Optical Properties of Low-Loss Ag Films and Nanostructures on Transparent Substrates.

We demonstrate the fabrication of a low-loss single-crystalline Ag nanostructure deposited on transparent substrates. Our approach is based on an epitaxial growth technique in which a NaCl(001) substrate is used. The NaCl substrate is dissolved in water to allow the Ag film to be transferred onto the desired substrates.

Nonlinear trimer resonators for compact ultra-fast switching.

We propose and numerically verify a scheme for compact optical modulation which can enable complex directional switching of signals in integrated micro-optical circuits within hundreds of femtoseconds. The scheme is based on a trimer comprised of two identical silica whispering gallery mode (WGM) microresonators spaced by a central non-linear WGM resonator. The non-linear resonator is in the form of a silica cylinder with a thin coating of an ultrafast Kerr nonlinear material (a J-aggregate of cyanine dye).

Exaggerated compensatory response to acute respiratory alkalosis in panic disorder is induced by increased lactic acid production.

Background: In acute respiratory alkalosis, the severity of alkalaemia is ameliorated by a decrease in plasma [HCO(3)(-)] of 0.2 mEq/L for each 1 mmHg decrease in PaCO(2). Although hyperventilation in panic disorder patients is frequently encountered in outpatients, the drop in plasma [HCO(3)(-)] sometimes surpasses the expectation calculated from the above formula.

[Pulmonary infection of Pneumocystis carinii and Cytomegalo virus in the treatment of cholesterol crystal embolism].

Cholesterol crystal embolism (CCE) is a multivisceral disease caused by occlusion of small arteries with cholesterol crystal emboli deriving from eroded atherosclerotic plaques of the aorta and/or large feeder arteries. The factors precipitating CCE are manipulation of the aorta or other large arteries during arteriography or surgery, and anticoagulant or thrombolytic therapy. CCE has been reported to be a life threatening condition involving multiple vital organ dysfunction, including renal failure, cardiac failure, skin ischemic lesions such as livedo reticularis, patchy skin necrosis, and purple toes, gastrointestinal ischemia, and/or visual disturbance.

Hemodialysis-associated hypotension as an independent risk factor for two-year mortality in hemodialysis patients.

Background: The relationship between blood pressure (BP) and mortality in hemodialysis patients has remained controversial. Some studies suggested that a lower pre- or postdialysis BP was associated with excess mortality, while others showed poorer outcome in patients with uncontrolled hypertension. We conducted a multicenter prospective cohort study to evaluate the impact of hemodialysis-associated hypotension on mortality.

Tranexamic acid-induced visual impairment in a hemodialysis patient.

We report a case of overdosage of tranexamic acid (TNA), which was suggested as the cause of visual impairment in a 56-year-old man. He had been undergoing chronic hemodialysis for 1 year, following 10 years of peritoneal dialysis. He had been hospitalized for an emergency operation for a bleeding ulcer of the stomach and duodenum.