Ultraweak photon emission in assessing bone growth factor efficiency using fibroblastic differentiation

An Experimental Investigation of Ultraweak Photon Emission from Adult Murine Neural Stem Cells

Neurons like other living cells may have ultraweak photon emission (UPE) during neuronal activity. This study is aimed to evaluate UPE from neural stem cells (NSC) during their serial passaging and differentiation. We also investigate whether the addition of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) or enhancement of UPE (by AgNPs or mirror) affect the differentiation of NSC. In our method, neural stem and progenitor cells of subventricular zone (SVZ) are isolated and expanded using the neurosphere assay. The obtained dissociated cells allocated and cultivated into three groups: groups: I: cell (control), II: cell + mirror, and III: cell + AgNPs. After seven days, the primary neurospheres were counted and their mean number was obtained. Serial passages continuous up to sixth passages in the control group. Differentiation capacity of the resulting neurospheres were evaluated in vitro by immunocytochemistry techniques. Measurement of UPE was carried out by photomultiplier tube (PMT) in the following steps: at the end of primary culture, six serial cell passages of the control group, before and after of the differentiation for 5 minutes. The results show that neither mirror nor AgNPs affect on the neurosphere number. The UPE of the NSC in the sixth subculturing passage was significantly higher than in the primary passage (P < 0.05). AgNPs significantly increased the UPE of the NSC compared to the control group before and after the differentiation (P < 0.05). Also, the treatment with AgNPs increased 44% neuronal differentiation of the harvested NSCs. UPE of NSC after the differentiation was significantly lower than that before the differentiation in each groups, which is in appropriate to the cell numbers (P < 0.0001). The mirror did not significantly increase UPE, neither before nor after the differentiation of NSC. As a conclusion, NSC have UPE-properties and the intensity is increased by serial passaging that are significant in the sixth passage. The AgNPs increases the UPE intensity of NSC that pushes more differentiation of NSC to the neurons. The mirror was not effective in enhancement of UPE. As a result, UPE measurement may be suitable for assessing and studying the effects of nanoparticles in living cells and neurons.

An Observed Effect of p53 Status on the Bystander Response to Radiation-Induced Cellular Photon Emission

In this study, we investigated the potential influence of p53 on ultraviolet (UV) signal generation and response of bystander cells to the UV signals generated by beta-irradiated cells. Five cell lines of various p53 status (HaCaT, mutated; SW48, wild-type; HT29, mutated; HCT116^+/+, wild-type; HCT116^-/-, null) were irradiated with beta particles from tritium. Signal generation (photon emission at 340 ± 5 nm) was quantified from irradiated cells using a photomultiplier tube. Bystander response (clonogenic survival) was assessed by placing reporter cell flasks directly superior to irradiated signal-emitting cells. All cell lines emitted significant quantities of UV after tritium exposure. The magnitudes of HaCaT and HT29 photon emission at 340 nm were similar to each other while they were significantly different from the stronger signals emitted from SW48, HCT116^+/+ and HCT116^-/- cells. In regard to the bystander responses, HaCaT, HCT116^+/+ and SW48 cells demonstrated significant reductions in survival as a result of exposure to emission signals. HCT116^-/- and HT29 cells did not exhibit any changes in survival and thus were considered to be lacking the mechanisms or functions required to elicit a response. The survival response was found not to correlate with the observed signal strength for all experimental permutations; this may be attributed to varying emission spectra from cell line to cell line or differences in response sensitivity. Overall, these results suggest that the UV-mediated bystander response is influenced by the p53 status of the cell line. Wild-type p53 cells (HCT116^+/+ and SW48) demonstrated significant responses to UV signals whereas the p53-null cell line (HCT116^-/-) lacked any response. The two mutated p53 cell lines exhibited contrasting responses, which may be explained by unique modulation of functions by different point mutations. The reduced response (cell death) exhibited by p53-mutated cells compared to p53 wild-type cells suggests a possible role of the assessed p53 mutations in radiation-induced cancer susceptibility and reduced efficacy of radiation-directed therapy.

Efficient detection of internal infestation in wheat based on biophotonics

In the process of grain storage, there are many losses of grain quantity and quality for the sake of insects. As a result, it is necessary to find a rapid and economical method for detecting insects in the grain. The paper innovatively proposes a model of detecting internal infestation in wheat by combining pattern recognition and BioPhoton Analytical Technology (BPAT). In this model, the spontaneous ultraweak photons emitted from normal and insect-contaminated wheat are firstly measured respectively. Then, position, distribution and morphological characteristics can be extracted from the measuring data to construct wheat feature vector. Backpropagation (BP) neural network based on genetic algorithm is employed to take decision on whether wheat kernel has contaminated by insects. The experimental results show that the proposed model can differentiate the normal wheat from the insect-contaminated one at an average accuracy of 95%. The model can also offer a novel thought for detecting internal infestation in the wheat.

Development of a single-photon-counting camera with use of a triple-stacked micro-channel plate

At the quantum-mechanical level, all substances (not merely electromagnetic waves such as light and X-rays) exhibit wave–particle duality. Whereas students of radiation science can easily understand the wave nature of electromagnetic waves, the particle (photon) nature may elude them. Therefore, to assist students in understanding the wave–particle duality of electromagnetic waves, we have developed a photon-counting camera that captures single photons in two-dimensional images. As an image intensifier, this camera has a triple-stacked micro-channel plate (MCP) with an amplification factor of 10(6). The ultra-low light of a single photon entering the camera is first converted to an electron through the photoelectric effect on the photocathode. The electron is intensified by the triple-stacked MCP and then converted to a visible light distribution, which is measured by a high-sensitivity complementary metal oxide semiconductor image sensor. Because it detects individual photons, the photon-counting camera is expected to provide students with a complete understanding of the particle nature of electromagnetic waves. Moreover, it measures ultra-weak light that cannot be detected by ordinary low-sensitivity cameras. Therefore, it is suitable for experimental research on scintillator luminescence, biophoton detection, and similar topics.

Factors affecting ultraviolet-A photon emission from β-irradiated human keratinocyte cells

The luminescence intensity of 340±5 nm photons emitted from HaCaT (human keratinocyte) cells was investigated using a single-photon-counting system during cellular exposure to (90)Y β-particles. Multiple factors were assessed to determine their influence upon the quantity and pattern of photon emission from β-irradiated cells. Exposure of 1 x 10(4) cells/5 mL to 703 μCi resulted in maximum UVA photoemission at 44.8 x 10(3)±2.5 x 10(3) counts per second (cps) from live HaCaT cells (background: 1-5 cps); a 16-fold increase above cell-free controls. Significant biophoton emission was achieved only upon stimulation and was also dependent upon presence of cells. UVA luminescence was measured for (90)Y activities 14 to 703 μCi where a positive relationship between photoemission and (90)Y activity was observed. Irradiation of live HaCaT cells plated at various densities produced a distinct pattern of emission whereby luminescence increased up to a maximum at 1 x 10(4) cells/5 mL and thereafter decreased. However, this result was not observed in the dead cell population. Both live and dead HaCaT cells were irradiated and were found to demonstrate different rates of photon emission at low β activities (⩽400 μCi). Dead cells exhibited greater photon emission rates than live cells which may be attributable to metabolic processes taking place to modulate the photoemissive effect. The results indicate that photon emission from HaCaT cells is perturbed by external stimulation, is dependent upon the activity of radiation delivered, the density of irradiated cells, and cell viability. It is postulated that biophoton emission may be modulated by a biological or metabolic process.

A unifying neuro-fasciagenic model of somatic dysfunction - underlying mechanisms and treatment - Part I

This paper offers an extensive review of the main fascia-mediated mechanisms underlying various dysfunctional and pathophysiological processes of clinical relevance for manual therapy. The concept of somatic dysfunction is revisited in light of the diverse fascial influences that may come into play in its genesis and maintenance. A change in perspective is thus proposed: from a nociceptive model that for decades has viewed somatic dysfunction as a neurologically-mediated phenomenon, to a unifying fascial model that integrates neural influences into a multifactorial and multidimensional interpretation of dysfunctional process as being partially, if not entirely, mediated by the fascia.

Clustered PI(4,5)P₂ accumulation and ezrin phosphorylation in response to CLIC5A

CLIC5A (encoded by CLIC5) is a component of the ezrin-NHERF2-podocalyxin complex in renal glomerular podocyte foot processes. We explored the mechanism(s) by which CLIC5A regulates ezrin function. In COS-7 cells, CLIC5A augmented ezrin phosphorylation without changing ezrin abundance, increased the association of ezrin with the cytoskeletal fraction and enhanced actin polymerization and the formation of cell surface projections. CLIC5A caused the phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2] reporter RFP-PH-PLC to translocate from the cytosol to discrete plasma membrane clusters at the cell surface, where it colocalized with CLIC5A. Transiently expressed HA-PIP5Kα colocalized with GFP-CLIC5A and was pulled from cell lysates by GST-CLIC5A, and silencing of endogenous PIP5Kα abrogated CLIC5A-dependent ERM phosphorylation. N- and C-terminal deletion mutants of CLIC5A, which failed to associate with the plasma membrane, failed to colocalize with PIP5Kα, did not alter the abundance of PI(4,5)P2 plasma membrane clusters and failed to enhance ezrin phosphorylation. Relative to wild-type mice, in CLIC5-deficient mice, the phosphorylation of glomerular ezrin was diminished and the cytoskeletal association of both ezrin and NHERF2 was reduced. Therefore, the mechanism of CLIC5A action involves clustered plasma membrane PI(4,5)P2 accumulation through an interaction of CLIC5A with PI(4,5)P2-generating kinases, in turn facilitating ezrin activation and actin-dependent cell surface remodeling.

Signalling effect of NIR pulsed lasers on axonal growth

In this work we show that a pulsed laser light placed at a distance is able to modulate the growth of axons of primary neuronal cell cultures. In our experiments continuous wave (CW), chopped CW and modelocked fs (FS) laser light was focused through a microscope objective to a point placed at a distance of about 15 microm from the growth cone. We found that CW light does not produce any significant influence on the axon growth. In contrast, when using pulsed light (chopped CW light or FS pulses), the beam was able to modify the trajectory of the axons, attracting approximately 45% of the observed cases to the beam spot. Such effect could possibly indicate the capacity of neurons to interpret the pulsating NIR light as the source of other nearby cells, resulting in extension of processes in the direction of the source.

Time-resolved spectral measurements of delayed luminescence from a single soybean seed: effects of thermal damage and correlation with germination performance

Delayed luminescence from a single dry soybean seed was investigated in both spectral and time domains, under different excitation wavelengths. Emission spectra were collected, under 337 nm laser excitation, from native and artificially deteriorated seeds and the time-dependence of different spectral components was analyzed in detail. The single seed viability was evaluated through observation of germination properties after imbibition and compared with different parameters related to the luminescence kinetics. The significant correlation found between single seed delayed luminescence parameters and germination capability strongly validates the connection of this phenomenon with the functional state of the system and suggests the development of a non-invasive technique for seed quality determination.

New feature of delayed luminescence: preillumination-induced concavity and convexity in delayed luminescence decay curve in the green alga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata

A new method for measuring delayed luminescence (delayed fluorescence) employs preillumination and a dark waiting period before normal excitation. The preillumination results in a concavity and a convexity in the decay curve in delayed luminescence in the green alga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata. Formation of the concavity and the convexity is not affected by excitation wavelength (680 nm and 700 nm). However, the concavity and the convexity progressively decrease as the dark waiting period increases after preillumination. The formation of the concavity and the convexity was inhibited by exposure to the electron transport inhibitors DBMIB (644 microg/L, 2.0 microM) and Antimycin A (55 microg/L, 0.1 microM). Samples exposed to DBMIB exhibited noticeable reduction in the concavity, whereas samples exposed to Antimycin A exhibited pronounced reduction in the convexity. There is a possibility that the formation and disappearance of the concavity and the convexity are due to the reduction-oxidation state of the plastoquinone pool and the cyclic electron transport. We expect this method being useful in evaluating the effects of chemicals (particularly toxic chemicals) on photosynthetic reactions, and the method may also help to resolve questions regarding the source of long delayed luminescence.

Measurements of spontaneous ultraweak photon emission and delayed luminescence from human cancer tissues

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to measure spontaneous photon emission (SPE) and delayed luminescence (DL) from various human cancer tissues.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A photomultiplier tube attached to a dark chamber was used for the detection of ultraweak photon emission from cancer tissues in the chamber. The samples were illuminated with a 150 W metal halide lamp for the measurement of delayed luminescence. Frozen tissues were provided by the hospitals and preserved in saline solution in a CO2 incubator for 1 hour before starting the measurement of spontaneous photon emission. We successively measured the afterglows from the samples after 30-second irradiation of the lamp. The samples were divided into two groups: tumor tissues and normal tissues around tumor tissues. We presented experimental data and interpreted their characteristic patterns of spontaneous photon emission and delayed luminescence.

RESULTS

Mean values of spontaneous photon emissions from the normal tissues and the tumor tissues were measured with the standard errors of the mean as 625 +/- 419 counts/minute/cm2 (n = 6) and 982 +/- 513 counts/minute/cm2 (n = 14), respectively. Peak values of the intensity of delayed luminescence from normal and cancerous tissues were 63 +/- 20 counts/ms (n = 6) and 48 +/- 12 counts/ms (n = 14).

CONCLUSIONS

The intensity of spontaneous photon emissions from cancer tissues were mostly discriminated from those of normal tissues, and their delayed luminescent properties were investigated.

Light-induced exocytosis in cell development and differentiation

Calcium-dependent exocytosis of fluorescently labeled single secretory vesicles in PC12 cells and primary embryonic telencephalon cells can be triggered by illumination with visible light and imaged by TIRF or epifluorescence microscopy. Opsin 3 was identified by quantitative PCR expression analysis as the putative light receptor molecule for light-induced exocytosis. In primary chicken telencephalon cells, light-induced exocytosis is restricted to a specific period during embryonic development, and involves fusion of rather large vesicles. Strictly calcium-dependent exocytosis starts after a delay of a few seconds of illumination and lasts for up to 2 min. We analyzed the frequency, time course and spatial distribution of exocytotic events. Exocytosis in PC12 cells and telencephalon cells occurs at the periphery or the interface between dividing cells, and the duration of single secretion events varies considerably. Our observation strongly supports the idea that light induced exocytosis is most likely a mechanism for building plasma membrane during differentiation, development and proliferation rather than for calcium-dependent neurotransmitter release.

Spontaneous Ultraweak Photon Emission from Biological Systems and the Endogenous Light Field

Still one of the most astonishing biological electromagnetic phenomena is the ultraweak photon emission (UPE) from living systems. Organisms and tissues spontaneously emit measurable intensities of light, i.e. photons in the visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum (380-780 nm), in the range from 1 to 1,000 photons x s-1 x cm-2, depending on their condition and vitality. It is important not to confuse UPE from living systems with other biogenic light emitting processes such as bioluminescence or chemiluminescence. This article examines with basic considerations from physics on the quantum nature of photons the empirical phenomenon of UPE. This leads to the description of the non-thermal origin of this radiation. This is in good correspondence with the modern understanding of life phenomena as dissipative processes far from thermodynamic equilibrium. UPE also supports the understanding of life sustaining processes as basically driven by electromagnetic fields. The basic features of UPE, like intensity and spectral distribution, are known in principle for many experimental situations. The UPE of human leukocytes contributes to an endogenous light field of about 1011 photons x s-1 which can be influenced by certain factors. Further research is needed to reveal the statistical properties of UPE and in consequence to answer questions about the underlying mechanics of the biological system. In principle, statistical properties of UPE allow to reconstruct phase-space dynamics of the light emitting structures. Many open questions remain until a proper understanding of the electromagnetic interaction of the human organism can be achieved: which structures act as receptors and emitters for electromagnetic radiation? How is electromagnetic information received and processed within cells?

Laser-ultraviolet-A-induced ultraweak photon emission in mammalian cells

Photobiological research in the last 30 yr has shown the existence of ultraweak photon emission in biological tissue, which can be detected with sophisticated photomultiplier systems. Although the emission of this ultraweak radiation, often termed biophotons, is extremely low in mammalian cells, it can be efficiently increased by ultraviolet light. Most recently it was shown that UV-A (330 to 380 nm) releases such very weak cell radiation in differentiated human skin fibroblasts. Based on these findings, a new and powerful tool in the form of UV-A-laser-induced biophotonic emission of cultured cells was developed with the intention to detect biophysical changes between carcinogenic and normal cells. With suspension densities ranging from 1 to 8 x 10(6) cells/mL, it was evident that an increase of the UV-A-laser-light induced photon emission intensity could be observed in normal as well as melanoma cells. Using this new detection procedure of ultraweak light emission, photons in cell suspensions as low as 100 microL could be determined, which is a factor of 100 lower compared to previous procedures. Moreover, the detection procedure has been further refined by turning off the photomultiplier system electronically during irradiation leading to the first measurements of induced light emission in the cells after less than 10 micros instead of 150 ms, as reported in previous procedures. This improvement leads to measurements of light bursts up 10(7) photons/s instead of several hundred as found with classical designs. Overall, we find decreasing induction ratings between normal and melanoma cells as well as cancer-prone and melanoma cells. Therefore, it turns out that this highly sensitive and noninvasive device enables us to detect high levels of ultraweak photon emission following UV-A-laser-induced light stimulation within the cells, which enables future development of new biophysical strategies in cell research.

Spectral analysis of laser-induced ultraweak delayed luminescence in cultured normal and tumor human cells: temperature dependence

The emission spectrum of ultraviolet A laser induced ultraweak delayed luminescence in cell cultures of mammalian cells depended on the temperature during irradiation and photonic measurements. A new method using a sophisticated photomultiplier system was developed in order to find differences between normal and tumor cells. The maximal peak of the emitted light for cultures measured at low temperature of 10 degrees C was near 510 nm in the green visible region while following irradiation at 32 degrees C this maximum was shifted to yellow-orange at 570 nm both in normal and melanoma cells. Overall, this ultraweak photonic model of cultured cells provides to be a new and powerful non-invasive tool for developing new strategies in skin cancer detection.