Pheophytin-mediated energy storage of photosystem II particles detected by photoacoustic spectroscopy

The photoacoustic (PA) characteristics (energy storage and heat dissipation) of photosystem II (PSII) core-enriched particles from barley were studied (i) in conditions where there was electron flow, i.e., in the presence of a combination of the electron acceptor K₃ Fe (CN)₆, referred to as FeCN, and the electron donor diphenylcarbazide (DPC), and (ii) in conditions where electron flow was suppressed, i.e., in the absence of FeCN and DPC. The experimental data show that a decrease of heat dissipation with a minimum at 540 nm can be interpreted as energy storage resulting from the presence of pheophytin (Pheo) in the PSII particles. On account of the capability of the PA method to measure the energy absorbed by the chromophores which is converted to heat, it is suggested that the PA detection of Pheo present in the PSII complex will permit to clarify the function of processes involving non-radiative relaxation of excited states in P680-Pheo-Q_A interactions.Abbreviations -Car -Carotene - Chl Chlorophyll - DPC Diphenylcarbazide - EPR Electron Paramagnetic Resonance - FeCN potassium ferricyanide - HEPES N-2-hydroxyethylenepiperazine-N-2-ethanesulfonate - P680 reaction center of PSII - PA Photoacoustic - Pheo pheophytin - PSI photosystem I - PSII photosystem II - Q_A primary electron acceptor of PSII     

On the nature of the photosynthetic energy storage monitored by photoacoustic spectroscopy

The photosynthetic energy storage yield of uncoupled thylakoid membranes was monitored by photoacoustic spectroscopy at various measuring beam intensities. The energy storage rate as evaluated by the half-saturation measuring beam intensity (i₅₀) was inhibited by 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1 dimethylurea, by heat inactivation or by artificial electron acceptors specific for photosystem I or photosystem II; and was activated by electron donors to photosystem I. The reactions involving both photosystems were all characterized by a similar maximal energy storage yield of 16±2 percent. The data could be interpreted if we assumed that the energy storage elicited by the photosystems at 35 Hz is detected at the level of the plastoquinone pool.Abbreviations PS photosystem - Tes N-Tris [hydroxymethl] methyl-2-aminoethanesulfonic acid - DCMU 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea - DCIP 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol - FeCN potassium ferricyanide - DCBQ 2,5-dichlorobenzoquinone - TMPD N,N,N-tetramethyl-p-phenilenediamine     

Enhanced ethylene production by primary roots of Zea mays L. in response to sub-ambient partial pressures of oxygen

Ethylene production by primary roots of 72–h-old intact seedlings of Zea mays L. cv. LG11 was studied under ambient and sub-ambient oxygen partial pressures (pO₂) using a gas flow-through system linked to a photoacoustic laser detector. Despite precautions to minimize physical perturbation to seedlings while setting-up, ethylene production in air was faster during the first 6h than later, in association with a small temporary swelling of the roots. When roots were switched from air (20–8kPa O₂) to 3 or 5kPa O₂ after 6h, ethylene production increased within 2—3 h. When, the roots were returned to air 16 h later, ethylene production decreased within 2—3 h. The presence of 10kPa CO₂ did not interfere with the effect of 3kPa O₂. Transferring roots from air to 12–5kPa did not change ethylene production, while a reduction to 1 kPa O₂ induced a small increase. The extra ethylene formed in 3 and 5 kPa O₂ was associated with plagiotropism, swelling, root hair production, and after 72 h, increased amounts of intercellular space (aerenchyma) in the root cortex. Root extension was also slowed down, but the pattern of response to oxygen shortage did not always match that of ethylene production. On return to air, subsequent growth patterns became normal within a few hours. In the complete absence of oxygen, no ethylene production was detected, even when anaerobic roots were returned to air after 16 h.     

靶向吲哚菁绿纳米探针介导的光声治疗

光声治疗是一种利用纳米材料的光声效应选择性破坏癌细胞的方法。本研究采用叶酸作为肿瘤靶向分子,以聚乙二醇包裹吲哚菁绿形成纳米粒子(ICG-PL-PEG-FA),利用此纳米粒子在近红外区的光吸收特性,开展光声治疗研究。实验结果表明,这种叶酸标记的纳米探针对高表达叶酸的EMT6细胞具有高靶向选择性和靶向光杀伤性。这种基于包含吲哚菁绿纳米探针的光声治疗将有潜力发展为一种安全,高效的癌症治疗技术。     

基于光学相干检测的非接触全光学光声显微镜

报道了一种非接触、宽频带、联合微型激光器和低相干迈克尔逊干涉仪的全光学光声显微镜(BD-AOPAM)、光学相干层析系统(OCT)的硬件用于光声信号的检测。目前全光学光声显微镜可检测到的带宽为67 MHz,用碳纤维测得系统的横向分辨率可以达到10.8μm。进一步的,利用包埋头发丝的模拟样品和在体小鼠耳朵血管来验证系统的成像能力。实验结果表明,这种全光学光声显微镜可以在体的实现组织高分辨率的成像,有望成为一种便携式非接触的光声显微镜应用于生物医学当中。     

Cuffing‐based photoacoustic flowmetry in humans in the optical diffusive regime

Measuring blood flow speed in the optical diffusive regime in humans has been a long standing challenge for photoacoustic tomography. In this work, we proposed a cuffing‐based method to quantify blood flow speed in humans with a handheld photoacoustic probe. By cuffing and releasing the blood vessel, we can measure the blood flow speed downstream. In phantom experiments, we demonstrated that the minimum and maximum measurable flow speeds were 0.035 mm/s and 42 mm/s, respectively. In human experiments, flow speeds were measured in three different blood vessels: a radial artery in the right forearm, a radial artery in the index finger of the right hand, and a radial vein in the right forearm. Taking advantage of the handheld probe, our method can potentially be used to monitor blood flow speed in the clinic and at the bedside.

     

Volumetric hand‐held optoacoustic angiography as a tool for real‐time screening of dense breast

Existing mammographic screening solutions are generally associated with several major drawbacks, such as exposure to ionizing radiation or insufficient sensitivity in younger populations with radiographically‐dense breast. Even when combined with ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging, X‐Ray mammography may still attain unspecific or false positive results. Thus, development of new breast imaging tools represents a timely medical challenge. We report on a new approach to high‐resolution functional and anatomical breast angiography using volumetric hand‐held optoacoustic tomography, which employs light intensities safe for human use. Experiments in young healthy volunteers with fibroglandular‐dominated dense breasts revealed the feasibility of rendering three‐dimensional images representing vascular anatomy and functional blood oxygenation parameters at video rate. Sufficient contrast was achieved at depths beyond 2 cm within dense breasts without compromising the real‐time imaging performance. The suggested solution may thus find applicability as a standalone or supplemental screening tool for early detection and follow‐up of carcinomas in radiographically‐dense breasts.

Volumetric handheld optoacoustic tomography scanner uses safe pulses of near‐infrared light to render three‐dimensional images of deep vascular anatomy, blood oxygenation and breast parenchyma at video rate.     

Photoacoustic microscopy for evaluating a lipopolysaccharide‐induced inflammation model in mice

Photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) is a noninvasive imaging technique and is excellent to study structural and functional changes in the microcirculation. In this work, a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced inflammation model in mice is noninvasively evaluated by PAM. PAM is used to image the microvascular structural changes in mice for 8 hours after the LPS with different concentrations is applied. Quantitative analysis of five vessel parameters is conducted, which shows that the rate of reduction in microvasculature is highly dependent on the applied LPS concentrations. For low‐concentration LPS, changes in the microvasculature are not obvious over the observation period, whereas for high‐concentration LPS, quick and marked reduction in the microvasculature is observed. In addition, changes in capillaries are more significant than those in relatively large vessels. The results show that PAM is able to evaluate the inflammation mouse model by studying structural (and potentially functional) changes in the microcirculation. Furthermore, PAM may have potential for early intervention and treatment plan optimization of sepsis by monitoring the microcirculation and inflammatory response.      

基于直线电机连续-步进运动的快速光声显微成像系统

报道了一种利用直线电机连续-步进的扫描方式进行光声显微成像的系统,该系统在运动时走弓字型路线,其中直线电机在X轴方向上连续运动,在Y轴方向上以步进的方式运动,采集卡只在X轴电机运动的过程中连续采集。该成像系统较之前振镜扫描的方式扫描的范围更大,可达到厘米尺度范围内的生物组织光声成像;较之前的步进电机逐点扫描的方式扫描速度明显提高。同时本文采用电机带动光和超声换能器一同扫描的方式,较光和超声换能器不动电机带动样品扫描的方式更灵活。另外利用包埋碳丝的模拟样品和在体小鼠耳朵血管来验证系统的成像能力。实验结果表明,这种快速光声显微成像方法及其系统可以实现在体组织的高分辨率成像,有望成为一种无创、实时的光声显微镜应用于生物医学当中。