Intensity distortions due to phase-only spatial light modulation: Characterization for applications in electronic speckle-pattern interferometry

Electronic speckle-pattern interferometry (ESPI) is a powerful tool for precise, full-field, and non-contact contouring of optically rough surfaces. Due to the interferometric principle, the sensitivity of ESPI is directly related to the involved wavelengths and is thereby a global parameter. Surfaces with a broad variation of phase gradients, as, for instance, a target with both smooth and comparatively steep areas, result in just partially resolvable fringe interferograms. In recent studies, spatial light modulators (SLMs) have been implemented to adapt the interferometric reference phase front to the measurement task and broaden or squeeze the fringe spacing locally in critical areas. This method is limited by diffraction effects, observable for all types of phase-only SLMs. We demonstrate a straight-forward model, describing the diffraction-based intensity distortions occurring in interferograms after wavefront adaptation. The aim is to characterize the intensity distortions by means of the proposed model and minimize their impact, especially with regard to phase-only spatial light modulation in ESPI. For validation, the modeled behavior of SLMs is compared to the experimental results, obtained for two different SLM designs. Finally, experiments are presented, which demonstrate a successful adaptation of the interferometric reference phase front in compliance with the boundary conditions determined by the model.

The long chain α-tocopherol metabolite α-13'-COOH and γ-tocotrienol induce P-glycoprotein expression and activity by activation of the pregnane X receptor in the intestinal cell line LS 180

SCOPE

Members of the vitamin E family or their metabolites may induce the xenobiotic transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp), which can limit the bioavailability of drugs and phytochemicals. This study aimed to investigate if α- and γ-tocopherol, α- and γ-tocotrienol, the long chain metabolite α-tocopherol-13'-COOH, the short chain metabolites α- and γ-carboxyethylhydroxychromanol and plastochromanol-8 activate the pregnane X receptor (PXR) and thereby modulate P-gp expression and/or activity.

METHODS AND RESULTS

P-gp protein expression and activity were studied in LS 180 cells incubated with the respective test compound for 48 h. Furthermore, we determined if the compounds activate PXR in LS 180 cells, as PXR regulates P-gp expression. Neither P-gp protein expression and activity, nor PXR activity were influenced by α-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol and plastochromanol-8. α-Tocotrienol activated PXR in the reporter gene assay but did not induce protein expression or activity of P-gp. γ-Tocotrienol and α-13'-COOH activated PXR and induced protein expression and transporter activity of P-gp.

CONCLUSION

Because the induction of P-gp in the intestine may limit the systemic bioavailability of its substrates, the concurrent intake of drugs and γ-tocotrienol and, if ever applicable, α-13'-COOH should be avoided.

Reconstruction of surfaces from phase-shifting speckle interferometry: Bayesian approach

The reconstruction of surfaces from speckle interferometry data is a demanding data-analysis task that involves edge detection, edge completion, and image reconstruction from noisy data. We present an approach that makes optimal use of the experimental information to minimize the hampering influence of the noise. The experimental data are then analyzed with a combination of wavelet transform and Bayesian probability theory. Nontrivial examples are presented to illustrate the proposed technique.

Maltophilin: a new antifungal compound produced by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia R3089

Strains of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia R3089, isolated from the rhizosphere of rape plants (Brassica napus L.), produced a novel antifungal compound, named maltophilin, which inhibited the growth of various saprophytic, human-pathogenic and phytopathogenic fungi but was inactive against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Maltophilin is a novel macrocyclic lactam antibiotic with a molecular mass of 510 mu. The compound was isolated from the culture filtrate by ethyl acetate extraction and gel filtration on Sephadex LH20 and purified by preparative HPLC on reversed phase. The structure of maltophilin was elucidated by electrospray mass spectrometry and 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy.