[Studies of Male Fertility with Raman Spectroscopy].

Raman spectroscopy which belongs to scattering spectroscopy obtained molecular vibrational and rotational information to achieve detection and analysis of molecular structure and corresponding changes through recording the frequency shift when light interacted with materials. Compared with routine biochemical analysis, Raman spectroscopy has the advantage of non-invasive, label-free and no sample requirement. Raman spectroscopy has been widely applied in biomedical field such as human tissue, organs, cells and human body fluids for disease diagnosis. This article mainly focuses on recent research advances of Raman spectroscopy in human semen. Firstly, Raman spectroscopy(including surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, SERS) employed in forensic science for semen analysis, and some related data processing methods were introduced, then Raman spectroscopy involved investigations of male fertility was highlighted, more specifically, the Raman-based qualitative and quantitative analysis which assist the objective detection and evaluation of male fertility. Furthermore, studies of single sperm cell based on micro-Raman system to characterize and evaluate sperm quality and the preliminarily obtained Raman biomarkers which indicate high-quality sperm cell were introduced. Finally, the potential development of Raman spectroscopy involved in reproduction and fertility field was also discussed.

Evaluation of collagen alteration after topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) using second harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy--in vivo study in a mouse model.

Topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) mediated by 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) has been used for the treatment of age-related skin lesions for therapeutic or cosmetic purposes. The modulation of collagen component and structure might play a significant role in influencing treatment outcomes of PDT. In this study, the effect of multi-session low dose ALA PDT on skin rejuvenation was examined in a hairless mouse model. Changes in collagen and skin texture were investigated by histological examination and in vivo second harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy. Results indicated that multi-session PDT could improve the collagen density and arrangement of skin tissue. SHG microscopy combined with quantitative collagen analysis could provide a useful tool for the evaluation of collagen alteration induced by ALA PDT.

[Fluorescence spectra and imaging of Platymonas subcordiformis via LSCM].

Primary investigation of Platymonas subcordiformis was performed with laser scanning microscopic technology. Both autofluorescence spectra and autofluorescence imaging of Platymonas subcordiformis were achieved by one photon excitation of 488 nm Ar+ laser. Autofluorescence images revealed cup-shaped object inside the Platymonas subcordiformis cell, and the corresponding fluorescence peak located at 682 nm was attributed to chloroplast. Moreover, in single channel mode, there existed a round-shaped object in chloroplast center, showing strong fluorescence by 800 nm femtosecond laser excitation. Also, the authors obtained both the individual cup-shaped chloroplast and round-shaped object image and the overlaid images by using dual-channel mode. Meanwhile, six main fluorescence peaks were found. Single photon excitation can be used to obtain autofluorescence image and autofluorescence spectra of Platymonas subcordiformis, while two photon excitation combined with multitrack mode and Lambda mode can be used not only to observe internal structure, but also for the analysis of existence of biological and chemical substances with higher sensitivity than single photon excitation. LSCM technique can be a promising tool for rapid, convenient, real-time and effective investigation in ocean algae.

[Surface-enhanced raman spectroscopic analysis of largehead Atractylodes rhizome decoction].

The normal Raman spectra and surface-enhanced Raman spectra (SERS) of largehead atractylodes rhizome decoction were tested and analyzed. The characteristic Raman bands of largehead atractylodes rhizome decoction were tentatively assigned. Six obvious Raman bands (396, 548, 617, 730, 955 and 1327 cm(-1)) were observed in the SERS of largehead atractylodes rhizome decoction. The absorption spectra of largehead atractylodes rhizome decoction and the mixture of silver colloids and largehead atractylodes rhizome decoction were tested. A new resonance absorption peak (999 nm) appeared in the long-wavelength region in UV-Vis absorption spectra of the mixture. The adsorption characteristics and possible enhancing mechanism of the largehead atractylodes rhizome decoction on silver colloid were speculated. The results showed that the surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy might provide a new kind of precise, direct and fast detecting method for the largehead atractylodes rhizome decoction or other traditional Chinese medicine.

[Infrared spectrum analysis of admixture decoction of herba ephedrae with semen armeniacae amarum].

The infrared spectra of decoction of herba ephedra and semen armeniacae amarum and the mixed decoction of herba ephedra + semen armeniacae amarum were tested. The change in the the mixed decoction was discussed to study the relationship between herba ephedra and semen armeniacae amarum after decoction. The results showed that some absorption peaks of herba ephedra and semen armeniacae amarum were retained in the mixed decoction of herba ephedra + semen armeniacae amarum, such as 1402 and 1076 cm(-1), but some absorption peaks that never appear in the two ingredient spectra increased such as 1394 and 682 cm(-1). New absorption peaks were generated in the mixed decoction of herba ephedra + semen armeniacae amarum, such as 688 and 1187 cm(-1). It can be showed that there were differences in the chemistry environment of the various chemical groups in the three decoctions introduced above, with the variation in absorption peak position, and the biochemical structure of the material changed, possibly with some new chemical compositions created. Medical ingredients in the mixed decoction of herba ephedra + semen armeniacae amarum were not simply the addition of herba ephedra and semen armeniacae amarum based on studies of infrared spectrum of decoction, and the new notion of prescription spectroscopy was proposed.

[Molecular cloning of specific porcine adipocyte membrane protein cDNA].

Specific porcine adipocyte membrane protein (PAMP), which was recently reported, is probably associated with the growth and development of adipocyte and regulator of adipose tissue. Using RT-PCR and RACE methods, and primer designed according to published sequence of PAMP gene 5' end, we have successfully amplified about a 500 bp and a 400 bp from pig adipose tissue. A 500 bp fragment was retrieved, cloned and sequenced. The sequencing result showed that we have got the clone and sequence of cDNA 5'-end for PAMP gene.