A broadband antireflection coating for enhanced holographic recording and readout in bismuth silicon oxide

We demonstrate a high-quality double-layer antireflection coating for high index (n = 2.61 at 514 nm) photorefractive and electro-optic bismuth silicon oxide (Bi₁₂SiO₂₀) crystals. The antireflection coating comprises two electron-beam-deposited quarter-wave dielectric layers of MgF₂ and ZrO₂. and increases the beam throughput by as much as 20% per interface at normal incidence. For holographic recording applications, the antireflection coating eliminates multiple internal reflections that produce extraneous gratings. The combination of these two factors significantly increases the diffraction efficiency and the two-beam coupling gain. Key characteristics of the double-layer coating include a broadband minimum that encompasses typical write and read wavelengths for Bi₁₂SiO₂₀ with normal-incidence reflectivities of less than 0.2% at 514 nm and 1% at 633 nm, respectively, and a forgiving angular dispersion for both TE and TM polarized waves with reflectivities of less than 2% for angles of incidence up to 45°. © 1997 American Institute of Physics

Long-term results of open transvesical prostatectomy from a contemporary series of patients

Objectives. To provide information about the long-term efficacy of transvesical prostatectomy from a contemporary series of patients. When comparing minimally invasive procedures with open prostatectomy, the data for the latter are usually provided from old studies or from recent ones performed in developing countries. However, this procedure is still used frequently for large-size prostates. Methods. During a 5-year period, 232 patients with large (greater than 75 g) prostates underwent open transvesical prostatectomy for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. Patient charts were retrospectively reviewed for preoperative and postoperative International Prostate Symptom Scores, postvoid residual urine volumes, maximal flow rates, early and late postoperative complications, and the need for reoperation. The preoperative International Prostate Symptom Score, postvoid residual urine volume, and maximal flow rate were compared with the corresponding postoperative data at 8 to 12 months and at the last follow-up visit. Results. Complete data evaluation was possible for 151 patients, with a mean follow-up of 41.8 +/- 15.6 months. Improvement in International Prostate Symptom Score, postvoid residual urine volume, and maximal flow rate was statistically significant (P < 0.001) at 8 to 12 months and remained statistically significant at the last follow-up visit. Long-term complications included bladder neck contraction in 5 (3.3%) occurring at a mean of 10 months (range 5 to 17), urethral strictures in 1 (0.6%), and meatal stenosis in 2 (1.3%) of 151 patients. Re-operation was required in 6 patients (3.9%). Conclusions. Transvesical prostatectomy in a contemporary series of patients proved to be successful, with a low rate of complications. Its success has a durable effect and only rarely was a corrective procedure necessary. This approach should be included in the list of possible treatments to discuss with the patient with a large prostate. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc

Post-growth tuning of inverted cavity InGaAs/AlGaAs spatial light modulators using phase compensating dielectric mirrors

A novel method is demonstrated for the correction of cavity thickness deviations imposed by technological limitations in the growth process of a resonant cavity spatial light modulator. This method is based on cavity phase compensation through the use of an externally-deposited dielectric Bragg mirror and provides an effective means of optimizing the device characteristics. In particular, such mirrors can significantly relax otherwise stringent epitaxial growth requirements in the fabrication of hybrid silicon/compound-semiconductor spatial light modulators incorporating Fabry-Perot cavities. We further demonstrate deposition of a conductive, index-tunable indium tin oxide (ITO) antireflection coating that is designed to maximize the contrast ratio and throughput of the inverted-cavity modulator configuration.© 1995 American Institute of Physics

Cisplatin, ifosfamide, methotrexate and vinblastine combination chemotherapy for metastatic urothelial cancer

Purpose: We investigated the activity of combination chemotherapy consisting of cisplatin, ifosfamide, methotrexate and vinblastine in patients with metastatic urothelial cancer. Materials and Methods: A total of 32 consecutive patients was treated with 30 mg./m.(2) cisplatin on days 1 through 3, 1.5 gm./m.(2) ifosfamide with mesna on days 1 through 3, 30 mg./m.(2) methotrexate and 3 mg./m.(2) vinblastine on day 1 plus 5 mu g./kg. granulocyte colony-stimulating factor on days 7 through 11. Courses were repeated every 21 days for a maximum of 6 cycles. Results: Major toxicity was granulocytopenia in 56% of patients, including 11 episodes of granulocytopenic fever. Anemia and thrombocytopenia developed in a third of the cases. No other significant toxicity or treatment related death was noted. An objective response was achieved in 20 patients (62.5%, 95% confidence interval 44 to 79). Median time to progression was 7 months and median survival was 13 months. Conclusions: The cisplatin, ifosfamide, methotrexate and vinblastine regimen appeared active in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma. This regimen was associated with significant but manageable hematological toxicity and the incidence of mucositis or renal impairment was low. Prospective randomized studies are needed to assess whether the addition of ifosfamide to other active agents will improve the survival of patients with this disease

β-arrestin Kurtz inhibits MAPK and Toll signalling in Drosophila development

β-Arrestins are best known as adaptor proteins involved in GPCR signal transduction, although they are known to regulate multiple signalling cascades. In this study, Tipping et al identify a new function for the Drosophila β-arrestin as an inhibitor of both Toll and RTK pathways during development

Docetaxel and cisplatin combination chemotherapy in advanced carcinoma of the urothelium: A multicenter phase II study of the Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group

Purpose: Both docetaxel and cisplatin have moderate activity in patients with advanced urothelial cancer. We performed a multicenter phase II study in order to assess the efficacy and toxicity of the combination of these two agents in patients with advanced carcinoma of the urothelium. Patients and methods: Sixty-six patients not amenable to curative surgery or irradiation were enrolled onto this cooperative group study and treated on an outpatient basis with docetaxel 75 mg/m(2) followed by cisplatin 75 mg/m(2), both administered intravenously. Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor was administered subcutaneously at a dose of 5 mu g/kg daily from day 5 until resolution of neutropenia. The chemotherapy was administered every three weeks for a maximum of six courses in patients without evidence of progressive disease. Results: Thirty-four of sixty-six patients (52%, 95% confidence interval 40%-64%) demonstrated objective responses, with eight achieving clinical complete responses and twenty-six partial responses. A multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the patients most likely to respond were those without lung metastasis and without weight loss before treatment. The median duration of response was 6.1 months and the median times to progression and survival for all patients were 5 and 8 months, respectively. Absence of anemia, of liver metastases and of weight loss correlated with longer survival. Grade greater than or equal to 3 toxicities included granulocytopenia in 33% of patients, anemia in 14%, diarrhea in 13% and emesis in 7% of patients. Conclusion: The combination of docetaxel and cisplatin appeared relatively well tolerated and moderately active in patients with advanced urothelial cancer. The patients most likely to benefit were those without weight loss and without lung or liver metastases