ULTRAVIOLET-ENHANCED REACTIVATION OF HERPES VIRUS IN HUMAN TUMOR CELLS

Abstract —Virus-host cell interactions may be investigated by study of the enhancement of infectivity of ultraviolet (UV)-irradiated virus obtained by UV-irradiating the host cell [ultraviolet reactivation (UVR)]. This phenomenon was studied with Herpes simplex virus and normal (embryonic lung) and malignant (HeLa) human cells. Although the lung cells displayed no UVR, both the HeLa cells and a Sendai-virus carrier culture of HeLa cells demonstrated UVR capabilities. This UVR persisted at equal or increased levels for at least 24 h. Since the lung cells and HeLa cells have similar host-cell-reactivation (HCR) abilities, the differences in UVR suggests that UVR and HCR may operate by different mechanisms.     

Remote sensing in an optically dense environment by using two-photon excited fluorescence and a single multimode fiber optic

The feasibility of remote sensing by means of two-photon excited molecular fluorescence was investigated by using a single 115-m multimode optical fibr.Because of modal dispersion and reflecton of Rayleigh scatter, time-resolved detection ws required to resolve the weak fluorescence from the relatively intense laser background. The bare-ended probe, which both delivered the excitation and collected the fluorescence emission, was employed to detect an analyte in an optically dense environment. For a fixed amount of fluorophore, the solvent was continuously changed from 90% (w/w) ethanol (non-absorbing) to 100% acetone (absorbing). The result was a flurorescence signal constant to within 5%. Quantitation via one-photon excitatation using a 50-cm optical fiber demonstrated the characteristic inner filter roll-off of optically dense systems. Because of th elarge attenuation of the waveguide in the ultraviolet range, remote sensing via one-photon excited fluorescence proved impossible. However, linear calibration plots for the nonlinear excitation process were obtained from micromolar to near saturation levels. Sources of interference were isolated, and the extension to a single-mode fiber was made.     

UV-ENHANCED REACTIVATION IN MAMMALIAN CELLS: INCREASE BY CAFFEINE

Abstract— It has been reported that caffeine decreases UV-enhanced reactivation of UV-irradiated Herpes simplex virus in CV-1 monkey kidney cells. That occurred when there was no delay between cell irradiation and virus infection. In the present study, virus infection was delayed following cell irradiation to allow an 'induction'period separate from the 'expression'period which occurs during the virus infection. Thus, the effects of caffeine on 'induction'and 'expression'could be determined separately. Caffeine increased the expression of UV-enhanced reactivation, while causing a small decrease in the 'induction'of enhanced reactivation.     

Inactivation of Vaccinia Virus by Natural Sunlight and by Artificial UVB Radiation

This study determined the sensitivity of vaccinia virus, an orthopox virus commonly used as a surrogate for variola virus (etiological agent of smallpox), exposed to UVB radiation emitted by a solar simulator, or to direct natural sunlight. The data obtained indicate that: (1) the virucidal effect of natural sunlight can be mimicked adequately by an artificial light source with similar spectral characteristics in the UVB, (2) viral sensitivity to UVB or to solar radiation can be correlated with experimental data previously obtained with UVC, (3) the correlation factor between virus inactivation by solar radiation (measured at 300 ± 5 nm) and by UVC (254 nm) is between 33 and 60, and (4) the sensitivity of viruses either dry on glass surfaces or in liquid suspension is similar when in the presence of similar amounts of cellular debris and growth media. The findings reported in this study should assist in estimating the threat posed by the persistence of virus during epidemics or after an accidental or intentional release.     

INACTIVATION AND MUTAGENESIS OF Herpes VIRUS BY PHOTODYNAMIC TREATMENT WITH THERAPEUTIC DYES

Dyes which photosensitize membranes may be clinically useful for photodynamic treatment (PDT) of Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections. It is important to determine whether the enveloped HSV can be inactivated via membrane damage without affecting the genetic material. Selection of appropriate PDT conditions, including the choice of dye, could minimize viral mutagenesis. We determined the mutagenesis caused by PDT employing three membrane-photosensitizing dyes of potential use in cancer photochemotherapy (Photofrin II, polyhematoporphyrin esters, zinc phthalocyanine tetrasulfonates) and a DNA-photosensitizing dye (proflavine sulfate). The effects were compared to those caused by exposure of HSV to ultraviolet radiation (UV). The procedure consisted of incubating HSV with microgram/ml (microM) concentrations of the dye, irradiating the samples with broad spectrum visible/near-UV radiation (Daylight fluorescent lamps) and assaying the survival of the treated HSV. Zinc phthalocyanine was the most potent dye per absorbed photon for inactivating HSV. In parallel with determination of survival, progeny of the surviving virus were grown for determination of mutagenesis. The progeny virus was harvested and subsequently assayed in the presence and absence of 40 micrograms/ml iododeoxycytidine (ICrd) to determine the frequency of mutation to ICrd resistance. Mutation frequencies were determined for progeny from the 1-4% survival level. For PDT with each membrane-photosensitizing dye, only zinc phthalocyanine increased the mutation frequency over the untreated control. This increase was less than 2-fold. Proflavine increased the mutation frequency 2-3 fold over the untreated control. Ultraviolet produced a 15-20 fold increase over the untreated control.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Spatial elimination of side bands associated with acoustooptical pulse-picking

Under certain conditions the leading and trailing members of an acoustically deflected train can be spatially separated from the intermediate pulses. This is shown to be a simple and useful experimental technique for temporally cleaning up the output of a pulse-picked, mode-locked laser or cavity-dumped cw laser. In addition a physical model is described that explains the phenomenon.     

Long-term carrier-envelope phase stability from a grating-based, chirped pulse amplifier

We demonstrate a carrier-envelope phase (CEP) stabilized, chirped pulse laser amplifier that exhibits greatly improved intrinsic long-term CEP stability compared with that of other amplifiers. This system employs a grating-based stretcher and compressor and a cryogenically cooled laser amplifier. Single-shot carrier envelope phase noise measurements are also presented that avoid underestimation of this parameter caused by fringe averaging and represent a rigorously accurate upper limit on CEP noise.     

Multipoint measurements in optically dense media by using two-photon excited fluorescence and a fiber-optic star coupler

Optical multiplexing with an N × N fiber optic star coupler (with N=3, 4, or 8) and two-photon excited fluorescence is used to achieve multipoint measurements in highly absorbing environments. Differentiation of fluorescence signals from various sampling points was attained by implementing the time-of-flight characteristics of fiber light-guides. Because the transit time of a light pulse through a fiber optic depends largely on the length of the fiber waveguide, fibers of various lengths permit discrimination of the different sampling points in time. With the help of nanosecond time-resolved detection, it was possible to determine the concentration information at several sensing locations simultaneously. Calibration graphs for 2-(1-napththyl)-5-phenyloxazole were linear for all sizes of star coupler, with submillimolar detection limits. Nonlinear excitation of dopants inside the fiber core resulted in an emission signal that depended quadratically on laser power and, as such, was used as an “internal” sensor to correct for power-squared source fluctuations.     

Determination of mixed polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons in the vapor phase by laser-induced fluorescence spectrometry

Laser-induced fluorescence spectromety is shown to be a viable technique for quantifying polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in the vapor phase. Mixtures of anthracene, fluoranthene, and phenanthrene were analyzed in a vapor cell at temperatures ranging from 50° to 90°C. The individual concentrations of PAH's in these mixtures were calculated by a least-squares matrix technique and were accurate to within 3–5% at levels of about 5 × 10¹²?3 × 10¹⁵ molecules cm^?3.