Elastic and photo-elastic characteristics of laser crystals potassium rare-earth tungstates KRE(WO₄)₂, where RE=Y, Yb, Gd and Lu.

The elastic and photo-elastic characteristics of four laser crystals KY(WO₄)₂, KGd(WO₄)₂, KYb(WO₄)₂, and KLu(WO₄)₂ are presented. The first pair was reported early, and the last two materials have been investigated for the first time. The full matrix of elastic constants of these monoclinic crystals has been determined.

Regulation of Expression of Lymphocyte Activation Markers by Neutrophil Factors Secreted during Pregnancy.

The work was outlined to elucidate contribution of soluble factors produced by peripheral neutrophils from healthy pregnant women and those with EPH-gestosis to regulation of expression of surface activation markers by donor lymphocytes. It was found out that in healthy pregnant women neutrophil factors stimulated expression of HLA-DR and CD25 antigens by T lymphocytes. In women with EPH-gestosis neutrophil factors, which comprised soluble antigen of leukocytes 2 (SAL-2), enhanced expression of CD25 antigen in B subset.

Stimulating re-epithelialization after photorefractive keratectomy.

Background: Re-epithelialization is usually complete in eyes 3 to 4 days following photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). However, this process is delayed in 0.5% of these eyes, leading to early development of haze.