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Two novel red phosphors KBaEu(XO4)3 (X = Mo, W) have been synthesized by high-temperature solid-state reactions and the crystal structures were determined for the first time. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction data reveal that their space groups are C2/c. The crystalline structure is constituted of K/BaO8 distorted square antiprisms and distorted EuO8 polyhedra which form chains lying along the c-axis and two kinds of distorted XO4 tetrahedra. This high disorder of K/Ba which might lower the crystal field symmetry around Eu3+ results in the high purity of red emission around 615 nm originating from 5D0 → 7F2 transition under near-ultraviolet (NUV) excitation. With increasing temperature, the luminescence of KBaEu(XO4)3 (X = Mo, W) phosphors decreases almost linearly with subtle alteration for the CIE coordinate. As the temperature reaches 550 K, the red emission intensity decreases to 37.3% and 50.7% of that at 300 K for KBaEu(MoO4)3 and KBaEu(WO4)3, respectively. The analysis of the decay curves of the 5D0 → 7F2 emission at variable temperatures indicates the weak cross relaxation and non-radiative energy transfer between Eu3+ ions. These results demonstrate that the investigated phosphors are attractive for application in high power NUV excited white LEDs.

An Er 3+ -doped Gd 2 SiO 5 single crystal with high optical quality has been grown by the Czochralski method. Polarized absorption and fluorescence spectra and fluorescence lifetime of the crystal were measured at room temperature. Intensity parameters, spontaneous emission probabilities, fluorescence branching ratios, and radiative lifetimes were estimated on the basis of the Judd–Ofelt theory. Besides, potentiality of 1.55 μm laser emission in an Er 3+ –Yb 3+ co-doped Gd 2 SiO 5 crystal was evaluated.

Yb 3+ :Gd 2 SiO 5 single crystal with Yb 3+ concentration of 6.33 at.% was grown by the Czochralski method. Polarized absorption and fluorescence spectra were measured at room temperature. Intrinsic fluorescence lifetime of the 2 F 5/2 multiplet was measured to be 0.87 ms when the powder of Yb 3+ :Gd 2 SiO 5 crystal with low Yb 3+ concentration of 0.5 at.% immersed in refractive index-matching fluid was adopted to weaken the influence of radiation trapping and concentration dependent fluorescence quenching. Furthermore, diode-pumped continuous-wave laser around 1090 nm with a slope efficiency of 52% and maximum output power of 1.2 W was demonstrated in the crystal.

A Sm 3+ -doped LiLuF 4 single crystal was grown by the vertical Bridgman–Stockbarge technique. Polarized absorption spectra, polarized fluorescence spectra, and fluorescence lifetime of the Sm 3+ :LiLuF 4 crystal were recorded at room temperature. Based on the Judd–Ofelt theory, spectral parameters of the Sm 3+ :LiLuF 4 crystal were calculated. Emission cross sections for the 4 G 5/2 → 6 H J ( J = 5/2, 7/2, 9/2, and 11/2) transitions with special interest for visible laser application were obtained by the Fuchtbauer–Ladenburg formula. The results indicate that the Sm 3+ :LiLuF 4 crystal may be a potential laser gain medium operating in visible region pumped by diode lasers around 401 nm.

Pr3+–Yb3+ co-doped transparent oxyfluoride glass ceramics containing Ca5(PO4)3F nanocrystals were synthesized by a melting-quenching method. Spectral analyses demonstrate that Pr3+ and Yb3+ ions are both incorporated into the Ca5(PO4)3F nanocrystals. Near-infrared down-conversion around 1000 nm was observed when the glass ceramics were excited at 435 nm. The maximum actual down-conversion efficiency for 0.3 mol% Pr3+–0.8 mol% Yb3+ co-doped glass ceramic is about 125%.

Li3Ba2La3(WO4)8:Dy3+ yellow-emitting phosphors were synthesized by the solid state reaction method. These phosphors exhibit one intense emission band around 575 nm under excitation at 365 nm. The dependences of the emission intensities and the chromaticity coordinates on Dy3+ concentration were analyzed. The optimum doping concentration of Dy3+ for the phosphor is about 6 mol% and the corresponding chromaticity coordinates is (0.435, 0.476) at room temperature. Besides, the Li3Ba2La3(WO4)8:Dy3+ phosphor shows higher thermal stability than that of (Sr, Ba)2SiO4:Eu2+. The results show that the Li3Ba2La3(WO4)8:Dy3+ phosphor with strong yellow emission may be applied in near ultraviolet pumped white LEDs.

Room-temperature polarized spectral properties of the Er:CaGdAlO 4 crystal are reported. The Judd–Ofelt theory was applied to analyze the polarized absorption spectra and then calculate the spontaneous emission probabilities, radiative lifetimes, and branch ratios. Room-temperature fluorescence lifetimes of the 4 I 13/2 , 4 I 11/2 , 4 F 9/2 , and 4 S 3/2 multiplets for Er 3+ ions were measured. Stimulated emission cross-sections of the 4 I 13/2 → 4 I 15/2 transition obtained by the Fuchtbauer–Ladenberg formula and the reciprocity method were compared. The results show that the Er:CaGdAlO 4 crystal may be a potential gain medium for a low-threshold 1.55 μm laser.

Background Voltage-gated calcium channel α2δ1 subunit is the binding site for gabapentin, an effective drug in controlling neuropathic pain states including thermal hyperalgesia. Hyperalgesia to noxious thermal stimuli in both spinal nerve-ligated (SNL) and voltage-gated calcium channel α2δ1 overexpressing transgenic (Tg) mice correlates with higher α2δ1 levels in dorsal root ganglia and dorsal spinal cord. In this study, we investigated whether abnormal synaptic transmission is responsible for thermal hyperalgesia induced by elevated α2δ1 expression in these models. Methods Behavioural sensitivities to thermal stimuli were test in L4 SNL and sham mice, as well as in α2δ1 Tg and wild-type mice. Miniature excitatory (mEPSC) and inhibitory (mIPSC) post-synaptic currents were recorded in superficial dorsal spinal cord neurons from these models using whole-cell patch clamp slice recording techniques. Results The frequency, but not amplitude, of mEPSC in superficial dorsal horn neurons was increased in SNL and α2δ1 Tg mice, which could be attenuated by gabapentin dose dependently. Intrathecal α2δ1 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide treatment diminished increased mEPSC frequency and gabapentin's inhibitory effects in elevated mEPSC frequency in the SNL mice. In contrast, neither the frequency nor the amplitude of mIPSC was altered in superficial dorsal horn neurons from the SNL and α2δ1 Tg mice. Conclusions Our findings support a role of peripheral nerve injury-induced α2δ1 in enhancing pre-synaptic excitatory input onto superficial dorsal spinal cord neurons that contributes to nociception development.

Ho 3+ /Tm 3+ co-doped β ′-Gd 2 (MoO 4 ) 3 single crystal was investigated as gain medium for Ho 3+ laser around 2.0 μm. Polarized absorption and fluorescence spectra of the crystal were measured. Polarized spectral parameters of Ho 3+ ions in the crystal were calculated and the gain curves around 2.0 μm were estimated. The fluorescence decay curves for Tm 3+ and Ho 3+ ions related to the 2.0 μm laser were measured and analyzed. The distinct coupled decay behavior for the Ho 3+ /Tm 3+ co-doped system embodies the existence of energy transfer between Tm 3+ and Ho 3+ ions.

Undoped and Er 3+ -doped Sr 3 Yb 2 (BO 3 ) 4 crystals were grown by the Czochralski method. Room temperature polarized spectral properties of the Er:Sr 3 Yb 2 (BO 3 ) 4 crystal were investigated. The efficiency of the energy transfer from Yb 3+ to Er 3+ ions in this crystal was calculated to be about 95%. End-pumped by a diode laser at 970 nm in a hemispherical cavity, a 0.75 W quasi-CW laser at 1.5–1.6 μm with a slope efficiency of 7% and an absorbed pump threshold of 3.8 W was achieved in a 0.5-mm-thick Z-cut crystal glued on a 5-mm-thick pure YAG crystal with UV-curable adhesive.

Background Injury to the trigeminal nerve often results in the development of chronic pain states including tactile allodynia, or hypersensitivity to light touch, in orofacial area, but its underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Peripheral nerve injury has been shown to cause up-regulation of thrombospondin-4 (TSP4) in dorsal spinal cord that correlates with neuropathic pain development. In this study, we examined whether injury-induced TSP4 is critical in mediating orofacial pain development in a rat model of chronic constriction injury to the infraorbital nerve. Methods Orofacial sensitivity to mechanical stimulation was examined in a unilateral infraorbital nerve ligation rat model. The levels of TSP4 in trigeminal ganglia and associated spinal subnucleus caudalis and C1/C2 spinal cord (Vc/C2) from injured rats were examined at time points correlating with the initiation and peak orofacial hypersensitivity. TSP4 antisense and mismatch oligodeoxynucleotides were intrathecally injected into injured rats to see if antisense oligodeoxynucleotide treatment could reverse injury-induced TSP4 up-regulation and orofacial behavioural hypersensitivity. Results Our data indicated that trigeminal nerve injury induced TSP4 up-regulation in Vc/C2 at a time point correlated with orofacial tactile allodynia. In addition, intrathecal treatment with TSP4 antisense, but not mismatch, oligodeoxynucleotides blocked both injury-induced TSP4 up-regulation in Vc/C2 and behavioural hypersensitivity. Conclusions Our data support that infraorbital nerve injury leads to TSP4 up-regulation in trigeminal spinal complex that contributes to orofacial neuropathic pain states. Blocking this pathway may provide an alternative approach in management of orofacial neuropathic pain states.

A Nd 3 + -doped transparent oxyfluoride glass ceramic containing Sr 5 (PO 4 ) 3 F nanocrystals was prepared by melt quenching technique and subsequent thermal treatment. The phase and morphology of Sr 5 (PO 4 ) 3 F nanocrystals were investigated by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. The volume fraction of Sr 5 (PO 4 ) 3 F nanocrystals in the glass ceramic is about 12% and the fraction of Nd 3 + ions incorporated in the Sr 5 (PO 4 ) 3 F nanocrystals is about 15%. The peak absorption cross-section increases to 145% at 806 nm and the full width at half maximum for the band around 806 nm decreases from 12.5 to 11 nm after the crystallization process. The 1059 nm peak stimulated emission cross-section increases from 2.27 × 10 − 20 to 3.07 × 10 − 20 cm 2 and the effective width for this band decreases from 35 to 30 nm after the crystallization process. The improvement of spectroscopic properties indicates that the glass ceramic is potentially applicable as a 1.06 μm laser material.

Background Peripheral nerve injury induces up-regulation of the calcium channel alpha-2-delta-1 proteins in the dorsal root ganglia and dorsal spinal cord that correlates with neuropathic pain development. Similar behavioural hypersensitivity was also observed in injury-free transgenic (TG) mice over-expressing the alpha-2-delta-1 proteins in neuronal tissues. To investigate pathways regulating alpha-2-delta-1 protein-mediated behavioural hypersensitivity, we examined whether spinal serotonergic 5-HT3 receptors are involved similarly in the modulation of behavioural hypersensitivity induced by either peripheral nerve injury in a nerve injury model or neuronal alpha-2-delta-1 over-expression in the TG model. Methods The effects of blocking behavioural hypersensitivity in these two models by intrathecal or systemic injections of 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, ondansetron, were compared. Results Our data indicated that the TG mice displayed similar behavioural hypersensitivities to non-painful mechanical stimulation (tactile allodynia) and painful thermal stimulation (thermal hyperalgesia) as that observed in the nerve injury model. Interestingly, tactile allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia in both models can be blocked similarly by intrathecal, but not systemic, injection of ondansetron. Conclusions Our data suggest that spinal 5-HT3 receptors are likely to play a role in alpha-2-delta-1-mediated behavioural hypersensitivities through a descending serotonergic facilitation.

Objective To develop an effective HIV vaccine strategy that can induce cross-reactive neutralizing antibody. Methods Codon-optimized gp140 and gp145 env genes derived from HIV-1 cn54 , a CRF07 B′/C recombinant strain, were constructed as DNA and recombinant Tiantan vaccinia (rTV) vaccines. The effect of heterologous immunization with gp140 and gp145 was tested in mice and guinea pigs. T cell responses were detected using the IFN-γ ELISPOT assay. A panel of primary isolates of clade B′ and B′/C HIV-1 and TZM-bl cells was used to determine the neutralizing activity of immunized sera. Results The neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) induced by the heterologous immunogen immunization neutralized all HIV-1 B′ and B′/C primary isolates in the guinea pig model. Gp145 and gp140 heterologous prime-boost induced the best neutralizing antibody response with a broad neutralizing spectrum and the highest titer of 1:270 at 6 weeks after the last inoculation. However, the T cell response to HIV-1 peptides was significantly weaker than the gp145 + gp145 homologous prime-boost. Conclusions This heterologous prime-boost immunization strategy could be used to design immunogen-generating broad neutralizing antibodies against genetic variance pathogens.

Efficient 1.9 ?m monolithic micro-laser was realized in a 0.9-mm-thick Tm3+:NaLa(MoO4)2 microchip coated with cavity mirrors directly. End-pumped by a fiber-coupled quasi-continuous-wave 795 nm diode laser, an average output power of 140 mW was obtained when the average incident pump power was 340 mW. Slope efficiencies calculated with respect to incident and absorbed pump power were 42 and 60%, respectively. The spectra and spatial profiles of the monolithic Tm3+:NaLa(MoO4)2 micro-laser were also measured and analyzed.

An Er:Yb:NaCe(WO4)2 crystal was grown by the Czochralski method. Spectral properties of the crystal were investigated and compared with those of the Er:Yb:Ce:NaGd(WO4)2 crystal. The green up-conversion was not observed when the Er:Yb:NaCe(WO4)2 crystal was excited by a diode laser at 970 nm. The efficiency of energy transfer from Yb3+ to Er3+ in the Er:Yb:NaCe(WO4)2 crystal was calculated to be about 93%. End-pumped by a diode laser at 970 nm in a hemispherical cavity, 0.95 W quasi-CW laser at 1.5–1.6 μm was achieved in a 1.47-mm-thick c-cut Er:Yb:NaCe(WO4){ia2} crystal, the slope efficiency was 11%, and the threshold was 2.83 W.

Trivalent thulium-doped K5Bi(MoO4)4 single crystals were grown by the Czochralski method. Its polarized absorption and fluorescence spectra and fluorescence decay curves were recorded at room temperature. On the basis of the Judd–Ofelt theory, the spectral parameters of the Tm3+:K5Bi(MoO4)4 crystal were calculated. The cross relaxations between Tm3+ ions were analyzed. The emission cross sections of the 3F4 → 3H6 transition were obtained by the Fuchtbauer–Ladenburg formula and then the gain cross sections around 1.9 μm were calculated. The peak emission cross section and width of emission band around 1.9 μm are comparable to those for Tm3+:YAG and the tunable range is about 280 nm for the potential ∼1.9 μm laser operation via the 3F4 → 3H6 transition.

A Ho3+-doped NaLa(MoO4)2 single crystal was grown by the Czochralski method. The polarized absorption spectra, polarized fluorescence spectra, and fluorescence decay curves of the crystal were measured at room temperature. The spontaneous emission probabilities, radiative lifetimes, and fluorescence branching ratios of the typical fluorescence multiplets of Ho3+ ions were calculated. The polarized stimulated emission and gain cross-sections of the 5I7 → 5I8 transition were obtained. The results show that the Ho3+:NaLa(MoO4)2 crystal is a promising gain medium for tunable and ultrashort pulse lasers operating around 2.0 μm.

The interaction between a screw dislocation and an elastic elliptical inhomogeneity which contains a confocal rigid line is investigated. The screw dislocation is located inside either the elliptical inhomogeneity or the infinite matrix. By using the complex potential method, explicit series solutions of complex potentials are obtained. The image force acting on the screw dislocation and the stress intensity factor at the tip of the rigid line are derived. As a result, the analysis and discussion show that the influence of the rigid line on the interaction effects between a screw dislocation and an elliptical inhomogeneity is significant. The rigid line enhances the repulsive force exerted on the dislocation produced by the stiff inhomogeneity and abates the attractive force produced by the soft inhomogeneity. For the soft inhomogeneity, there is an unstable equilibrium position when the dislocation is inside the matrix and there is a stable equilibrium position when the dislocation is inside the inhomogeneity. The stress intensity factor contour around the rigid line tip shows that when a dislocation with positive burgers vector is in the upper half-plane, stress intensity factor will be positive; while in the lower half-plane, stress intensity factor will be negative; and in the x-axis, it will be zero. The absolute value of the stress intensity factor will increase when the dislocation approaches the tip of the rigid line. The stress intensity factor at the rigid line tip is enhanced by a harder matrix and abated by a softer matrix.

End-pumped by a single-stripe 805-nm diode laser, a maximum continuous-wave output power of 290 mW with slope efficiency of 42% and 90 mW with slope efficiency of 44% around 2 µm were achieved in a 1.6-mm-thickness, unprocessed 7.2 at.% Tm3+:BaGd2(MoO4)4 cleavage plate in a hemispherical and plano–plano cavities, respectively, when the absorbed pump power was 830 mW. The dependence of the polarization of output laser on the output coupler transmission was investigated. The influence of upconversion on the laser performance was analyzed. The results show that the unprocessed Tm3+:BaGd2(MoO4)4 cleavage plate is a promising 2-µm laser gain medium pumped by diode laser around 808 nm.

Detailed spectral properties of uniaxial Tm 3+ :LiLa(MoO 4 ) 2 crystal have been investigated, including the polarized absorption spectra, polarized emission spectra, and fluorescence decay. Especially, the fluorescence spectra and decay curve of the upper level for ∼2.0 μm laser, 3 F 4 multiplet, were measured. The re-absorption of the emission from the 3 F 4 multiplet and the cross-relaxation between Tm 3+ ions were analyzed. The emission cross-sections of the 3 F 4 multiplet were obtained by the reciprocity method and then the gain cross-sections around 2.0 μm were calculated. The maximum absorption cross-section of the pump band is 4.04 × 10 −20 cm 2 at 795 nm with a bandwidth of 8 nm, which means this crystal is suitable for laser diode pumping. All the results show that Tm 3+ :LiLa(MoO 4 ) 2 crystal is a promising candidate for gain medium of ∼2.0 μm laser.

A Pr3+:NaGd(MoO4)2 single crystal has been grown by the Czochralski method. The polarized absorption spectra, polarized fluorescence spectra, and fluorescence decay curves of the crystal were measured at room temperature. The Judd–Ofelt intensity parameters Ωt,q (t=2,4,6) and the spectroscopic parameters related to the 3P0 and 1D2 multiplets were obtained and analyzed. The decay mechanisms for the 3P0 and 1D2 multiplets were also discussed.

A 1.2 mm thick microchip cleaved from a 1.2 at.% Nd3+: BaGd2(MoO4)4 crystal was used as the laser gain medium directly. The laser cavity mirrors were coated on the microchip without cutting and polishing. In the 1.06 μm quasi-CW laser operation, the microchip was pumped by a Ti:sapphire laser with a duty cycle of 10%, the threshold is 10 mW, and the slope efficiency is 50%. In the CW laser operation pumped by a diode laser, the threshold and slope efficiency are 140 mW and 33%, respectively. The results demonstrate that the unprocessed surfaces of the cleaved microchip have good enough flatness and parallelism for laser operation.

In this paper, the effect of Bi 2 O 3 on the optical absorption and emission, energy transfer, and gain property of Yb 3+ –Er 3+ -co-doped bismuth borate glasses has been investigated. An increase of the emission cross-section and fluorescence lifetime of Er 3+ ions around 1.5 μm with Bi 2 O 3 content was shown. The increase of Bi 2 O 3 content is also beneficial to obtaining a large absorption cross-section at 980 nm and increasing the energy transfer from Yb 3+ to Er 3+ . Furthermore, in the 45Bi 2 O 3 –55B 2 O 3 glass, gain curve is almost flat in the range from 1.53 to 1.60 μm. The results indicate that the Yb 3+ –Er 3+ -co-doped bismuth borate glasses have good prospect as a candidate of gain medium for 1.5 μm broadband amplifier.

Chemotherapeutics in the taxane and vinca-alkaloid classes sometimes produce a painful peripheral neuropathy for which there is no validated treatment. Experiments with rat models of paclitaxel- and vincristine-evoked pain suggest that these conditions may not respond to all of the analgesics that have efficacy in other models of painful peripheral neuropathy. We tested gabapentin as a potential analgesic for paclitaxel- and vincristine-evoked pain. We used a repeated dosing paradigm because there are precedents showing that repeated drug exposure may be necessary to demonstrate analgesia in neuropathic pain models. Gabapentin is believed to work via binding to voltage-gated calcium channels that contain the alpha-2-delta type-1 (alpha(2)delta-1) subunit, and the expression of this subunit is known to be increased in some painful peripheral neuropathy models. Thus we also examined whether the paclitaxel-evoked pain syndrome was accompanied by an alpha(2)delta-1 increase, and whether gabapentin had any effect on subunit expression. We found that the paclitaxel- and vincristine-evoked mechano-allodynia and mechano-hyperalgesia were significantly reduced by gabapentin, but only with repeated dosing. Paclitaxel-evoked painful peripheral neuropathy was associated with an increased expression of the alpha(2)delta-1 subunit in the spinal dorsal horn, but not in the dorsal root ganglia. The spinal cord increase was normalized by repeated gabapentin injections. Together, these findings suggest that repeated dosing with gabapentin may be beneficial in patients with chemotherapy-evoked painful peripheral neuropathy and that gabapentin's mechanisms of action may include normalization of the nerve injury-evoked increase in calcium channel alpha(2)delta-1 subunit expression.

End-pumped by a continuous-wave 976 nm diode laser, efficient 1522 nm laser operation was demonstrated in an Er:Yb:GdAl(3)(BO(3))(4) crystal when a sapphire crystal was used as a heat diffuser. A continuous-wave 1522 nm laser with a maximum output power of 750 mW and slope efficiency of 36% was realized at an absorbed pump power of 4.1 W. The pulse performances of an acousto-optic Q-switched laser with various repetition frequencies were investigated in detail. In a repetition frequency range of 1-10 kHz, 1522 nm pulse lasers with a slope efficiency of about 10%, peak output power at the kilowatt level, and width of about 50 ns were first obtained in an Er:Yb:GdAl(3)(BO(3))(4) crystal pumped by a continuous-wave diode laser. The results indicate that the crystal is a promising gain medium for an actively Q-switched 1.5 μm laser.

Gabapentin is a drug that has been widely used in the treatment of chronic pain states. Despite its widespread usage, it is only recently that light has been shed on the mechanism of action of this agent. In the current review, the authors document the pharmacological, biochemical and molecular information that has led to the identification of the alpha2delta1 auxilliary subunit of voltage gated calcium channels as the target for this drug's actions.

Background Up-regulation of voltage-gated calcium channel α2δ1 subunit post spinal nerve ligation (SNL) injury or in α2δ1-overexpressing transgenic (Tg) mice correlates with tactile allodynia, a pain state mediated mainly by Aβ sensory fibres forming synaptic connections with deep dorsal horn (DDH) neurons. It is not clear, however, whether dysregulated α2δ1 alters DDH synaptic neurotransmission that underlies tactile allodynia development post nerve injury. Methods Tactile allodynia was tested in the SNL and α2δ1 Tg models. Miniature excitatory/inhibitory post-synaptic currents were recorded in DDH neurons from these animal models using whole-cell patch clamp slice recording techniques. Results There was a significant increase in the frequency, but not amplitude, of miniature excitatory post-synaptic currents (mEPSC) in DDH neurons that correlated with tactile allodynia in SNL and α2δ1 Tg mice. Gabapentin, an α2δ1 ligand that is known to block tactile allodynia in these models, also normalized mEPSC frequency dose-dependently in DDH neurons from SNL and α2δ1 Tg mice. In contrast, neither frequency nor amplitude of miniature inhibitory post-synaptic currents was altered in DDH neurons from SNL and α2δ1 Tg mice. Conclusion Our data suggest that α2δ1 dysregulation is highly likely contributing to tactile allodynia through a pre-synaptic mechanism involving facilitation of excitatory synaptic neurotransmission in DDH of spinal cord.

Background: Our previous data have indicated that nerve injury-induced up-regulation of thrombospondin-4 (TSP4) proteins in dorsal spinal cord plays a causal role in neuropathic pain state development in a spinal nerve ligation model. To investigate whether TSP4 proteins also contribute to the development of centrally mediated changes in nociception after spinal cord injury (SCI), we investigated whether SCI induced TSP4 dysregulation, and if so, whether this change correlated with changes in nociception in a T9 spinal cord contusion injury model. Methods: Behavioural sensitivity to mechanical, thermal stimuli and locomotor function recovery were tested blindly in SCI or sham rats post-injury. Intrathecal antisense or mismatch control oligodeoxynucleotides were used to treat SCI rats with nociceptive hyperreflexia, and Western blots were used to measure TSP4 protein levels in dorsal spinal cord samples. Results: SCI induced below-level hindpaw hypersensitivity to stimuli. TSP4 protein levels are up-regulated in dorsal spinal cord of SCI rats with nociceptive hyperreflexia, but not in SCI rats without nociceptive hyperreflexia. There was no significant difference in motor function recovery post-injury between SCI rats with or without nociceptive hyperreflexia. Intrathecal treatment with TSP4 antisense, but not mismatch control, oligodeoxynucleotides led to reversal of injury-induced TSP4 up-regulation and nociceptive hyperreflexia in SCI rats. Conclusions: SCI leads to TSP4 up-regulation in lumbar spinal cord that may play a critical role in mediating centrally mediated behavioural hypersensitivity. Blocking this pathway may be helpful in management of SCI-induced changes in nociception. © 2013 European Federation of International Association for the Study of Pain Chapters.

The greatest challenge of HIV vaccine development lies in the diversity of circulating HIV-1 strains. For an effective vaccine, neutralizing antibodies are assumed to be of crucial importance, but previous attempts results only very limited breadth and potency of Nab titer. While the amino acid sequences of lentivirus envelope have many differences, those envelope proteins share almost same structural conformations. If the envelopes of different lentivirus were used immune animals, the response to the conserved sites will be strengthened while the un-conserved sites will not be. In this study, compared to only protein immunization regimen, HIV-1 CN54 gp140 DNA prime and protein boost strategy generated Nab titer increased significantly. So, the prime-boost strategy and HIV-1 CN54 gp140 protein were employed to different lentivirus cross immunization schedule. The results indicated that, the different lentivirus and HIV-1 cross immune by prime-boost strategy elicited breath and potency neutralization antibody to tier 1, tier 2, and tier 3 viruses with 14 tested viruses. To tested tier 2 and tier 3 viruses, in SIV and HIV-1 cross immunization group, the neutralization breadth of ID50 is 91.7% and the breadth of ID70 is 50%; in HIV-1, FIV and SIV cross immunization group, the breadth of ID50 is 83.3% and the breadth of ID70 is 58.3%, while in only HIV-1 vaccinated group, the breadth of ID50 is 75% and the breadth of ID70 is only 25%. These data demonstrate that HIV-1 and different lentivirus especially with SIV cross immunization by prime-boost strategy elicit broad neutralizing antibodies much better than only HIV-1 immunization.

In this work, the optical spectroscopy (absorption and luminescence) of a new Nd 3+ activated non-linear crystal, Gd X Y 1-X Al 3 (BO 3 ) 4 , with x=0.25, has been investigated. The crystal structure of this system is quite similar to that of one of the best self frequency doubling crystals, YAl 3 (BO 3 ) 4 (YAB). Results show absorption bands very similar, but broader than those observed in Nd:YAB. This suggests the possibility of two non-equivalent environments for the Nd 3+ ions, corresponding to the replacement of Y 3+ and Gd 3+ lattice sites.

Based on the long fluorescence lifetime of upper laser level 4I13/2 of Er3+ ions and high 1.5−1.6 μm laser operation efficiency, an Er3+:Y b3+:NaCe0.43Gd0.57(WO4)2 crystal was used to generate a Q-switched pulse laser with high energy and low threshold. End-pumped by a 970 nm diode laser, a passively Q-switched 1.5−1.6 μm pulse laser was first realized in an Er3+ and Y b3+ co-doped tungstate crystal, when a Co2+:Mg0.4Al2.4O4 spinel crystal was used as saturable absorber. A 1.53 μm pulse laser with about 22 μJ energy, 76 ns duration and 21 kHz repetition rate was obtained at an absorbed pump power of 12 W in a c-cut 1.7-mm-thick Er3+:Y b3+:NaCe0.43Gd0.57(WO4)2 crystal.

Using an Er:Yb:YAl3(BO3)4 crystal as the gain medium and a Co2+:Mg0.4Al2.4O4 spinel crystal as the saturable absorber, an efficient passively Q-switched 1520 nm pulse laser was realized in a plano–plano cavity end-pumped by a 970 nm diode laser. At an absorbed pump power of 14.8 W and output mirror transmission of 4.6%, a 1520 nm pulse laser with 11.1 μJ energy, 16 ns duration and 27 kHz repetition rate was obtained, which resulted in about 0.7 kW output peak power. Furthermore, the influence of the output mirror transmission on the pulse energy, duration and repetition rate was also investigated.

By using mirrors with specially designed transmissions in a diode end-pumped hemispherical cavity, laser oscillations except for 1580 nm were suppressed and an enhanced pulse performance of an acousto-optic Q-switched laser at a single wavelength of 1580 nm was realized for Er:Yb:RAl3(BO3)4 crystals. When the absorbed pump power was 13.5 W and the pulse repetition frequency was 1 kHz, 250 μJ Q-switched pulse energy with a width of 215 ns and 350 μJ Q-switched pulse energy with a width of 125 ns were achieved in Er:Yb:YAl3(BO3)4 and Er:Yb:LuAl3(BO3)4 crystals, respectively. The pulsed laser performances of both the crystals were also compared and investigated in detail.

An Eu3+-doped transparent oxyfluoride glass ceramic containing Ca5(PO4)3F nanocrystals was prepared by melt quenching and subsequent thermal treatment. The transmittance of the glass ceramic with a thickness of 1.92 mm is up to 80.5% in the visible range at room temperature. Site-selective excitation and emission spectra indicate that Eu3+ ions in the Ca5(PO4)3F nanocrystals occupy two types of sites, A and B, with a same point symmetry Cs. As for Eu3+ ions at site A, the crystal field is more deformed and stronger. The crystal field may appear in the form of a ligand ion F- being replaced by O2- in accordance with the charge compensation scheme: Ca2+ + F-→Eu3+ + O2-. As for Eu3+ ions at site B, the possible charge compensation scheme is 3Ca2+→2Eu3+ + Vacancy. Furthermore, an energy transfer process from Eu3+ ions at site A to that at site B in the glass ceramic at low temperature was also discussed.

Increasing evidence indicates that antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) contributes to the control of HIV/SIV infection. However, little is known about the ADCC function of natural killer (NK) cells in non-human primate model. Here we demonstrated that ADCC function of NK cells was significantly compromised in chronic SIV/SHIV infection, correlating closely with the expression of FcγRIIIa receptor (CD16) on NK cells. CD32, another class of IgG Fc receptors, was identified on NK cells with higher expression in the infected macaques and the blockade of CD32 impacted the ability of NK cells to respond to antibody-coated target cells. The inhibition of matrix metalloproteases (MMPs), a group of enzymes normally involved in tissue/receptor remodeling, could restore NK cell-mediated ADCC with increased CD16 expression on macaque NK cells. These data offer a clearer understanding of NK cell-mediated ADCC in rhesus macaques, which will allow us to evaluate the ADCC repertoire arising from preclinical vaccination studies in non-human primates and inform us in the future design of effective HIV vaccination strategies.

Er:NaY(WO4)2 and Er:Yb:Ce:NaY(WO4)2 crystals were grown by the Czochralski method. Er:Yb:NaY(WO4)2, Er:Ce:NaY(WO4)2, and Yb:NaY(WO4)2 crystal powders were synthesized by means of the solid-state reaction. The spectroscopic properties of the crystals were investigated, including the absorption and fluorescence spectra and fluorescence decay. The energy transfer efficiency from Yb3+ to Er3+ in Er:Yb:NaY(WO4)2 and Er:Yb:Ce:NaY(WO4)2 was calculated and analyzed. End-pumped by a diode laser at 970 nm in a hemispherical cavity, a 1.84 W quasi-continuous-wave laser around 1.55 μm with a slope efficiency of 17% and an absorbed pump threshold of 1.60 W was achieved in a 1.04 mm thick c-cut Er:Yb:Ce:NaY(WO4)2 crystal. The results show that the Er:Yb:Ce:NaY(WO4)2 crystal with high Ce3+ doping is a candidate for gain medium of low threshold 1.55 μm laser.