Reconstruction of optical pathlength distributions from images obtained by a wide-field differential interference contrast microscope.

An image processing algorithm is presented to reconstruct optical pathlength distributions from images of nonabsorbing weak phase objects, obtained by a differential interference contrast (DIC) microscope, equipped with a charge-coupled device camera. The method is demonstrated on DIC images of transparent latex spheres and unstained bovine spermatozoa. The images were obtained with a wide-field DIC microscope, using monochromatic light.

FISH and chips: automation of fluorescent dot counting in interphase cell nuclei.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization allows the enumeration of chromosomal abnormalities in interphase cell nuclei. This process is called dot counting. To estimate the distribution of chromosomes per cell, a large number of cells have to be analyzed, especially when the frequency of aberrant cells is low.

Affinity for dopamine D2, D3, and D4 receptors of 2-aminotetralins. Relevance of D2 agonist binding for determination of receptor subtype selectivity.

A series of 2-aminotetralins, substituted with a methoxy or a hydroxy group on the 5- or 7-position, and with varying N-alkyl or N-arylalkyl substituents, were prepared and evaluated in binding assays for human dopamine (DA) D2, D3, and D4 receptors. Some members of this series were prepared in former studies, but were never tested in vitro with single receptor subtypes, and these were examined again. None of the tested 2-aminotetralins showed high affinity for the dopamine D4 receptor.

Solid-phase extraction and gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric determination after hydrolysis of 2-aminofluorene haemoglobin adducts in blood of rats.

2-Nitrofluorene is an environmental pollutant that binds covalently to haemoglobin after nitroreduction and successive N-hydroxylation. these haemoglobin adducts can be cleaved in vitro by mild base-catalysed hydrolysis. For the enrichment of arylamines from the aqueous hydrolysate, an extraction procedure with an organic solvent is widely used.

Experience with the Athena semi-automated karyotyping system.

The traditional analysis and assembly of metaphase chromosomes into a karyogram is a slow and tedious process requiring intermediate photographic steps and manual manipulation of the chromosome images. Much of this task is highly repetitive and readily lends itself to partial automation. Semi-automated karyotyping systems now are being used increasingly in both clinical and research cytogenetic laboratories.

The Athena semi-automated karyotyping system.

In this article we describe Athena, a system that provides for semi-automated karyotyping of metaphase spreads. The system is based upon the Macintosh II computer. It uses software that is written entirely in C and consists of approximately 200 Kbytes of executable code.

Combination of theophylline and prostaglandin E1 as inhibitors of the adjuvant-induced arthritis syndrome of rats.

The effects of daily subcutaneous administration of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), theophylline, and of both drugs together were studied on the Freund's adjuvant-induced inflammatory and arthritic syndrome in rats. In the doses used, neither drug affected the acute inflammatory response in the adjuvant-treated paw, but together they caused marked inhibition. Chronic inflammation in the contralateral (nontreated) hind paws was slightly inhibited by each drug and combined treatment resulted in marked inhibition.