Imaging Ultraweak Photon Emission from Living and Dead Mice and from Plants under Stress.

The phenomenon of biological ultraweak photon emission (UPE), that is, extremely low-intensity emission (10-10 photons cm s) in the spectral range of 200-1000 nm, has been observed in all living systems that have been examined. Here, we report experiments that exemplify the ability of novel imaging systems to detect variations in UPE for a set of physiologically important scenarios. We use electron-multiplying charge-coupled device (EMCCD) and charge-coupled device (CCD) cameras to capture single visible-wavelength photons with low noise and quantum efficiencies higher than 90%.

Test method for evaluating the photocytotoxic potential of fluorescence imaging products.

Various fluorescence imaging agents are currently under clinical studies. Despite significant benefits, phototoxicity is a barrier to the clinical translation of fluorophores. Current regulatory guidelines on medication-based phototoxicity focus on skin effects during sun exposure.

Changes to Astrocyte-associated Protein Expression at Different Timepoints of Cuprizone Treatment.

Glial cells, including astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocytes, are brain cells that support and dynamically interact with neurons and each other. These intercellular dynamics undergo changes during stress and disease states. In response to most forms of stress, astrocytes will undergo some variation of activation, meaning upregulation in certain proteins expressed and secreted and either upregulations or downregulations to various constitutive and normal functions.

Development of an Endoscopic Auto-Fluorescent Sensing Device to Aid in the Detection of Breast Cancer and Inform Photodynamic Therapy.

Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer type in women, with it being the second most deadly cancer in terms of total yearly mortality. Due to the prevalence of this disease, better methods are needed for both detection and treatment. Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) are autofluorescent biomarkers that lend insight into cell and tissue metabolism.

Entropy, Amnesia, and Abnormal Déjà Experiences.

Previous research has contrasted fleeting erroneous experiences of familiarity with equally convincing, and often more stubborn erroneous experiences of remembering. While a subset of the former category may present as nonpathological "déjà vu," the latter, termed "déjà vécu" can categorize a delusion-like confabulatory phenomenon first described in elderly dementia patients. Leading explanations for this experience include the dual process view, in which erroneous familiarity and erroneous recollection are elicited by inappropriate activation of the parahippocampal cortex and the hippocampus, respectively, and the more popular encoding-as-retrieval explanation in which normal memory encoding processes are falsely flagged and interpreted as memory retrieval.