Focusing and imaging with increased numerical apertures through multimode fibers with micro-fabricated optics

The use of individual multimode optical fibers in endoscopy applications has the potential to provide highly miniaturized and noninvasive probes for microscopy and optical micromanipulation. A few different strategies have been proposed recently, but they all suffer from intrinsically low resolution related to the low numerical aperture of multimode fibers. Here, we show that two-photon polymerization allows for direct fabrication of micro-optics components on the fiber end, resulting in an increase of the numerical aperture to a value that is close to 1. Coupling light into the fiber through a spatial light modulator, we were able to optically scan a submicrometer spot (300 nm FWHM) over an extended region, facing the opposite fiber end. Fluorescence imaging with improved resolution is also demonstrated.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

TWO PHASE CFD FLOW ANALYSIS OF R134a AND R1234yf REFRIGERANTS AND ITS EFFECT ON COOLING PERFORMANCE IN AN AUTOMOBILE HVAC EVAPORATOR CORE

The purpose of this research is to conduct a two-phase fluid analysis and simulation for examining the influence of refrigerant (R134a/R1234yf) properties on cooling performance of an automobile HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) evaporator core and compare their performances. In this research, streamline deviation, static pressure, velocity magnitude, pressure co-efficiency, Reynolds number and turbulent kinetic energy play a key role in the comparison of the refrigerants R1234yf and R134a two-phase fluids. Subsequently, it was found that R134a properties were better towards the cooling performance of an automobile HVAC evaporator core.&nbsp

Simulation of a dipeptide Boc-Ile-Ile-NHMe as a drug carrier

Reverse micelles are discrete nanoscale particles composed of a water core surrounded by surfactant. In this current study the the self assembling properties of the dipeptide Boc-Ile-Ile-NHMe in chloroform to form a stable micelle at various temperatures ranging from 200 to 350 Kelvin has been analysed using insilico methods. The computational analysis was carried out using the steepest descent algorithm, a minimization tool used to study the protein energy level in insilco and it was compared with the thermodynamic parameters determined experimentally. Such reverse micelles finds a vast area of application one of which is drug delivery in nanotechnology. The present dipeptide is shown to carry drugs by insilico methods.   Key words: Reverse micelles, tetra peptide, minimization, drug delivery, nanotechnology

Simulation of a dipeptide Boc-Ile-Ile-NHMe as a drug carrier

Reverse micelles are discrete nanoscale particles composed of a water core surrounded by surfactant. In this current study the the self assembling properties of the dipeptide Boc-Ile-Ile-NHMe in chloroform to form a stable micelle at various temperatures ranging from 200 to 350 Kelvin has been analysed using insilico methods. The computational analysis was carried out using the steepest descent algorithm, a minimization tool used to study the protein energy level in insilco and it was compared with the thermodynamic parameters determined experimentally. Such reverse micelles finds a vast area of application one of which is drug delivery in nanotechnology. The present dipeptide is shown to carry drugs by insilico methods.   Key words: Reverse micelles, tetra peptide, minimization, drug delivery, nanotechnology

Quercetin enhances 5-fluorouracil-induced apoptosis in MSI colorectal cancer cells through p53 modulation

Purpose: Colorectal tumors (CRC) with microsatellite instability (MSI) show resistance to chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), the most widely used pharmacological drug for CRC treatment. The aims of this study were to test the ability of quercetin (Q) and luteolin (L) to increase sensitivity of MSI CRC cells to 5-FU and characterize the dependence of the effects on cells´ p53 status. Methods: Two MSI human CRC derived cell lines were used, CO115 wild-type (wt) for p53 and HCT15 that harbors a p53 mutation. Apoptosis induction in these cells by 5-FU, Q and L alone and in combinations were evaluated by TUNEL and western. The dependence on p53 of the effects was confirmed by small interference RNA (siRNA) in CO115 cells and in MSI HCT116 wt and p53 knockout cells. Results: CO115 p53-wt cells are more sensitive to 5-FU than the p53 mutated HCT15. The combination treatment of 5-FU with L and Q increased apoptosis with a significant effect for Q in CO115. Both flavonoids increased p53 expression in both cell lines, an effect particularly remarkable for Q. The significant apoptotic enhancement in CO115 incubated with Q plus 5-FU involved the activation of the apoptotic mitochondrial pathway. Importantly, knockdown of p53 by siRNA in CO115 cells and p53 knockout in HCT116 cells totally abrogated apoptosis induction, demonstrating the dependence of the effect on p53 modulation by Q. Conclusion: This study suggests the potential applicability of these phytochemicals for enhancement 5-FU efficiency in MSI CRC therapy, especially Q in p53 wt tumors.CPRX was supported by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), Portugal, through the grant SFRH/BD/27524/2006 and the work was supported by the FCT research grant PTDC/AGR-AAM/70418/2006

Detoxifying effect of Nelumbo nucifera and Aegle marmelos on hematological parameters of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of Nelumbo nucifera and Aegle marmelos on common carp exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of combined heavy metals (5 ppm) under laboratory conditions. The fish were treated with Nelumbo nucifera (500 mg/kg bwt) and Aegle marmelos (500 mg/kgbwt) for 30 days as a dietary supplement. The blood biochemical parameters of the fish were evaluated by analyzing the level of red blood cells (RBC), packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin concentration, glucose, cholesterol, iron and copper. The findings of the present investigation showed significant increase in hemoglobin (p<0.001), RBC (p<0.01) and PCV (p<0.01) of herbal drug-treated groups compared with metal-exposed fish. Conversely, glucose and cholesterol level in blood of common carp showed significant reduction compared with heavy-metal-exposed groups. All the values measured in Nelumbo nucifera and Aegle marmelos treated fish were restored comparably to control fish. Our results confirmed that Nelumbo nucifera and Aegle marmelos provide a detoxification mechanism for heavy metals in common carp