Coherent Two-Photon LIDAR with Incoherent Light.

Coherent light detection and ranging (LIDAR) offers exceptional sensitivity and precision in measuring the distance of remote objects by employing first-order interference. However, the ranging capability of coherent LIDAR is principally constrained by the coherence time of the light source determined by the spectral bandwidth. Here, we introduce coherent two-photon LIDAR, which eliminates the range limitation of coherent LIDAR due to the coherence time. Our scheme capitalizes on the counterintuitive phenomenon of two-photon interference of thermal light, in which the second-order interference fringe remains impervious to the short coherence time of the light source determined by the spectral bandwidth. By combining this feature with transverse two-photon interference of thermal light, we demonstrate distance ranging beyond the coherence time without relying on time-domain interference fringes. Moreover, we show that our coherent two-photon LIDAR scheme is robust to turbulence and ambient noise. This work opens up novel applications of two-photon correlation in classical light.

Efficacy and Safety of Inhalation Sedation during Office Probing for Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction.

We compared the effectiveness of inhaled sevoflurane versus physical restraint during probing in children with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO). We performed a retrospective review of children with CNLDO who underwent office probing procedures by a single surgeon under sedation or restraint. Patients' characteristics at the time of probing, including age, sex, laterality, previous non-surgical treatment, presence of dacryocystitis, outcomes of probing, and complications were compared between the sedation and restraint groups. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the prognostic factors associated with the success of probing. A subgroup analysis by 12 months of age was also conducted. The overall success rate was 88.6% in 202 eyes of 180 consecutive children (mean age, 15.1 ± 7.7 months). The sedation group had a marginally higher success rates than the restraint group (93.8% vs. 85.1%, p = 0.056). The success rate was not significantly different between the two groups in children aged <12 months (90.9% vs. 93.1%, p = 0.739), but it was significantly higher in the sedation group (94.7% vs. 77.8%. p = 0.006) in children aged ≥12 months. Inhalation sedation was the most potent factor associated with success (adjusted odds ratio = 5.56, 95% confidence interval = 1.33-23.13, p = 0.018) in children aged ≥12 months. There were no surgical or sedation-related complications intra- and postoperatively. Inhaled sevoflurane sedation resulted in more successful, controlled, painless probing, particularly in children aged ≥12 months. It represents a safe, efficient alternative to general anesthesia.

Correlation between body composition and blepharoptosis in adults.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to explore the association between body composition indices, such as fat mass (FM) and lean body mass (LBM), and blepharoptosis. METHODS: The study evaluated 12,168 Korean adults aged 40 years or older using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2008-2011). FM index (FMI, kg/m2) and LBM index (LBMI, kg/m2) were used to correct for the effects of body size. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the association between blepharoptosis and body composition indices such as FMI, LBMI, and fat percentage of whole body or head. Stratified analyses were also performed by levator function. RESULTS: Higher FMI and head fat percentage were significantly associated with blepharoptosis (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.10-1.65; and aOR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.03-1.69 in the highest tertile compared with the lowest, respectively). In the subgroup with good levator function (≥8 mm), higher FMI, head fat percentage, and head lean mass were significantly associated with blepharoptosis (aOR for the right eye [aORr] = 1.42 and aOR for the left eye [aORl] = 1.36; aORr = 1.41 and aORl = 1.37; and aORr = 1.50 and aORl = 1.49 in the highest tertile compared with the lowest, respectively; all p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Body compositions with high adiposity indices, such as high FMI and head fat percentage, were positively associated with blepharoptosis. Awareness of the potential correlation between obesity-associated fat deposition and blepharoptosis could improve management of the condition and contribute to understanding the pathogenesis of blepharoptosis.

Prognostic factors for relapse and survival among patients with ocular adnexal lymphoma: validation of the eighth edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM classification.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To validate the prognostic performance of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) eighth edition classification for ocular adnexal lymphoma (OAL). METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 140 consecutive patients treated for primary OAL between March 2010 and September 2017. Associations between T/N/M categories at presentation and disease-related outcomes, including relapse, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated. RESULTS: Seventy-nine women and 61 men (median age, 52 (range 20-84) years; median follow-up, 57 (range 7-131) months) were included. Histological subtypes included mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma (92.1%, n=129), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (5.0%, n=7), follicular lymphoma (1.4%, n=2) and mantle cell lymphoma (1.4%, n=2). Patients with ≥T2 disease had significantly higher risks of overall relapse (unadjusted HR)=4.32, p=0.016), decreased PFS (uHR=5.19, p=0.004) and decreased OS (uHR=9.21, p=0.047). Patients with ≥N1 disease had significantly higher risks of overall relapse (uHR=9.17, p<0.001) and decreased PFS (uHR=9.24, p<0.001). M1 disease was significantly associated with higher risks of overall relapse (uHR=3.62, p=0.036), decreased PFS (uHR=5.13, p=0.001) and decreased OS (uHR=9.24, p=0.013). On considering TNM categories as continuous data, the uHRs for per level increase in T, N and M categories were 1.77, 1.83 and 2.30 for overall relapse and 1.72, 1.87 and 2.78 for decreased PFS, respectively (p<0.05 for each comparison). CONCLUSION: The T, N and M categories of the AJCC eighth edition classification have prognostic value for relapse and survival among patients with primary OAL. Particularly, nodal/metastatic involvement at presentation indicated less favourable outcome.

Generation of hyper-entangled photons in a hot atomic vapor.

A source of hyper-entangled photons plays a vital role in quantum information processing, owing to its high information capacity. In this Letter, we demonstrate a convenient method to generate polarization and orbital angular momentum (OAM) hyper-entangled photon pairs via spontaneous four-wave mixing (SFWM) in a hot $ ^{87}{\rm Rb} $87Rb atomic vapor. The polarization entanglement is achieved by coherently combining two SFWM paths with the aid of two beam displacers that constitute a phase self-stabilized interferometer, and OAM entanglement is realized by taking advantage of the OAM conservation condition during the SFWM process. Our hyper-entangled biphoton source possesses high brightness and high nonclassicality and may have broad applications in atom-photon-interaction-based quantum networks.

Generation and characterization of position-momentum entangled photon pairs in a hot atomic gas cell.

Continuous-variable position-momentum entanglement (or Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen entanglement) of two particles has played important roles in the fundamental study of quantum physics as well as in the progress of quantum information. In this paper, we propose a scheme to generate Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) position-momentum entangled photon pairs efficiently via spontaneous four-wave mixing (SFWM) process in a hot rubidium gas cell. The EPR entanglement between the photon pair is measured and characterized by using the ghost interference and the ghost imaging method. Due to the simplicity of the experimental setup and the high photon pair generation rate, our EPR entangled photon source may has potential applications in quantum imaging, hyperentanglement preparation and atomic ensemble based quantum information processing and quantum communication protocols.

Label-free rapid and simple detection of exonuclease III Activity with DNA Templated Copper Nanoclusters.

In this study, DNA-templated copper nanoclusters (DNA-CuNCs) were used to detect exonuclease III (Exo III) activity, which is important for the diagnosis and therapy of several diseases. The results of this study showed that Exo III was affected by the concentrations of magnesium ions and sodium ions, and its optimal conditions for cleavage were 5 mM Mg2+ and less than 25 mM Na+. With a blunt-end DNA, more than 98% of DNA was digested by Exo III. As expected, with two or four cytosines in the terminal position of a 4-base overhanging DNA such as 5'-GGCC-3' and 5'-CCCC-3', there was little cleavage by Exo III compared to with a blunt-end DNA.

A Label-Free Detection of NdeI Endonuclease Activity by Using DNA-Templated Silver Nanoclusters.

Restriction endonucleases play an important role in genetic recombination, molecular cloning, clinical diagnosis, and pharmacological application in drug studies. In the present study, DNA-templated Ag+ nanoclusters (DNA-AgNCs) were used to detect NdeI endonuclease activity due to their facile synthesis, outstanding optical properties, and good biocompatibility. This study monitored fluorescence intensity of DNA-AgNCs to detect NdeI endonuclease activity and its inhibition in the presence of 5-fluorouracil under optimal conditions.

Restrictive Strabismus and Diplopia 2 Years After Conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy With Medpor-Coated Tear Drain.

A 19-year-old woman who underwent conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy with Medpor-Coated Tear Drain 2 years ago presented with diplopia on left gaze for 4 months. Limitation of extraocular movement of OS on left gaze was observed on duction test. The forced duction test revealed restriction of the left medial rectus muscle. Orbital MRI demonstrated an enhancing soft tissue lesion surrounding the tube in inferomedial aspect of left orbit. Removal of the tube and adhesiolysis were performed. Histologic findings were consistent with a chronic inflammation with fibrosis. After surgery, limitation of extraocular movement and diplopia were completely resolved. Jones tube coated with a thin layer of porous polyethylene allows the ingrowth of fibrovascular tissue into the coating, decreasing the probability of tube extrusion, but can also accelerate fibrotic changes around the tube causing restrictive strabismus.

Inhibitory effect of a phosphatidyl ethanolamine derivative on LPS-induced sepsis.

Sepsis is the leading cause of death in critically ill patients. Today, around 60% of all cases of sepsis are caused by Gram-negative bacteria. The cell wall component lipopoly-saccharide (LPS) is the main initiator of the cascade of cellular reactions in Gram-negative infections. The core receptors for LPS are toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), MD-2 and CD14. Attempts have been made to antagonize the toxic effect of endotoxin using monoclonal antibodies against CD14 and synthetic lipopolysaccharides but there is as yet no effective treatment for septic syndrome. Here, we describe an inhibitory effect of a phosphatidylethanolamine derivative, PE-DTPA (phosphatidylethanolamine diethyl-enetriaminepentaacetate) on LPS recognition. PE-DTPA bound strongly to CD14 (K ( d ), 9.52 x 10(-8) M). It dose dependency inhibited LPS-mediated activation of human myeloid cells, mouse macrophage cells and human whole blood as measured by the production of tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-alpha) and nitric oxide, whereas other phospho-lipids including phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine had little effect. PE-DTPA also inhibited transcription dependent on NF-kappaB activation when it was added together with LPS, and it rescued LPS-primed mice from septic death. These results suggest that PE-DTPA is a potent antagonist of LPS, and that it acts by competing for binding to CD14.