Uptake of the Herbicide Diuron as Visualised by the Fluorescence Imaging Technique

A new fluorescence imaging system for monitoring the uptake of the PSII-herbicide diuron (OCMU) was tested in tobacco leaves. UV-laser-induced (Λ_exc = 355 nm) fluorescence images were collected for blue fluorescence F440 (Λ_em = 440 nm), green fluorescence F520 (Λ_em = 520 nm), red chlorophyll fluorescence F690 (Λ_em = 690 nm) and for far-red chlorophyll fluorescence F740 (Λ_em = 740 nm). Diuron-treated leaf parts exhibited a higher red and far-red chlorophyll fluorescence emission (F690 and F740) than untreated leaf halves, whereas the blue and green fluorescence, F440 and F520, remained unaffected. As a consequence, the fluorescence ratios blue/red (F440/F690) and blue/far-red (F440/F740) significantly decreased in diuron-treated leaf parts. The time course of diuron uptake into the leaf could be followed by fluorescence images taken 10 and 30 min after diuron application. The novel high resolution fluorescence imaging method supplies information on the herbicide uptake of each point of the leaf area. Its great advantage as compared to the point data fluorescence measurements applied so far is discussed.     

不同类型土壤上种植的不同面筋含量冬小麦品种灌浆期间籽粒中淀粉分支酶活性变化

种植在粘土、壤土和沙土中的3个面筋含量高、中、低的冬小麦品种灌浆期间籽粒中淀粉分支酶(SBE)活性变化均呈单峰曲线,开花后20 d达到峰值.面筋含量高的品种在粘土和沙土上种植的SBE活性较高,而面筋含量中等和较低的品种在粘土和壤土中种植的SBE活性较高.     

荧光成像技术及其在生命科学中的应用

近年来,荧光成像技术发展迅速,其成像系统通常为目前最先进的分析检测仪器之一的激光共聚焦显微镜,荧光探针是荧光成像技术的核心之一。作为新兴光学成像技术,荧光成像技术在生命科学领域中应用广泛,可用于蛋白质及金属离子检测,肿瘤疾病的诊断,并为药物新剂型的研究提供了新思路。     

胃癌血管靶向肽GX1修饰的人血清白蛋白用于胃癌近红外活体成像

目的:以肿瘤血管靶向肽GX1修饰的人血清白蛋白(HSA)作为吲哚菁绿(ICG)的载体,合成近红外荧光探针GX1-HSA-ICG,研究其作为近红外荧光探针在荷人胃癌裸鼠活体中的靶向成像能力。方法:以HSA作为ICG的载体,通过化学修饰与GX1共价连接,合成GX1-HSA-ICG纳米颗粒探针;使用SDS-PAGE对探针合成进行鉴定;采用探针与脐静脉内皮细胞HUVEC以及与肿瘤细胞共培养的脐静脉内皮细胞Co-HUVEC进行结合和竞争抑制试验,验证探针和Co-HUVEC细胞结合的特异性;利用小动物活体成像系统对皮下荷胃癌小鼠进行近红外荧光活体成像,验证探针在体内的胃癌靶向性。结果:成功合成GX1-HSA-ICG。细胞结合与竞争抑制实验显示GX1-HSA-ICG可与Co-HUVEC细胞特异性结合;荷瘤小鼠活体成像也显示出GX1-HSA-ICG较ICG有更长体内的循环时间,并且胃癌组织局部较HSA-ICG有更强的聚集。结论:本研究成功合成了胃癌血管靶向肽GX1修饰的HSA为荧光染料载体的胃癌血管靶向探针,成功对荷胃癌裸鼠进行了活体成像。使用HSA为载体的探针较单纯使用ICG的肿瘤局部滞留能力显著提高,GX1增加了探针的胃癌靶向特异性。该探针在胃癌的早期诊断和抗肿瘤血管生成治疗评估中具有潜在的应用价值。     

阳离子胶体金标记活细胞阴离子位点的双光子荧光成像及其应用

使用阳离子胶体金标记中国仓鼠卵巢细胞(CHO-K1)的阴离子位点,并采用双光子荧光显微成像和荧光寿命成像技术记录活细胞的阴离子场分布.阳离子胶体金是纳米量级金微粒与多聚L-赖氨酸的结合物,金纳米微粒在超短激光脉冲的照射下可以产生高度局域化的光热效应.当飞秒激光脉冲聚焦在细胞膜上标记的金纳米微粒时会产生这种纳米尺度的微光热效应,并在不影响细胞活性的前提下暂时提高细胞膜的通透性.基于这种效应,使用聚焦的飞秒激光脉冲三维扫描照射CHO-K1细胞,将分子质量为10ku的荧光探针大分子异硫氰酸荧光素葡聚糖(fluorescein isothioeyanate-dextran, FITC-D)递送到CHO-K1细胞的内部,并用双光子荧光图像记录其递送的过程.使用流式细胞仪分析不同实验条件下FITC-D的转导率和细胞死亡率的关系.     

近红外荧光染料IR-783在膀胱癌中的成像研究

目的:观察研究近红外荧光染料IR-783在膀胱癌中的特异性成像。方法:通过染料与膀胱癌细胞及正常细胞共孵育,观察近红外荧光染料IR-783是否能够实现膀胱癌细胞的选择性成像。利用细胞器示踪剂观察近红外荧光染料在膀胱癌细胞内的共定位;使用IR-783检测循环血液中及尿液中的膀胱癌细胞。结果:近红外荧光染料IR-783可被膀胱癌细胞选择性摄取。IR-783可选择性聚集在膜性细胞器如线粒体和溶酶体内,这种选择性聚集作用使IR-783可以保持较长的染色效果。近红外染料可以检测到血液或尿液极少量的膀胱癌细胞。结论:近红外荧光染料IR-783能够被膀胱癌细胞特异性吸收,可用于血液和尿液中膀胱肿瘤细胞的特异性诊断,具有重要的临床应用前景。     

基于叶绿素荧光成像及荧光参数分布特征的叶片光合异质性定量分析

植物叶片光合作用具有高度的空间异质性,叶绿素荧光成像技术为叶片光合异质性的研究提供了便利,但叶片光合异质性的定量分析并没有得到广泛应用。本文利用Imaging PAM叶绿素荧光成像系统,获得中亚热带地区越冬期小叶榕(Ficus microcarpa)阳生叶和阴生叶的叶绿素荧光参数图像,并利用仪器的分析软件对其进行分析,定量比较了阳生叶和阴生叶的光合异质性特征。研究发现：越冬期小叶榕阳生叶的光合异质性和光抑制程度明显高于阴生叶,变异系数可作为光合异质性的定量指标。低温强光导致阳生叶坏死率(P_LN)达4.30%,并有53.30%的区域处于严重光抑制(0v/F_m<0.627),但仍有42.27%的区域仅为轻度光抑制(0.627≤F_v/F_m<0.800)。而低温弱光并未造成阴生叶坏死和严重光抑制。通过对光系统Ⅱ(PSⅡ)的实际光合效率(Y(Ⅱ))、调节性能量耗散的量子产额(Y(NPQ))和非调节性能量耗散的量子产额(Y(NO))荧光参数异质性的定量分析表明,阳生叶...     

天麻X射线衍射指纹图谱及数字化特征

本文研究了野生和人工栽培天麻和伪品羽裂蟹甲草的X射线衍射(XRD)指纹图谱及其数字化特征。利用Paeudo-Voigt函数模型进行全谱数字拟合分峰,对分峰后峰位和相对强度进行相似系数计算和分析。结果显示,XRD指纹图谱整体轮廓识别法能准确地鉴别真伪天麻;而经分峰处理后的数字特征信息可有效准确地鉴别野生和人工栽培天麻。相似系数计算结果表明不同样品存在着明显差异。数字分峰及图谱相似系数的原理和方法可应用于中药构效性研究和XRD指纹图谱数据库建立。     

三套荧光显微成像系统在光敏剂亚细胞定位研究中的应用比较

目的：对三套荧光显微成像系统在国产新型光敏剂HMME亚细胞定位研究中的应用特点及适用范围进行了比较与评价。方法：分别应用LSCM、CCD、ICCD荧光显微成像系统,选择特异性细胞器荧光探针Rhodamine-123、DIOC6(3)标记细胞内线粒体和内质网。采用细胞器-细胞荧光强度比值法,对HMME进行单细胞内分布的定性与定量研究。结果：LSCM和CCD成像系统能采集到浓度达到160μg／ml时的HMME的荧光图像,获得荧光探针图像信息显示所标记的细胞内线粒体和内质网平均荧光强度比值(J1/J2值)都明显高于细胞内J1/J2值。而ICCD成像系统只需HMME浓度为5μg/ml,荧光图像特点都呈胞浆中荧光强度较高且分布不均,细胞核区荧光较弱的中空现象。ICCD系统对细胞器探针荧光图像在空间分辨上不理想。结论：LSCM与CCD成像系统限于其探测灵敏度,对于弱荧光性光敏剂,适用于其高孵育浓度条件下的亚细胞定位研究。二者获得的结果相一致：孵育24h,HMME在鼠肺内皮细胞线粒体和内质网有分布而几乎不进入细胞核。ICCD成像系统可不受孵育浓度条件的限制,实现光敏剂极微弱荧光的有效探测,但空间分辨率较低。     

活细胞内5-羟色胺可见荧光的多光子激发成像

应用多光子激发激光扫描显微镜对5-羟色胺（5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT）孵育的大鼠粘膜型肥大细胞进行自发荧光成像,首次观察到了活细胞内5-HT相关的可见荧光,并对其产生机理进行了初步探讨.实现了对活细胞内5-HT空间分布的高分辨成像,为研究活组织或细胞内5-HT的空间分布和含量与细胞功能状态的关系提供了新的实验方法.     

氮、硫配施对弱筋小麦籽粒淀粉特性的影响

在大田条件下研究了不同氮、硫配施对弱筋小麦品种豫麦50籽粒淀粉特性的影响.结果表明:氮、硫及其互作对籽粒淀粉组分含量和直支比的影响均达到了极显著水平,氮肥对峰值粘度、低谷粘度、最终粘度和稀懈值的影响也达到了极显著水平,硫肥仅对稀懈值和糊化温度的影响达到了显著和极显著水平.每公顷施纯氮240 kg(N240)和纯硫20~60 kg(S20和S60)可提高总淀粉和支链淀粉含量,降低直链淀粉含量和直支比.每公顷施纯氮150 kg(N150)和纯硫20 kg(S20)可以提高峰值粘度、低谷粘度和最终粘度,改善淀粉品质.     

Sample Preparation for Single Virion Atomic Force Microscopy and Super-resolution Fluorescence Imaging

Immobilization of virions to glass surfaces is a critical step in single virion imaging. Here we present a technique adopted from single molecule imaging assays which allows adhesion of single virions to glass surfaces with specificity. This preparation is based on grafting the surface of the glass with a mixture of PLL-g-PEG and PLL-g-PEG-Biotin, adding a layer of avidin, and finally creating virion anchors through attachment of biotinylated virus specific antibodies. We have applied this technique across a range of experiments including atomic force microscopy (AFM) and super-resolution fluorescence imaging. This sample preparation method results in a control adhesion of the virions to the surface.     

电荷耦合器件荧光成象及生物学应用

冷却慢扫描电荷耦合器件照相机附在荧光显微镜上组成了一个系统,可把一系列成象进行贮存,通过标记颗粒的位置、强度以及强度分布的差别,在每幅象上可区分500个荧光点.荧光点的运动可以跟踪,通过分析可区分不同的运动方式,在活细胞表面,已观察到受体有直接扩散,随机扩散和局部随机扩散三种运动方式.电荷耦合器件的高灵敏度使观察过程中只产生少量的漂白.现介绍这系统的测量原理和它在生物学上的应用.     

Single-Molecule Imaging and Spectroscopy Using Fluorescence and Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering

We extended single molecule fluorescence imaging and time-resolved fluorometry from the green to the violet-excitation regime to find feasibility of detecting and identifying fluorescent analogs of nucleic-acid bases at the single-molecule level. Using violet excitation, we observed fluorescent spotsfrom single complexes composed of a nucleotide analogue and the Klenow fragmentof DNA polymerase I. Also, we implemented Raman imaging and spectroscopy of adenine molecules adsorbed on Ag colloidal nanoparticles to find feasibility of identifying nucleic-acid bases at the single-molecule level. Surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) of adenine molecules showed an intermittent on-and-off behavior called blinking. The observation of blinking provides substantial evidence for detecting single adenine molecules.     

Tissue-simulating Phantoms for Assessing Potential Near-infrared Fluorescence Imaging Applications in Breast Cancer Surgery

Inaccuracies in intraoperative tumor localization and evaluation of surgical margin status result in suboptimal outcome of breast-conserving surgery (BCS). Optical imaging, in particular near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging, might reduce the frequency of positive surgical margins following BCS by providing the surgeon with a tool for pre- and intraoperative tumor localization in real-time. In the current study, the potential of NIRF-guided BCS is evaluated using tissue-simulating breast phantoms for reasons of standardization and training purposes.Breast phantoms with optical characteristics comparable to those of normal breast tissue were used to simulate breast conserving surgery. Tumor-simulating inclusions containing the fluorescent dye indocyanine green (ICG) were incorporated in the phantoms at predefined locations and imaged for pre- and intraoperative tumor localization, real-time NIRF-guided tumor resection, NIRF-guided evaluation on the extent of surgery, and postoperative assessment of surgical margins. A customized NIRF camera was used as a clinical prototype for imaging purposes.Breast phantoms containing tumor-simulating inclusions offer a simple, inexpensive, and versatile tool to simulate and evaluate intraoperative tumor imaging. The gelatinous phantoms have elastic properties similar to human tissue and can be cut using conventional surgical instruments. Moreover, the phantoms contain hemoglobin and intralipid for mimicking absorption and scattering of photons, respectively, creating uniform optical properties similar to human breast tissue. The main drawback of NIRF imaging is the limited penetration depth of photons when propagating through tissue, which hinders (noninvasive) imaging of deep-seated tumors with epi-illumination strategies.     

施氮量和花后土壤含水量对强筋小麦籽粒淀粉合成及品质的影响

以强筋小麦品种'济麦20'为材料,在防雨池栽培条件下研究了施氮量和花后土壤含水量对强筋小麦籽粒淀粉合成及其品质的影响,以明确强筋小麦获得高产优质的花后适宜土壤含水量及施氮量.结果表明:在同一施氮量下,适宜的花后土壤含水量(60%～70%)籽粒游离态淀粉合成酶(SSS)和束缚态淀粉合成酶(GBSS)活性在籽粒发育过程中一直最高,有利于直链淀粉、支链淀粉的积累和支链淀粉/直链淀粉比的提高,提高峰值粘度、低谷粘度、最终粘度和衰减值;花后土壤含水量过高(80%～90%)或过低(40%～50%)均导致籽粒SSS和GBSS活性降低,从而使直链淀粉、支链淀粉的积累量降低,减小支链淀粉/直链淀粉比,使峰值粘度、低谷粘度、最终粘度降低.(2)在同一土壤含水量下,增施氮肥不利于灌浆前期SSS和GBSS活性和直链淀粉、支链淀粉积累量的提高,并且随着土壤含水量增加增施氮肥该趋势加重;适量增施氮肥能提高支链淀粉/直链淀粉比和峰值粘度、低谷粘度、最终粘度,过多或过少施氮则降低支/直比和峰值粘度、低谷粘度、最终粘度.研究认为,在本试验条件下,适量增施氮肥(纯氮225 kg/hm2)或适宜的花后土壤含水量(60%～70%)可促进强筋小麦籽粒淀粉的合成,有效改善其淀粉品质.     

Visualization of Bacterial Toxin Induced Responses Using Live Cell Fluorescence Microscopy

Bacterial toxins bind to cholesterol in membranes, forming pores that allow for leakage of cellular contents and influx of materials from the external environment. The cell can either recover from this insult, which requires active membrane repair processes, or else die depending on the amount of toxin exposure and cell type¹. In addition, these toxins induce strong inflammatory responses in infected hosts through activation of immune cells, including macrophages, which produce an array of pro-inflammatory cytokines². Many Gram positive bacteria produce cholesterol binding toxins which have been shown to contribute to their virulence through largely uncharacterized mechanisms.Morphologic changes in the plasma membrane of cells exposed to these toxins include their sequestration into cholesterol-enriched surface protrusions, which can be shed into the extracellular space, suggesting an intrinsic cellular defense mechanism^3,4. This process occurs on all cells in the absence of metabolic activity, and can be visualized using EM after chemical fixation⁴. In immune cells such as macrophages that mediate inflammation in response to toxin exposure, induced membrane vesicles are suggested to contain cytokines of the IL-1 family and may be responsible both for shedding toxin and disseminating these pro-inflammatory cytokines^5,6,7. A link between IL-1β release and a specific type of cell death, termed pyroptosis has been suggested, as both are caspase-1 dependent processes⁸. To sort out the complexities of this macrophage response, which includes toxin binding, shedding of membrane vesicles, cytokine release, and potentially cell death, we have developed labeling techniques and fluorescence microscopy methods that allow for real time visualization of toxin-cell interactions, including measurements of dysfunction and death (Figure 1). Use of live cell imaging is necessary due to limitations in other techniques. Biochemical approaches cannot resolve effects occurring in individual cells, while flow cytometry does not offer high resolution, real-time visualization of individual cells. The methods described here can be applied to kinetic analysis of responses induced by other stimuli involving complex phenotypic changes in cells.     

NADH Fluorescence Imaging of Isolated Biventricular Working Rabbit Hearts

Since its inception by Langendorff¹, the isolated perfused heart remains a prominent tool for studying cardiac physiology². However, it is not well-suited for studies of cardiac metabolism, which require the heart to perform work within the context of physiologic preload and afterload pressures. Neely introduced modifications to the Langendorff technique to establish appropriate left ventricular (LV) preload and afterload pressures³. The model is known as the isolated LV working heart model and has been used extensively to study LV performance and metabolism^4-6. This model, however, does not provide a properly loaded right ventricle (RV). Demmy et al. first reported a biventricular model as a modification of the LV working heart model^{7, 8}. They found that stroke volume, cardiac output, and pressure development improved in hearts converted from working LV mode to biventricular working mode⁸. A properly loaded RV also diminishes abnormal pressure gradients across the septum to improve septal function. Biventricular working hearts have been shown to maintain aortic output, pulmonary flow, mean aortic pressure, heart rate, and myocardial ATP levels for up to 3 hours⁸.When studying the metabolic effects of myocardial injury, such as ischemia, it is often necessary to identify the location of the affected tissue. This can be done by imaging the fluorescence of NADH (the reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide)^9-11, a coenzyme found in large quantities in the mitochondria. NADH fluorescence (fNADH) displays a near linearly inverse relationship with local oxygen concentration¹² and provides a measure of mitochondrial redox state¹³. fNADH imaging during hypoxic and ischemic conditions has been used as a dye-free method to identify hypoxic regions^{14, 15} and to monitor the progression of hypoxic conditions over time¹⁰.The objective of the method is to monitor the mitochondrial redox state of biventricular working hearts during protocols that alter the rate of myocyte metabolism or induce hypoxia or create a combination of the two. Hearts from New Zealand white rabbits were connected to a biventricular working heart system (Hugo Sachs Elektronik) and perfused with modified Krebs-Henseleit solution¹⁶ at 37 °C. Aortic, LV, pulmonary artery, and left & right atrial pressures were recorded. Electrical activity was measured using a monophasic action potential electrode. To image fNADH, light from a mercury lamp was filtered (350±25 nm) and used to illuminate the epicardium. Emitted light was filtered (460±20 nm) and imaged using a CCD camera. Changes in the epicardial fNADH of biventricular working hearts during different pacing rates are presented. The combination of the heart model and fNADH imaging provides a new and valuable experimental tool for studying acute cardiac pathologies within the context of realistic physiological conditions.     

In situ Imaging of Pea Starch in Seeds

A method has been developed for the in situ imaging of starch in dry seeds by exploiting the tight packing of the starch and protein storage reserves within the cells of the embryo. The method can be adapted to prepare seed samples which are suitable for light microscopy (birefringence and iodine staining), scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Its potential for imaging the internal structure of starch granules without any prior isolation process is demonstrated for round smooth peas. Using a standard ultramicrotome, thin sections were cut directly from selected regions of dry pea seeds and examined by light microscopy before and after hydration. The sectioning procedure left a planed surface with the internal structure of the starch granules exposed. This material was examined by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy directly or after controlled hydration. In the hydrated pea samples, the growth ring structure and blocklet sub-structure of individual starch granules within the seed were visualised directly by atomic force microscopy. Furthermore, the effects of hydration and staining were monitored and have been used to introduce contrast into the images. The observations have revealed new information on the blocklet distribution within pea starch granules and the physical origins of the growth ring structure of the granules: the blocklet distribution suggests that the granules contain alternating bands with different levels of crystallinity, rather than alternating amorphous and crystalline growth rings.     

Trace Metal Imaging of Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria and Methanogenic Archaea at Single-Cell Resolution by Synchrotron X-Ray Fluorescence Imaging

Metal cofactors are required for many enzymes in anaerobic microbial respiration. This study examined iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, and zinc in cellular and abiotic phases at the single-cell scale for a sulfate-reducing bacterium (Desulfococcus multivorans) and a methanogenic archaeon (Methanosarcina acetivorans) using synchrotron X-ray fluorescence microscopy. Relative abundances of cellular metals were also measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. For both species, zinc and iron were consistently the most abundant cellular metals. M. acetivorans contained higher nickel and cobalt content than D. multivorans, likely due to elevated metal requirements for methylotrophic methanogenesis. Cocultures contained spheroid zinc sulfides and cobalt/copper sulfides.