Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “INTERFEROMETRY”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,351 records · Page 75Linked to original sources

Effect of age on visual acuity after cataract extraction.

The best Snellen visual acuity in the three months after cataract extraction was found to decline with the age of the patient. The relationship was identical in 111 patients who had extracapsular extraction and a Pearce tripod posterior chamber intraocular lens and in 50 patients who had intracapsular extraction with spectacle correction. Vision after operation varied from a mean value of 6/5 at 50 years to 6/12 at 90 years, a decline of 1 line per 13.4 years. In the intracapsular group, over a mean follow-up period of 14 years, the rate of fall in acuity with increasing age after operation was found to be statistically similar to that of the early postoperative acuity plotted against age for both types of operation. This suggests that the rate of decline with age is unchanged after a prolonged period of aphakia with presumed increased exposure to ultraviolet and blue light. The data were found to be similar to the decline in the neurosensory elements of vision with age measured experimentally in 20 phakic subjects by laser interferometry. This method of assessment of contrast sensitivity threshold effectively bypasses changes in the optical media. The findings indicate that the previously recognised drop in visual acuity with age is not related to changes in the aging crystalline lens and support the view that there is a decline in the neurosensory elements of vision. It is important to recognise this deterioration so that results of surgery or other treatment are adjusted to allow for the age of the patients.

Adult↗

Ultrafast solvation dynamics explored by femtosecond photon echo spectroscopies.

Chemical reaction and optical dynamics in the liquid phase are strongly affected by specific solute-solvent interactions. The dynamical part of this coupling leads to energy fluctuations. The associated energy gap dynamics can be probed by using various nonlinear optical spectroscopies. We discuss various forms of photon echo--time-integrated, time-gated, and heterodyne-detected photon echo--as well as Fourier transform spectral interferometry. It is shown that for solutions of the dye molecule DTTCI, a system-bath correlation function can be acquired that provides a quantitative description of all (non)linear spectroscopic experiments. The deduced correlation function is projected onto the multimode Brownian oscillator model, which allows for a physical interpretation of the multiple-time correlation function and a determination of the spectral density relevant to the solvation process. The following applications of photon echo to condensed phase dynamics are discussed: enhanced vibrational mode suppression, Liouville pathways interference, and dynamical Stokes shift. Recent results of echo-peak shift experiments on the hydrated electron are also presented. The review concludes that photon echo should be useful as a novel tool to explore transition state dynamics.

Journal Article↗

New technique for ultrasound imaging.

A new system of ultrasonic imaging has been developed which utilizes optical interferometry. This system has a broad frequency range, wide angular response, and good resolution. Operation of the system and the results of experimental imaging are described. Application of this technique to the evaluation of in vitro tissue specimens demonstrates its capability for characterization of ultrasonic tissue properties.

Humans↗

Role of NO in the O2 and CO2 responsiveness of cerebral and ocular circulation in humans.

It is well known that changes in PCO2 or PO2 strongly influence cerebral and ocular blood flow. However, the mediators of these changes have not yet been completely identified. There is evidence from animal studies that NO may play a role in hypercapnia-induced vasodilation and that NO synthase inhibition modulates the response to hyperoxia in the choroid. Hence we have studied the effect of NO synthase inhibition by NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA, 3 mg/kg over 5 min as a bolus followed by a continuous infusion of 30 micrograms.kg-1.min-1) on the changes of cerebral and ocular hemodynamic parameters elicited by hypercapnia and hyperoxia in healthy young subjects. Mean flow velocities in the middle cerebral artery and the ophthalmic artery were measured with Doppler ultrasound, and ocular fundus pulsation amplitude, which estimates pulsatile choroidal blood flow, was measured with laser interferometry Administration of L-NMMA reduced ocular fundus pulsation. (-19%, P < 0.005) but only slightly reduced mean flow velocities in the larger arteries. Hypercapnia (PCO2 = 48 mmHg) significantly increased mean flow velocities in the middle cerebral artery (+26%, P < 0.01) and fundus pulsation amplitude (+16%, P < 0.005) but did not change mean flow velocity in the ophthalmic artery. The response to hypercapnia in the middle cerebral artery (P < 0.05) and in the choroid (P < 0.05) was significantly blunted by L-NMMA. On the contrary, L-NMMA did not affect hyperoxia-induced (PO2 = 530 mmHg) hemodynamic changes. The hemodynamic effects of L-NMMA (at baseline and during hypercapnia) were reversed by coadministration of L-arginine. The present study supports the concept that NO has a role in hypercapnia induced vasodilation in humans.

Adult↗

In vivo micromechanical measurements of the organ of Corti in the basal cochlear turn.

Cochlear mechanical measurements of organ of Corti motion are generally accomplished in the apical or basal turn as in vivo or in vitro studies. In the apex it is possible to observe and measure tectorial membrane vibration as well as vibrations of structures such as the reticular lamina or the basilar membrane (BM). However, compared to the basal turn, cochlear amplification and nonlinearity are not strong in the apex. Basal turn studies have typically been limited to point location measurements of the BM but improved technology for laser interferometry is now making possible the spatial mapping of BM motion. The 'complexity' of BM motion in the radial direction (particularly the phase variation) is important to new models of cochlear wave amplification. In future work it may be possible to learn about vibration of structures within the organ of Corti.

Animals↗

Inhaled carbon monoxide increases retinal and choroidal blood flow in healthy humans.

PURPOSE: It has been hypothesized that carbon monoxide (CO) acts as an important vascular paracrine factor and plays a role in blood flow regulation in several tissues. The present study investigated the effect of inhaled CO on retinal and choroidal blood flow. METHODS: Fifteen healthy male volunteers were studied in a randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled design with washout periods of at least 1 week between study days. CO in a dose of 500 ppm or placebo (synthetic air without CO) was inhaled for 60 minutes. Ocular hemodynamics were measured at baseline and at 30 and 60 minutes after start of inhalation. Retinal vessel diameters were measured with a retinal vessel analyzer. RBC velocity was assessed using bidirectional laser Doppler velocimetry. Retinal blood flow was calculated based on retinal vessel diameters and RBC velocity. Fundus pulsation amplitude (FPA) was measured using laser interferometry, and submacular choroidal blood flow using laser Doppler flowmetry. RESULTS: Breathing of CO significantly increased carboxyhemoglobine, from 1.2 +/- 0.5% to 8.5 +/- 0.9% and 9.4 +/- 0.6% at the two time points, respectively (P < 0.01). The diameter of retinal arteries increased by +3.5 +/- 3.8% and +4.2 +/- 3.9% (P < 0.01) in response to CO inhalation. In retinal veins, CO also induced an increase in diameter of +4.3 +/- 3.0% and +4.8 +/- 5.0%, respectively (P < 0.01). By contrast, placebo did not influence retinal vessel diameter. RBC velocity tended to increase during CO inhalation (+8 +/- 22%), but this effect did not reach the level of significance (P = 0.1). Calculated retinal blood flow increased significantly by +12 +/- 5% (P < 0.02). FPA increased after breathing CO by +20 +/- 20% and +26 +/- 21% at the two time points, respectively (P < 0.01). Subfoveal choroidal blood flow increased by +14 +/- 9% and +15 +/- 9% during breathing of CO (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This experiment demonstrated that retinal and choroidal blood flow increase during inhalation of CO. Whether this increase is caused by tissue hypoxia or a yet unknown mechanism has to be clarified.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Three-dimensional modeling of the human eye based on magnetic resonance imaging.

PURPOSE: A methodology for noninvasively characterizing the three-dimensional (3-D) shape of the complete human eye is not currently available for research into ocular diseases that have a structural substrate, such as myopia. A novel application of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) acquisition and analysis technique is presented that, for the first time, allows the 3-D shape of the eye to be investigated fully. METHODS: The technique involves the acquisition of a T2-weighted MRI, which is optimized to reveal the fluid-filled chambers of the eye. Automatic segmentation and meshing algorithms generate a 3-D surface model, which can be shaded with morphologic parameters such as distance from the posterior corneal pole and deviation from sphericity. Full details of the method are illustrated with data from 14 eyes of seven individuals. The spatial accuracy of the calculated models is demonstrated by comparing the MRI-derived axial lengths with values measured in the same eyes using interferometry. RESULTS: The color-coded eye models showed substantial variation in the absolute size of the 14 eyes. Variations in the sphericity of the eyes were also evident, with some appearing approximately spherical whereas others were clearly oblate and one was slightly prolate. Nasal-temporal asymmetries were noted in some subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The MRI acquisition and analysis technique allows a novel way of examining 3-D ocular shape. The ability to stratify and analyze eye shape, ocular volume, and sphericity will further extend the understanding of which specific biometric parameters predispose emmetropic children subsequently to develop myopia.

Adult↗

Intravenous administration of diphenhydramine reduces histamine-induced vasodilator effects in the retina and choroid.

PURPOSE: Intravenous administration of histamine causes an increase in choroidal blood flow (ChBF) and retinal vessel diameters in healthy subjects. The receptor mediating this response has not yet been identified. The present study was undertaken to clarify whether H1 receptor blockade with diphenhydramine affects the hemodynamic response of histamine in the choroid and the retina. METHODS: A randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled, two-way crossover study was performed in 18 healthy, male, nonsmoking subjects. Histamine (0.32 microg/kg per minute over 30 minutes) was infused intravenously in the absence (NaCl as placebo) or presence of the H1 blocker diphenhydramine (1.0 mg/min over 50 minutes). Ocular hemodynamic parameters, blood pressure, and intraocular pressure were measured before drug administration, after infusion of diphenhydramine or placebo, and after co-infusion of histamine. Subfoveal ChBF and fundus pulsation amplitude (FPA) were measured with laser Doppler flowmetry and laser interferometry, respectively. Retinal arterial and venous diameters were measured with a retinal vessel analyzer. Retinal blood velocity was assessed with bidirectional laser Doppler velocimetry. RESULTS: Administration of histamine caused a decrease in mean arterial pressure by -4% +/- 9% (ANOVA P = 0.01). This effect was blunted by coadministration of diphenhydramine (ANOVA, P = 0.04). Histamine significantly increased FPA and subfoveal ChBF. Coadministration of diphenhydramine significantly reduced this effect (ANOVA; FPA P = 0.001, ChBF P = 0.049). Histamine significantly increased retinal arterial diameter by +3.5% +/- 4.5% and retinal venous diameter by +3.7% +/- 2.8%. Again, coadministration of diphenhydramine significantly reduced the vasodilative effect to +0.3% +/- 5.5% in retinal arteries (ANOVA, P = 0.00006) and to +0.9% +/- 2.5% in retinal veins (ANOVA, P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: The present data confirm that histamine increases ChBF and retinal vessel diameters in healthy subjects. Administration of the H1 receptor blocker diphenhydramine significantly reduced histamine-induced changes in ocular perfusion parameters. These results strongly indicate that in the retina and choroid, H1 receptors are involved in the histamine-mediated hemodynamic effects in vivo.

Adult↗

Tear film, contact lens, and patient-related factors associated with contact lens-related dry eye.

PURPOSE: To examine tear film, contact lens, medical, and patient-related factors associated with self-reported contact lens-related dry eye. METHODS: Four hundred fifteen contact lens wearers were recruited and enrolled in this phase of a larger cross-sectional study. A variety of tear film (e.g., interferometry, osmolality, phenol red thread, meibography, fluorescein, and lissamine green staining), contact lens (i.e., water content, refractive index, material), and patient-related (e.g., gender, sociodemographic, education, income, and medical health) factors were examined in relation to dry eye status. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to examine the relation between these tear film, contact lens, and patient-related factors associated with dry eye status. RESULTS: Of the 415 enrolled, the data from 360 were used in the analyses. The average age was 31.1 +/- 11.5 years, 245 (68%) participants were female, and 55.3% were classified as having-contact lens-related dry eye via self-report. Overall, 327 (90.8%) were hydrogel lens wearers and 33 (9.2%) were gas-permeable lens wearers. Several factors were shown to be related to dry eye status in multivariate modeling, including female gender (P = 0.007), lenses with higher nominal water content (P = 0.002), rapid prelens tear film thinning time (P = 0.008), frequent usage of over-the-counter pain medication (P = 0.02), limbal injection (P = 0.03), and increased tear film osmolality (P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Contact lens-related dry eye may be explained mechanistically by increased tear film thinning times (evaporation or dewetting) resulting in increased tear film osmolality. Other contributing factors include the use of high-water-content lenses, which have traditionally been reported to be associated with less patient comfort than lower-water-content lenses, potentially due to spoilation and deposition. As found in other studies of dry eye, women are more likely to report contact lens-related dry eye than are men.

Adult↗

Relative axial myopia in Egr-1 (ZENK) knockout mice.

PURPOSE: Experiments in chickens have implicated the transcription factor ZENK (also known as Egr-1, NGFI-A, zif268, tis8, cef5, and Krox24) in the feedback mechanisms for visual control of axial eye growth and myopia development. ZENK is upregulated in retinal glucagon amacrine cells when axial eye growth is inhibited by positive spectacle lens wear and is downregulated when it is enhanced by negative spectacle lens wear, suggesting that ZENK may be linked to an inhibitory signal for axial eye growth. This study was undertaken to determine whether a Egr-1(-/-) knockout mouse mutant, lacking ZENK completely, has longer eyes and more myopic refraction, than do Egr-1(+/)(-) heterozygous and Egr-1(+/+) wild-type mice with near-identical genetic backgrounds. METHODS: Eye growth and refractive development were tracked from day P28 to P98. Corneal radius of curvature was measured with infrared photokeratometry, refractive state with infrared photoretinoscopy, and ocular dimensions with low-coherence interferometry. As a functional vision test, grating acuity was determined in an automated optomotor task. The abundance of ZENK protein in the retina was quantified by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Egr-1 knockout mice had longer eyes and a relative myopic shift in refraction, with additional minor effects on anterior chamber depth and corneal radius of curvature. Paraxial schematic eye modeling suggested changes in the optics of the crystalline lens as well. With increasing age, the differences between mutant and wild-type mice declined, although the differences in refraction persisted over the observation period. Grating acuity was not affected by the lack of the Egr-1 protein during development. CONCLUSIONS: Although it has been shown that different mouse strains may have differently large eyes, the present study shows that a specific gene knockout can produce relative myopia, compared with the wild-type with near-identical genetic background. Further experiments are needed to determine whether the observed effects of Egr-1 deletion are due to changes in function within the retina or other ocular tissues or to changes of function in other systems that may affect ocular growth from outside the eye.

Animals↗

Impact of endodontic treatments on the rigidity of the root.

The destabilizing effect of endodontic treatment upon teeth is still controversial. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different steps of endodontic treatments upon the rigidity of teeth. Extracted untreated central maxillary anterior teeth were loaded (3.75 N), and deformations of the root were assessed by Speckle pattern interferometry. The following treatments (with subsequent determination of deformability) were conducted sequentially: access preparation, manual instrumentation (Kerr files ISO-40, ISO-60, ISO-80, ISO-110), and tapered and parallel-sided post preparation. It was found that the teeth were increasingly destabilized by any treatment. While the increased deformability was not significant with the manual enlargement (p > 0.05), we found a significant destabilization after access preparation and post preparation (p < 0.05). A corresponding difference was found after conversion of the post preparation from tapered to parallel-sided (p < 0.05). Both substance loss and modifications of the natural root canal geometry play an important role in tooth rigidity.

Bicuspid↗

Noninvasive intracranial pressure monitoring.

Because skull elasticity has been demonstrated (through holographic interferometry), the assumption was made that even a small change in intracranial hydrostatic pressure might change the bitemporal diameter of the skull measurably. The authors devised a relatively noninvasive instrument for measuring skull diameter changes with changing intracranial pressure and evaluated its performance in cadavers and dogs, with encouraging results. With this method of measuring intracranial pressure, changes in pressure of as little as 2 mm Hg can be detected. The method measures relative rather than absolute pressure; it is postulated that this shortcoming can be overcome through further effort.

Animals↗

Mode of action of amphotericin B on chick embryo fibroblasts and on mouse Ehrlich tumour cells: a cytological and cytochemical analysis.

Chick embryo fibroblasts cultivated in vitro and Ehrlich ascites tumor cells (in vivo or in vitro) have been treated with amphotericin B. Cell multiplication is strongly inhibited. Large clear zones appear in the fibroblast nucleoi (phase-contrast and electron-microscope observations). Many treated fibroblasts and tumour cells have a high DNA content (pre-mitotic or polyploid level; measurements by cytophotometry). However, the RNA content (cytophotometry) and the total protein content (cytophotometry and micro-interferometry) are relatively low in the tumour cells. As shown by autoradiography, DNA synthesis is active but RNA synthesis and, in some cases, protein synthesis are inhibited. Due to this unbalanced growth, the cells cannot divide.

Amphotericin B↗

Red blood cell adhesion. II. Interferometric examination of the interaction with hydrocarbon oil and glass.

Using both living and glutaraldehyde-fixed red cells, we have examined adhesion to both oil/saline and glass/saline interfaces by interference reflection microscopy. At low ionic strength, 0.4 mM NaCl, fixed cells adherent to the oil/saline interface show first order whitish yellow zones of closest approach which indicate a separation of similar to or approximately 100 nm. Quantitative interferometry in monochromatic light supports this conclusion. As the salt concentration is increased the separation decreases and the final image shows zero-order black which probably indicates molecular contact with the interface. Similar but less reproducible results were obtained with fixed and unfixed cells on glass. Thes observations show that physical interactions alone can be responsible for adhesion in dilute and concentrated salt solutions. It is not, however, believed that the results necessarily imply the existence of adhesion with a gap in physiological concentrations of salt.

Alkanes↗

Red blood cell adhesion. III. Analysis of forces.

The results of experiments on the adhesion of glutaraldehyde-fixed red blood cells to both polarizable metal/saline and liquid hexadecane/saline interfaces have been analysed in terms of physical forces. The results show that the electrostatic repulsions sufficient to prevent adhesion to these test surfaces are remarkably similar, and that a force-balance condition is predicted at cell-substratum separations similar to or approximately 100 nm in 0.4 mM NaCl as found by interferometry. From the repulsive force the size of the attractive force can be found. If this is viewed as an electrodynamic attraction, the force coefficient is found to lie between 5 and 8 x 10(-14) erg (5 and 8 x 10(-21)J), a range in reasonable correspondence with measurements in physical systems.

Alkanes↗

Interference reflection microscopy in cell biology: methodology and applications.

Since its introduction into cell biology by Curtis in 1964, interference reflection microscopy (IRM) has been used by an increasing number of researchers to study cell-substrate interactions in living cells in culture. With the use of antiflex objectives, high-contrast IRM images can now be readily obtained. From the different theories on image formation in IRM that have been put forward, it can be seen that a zero-order interference pattern is generated at high illuminating numerical aperture. This yields information on the closeness of contact between cell and substrate, with only minor perturbation by reflections from the dorsal cell surface. Therefore, the proper use of illuminating apertures is crucial. Nevertheless, IRM images have to be interpreted with caution, especially under thin cytoplasmic sheets. Quantitative IRM is possible only with a mathematical model for finite illuminating aperture interferometry and with an independent measurement of cell thickness for values up to 1 micron. IRM has been applied qualitatively to a large number of cell types, and it seems that there are two universal types of adhesion. Focal contacts are small regions of closest cell-substrate apposition, possibly of immediate contact, that are associated with the distal end of actin filament bundles. They are firm attachment structures that hold the cell in place and in its spread shape. Close contacts are broad areas of reduced cell-to-substrate distance. They are weaker but highly dynamic adhesions that sustain rapid movements of cells or cell parts over the substrate. Although a number of independent observations suggest that adhesion patterns of malignantly transformed cells differ from those of their normal counterparts, there is no simple correlation between malignancy in vivo and altered contact formation in vitro. The adhesion pattern seems to be determined by the locomotory state of the cells rather than by their tissue of origin. Finally, IRM can also be used to enhance contrast in images of fixed preparations.

Animals↗

The influence of tracheal pressure changes on the responses of the tympanal membrane and auditory receptors in the locust Locusta migratoria L.

In resting tethered locusts, the effect of slow changes in tracheal air pressure on peripheral auditory information processing was analysed. The tympanal membrane vibrations, the pressure inside the tracheal system and the summed activity of the auditory receptors were measured simultaneously. With the membrane in the resting position, laser vibrometry and Fast Fourier Transformation analysis of sound-induced membrane vibrations demonstrated characteristic power spectra at the attachment sites of the high-frequency and low-frequency receptors. The spectra were different above 9 kHz, but very similar in the range 2&shy;9 kHz. During ventilation, tracheal pressure changed between -500 and 1500 Pa. This caused tympanal membrane peak-to-peak displacements in the range 70&shy;90 &micro;m outwards and 20&shy;30 &micro;m inwards, as measured by means of laser interferometry. For a quantitative analysis, sinusoidal tympanal membrane displacements with amplitudes such as those during natural ventilation could be induced by applying pressure to the tracheal system. There was a sigmoid relationship between the tracheal pressure and the corresponding membrane displacement. Outward displacements of the tympanal membrane at the attachment site of the elevated process (a-cells) attenuated sound-induced membrane vibrations in the ranges 2&shy;10 kHz and 14&shy;22 kHz and increased them in the ranges 10&shy;14 kHz and 22&shy;25 kHz. At the pyriform vesicle (d-cells), the vibration sensitivity was reduced in the frequency range 2&shy;14 kHz. Sensitivity was enhanced in the range 14&shy;25 kHz. As a consequence, the detection of acoustic signals was also influenced at the auditory receptor level. Tympanal membrane displacements during acoustic stimulation with 4 kHz sound pulses decreased the summed receptor response by approximately 15 dB. At 16 kHz, an increase of the response equivalent to 7 dB occurred. The effect on the response to white noise was intermediate.

Journal Article↗

The wake dynamics and flight forces of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster.

We have used flow visualizations and instantaneous force measurements of tethered fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) to study the dynamics of force generation during flight. During each complete stroke cycle, the flies generate one single vortex loop consisting of vorticity shed during the downstroke and ventral flip. This gross pattern of wake structure in Drosophila is similar to those described for hovering birds and some other insects. The wake structure differed from those previously described, however, in that the vortex filaments shed during ventral stroke reversal did not fuse to complete a circular ring, but rather attached temporarily to the body to complete an inverted heart-shaped vortex loop. The attached ventral filaments of the loop subsequently slide along the length of the body and eventually fuse at the tip of the abdomen. We found no evidence for the shedding of wing-tip vorticity during the upstroke, and argue that this is due to an extreme form of the Wagner effect acting at that time. The flow visualizations predicted that maximum flight forces would be generated during the downstroke and ventral reversal, with little or no force generated during the upstroke. The instantaneous force measurements using laser-interferometry verified the periodic nature of force generation. Within each stroke cycle, there was one plateau of high force generation followed by a period of low force, which roughly correlated with the upstroke and downstroke periods. However, the fluctuations in force lagged behind their expected occurrence within the wing-stroke cycle by approximately 1 ms or one-fifth of the complete stroke cycle. This temporal discrepancy exceeds the range of expected inaccuracies and artifacts in the measurements, and we tentatively discuss the potential retarding effects within the underlying fluid mechanics.

Animals↗