Pump/probe method for fast analysis of visible spectral signatures utilizing asynchronous optical sampling

We report the results from a new pump/probe spectrometer for potential use in combustion diagnostics that employs asynchronous optical sampling. The instrument consists of two frequency-doubled mode-locked Nd:YAG lasers operating at slightly different repetition rates, synchronously pumping two dye lasers (rhodamine 6G) to generate the pump and probe beams. The spectral and temporal capabilities of the instrument are examined by obtaining a spectrum and an excited state decay of rhodamine B. The instrument response is shown to be proportional to pump power, probe power, and sample absorptance. Different frequency synthesizers and different modes of triggering are used to study their effect on signal stability.

Treatment of urgency and urge incontinence with flavoxate in the People's Republic of China

Flavoxate is a smooth muscle relaxant widely used to treat urgency and urge incontinence. It has been used in an unblinded, uncontrolled clinical trial in 14 urology departments in universities and major hospitals in the People's Republic of China involving 361 patients with urgency/incontinence of various types. Patients were given 200 mg three times daily, orally, for 2 weeks, although 33 patients received a daily dosage of 1200 mg. Frequency, urgency, dysuria, nocturia and incontinence were assessed and scored clinically prior to and after treatment. Three departments also included urodynamic investigations, e.g. monitoring of the end-residual volume. Results from 336 evaluable patients indicate that 228 (67%) were completely cured of urgency/incontinence symptoms, 66 (20%) were improved and 42 (13%) patients were unchanged. Flavoxate was also effective in 77.4% of patients refractory to previous anti-cholinergic treatment. Treatment did not increase the end-residual volume and adverse events occurred only in four (1.3%) patients, two (0.6%) of which discontinued the therapy. The 1200 mg dose produced a complete cure in 82% of patients and improvement in the remaining 18%, with no side-effects. In conclusion, flavoxate is an effective and well tolerated treatment for urgency/incontinence of various causes.

Studies on fertility control-the formation and antifertility effect of polyvinyl-pyrolidone-gossypol complex

In this study, PVP-gossypol complexes with different molecular weights and compositions were synthesized. UV and NMR spectra revealed the presence of hydrogen bonds in these complexes. The dissolution rates of various PVP-gossypol complexes in water at 37 degrees C were determined. The results showed that the presence of PVP in the complex enhanced the dissolution rate of gossypol in water greatly. In addition, the in vitro spermicidal activity on human semen, antifertility effect on male rats, and the toxic reaction of male mice by taking large dosage were preliminarily studied. The experimental results indicated that the PVP-gossypol complexes not only possessed the similar antifertility effect and acute toxicity to male mice as gossypol-acetic acid, but also reduced the irreversibility of the fertility as well. Thus, certain species of PVP-gossypol complex may have potential as new and better male oral contraceptive with recoverability in fertility.

Effect of intracerebral microinjection of naloxone on acupuncture- and morphine-analgesia in the rabbit

Although there are unequivocal evidences indicating the participation of endogenous opiate-like substances in acupuncture analgesia, their exact sites of action remain to be elucidated. From the results of localization studies by injecting minute amount of narcotic antagonist naloxone into discrete brain areas and assessing its effect on acupuncture analgesia in rabbits it is concluded that nuclei accumbens, amygdala, habenula and periaquaductal grey are the strategic sites for endogenous opioids to exert their analgesic effect. These brain areas are also of extreme importance for the realization of morphine analgesia.