Simultaneous Registration of Contraction and Cytosolic Calcium ([Ca2+]i) of Smooth Muscle Strips Using Front-Surface Fluorimetry

Using front-surface fluorimetry with fura-2-loaded smooth muscle strips, simultaneous registration of the cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) changes and tension development was done under the action of 40 mM KCl and the myotropic peptide 10^–6 M angiotensin II. The strips were mounted vertically, connected to a force transducer that keeps a basal isometric tension of 0.5 g, and maintained in a bathing solution oxygenated at 37°C. The fiber-optic platform FluoroMax-2 accessory 1950F was used to do the remote sensing for the samples. Light from the excitation spectrometer (FluoroMax-2), alternating between 340 and 380 nm, was focused onto the fiber-optic bundle and directed to the smooth muscle strip. The fluorescence (505 nm) was collected and redirected to the emission port of the fluorimeter FluoroMax-2. The ratiometric method (R340/380) was used as an index of [Ca²⁺]_i change during smooth muscle contraction. All data, R340/380 and tension, were recorded using a computerized data acquisition system: Soft & Solution and GRAMS/386 of Galatic Industries Corporation.     

Resveratrol Interferes with Fura-2 Intracellular Calcium Measurements

Resveratrol, a naturally occurring polyphenol found in some fruits and especially in grapes, has been reported to provide diverse health benefits. Resveratrol’s mechanism of action is the subject of many investigations, and some studies using the ratiometric calcium indicator Fura-2 suggest that it modulates cellular calcium responses. In the current study, contradictory cellular calcium responses to resveratrol applied at concentrations exceeding 10 μM were observed during in vitro imaging studies depending on the calcium indicator used, with Fura-2 indicating an increase in intracellular calcium while Fluo-4 and the calcium biosensor YC3.60 indicated no response. When cells loaded with Fura-2 were treated with 100 μM resveratrol, excitation at 340 nm resulted in a large intensity increase at 510 nm, but the expected concurrent decline with 380 nm excitation was not observed. Pre-treatment of cells with the calcium chelator BAPTA-AM did not prevent a rise in the 340/380 ratio when resveratrol was present, but it did prevent an increase in 340/380 when ATP was applied, suggesting that the resveratrol response was an artifact. Cautious data interpretation is recommended from imaging experiments using Fura-2 concurrently with resveratrol in calcium imaging experiments.     

纳米ZnO和ZnO-SiO2复合薄膜的光学性质研究

通过溶胶凝胶(sol-gel)法分别在玻璃衬底上制备了ZnO纳米薄膜和ZnO-SiO₂纳米复合薄膜,并利用紫外-可见光分光光度计对薄膜的光学性能进行了分析.可见光-紫外透射谱显示,随着ZnO溶胶浓度从0.7mol/L降低到0.006mol/L,制备的ZnO薄膜从只出现一个380nm(对应的光学禁带宽度为3.27eV)左右的吸收边到在380和320nm(对应的光学禁带宽度为3.76eV)左右各出现一个吸收边,并且随着ZnO溶胶浓度的降低,在380—320nm波段内的透过率明显提高.而Z 关键词： 纳米ZnO 2复合薄膜')" href="#">ZnO-SiO₂复合薄膜 溶胶凝胶法 透射率     

利用Fura-2/AM荧光探针法和LCSM法研究受磁场处理S.aureus细胞Ca2+的跨膜行为

研究受脉冲磁场处理金黄色葡萄球菌(S.aureus)细胞Ca2+的跨膜行为,为此研究了表征S.aureus胞内Ca2+浓度变化Fura-2/AM荧光探针检测法,并检测了不同脉冲数下经脉冲磁场处理后S.aureus细胞荧光强度的变化,采用激光共聚焦扫描显微镜(LCSM)观察了经脉冲磁场处理前后S.aureus胞内Ca2+浓度的变化。研究结果表明,Fura-2/AM可成功的负载于S.aureus中,可以应用于S.aureus胞内游离钙离子浓度变化的测定。经脉冲磁场处理后,S.aureus胞内钙离子浓度显著上升,且与活菌数的减少高度相关,相关度达到-0.989 15;胞内光点显著增多,光点荧光强度明显增大,说明大量胞外钙离子跨膜进入胞内。因此,可以判断微生物细胞膜通透性的改变和胞内Ca2+浓度的上升是高强度脉冲磁场具有杀菌作用的重要原因。     

Eu2+在Ba2Ca(BO3)2中的发光特性及浓度猝灭

采用高温固相法,以CaCO₃ (A.R)、BaCO₃ (A.R)、H₃BO₃ (A.R)和Eu₂O₃ (99.99%)为原料制备了Ba₂Ca(BO₃)₂∶Eu²⁺绿色发光材料,测量了材料的晶体结构、发光特性及色坐标等。Ba₂Ca(BO₃)₂∶Eu²⁺材料的激发光谱覆盖200~500 nm的紫外-可见光区。在400 nm近紫外光激发下,材料的发射光谱为一主峰位于537 nm的非对称宽谱,对应于Eu²⁺的4f⁶5d¹→4f⁷特征跃迁。研究发现,随Eu²⁺掺杂浓度的增大,Ba₂Ca-(BO₃)₂∶Eu²⁺材料的发射强度呈现先增大、后减小的变化趋势,最大发射强度对应的Eu²⁺掺杂摩尔分数为2%。造成发射强度下降的原因为浓度猝灭,其机理为电偶极-电偶极相互作用。依据晶格常数及实验光谱数据,得出临界距离R_c分别为2.64 nm和2.11 nm。随Eu²⁺掺杂浓度的增大,Ba₂Ca(BO₃)₂∶Eu²⁺材料的色坐标变化微小。计算得到Ba₂Ca(BO₃)₂∶2%Eu²⁺的转换效率约为72%。     

分子动力学模拟不同组分下CaO-Al2O3-SiO2系玻璃微观结构的转变

采用分子动力学模拟的方法研究了CaO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂系玻璃的微观结构，发现Ca/Al=1/2时CaO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂系玻璃(网硅酸盐体系)并不像传统理论认为的那样是一个完整的三维网络，而是存在一定量的非桥氧，从而从理论上进一步证实了Stebins等人的实验结果.同时也发现不同的Ca/Al比对Si和Al键接方式产生重要影响，在Ca/Al>1/2时，Al比Si容易成为网络的中间体，其首先插入网络体中间；在Ca/Al<1/2时，Si比Al容易成为网络中间体.虽然在能量上Al—O—Si占有扰势，但当Ca/Al从大于1/2变化到小于1/2时，仍有部分Al—O—Si转变成Al—O—Al和Si—O—Si，丰富了Al自回避规则的内容. 关键词： 2O₃-SiO₂')" href="#">CaO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ 玻璃 微观结构 分子动力学     

Immunocytochemical Analysis of P2X2 in Rat Circumvallate Taste Buds

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Our laboratory has shown that classical synapses and synaptic proteins are associated with Type III cells. Yet it is generally accepted that Type II cells transduce bitter, sweet and umami stimuli. No classical synapses, however, have been found associated with Type II cells. Recent studies indicate that ionotropic purinergic receptors P2X2/P2X3 are present in rodent taste buds. Taste nerve processes express the ionotropic purinergic receptors (P2X2/P2X3). P2X2/P2X3Dbl/ mice are not responsive to sweet, umami and bitter stimuli, and it has been proposed that ATP acts as a neurotransmitter in taste buds. The goal of the present study is to learn more about the nature of purinergic contacts in rat circumvallate taste buds by examining immunoreactivity to antisera directed against the purinergic receptor P2X2. RESULTS: P2X2-like immunoreactivity is present in intragemmal nerve processes in rat circumvallate taste buds. Intense immunoreactivity can also be seen in the subgemmal nerve plexuses located below the basal lamina. The P2X2 immunoreactive nerve processes also display syntaxin-1-LIR. The immunoreactive nerves are in close contact with the IP3R3-LIR Type II cells and syntaxin-1-LIR and/or 5-HT-LIR Type III cells. Taste cell synapses are observed only from Type III taste cells onto P2X2-LIR nerve processes. Unusually large, "atypical" mitochondria in the Type II taste cells are found only at the close appositions with P2X2-LIR nerve processes. P2X2 immunogold particles are concentrated at the membranes of nerve processes at the close appositions with taste cells. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our fluorescence and immunoelectron microscopical studies we believe that both perigemmal and most all intragemmal nerve processes display P2X2-LIR. Moreover, colloidal gold immunoelectron microscopy indicates that P2X2-LIR in nerve processes is concentrated at sites of close apposition with Type II cells. This supports the hypothesis that ATP may be a key neurotransmitter in taste transduction and that Type II cells release ATP, activating P2X2 receptors in nerve processes.     

单个牛视网膜神经细胞内游离Ca2+动态变化的实时观测方法

为观测神经营养因子对胞内Ca2+浓度的影响,将牛视网膜神经细胞内的Ca2+用Fluo-3标记,用搭建的活细胞实时成像荧光显微系统对其成像,并观测在脑源性神经营养因子BDNF等四种神经营养因子的作用下细胞内游离Ca2+浓度([Ca2+]_i)随时间的变化的规律。由于荧光分子有自发衰减效应,故对得到的细胞内荧光强度采用“去衰减效应修正”的处理方法,再现了较真实地代表[Ca2+]_i的荧光强度。修正后的数据显示,加入四种神经因子后,[Ca2+]_i皆有不同程度的升高,与相关文献所描述的类似实验具有相似结果,说明此种对活细胞内荧光标记物的实时动态成像的实验方法可行,去衰减效应修正的数据处理方法可靠。     

基于紫外-可见-近红外光谱技术的蔬菜细胞ATP含量无损检测研究

农产品细胞内的ATP含量水平直接反映细胞的活性,在产后贮藏过程中可作为农产品新鲜度和品质的一种评价指标。采用紫外-可见-近红外分光光度计UV-3600获取菠菜叶片样本的光谱数据,并采用常规物理化学方法和萤火虫荧光素酶生物发光技术制备和测定细胞原生质体悬浮液及其细胞原生质体的ATP含量。利用person相关分析确定关键特征波长,并建立基于298nm紫外光和730nm近红外光两个特征波长菠菜叶片光谱反射率的细胞原生质体ATP含量的预测模型。结果分析表明,298nm紫外光和730nm近红外光两个特征波长具有预测细胞原生质体ATP含量的潜力(R2=0.802 9和0.901)。提出的基于光谱技术的蔬菜细胞ATP含量检测方法为准确、快速、无损的蔬菜新鲜度评价提供一种新的技术途径。     

High-speed spectroscopic imaging for cancellous bone marrow R(2)* mapping and lipid quantification

In this work an interleaved multiple-gradient-echo chemical shift imaging (IMGE-CSI) technique was designed, implemented and evaluated at 1.5 and 4T for high-resolution lipid quantification and R(2)* measurement in-vivo. The method is analogous to echo planar CSI but utilizes conventional gradient echoes, exploiting the principle of spectroscopic bandwidth extension by interleaving temporally offset gradient-echo trains. It is shown that IMGE-CSI is able to measure true fat volume fraction in oil/water mixtures with high accuracy, not possible with Dixon-type methods which approximate the spectrum as consisting of only two spectral components. Correlation of the CSI- derived volume fractions with volumetry afforded r(2) > 0.99 with a slope of 0.98. The method is shown to be able to quantify regional variations in bone marrow composition in vivo with a spatial resolution of 2.5 x 2.5 x 5 mm(3.) R(2)* was obtained by multi-line spectral curve fitting. For the measurement of R(2)* in cancellous bone marrow the method is shown to agree well with time-domain fitting techniques but is superior in instances where the marrow has both hematopoietic and fatty constituents. Finally, excellent inter-scan reproducibility (1% coefficient of variation for global means and medians) was achieved, yielding r(2) = 0.98 of the test-retest correlation for three scans in four test subjects. In conclusion, IMGE-CSI is found to enable highly accurate lipid quantification and measurement of cancellous bone marrow R(2)* at spatial resolutions and scan times typical of standard clinical protocols.     

Functional distribution of Ca<Superscript>2+</Superscript>-coupled P2 purinergic receptors among adrenergic and noradrenergic bovine adrenal chromaffin cells

Background  

Adrenal chromaffin cells mediate acute responses to stress through the release of epinephrine. Chromaffin cell function is regulated by several receptors, present both in adrenergic (AD) and noradrenergic (NA) cells. Extracellular ATP exerts excitatory and inhibitory actions on chromaffin cells via ionotropic (P2X) and metabotropic (P2Y) receptors. We have taken advantage of the actions of the purinergic agonists ATP and UTP on cytosolic free Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) to determine whether P2X and P2Y receptors might be asymmetrically distributed among AD and NA chromaffin cells.     

Confirmation of the protective effect of cysteamine in in vitro ultrasound exposures

Armour and Corry (Radiat. Res. (1982) 89 369–380) reported that ultrasound-induced damage to in vitro Chinese hamster ovary cells was significantly reduced in the presence of cysteamine. The objective of this study was to attempt verification of this result. Four series of experiments were undertaken using in vitro cell suspensions, namely: (1) determination of the effect of cysteamine concentration on cell growth; (2) determination of the temperature dependence of ultrasonically induced cell damage; (3) determination of a dose-response relationship for the cytotoxicity of cysteamine; and (4) assessment of cell integrity and reproductive capacity in the presence or absence of cysteamine during ultrasonic exposure. Ultrasound parameters included a resonance frequency of 1 MHz, a continuous wave exposure duration of 5 min, and intensities from 0 to 21.6 W cm⁻². The results indicated a dependence of ultrasound's efficacy on the medium's temperature during insonation and a significant reduction of ultrasound efficacy in compromising cellular integrity in the presence of cysteamine.     

Ca4Y6Si6O25:Eu2+绿色荧光粉的发光特性

采用高温固相法合成了Ca4 Y6Si6O25:Eu2+绿色荧光材料.通过X射线衍射分析得知,Ca4Y6Si6O25属于六方晶系,具有P63/m(176)空间点群结构.测定了Eu2+的激发光谱和发射光谱.Ca4Y6Si6O25:Eu2+的激发光谱为350～450 nm的宽带谱,这与近紫外光LED芯片相匹配.发射光谱是峰值...     

Studies of single-step electrodeposition of CuInSe2 thin films with sodium citrate as a complexing agent

The influences of various parameters in a single-step electrodeposition of CuInSe₂ from aqueous solution containing CuCl₂, InCl₃, and SeO₂, with sodium citrate as the complexing agent, are investigated. Co-deposition of CuInSe₂ from a room temperature, aqueous bath of these electrolytes is accomplished by the aid of sodium citrate. In this work the optimum potential for deposition of CuInSe₂ is found to be −0.5 V vs. Ag/AgCl, the deposition time is 800 s, the concentration ratio of CuCl₂, InCl₃, and SeO₂ is 9 mM:22 mM:22 mM in aqueous solution, and the annealing temperature is 225 °C. Under the optimum conditions, crystalline layers of CuInSe₂ having the chalcopyrite structure can be successfully synthesized. Cyclic voltammetry (CV), scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDX) were used to examine the electrochemistry, morphologies, structures, and compositions of CuInSe₂ thin films deposited on ITO glass.     

Study of fossil bones by synchrotron radiation micro‐spectroscopic techniques and scanning electron microscopy

Earlymost Villafranchian fossil bones of an artiodactyl and a perissodactyl from the Milia excavation site in Grevena, Greece, were studied in order to evaluate diagenetic effects. Optical microscopy revealed the different bone types (fibro‐lamellar and Haversian, respectively) of the two fragments and their good preservation state. The spatial distribution of bone apatite and soil‐originating elements was studied using micro‐X‐ray fluorescence (µ‐XRF) mapping and scanning electron microscopy. The approximate value of the Ca/P ratio was 2.2, as determined from scanning electron microscopy measurements. Bacterial boring was detected close to the periosteal region and Fe bearing oxides were found to fill bone cavities, e.g. Haversian canals and osteocyte lacunae. In the perissodactyl bone considerable amounts of Mn were detected close to cracks (the Mn/Fe weight ratio takes values up to 3.5). Goethite and pyrite were detected in both samples by means of metallographic microscopy. The local Ca/P ratio determined with µ‐XRF varied significantly in metal‐poor spots indicating spatial inhomogeneities in the ionic substitutions. XRF line scans that span the bone cross sections revealed that Fe and Mn contaminate the bones from both the periosteum and medullar cavity and aggregate around local maxima. The formation of goethite, irrespective of the local Fe concentration, was verified by the Fe K‐edge X‐ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectra. Finally, Sr K‐edge extended XAFS (EXAFS) revealed that Sr substitutes for Ca in bone apatite without obvious preference to the Ca₁ or Ca₂ unit‐cell site occupation.     

Effect of substitution of Ce on superconducting properties of Bi1.7Pb0.3Sr2Ca2−x Ce x Cu3O10+δ system

We have investigated the superconducting properties of the Bi_1.7 Pb_0.3Sr₂Ca_2−xCe _x Cu₃O_10+δ system with x=0.00, 0.02, 0.04, 0.08 and 0.1 by X-ray diffraction and magnetic susceptibility. The substitution of Ce for Ca has been found to drastically change the superconducting properties of the system. X-ray diffraction studies on these compounds indicate decrease in the c-parameter with increased substitution of Ce at Ca site and volume fraction of high T _c (2 : 2 : 2 : 3) phase decreases and low T _c phase increases. The magnetic susceptibility of this compound shows that the diamagnetic on set superconducting transition temperature (onset) varies from 109 K to 51 K for x=0.00, 0.02, 0.04, 0.08 and 0.1. These results suggest the possible existence of Ce in a tetravalent state rather than a trivalent state in this system; that is, Ca²⁺ → Ce⁴⁺ replacement changes the hole carrier concentration. Hole filling is the cause of lowering T _c of the system.     

Performances of Transcritical Power Cycles with CO2-Based Mixtures for the Waste Heat Recovery of ICE

In the waste heat recovery of the internal combustion engine (ICE), the transcritical CO₂ power cycle still faces the high operation pressure and difficulty in condensation. To overcome these challenges, CO₂ is mixed with organic fluids to form zeotropic mixtures. Thus, in this work, five organic fluids, namely R290, R600a, R600, R601a, and R601, are mixed with CO₂. Mixture performance in the waste heat recovery of ICE is evaluated, based on two transcritical power cycles, namely the recuperative cycle and split cycle. The results show that the split cycle always has better performance than the recuperative cycle. Under design conditions, CO₂/R290(0.3/0.7) has the best performance in the split cycle. The corresponding net work and cycle efficiency are respectively 21.05 kW and 20.44%. Furthermore, effects of key parameters such as turbine inlet temperature, turbine inlet pressure, and split ratio on the cycle performance are studied. With the increase of turbine inlet temperature, the net works of the recuperative cycle and split cycle firstly increase and then decrease. There exist peak values of net work in both cycles. Meanwhile, the net work of the split cycle firstly increases and then decreases with the increase of the split ratio. Thereafter, with the target of maximizing net work, these key parameters are optimized at different mass fractions of CO₂. The optimization results show that CO₂/R600 obtains the highest net work of 27.43 kW at the CO₂ mass fraction 0.9 in the split cycle.     

n-ZnO:Al/i-ZnO/n-CdS/p-Cu2ZnSnS4太阳能电池光伏特性的分析

具有高光吸收系数的半导体Cu₂ZnSnS₄ (CZTS)薄膜是一种新型太阳能电池材料. 本文对n-ZnO:Al/i-ZnO/n-CdS/p-CZTS结构的CZTS薄膜太阳能电池进行分析, 讨论CZTS薄膜的掺杂浓度、厚度、缺陷态和CdS薄膜的掺杂浓度、 厚度对太阳能电池转换效率的影响以及太阳能电池的温度特性. 分析表明, CZTS薄膜作为太阳能电池的主要光吸收层, CZTS薄膜的掺杂浓度和厚度的取值对太阳能电池的转换效率有显著影响, CZTS薄膜结构缺陷态的存在会导致太阳能电池性能的下降. CdS缓冲层的掺杂浓度、厚度对太阳能电池光伏特性的影响较小. 经结构参数优化得到的n-ZnO:Al/i-ZnO/n-CdS/p-CZTS薄膜太阳能电池的最佳光 伏特性为开路电压1.127 V、短路电流密度27.39 mA/cm²、填充因子87.5%、 转换效率27.02%,转换效率温度系数为-0.14%/K.     

Intracavity absorption of CO2 laser radiation by chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) gases

Intracavity absorption method was applied to determine the absorption coefficients of trichlorofluorocarbon CCl₃F (CFC-11), dichlorodifluorocarbon CF₂Cl₂ (CFC-12) and chlorodifluorocarbon CHClF₂ (CFC-22) vs. the pressure in the cell inside the cavity of a tunable CO₂ laser at different spectral lines on branches 9R and 10P.The laser output power was measured vs. the gas pressure at different spectral lines on branches 9R, 9P, 10R and 10P of CO₂ molecule transitions. A strong absorption was observed for lines of 9R and 10P branches, whereas a weak absorption was noticed for lines of 9P and 10R branches.The calculation of absorption coefficients was restricted for 9R and 10P due to the oscillating variation of the output power of CO₂ laser vs. the CFC pressure, which was occurred for the lines of 9P and 10R.On the basis of absorption coefficients, the absorption cross-sections for CFC-12 were calculated and compared with the absorption cross-sections found from the previous experiment (where the cell was located outside the cavity), NIST and HITRAN databases, respectively.The obtained data could be useful for CFC gases detection as pollutants in the atmosphere.     

MR imaging of the her2/neu and 9.2.27 tumor antigens using immunospecific contrast agents

Molecular imaging of tumor antigens using immunospecific magnetic resonance (MR) contrast agents is a rapidly evolving field, which can potentially aid in early disease detection, monitoring of treatment efficacy, and drug development. In this study, we designed, synthetized, and tested in vitro two novel monocrystalline iron oxide nanoparticles (MION) conjugated to antibodies against the her2/neu tyrosine kinase receptor and the 9.2.27 proteoglycane sulfate. MION was synthetized by coprecipitation of iron II and iron III salts in 12-kD dextran solution; antibody coupling was performed by reductive amination. The relaxivity of the conjugates was 24.1-29.1 mM(-1) s(-1), with 1.8 to 2.1 antibody molecules per nanoparticle. A panel of cultured melanoma and mammary cell lines was used for testing. The cells were incubated with the particles at 16-32 microg Fe/ml in culture medium for 3 h at 37 degrees C, and investigated with immune fluorescence, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), MRI of cell suspensions in gelatine, and spectrophotometric iron determination. All receptor-positive cell lines, but not the controls, showed receptor-specific immune fluorescence, and strong changes in T(2) signal intensity at 1.5 T. The changes in 1/T(2) were between 1.5 and 4.6 s(-1) and correlated with the amount of cell-bound iron (R = 0.92). The relaxivity of cell-bound MION increased to 55.9 +/- 10.4 mM(-1) s(-1). TEM showed anti-9.2.27 conjugates binding to the plasma membrane, while the anti-her2/neu conjugates underwent receptor-mediated endocytosis. In conclusion, we obtained receptor-specific T(2) MR contrast with novel covalently bound, multivalent MION conjugates with anti-9.2.27 and anti-her2/neu to image tumor surface antigens. This concept can potentially be expanded to a large number of targets and to in vivo applications.