Biophoton emission. New evidence for coherence and DNA as source

The phenomenon of ultraweak photon emission from living systems was further investigated in order to elucidate the physical properties of this radiation and its possible source. We obtained evidence that the light has a high degree of coherence because of (1) its photon count statistics, (2) its spectral distribution, (3) its decay behavior after exposure to light illumination, and (4) its transparency through optically thick materials. Moreover, DNA is apparently at least an important source, since conformational changes induced with ethidium bromide in vivo are clearly reflected by changes of the photon emission of cells. The physical properties of the radiation are described, taking DNA as an exciplex laser system, where a stable state can be reached far from thermal equilibrium at threshold.     

Spontaneous and light-induced photon emission from intact brains of chick embryos

Photon emission (PE) and light-induced photon emission(LPE) of intact brains isolated from chick embryos have been measured by using the single photon counting device. Experimental results showed that the intensi-ty level of photon emission was detected to be higher from intact brain than from the medium in which the brain was immerged during measuring, and the emission intensity was related to the developmental stages, the healthy situation of the measured embryos, and the freshness of isolated brains as well. After white light illumination, a short-life de-layed emission from intact brains was observed, and its relaxation behavior followed a hyperbolic rather than an expo-nential law. According to the hypothesis of biophoton emission originating from a delocalized coherent electromagnetic field and Frohlich's idea of coherent long-range interactions in biological systems, discussions were made on the signifi-cance of photon emission in studying cell communication, biological regulation, living system'     

Using spontaneous photon emission to image lipid oxidation patterns in plant tissues

Plants, like almost all living organisms, spontaneously emit photons of visible light. We used a highly sensitive, low-noise cooled charge coupled device camera to image spontaneous photon emission (autoluminescence) of plants. Oxidative stress and wounding induced a long-lasting enhancement of plant autoluminescence, the origin of which is investigated here. This long-lived phenomenon can be distinguished from the short-lived chlorophyll luminescence resulting from charge recombinations within the photosystems by pre-adapting the plant to darkness for about 2 h. Lipids in solvent were found to emit a persistent luminescence after oxidation in vitro, which exhibited the same time and temperature dependence as plant autoluminescence. Other biological molecules, such as DNA or proteins, either did not produce measurable light upon oxidation or they did produce a chemiluminescence that decayed rapidly, which excludes their significant contribution to the in vivo light emission signal. Selective manipulation of the lipid oxidation levels in Arabidopsis mutants affected in lipid hydroperoxide metabolism revealed a causal link between leaf autoluminescence and lipid oxidation. Addition of chlorophyll to oxidized lipids enhanced light emission. Both oxidized lipids and plants predominantly emit light at wavelengths higher than 600 nm; the emission spectrum of plant autoluminescence was shifted towards even higher wavelengths, a phenomenon ascribable to chlorophyll molecules acting as luminescence enhancers in vivo. Taken together, the presented results show that spontaneous photon emission imaged in plants mainly emanates from oxidized lipids. Imaging of this signal thus provides a simple and sensitive non-invasive method to selectively visualize and map patterns of lipid oxidation in plants.     

A new method to measure and calculate light intensity and light quality simultaneously by using portable spectrometer

The influence of light intensity and light quality on plants is highly concerned in the field of plant physiology and ecology. However, the calibrated quantum meter for measurement of light intensity cannot measure light quality, and vice versa. Here we developed an empirical formula to convert light energy to photon flux density, based on the measurement conditions of spectrometer. Under the guide of the formula, a portable spectrometer (AvaSpec-ULS2048×64) was calibrated by using four narrowband light emitting diode (LEDs) in combination with a calibrated quantum meter (LI-190SB). After calibration of the spectrometer, we can calculate photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD or PAR) and measure spectrum of radiation flux simultaneously. Under natural light conditions, the errors between measured and calculated PPFDs are in the range from -2% to 5%, indicating the reliability of the method. With this new approach, the application of portable spectrometer can be greatly broadened: 1) the light intensity and quality of light source and plant growth light environment can be obtained simultaneously, 2) PPFD can be obtained within any specified wavelength range, and 3) there is no need to use standard light source to obtain the absolute light/radiation flux of a spectrum measured by spectrometer. In conclusion, this method has potential applications for the study of plant physiology and ecology.     

用便携式光谱仪同步测定和计算光强和光质的新方法

外界光强和光质对植物的影响在植物生理生态研究领域中一直受到高度关注。而测定光强的光量子计不能测定光质; 测定光质的光谱仪不能直接测定光强, 两者均不能同步测定光强和光质。该文作者建立了一个基于光谱仪测定条件的能量与光量子的经验转换公式, 用4只不同波长的窄带发光二极管(LED)光源结合光量子计(LI-190SB)对便携式光谱仪(AvaSpec-ULS2048×64)所获得的光谱进行了快速标定, 实现了用便携式光谱仪同步直接测定光量子通量密度和光质的目的。在自然光照条件下, 采用转换公式计算出光量子通量密度(PPFD)与实测的PPFD之间误差在-2%-5%范围内, 证实了这种方法的可靠性。通过这个新方法, 可以极大地拓宽便携式光谱仪的适用范围: 1)实验室内或野外只需用便携式光谱仪即可对光源及植物生长的光强和光质环境进行同步精确测定和计算; 2)可以计算光谱仪测定范围内任意波长区段的光量子通量密度; 3)无需采用标准光源即可获得绝对辐射(光)通量值。因此, 这项技术在植物生理生态研究领域具有广阔的应用前景。     

Second harmonic imaging of plants tissues and cell implosion using two‐photon process in ZnO nanoparticles

The optical properties of colloidal ZnO nanoparticle (NP) solutions, with size ranging from several nm to around 200 nm, have been tailored to have high optical nonlinearity for bioimaging with no auto‐fluorescence above 750 nm and minimal auto‐fluorescence below 750 nm. The high second harmonic conversion efficiency enables selective tissue imaging and cell tracking using tunable near‐infrared femtosecond laser source ranging from 750‐980 nm. For laser energies exceeding the two‐photon energy of the bandgap of ZnO (half of 3.34 eV), the SHG signal greatly decreases and the two‐photon emission becomes the dominant signal. The heat generated due to two‐photon absorption within the ZnO NPs enable selective cell or localized tissue destruction using excitation wavelength ranging from 710–750 nm. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Performances de la scintigraphie parathyroïdienne au 99mTc-Sestamibi dans l’hyperparathyroïdie secondaire (à propos de 20 cas)

Aim of the studyTo evaluate the performance of the ^99mTc-Sestamibi parathyroid scintigraphy and to compare it with the performance of cervical ultrasonography in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism who are candidates for parathyroidectomy.Patients and methodsWe performed a retrospective study including 20 patients with severe secondary hyperparathyroidism who underwent parathyroid scintigraphy in the nuclear medicine department of Sfax, during the period between January 2009 and June 2012. Our two days protocol included dual-phase, MIBI/Tc subtraction and single photon emission photons (SPECT) techniques. We analyzed the results obtained from each technique alone, then from combinations thereof. For all patients, we have collected the surgical and histopathological data as well cervical ultrasound if available.ResultsThe subtraction technique was the best performing with a sensitivity of 47% and an accuracy of 55%. The combination of subtraction scintigraphy and SPECT has improved the sensitivity to 53%and accuracy to 57%. The combined lecture of ultrasound and scintigraphy has given the best performance with a sensitivity of 58%, a specificity of 83% and an accuracy of 66%.ConclusionParathyroid scintigraphy combining subtraction and SPECT showed better reliability. The coupling with ultrasound is essential to improve results. The poor performance of scintigraphy in secondary hyperparathyroidism implies that it should be required only to search for ectopic or supernumerary glands.     

Effects of Lac Operon Activation,Deletion of the Yhha Gene,and the Removal of Oxygen on the Ultra-Weak Photon Emission of Escherichia coli

We observed a relation between gene activity and ultra-weak photon emission (UPE). By comparing the UPEs of E. coli with the LacI gene present and deleted we found that more gene activity produced higher UPE. This relation was further confirmed by studying the UPE of the E. coli with and without the Yhha gene. We interpreted that a higher aminoacyl t-RNA synthetase activity, which used ATP from the respiratory chain, could increase the emission. Satisfying the increased need of ATP by the E. coli through an increase of respiratory chain activity, which has reactive oxygen species (ROS) as a byproduct, results in a higher rate of photon emission. To ensure that oxygen is at the origin of this emission, we replaced the air by pure nitrogen. After 30?min, it was observed that the emission levels equaled the emission levels of the sterile medium. We could therefore conclude that the source of the photon emission would be affected by genetic activity and is oxygen related.     

Two‐photon excited lasing of Coumarin 307 for lysozyme amyloid fibrils detection

Amyloid fibrils are a well‐recognized hallmark of neurodegeneration. A common approach to detect amyloid fibrils is staining with organic molecules and monitoring optical properties using fluorescence spectroscopy. However, the structural diversity of amyloids necessitates new sensitive methods and probes that can be reliably used to characterize them. Here, Coumarin 307 is applied for lysozyme fibrils detection by observation of laser action in the process of two‐photon excited stimulated emission. It is shown that the lasing threshold and spectrum significantly depend on the adopted structure (α‐helix or β‐sheet) of the lysozyme protein, whereas fluorescence spectrum is insensitive to the protein structure. The applications of coherent stimulated emission light that can be emitted deep inside a scattering medium can be particularly promising for imaging and therapeutic purposes in the neurodegeneration field. Two‐photon excitation with the near‐infrared light, which allows the deepest penetration of tissues, is an important advantage of the method.     

The response of isoprene emission rate and photosynthetic rate to photon flux and nitrogen supply in aspen and white oak trees

Isoprene is the primary biogenic hydrocarbon emitted from temperate deciduous forest ecosystems. The effects of varying photon flux density (PFD) and nitrogen growth regimes on rates of isoprene emission and net photosynthesis in potted aspen and white oak trees are reported. In both aspen and oak trees, whether rates were expressed on a leaf area or dry mass basis, (1) growth at higher PFD resulted in significantly higher rates of isoprene emission, than growth at lower PFD, (2) there is a significant positive relationship between isoprene emission rate and leaf nitrogen concentration in both sun and shade trees, and (3) there is a significant positive correlation between isoprene emission rate and photosynthetic rate in both sun and shade trees. The greater capacity for isoprene emission in sun leaves was due to both higher leaf mass per unit area and differences in the biochemical and/or physiological properties that influence isoprene emission. Positive correlations between isoprene emission rate and leaf nitrogen concentration support the existence of mechanisms that link leaf nitrogen status to isoprene synthase activity. Positive correlations between isoprene emission rate and photosynthesis rate support previous hypotheses that isoprene emission plays a role in protecting photosynthetic mechanisms during stress.     

光学量,光子量和单位在激光生物学中的应用

激光生物学是光子学和生物学相结合的交叉边缘学科,根据《光及有关电磁辐射的量和单位》国际标准（ＩＳＯ／ＤＩＳ３１－６,１９９０）和我国国家标准（ＧＢ３１０２．６,１９９３）,本文讨论了在激光生物学中常用的光学量、光子量和单位。     

XeCl 准分子激光辐照生物大分子对其结构影响初步研究-Ⅰ308 nm紫外激光辐照小牛胸腺DNA的电镜观察与分析

XeCl 308 nm紫外激光(单脉冲输出能量33.4 mJ,脉冲频率 2次/秒,辐照时间45秒,光斑6×3 mm,透镜焦距300 mm)辐照330 mm处小牛胸腺DNA(固体).用扫描电子显微镜和透射电子显微镜可以观察到DNA受照射后有断裂、分叉、扭曲、聚集和交联等现象,影响生物大分子的初级结构和高级结构的变化.在我们的实验条件下是以影响DNA构象变化为主.     

Ultraweak photon emission in germinating seeds: A signal of biological order

Photon emission from germinating gram seeds at various stages of growth exhibits a definite pattern. The pattern of emission changes when a seed is disrupted by physical processes, e. g. mechanical crushing, cooling or heating. The disrupted seeds do not grow. The change in the biological order responsible for seed growth and the observed changes in the pattern of photo emission suggest a link between the macroscopic spatio-temporal organization and metabolic processes.     

532 nm和808 nm激光及其线偏振激光辐照人正常膀胱与膀胱癌组织光学特性

采用双积分球系统和光辐射测量技术的基本原理 ,以及运用生物组织的光学模型 ,研究了 5 32nm和80 8nm激光及其线偏振激光辐照人正常膀胱和膀胱癌组织的光学特性 .结果表明 :膀胱癌组织对同一波长的激光或其线偏振激光的衰减明显较正常膀胱组织的要大 ,膀胱癌组织对 5 32nm和 80 8nm激光的衰减均较其线偏振激光的要略大一些 .膀胱癌组织对 5 32nm和 80 8nm激光及其线偏振激光的衰减明显较正常膀胱组织的要大 .正常膀胱或膀胱癌组织对同一波长的激光及其线偏振激光的折射率均没有明显的差异 ,膀胱癌组织对 5 32nm和80 8nm激光的折射率比正常膀胱的明显要大 .Kubelka Munk二流模型下 ,两种组织对同一波长的激光或其线偏振激光的光学特性均有显著性差异 (P <0 0 1) .同一组织对不同波长的激光及其线偏振激光的光学特性也有显著性差异 (P <0 0 1) ,正常膀胱组织对同一波长的激光及其线偏振激光的光学性有明显差异 ,而膀胱癌组织对同一波长的激光及其线偏振激光的光学特性则没有明显差异 .膀胱癌组织对 5 32nm和 80 8nm激光及其线偏振激光的前向散射通量i (x)、后向散射通量 j (x)、总散射通量I (x)的衰减均较正常膀胱组织的明显要大得多 ,且其i (x)均明显较j (x)要强     

Analysis of synchronous photon emissions from the bacterium Photobacterium phosphoreum during colony formation from a single cell

Light emission from Photobacterium phosphoreum was analysed during cell growth on an agar plate from a single cell to colony formation. Temporal analysis of image intensified light was set so that a quadratic window covered a single cell. Intensity of light emission from a single cell through colony formation showed an initial decrease, a prolonged lag phase, and then a rapid increase. These responses on an agar plate were similar to those from liquid cultures. The image analysis showed repeated bursts of light emission in the phases when light was increasing and decreasing. Statistical analysis of light emission also emphasized the presence of bursts of light emission, suggesting the metabolic synchronism of luciferase reactions in either a single cell or synchronously divided cells. The repetitive bursts of light occurred in a single cell and continued during the growth phase in which the cell population and the light emission was increasing. In a single cell, however, periodicity of light emission was not defined directly from fast Fourier transformation, although it was indicated on oscillation of mean level of fluctuated light emission, at initial phase of culture on agar plate.     

Characterization of condensed plasmid DNA models for studying the direct effect of ionizing radiation

We have examined the changes in physical properties of aqueous solutions of the plasmid pUC18 that take place on the addition of the cationic oligopeptide penta-arginine. An increase in sedimentation rate and static light scattering, and changes in the nucleic acid CD spectrum all suggest that this ligand acts to condense the plasmid. Dynamic light scattering suggests the hydrodynamic radii of the condensate particles are a few micrometers, ca. 50-fold larger than that of the monomeric plasmid. Condensation of the plasmid also produces a ca. 100-fold decrease in the strand break yield produced by gamma irradiation. This extensive protection against reactive intermediates in the bulk of the solution implies that condensed plasmid DNA may offer a model system with which to study the direct effect of ionizing radiation (ionization of the DNA itself). The use of peptide ligands as condensing agents in this application is attractive because the derivatives of several amino acids (particularly tryptophan and tyrosine) have been shown to modify the radiation chemistry of DNA extensively.     

Discrimination between different types of low-level luminescence in mammalian cells: The biophysical radiation

Cellular low-level luminescence was measured after various disintegrative processes in brain cell preparations. In addition to known origins of low-level luminescence, e.g. oxygen radical reactions or enzymatic and non-enzymatic redox systems, a further source of photon emission is reported which is independent of external oxygen, oxygen radicals and enzyme activities. Vital cells from rat brain homogenates or pig oligodendrocytes could be kept for hours at 37 °C without any photon emission. Only after disintegrative processes a cellular photon emission could be induced. The maximal intensity of about 400 impulses/s/mg protein and a total radiation of about 6 × 10⁶ I/mg depended on the type of cells. The signal could be retained completely at 4 °C or in frozen samples. Heating (10 min, 90 °C) did not suppress the photon emission. Luminol and lucigenin did not amplify the signal as is usually observed in oxygen radical-producing cells. Non-specific radical scavengers as well as detergents suppressed the cellular photon emission completely. It is suggested that this cellular luminescence represents a biophysical radiation which originates from the interruption of an intermolecular radiationless energy transfer.     

Two‐photon excitation and direct emission from S2 state of U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved near‐infrared dye: Application of anti‐Kasha's rule for two‐photon fluorescence imaging

In recent years, two‐photon fluorescence microscopy has gained significant interest in bioimaging. It allows the visualization of deeply buried inhomogeneities in tissues. The near‐infrared (NIR) dyes are also used for deep tissue imaging. Indocyanine green (ICG) is the only U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved exogenous contrast agent in the NIR region for clinical applications. However, despite its potential candidature, it had never been used as a two‐photon contrast agent for biomedical imaging applications. This letter provides an insight into the scope and application of the two‐photon excitation property of ICG to the second excited singlet (S₂) state in aqueous solution. Furthermore, in this work, we demonstrate the two‐photon cellular imaging application of ICG using direct fluorescence emission from S₂ state for the first time. Our results show that two‐photon excitation to S₂ state of ICG could be achieved with approximately 790 nm wavelength of femtosecond laser, which lies in well‐known “tissue‐optical window.” This property would enable light to penetrate much deeper in the turbid medium such as biological tissues. Thus, ICG could be used as the first FDA approved NIR exogenous contrast agent for two‐photon imaging. These findings can make remarkable influence on preclinical and clinical cell imaging.      

Spontaneous luminescence from soybean Rhizobium bacteroids

Abstract: A remarkable spontaneous photon emission was observed in isolated bacteroids of three strains of soybean rhizobia from different genera, but not for the same rhizobia when cultured in liquid medium. The photon emission is oxygen-dependent and can be inhibited by desferal or dipyridyl (both good iron-chelating agents), superoxide dismutase or β-carotene. It is enhanced by catalase. The emission spectrum indicates that singlet oxygen is partly responsible for the luminescence.