Paired leaky mode spatial light modulators with a 28° total deflection angle.

In this Letter, we present a paired set of waveguide spatial light modulators (SLMs) capable of a maximum light deflection nearing 28° for red. This deflection, which is several times larger than the angular sweep of current, state-of-the-art modulators, is made possible by the unilateral, near-collinear waveguide nature of the leaky mode interaction. The ability to double angular output in this way, which is either not possible or not practical in other SLMs, is possible in leaky mode devices, thanks to the absence of zero-order light and the lack of high-order outputs.

Plasma-polyplumbagin-modified microfiber probes: a functional material approach to monitoring vascular access line contamination.

Atmospheric plasma treated carbon fiber filaments (10 micrometer) were used as the base substrate in the design of a probe intended for use within intravascular access devices. The microfiber probe was further functionalized with a polyplumbagin layer through which the line pH could be determined voltammetrically and therein provide the potential for obtaining diagnostic information relating to bacterial colonization of the line. The redox processes attributed to the immobilized polymer are characterized and a methodology developed to enable the acquisition of a redox signal that is selective and sensitive to pH.

Skin-derived fibroblasts for the treatment of refractory Achilles tendinosis: preliminary short-term results.

Background: Chronic Achilles tendinosis is a common musculoskeletal disorder often refractory to conservative management. Our study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of the use of autologous skin-derived collagen-producing cells in the treatment of refractory Achilles tendinosis.

Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind study on forty Achilles tendons in thirty-two patients (eight with bilateral involvement) who had a clinical and radiographic diagnosis of Achilles tendinosis.

Intraoperative assessment and quantification of coronary artery graft patency performed on or off cardiopulmonary bypass.

Within the last 10 years, the incorporation of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) into many surgical practices has grown. OPCAB requires the surgeon to operate on a beating heart, and it is generally accepted that OPCAB procedures are more technically demanding. Concerns of possible incomplete revascularizations and decreased graft patency have been noted in the literature.

Use of magnetic navigation to facilitate transcatheter alcohol septal ablation for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.

We describe a case of a 50-year-old male with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) who presented with syncope, progressively limiting dyspnea and chest discomfort. Coronary angiography showed an unusually extreme angle (approximately 130 degrees) to the origin of the major septal artery. After conventional guidewire cannulation failed, use of magnetic navigation with the Stereotaxis Niobe system permitted guidewire and balloon catheter cannulation of the septal artery to facilitate successful transcatheter alcohol septal ablation.

Apoptosis and survival in high-grade astrocytomas as related to tumor Fas (APO-1/CD95) expression.

Although a majority of high-grade gliomas express the apoptosis-inducing receptor Fas, little is known about the extent of apoptosis or prognostic significance of Fas expression in these tumors. In situ labeling of apoptotic cells and Ki-67 immunohistochemistry were performed on 51 high-grade human astrocytomas previously characterized for Fas expression. Survival data was compiled from patient records and correlated with tumor grade, apoptotic index (AI) and Fas expression.