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In vivo evaluation of the penetration of topically applied drugs into human skin by spectroscopic methods.

Spectroscopic techniques are reported on which allow to study in vivo the penetration behaviour of topically applied light-absorbing drugs into human skin. Remittance spectroscopy, a purely optical method, provides a good tool in both, skin adaptation by use of a remote viewing head coupled to the spectrometer via optical fibres, and adequate sensitivity for the detection of small amounts of the applied drugs. The measuring depth in the skin is determined by the wavelength-dependent optical penetration depth, which itself depends on light absorption and light scattering. In the UV-spectral region the optical penetration depth is of the order of the thickness of the stratum corneum (UV-A) or of only a superficial part of it (UV-B, UV-C). Fluorescence spectroscopy, another optical method, offers two kinds of drug detection, a direct one in case of self-fluorescent drugs or an indirect one being based on the light absorption of the drug, which may give rise to a screening of the self-fluorescence of the skin itself or of an applied marker. The measuring depth is comparable to that achieved with remittance spectroscopy. A third method is photothermal spectroscopy which is determined by thermal properties of the skin in addition to optical properties. Photothermal spectroscopy is unique in that it allows depth profiles of drug concentration to be measured non-invasively, as the photothermal measuring depth can be changed by varying the modulation frequency of the intensity-modulated incident light. Results of measurements demonstrating the potentials of these spectroscopic methods are presented.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

Plane-wave fluorescence tomography with adaptive finite elements.

We present three-dimensional fluorescence yield tomography of a tissue phantom in a noncontact reflectance imaging setup. The method employs planar illumination with modulated light and frequency domain fluorescence measurements made on the illumination plane. An adaptive finite-element algorithm is used to handle the ill-posed and computationally demanding inverse image reconstruction problem. Tomographic images of fluorescent targets buried at 1-2 cm depths from the illumination surface demonstrate the feasibility of fluorescence tomography from reflectance tomography in clinically relevant tissue volumes.

Algorithms↗

[Dosimetry of total skin electron irradiation]

Elaboration of such a simple technique for total skin electron irradiation which ensures good dose homogeneity and minimal x-ray background dose. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We started large electron field irradiations with the Neptun 10p linear accelerator in the National Institute of Oncology -Budapest in 1986. After the installation of the Siemens Mevatron KD linear accelerator it was possible to introduce the modified Stanford technique. This technique satisfies better the requirements given in the objective. The required field size of 200x75 cm is produced as a result of two fields with 30 degrees angular separation (dual field) at a source skin distance of 465 cm. The patient's body is exposed to six dual electron fields. The electron energy is 6 MeV. Despite the long source skin distance the treatment time is relatively short due to the high dose rate (940 mu/min) capability of our Mevatron KD. The in air dose profiles were measured in miniphantom with semiconductor detector. Depth dose curves were measured in water and in polystyrene phantom with semiconductor detector and with films. RESULTS: The measured dose homogeneity of the 6 MeV energy dual field with 30 degrees angular separation is within +/- 5%in a 200x75cm plane field. The depth of dose maximum of the resulting dose distribution of six dual field irradiation is between 2 mm and 5 mm, while the depth of 80% isodose curve is about 8 mm. The total body x-ray background dose is less than 1% of the skin dose. CONCLUSION: The modified Stanford technique adapted to our Mevatron KD linear accelerator is suitable for total skin electron beam therapy.

Journal Article↗

Darwinian adaptation of proteorhodopsin to different light intensities in the marine environment.

Proteorhodopsin, a retinal-binding protein, represents a potentially significant source of light-driven energy production in the world's oceans. The distribution of photochemically divergent proteorhodopsins is stratified according to depth. Here, we present evidence that such photochemical diversity was tuned by Darwinian selection. By using a Bayesian method, we identified sites targeted by Darwinian selection and mapped them to three-dimensional models of proteorhodopsins. We suggest that spectral fine-tuning results from the combined effect of amino acids that directly interact with retinal and those that influence the confirmation of the retinal-binding pocket.

Acclimatization↗

Colostrum protein concentrate enhances intestinal adaptation after massive small bowel resection in juvenile pigs.

OBJECTIVES: Short bowel syndrome (SBS) usually results from the surgical removal of a large segment of small intestine. Patient outcome depends on the extent of intestinal resection and adaptation of the remaining intestine. We evaluated the impact of colostrum protein concentrate (CPC) on intestinal adaptation after massive small bowel resection in a porcine model of infant SBS. METHODS: Four-week-old piglets underwent an approximate 75% small bowel resection (R, n = 23) or a control transection operation (C, n = 14). Postoperatively, animals from both groups received either pig chow (R = 6, C = 5), polymeric infant formula (R = 6, C = 3) or polymeric infant formula supplemented with CPC (R = 11, C = 6) for 8 weeks until sacrifice. Clinical outcome measures included weight gain and stool consistency. Morphologic measures were intestinal villus height and crypt depth. Functional outcome measure was mucosal disaccharidase activity. RESULTS: Resected animals fed polymeric infant formula alone had reduced weight gain compared with controls fed the same diet (P < 0.005). Despite massive small bowel resection, animals fed pig chow or polymeric infant formula supplemented with CPC grew at an equivalent rate to controls fed polymeric infant formula alone. Resected animals supplemented with CPC had increased villus length and crypt depth in the jejunum (P < 0.001) and ileum (P < 0.001) compared with resected animals fed either pig chow or polymeric infant formula alone. CONCLUSION: In an animal model of SBS, CPC supplementation of polymeric infant formula resulted in normal weight gain and features of enhanced morphologic adaptation.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Ion transport in the experimental short bowel syndrome of the rat.

The adaptational changes of epithelial ion transport in the short bowel syndrome were studied. Ileal remnants of rats were investigated 8 weeks after 70% proximal small intestinal resection. Pure epithelial resistance measured by impedance analysis decreased from 27 +/- 1 to 21 +/- 1 omega.cm2, and polyethylene glycol 4000 fluxes increased from 2.5 +/- 0.3 to 3.6 +/- 0.3 nmol.h-1.cm-2, indicating increased permeability of the short bowel. Unidirectional flux measurements in control ileum showed absorptive net fluxes of Na+ and Cl- that were assigned to electroneutral NaCl absorption and a short-circuit current that was accounted for by the residual flux (HCO3- secretion). Neither NaCl absorption nor HCO3- secretion were altered in the short bowel. Also, electrogenic Cl- secretion, defined after maximal stimulation by theophylline and prostaglandin E1 was not changed in the short bowel. In contrast, electrogenic Na+/glucose cotransport increased in Vmax from 2.0 +/- 0.3 in controls to 5.0 +/- 1.0 mumol.h-1.cm-2 in the short bowel. Tight junction structure was studied by freeze-fracture electron microscopy. The number of horizontal strands was unchanged, whereas tight junction depth was slightly increased in the short bowel. Microvillus area of short bowels was increased by 20% in villus regions. Under the light microscope, villus height was increased by 30%. In conclusion, the short bowel mucosa undergoes adaptive responses to reduced overall absorptive area by increasing glucose-dependent electrogenic Na+ absorption to 250%, which is partly caused by increased villus and microvillus surface area. Electrogenic Cl- and HCO3- secretion and electroneutral NaCl absorption remained unchanged. The decreased epithelial resistance is caused by mucosal surface amplification.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Effects of growth hormone (rhGH) and glutamine supplemented parenteral nutrition on intestinal adaptation in short bowel rats.

This study was performed to compare the effects of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH), glutamine (Gln) and simultaneous treatment with rhGH and Gln in rats subjected to 75% intestinal resection and maintained with parenteral nutrition (PN) for 6 days. Morphological changes including mucosal thickness, villus height, crypt depths and villus surface area of the residue jejunum were measured under a light microscope; expression of PCNA as an index of cell proliferation and apoptotic cells were observed using immunohistochemical staining; Ileal IGF-1 mRNA was determined by Northern blot analysis. The morphological parameters of the jejunal mucosa in rats treated with PN alone were only about 52-62% of those in reference group (P<0.01), this atrophy of the jejunal mucosa was accompanied by a 2.5-fold decrease in absolute counts of PCNA and a 10-fold increase in apoptotic index (P<0.01), IGF-1 mRNA transcript in residue ileum was decreased significantly (P<0.01). However, with rhGH or Gln, the mucosal architecture was improved significantly and was further improved when rhGH and Gln were given together, the morphological values in rats treated with Gln+rhGH was 79% higher than those with PN alone, and was associated with a 2-fold increase in PCNA counts and a 4-fold decrease in apoptotic index (P<0.01), IGF-1 mRNA expression was 78% higher than those with PN alone (P<0.01). We conclude that rhGH and Gln have synergistic effects on adaptation of the intestinal remnant in parenterally fed, short-bowel rats. The underlying mechanisms are associated with increased proliferation and decreased apoptosis in the intestinal epithelial cells. Local intestinal production of IGF-1 plays an important role in adaptation of the small intestine. Our findings support the concept that specific gut-trophic nutrients and growth factors may be combined to enhance the intestinal adaptation.

Adaptation, Biological↗

Intraretinal analysis of the threshold dark-adapted ERG of cat retina.

1. The dark-adapted electroretinogram (ERG) obtained with 4-s flashes near threshold and at low intensities has three clear negative components: 1) a fast negative response at stimulus onset, 2) a slow negative response that increases in amplitude for about 2 s, and 3) a negative-going OFF response. The fast negative response was previously shown to originate from the scotopic threshold response (STR) arising in the proximal portion of neural retina. We investigated the intraretinal origins of the other two negative components and found that they also have origins in neural retina proximal to the photoreceptors. 2. In this study the ERG evoked in response to diffuse illumination of the dark-adapted cat retina was recorded between a chlorided silver wire in the vitreous and a plate behind the eye. Extracellular field potentials were recorded simultaneously with a microelectrode placed intraretinally at different retinal depths. In some cases light-dependent changes in extracellular K+ concentration ([K+]o) were recorded with the K+-selective barrel of a double-barreled microelectrode. 3. The three negative-going ERG potentials increased in amplitude from threshold up to approximately 6.0 log q.deg-2.s-1. The potential during illumination then became nearly flat, and the negative OFF response was exaggerated. At higher intensities, positive-going PII (DC-component and b-wave) and the c-wave emerged, whereas the a-wave (negative-going) was usually below threshold. 4. The slow negative ERG response was generated in neural retina, rather than by the retinal pigment epithelium. The response was positive-going in the transretinal recordings obtained in subretinal space. It was not, however, related to two positive-going responses from distal retina previously described as contributing negative components to the ERG: the neural retina component of the c-wave, termed slow PIII, and the rod-receptor potential. The slow negative response had a slower time course and lower threshold than slow PIII, and, more importantly, it was present in the absence of the [K+]o decrease in subretinal space that causes slow PIII. Furthermore, APB (1.2 mM vitreal concentration) blocked the entire negative-going ERG, whereas at higher intensities it blocked PII but not the c-wave in the ERG or slow PIII in transretinal recordings. These results indicate that the negative-going ERG components near threshold and at low intensities all originated proximal to the photoreceptors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

Adaptive divergence and the evolution of reproductive isolation in the wild: an empirical demonstration using introduced sockeye salmon.

Populations exposed to different ecological environments should diverge for phenotypic traits that influence survival and reproduction. This adaptive divergence should reduce gene flow between populations because immigrants become less fit than residents and because hybrids perform poorly in either environment (i.e., ecologically-dependent reproductive isolation). Here I demonstrate adaptive divergence and the evolution of reproductive isolation in populations of sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) introduced from a common ancestral source into a new lake system (Lake Washington, Washington). The introduced fish founded several new populations, two of which experience very different environments during breeding and early development (Cedar River v.s. Pleasure Point beach). Over 13 generations, the two populations diverged for adult traits (female body size, male body depth; measured in the wild) and embryo traits (survival to hatching, development rate, size at emergence; measured in a common environment). The rates of divergence for these characters were similar to those observed in other examples of 'rapid evolution', and can best be attributed to natural selection. Partial reproductive isolation has evolved in concert with adaptive divergence: the rate of exchange of adults between the populations (determined using natural tags) is higher than the rate of gene flow (determined using DNA microsatellites). The demonstration that adaptive divergence can initiate reproductive isolation in less than 13 generations suggests that the first signs of 'ecological speciation' may appear soon after new environments are first colonized.

Adaptation, Biological↗

Microscopic correlates of adaptive cytoprotection in an ethanol injury model.

The present study histologically investigated the efficacy of pretreating rat gastric mucosa with the mild irritants, 10% and 25% ethanol (EtOH), against the known damaging effects of 100% EtOH. Fasted rats received 1 ml of either water, 10% EtOH, or 25% EtOH by orogastric intubation. Fifteen minutes later, a portion of these animals was sacrificed and tissue samples of the oxyntic region of the stomach were excised and processed for quantitative histologic analysis. Remaining animals received a 1 ml oral bolus of the necrotizing agent, 100% EtOH. Five minutes later, these animals were sacrificed and tissues were prepared in a like manner. In a separate series of experiments, the aforementioned protocols were repeated, except that all animals received the prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor, indomethacin (5.0 mg/kg intraperitoneally), 30 min before administration of the mild irritant. Microscopically, the administration of water or 10% EtOH alone caused a small and comparable amount of superficial injury to the gastric mucosa. Moreover, both substances failed to induce protection in stomachs subsequently exposed to 100% EtOH. Indomethacin pretreatment did not significantly alter any of these findings. In marked contrast, 25% EtOH alone elicited a substantial degree of superficial damage to the gastric mucosa. Nevertheless it significantly reduced the depth of injury in animals subsequently challenged by 100% EtOH. Indomethacin failed to aggravate the effects of 25% EtOH alone, but partially inhibited the protective effect of this mild irritant against 100% EtOH induced damage. Our findings indicate that adaptive cytoprotection is a real phenomenon that can be demonstrated microscopically. Such protection is limited primarily to the deep mucosal layers (i.e. gastric glands), appears in part to be prostaglandin mediated and seems to require the generation of moderate surface cell damage (as occurred with 25% EtOH, but not 10% EtOH) to induce its initiation.

Animals↗

Woman-centred care.

Changes over the past decade have emphasised the individual service user and their relationship with the health service. Within the maternity services this has been interpreted as woman-centred care a result of key initiatives; the Winterton Report (House of Commons, 1992. Maternity Services. Second Report of the Health Committee (Winterton Report), Vol. 1. HMSO, London) and Changing Childbirth (DoH, 1993a, Changing childbirth: reports of the expert maternity group parts 1 & 2. HMSO, London). Changing Childbirth outlined key principles of the maternity services and the need for the woman (and her partner, if she wishes) to be the focus of care. The key principles are choice, continuity and control. High quality care depends on the recognition of individuals as having unique needs which continues to be reflected within contemporary policy documents (DoH, 1997, The new NHS: modern and dependable. HMSO, London). This paper presents findings related to the provision of woman-centred care from a national research and development study. The study design incorporated (i): a national survey which was undertaken with midwives, midwife supervisors and doctors; and (ii): in-depth case studies in which information was obtained through interviews with midwives, midwife supervisors, educators, managers, doctors and mothers. Midwives, at all levels, are involved in changing maternity service provision and adapting to new systems of care which aim to increase continuity of care and carer for the woman. The researchers sought to understand how woman-centred care was interpreted and experienced in practice. The findings have been used to identify the continuing educational needs of midwives, and to develop an open learning educational package to meet identified need. The curriculum was designed to enhance the move towards the provision of a more integrated woman-centred service.

Adult↗

Absolute copy number aware CNV calling of sub-megabase segments in ultra-low coverage single-cell DNA sequencing data.

Recent advances in ultra-low coverage whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of single cells have enabled detailed analysis of copy number variation at a throughput approaching that of single-cell RNA sequencing. However, downstream computational methods have not seen comparable advances and are largely adaptations of deep sequencing methodology with reduced precision. Here, we present ASCENT, a computational method built to take full advantage of modern direct tagmentation-based WGS at ultra-low depth. Using joint segmentation with high-resolution bins, we accurately detect small segments, achieving accurate copy number profiles even at 100 000 reads per cell. ASCENT implements true absolute copy state inference for single cells, based on statistical modeling of coverage rather than comparison to a reference, while taking variable segment copy state into account. Further, ASCENT implements per-segment copy-neutral loss of heterozygosity (LOH) calling without the need for non-tumor or bulk WGS reference. When applied to a pediatric B-ALL sample, ASCENT finds copy-neutral LOH in a small segment and a minor subclone defined by breakpoints missed in bulk WGS. Thus, by applying appropriate computational methods, single-cell WGS provides clear advantages over bulk, even at a relatively low cell number and sequencing depth.

DNA Copy Number Variations↗

Isolation, characterization, and ecology of cold-active, chemolithotrophic, sulfur-oxidizing bacteria from perennially ice-covered Lake Fryxell, Antarctica.

Novel strains of obligately chemolithoautotrophic, sulfur-oxidizing bacteria have been isolated from various depths of Lake Fryxell, Antarctica. Physiological, morphological, and phylogenetic analyses showed these strains to be related to mesophilic Thiobacillus species, such as T. thioparus. However, the psychrotolerant Antarctic isolates showed an adaptation to cold temperatures and thus should be active in the nearly freezing waters of the lake. Enumeration by most-probable-number analysis in an oxic, thiosulfate-containing medium revealed that the sulfur-oxidizing chemolithotroph population peaks precisely at the oxycline (9.5 m), although viable cells exist well into the anoxic, sulfidic waters of the lake. The sulfur-oxidizing bacteria described here likely play a key role in the biogeochemical cycling of carbon and sulfur in Lake Fryxell.

Antarctic Regions↗

The practical significance of two-dimensional deconvolution in echography.

This paper evaluates deconvolution (inverse filtering) as applied to ultrasonic imaging systems, and discusses the obstacles which are encountered employing the technique in practice. A minicomputer is used to generate artificial echo signals, simulating rf signals resulting from a set of point reflectors in a homogeneous medium, as recorded by an electronically focused group-steered linear array scanner. Two-dimensional deconvolution in combination with a Wiener noise reduction filter (i.e., a Wiener-Inverse filter) is applied to these simulated rf signals, which were contaminated with white noise. The efficacy of the Wiener-Inverse filter is defined in terms of its ability to resolve two point reflectors with a lateral spacing equal to the local -6 dB width of the ultrasonic beam. In favorable circumstances, the targets are resolved at signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) better than 20 dB, where SNR is defined as the maximum signal power divided by the average noise power level. Nonlinear effects due to quantization or signal clipping are investigated. In order to improve the resolution of an rf signal with a dynamic range of 40 dB, the input signal should be digitized at a minimum of 12 bits. The problem of signal clipping can be circumvented by oversampling. The two-dimensional Wiener-Inverse filter is defined in terms of both temporal and spatial properties of the insonification. Effects of wave diffraction give rise to a depth-dependent ultrasonic beam. As a result of a misfit of the Wiener-Inverse filter and the local properties of the ultrasonic beam, erroneous noisy texture arises in the image. Adaptation of the Wiener-Inverse filter with respect to the beam properties gives acceptable results, at the expense of a rather large computational effort.

Computer Simulation↗

Bone marrow transplantation from a parental perspective.

The present study focuses on the parents of the first group of children in Sweden to receive a bone marrow transplant and survive. Its aim was to get in-depth knowledge of the parents' situation during this critical time. The result of 10 years of research (1988-98), the study deals with the situation to which the parents had to adapt and the strategies that they used to handle their situation within a long-term perspective. Two series of qualitative interviews with the parents of 20 children who had undergone bone marrow transplantation were carried out. A self-report questionnaire for coping was also used. The result shows that the child's illness and treatment played an important role in the parents' lives for many years. Those parents who managed to put reason before emotion rated their coping as better. A sense of participation was also a useful coping strategy.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

[Seasonal changes in the structure of the anoxygenic phototrophic bacterial community in Lake Mogilnoe, a relict lake on Kil'din Island in the Barents Sea].

An anaerobic phototrophic bacterial community in Lake Mogilnoe, a relict lake on Kil'din Island in the Barents Sea, was studied in June 1999 and September 2001. Irrespective of the season, the upper layer of the anaerobic zone of this lake had a specific species composition of sulfur phototrophic bacteria, which were dominated by the brown-colored green sulfur bacterium Chlorobium phaeovibrioides. The maximum number of phototrophic sulfur bacteria was observed in June 1999 at a depth of 9 m, which corresponded to a concentration of bacteriochlorophyll (Bchl) e equal to 4.6 mg/l. In September 2001, the maximum concentration of this pigment (3.4 mg/l) was found at a depth of 10 m. In both seasons, the concentration of Bchl a did not exceed 3 microg/l. Purple sulfur bacteria were low in number, which can be explained by their poor adaptation to the hydrochemical and optical conditions of the Lake Mogilnoe water. In June 1999, the water contained a considerable number of Pelodictyon phaeum microcolonies and Prosthecochloris phaeoasteroides cell chains, which was not the case in September 2001. A 16S rDNA-based phylogenetic analysis of pure cultures of phototrophic bacteria isolated from the lake water confirmed that the bacterial community is dominated by Chl. phaeovibrioides and showed the presence of three minor species, Thiocvstis gelatinosa, Thiocapsa sp., and Thiorhodococcus sp., the last of which is specific to Lake Mogilnoe.

Chlorobium↗

Spatial and temporal variability of cytotoxic metabolites in populations of the New Zealand sponge Mycale hentscheli.

Intraspecific variation in the composition of three cytotoxic secondary metabolites from the New Zealand marine sponge Mycale hentscheli collected at two sites in central New Zealand was quantified by 1H NMR techniques. A total of 275 sponges were analyzed bimonthly over 15 mo to compare intersite (approximately 100 km) and intrasite (approximately 100 m) spatial and temporal variations in the metabolites. Biological and physical characteristics of sponge size, morphology, depth, and temperature were recorded at each site. Metabolite concentrations were found to vary in space and time. Metabolite composition was site-specific; mycalamide A, pateamine, and peloruside A were present at Pelorus Sound, whereas pateamine was absent from sponges at Kapiti Island. Pateamine and peloruside A concentrations in sponges at Pelorus Sound varied seasonally; no such patterns were observed at Kapiti Island. Relationships of compound concentration with volume and depth were complex. High levels of peloruside A in Pelorus Sound sponges from between 8 and 10 m depth coincided with a density boundary layer and chlorophyll a maximum.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Changes in surface features during desiccation of the anhydrobiotic plant parasitic nematode Ditylenchus dipsaci.

The anhydrobiotic nematode Ditylenchus dipsaci is a fast-dehydration strategist, itself generating the slow rate of water loss necessary for survival. A permeability slump occurs during the initial phases of desiccation. This may be produced by changes in the nematode's cuticle. Two scanning electron microscopic techniques were used to follow changes in surface structures during desiccation. Freeze substitution and critical-point drying produced artifacts that obscured changes produced by the desiccation of the nematode. Low-temperature field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) was successful in following changes that reflected those observed by light microscopy (LM). Significant changes in diameter, the lateral alae, and the cuticular annulations were demonstrated using this technique. Two types of annulations were observed: the major annulations, which extended to meet the margins of the lateral alae, and the minor annulations, which did not. With desiccation the prominence of the annulations increased, their spacing decreased, and the minor annulations extended closer to the margins of the lateral alae. These observations are consistent with the permeability slump resulting from a decrease in the width of the annulation groove and an increase in its depth. However, this requires confirmation using techniques that can follow annulation changes in individual nematodes.

Adaptation, Physiological↗