Generation of high-energy sub-20 fs pulses tunable in the 250-310 nm region by frequency doubling of a high-power noncollinear optical parametric amplifier

We report on the generation of powerful sub-20 fs deep UV pulses with 10 microJ level energy and broadly tunable in the 250-310 nm range. These pulses are produced by frequency doubling a high-power noncollinear optical parametric amplifier and compressed by a pair of MgF2 prisms to an almost transform-limited duration. Our results provide a power scaling by an order of magnitude with respect to previous works.

High-energy, sub-30 fs near-IR pulses from a broadband optical parametric amplifier based on collinear interaction in BiB(3)O(6)

We report efficient generation of tunable femtosecond pulses in the near IR using a two stage, white-light seeded, collinear, femtosecond optical parametric amplifier (OPA). The OPA, based on BiB(3)O(6) crystal in both stages and pumped at 807 nm by a 1 kHz Ti:sapphire laser amplifier, provides sub-30 fs signal pulses after compression with energies exceeding 200 microJ, which corresponds to fivefold pulse shortening and approximately 30% internal conversion efficiency in the second stage considering 150 fs pump pulses with 1.5 mJ energy. The corresponding idler pulses with more than 100 microJ have sub-60 fs duration without compression. The first stage alone is capable of producing sub-20 fs pulses near 1400 nm at the microjoule level without using any compression.

p53 Mutations in carcinoma of the esophagus and gastroesophageal junction

BACKGROUND

Recent studies suggested p53 mutations as a prognostic factor. Tumors of the esophagus and gastroesophageal (GE) junction show raising incidence with a general poor prognosis.

METHODS

p53 Mutational spectra in 103 patients (68 squamous cell carcinoma/SCC and 35 adenocarcinoma/AC) were compared to clinical and pathologic data.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

p53 Mutations were found in 26 of 68 SSC (38.2%) and in 12 of 35 AC (34.5%). We only found G > T transversions in smokers with SCC. The survival of patients was not affected by p53 mutational status. In our study, the frequency and mutational spectrum of mutant p53 is similar in both histological types without prognostic relevance.

Generation of sub-5 fs pulses in vacuum ultraviolet using four-wave frequency mixing in hollow waveguides

We investigate the potential of four-wave mixing in dielectric hollow waveguides for vacuum ultraviolet pulse generation with unprecedented short durations. Taking into account higher-order transverse modes and plasma effects we predict the generation of a 2.5 fs pulse at 160 nm using an intense 10 fs, 800 nm pulse and its weaker third harmonic at 267 nm, both coupled to the fundamental transverse mode. Excitation of higher transverse modes allows an increase of the signal energy (up to by a factor of 20) but with a pulse duration of 13 fs (compressible to 7.7 fs).

Ultrabroadband operation of a femtosecond optical parametric generator based on BiB3O6 in the near-IR

Ultrabroadband optical parametric generation in the near-IR (approximately 135 THz, 1.15-2.4 microm) is demonstrated using bismuth triborate, BiB(3)O(6) (BIBO), in a collinear geometry. The white light continuum energy obtained with a single stage reached 15 microJ (internal conversion efficiency of approximately 7%). Integral pulse durations as short as 63 fs were derived from the recorded FROG traces, comparable to the 45 fs pulse duration of the 1 kHz Ti:sapphire regenerative amplifier used for pumping at 800 nm.

Ultrabroadband continuum amplification in the near infrared using BiB3O6 nonlinear crystals pumped at 800 nm

Ultrabroadband parametric amplification of a white-light continuum in the near IR (approximately 100 THz, 1.2-2.4 microm) is demonstrated in BiB3O6 pumped by 45 fs long pulses at 800 nm at a repetition rate of 1 kHz. The energy obtained with a 5 mm thick crystal reached 50 microJ, corresponding to external conversion efficiency of 20%.

High-power fifth-harmonic generation of femtosecond pulses in the vacuum ultraviolet using a Ti:sapphire laser

We demonstrate the generation of fifth-harmonic pulses at 161 nm, with an energy of up to 600 nJ and 160 fs pulse duration from a Ti:sapphire laser at 1 kHz repetition rate by four-wave difference-frequency mixing in argon-filled waveguides. The efficiency is greatly improved by coupling to higher-order transverse modes, as well as by coating the inner surface of the waveguide. A numerical model of the process yields an understanding of the main effects influencing the harmonic generation.

Assessment of dynamic changes in cerebral autoregulation

Cerebral autoregulation (CA) is a control mechanism that adjusts cerebral vasomotor tone in response to changes in arterial blood pressure (ABP) to ensure a nearly constant cerebral blood flow. Patient treatment could be optimized if CA monitoring were possible. Whereas the concept of static CA assessment is simply based on comparison of mean values obtained from two stationary states (e.g., before and after a pressure change), the evaluation of dynamic CA is more complex. Among other methods, moving cross-correlation analysis of slow waves in ABP and cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) seems to be appropriate to monitor CA quasi-continuously. The calculation of an "instantaneous transfer function" between ABP and CBFV oscillations in the low-frequency band using the Wigner-Ville distribution may represent an acceptable compromise in time-frequency resolution for continuous CA monitoring.

High-power Femtosecond Optical Parametric Amplification at 1 kHz in BiB(3)O(6) pumped at 800 nm

Substantial power scaling of a travelling-wave femtosecond optical parametric amplifier, pumped near 800 nm by a 1 kHz Ti:sapphire laser amplifier, is demonstrated using monoclinic BiB(3)O(6) in a two stage scheme with continuum seeding. Total energy output (signal plus idler) exceeding 1 mJ is achieved, corresponding to an intrinsic conversion efficiency of approximately 32% for the second stage. The tunability extends from 1.1 to 2.9 microm. The high parametric gain and broad amplification bandwidth of this crystal allowed the maintenance of the pump pulse duration, leading to pulse lengths less than 140 fs, both for the signal and idler pulses, even at such high output levels.

Optical bistability in the operation of a continuous-wave diode-pumped Yb:LuVO(4) laser

We report on sizable optical bistability in the operation of a continuous-wave diode-pumped Yb:LuVO(4) laser, as a result of the resonant reabsorption losses in the laser crystal which increase with the temperature. Significant intensity fluctuations have been observed in a small operational region near the critical point.

Continuous cerebral autoregulation monitoring by improved cross-correlation analysis: comparison with the cuff deflation test

OBJECTIVES

To improve the cross-correlation method for noninvasive, continuous monitoring of cerebral autoregulation, to evaluate this method in humans with intact and impaired autoregulatory capacity, and to compare it to the cuff deflation test.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Prospective study in the intensive care unit of a university hospital.

PATIENTS AND PARTICIPANTS

Fourteen patients with severe head injury, six patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage, and nine healthy volunteers.

INTERVENTIONS AND MEASUREMENTS

Middle cerebral artery flow velocities and arterial blood pressure were monitored continuously. Aaslid's thigh cuff tests were performed and results were scored using Tiecks' model for autoregulation index. Data were then collected without any patient manipulation. The mean time delay between slow spontaneous oscillations of blood pressure and middle cerebral artery flow velocity was calculated by cross-correlation analysis. Data are expressed as median (lower/upper quartile).

RESULTS

Healthy subjects had a higher autoregulation index than patients, 5.0 (5.0/5.5) vs. 3.3 (2.0/4.5). Slow oscillations of blood pressure and middle cerebral artery flow velocity showed a time delay of -2.0 s (-2.7/-1.7) in healthy subjects but were almost synchronal in patients, -0.07 s (-0.5/0.45). Inter-method agreement in diagnosing an intact or impaired cerebral autoregulation was obtained in 108 of 147 examinations of autoregulation (73.5%) and was considered moderate.

CONCLUSIONS

Cross-correlation analysis may serve as a simple, noninvasive, and continuous measure of cerebral autoregulation. The time delay of -2.0[Symbol: see text]s in healthy subjects is in good agreement with other studies. Short-term autoregulation tests and monitoring techniques based on slow spontaneous oscillations should not be used interchangeably.

Efficient 1 kHz femtosecond optical parametric amplification in BiB(3)O(6) pumped at 800 nm

We demonstrate efficient operation of a tunable femtosecond optical parametric amplifier based on BiB(3)O(6) pumped at 800 nm by a 1 kHz Ti:sapphire regenerative amplifier. The idler wavelength coverage extends to beyond 3 mum and the pulse duration at this wavelength is of the order of 110 fs. This new nonlinear borate crystal offers exceptionally high nonlinearity, making it a very promising candidate for power scaling of such frequency converters in the near-IR.

Lethal outcome in xanthogranulomatous endometritis

Xanthogranulomatous inflammation is rare, mainly involving the kidneys, while primary xanthogranulomatous endometritis (XE) is a very unusual finding, histologically characterized by partial or complete replacement of the mucosa by granulation tissue with an abundance of foamy histiocytes, siderophages and multinucleated giant cells. We present the case of a 69-year-old woman with a short history of abdominal pain and a palpable mass in the pouch of Douglas. Dilatation of the cervix drained a pyometra. Histological examination of the curettage rendered the diagnosis of XE. Microbiological studies revealed enterococcus spp. and Peptostreptococcus magnus. Despite antibiotic treatment the patient died of heart failure due to systemic inflammation. Autopsy confirmed the diagnosis of XE with transmural extension into the peritoneal cavity. Such a lethal course of XE is extraordinary. Proposed causes of XE include obstruction, infection and hemorrhage. Demonstration of enterococcus spp. and P. magnus supports the probable significance of bacteria in the development of XE. Because this condition may mimic malignant disease macroscopically and histologically, knowledge of XE is of major importance for both pathologists and gynecologists.

Primary extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma ("nasal type") of the endometrium: report of an unusual case diagnosed at autopsy

Primary natural killer (NK)/T cell lymphoma of the female genital tract is extremely rare. We here report the case of a "nasal type" NK/T cell lymphoma arising in the uterus. The diagnosis was established only at autopsy.

Application of novel tissue microarrays to investigate expression of tryptase, chymase and KIT protein in placental mast cells

INTRODUCTION

Tissue microarrays comprise numerous small representative tissue samples from hundreds of different cases assembled on a single histologic slide, and therefore allow high throughput analysis of multiple specimens at the same time. Mast cells are paracrine cells found ubiquitously in connective tissue. Expression of the serine proteases tryptase and chymase, as well as KIT protein, the receptor for stem cell factor (SCF), has been demonstrated in mast cells. Because little is known about the role of mast cells in the placenta, we investigated the number and expression of chymase, tryptase, and KIT protein in placental mast cells using newly developed tissue microarrays.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Tissue microarrays were prepared from archival paraffin tissue blocks of 90 placentae, including 15 normal ones as a control group. Gestational age of the placentae ranged from 7 to 42 weeks. Sections of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded material were prepared on chemically activated cover-slides. The slides were cut in 4-mm(2) squares containing representative areas, and transferred to a tissue microarray. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), chloroacetate esterase (CAE), toluidine blue, periodic acid--Schiff (PAS), and immunohistochemical staining were performed. The number of mast cells and expression of chymase, tryptase, and KIT protein were evaluated in each case.

RESULTS

Mast cell numbers in placentae with inflammation/abortion exceeded that of normal placentae. Although statistically not significant, we furthermore observed an increase in chymase-positive mast cells in the group of placentae associated with fetal malformations/chromosomal aberrations compared with normal placentae.

DISCUSSION

Novel tissue microarray technique has been introduced into placental research, and allows multiple placental tissue samples to be effectively analyzed simultaneously. This study indicated an increased number of chymase-positive mast cells in placentae with fetal malformation/chromosomal aberration. Activation of angiotensin II by chymase may play a role in fetal malformation. Moreover, it has been speculated that mast cells may only express chymase (MC(C)). Our findings denote the presence of placental MC(C). However, further studies are needed to elucidate more precisely the role of mast cell chymase in the placenta.

Omphalocoele-Exstrophy-Imperforate Anus-Spinal Defects Complex in Dizygotic Twins

OEIS complex refers to a combination of defects consisting of omphalocoele, exstrophy of the cloaca, imperforate anus, and spinal defects. The incidence of the OEIS complex is very rare, estimated to occur in 1 of 200,000-400,000 pregnancies. The aetiology of the OEIS complex is still unclear, single defects in blastogenesis and mutations in homeobox genes, such as HLXB9, have been suggested to be responsible for the development of the OEIS complex. Moreover, higher incidence of OEIS in monozygotic twins suggests a possible genetic contribution to the occurrence of this multisystem defect. We here report the peculiar case of OEIS complex in a dizygotic twin pregnancy. Prenatal diagnosis of OEIS by ultrasound examination is possible but difficult. Sonographic detection of an omphalocoele in the presence of an open neural tube defect should prompt a search of OEIS-associated defects. Accurate prenatal diagnosis by ultrasound and/or diagnosis of the OEIS complex at autopsy are important for detailed counselling of the parents and perinatal management.