Nonlinear Absorption Properties of CrGeTe and Its Application as an Ultra-Fast Optical Modulator.

In this manuscript, the nonlinear absorption properties of CrGeTe and its application in ultra-fast optical modulation are investigated. Typical parameters, namely, nonlinear absorption coefficient (β), saturation intensity, and modulation depth are measured to be ~1.66 × 10 m/W, 15.

Dissipative soliton resonance in Bismuth-doped fiber laser.

We experimentally demonstrate the generation of dissipative soliton resonance (DSR) in a passively mode-locked Bi-doped fiber ring laser based on nonlinear polarization rotation (NPR) technique. The DSR with the central wavelength of 1169.5 nm has a repetition rate of 343.

Combining 53BP1 with BRCA1 as a biomarker to predict the sensitivity of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors.

Over half of patients with BRCA1-deficient cancers do not respond to treatment with poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors. In this study, we report that a combination of 53BP1 and BRCA1 may serve as a biomarker of PARP inhibitor sensitivity. Based on the mRNA levels of four homologous recombination repair (HR) genes and PARP inhibitor sensitivity, we selected BRCA1-deficient MDA-MB-436 cells to conduct RNA interference.

Controlling the Two-Photon-Induced Photon Cascade Emission in a Gd(3+)/Tb(3+)-Codoped Glass for Multicolor Display.

We reported the first observation of the two-photon-induced quantum cutting phenomenon in a Gd(3+)/Tb(3+)-codoped glass in which two photons at ~400 nm are simultaneously absorbed, leading to the cascade emission of three photons in the visible spectral region. The two-photon absorption induced by femtosecond laser pulses allows the excitation of the energy states in Gd(3+) which are inactive for single-photon excitation and enables the observation of many new electric transitions which are invisible in the single-photon-induced luminescence. The competition between the two-photon-induced photon cascade emission and the single-photon-induced emission was manipulated to control the luminescence color of the glass.

Vector nature of multi-soliton patterns in a passively mode-locked figure-eight fiber laser.

The vector nature of multi-soliton dynamic patterns was investigated in a passively mode-locked figure-eight fiber laser based on the nonlinear amplifying loop mirror (NALM). By properly adjusting the cavity parameters such as the pump power level and intra-cavity polarization controllers (PCs), in addition to the fundamental vector soliton, various vector multi-soliton regimes were observed, such as the random static distribution of vector multiple solitons, vector soliton cluster, vector soliton flow, and the state of vector multiple solitons occupying the whole cavity. Both the polarization-locked vector solitons (PLVSs) and the polarization-rotating vector solitons (PRVSs) were observed for fundamental soliton and each type of multi-soliton patterns.

Wave-breaking-free pulse in an all-fiber normal-dispersion Yb-doped fiber laser under dissipative soliton resonance condition.

We reported on the dissipative soliton resonance (DSR) phenomenon in a mode-locked Yb-doped fiber laser by using the nonlinear polarization rotation technique. It was found that the multi-pulse oscillation under high pump power could be circumvented by properly adjusting the polarization controllers, namely, the wave-breaking-free rectangular pulse in DSR region was achieved. As the DSR signature, the pulse duration varied from 8.

Therapeutic efficacy of baclofen in refractory gastroesophageal reflux-induced chronic cough.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of baclofen for treatment of refractory gastroesophageal reflux-induced chronic cough (GERC) unresponsive to standard anti-reflux therapy.

Methods: Sixteen patients with refractory GERC were given an 8-wk course of baclofen 20 mg three times a day as an add-on therapy to omeprazole. Changes in the cough symptom score, cough threshold to capsaicin, reflux symptom score and possible adverse effects were determined after treatment.

High plasma D-dimer level is associated with decreased survival in patients with lung cancer: a meta-analysis.

An elevated plasma D-dimer level indicates the activation of coagulation and fibrinolysis. Several studies suggested that high level of plasma D-dimer was associated with the prognosis of lung cancer. In the present study, we performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the relationship between plasma D-dimer level and the prognosis of lung cancer based on larger sample size.

Efficient three-photon luminescence with strong polarization dependence from a scintillating silicate glass co-doped with Gd3+ and Tb3+.

Efficient three-photon luminescence (3PL) from a scintillating silicate glass co-doped with Gd(3+) and Tb(3+) was generated by using a focused femtosecond laser beam at 800 nm. Four emission bands centered at 496, 541, 583, and 620 nm were identified as the electronic transitions between the energy levels of Tb(3+) followed by three-photon absorption (3PA) in Gd(3+) and Tb(3+) and the resonant energy transfer from Gd(3+) to Tb(3+). More interestingly, a strong polarization dependence of the 3PL was observed and it is ascribed to the polarization dependent 3PA in Gd(3+) and Tb(3+) and/or the angular distribution of photogenerated electrons in the glass.

Comparative study of synthesis and characterization of YAG:Yb3+ nanoparticles using different precipitator by co-precipitation method.

Irregular club-shape nanoparticles of Yb3+ doped Y3Al5O12 were synthesized by the co-precipitation method using different precipitator, such as ammonium hydrogen carbonate, hexamethylene tetramine and urea. The reaction mechanism of different precipitator and the effect on the particle size and dispersion of Y3Al5O12:Yb3+ powders were investigated, and the influence of ammonium sulfate as the dispersant in the reaction system was also discussed. The results show that the large and agglomerated Y3Al5O12:Yb3+ powders were obtained from urea compared to that uniform particle size and dispersion one from ammonium hydrogen carbonate and hexamethylene tetramine.

[Effect of radiofrequency of different temperatures and durations on motor conduction velocity of rat sciatic nerve].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of radiofrequency of different temperatures and durations on sciatic nerve motor conduction velocity (MCV).

Methods: The bilateral sciatic nerve of 70 adult SD rats was dissected and exposed to radiofrequency ablation of different temperatures (30, 50, 55, 60, and 70 degrees C) and durations. The nerves were also exposed to increasing ablation temperatures from 30 degrees C to 50 degrees C with an increment of 5 degrees C (60 s at each temperature), and the changes in the MCV parameters were observed.

Synthesis and characterization of monodispersed SiO2@Y3Al5O12:Er3+ core-shell particles.

Submicron core-shell structure particles SiO2@Y3Al5O12:Er3+, which silica spherical particles was coated with an yttrium aluminum garnet (Y3Al5O12) layer doped with Er3+, were prepared by the modified Pechini-Type sol-gel method for the first time. The structure and morphology of samples were detected by the X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) measurement, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. The results indicate that well-crystallized garnet nanocrystallines were formed on the surface of the silica particles.

[Comprehensive evaluation on the potential risk for HIV infection in 12 villages with a history of former paid blood donation].

Objective: To learn the potential risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in 12 villages with a history of former paid blood donation, and to provide different measures for HIV/AIDS prevention and control.

Methods: Seven indexes were selected, including HIV sero-prevalence rates, hepatitis C virus (HCV) sero-prevalence rates, HIV/AIDS KAB (knowledge, attitude and belief), proportion of paid blood/plasma donation, risks on related behavioral information on sex and HIV/AIDS infections. Rank Sum Ratio (RSR) was performed to synthetically evaluate the potential risk of HIV infection in those 12 selected villages.

[A cross-sectional survey on human immunodeficiency virus infection in a former commercial blood donating community, Shanxi Province].

Objective: To determine the sero-prevalence of and the risk factors for human immunodeficiency virus infection among residents in a former commercial blood donating community, Shanxi Province.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among all residents aged 18 - 64 years in 4 villages in a rural county of Shanxi Province. A standardized structured questionnaire was administered to collect socio-demographic, medical and risk behavioral information.

[Study on sexual behavior and HIV/STIs among miners in Yunnan province].

Objective: This paper aims to describe human immunodeficiency virus/sexual transmitted infections (HIV/STIs) related knowledge, attitudes, practice and the prevalence of HIV/STIs amongst miners.

Methods: Two focus-group related discussions with a total number of 13 members including Community Advisory Boards (CAB) and 12 miners were conducted in a mining township in Yunnan province. Questionnaire surveys and HIV/STIs tests were conducted among 233 miners recruited by cluster sampling in two towns where the mines were located.

[A cross-sectional survey on hepatitis C virus infection among residents aged 18-59 years in a former commercial blood donating community, Shanxi Province].

Objective: To determine sero-prevalence of and risk factors for hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) among residents aged 18-59 years in a former commercial blood donating community, Shanxi province.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 660 randomly selected residents aged 18-59 years from 12 villages in a rural county of Shanxi province. Structured questionnaire was administered to collect socio-demographic,medical and risk behavioral information.

[Improvement of left ventricular hypertrophy by anemic-correcting erythropoietin therapy in chronic renal insufficiency].

Objective: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is an independent predictor of morbidity and mortality in dialysis patients. It remains unclear whether efforts to correct anemia in patients with mild-to-moderate chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) can reverse LVH. This prospective multi-center Chinese cohort study evaluates left ventricular mass index (LVMI) evolution in anemic CRI patients with or without recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) therapy.

[The experimental study on the inhibitory effect of tripterine on airway inflammation in asthmatic mice].

Objective: To investigate the effect and mechanism of tripterine on airway inflammation in asthmatic mice.

Methods: 30 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into a control group, an asthmatic group (ovalbumin-sensitized) and a tripterine (1 mg/kg, introperitoneally)-treated group. Pathologic changes in lung tissues, number of eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and expression of stem cell factor (SCF) protein in lung were observed.