Bistability in cell signaling: How to make continuous processes discontinuous,and reversible processes irreversible

Xenopus oocyte maturation is an example of an all-or-none, irreversible cell fate induction process. In response to a submaximal concentration of the steroid hormone progesterone, a given oocyte may either mature or not mature, but it can exist in intermediate states only transiently. Moreover, once an oocyte has matured, it will remain arrested in the mature state even after the progesterone is removed. It has been hypothesized that the all-or-none character of oocyte maturation, and some aspects of the irreversibility of maturation, arise out of the bistability of the signal transduction system that triggers maturation. The bistability, in turn, is hypothesized to arise from the way the signal transducers are organized into a signaling circuit that includes positive feedback (which makes it so that the system cannot rest in intermediate states) and ultrasensitivity (which filters small stimuli out of the feedback loop, allowing the system to have a stable off-state). Here we review two simple graphical methods that are commonly used to analyze bistable systems, discuss the experimental evidence for bistability in oocyte maturation, and suggest that bistability may be a common means of producing all-or-none responses and a type of biochemical memory. (c) 2001 American Institute of Physics.     

基于拉曼光谱技术的甲状腺疾病检测的研究

基于光学成像与光谱技术的无损检测是生物医学光学交叉领域研究的重要发展方向。其中拉曼光谱技术可获得检测对象的生化成分的“指纹信息”,被广泛应用于面向生物分子,细胞以及生物组织的检测诊断研究。甲状腺疾病尤其肿瘤的临床检测往往涉及多方法和技术手段的结合,且存在一定的诊断难度,因此发展新的检测技术方法具有重要的意义。首先综述了拉曼光谱技术在甲状腺细胞系的单细胞拉曼光谱检测与分析,然后介绍甲状腺病理组织和甲状腺正常组织的拉曼光谱鉴别诊断(特别介绍了本研究小组开展以银纳米粒子为增强基底的甲状腺离体组织SERS光谱研究情况),以及拉曼光谱技术在甲状腺激素等方面的研究概况。最后简要探讨了拉曼光谱技术在该领域的研究应用前景和发展方向。     

Spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction study of high Tc epitaxial YBCO thin films obtained by pulsed laser deposition

We report spectroscopic characterization of epitaxial YBCO thin films grown on LaAlO₃ by pulsed laser deposition. Raman spectroscopy and spectroscopic ellipsometry were used for film characterization and the results were correlated with X-ray diffraction measurements. The mentioned techniques allowed us to analyze crystallographic, micro-structural, and morphological properties of YBCO thin films. We also demonstrated that relatively low resolution Raman spectroscopy and spectroscopic ellipsometry are reliable techniques for a rapid and non-destructive characterization of epitaxial YBCO thin films.     

Vibrational spectroscopy of articular cartilage

Articular cartilage is a connective tissue that is located at the ends of long bones. Type II collagen, proteoglycans, water, and chondrocytes are the main constituents of articular cartilage. Osteoarthritis, the most common joint disease in the world, causes degenerative changes in articular cartilage tissue. Fourier transform infrared, Raman, and near infrared spectroscopic techniques offer versatile tools to assess biochemical composition and quality of articular cartilage. These vibrational spectroscopic techniques can be used to broaden our understanding about the compositional changes during osteoarthritis, and they also hold promise in disease diagnostics. In this article, the current literature of articular cartilage spectroscopic studies is reviewed.     

Combination of OCT and Raman spectroscopy for improved characterization of atherosclerotic plaque depositions

The biochemical composition of atherosclerotic plaques is closely related to plaque stability and, therefore, to the associated risk of plaque evolution and rupture. Combinations of current imaging modalities, such as optical coherence tomography(OCT) with spectroscopic methods, therefore offer the possibility of concurrently obtaining morphological as well as chemical information. Raman spectroscopy is one of the most promising techniques that can be combined with intravascular imaging modalities. A microscopy setup merging both techniques has been applied to characterize plaque depositions of a human aorta affected by the disease. Calcified depositions were clearly identified and subsequently confirmed by histopathology.     

Applications of Raman Spectroscopy in Agricultural Products and Food Analysis: A Review

Abstract

Raman spectroscopy has been gaining popularity as an analytical tool due to advances in development of Raman spectrometry and the power of personal computers. Due to to its narrow and highly resolved bands, Raman spectroscopy allows for nondestructive extraction of chemical and physical information about samples and aids in rapid on-line analysis without any special sample preparation. In this review, Raman spectroscopic techniques such as dispersive Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, and spatially offset Raman spectroscopy are briefly introduced. In addition, applications of Raman spectroscopy are explored, within various fields of agricultural products and food, including fruits and vegetables, crops, meat and dairy products, oil, as well as beverages. In addition, some discussion on the importance of Raman spectroscopy as fundamental and applied research of agricultural products and food is provided.     

Characterization of the products of aniline peroxydisulfate oligo/polymerization in media with different pH by resonance Raman spectroscopy at 413.1 and 1064 nm excitation wavelengths

The pH–structure correlation of the products of aniline peroxydisulfate reaction was mainly investigated by resonance Raman spectroscopy. The reactions of aniline and ammonium peroxydisulfate were carried out in aqueous solutions of initial pH ranging from 4.9 to 13.2 and monomer/oxidant molar ratio of 4/1. For an initial pH of 4.9, the spectroscopic techniques showed that the emeraldine salt form of polyaniline (PANI–ES) is the main product, corroborating that the usual head‐to‐tail coupling mechanism is taking place. The resonance Raman spectra at 1064 nm exciting wavelength were useful to detect the emeraldine salt as a minor product for reactions at an initial pH of 5.3–11.5. The Raman spectra of the main product of the reaction at initial pH of 13.2 excited at 1064 and 413.1 nm showed new spectral features consistent with 1,4‐Michael‐type adducts of aniline monomers and 1,4‐benzoquinone‐monoimine unit. These compounds and their products of hydrolysis/oxidation are the predominant species for the reaction media of initial pH from 5.3 to 13.2. In order to get PANI with different nanoscale morphologies, a pH value of more than 0 or 1 was used in the aniline polymerization. The spectroscopic data obtained in this work reveal that head‐to‐tail coupling does not occur when aniline reacts at media pH higher than about 5. It is suggested that chemical structures of the products of aniline oxidation by an unusual mechanism are the driving force for the development of assorted morphologies. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

About the SDS inclusion in PDMS/TEOS ORMOSIL: a vibrational spectroscopy and confocal Raman scattering study

Organically modified silicates (ORMOSILs) are attractive materials due to their vast applicability and easy synthesis. The doping of these materials with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) is interesting in the search for good protonic conductors. The inclusion of different concentrations of SDS in ORMOSIL membranes is investigated in the present work using Raman and infrared spectroscopy, confocal Raman microscopy and confocal imaging microscopy. The spectroscopic measurements allow us to assign the vibrational modes to the chemical groups of the structures of SDS and ORMOSIL. Furthermore, these measurements show that these materials are composites, as no interactions are observed between the SDS and the ORMOSIL matrix. The confocal Raman and confocal imaging techniques are useful to study qualitatively the SDS insertion on the surface of ORMOSIL. It was observed that the SDS sizes are very nonuniform. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Raman spectra of α-GaTe single crystals

Raman-active lattice vibrational modes of GaTe have been investigated at 300°K in the frequency range 13–300 cm^-1. The spectra of the Bridgman grown crystals were excited with the 1.06 μm line of the continuously operated YAG : Nd³⁺ laser. Fourteen Raman bands were observed. All phonon modes have been assigned on the basis of their observed polarisation dependence to an irreducible representation of the appropriate point group. The results are consistent with the existence of GaTe in monoclinic α-polytype (C³_2h).     

Raman Spectroscopic Studies of Pressure-Induced Phase Transitions on 1-Dodecene

Raman spectroscopic features of 1-dodecene are studied in a moissanite anvil cell up to 3.0 GPa at 21℃. Our data indicate that 1-dodecene is chemically stable under the experimental condition because no new Raman peaks can be observed. However, two significant discontinuities in the plots of Raman shift versus pressure indicate two phase transitions of 1-dodecene. One is liquid~olid transition at pressure of about 500 MPa, the other is solid-solid phase transition at pressure from 1300 to 1550 MPa. The latter is considered to be related to the orientational change of the plane structure of ethylene. A rudimentary phase diagrams for 1-dodecene, n-pentane, n-hexane are proposed based on the results and previous data.     

周期性极化铌酸锂的微区拉曼及荧光研究

通对周期性极化铌酸锂(periodically poled lithium niobate,PPLN)的微区拉曼和荧光研究,发现小极化子荧光在反转畴与非反转畴呈现不同强度,同时在畴分界壁观察到拉曼禁止谱线.提出一种能够呈现极化光畴图像的非损伤方法,并进一步探讨反向极化过程的机理. 关键词： 周期性极化铌酸锂 微区拉曼 极化子荧光     

Phase transitions in triammonium hydrogen diselenate, (NH4)3 H(SeO4)2

The Raman and infrared spectra of triammonium hydrogen diselenate (NH₄)₃H(SeO₄)₂ (NHSe) have been recorded between 100 and 400 K. The present spectroscopic investigation cofirms the existence of five phases previously observed by other techniques. The analysis shows a progressive ordering with decreasing temperature. The ferroelectric IV → V tansition in this compound is also believed to be of the order-disorder type. The vibrational modes have been assigned by comparison with the sulphate compound (NH₄)₃H(SO₄)₂ (NHS).     

Application of portable Raman spectroscopy and benchtop spatially offset Raman spectroscopy to interrogate concealed biomaterials

In this paper, we demonstrate the ability of portable Raman spectroscopy and benchtop spatially offset Raman spectroscopy (SORS) techniques to rapidly identify real and fake ivory samples. Both techniques were able to identify exposed genuine from fake ivory samples. In contrast to conventional Raman spectroscopy, SORS was, in addition, able to identify ivory concealed by plastics, paints, varnishes and cloth. Application of the SORS technique allows the interrogation of biomaterial samples through materials in which conventional Raman spectroscopic instrumentation cannot penetrate. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Raman study of a photochromic diarylethene molecule: a combined theoretical and experimental study

In this paper, the photochromic reaction of the 1,2‐bis(5′‐ethoxy‐2′‐(2″‐pyridyl) thiazolyl) compound (named DE) was studied by ultraviolet–visible absorption and various Raman spectroscopies associated with density functional theory calculations. To explain the growth of the visible absorption spectrum when the compound is irradiated with ultraviolet light, we suggest the existence of several conformations of the colored form. We also studied the vibrational spectroscopic properties of DE in different conditions such as powder, thin solid film, or in gold nanorods colloidal solutions. This compound is found photochromic in all these conditions. The theoretical Raman spectra of the open and closed forms reproduce fairly well the experimental data and help the complete assignment of the observed bands. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Recent Applications of Molecular Spectroscopy in Bioorganometallic Chemistry–Part 2: Ferrocenes and Other Organometallic Complexes

Abstract: This is the second part of an overview of the applications of the various molecular spectroscopic methods that have been employed in bioorganometallic chemistry research since 2005 focusing on ferrocenes and other non-metal carbonyl organometallic complexes. These spectroscopic methods encompass infrared (IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), mass, Raman, ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis), and several other less common spectroscopic techniques.     

Ultrastructural observation on genesis and morphology of cortical granules in Macrobrachium nipponense (Crustacea,Caridea)

Cortical granules are secretory vesicles in oocytes that develop from the Golgi complex. In the freshwater shrimp, Macrobrachium nipponense, mitochondria participates in the formation of cortical granules. We investigated the structural changes of mitochondria and the distribution cortical granules in different stages of oocyte development. Transmission electron microscopy provided evidence for the involvement of mitochondria and a particular spiral lamellar organization and an electron-lucent area in internal cortical granules. The ooplasm provided material for the cortical granules in early oocyte development. We demonstrated that mitochondria play a role in coalescence and maturation of cortical granules in this species. Additionally, a concept of cortical granules regarded as a functional integration is put forward. The genesis of shrimp cortical granules exhibited a particular pathway of maturation. The outer shape and inner organization considering different taxa suggested general as well as specific features of the development of cortical granules.     

Raman Spectroscopy of Biological Tissues

Abstract

We previously published a comprehensive review paper reviewing the Raman spectroscopy of biological molecules. This research area has expanded rapidly, which warranted an update to the existing review paper by adding the recently reported studies in literature. This article reviews some of the recent advances of Raman spectroscopy in relation to biomedical applications starting from natural tissues to cancer biology. Raman spectroscopy, an optical molecular detective, is a vibrational spectroscopic technique that has potential not only in cancer diagnosis but also in understanding progression of the disease. This article summarizes some of the most widely observed peak frequencies and their assignments. The aim of this review is to develop a database of molecular fingerprints, which will facilitate researchers in identifying the chemical structure of the biological tissues including most of the significant peaks reported both in the normal and cancerous tissues. It has covered a variety of Raman approaches and its quantitative and qualitative biochemical information. In addition, it covers the use of Raman spectroscopy to analyse a variety of different malignancies including breast, brain, cervical, gastrointestinal, lung, oral, and skin cancer. Multivariate analysis approaches used in these studies have also been covered.     

姜油细胞原位拉曼光谱研究

提出一种用拉曼光谱原位分析新鲜姜油细胞中姜油主成分的方法。用徒手切片制备新鲜姜样品,该样品置于DXR 激光共焦显微拉曼光谱仪下,用20倍物镜观察到油细胞,将激光聚焦在该油细胞上,获得了姜油细胞中姜油的拉曼光谱,共21条谱峰。不同油细胞上获得的拉曼光谱非常相似。获得了姜精油的拉曼光谱,与姜精油拉曼光谱的37条谱峰比较,油细胞有19条谱峰与之有对应关系。为了解释油细胞精油及姜精油的拉曼光谱,用密度泛函理论计算了姜烯的拉曼光谱。姜精油拉曼光谱有31条谱峰,油细胞中有19条谱峰与计算光谱有对应关系。该研究提供了一种拉曼光谱技术与密度泛函理论计算结合的快速容易的精油质量控制方法。     

Subcellular localization of calcium deposits during zebrafish (Danio rerio) oogenesis

Calcium plays prominent roles in regulating a broad range of physiological events in reproduction. The aim of this study was to describe the subcellular distribution of calcium deposits during stages of oogenesis in zebrafish using a combined oxalate–pyroantimonate technique. The oocyte development of zebrafish was categorized into four stages: primary growth, cortical-alveolus, vitellogenic, and maturation, based on morphological criteria. Calcium deposits in the primary growth stage were detected in the cytoplasm, mitochondria, nucleus, and follicular cells. At the cortical-alveolus stage, calcium particles were transported from follicular cells and deposited in the cortical alveoli. In the vitellogenic stage, some cortical alveoli were compacted and transformed from flocculent electron-lucent to electron-dense objects with the progression of the stage. Calcium deposits were transformed from larger to smaller particles, coinciding with compaction of cortical alveoli. In the maturation stage, calcium deposits in all oocyte compartments decreased, with the exception of those in mitochondria. The proportion of area covered by calcium deposits in the mitochondria and cortical alveoli of oocytes at different stages of development was significantly different (p < 0.05). The extent of calcium deposits in the cortical alveoli of mature oocytes was substantially lower than in earlier stages. Basic information about calcium distribution during zebrafish oogenesis may contribute to better understanding of its role in oogenesis.