Exquisitely precise synapse formation is crucial for the mammalian CNS to function correctly. Retinal photoreceptors transfer information to bipolar and horizontal cells at a specialized synapse, the ribbon synapse. We identified pikachurin, an extracellular matrix-like retinal protein, and observed that it localized to the synaptic cleft in the photoreceptor ribbon synapse. Pikachurin null-mutant mice showed improper apposition of the bipolar cell dendritic tips to the photoreceptor ribbon synapses, resulting in alterations in synaptic signal transmission and visual function. Pikachurin colocalized with both dystrophin and dystroglycan at the ribbon synapses. Furthermore, we observed direct biochemical interactions between pikachurin and dystroglycan. Together, our results identify pikachurin as a dystroglycan-interacting protein and demonstrate that it has an essential role in the precise interactions between the photoreceptor ribbon synapse and the bipolar dendrites. This may also advance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the retinal electrophysiological abnormalities observed in muscular dystrophy patients.

We review the physical properties, linear and nonlinear optical characteristics, and phase-matching configurations of BiB3O6 (BIBO), the first low-symmetry (monoclinic) inorganic nonlinear crystal that has found broad applications for frequency conversion of laser sources from the UV, across the visible, to the near-IR based on three-wave interactions. We describe in detail the most relevant optical properties that make this material an attractive candidate for nonlinear frequency conversion of laser light in general, and ultrafast femtosecond laser sources in particular. With special focus on ultrafast frequency conversion, characteristics such as group-velocity mismatch and spectral acceptance, parametric gain bandwidth, group-velocity dispersion, as well as angular acceptance and spatial walk-off are evaluated and optimum configurations for the attainment of maximum conversion efficiency, minimum pulse duration, and highest spatial beam quality are identified and compared with the most widely established alternative borate crystal, β-BaB2O4. Experimental results are presented on both parametric up-and down-conversion of femtosecond pulses, from the high-energy, low-repetition-rate (1 kHz) to the low-energy, high-repetitionrate (56-76 MHz) regime, demonstrating the unique versatility of BIBO for efficient frequency conversion of femtosecond pulses with broad tunability from 250 nm in the UV, throughout the visible, up to ∼ 3000 nm in the IR.Photograph of a femtosecond synchronously pumped optical parametric oscillator (SPOPO) based on BiB3O6 emitting in the yellow region of the spectrum. Pumped near 400 nm in the blue by the second harmonic of a Kerr-lens mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser, the SPOPO can generate femtosecond pulses across the full visible range of 480-710 nm, from the blue-green, through to yellow, orange and red.

The purpose of this study was to determine the contribution of different types of retinal neurons to the d-wave of the primate electroretinogram using pharmacological agents. NMDA + TTX was used to suppress inner retinal activity, and APB and PDA to block the activity of the ON- and OFF-pathways, respectively. Results indicated that the inner retinal neurons had a small but certain contribution to the d-wave. The initial rapid phase of the d-wave originates from the activity of the cone OFF-pathway nearly exclusively, and the later slow phase is shaped by the cone photoreceptors. The cone ON-pathway acts in a direction opposite to that of the other components.

These results suggested that there are functional impairments not only in the ganglion cell layer but also in the inner nuclear and plexiform layers, including the amacrine cells of ADOA patients with OPA1 mutations.

We report three cases of biliary obstruction caused by a juxtapapillary duodenal diverticulum that were treated by excision of the diverticulum. A 72-year-old man, a 77-year-old woman, and an 81-year-old woman each presented with recurrent obstructive jaundice. Diagnostic imaging revealed a juxtapapillary duodenal diverticulum compressing the common bile duct (CBD). Following cholecystectomy, the diverticulum between the intrapancreatic CBD and pancreatic parenchyma was isolated and excised successfully in each case. The patients have been followed up for 34, 31, and 22 months, respectively. In one patient, choledocholithiasis developed 33 months after the surgery, necessitating endoscopic sphincterotomy. Duodenal diverticulectomy is a useful procedure to relieve biliary obstruction caused by a juxtapapillary duodenal diverticulum. However, it remains unclear whether excision of the diverticulum is preferred to biliodigestive anastomosis from the point of view of long-term prognosis. Subsequent surveillance is necessary.

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MCV was a prognostic factor for the DFS, independent of the tumor stage, in CRC patients who underwent R0 resection.

It is possible to record focal macular PhNRs from monkeys by using a red stimulus spot on a blue background. Investigations of focal PhNRs can be a useful method of studying inner retinal function of local areas in normal and diseased retinas.