In vivo tomographic imaging of red-shifted fluorescent proteins

We have developed a spectral inversion method for three-dimensional tomography of far-red and near-infrared fluorescent proteins in animals. The method was developed in particular to address the steep light absorption transition of hemoglobin from the visible to the far-red occurring around 600 nm. Using an orthotopic mouse model of brain tumors expressing the red-shifted fluorescent protein mCherry, we demonstrate significant improvements in imaging accuracy over single-wavelength whole body reconstructions. Furthermore, we show an improvement in sensitivity of at least an order of magnitude over green fluorescent protein (GFP) for whole body imaging. We discuss how additional sensitivity gains are expected with the use of further red-shifted fluorescent proteins and we explain the differences and potential advantages of this approach over two-dimensional planar imaging methods

Flexible and stable optical parametric oscillator based laser system for coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering microscopy

The characteristics of a stable and flexible laser system based on a synchronously pumped optical parametric oscillator (OPO) is presented. This OPO can offer very stable operation with both approximately 1 ps and approximately 300 fs outputs over a broad wavelength range, i.e., 920-1200 nm. Combining the pump tuning with the OPO tuning, a total Raman range of 1900-5500 cm(-1) is accessible. For maximum spectral sensitivity, the CARS microsope based on the ps laser system is presented in detail. The lateral resolution of the microscope is diffraction limited to be about 390 nm. Fast wavelength switching (sub-second) between two Raman vibrational frequencies, i.e., 2848 cm(-1) for C--H aliphatic vibrations and 3035 cm(-1) for C--H aromatic vibrations is presented as an example, although this also extends to other Raman frequencies. The possibility of obtaining a multimodal imaging system based on the fs laser system is also discussed

Increasing the Bearing Capacity of Beams with Composite Elements

The article considers the research findings on the operation of experimental samples and steel elements reinforced with composites. A comparative analysis of the control and reinforced elements is conducted,the recommendations for the use of this type of reinforcement are given

Construction of fluidity border taking into account plastic anisotropy

Anisotropy due to plastic deformation was studied on tubular steel specimens. This type of anisotropy is found to influence the plastic strain increment vector as the stress point moves over the yield surface associated with a prescribed prestraining. The length of the plastic strain increment vector is found to decrease as the stress point moves from the point associated with the prestraining program. An appropriate measure of this effect is introduced in the form of a modulus of the effective plastic strain increment. Variation of the modulus over the yield surface is compared with the results furnished by the existing flow theories

Comparative Analysis of Elastic-Plastic Processes at Complex Active Loading and Loading with Unloading

In the article, there are the results of comparative analysis of phenomenon of delay of vector and scalar properties for paths of active loading and paths with unloading during elastic-plastic deformation. An attempt has been made to classify broken paths of active loading by extracting from them those in which fractures do not significantly affect the appearance of the process image and can be equated to simple loading and those where such simplification is unacceptable

An Analysis of the State Policy in the Sphere of Medical Activity Quality and Safety

The article deals with the Russian state policy in the sphere of ensuring the quality and safety of medical activity, medical care standardization system, analyzes the practice of application and the nature of Russia’s health care standards. Methodology of research supports the comparative analysis of the current regulatory and methodological base in the Russian healthcare. The authors stated that currently in Russia is not developed a unified methodology of health care quality management, which would fully cover all of its aspects and would be applicable at all levels of care. According to the results of the study predicted a possible increase in the legal segment of the Russian market of medical services by improving public administration and the adoption of new, more effective regulatory documents in the fiel d o f publi c health

Practical and reliable FRET/FLIM pair of fluorescent proteins

Background: In spite of a great number of monomeric fluorescent proteins developed in the recent years, the reported fluorescent protein-based FRET pairs are still characterized by a number of disadvantageous features, complicating their use as reporters in cell biology and for high-throughput cell-based screenings. Results: Here we screened some of the recently developed monomeric protein pairs to find the optimal combination, which would provide high dynamic range FRET changes, along with high pH- and photo-stability, fast maturation and bright fluorescence, and reliable detection in any fluorescent imaging system. Among generated FRET pairs, we have selected TagGFP-TagRFP, combining all the mentioned desirable characteristics. On the basis of this highly efficient FRET pair, we have generated a bright, high contrast, pH- and photo-stable apoptosis reporter, named CaspeR3 (Caspase 3 Reporter). Conclusion: The combined advantages suggest that the TagGFP-TagRFP is one of the most efficient green/red couples available to date for FRET/FLIM analyses to monitor interaction of proteins of interest in living cells and to generate FRET-based sensors for various applications. CaspeR3 provides reliable detection of apoptosis, and should become a popular tool both for cell biology studies and high throughput screening assays