Ballistic 2-d imaging through scattering walls using an ultrafast optical kerr gate

An ultrafast optical shutter was used to image ultrasmall objects hidden behind scattering walls by a procedure that selects in time the ballistic component and rejects the scattered diffusive light. Scattering walls used in this experiment included human breast tissue, chicken breast tissue, and a water suspension of polystyrene particles with scattering coefficients up to 21.7. Submillimeter resolution was achieved for two-dimensional ballistic images of a single point, a double-point fluorescence source, and a bar test chart in or behind these different turbid media.

Near-infrared photo-excited emission from tissues treated at different temperature levels

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

There is a lack of methods to evaluate the extent of thermal treatment of biological tissue. The intensity of the near-infrared (NIR) emission photo-excitation was investigated from tissue undergoing different levels of heat treatment.

STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS

Chicken muscle was heated in an oven at different temperature levels ranging from 40 degrees C until burn-off. The spectral emission intensity from these heat-treated tissues was measured with a CCD camera and the intensity was calculated.

RESULTS

The emission intensity increased proportionally with respect to the extent of treatment temperature until burning. Linear relationships between treatment temperature and the emission intensity from tissue samples were found in three temperature ranges: from 40 to 160 degrees C, from 165 to 220 degrees C, and from 225 to 250 degrees C.

CONCLUSIONS

The change in tissue damage after heat treatment could be detected by measuring the NIR emission intensity from the thermally damaged tissues.

Communicating facial plane information to the dental laboratory: introducing the Facial Plane Relator device

The ability of the restorative dentist to communicate the location and orientation of the patient's pertinent facial landmarks to the dental laboratory technician has great bearing on the esthetic success of final anterior dental restorations. This article describes a new device designed to facilitate this process.

Laser irradiative tissue probed in situ by collagen 380-nm fluorescence imaging

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

There is no ideal method to detect molecular changes in situ of laser-irradiated tissue without removing a section of tissue for histologic examination. A new method is reported to evaluate laser-induced thermal tissue damage in situ by using 380-nm native fluorescence imaging under 340-nm excitation.

STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS

Native fluorescence imaging was performed on laser irradiated bovine tendon tissue and compared with light illuminated photography and histology with picrosirius red F3BA stain.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

The results indicate that a decrease in collagen fluorescence at 380 nm was observed in laser-induced thermally damaged tissues. The injured region of tissue defined by its fluorescence image coincided with an area defined by photography and histology.

Detection of corrosion beneath a paint layer by use of spectral polarization optical imaging

The spectral and polarization properties of scattered light were used to image corrosion beneath the surface of a painted aluminum plate. The quality of imaging of the corrosion on the metal surface was significantly enhanced by the spectral polarization optical imaging technique. Depolarization scattered light was used to detect and image corrosion beneath the paint layer.

Nondestructive evaluation of incipient corrosion in a metal beneath paint by second-harmonic tomography

A second-harmonic optical scanning imaging method for nondestructive evaluation of corrosion of painted metals is demonstrated. Two-dimensional images of the sectional structure from a sample of painted metal with corrosion were obtained by detection of second-harmonic generation (SHG). The second-harmonic signals generated from paint, corrosion, and metal can be spatially imaged in ~10-mum sliced subsurface layers. Corroded metal layers covered with paint are found to have more intensity variation than normal polished metal. The spatial mapping of the second-harmonic signals shows depth differentiation of paint, corrosion, and metal surfaces. The depth of corrosion beneath the paint can be measured from the SHG images.

A comparison of Cunyite and Fosterite NIR tunable laser tissue welding using native collagen fluorescence imaging

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the technique of native collagen fluorescence imaging for assessing the extent of welded areas for tissues exposed to different near-infrared (NIR) laser wavelengths.

BACKGROUND

Native fluorescence imaging may be used to identify the distribution of collagen and elastin in tissues. Our past work demonstrated that different welding strengths were obtained under the same laser power conditions using different NIR wavelengths. The role of collagen in tissue welding experiments is not well understood.

METHODS

Two new NIR tunable lasers were used to weld canine skin. The welded areas on the surface and in cross sections were analyzed by measuring the spatial distribution of native collagen fluorescence at 380 nm excited by 340 nm radiation.

RESULTS

The results show that native collagen fluorescence imaging is a useful technique for analyzing the extent of tissue welds produced under a range of laser exposures. Fluorescence imaging reveals the depth of laser interaction with the tissue as well as evaluating collateral damage to the tissue surface. The welded volume obtained in skin using Cunyite laser exposure at 1,430 nm is deeper than that produced with Forsterite laser exposure at 1,250 nm. The post welded tensile strength for the same power density is greater for the Cunyite lasers. Ablated tissue on the surface is more prevalent with Forsterite laser welding at 1,250 nm than with Cunyite at 1,430 nm.

CONCLUSION

Native collagen fluorescence can distinguish between tissue welds that have been produced by different NIR wavelengths. Tissue welding using 1,430 nm radiation is more effective than that using 1,250 nm.

Fluorescence spectroscopic imaging to detect changes in collagen and elastin following laser tissue welding

OBJECTIVE

A study was performed to evaluate the use of native fluorescence imaging to detect in situ molecular changes.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

There is no ideal noninvasive method to monitor molecular changes in a local region at a laser weld joint without removing a section of tissue for histological examination.

METHODS

Two sections of animal skin were welded together border to border using a Ti:sapphire laser beam (800 nm). Fluorescence imaging was performed on the cross section of the welded site at specific emission wavelengths (lambda c) for collagen at 380 nm and for elastin at 450 nm using excitation wavelengths (lambda e) of 340 nm, and 380 nm, respectively.

RESULTS

A reduction of the collagen and elastin emission was observed in the fluorescence images of the welded region. These results were confirmed with histology using picrosirius red F3BA under polarized light and orcein stains.

CONCLUSION

Optical spectroscopic imaging offers a new noninvasive detecting method for microscopic evaluation of laser tissue welding.

Subsurface tumor progression investigated by noninvasive optical second harmonic tomography

Nonlinear optical imaging with femtosecond (10(-15)-second) laser technology was used to evaluate the subsurface tumor progression in control, dysplasia, and cancerous 7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-treated hamster cheek pouch mucosa tissues. Two-dimensional images of hamster cheek pouch mucosa tissues were obtained by scanning the second harmonic signal at various sagittal and axial positions. The spatial mapping of the second harmonic signals showed depth differentiation between normal, dysplasia, and a more advanced cancerous state. This nonlinear optical method offers a noninvasive in situ imaging tool to the medical community.

Comparison of frequencies of left ventricular systolic and diastolic heart failure in Chinese living in Hong Kong

There is a wide variation (13% to 74%) in the reported prevalence of heart failure associated with normal left ventricular (LV) systolic function (diastolic heart failure). There is no published information on this condition in China. To ascertain the prevalence of diastolic heart failure in this community, 200 consecutive patients with the typical features of congestive heart failure were studied with standard 2-dimensional Doppler echocardiography. A LV ejection fraction (LVEF) >45% was considered normal. The results showed that 12.5% had significant valvular heart disease. Of the remaining 175 patients, 132 had a LVEF >45% (75%). Therefore, 66% of patients with a clinical diagnosis of heart failure had a normal LVEF. Heart failure with normal LV systolic function was more common than systolic heart failure in those >70 years old (65% vs 47%; p = 0.015). Most (57%) had an abnormal relaxation pattern in diastole and 14% had a restrictive filling pattern. In the systolic heart failure group, a restrictive filling pattern was more common (46%). There were no significant differences in the sex distribution, etiology, or prevalence of LV hypertrophy between these 2 heart failure groups. In conclusion, heart failure with a normal LVEF or diastolic heart failure is more common than systolic heart failure in Chinese patients with the symptoms of heart failure. This may be related to older age at presentation and the high prevalence of hypertension in this community.

Time-resolved and nonlinear optical imaging for medical applications

In this article, we have presented an overview of emerging novel techniques for early-light transillumination imaging as well as nonlinear optical tomography of body organs. The use of light for probing and imaging biomedical media offers the promise for development of safe, noninvasive, and inexpensive clinical imaging modalities with diagnostic ability. The strong scattering of light by biological tissues buries the shadowgram formed by forward-propatating image-bearing photons in the background noise of multiple-scattered light. Several methods for extraction of image-bearing light that capitalize on spatial, temporal and polarization characteristics of transmitted light are reviewed. More recently emerging nonlinear-optical histopathology methods for imaging subsurface structures of tissues in terms of its local spatial symmetry and molecular content are introduced. The progress made so far indicates that some of these techniques are apt to make a transition from laboratory to useful clinical modalities.

Second-harmonic tomography of tissues

A novel noninvasive second-harmonic-generation tomographic method of mapping the structure of animal tissues by use of 100-fs laser pulses at 625nm is described. Subsurface structures were measured with this approach, which is potentially a symmetry-sensitive tool for optical histological reconstruction.

Ultrafast optical pulse digitization with unary spectrally encoded cross-phase modulation

A method to digitize the intensity of ultrashort laser pulses for high-speed optical signal processing is described. This digitization was based on the spectral broadening of a weak probe (carrier) pulse by a more intense pump (signal) pulse through the nonlinear optical process of cross-phase modulation (XPM). The signal pulse intensity was varied to generate different spectral widths that can be encoded into digital form. Using a 50-ps time-divided multiplexing pulse train with a waveguide splitter, combiner, and an array of fibers with variable lengths, a unary XPM encoding approach is demonstrated. The spectral encoding scheme can be used to achieve a 5-GHz sampling rate at a 16-level accuracy.

Time-resolved polarization shadowgrams in turbid media

The use of the polarization of light as a parameter to discriminate against multiple-scattered light for transillumination imaging through random scattering media is examined. Time-resolved two-dimensional images of submillimeter test bars immersed in 5-cm-thick Intralipid solutions with different micelle dilutions were measured for two orthogonal polarizations (parallel and perpendicular) of light emerging from the turbid medium by using a picosecond Kerr-Fourier (KF) imaging system. The measured contrast and intensity of parallel-polarized KF shadowgrams decreased as the concentration of the scattering medium was increased, whereas the behavior of the perpendicular-polarized KF shadowgrams varied in an opposite matter to the micelle concentration.

Image-quality enhancement of objects in turbid media by use of a combined computational-photonics approach

Ultrafast time-gated optical imaging and computational image-enhancement techniques were combined to produce a robust system for viewing objects in turbid media. Image enhancement was implemented by use of images from the early light with a histogram contrast-enhancement algorithm. Image quality was assessed by use of the contrast radius of gyration and the contrast-to-noise ratio. The technique was applied to viewing the dispersion of water droplets emanating from a jet spray and to pictures of an object embedded in turbid media. In all instances there were substantial improvements in image quality at a given time delay.

Two-photon excitation of fluorescence from chicken tissue

We have measured UV fluorescence excited through two-photon absorption from native chicken tissue, using 600-nm, 500-fs pulses from a R6G dye laser. The observed emission signal was found to depend quadratically on the excitation intensity. The two-photon excitation-induced fluorescence spectrum is attributed to tryptophan residues in proteins.

Optical harmonic generation from animal tissues by the use of picosecond and femtosecond laser pulses

Second- and third-harmonic generations of femtosecond and picosecond laser pulses have been measured from chicken skin, muscle, and fat tissues. The magnitude of the harmonic signals showed a strong structural dependence with the signal from skin interface being the strongest. The polarization dependence of the signal was also measured and found to be consistent with the fact that the tissue samples were highly scattering random media. The second-harmonic- and third-harmonic-generation conversion efficiencies were found to be in the range of ~10(-7) to ~10(-10).

Localization of the human homolog of the yeast cell division control 27 gene (CDC27) proximal to ITGB3 on human chromosome 17q21.3

The human homolog of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell division control 27 gene (CDC27) was mapped to human chromosome 17q12-q21 using a panel of human/rodent somatic cell hybrids and localized distal to the breast cancer susceptibility gene, BRCA1, using a panel of radiation hybrids. The radiation hybrid panel indicates that the most likely position of human CDC27 on human chromosomes 17 is between the marker D17S409 and the beta 3 subunit of integrin (ITGB3). Further confirmation of this localization comes from the sequence tagged site (STS) mapping of human CDC27 to the same yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs) positive for ITGB3. The estimated distance between ITGB3 and human CDC27 is less than 600 kb.

Fourier spatial filter acts as a temporal gate for light propagating through a turbid medium

The temporal profiles of ultrashort light pulses propagating through turbid media of different lengths were measured with a streak camera. Various Fourier spatial filters were used to select the spatial frequencies of the scattered pulses. The temporal profiles of the pulses scattered by a 0.4% Intralipid solution in a cell of 5-cm thickness were signif icantly narrowed because of the removal of the higher-frequency components by a Fourier spatial filter.

Two-dimensional Kerr-Fourier imaging of translucent phantoms in thick turbid media

Translucent scattering phantoms hidden inside a 5.5-cm-thick Intralipid solution were imaged as a function of phantom scattering coefficients by the use of a picosecond time- and space-gated Kerr-Fourier imaging system. A 2-mm-thick translucent phantom with a 0.1% concentration (scattering coefficient) difference from the 55-mm-thick surrounding scattering host can be distinguished at a signal level of ~10(-10) of the incidence illumination intensity.

True scattering coefficients of turbid matter measured by early-time gating

The true scattering coefficients of turbid matter have been determined by use of picosecond time-resolved imaging. The scattering coefficients measured by the conventional cw collimation method were found to be smaller than those obtained from the early-time-sliced ballistic photons.

Single-pulse degenerate-cross-phase modulation in a single-mode optical fiber

Using a single ultrashort optical pulse propagating through a short nonbirefringent single-mode optical fiber, we have observed degenerate-cross-phase modulation of the two orthogonal circularly polarized components of the pulse. The spectral broadening of the two polarization components in the single laser pulse is attributed to self-phase modulation (SPM), degenerate-cross-phase modulation (DXPM), and interference between SPM and DXPM.

Construction of a transcription map surrounding the BRCA1 locus of human chromosome 17

We have used a combination of methods (exon amplification, direct selection, direct screening, evolutionary conservation, island rescue-PCR, and direct sequence analysis) to survey approximately 600 kb of genomic DNA surrounding the BRCA1 gene for transcribed sequences. We have cloned a set of fragments representing at least 26 genes. The DNA sequence of these clones reveals that 5 are previously cloned genes; the precise chromosomal location of 2 was previously unknown, and 3 have been cloned and mapped by others to this interval. Three other genes, including BRCA1 itself, have recently been mapped independently to this region. Sequences from 11 genes are similar but not identical matches to known genes; 5 of these appear to be the human homologues of genes cloned from other species. Another 7 genes have no similarity with known genes. In addition, 39 putative exons and 14 expressed sequence tags have been identified and mapped to individual cosmids. This transcript map provides a detailed description of gene organization for this region of the genome.

A YAC-, P1-, and cosmid-based physical map of the BRCA1 region on chromosome 17q21

A familial early-onset breast cancer gene (BRCA1) has been localized to chromosome 17q21. To characterize this region and to aid in the identification of the BRCA1 gene, a physical map of a region of 1.0-1.5 Mb between the EDH17B1 and the PPY loci on chromosome 17q21 was generated. The physical map is composed of a yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) and P1 phage contig with one gap. The majority of the interval has also been converted to a cosmid contig. Twenty-three PCR-based sequence-tagged sites (STSs) were mapped to these contigs, thereby confirming the order and overlap of individual clones. This complex physical map of the BRCA1 region was used to isolate genes by a number of gene identification techniques and to generate transcript maps of the region, as presented in the three accompanying manuscripts of Brody et al. (1995), Osborne-Lawrence et al. (1995), and Friedman et al. (1995).

High-resolution spectra of cross-phase modulation in optical fibers

Cross-phase-modulation (XPM) effects were investigated as a novel nondegenerate method to control the spectrum of an optical pulse. The oscillating substructures in the XPM spectra were measured with a high-resolution optical spectral analysis system. The dispersion of the third-order nonlinearity was obtained by measurement and analysis of the XPM and self-phase-modulation spectra of the probe and pump pulses at different wavelengths.

Time-Resolved Imaging of Translucent Droplets in Highly Scattering Turbid Media

The spatial distribution of small translucent droplets inside a 50-millimeter-thick Intralipid solution was imaged with a picosecond time and spatial-gated Kerr-Fourier imaging system at a signal level of about 10(-10) of the incident illumination intensity.

Doppler derived aortic valve resistance in aortic stenosis: its hemodynamic validation

Recent reports have emphasized the limitations of aortic valve area estimations using the Gorlin formula based on the Toricelli model. Since aortic valve resistance (AVR) does not use a constant and treats the pressure gradient and the cardiac output without favouring either, it has been proposed as a more accurate index of the severity of aortic stenosis. Though it has previously been calculated using pressure and flow parameters obtained in the catheterization laboratory, it is possible to derive the valve resistance using Doppler echocardiography. Doppler-echo estimates of AVR may be used as an alternative index of aortic stenosis severity; however, no data exists as to its accuracy compared with cardiac catheterization derived AVR. Thirty-nine patients with aortic stenosis undergoing invasive hemodynamic and Doppler-echo evaluations were studied. The AVR was calculated using the formula: (mean pressure gradient)/(flow per systolic ejection period). The cardiac output at catheterization was measured by using thermodilution technique, whilst the Doppler-echo method utilized the product of velocity time integral of the flow in left ventricular outflow tract and its cross sectional area. The Doppler-echo derived AVR (38.5 to 738.2 dyne.sec.cm-5) correlated significantly (r = 0.82, p < 0.0001, S.E.E. = 75.0 dyne.sec.cm-5) with independently derived catheterization values (53.6 to 738.8 dyne.sec.cm-5). There was a good correlation between mean gradient obtained by both modalities.

CONCLUSION

Doppler-echo AVR correlates well with catheterization AVR and may provide an additional non-invasive parameter of aortic stenosis severity.

Biodegradable microspheres containing a colchicine analogue inhibit DNA synthesis in vascular smooth muscle cells

BACKGROUND

Smooth muscle cell proliferation plays a major role in the genesis of restenosis after angioplasty or vascular injury. Local application of agents capable of modulating vascular responses, including smooth muscle cell proliferation, has been achieved, but difficulty in maintaining active levels locally has been a factor limiting the efficacy of such approaches. One strategy to maintain adequate levels is the local delivery of microspheres that release active agents over sustained time periods.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We incorporated a colchicine analogue into biodegradable microspheres composed of a lactic acid/glycolic acid copolymer and characterized their drug release behavior as well as their effects on bovine aortic smooth muscle cells (BASMCs) in culture. Drug release was evaluated by spectrophotometric assay. Drug effects on DNA synthesis were measured by thymidine incorporation after addition of serum to subconfluent cells synchronized by serum withdrawal as well as in asynchronous cell populations. Polymeric microspheres incorporating 10% to 17% drug by weight and averaging 6 microns in size were found to release the colchicine analog in buffered saline solutions over more than several weeks. Drug-loaded particles inhibited DNA synthesis completely, with EC50 values ranging from 0.001 to 0.005 g% (wt/wt). Morphological changes suggesting microtubule depolymerization were observed after drug particle treatment, with similar EC50 values. Microspheres allowed to contact the cell surface demonstrated effects similar to those seen with microspheres suspended in the nutrient medium by porous polycarbonate filters, at EC50 values approximately fivefold lower. In contrast, control microspheres composed only of polymer with no incorporated active drug demonstrated no observable toxicity to BASMCs and < 40% inhibition of thymidine incorporation even in suspensions containing up to 0.5 g% particles.

CONCLUSIONS

Biodegradable microspheres were fashioned that release a colchicine analogue and inhibit DNA synthesis in smooth muscle cells. Drug-loaded polymeric particles are candidates for local delivery at sites of arterial injury to decrease restenosis.

Progress toward isolation of a breast cancer susceptibility gene, BRCA1

The high incidence of breast cancer and/or ovarian cancer in some families appears to be due to germ-line mutations in BRCA1. Genetic analysis of such families suggests that the BRCA1 candidate region lies between D17S857 and D17S78 on chromosome 17q21 (Kelsell et al. 1993; Simard et al. 1993). To identify and isolate BRCA1, we have used linkage and meiotic recombination analysis, characterized regions displaying LOH in tumor DNA from BRCA1-linked families, performed YAC and cosmid clone isolation and ordering, and used three complementary transcript-searching strategies. We have identified as many as 28 genes from the BRCA1 candidate region, and we are searching for constitutive mutations in these candidate genes by several methods in an attempt to identify BRCA1.

Three-dimensional temporal image reconstruction of an object hidden in highly scattering media by time-gated optical tomography

Three-dimensional images of an object hidden in a thick highly scattering medium were reconstructed from sets of two-dimensional images obtained from a time-gated optical imaging system. CCD images were combined by use of the backprojection algorithm to render a three-dimensional picture on a personal computer monitor. The image quality varied with the delay of the Kerr gate system. When the reconstructions were produced by using the early light, submillimeter resolution was achieved with the optical time-gating tomographic technique.

Time-resolved Fourier spectrum and imaging in highly scattering media

Time and spatial-gated Fourier spectra and imaging were measured and analyzed. A picosecond Kerr-Fourier gate was used to image objects by selecting the spatial frequencies of objects illuminated by a laser pulse passing through a thick turbid medium. The earlier arriving ballistic/snake light and most of the later scattered light were spatially filtered and temporally separated to form an image. The image contrast and the signal-to-noise ratio of hidden objects in turbid media were greatly improved with the addition of Fourier spatial filtering.

The antioxidant LY231617 reduces global ischemic neuronal injury in rats

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In the rat four-vessel occlusion model with 30 minutes of ischemia most agents have failed to be of benefit when given after ischemia. Because postischemia administration is more clinically relevant, we evaluated the antioxidant LY231617 (2,6-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-[[(1-ethyl)amino]methyl]phenol hydrochloride]) when administered after 30 minutes of four-vessel occlusion.

METHODS

Male Wistar rats were subjected to 30 minutes of four-vessel occlusion. LY231617 was either given orally 30 minutes before ischemia or intravenously beginning at 30 minutes after the onset of ischemia. Hippocampal CA1 layer and striatal damage were rated on a scale of 0-3 (0, no damage; 3, > 90% cell loss). We also evaluated the ability of LY231617 to prevent iron-dependent lipid peroxidation and to prevent hydrogen peroxide-induced neuronal death of hippocampal neurons in primary culture by exposing cultures to a 50-microM concentration of hydrogen peroxide for 15 minutes in the presence of LY231617.

RESULTS

Oral administration of LY231617 reduced both striatal and hippocampal CA1 damage by > 75% (p < 0.0001). In two separate experiments in which LY231617 was given intravenously beginning 30 minutes after occlusion, hippocampal and striatal damage were reduced by approximately 50% (p < 0.03) in the first experiment and by approximately 41% (p < 0.02) in the second experiment. Addition of 5 microM of LY231617 to primary hippocampal neuronal cultures antagonized the lethal effect of hydrogen peroxide (p < 0.05). Iron-dependent lipid peroxidation was also inhibited in a dose-related fashion.

CONCLUSIONS

The significant reduction of ischemia-induced or hydrogen peroxide-induced neuronal damage and inhibition of lipid peroxidation by LY231617 observed in this study suggest that reactive oxygen intermediates play an important role in the events leading to neuronal death after global ischemia/reperfusion.

Benzylamine antioxidants: relationship between structure, peroxyl radical scavenging, lipid peroxidation inhibition, and cytoprotection

Three homologous series of 3,5-dialkoxy-4-hydroxybenzylamines were prepared and tested (1) as peroxyl radical scavengers in homogeneous aqueous solution, (2) as inhibitors of iron-dependent peroxidation of rabbit brain vesicular membrane lipids, and (3) as cytoprotective agents using primary cultures of rat hippocampal neurons exposed to hydrogen peroxide. The structural requirements for efficient radical trapping in homogeneous solution differed from those for effective lipid peroxidation inhibition: In homogeneous solution a kinetic preference existed for smaller, less sterically encumbered substituents flanking the reactive phenolic hydroxyl group. Lipid peroxidation inhibition, on the other hand, required longer more lipophilic substituents. Consequently, a lipophilic alkoxyl substituent at C3 and a small substituent at C5 appeared optimal for efficient radical scavenging activity in both lipid and homogeneous solution. Maximal cytoprotection of rat hippocampal neurons exposed to hydrogen peroxide was also associated with more lipophilic derivatives although substituent length and substituent bulk may represent independent parameters for relating structure and efficacy in this system.

Double-stage picosecond Kerr gate for ballistic time-gated optical imaging in turbid media

We demonstrate that use of a picosecond double-stage Kerr gate system results in a 3-orders-of magnitude improvement in signal-to-noise ratio and a threefold improvement in shutter speed comparedwith those of a single-stage Kerr gate.

Phenothiazines as lipid peroxidation inhibitors and cytoprotective agents

A series of phenothiazines was synthesized and evaluated as in vitro inhibitors of iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. The MIC (minimum tested concentration that gave greater than or equal to 50% inhibition) for 2-(10H-phenothiazin-2-yloxy)-N,N-dimethylethanolamine methanesulfonate (6) was 0.26 microM. Whereas methyl substitution at N-10 diminished activity nearly 100-fold, other structural modifications such as varying the amine group, the distance separating the amine substituent from the phenothiazine nucleus, and the linking group had little effect. Compound 6 was more effective than probucol, a known antioxidant, in blocking Cu2+ catalyzed oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) as measured by competitive scavenger receptor mediated degradation of 125I-labeled acetyl-LDL by mouse peritoneal macrophage cells in vitro. At a concentration of 5 microM, compound 6 also protected primary cultures of rat hippocampal neurons exposed to hydrogen peroxide (50 microM) when assessed 18 h later by fluorescein diacetate and propidium iodide uptake.

Relative potencies of 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors on antigen-induced contractions of guinea pig tracheal strips

A quantitative method to assess relative potencies (IC50) of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) enzyme inhibitors was established in antigen-induced contractions of tracheas isolated from actively sensitized guinea pigs (Schultz-Dale model). The relative potencies of four purported 5-LO inhibitors determined in this tissue assay were compared with those from a crude enzyme preparation isolated from guinea pig neutrophils. All compounds suppressed ovalbumin (OA)-induced tracheal contractions in a concentration-related manner in the presence of indomethacin and pyrilamine. IC50 Values, determined from the percent inhibition values obtained from responses at 30 ng/mL OA of these compounds ranged from 0.56-15 microM. A similar rank order of potency for inhibition of 5-HETE formation from a crude enzyme preparation was observed. This suggested that these agents had a common mechanism of action in the two assay systems and further validated the IC50 values determined in trachea assay. LY171883, an LTD4/LTE4 receptor antagonist, also suppressed OA-induced contractions concentration dependently with an IC50 of 4.9 microM determined by this method. LTD4 concentration-response curves were not altered by any of the four 5-LO inhibitors, ruling out the possibility that these agents were acting as LT receptor antagonists. Results of this study demonstrated that relative potencies of 5-LO inhibitors can be quantitatively assessed using this airway tissue model, which helps in identifying potential therapeutic agents for asthma.

Anti-inflammatory effects of LY221068 and LY269415

LY221068, 5-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxy phenyl]methylene]-3-(dimethylamino)-4-thiazolidinone, and the monomethylamino analog, LY269415, are anti-oxidants and potent inhibitors of iron dependent lipid peroxidation and 5-lipoxygenase enzyme. Since oxygen radical species, lipid peroxides and products of the arachidonic acid cascade have been implicated as important mediators in a variety of inflammatory diseases including arthritis, LY221068 and LY269415 were studied in the Freund's Complete Adjuvant Induced Arthritis (FCA) model in rats. The compounds were administered orally and inhibition of bone damage and paw swelling of both the injected and uninjected paws was assessed. At 50 mg/kg p.o., LY221068 inhibited soft tissue swelling in the uninjected paw by 72% while LY269415 at 25 mg/kg p.o. exhibited 74% inhibition. Bone damage was also significantly inhibited by both compounds. In a dose response study, the minimum effective dose for LY221068 was 10 mg/kg p.o. and for LY269415 was 5 mg/kg p.o. In the established FCA model in rats, LY221068 at 50 mg/kg p.o. inhibited the uninjected paw swelling by 71% while LY269415 at 25 mg/kg p.o. inhibited 70%. These results suggest that LY221068 and LY269415 may be useful in the treatment of arthritis.

LY178002 reduces rat brain damage after transient global forebrain ischemia

Several feasible mechanisms have been proposed as sources of neuronal damage from ischemia and subsequent reperfusion. Included among these are oxidative damage caused by free radical production and lipid peroxidation and products derived from phospholipid breakdown. A series of 4-thiazolidinone compounds represented by LY178002 (5-[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]methylene-4-thiazolidinon e) have been described as inhibitors of multiple enzymes in the arachidonic acid cascade, including fatty acid cyclooxygenase, 5-lipoxygenase, and phospholipase A2. Accordingly, we evaluated LY178002 in a four-vessel occlusion model of global forebrain ischemia with reperfusion. A 2-hour pretreatment of 11 male Wistar rats with 150 mg/kg LY178002 significantly protected against striatal (p = 0.0007) and hippocampal CA1 (p = 0.006) damage after 30 minutes of global ischemia. Similar protection was observed for the striatum (p = 0.005) and hippocampal CA1 layer (p = 0.025) after pretreatment of 13 rats with 50 mg/kg LY178002. We further evaluated LY178002 as a possible inhibitor of lipid peroxidation because part of its chemical structure incorporates the aromatic backbone of the known antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene. We found LY178002 to be a potent inhibitor of iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. Few substances possessing a single pharmacological activity have been found to be of significant therapeutic benefit in global ischemia of 30 minutes' duration because the mechanisms that lead to cell death in response to ischemia are likely to be multifactorial. Thus, the efficacy of LY178002 in this model may be due to its ability to inhibit multiple sources of damage.

Effect of degenerate four-wave mixing on pulse amplification and compression in the degenerate cross-phase-modulation process

The results of pulse compression using degenerate cross-phase modulation with and without degenerate four-wave mixing are compared. We show that the weak pulse can be amplified by the strong pump pulses through degenerate four-wave mixing, which improves the compression effect with the use of group-velocity dispersion.

Xanthine oxidase inhibition does not limit canine infarct size

BACKGROUND

Evidence supporting the role of xanthine oxidase in myocardial reperfusion injury is based on studies with pharmacological interventions used to inhibit enzyme function. Controversy exists, however, regarding the true role of xanthine oxidase in reperfusion injury. This study was performed to determine whether xanthine oxidase inhibition limits myocardial injury due to coronary artery occlusion and reperfusion.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Anesthetized dogs underwent coronary artery occlusion (90 minutes) and reperfusion (6 hours). Oxypurinol (28 mg/kg) or amflutizole (30 mg/kg), chemically unrelated inhibitors of xanthine oxidase, or vehicle was infused intravenously 15 minutes before and 3 hours after reperfusion. Regional myocardial blood flow was determined with radiolabeled microspheres. Infarct size was determined with the tetrazolium method. Myocardial infarct size (percent of risk region) was less in oxypurinol-treated dogs, 32 +/- 16%, compared with that of the control group, 46 +/- 15%. Infarct size for the amflutizole-treated dogs, 40 +/- 21%, was not significantly different from that of the control group. There were no differences in rate-pressure product or collateral blood flow to account for differences in infarct size. Uric acid concentration in the coronary venous plasma increased after reperfusion in the dogs treated with vehicle but not in the drug-treated dogs. Xanthine oxidase inhibition was demonstrated in each of the drug treatment groups, but only oxypurinol limited the extent of myocardial injury.

CONCLUSIONS

Previously reported cardioprotective effects of allopurinol, noted to occur only when the drug was administered chronically, may be related to a property of oxypurinol, a major metabolite of allopurinol. The beneficial effect of oxypurinol is unrelated to inhibition of superoxide formation during xanthine oxidase-catalyzed oxidation of xanthine and hypoxanthine.

Cardiovascular effect and stimulus-dependent inhibition of superoxide generation from human neutrophils by tibenelast, 5,6-diethoxybenzo(b)thiophene-2-carboxylic acid, sodium salt (LY186655)

Tibenelast (LY186655), 5,6,-diethoxybenzo(b)thiophene-2-carboxylic acid, sodium salt, is an orally active anti-anaphylactic compound in guinea pigs, and has been shown to prevent bronchospasm in moderately severe asthmatic patients. Pharmacological studies with tibenelast demonstrated that it is a selective phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor in that it is moderately active against the lung and stomach enzyme while being a very weak inhibitor of the heart enzyme. The compound was without cardiovascular effects at anti-anaphylactic doses. In contrast to theophylline, tibenelast did not have a direct inotropic effect in the cat papillary muscle system. The concentration that inhibited 50% of the enzymatic activity (IC50) for tibenelast was 20- to 30-fold lower for neutrophil PDE than for PDE of other tissues. It was 100 times more potent than aminophylline in inhibiting superoxide generation from platelet-activating factor (PAF)-primed polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) challenged with chemotactic factor, N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine. However, tibenelast was less effective in the tumor necrosis factor-primed system, and did not inhibit superoxide generation during phagocytosis or when other soluble stimuli, such as phorbo-12-myristate-13-acetate or the calcium ionophore A23187, were used. Furthermore, tibenelast did not inhibit enzymes involved in arachidonic acid metabolism. These results suggest that tibenelast probably inhibits superoxide release from PMNL via a selective inhibition on PDE.

Degenerate cross-phase modulation for pulse compression and amplification of ultrashort laser pulses

Temporal and spectral profiles of a linearly polarized ultrashort laser pulse modulated by a copropagating perpendicularly polarized strong laser pulse with the same frequency in condensed matter have been modeled. Degenerate cross-phase modulation can be applied to femtosecond optical pulse compression and amplification without the use of gratings or prisms and to signal processing owing to the small walk-off and the degenerate four-wave mixing between the pump and probe pulses. In a double pump compression case, the pulse duration of the probe pulse has been reduced by a factor of 15 with the energy gain of over fourfold. This result gives a power gain of 60-fold.

Tibenelast, 5,6-diethoxybenzo(B)thiophene-2-carboxylic acid, sodium salt (LY186655), is an orally active anti-asthma compound in the guinea pig

Anaphylactic shock was induced in actively sensitized guinea pigs by free inhalation of a high dose of ovalbumin (10 mg/ml) aerosol. Tibenelast (LY186655), 5,6-diethoxybenzo(b)-thiophene-2-carboxylic acid, sodium salt, proved to be a potent orally active compound against anaphylactic shock induced by high dose antigen aerosol. When a lower aerosol challenge (0.05 mg/ml) was employed, bronchoconstriction was observed with a concomitant increase in lung resistance (RL) and a fall in dynamic compliance (Cdyn). Tibenelast at 25 mg/kg p.o. prevented these changes. Tibenelast was 10 times more potent than aminophylline by i.v. administration; normalization of pulmonary function was achieved at 1 mg/kg i.v. Tibenelast was synergistic with epinephrine. Combination of no-effect doses of epinephrine (0.025 mg/kg s.c.) and tibenelast (0.1 mg/kg i.v.) normalized pulmonary function. The oral dose response curve of tibenelast was enhanced with the co-administration of epinephrine. These data suggest that tibenelast may act at a site different from that of epinephrine, although the mechanism of action of tibenelast is unclear at present. Tibenelast may be of significant value in the treatment of asthma and other respiratory diseases.