][1,4]benzodiazepines by oxidative cyclization of hydrazones.

s-Triazolo[4,3-a][1,4]benzodiazepines bearing various substituents in the 1 position were prepared by oxidative cyclization of the appropriate aldehyde hydrazones of 2-hydrazinobenzodiazepines. Diethyl azodicarboxylate and activated manganese dioxide were used as oxidizing agents. The new triazolo compounds were active in the CNS tests but none of them reached the potency of the known triazolobenzodiazepines.

Quinazolines and 1,4-benzodiazepines. 75. 7-Hydroxyaminobenzodiazepines and derivatives.

7-Nitro-substituted benzodiazepines were reduced with stannous chloride in a buffered system to the corresponding 7-hydroxyamino derivatives. These compounds were alkylated, acylated, and converted to nitroso and azoxy derivatives. The rearrangement of a hydroxyamine to an aminophenol and its oxidation to an aminoquinone are also exemplified. The results of the pharmacological screening for CNS effects are given.

2-benzazepines. 6. Synthesis and pharmacological properties of the metabolites of 9-chloro-7-(2-chlorophenyl)-5H-pyrimido[5,4-d] [2]benzazepine.

The 2-benzazepine 9-chloro-7-(2-chlorophenyl)-5H-pyrimido[5,4-d] [2]benzazepine (1) has been selected for development as an anxiolytic agent. In support of this program, we have confirmed by chemical synthesis the structures of three in vitro (rat liver homogenate) metabolites of 1 and confirmed the structure of the major in vivo (dog and man) metabolite of 1, compound 2. Two of the metabolites, arising from hydroxylation of the pyrimidobenzazepine ring at the 5-position (2) and N-oxide formation at the 3-position of the pyrimidobenzazepine ring (3), were found to be as active as 1 in a series of pharmacological tests. The third metabolite, formed by hydroxylation of the 7-phenyl group in the 4-position (4), was found to be inactive in the same pharmacological screens.

Triazolobenzo- and triazolothienodiazepines as potent antagonists of platelet activating factor.

A series of [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-alpha][1,4]benzodiazepines bearing an ethynyl functionality at the 8-position and the isosteric thieno[3,2-f][1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-alpha][1,4]diazepines were prepared and evaluated as antagonists of platelet activating factor. The effects of substitution were explored in in vitro and in vivo test systems designed to measured PAF-antagonistic activity. Results are discussed and compared with previously published data. Many of the compounds had activity superior to WEB 2086, compound 1. In general, the thieno analogues exhibited better oral activity than the corresponding benzodiazepines. The duration of activity upon oral administration was modulated by the substitution on the acetylenic side chain. Compounds 71 and 81 were selected for further pharmacological evaluation as a result of their good oral potency and exceptionally long duration of action.

Thienotriazolodiazepines as platelet-activating factor antagonists. Steric limitations for the substituent in position 2.

The preparations of thienotriazolodiazepines bearing a substituted ethynyl group at the 2-position, and the corresponding cis-olefins and fully saturated analogues are described. The compounds were evaluated as potential antagonists of platelet-activating factor (PAF) in in vitro and in vitro test models. The new thienotriazolodiazepines are compared with known related compounds such as WEB 2086 (compound 6) and the phenylethyl derivatives 27 and 28.

2-Benzazepines. 4. [1,2,3]Triazolo[4,5-d][2]benzazepines and dibenzo[c,f][1,2,3]triazolo[3,4-a]azepines: synthesis and evaluation as central nervous system agents.

The facile synthesis of [1,2,3]triazolo((4,5-d][2]benzazepines and dibenzo[c,f][1,2,3]triazolo[3,4-a]azepines by the addition of sodium azide to acetylenic benzophenones is described. Examination of the pharmacological data indicates that selected triazolobenzazepines are as potent as diazepam in the anti-pentylenetetrazole test and are weaker in the inclined screen and rotarod tests, suggesting that these compounds have antianxiety properties similar to diazepam with fewer deficits in motor coordination. In addition, a possible diazepam antagonist was found in the triazolo-benzazepine series. The dibenzotriazoloazepines were found to be inactive in four standard CNS screening procedures.

2-benzazepines. 5. Synthesis of pyrimido[5,4-d][2]benzazepines and their evaluation as anxiolytic agents.

A series of 5H-pyrimido[5,4-d][2]benzazepines has been synthesized, starting from the corresponding 2-benzazepin-5-ones, and evaluated as potential anxiolytic agents. Selected compounds from this series show a pharmacological profile of action different than that of diazepam. They are more potent than diazepam in the anti-pentylenetetrazole test and in the [3H]diazepam binding assay, yet show less activity in the inclined screen test. A pharmacological data profile is given for 9-chloro-7-(2-chlorophenyl)-5H-pyrimido[5,4-d] [2]benzazepine (7c). The structure-activity relationships of these potential anxiolytic agents are discussed.

[Ulcerating scrotal leiomyoma]. / Ulzeriertes skrotales Leiomyom.

A 74-years old patient is admitted to the hospital with a over a period of 4 years growing, scrotal, ulcerated tumor. There is no connection to the testicle or the epididymis palpable. All laboratory findings including the tumorparameters are normal. The scrotal sonography shows a solid tumor, that is filled with vessels in the Doppler sonography. The complete tumor resection with histological examination leads to the diagnosis of a scrotal leiomyoma. This rare, benign tumor is a differential diagnosis to paratesticular or non-germinal tumors.

[Refractive errors among schoolchildren in the central region of Togo]. / Amétropies en milieu scolaire dans la région centrale du Togo.

Untreated refractive errors represent the main visual impairment in the world but also the easiest to avoid. The goal of this survey is to use clinical and epidemiological data to efficiently plan distribution of corrective glasses in a project supported by the Swiss Red Cross in the central region of Togo. To achieve this goal, 66 primary schools were identified randomly in the catchment area of the project. The teachers at these schools were previously trained to test visual acuity (VA). The schoolchildren referred by these teachers were examined by eye care professionals. The schoolchildren with ametropia (VA≤7/10 in at least one eye) underwent cycloplegic autorefraction. Of a total of 19,252 registered schoolchildren, 13,039 underwent VA testing by the teachers (participation rate=68%). Among them, 366 cases of ametropia were identified (prevalence about 3%). The average age of the schoolchildren examined was 10.7±2.3years, with a sex ratio of 1.06. Autorefraction, which was performed for 37% of the schoolchildren with ametropia allowed them to be classified into three groups: hyperopia (4%), myopia (5%) and astigmatism of all types (91%). Regardless of the type of ametropia, the degree of severity was mild in 88%. The results of this survey have highlighted the importance of the teachers' contribution to eye care education in the struggle against refractive errors within the school environment, as well as helping to efficiently plan actions against ametropia.