The relationship between quality of life and clinical phenotype in patients with treatment resistant and non-treatment resistant depression.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this investigation is to determine the differences in quality of life (QOL) and clinical phenotype between patients with treatment resistant (TRD) and non-treatment resistant depression (NTRD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The severity, QOL, and cognitive function of 107 TRD and 173 NTRD patients were evaluated and calculated by the Hamilton Depression Scale-17 (HAMD-17), the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), and the P300 component of event-related potentials (ERP), respectively. RESULTS: The scores of HAMD-17 showed no significant statistical differences between TRD (28.8±6.7) and NTRD patients (29.3±8.2). The scores of anxiety/somatization (t=4.535, p=0.002), core item (t=3.514, p=0.005) and sleep item (t=6.079, p=0.000) were statistically significantly higher in TRD patients than in NTRD patients. The scores of physiological function (75.46±20.1, 88.23±21.4), body pain (61.39±17.1, 77.19±21.2) and social functioning (40.27±20.6, 58.82±22.1) in SF-36 were statistically significantly lower in TRD patients than in NTRD patients. The P300 latency of ERP was statistically significantly longer in TRD patients than in NTRD patients. Each item in the quality of life was negatively related to the items in HAMD-17 in TRD patients, especially for anxiety/somatization, and sleep items. The QOL was negatively related to core item and retardation item in NTRD patients, and the QOL was negatively related to the P300 latency of ERP in both groups, p<0.05. The sleep disorder, anxiety/somatization and core items were more serious in TRD patients than in NTRD patients, when the severity of depression was not significantly different. The QOL was significantly lower in TRD patients than in NTRD patients, the anxiety/somatization and sleep disorder were the main symptomatic factors that caused decreased QOL in TRD patients. CONCLUSIONS: The abilities of abstract generalization, thinking transfer, and performing a function, were significantly lower in TRD patients than in NTRD patients, which were important factors which caused decreased QOL in TRD patients.

Dual-wavelength synchronous operation of a mode-locked 2-µm Tm:CaYAlO4 laser.

We experimentally demonstrated dual-wavelength synchronous operation of a high-power passively mode-locked 2-µm Tm:CaYAlO4 (Tm:CYA) disordered crystal laser with semiconductor saturable absorber mirror (SESAM) as mode locker. The mode-locked laser emitted an average output power as high as 830 mW with pulse duration of 35.3 ps and repetition rate of 145.4 MHz. The mode-locking dual wavelengths were centered at 1958.9 nm and 1960.6 nm, respectively. Autocorrelation trace clearly shows beating pulses with pulse width of 3.5 ps and repetition rate of 0.13 THz.

Generation of 103 fs mode-locked pulses by a gain linewidth-variable Nd,Y:CaF2 disordered crystal.

We have demonstrated a diode-pumped passively mode-locked femtosecond Nd,Y:CaF2 disordered crystal laser for the first time to our knowledge. By choosing appropriate Y-doping concentration, a broad fluorescence linewidth of 31 nm has been obtained from the gain linewidth-variable Nd,Y:CaF2 crystal. With the Nd,Y:CaF2 disordered crystal as gain medium, the mode-locked laser generated pulses with pulse duration as short as 103 fs, average output power of 89 mW, and repetition rate of 100 MHz. To our best knowledge, this is the shortest pulse generated from Nd-doped crystal lasers so far. The research results show that the Nd,Y:CaF2 disordered crystal will be a potential alternative as gain medium of repetitive chirped pulse amplification for high-peak-power lasers.

Graphene mode-locked femtosecond laser at 2 µm wavelength.

We experimentally demonstrated a passively mode-locked femtosecond laser by using a graphene-based saturable absorber mirror (graphene SAM) in the spectral region of 2 µm. The graphene SAM was fabricated by transferring chemical-vapor-deposited, high-quality, and large-area graphene on a highly reflective plane mirror. Stable mode-locked laser pulses as short as 729 fs were obtained with a repetition rate of 98.7 MHz and an average output power of 60.2 mW at 2018 nm.

Diode-pumped mode-locked femtosecond Tm:CLNGG disordered crystal laser.

A diode-end-pumped passively mode-locked femtosecond Tm-doped calcium lithium niobium gallium garnet (Tm:CLNGG) disordered crystal laser was demonstrated for the first time to our knowledge. With a 790 nm laser diode pumping, stable CW mode-locking operation was obtained by using a semiconductor saturable absorber mirror. The disordered crystal laser generated mode-locked pulses as short as 479 fs, with an average output power of 288 mW, and repetition rate of 99 MHz in 2 µm spectral region.

Highly efficient 2 µm Tm:YAG ceramic laser.

We have experimentally demonstrated a highly efficient diode-pumped Tm:YAG ceramic laser operating at 2 µm wavelength. The maximum output power of 6.05 W was realized with a slope efficiency as high as 65%. As far as we know, it is the highest slope efficiency reported for Tm:YAG ceramic laser. The wavelength tuning experiment of Tm:YAG ceramic laser was carried out and the results suggest that Tm:YAG ceramic laser could operate simultaneously at multiple wavelengths in a wide range of 1884-2017 nm.

High-power polycrystalline Er:YAG ceramic laser at 1617 nm.

We report on the efficient operation of a high-power erbium-doped polycrystalline Er:YAG ceramic laser at 1617 nm resonantly pumped by a high-power 1532 nm Er,Yb fiber laser. Lasing characteristics of Er:YAG ceramics with different Er3+ concentrations are evaluated and compared. With an output coupler of 15% transmission and 0.5 at. % Er3+-doped YAG ceramic as the gain media, the laser generates 14 W of output power at 1617 nm for 28.8 W of incident pump power at 1532 nm, corresponding to a slope efficiency with respect to incident pump power of 51.7%.

Multidetector computed tomography angiography in the evaluation of potential living donors for liver transplantation: single-center experience in China.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate relevant arterial, hepatic, and portal venous anatomy using multidetector computed tomography (CT) angiography in potential living liver donors at a single liver transplantation center in China. METHODS: One hundred two consecutive potential liver donors underwent CT angiography in the arterial, portal, and hepatic venous phases with a 16-row CT scanner. All source and reconstructed images were evaluated for hepatic vasculature anatomy by an experienced radiologist and a surgeon in consensus. The anatomic variants of arterial system, portal venous system, and hepatic veins were characterized according to the classification system of Michels, Akgul, and Nakamura respectively. In 42 donors of right hepatic lobectomy, CT findings were compared with the results of surgery. RESULTS: Of 102 candidates, 63 had type I, 8 type II, 12 type III, 3 type IV, 11 type V, 2 type VI, 2 type VIII, and 1 type IX hepatic arterial anatomy. According to the classification of the portal venous system created by Akgul, type A was seen in 81 subjects. Type B, type C, and type E were revealed in 15, 4, and 2 subjects, respectively. According to the classification of the right hepatic drainage pattern by Nakamura, type 1 drainage was seen in 71 subjects (69.6%), type 2 in 22 candidates (21.6%), and type 3 in 9 subjects (8.8%). Forty five right inferior hepatic veins were identified in 41 potential donors, and 68.9% of these veins were larger than 5 mm in diameter. CT angiography findings were confirmed in all donors who underwent operations. CONCLUSIONS: Multidetector CT angiography can successfully show the relevant hepatic vascular anatomy in potential liver donors.

Dual-wavelength synchronously mode-locked Nd:CNGG laser.

We have experimentally demonstrated a dual-wavelength synchronously mode-locked Nd:CNGG laser based on the semiconductor saturable absorber mirror technique. Mode locking was achieved simultaneously on two gain bands of the crystal that have a central wavelength separation of 2.4 nm. The fundamental mode-locked pulse train has a repetition rate of 88 MHz and pulse duration of 5 ps, with an average output power of approximately 90 mW. Autocorrelation measurements show that each of the synchronously mode-locked pulses consists of a train of quasi-periodic beat pulses with a 660 fs pulse width and a 0.63 THz repetition rate.

Efficient operation of a diode-pumped Yb:NaY(WO(4))(2) laser.

An efficient diode-pumped Yb:NaY(WO(4))(2) (Yb:NYW) disordered crystal laser has been experimentally demonstrated for the fist time. The Yb:NYW crystal has a peak absorption cross section of 1.09 x 10(-20) cm(2) at 972 nm and emission cross section of 1.24 x 10(-20) cm(2) at 1010 nm. Under an absorbed pump power of 11.7 W, the Yb:NYW laser generated an average output power as high as 4.1 W, with a slope efficiency of 45%. It was found that the laser always operated in a self-pulsing mode, and the laser spectrum showed random jumps with time. The mechanism of self-pulsing in the laser was also investigated.

High-power self-mode-locked Yb:Y(2)O(3) ceramic laser.

We have experimentally demonstrated a high-power self-mode-locked Yb:Y(2)O(3) ceramic laser. Without any additional active or passive element in the cavity, self-started cw mode-locking was achieved. The maximum output power was as high as 2.7 W with a pulse duration of 1.1 ps. Numerical studies show that the diffraction loss induced by thermal lens aberration, in combination with the Kerr self-focusing effect in the gain medium, results in the mode locking of the laser. To our knowledge, this is the first self-mode-locked ceramic laser.

Electron acceleration and high-order harmonic generation by an intense short pulse laser in a magnetic field.

Electron acceleration and short-wavelength radiation generation by an intense, short, linearly polarized laser pulse in an external magnetic field parallel to that of the light wave is investigated classically. It is found that enhanced electron acceleration by the laser can occur. After the pulse has passed, much of the energy gained by the electron is retained in its relativistic cyclotron motion. The electron emits radiation at high harmonics of the cyclotron frequency until the static magnetic field decays.

[Effects of osmolarity on NO synthase activity in endothelial cells and its mechanism].

AIM: To investigate the effects of the osmolarity on the NO synthase (NOS) activity in endothelial cells and explore their mechanism. METHODS: The endothelial cells were exposed to hypotonic (205 mOsm) or hypertonic (410 mOsm) in culture medium. Griess assay was used to measure NOS activity in cells. The inducible NOS (iNOS) and endothelial NOS (eNOS) gene expression were detected by Northern blot method. RESULTS: After exposed to hypotonic or hypertonic medium NOS activity of eEND cells increased significantly compared with that of endothelial cells cultured in isotonic medium (305 mOsm). The increases induced by non isotonic changed in time-dependent model. The effect of hypotonic on NOS activity was more significant than that of hypertonic. Dexamethasone had no effect on the increases of NOS activity induced by non-isotonic osmolarity. Cycloheximide suppressed NOS activity via inhibiting protein synthesis but in cycloheximide treated cells, but hypotonic or hypertonic still caused significant increase in NOS activity over the control. The results of Northern blot analysis showed that hypotonic and hypertonic induced the increase of eNOS gene expression, but had no effect on iNOS gene. CONCLUSION: Hypotonic and hypertonic specifically increased eNOS activity in endothelial cells, in which the increase of eNOS gene expression may play an important role.

[Measurement of rat myocardial mitochondria permeability transition with spectrophotometer].

AIM: Mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) is an important index to indicate the integrity and function of mitochondria. The principle of measurement for MPT is to observe the change of absorbance at 540 nm, due to the swelling of mitochondria by the disturbance of permeability transition of mitochondrial membrane when MPT increase. Consulting the literature and according to the reality in our laboratory, we established a spectrophotometric method for measuring myocardial MPT by using UV-240 spectrophotometer. METHODS: The decrease of absorbance and the time to equilibrium deltaA/min indicates the change of MPT. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The results showed that the optimal pH, concentration of protein and temperature for measuring MPT in our laboratory are pH 7.4, 0.5 mg protein/ml of mitochondria and 25 degrees C respectively.

Femtosecond Kerr-lens mode locking with negative nonlinear phase shifts.

We report a Kerr-lens mode-locked Cr:forsterite laser operated with negative nonlinear phase shift. The nonlinear phase shift is induced by the cascade chi((2;)):chi((2)) process in a lithium triborate crystal. Employing the cascade process at large phase mismatch produces a nearly linear frequency chirp. Transform-limited pulses as short as 60 fs are generated with positive cavity dispersion.

Clinical experience with triphasic oral contraceptive (Triquilar) in 527 women in China.

From October 1987 to May 1989, a total number of 527 women completed a total of 6,291 treatment cycles in 6 centers in China for the study of a triphasic oral contraceptive - Triquilar. The mean age of subjects was 30.21 +/- 2.84 years. There were 7 pregnancies during the study period. Among them, five were patient failures because of missed pill or incorrect intake; one had taken barbiturates along with Triquilar. Only one woman became pregnant in the 11th treatment cycle without any reason being found. In most cases, menstrual flow decreased and dysmenorrhea improved as treatment continued. Of the total treatment cycles, the incidence of missed withdrawal bleeding was 0.25%, spotting 0.97%, and breakthrough bleeding 0.48%. Nausea and vomiting was the most common side effect and accounted for 6.4% of the total treatment cycles. This was followed by breast tenderness (3.7%), dizziness (2.4%) and headache (1.6%). Most of the side effects occurred during the first few cycles and were alleviated later. By the end of one year, the total dropout was 64 cases. The reasons for discontinuing treatment were: pregnancy 1.33 (per hundred women), menstrual disturbances 0.76, side effects 3.80, other medical reasons 2.09, and personal reasons 4.18. The results confirm that Triquilar is an effective oral contraceptive with good cycle control and low incidence of side effects. No serious reaction has been reported. It has been well accepted by the Chinese women. However, due to the low dosage of steroids, it is of utmost importance to avoid errors in its use.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Establishment and characterization of a cell line HR-8348 derived from human poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of rectum.

A human rectal poorly-differentiated adenocarcinoma cell line HR-8348 is established from the surgically removed tumor mass of a male adult patient. The cell doubling time is 36.05 h. The mitotic index is 44.5%. The cells are all of epithelial type and mostly of polygonal shape. Electron microscopic examination shows malignant nuclei with enlarged nucleoli; there are abundant microvilli and some secretory granules. The plating efficiency in soft agar is 12.9%. In PHA (1 microgram/ml), the cells show obvious agglutination. Chromosomal analysis reveals a mode of 70 chromosomes per cell, with a marker chromosome. CEA in cells is detected positively both qualitatively and quantitatively. Hetero-transplantation of the cells to nude mice shows that the tumor mass has the same morphology as the original mass from the patient, with Alcian blue positive material in the cytoplasm. Repeated detection for mycoplasma contamination shows negative.

[The population growth in the city of Beijing and our present tasks (author's transl)].

PIP: Concern for the rapid population growth since 1949 of China's second largest city, Beijing, is discussed in terms of population control, migration, and rises in the productive development of the city. From 1949 to 1963 the natural rate of population increased from 7.5 to 35.3%; however, after the introduction of a birth control program in 1971, the natural increase of population declined to 4.02% in 1977. From 1949-1978, the average birth rate was 145,000/year while the average death rate was 46,500/year, leaving the annual average increase in population at 98,000. The natural population increased by 2,340,000 from 1949-1978. The massive population growth since 1949 affected the economic development of the city as well as the country. Cultivated land near Beijing increased from 1949-1952, but because of urban development the land for cultivation decreased by 1,527,000 market acres from that available in 1949 (7,965,000 market acres). Population density increased from 430 persons/ square kilometer in 1962 to 506 persons/ square kilometer in 1978. From 1953 to 1978, production and consumption rates fluctuated with a net balance of only 2020 million catties in the 26 years, causing the need for products to be imported from other areas of the country. Unemployment is exacerbated by the lack of jobs and increasing numbers of people. Transportation problems also have developed. New efforts are being made to inform people of population control by the Beijing Population Association begun in 1979, because Beijing's population will continue to increase until 1989 due to the baby boom years during the fifties which created a 2nd boom in the late 1970s as well as the lack of education on population control. Other programs are being developed to, 1) educate people on economical measures of reducing the population, 2) promote governmental departments to improve birth control programs by means of social security services, child health agencies, and nursing schools, 3) propagandize eugenics and genetic education to enhance the population, and 4) reinforce the propaganda on birth control and technical guidance.^ieng