350 mJ electro-optically Q-switched 2.79†µm Cr:Er:YSGG MOPA.

We report on developing three flashlamp-pumped electro-optically Q-switched Cr:Er:YSGG lasers with the Q-switch based on a La3Ga5SiO14 crystal. The "short" laser cavity was optimized for high peak power applications. In this cavity, 300 mJ output energy in 15 ns pulses at a 3 Hz repetition rate was demonstrated with pump energy below 52 J. However, several applications, such as Fe:ZnSe pumping in a gain-switched regime, require longer (∼ 100 ns) pump pulse duration. We developed a 2.9 m long laser cavity that delivers 190 mJ of output energy in 85 ns pulses for these applications. We also demonstrated the Cr:Er:YSGG MOPA system producing 350 mJ output energy at 90 ns pulse duration and 47.5 J of pumping, corresponding to an amplification factor of 3.

[The practice of episiotomy in France 10 years after the recommendations of CNGOF: What inventory?]. / La pratique de l'épisiotomie en France 10 ans après les recommandations du CNGOF : quel état des lieux ?

Since its creation, the practice of episiotomy has evolved, being influenced by several factors. Various stances on its use were stated, until the eventual reduction of this practice, as suggested by numerous practical guides. In 2005, the National College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in France published its French Guidelines for Clinical practice in this area. Today, it seems appropriate to focus on the evolution of the use of episiotomy, ten years after the publication of these recommendations. The authors propose a literature review, browsing through all the available epidemiological data in France related to episiotomy, recording all national statistics and some local trends, as there are regional specificities. This review allows to follow the overall evolution of the practice of episiotomy in France between 1981 and 2014, and to identify territorial disparities. Finally, in the specific context of the practice of episiotomy in French gynecological and obstetrics field, the authors conclude it by considering the possible evolution of this surgical practice, as well as, the Clinical Practice Recommendations related to it.

Modulation of biliary lipid secretion by forskolin and cyclic AMP analogues.

Exposure of isolated perfused rat livers to either 100 microM-forskolin, a potent activator of adenylate cyclase, or to 0.5 mM-concentrations of the cAMP analogues chlorophenylthio cAMP (CPTcAMP), dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP) and 8-bromo cAMP (8BrcAMP), to provoke increases in intracellular concentrations of cAMP, resulted in marked changes in bile volume and composition. Bile flow reached a peak after 10 min, before declining towards control levels, and an increase in several secretory parameters was also observed at this time. At 20 min, a substantial decrease in the output of both phospholipid and cholesterol was evident, and this suppression of secretion was maintained throughout the remainder of the experiment. The order of effectiveness of the cAMP-elevating agents at decreasing biliary lipid output was CPTcAMP greater than forskolin greater than dbcAMP greater than 8BrcAMP. Biliary output of bile acids was essentially unaltered compared with controls; similarly, no decrease in the secretion of protein and triacylglycerols into the perfusion medium was observed. This suggests that the elevation of intracellular levels of cAMP may cause a selective inhibition of biliary lipid output rather than a more general inhibition of hepatic secretion.

Applications of combination wavelength (1060-nm and 530-nm) and pulsed Nd:YAG laser for contact laser surgery.

Two pulsed neodimium yittrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser systems were evaluated for contact surgery through a fiberoptic system with a sapphire tip. Pulsed Nd:YAG laser at 1060 nm was as effective as continuous-wave Nd:YAG laser in producing tissue incisions. A combination of 1060-nm and 530-nm wavelengths achieved smooth cutting at lower energy levels. Corneal endothelial cell damage occurred at the high power level (7 watts) required for smooth underwater incisions with both continuous wave and pulsed lasers.