Broadly, independent-tunable, dual-wavelength mid-infrared ultrafast optical parametric oscillator

We demonstrate a two-crystal mid-infrared dual-wavelength optical parametric oscillator, synchronously pumped by a high power femtosecond Yb:fiber laser. The singly-resonant ring cavity, containing two periodically poled lithium niobate crystals, is capable of generating two synchronized idler wavelengths, independently tunable over 30 THz in the 2.9 - 4.2 {\mu}m wavelength region, due to the cascaded quadratic nonlinear effect. The independent tunability of the two idlers makes the optical parametric oscillator a promising source for ultrafast pulse generation towards the THz wavelength region, based on different frequency generation. In addition, the observed frequency doubled idler within the crystal indicates the possibility to realize a broadband optical self-phase locking between pump, signal, idler and higher order generated parametric lights

Time-resolved mid-infrared dual-comb spectroscopy

Dual-comb spectroscopy can provide broad spectral bandwidth and high spectral resolution in a short acquisition time, enabling time-resolved measurements. Specifically, spectroscopy in the mid-infrared wavelength range is of particular interest, since most of the molecules have their strongest rotational-vibrational transitions in this "fingerprint" region. Here we report time-resolved mid-infrared dual-comb spectroscopy for the first time, covering ~300 nm bandwidth around 3.3 {\mu}m with 6 GHz spectral resolution and 20 {\mu}s temporal resolution. As a demonstration, we study a CH4/He gas mixture in an electric discharge, while the discharge is modulated between dark and glow regimes. We simultaneously monitor the production of C2H6 and the vibrational excitation of CH4 molecules, observing the dynamics of both processes. This approach to broadband, high-resolution, and time-resolved mid-infrared spectroscopy provides a new tool for monitoring the kinetics of fast chemical reactions, with potential applications in various fields such as physical chemistry and plasma/combustion analysis.Comment: 21 page, 6 figure

ABA Suppresses Botrytis cinerea Elicited NO Production in Tomato to Influence H2O2 Generation and Increase Host Susceptibility

Contains fulltext : 158667.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)12 p

Reduced nitric oxide levels during drought stress promote drought tolerance in barley and is associated with elevated polyamine biosynthesis

Nitric oxide (NO) is a key messenger in plant stress responses but its exact role in drought response remains unclear. To investigate the role of NO in drought response we employed transgenic barley plants (UHb) overexpressing the barley non-symbiotic hemoglobin gene HvHb1 that oxidizes NO to NO3-. Reduced NO production under drought conditions in UHb plants was associated with increased drought tolerance. Since NO biosynthesis has been related to polyamine metabolism, we investigated whether the observed drought-related NO changes could involve polyamine pathway. UHb plants showed increases in total polyamines and in particular polyamines such as spermidine. These increases correlated with the accumulation of the amino acid precursors of polyamines and with the expression of specific polyamine biosynthesis genes. This suggests a potential interplay between NO and polyamine biosynthesis during drought response. Since ethylene has been linked to NO signaling and it is also related to polyamine metabolism, we explored this connection. In vivo ethylene measurement showed that UHb plants significantly decrease ethylene production and expression of aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid synthase gene, the first committed step in ethylene biosynthesis compared with wild type. These data suggest a NO-ethylene influenced regulatory node in polyamine biosynthesis linked to drought tolerance/susceptibility in barley.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Toxicity Assays in Nanodrops Combining Bioassay and Morphometric Endpoints

BACKGROUND: Improved chemical hazard management such as REACH policy objective as well as drug ADMETOX prediction, while limiting the extent of animal testing, requires the development of increasingly high throughput as well as highly pertinent in vitro toxicity assays. METHODOLOGY: This report describes a new in vitro method for toxicity testing, combining cell-based assays in nanodrop Cell-on-Chip format with the use of a genetically engineered stress sensitive hepatic cell line. We tested the behavior of a stress inducible fluorescent HepG2 model in which Heat Shock Protein promoters controlled Enhanced-Green Fluorescent Protein expression upon exposure to Cadmium Chloride (CdCl(2)), Sodium Arsenate (NaAsO(2)) and Paraquat. In agreement with previous studies based on a micro-well format, we could observe a chemical-specific response, identified through differences in dynamics and amplitude. We especially determined IC50 values for CdCl(2) and NaAsO(2), in agreement with published data. Individual cell identification via image-based screening allowed us to perform multiparametric analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Using pre/sub lethal cell stress instead of cell mortality, we highlighted the high significance and the superior sensitivity of both stress promoter activation reporting and cell morphology parameters in measuring the cell response to a toxicant. These results demonstrate the first generation of high-throughput and high-content assays, capable of assessing chemical hazards in vitro within the REACH policy framework

Transcriptome profiling of sheep granulosa cells and oocytes during early follicular development obtained by Laser Capture Microdissection

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Successful achievement of early folliculogenesis is crucial for female reproductive function. The process is finely regulated by cell-cell interactions and by the coordinated expression of genes in both the oocyte and in granulosa cells. Despite many studies, little is known about the cell-specific gene expression driving early folliculogenesis. The very small size of these follicles and the mixture of types of follicles within the developing ovary make the experimental study of isolated follicular components very difficult.</p> <p>The recently developed laser capture microdissection (LCM) technique coupled with microarray experiments is a promising way to address the molecular profile of pure cell populations. However, one main challenge was to preserve the RNA quality during the isolation of single cells or groups of cells and also to obtain sufficient amounts of RNA.</p> <p>Using a new LCM method, we describe here the separate expression profiles of oocytes and follicular cells during the first stages of sheep folliculogenesis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We developed a new tissue fixation protocol ensuring efficient single cell capture and RNA integrity during the microdissection procedure. Enrichment in specific cell types was controlled by qRT-PCR analysis of known genes: six oocyte-specific genes (<it>SOHLH2</it>, <it>MAEL</it>, <it>MATER</it>, <it>VASA</it>, <it>GDF9</it>, <it>BMP15</it>) and three granulosa cell-specific genes (<it>KL</it>, <it>GATA4</it>, <it>AMH</it>).</p> <p>A global gene expression profile for each follicular compartment during early developmental stages was identified here for the first time, using a bovine Affymetrix chip. Most notably, the granulosa cell dataset is unique to date. The comparison of oocyte vs. follicular cell transcriptomes revealed 1050 transcripts specific to the granulosa cell and 759 specific to the oocyte.</p> <p>Functional analyses allowed the characterization of the three main cellular events involved in early folliculogenesis and confirmed the relevance and potential of LCM-derived RNA.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The ovary is a complex mixture of different cell types. Distinct cell populations need therefore to be analyzed for a better understanding of their potential interactions. LCM and microarray analysis allowed us to identify novel gene expression patterns in follicular cells at different stages and in oocyte populations.</p