Potential of the dietary antioxidants resveratrol and curcumin in prevention and treatment of hematologic malignancies

Despite considerable improvements in the tolerance and efficacy of novel chemotherapeutic agents, the mortality of hematological malignancies is still high due to therapy relapse, which is associated with bad prognosis. Dietary polyphenolic compounds are of growing interest as an alternative approach, especially in cancer treatment, as they have been proven to be safe and display strong antioxidant properties. Here, we provide evidence that both resveratrol and curcumin possess huge potential for application as both chemopreventive agents and anticancer drugs and might represent promising candidates for future treatment of leukemia. Both polyphenols are currently being tested in clinical trials. We describe the underlying mechanisms, but also focus on possible limitations and how they might be overcome in future clinical use--either by chemically synthesized derivatives or special formulations that improve bioavailability and pharmacokinetics.     

New developments in Raman spectroscopy

Summary A short review is given on some new instrumental and methodical developments in Raman spectroscopy. In linear Raman spectroscopy a microsampling technique, which is based on the optical levitation by radiation pressure, and the surface enhanced Raman effect (SERS) are discussed. In non-linear Raman spectroscopy new developments in coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS) and ionization detected stimulated Raman spectroscopy (IDSRS) as well as their applications in high resolution molecular spectroscopy and in combustion research are described.

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Neuere Entwicklungen in der Raman-Spektroskopie

Zusammenfassung Es wird ein kurzer Überblick über einige neuere instrumentelle und methodische Entwicklungen in der Raman-Spektroskopie gegeben. In der linearen Raman-Spektroskopie wird eine Mikroprobentechnik, die auf der optischen Levitation durch Strahlungsdruck beruht, sowie der oberflächenverstärkte Ramaneffekt (SERS) diskutiert. Weiterhin werden neuere Entwicklungen nichtlinearer Ramanmethoden, wie CARS (Coherent anti-Stokes Raman Spectroscopy) and IDSRS (Ionization Detected Stimulated Raman Spectroscopy) sowie deren Anwendungen in der hochauflösenden Molekülspektroskopie und in der Erforschung von Verbrennungsvorgängen besprochen.

     

A double-pass optical parametric amplifier seeded by a blue-shifted output of a photonic-crystal fiber

A blue-shifted output of a photonic-crystal fiber, providing a frequency upconversion of femtosecond Ti:sapphire laser pulses, is used to seed a double-pass optical parametric oscillator (OPA). The OPA is based on a BBO crystal, pumped by 65-mW 150-fs second-harmonic pulses of a Ti:sapphire laser. Gain factors in excess of 10³ are demonstrated for such an OPA, yielding tunable light pulses within the range of wavelengths from 420 to 650 nm, a peak power up to 250 kW, and a typical pulse width of about 200 fs at a repetition rate of 100 kHz. PACS 42.81.Gs; 42.81.Qb